# Ennis, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended May 31, 2012 - Company: [Ennis, Inc.](/companies/ebf.md) (CIK 33002) - Form: 10-Q - Filed: 2012-06-29 - Accepted by EDGAR: Jun 29, 2012, 14:32 ET - Period: 2012-05-31 - Accession: 0001193125-12-288912 - Inline XBRL: yes - Main document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/33002/000119312512288912/d363053d10q.htm - All documents and exhibits: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/33002/000119312512288912/ ## Figures reported in this filing Standardized XBRL line items for the period ended 2012-05-31. | Line item | Period | Value | XBRL concept | | --- | --- | ---: | --- | | Net income | 3 months, 2012-03-01 to 2012-05-31 | $3.9m | us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss | | Operating cash flow | 3 months, 2012-03-01 to 2012-05-31 | $14.8m | us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | | Capital expenditure | 3 months, 2012-03-01 to 2012-05-31 | $133.0k | us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | | Dividends paid | 3 months, 2012-03-01 to 2012-05-31 | $4.6m | us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividendsCommonStock | | Share repurchases | 3 months, 2012-03-01 to 2012-05-31 | $1.0k | us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock | | Cash and equivalents | at 2012-05-31 | $15.0m | us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue | | Current assets | at 2012-05-31 | $206.2m | us-gaap:AssetsCurrent | | Total assets | at 2012-05-31 | $512.9m | us-gaap:Assets | | Current liabilities | at 2012-05-31 | $39.5m | us-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent | | Total liabilities | at 2012-05-31 | $155.5m | us-gaap:Liabilities | | Long-term debt | at 2012-05-31 | $85.0m | us-gaap:LongTermDebtNoncurrent | | Shareholders' equity | at 2012-05-31 | $357.4m | us-gaap:StockholdersEquity | ## Management's discussion and analysis As filed, 75,527 characters. ### Overview Ennis, Inc. (formerly Ennis Business Forms, Inc.) was organized under the laws of Texas in 1909. Ennis, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively known as the “Company,” “Registrant,” “Ennis,” or “we,” “us,” or “our”) print and manufacture a broad line of business forms and other business products (the “Print Segment”) and also manufacture a line of activewear (the “Apparel Segment”) for distribution throughout North America. Distribution of business products and forms throughout the United States is primarily through independent dealers. This distributor channel encompasses print distributors, stationers, quick printers, computer software developers, and advertising agencies, among others. The Apparel Segment produces and sells activewear, including t-shirts, fleece goods and other wearables. Distribution of our activewear throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico is primarily through sales representatives. The distributor channel encompasses activewear wholesalers and screen printers. We offer a great selection of high-quality activewear apparel and hats with a wide variety of styles and colors in sizes ranging from toddler to 6XL. The apparel line features a wide variety of tees, fleece and shorts. On February 10, 2012, we acquired certain assets of PrintXcel and Printegra Corporation (“Printegra”) for $40.0 million plus assumed certain trade liabilities. The acquisition was funded by a draw down on our line of credit facility. The combined sales of the purchased operations were $74.4 million during the most recent twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. The acquisition will continue its operations under their respective trade names of PrintXcel and Printegra. The acquisition will expand our pressure seal capabilities and will also expand our high color commercial print capabilities and business check product lines which will be sold through our independent distributor network. On September 30, 2011, we purchased all of the outstanding stock of PrintGraphics, LLC (“PrintGraphics”), as well as the associated land and buildings for $6.0 million in cash. PrintGraphics has locations in Vandalia, Ohio and Nevada, Iowa. The sales of the purchased operations were $15.1 million during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2010. The acquisition of PrintGraphics continues the strategy of targeted growth in our print segment of products to further service our existing customer base. ### Business Segment Overview We are one of the largest providers of business forms to independent distributors in the United States and are also one of the largest providers of blank t-shirts in North America to the activewear market. We operate in two reportable segments – Print and Apparel. For additional financial information concerning segment reporting, please see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page 18 included elsewhere herein, which information is incorporated herein by reference. ### Print Segment The Print Segment, which represented 61% of our consolidated net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2012, is in the business of manufacturing, designing and selling business forms and other printed business products primarily to distributors located in the United States. The Print Segment operates 50 manufacturing locations throughout the United States in 20 strategically located domestic states. Approximately 94% of the business products manufactured by the Print Segment are custom and semi-custom products, constructed in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and quantities on an individual job basis depending upon the customers’ specifications. The products sold include snap sets, continuous forms, laser cut sheets, tags, labels, envelopes, integrated products, jumbo rolls and pressure sensitive products in short, medium and long runs under the following labels: Ennis®, Royal Business Forms®, Block Graphics®, Specialized Printed Forms®, 360º Custom LabelsSM, Enfusion®, Uncompromised Check Solutions®, VersaSeal®, Witt Printing®, B&D Litho®, Genforms®, PrintGraphicsSM, Calibrated Forms®, PrintXcel™ and Printegra®. The Print Segment also sells the Adams-McClure® brand (which provides Point of Purchase advertising for large franchise and fast food chains as well as kitting and fulfillment); the Admore® brand (which provides presentation folders and document folders); Ennis Tag & LabelSM (which provides tags and labels, promotional products and advertising concept products); Atlas Tag & Label® (which provides tags and labels); Trade Envelopes® and Block Graphics® (which provide custom and imprinted envelopes) and Northstar® and General Financial Supply® (which provide financial and security documents). The Print Segment sells predominantly through private printers and independent distributors. Northstar also sells direct to a small number of customers, generally large banking organizations (where a distributor is not acceptable or available to the end-user), as does Adams-McClure, where sales are generally through advertising agencies. The printing industry generally sells its products either through sales made predominantly to end users, a market dominated by a few large manufacturers, such as Moore Wallace (a subsidiary of R.R. Donnelley), Standard Register, and Cenveo, or, like the Company, through a variety of independent distributors and distributor groups. While it is not possible, because of the lack of adequate statistical information, to determine Ennis’ share of the total business products market, management believes Ennis is one of the largest producers of business forms in the United States distributing primarily through independent dealers and that its business forms offering is more diversified than that of most companies in the business forms industry. There are a number of competitors that operate in this segment, ranging in size from single employee-owner operations to multi-plant organizations. We believe our strategic locations and buying power permit us to compete on a favorable basis within the distributor market on competitive factors, such as service, quality, and price. Distribution of business forms and other business products throughout the United States is primarily done through independent dealers, including business forms distributors, stationers, printers, computer software developers, and advertising agencies. Raw materials of the Print Segment principally consist of a wide variety of weights, widths, colors, sizes, and qualities of paper for business products purchased from a number of major suppliers at prevailing market prices. Business products usage in the printing industry is generally not seasonal. General economic conditions and contraction of the traditional business forms industry are the predominant factor in quarterly volume fluctuations. ***Our Print Business Challenges—***In our Print segment, we are engaged in an industry undergoing significant changes. Technology advances have made electronic distribution of documents, internet hosting, digital printing and print on demand valid, cost-effective alternatives to traditional custom printed documents and customer communications. In addition, the recent downturn in the economy and credit markets which created highly competitive conditions in an already over-supplied, price-competitive industry, continue to present challenges today. Thus, we believe we are facing the following challenges in the Print Segment of our business: - Transformation of our portfolio of products - Excess production capacity and price competition within our industry - Continued economic uncertainties The following is a discussion of these business challenges and our strategy for managing their effect on our print business. **Transformation of our portfolio of products –** Traditional business documents are essential in order to conduct business. However, many are being replaced or devalued with advances in digital technologies, causing steady declines in demand for a large portion of our current product line. The same digital advances also introduce potential new opportunities for growth for us, such as print-on-demand services and product offerings that assist customers in their transition to digital business environments. We currently have many innovative products, such as our healthcare wristbands, secure document solutions, and innovative in-mold label offerings, which address important business needs, and we feel represent opportunities for significant growth. In addition, we continue to look for new market opportunities and niches, such as our addition of our envelope offerings and long run integrated products with high color web printing that provide us with an opportunity for growth and differentiate us from our competition. Transforming our product offerings to continue to provide innovative, valuable solutions to our customers on a proactive basis will require us to make investments in new and existing technology and to develop key strategic business relationships. **Excess production capacity and price competition within our industry –** Paper mills continue to adjust production capacity through downtime and closures to attempt to keep supply in line with demand. Due to the limited number of paper mills, paper prices have been and are expected to remain fairly volatile. Despite a continued competitive marketplace, we have generally been able to pass through increased paper costs, although it can often take several quarters to push these through due to the custom nature of our products and/or contractual relationships with some of our customers. We expect this trend to continue, however, any downturn in the economy or continued protraction of the current recovery may limit our ability to recover all these costs. As such, we will continue to focus our efforts on effectively managing and controlling our product costs to minimize the effects of the foregoing on our operational results, primarily through the use of forecasting models, and production and costing models. However, an inherent risk in this process is that our assumptions are inaccurate, which could have a negative impact on our reported profit margins. **Continued economic uncertainties –** As a result of the past recessionary conditions, the economic climate has been volatile and challenging. Decreased demand and intense price competition resulted in a significant decline in our revenue during the past several fiscal years. Although we have seen improvement in some economic indicators within our markets, a generally weak domestic job market, global economic instabilities and a rather anemic domestic economic recovery continue to present a challenging environment for revenue growth. As we cannot predict the pace or continuance of the domestic economic recovery or the impact of continued global economic instability, we continue to be focused on customer retention, expanding our growth targeted products and continuing to develop new market niches. In addition, we have a proven history of managing our costs during tough economic times and wouldn’t expect this to change in the future. ### Apparel Segment The Apparel Segment represented 39% of our consolidated net sales for the three months ended May 31, 2012, and operates under the name of Alstyle Apparel (“Alstyle”). Alstyle markets high quality knitted activewear (t-shirts, tank tops and fleece) across all market segments. The main products of Alstyle are standardized shirts manufactured in a variety of sizes and colors. Approximately 98% of Alstyle’s revenues are derived from t-shirt sales, with 92% domestic sales. Alstyle’s branded product lines are sold mainly under the AAA® and Murina® brands. Effective July 2011, Alstyle operates in an owned manufacturing facility located in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Previously Alstyle operated in a leased manufacturing facility located in Anaheim, CA. Alstyle has three cut/sew facilities in Mexico (Agua Prieta, Ensenada and Hermosillo). In addition to its own cut and sew facilities, Alstyle also uses outsourced manufacturers located in El Salvador from time to time to supplement a portion of the cut and sew needs. After sewing and packaging is completed, the product is shipped to one of Alstyle’s nine distribution centers located across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Alstyle utilizes a customer-focused internal sales team comprised of 20 sales representatives assigned to specific geographic territories in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Sales representatives are allocated performance objectives for their respective territories and are provided financial incentives for achievement of their target objectives. Sales representatives are responsible for developing business with large accounts and spend approximately 67% of their time in the field. Alstyle employs a staff of customer service representatives that handle call-in orders from smaller customers. Sales personnel sell directly to Alstyle’s customer base, which consists primarily of screen printers, embellishers, retailers, and mass marketers. A majority of Alstyle’s sales are branded products, with the remainder being customer private label products. Generally, sales to screen printers and mass marketers are driven by price and the availability of products, which directly impacts our inventory level requirements. Sales in the private label business are characterized by slightly higher customer loyalty. Alstyle’s most popular styles are produced based on demand management forecasts to permit quick shipment and to level production schedules. Alstyle offers same-day shipping and uses third party carriers to ship products to its customers. Alstyle’s sales are seasonal, with sales in the first and second fiscal quarters generally being the highest. The apparel industry is characterized by rapid shifts in fashion, consumer demand and competitive pressures, resulting in both price and demand volatility. However, the imprinted activewear market to which Alstyle sells is generally “event” driven. Blank t-shirts can be thought of as “walking billboards” promoting movies, concerts, sports teams, and “image” brands. Still, the demand for any particular product varies from time to time based largely upon changes in consumer preferences and general economic conditions affecting the apparel industry. The apparel industry is comprised of numerous companies who manufacture and sell a wide range of products. Alstyle is primarily involved in the activewear market and produces t-shirts and outsources such products as fleece, hats, shorts, pants and other such activewear apparel from China, Thailand, Pakistan, and other foreign sources to sell to its customers through its sales representatives. Alstyle competes with many branded and private label manufacturers of knit apparel in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, some of which are larger in size and have greater financial resources than Alstyle. Alstyle competes on the basis of price, quality, service, and delivery. Alstyle’s strategy is to provide the best value to its customers by delivering a consistent, high-quality product at a competitive price. Alstyle’s competitive disadvantage is that its brand name, Alstyle Apparel, is not as well known as the brand names of its largest competitors, such as Gildan, Delta, Hanes, and Russell. While it is not possible to calculate precisely, based on public information available, management believes that Alstyle is one of the top three providers of blank t-shirts in North America. Raw materials of the Apparel Segment principally consist of cotton and polyester yarn purchased from a number of major suppliers at prevailing market prices, although we purchase 48% of our cotton and yarn from one supplier. ***Our Apparel Business Challenges—***In our Apparel segment, our market niche is highly competitive, commodity driven and is generally dominated by a limited number of companies. The downturn in the economy and turmoil in the credit markets in 2009 and 2010 created an over-supply situation, which further increased competitive pressures in this market. While the economic environment had improved some, which led to increased demand for our product during the later part of fiscal year 2011 and the start of fiscal year 2012, we have seen some recent softness in the market due to destocking strategies and current economic uncertainties both domestically and internationally. Whether the current softness in the market is just a temporary situation or one we will have to manage through for an extended period of time is unknown. However, such uncertainty and volatility in the marketplace could have unanticipated adverse effects on our business during this fiscal year and beyond. In addition, the current spot price of cotton has contributed negatively to an already competitive marketplace and made it even more difficult for large manufacturers to maintain their margins given the high cost of cotton still residing in their finished goods inventory. While current spot prices on various input costs are down considerably from comparable periods, costs in their finished goods inventory are still at much higher costs than these spot prices. We have been and will continue working through these higher input costs over the next quarter or two before the current lower costs will have a positive impact on our operational results. As such, our operating costs are subject to significant swings, which may or may not be passed on to the marketplace due to competitive or current economic conditions, competitors’ pricing strategies, etc. Thus, we believe we are facing the following challenges in our Apparel Segment business in fiscal 2013: - Cotton prices and market pricing - New manufacturing facility - Continued economic uncertainties **Cotton prices –** Cotton, which represents a significant portion of our cost, is a commodity product and subject to volatile fluctuations in price. Over the past several years, we have seen cotton prices reach levels never before seen in its history and have seen the prices recede back to levels, while still high, which are more in line with historical averages. Whether or not prices will stay at current levels for a sustained period of time, or continue to recede, is unknown. For the current quarter, our effective cost of cotton flowing into our operational results was 96% higher than during the comparable period last year. Costs for cotton yarn and cotton-based textiles vary based upon the fluctuating cost of cotton, which is affected by, among other factors, weather, consumer demand, commodities market speculation, currency fluctuations, international actions and other factors that are generally unpredictable and beyond our control. We are able to lock in the cost of cotton reflected in the price we pay for yarn from our primary suppliers in an attempt to protect our business from the volatility of the market price of cotton. However, our business can be affected by dramatic movements in cotton prices. Due to the high price of cotton during calendar year 2010, Alstyle, like most large manufacturers, was relatively short with respect to their cotton purchases entering calendar year 2011. However, during the middle part of the calendar year 2011, we entered in cotton contracts in order to guarantee an uninterrupted supply of cotton and price stability covering approximately six months of projected cotton buys. Unfortunately, these locked in prices are significantly higher than the current spot price of cotton today. While we believe we are competitive with other large apparel manufacturers in the United States, with the current spot pricing in the market, many of the smaller manufacturers who did not have the financial capacity to enter into longer term contracts are now able to compete on a favorable basis due to their lower input cost. As the costs incurred for materials are capitalized into inventory and impact the Company’s operating results as the inventory is sold, our peak cotton costs have been flowing into our operational results during the past several quarters. We believe this is a situation that all large manufacturers like Alstyle will need to continue to manage through over the next quarter or two. Unfortunately, while the market had absorbed a certain level of these higher material costs, it never reached a level that effectively offset the current level of cotton costs residing in most manufacturers’ finished goods inventories. In addition, due to recent softness in the market, competitive pressures have had a negative impact on even this level of market pricing. These factors, along with domestic and international economic uncertainties, will make the next quarter or two extremely challenging to navigate through, with comparable margin compression expected until the current lower cotton cost starts to flow through our cost of sales. **New manufacturing facility –** The new manufacturing facility in Agua Prieta, Mexico (“AP”) is operational and all production has now been transitioned from our Anaheim, CA (“Anaheim”) facility to the AP facility. We began producing fabric from this facility during the first quarter of fiscal 2012 and current production capabilities are on target with our original estimates. While the transition from Anaheim to AP has been completed, much still needs to be accomplished, such as increasing production levels and improving the operational efficiency. We believe that operational efficiency will improve as production levels are increased. However, the increase in production levels is dependent on improved market conditions (see below). **Continued economic uncertainties –** As a result of the past recessionary conditions, the economic climate has been and continues to be volatile and challenging both domestically and internationally. Although we saw an increase in our apparel revenues during fiscal year 2011 due to improving economic conditions, we saw a significant drop off in our sales during the latter half of fiscal 2012 due to competitive pricing pressures, which we attributed to recent softness in the market. International instability and continued domestic economic issues (i.e., high unemployment, housing sector weakness, etc.) have taken a toll on the domestic economic environment. In addition, the decline in spot pricing of cotton has also given some retailers/distributors/screen-printers reason to pause or be judicious with their replenishment orders. As such, we saw some softness in the market during the latter half of fiscal year 2012, which appears to be continuing into fiscal year 2013. Whether this market is temporary or one we will have to manage through for sometime is unknown. A prolonged softness in the market could have a negative impact on our revenues, operational results and lengthen the time it takes us to get to the lower priced cotton residing in our finished goods inventory. ### Risk Factors In addition to the factors indicated above, you should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as the other information included or incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, before making an investment in our common stock. The risks described below are not the only ones we face in our business. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition or operating results could be materially harmed. In such an event, our common stock could decline in price and you may lose all or part of your investment. ***Our results and financial condition are affected by global and local market conditions, and competitors’ pricing strategies, which can adversely affect our sales, margins, and net income.*** Our results of operations are substantially affected not only by global economic conditions, but also by local market conditions, and competitors’ pricing strategies, which can vary substantially by market. Unfavorable conditions can depress sales in a given market and may prompt promotional or other actions that adversely affect our margins, constrain our operating flexibility or result in charges. Certain macroeconomic events, such as the recent crisis in the financial markets, could have a more wide-ranging and prolonged impact on the general business environment, which could also adversely affect us. Whether we can manage these risks effectively depends mainly on the following: - Our ability to manage upward pressure on commodity prices and the impact of government actions to manage national economic conditions such as consumer spending, inflation rates and unemployment levels, particularly given the current volatility in the global financial markets; - The impact on our margins of labor costs given our labor-intensive business model, the trend toward higher wages in both mature and developing markets and the potential impact of union organizing efforts on day-to-day operations of our manufacturing facilities. ### Declining economic conditions could negatively impact our business. Our operations are affected by local, national and worldwide economic conditions. Markets in the United States and elsewhere have been experiencing extreme volatility and disruption due in part to the financial stresses affecting the liquidity of the banking system and the financial markets generally. The consequences of a potential or prolonged recession may include a lower level of economic activity and uncertainty regarding energy prices and the capital and commodity markets, all of what we have seen of late. A lower level of economic activity might result in a decline in demand for our products, which may adversely affect our revenues and future growth. Instability in the financial markets, as a result of recession or otherwise, also may affect our cost of capital and our ability to raise capital. ***The terms and conditions of our credit facility impose certain restrictions on our operations. We may not be able to raise additional capital, if needed, for proposed expansion projects.*** The terms and conditions of our credit facility impose certain restrictions on our ability to incur additional debt, make capital expenditures, acquisitions, asset dispositions, as well as other customary covenants, such as minimum equity level and total funded debt to EBITDA, as defined. Our ability to comply with the covenants may be affected by events beyond our control, such as distressed and volatile financial markets which could trigger an impairment charge to our recorded intangible assets. A breach of any of these covenants could result in a default under our credit facility. In the event of a default, the bank could elect to declare the outstanding principal amount of our credit facility, all interest thereon, and all other amounts payable under our credit facility to be immediately due and payable. As of May 31, 2012, we were in compliance with all terms and conditions of our credit facility, which matures on August 18, 2016. ***Declining financial market conditions could adversely impact the funding status of our pension plan.*** We maintain a defined-benefit pension plan covering approximately 9% of our employees. Included in our financial results are pension costs that are measured using actuarial valuations. The actuarial assumptions used may differ from actual results. In addition, as our pension assets are invested in marketable securities, severe fluctuations in market values could potentially negatively impact our funding status, recorded pension liability, and future required minimum contribution levels. ***We may be required to write down goodwill and other intangible assets which, could cause our financial condition and results of operations to be negatively affected in the future.*** When we acquire a business, a portion of the purchase price of the acquisition may be allocated to goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. The amount of the purchase price which is allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets is the excess of the purchase price over the net identifiable tangible assets acquired. The annual impairment test is based on several factors requiring judgment. A decline in market conditions caused by a recession, protracted recovery there from, or other factors may indicate a potential impairment of goodwill. An impairment test was completed for our fiscal year ended February 29, 2012, and we concluded that no impairment charge was necessary. At May 31, 2012, our goodwill and other intangible assets were approximately $121.2 million and $86.6 million (includes $0.7 million relating to patents included in other long-term assets), respectively. ***Digital technologies will continue to erode the demand for our printed business documents.*** The increasing sophistication of software, internet technologies, and digital equipment combined with our customers’ general preference, as well as governmental influences, for paperless business environments will continue to reduce the number of traditional printed documents sold. Moreover, the documents that will continue to coexist with software applications will likely contain less value-added print content. Many of our custom-printed documents help companies control their internal business processes and facilitate the flow of information. These applications will increasingly be conducted over the internet or through other electronic payment systems. The predominant method of our clients’ communication to their customers is by printed information. As their customers become more accepting of internet communications, our clients may increasingly opt for the less costly electronic option, which would reduce our revenue. The pace of these trends is difficult to predict. These factors will tend to reduce the industry-wide demand for printed documents and require us to gain market share to maintain or increase our current level of print-based revenue. In response to the gradual obsolescence of our standardized forms business, we continue to develop our capability to provide custom and full-color products. If new printing capabilities and new product introductions do not continue to offset the obsolescence of our standardized business forms products, and we aren’t able to increase our market share, our sales and profits will be affected. Decreases in sales of our standardized business forms and products due to obsolescence could also reduce our gross margins. This reduction could in turn adversely impact our profits, unless we are able to offset the reduction through the introduction of new high margin products and services or realize cost savings in other areas. ***Our distributors face increased competition from various sources, such as office supply superstores. Increased competition may require us to reduce prices or to offer other incentives in order to enable our distributors to attract new customers and retain existing customers.*** Low price, high value office supply chain stores offer standardized business forms, checks and related products. Because of their size, these superstores have the buying power to offer many of these products at competitive prices. These superstores also offer the convenience of “one-stop” shopping for a broad array of office supplies that our distributors do not offer. In addition, superstores have the financial strength to reduce prices or increase promotional discounts to expand market share. This could result in us reducing our prices or offering incentives in order to enable our distributors to attract new customers and retain existing customers, which could reduce our profits. ***Technological improvements may reduce our competitive advantage over some of our competitors, which could reduce our profits.*** Improvements in the cost and quality of printing technology are enabling some of our competitors to gain access to products of complex design and functionality at competitive costs. Increased competition from these competitors could force us to reduce our prices in order to attract and retain customers, which could reduce our profits. ***We could experience labor disputes that could disrupt our business in the future.*** As of May 31, 2012, approximately 14% of our domestic employees are represented by labor unions under collective bargaining agreements, which are subject to periodic renegotiations. Three unions represent all of our hourly employees in Mexico. While we feel we have a good working relationship with all the unions, there can be no assurance that any future labor negotiations will prove successful, which may result in a significant increase in the cost of labor, or may break down and result in the disruption of our business or operations. ***We obtain our raw materials from a limited number of suppliers, and any disruption in our relationships with these suppliers, or any substantial increase in the price of raw materials or material shortages could have a material adverse effect on us.*** Cotton yarn is the primary raw material used in Alstyle’s manufacturing processes. Cotton accounts for approximately 65% of the manufactured product cost at current pricing levels. Alstyle acquires its yarn from three major sources that meet stringent quality and on-time delivery requirements. The largest supplier provided 48% of Alstyle’s yarn requirements during the quarter and has an entire yarn mill dedicated to Alstyle’s production. To maintain our high standard of color control associated with our apparel products, we purchase our dyeing chemicals from limited sources. If Alstyle’s relations with its suppliers are disrupted, Alstyle may not be able to enter into arrangements with substitute suppliers on terms as favorable as its current terms, and our results of operations could be materially adversely affected. We also purchase our paper products from a limited number of sources, which meet stringent quality and on-time delivery standards under long-term contracts. However, fluctuations in the quality of our paper, unexpected price increases or other factors that relate to our paper products could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Both cotton and paper are commodities that are subject to periodic increases or decreases in price, sometimes quite significant. There is no effective market to cost-effectively insulate us against unexpected changes in price of paper, and corporate negotiated purchase contracts provide only limited protection against price increases. We generally acquire our cotton yarn under short-term purchase contracts with our suppliers. While we generally do not use derivative instruments, including cotton option contracts, to manage our exposure to movements in cotton market prices, we believe we are competitive with other companies in the United States apparel industry in negotiating the price of cotton. During fiscal year 2010 and through fiscal year 2012, spot cotton prices increased significantly however, manufacturers were able to insulate themselves from some of these increases with forward purchase contracts. However, because spot cotton prices have remained at these levels for a sustained period of time, these favorable forward contracts expired and were replaced with higher-priced contracts which were significantly higher than spot cotton prices. Even though the current spot cotton prices have begun stabilizing at historical prices, these higher-priced contracts are what have been and will continue to be flowing into large manufacturer’s cost of goods sold over the next several quarters. Generally, when cotton or paper prices are increased, we attempt to recover the higher costs by raising the prices of our products to our customers. In the price-competitive marketplaces in which we operate, we may not always be able to pass through any or all of the higher costs. As such, any significant increase in the price of paper or cotton or shortages in the availability of either, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. ***We face intense competition to gain market share, which may lead some competitors to sell substantial amounts of goods at prices against which we cannot profitably compete.*** Demand for Alstyle’s products is dependent on the general demand for shirts and the availability of alternative sources of supply. Alstyle’s strategy in this market environment is to be a low cost producer and to differentiate itself by providing quality service and quality products to its customers. Even if this strategy is successful, its results may be offset by reductions in demand or price declines due to competitors’ pricing strategies. Our Print Segment also faces the risk of our competition following a strategy of selling their products at or below cost in order to cover some amount of fixed costs, especially in distressed economic times. ### The apparel industry is heavily influenced by general economic cycles. The apparel industry is cyclical and dependent upon the overall level of discretionary consumer spending, which changes as regional, domestic and international economic conditions change. These include, but are not limited to, employment levels, energy costs, interest rates, tax rates, personal debt levels, and uncertainty about the future. Any deterioration in general economic conditions that creates uncertainty or alters discretionary consumer spending habits could reduce our sales, increase our costs of goods sold or require us to significantly modify our current business practices, and consequently negatively impact our results of operations. ***Our foreign-based apparel operations could be subject to unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs and other market barriers, political and economic instability, and social unrest in the countries where it operates, which could negatively impact our operating results.*** Alstyle operates manufacturing facilities in Mexico and from time to time sources certain product manufacturing and purchases from El Salvador, Thailand, India, Pakistan, China and other foreign sources. Alstyle’s foreign operations could be subject to unexpected changes in regulatory requirements, tariffs, and other market barriers, political and economic instability, and social unrest in the countries where it operates. The impact of any such events that may occur in the future could subject Alstyle to additional costs or loss of sales, which could adversely affect our operating results. In particular, Alstyle operates its facilities in Mexico pursuant to the “maquiladora” duty-free program established by the Mexican and United States governments. This program enables Alstyle to take advantage of generally lower costs in Mexico, without paying duty on inventory shipped into or out of Mexico. There can be no assurance that the governments of Mexico and the United States will continue the program currently in place or that Alstyle will continue to be able to benefit from this program. The loss of these benefits could have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, all Alstyle’s knit and dye operations are now located in one facility in Agua Prieta, Mexico. Any disruptions in operations through any of the above factors, as well as others, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operational results. ***Our apparel products are subject to foreign competition, which in the past have been faced with significant U.S. government import restrictions.*** Foreign producers of apparel often have significant labor cost advantages. Given the number of these foreign producers, the substantial elimination of import protections that protect domestic apparel producers could materially adversely affect Alstyle’s business. The extent of import protection afforded to domestic apparel producers has been, and is likely to remain, subject to considerable political considerations. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) became effective on January 1, 1994 and has created a free-trade zone among Canada, Mexico, and the United States. NAFTA contains a rule of origin requirement that products be produced in one of the three countries in order to benefit from the agreement. NAFTA has phased out all trade restrictions and tariffs among the three countries on apparel products competitive with those of Alstyle. Alstyle manufactures all of its products in the Agua Prieta manufacturing plant and performs substantially all of its cutting and sewing in three plants located in Mexico in order to take advantage of the NAFTA benefits. Subsequent repeal or alteration of NAFTA could adversely affect our business. The Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) became effective May 28, 2004 and retroactive to January 1, 2004 for textiles and apparel. It creates a free trade zone similar to NAFTA by and between the United States and Central American countries (El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Dominican Republic). Textiles and apparel are duty-free and quota-free immediately if they meet the agreement’s rule of origin, promoting new opportunities for U.S. and Central American fiber, yarn, fabric and apparel manufacturing. The agreement gives duty-free benefits to some apparel made in Central America that contains certain fabrics from NAFTA partners Mexico and Canada. Alstyle did not outsource any of its production to outside contract manufacturers during the quarter, and we do not anticipate that alteration or subsequent repeal of CAFTA would have a material effect on our operations. The World Trade Organization (WTO), a multilateral trade organization, was formed in January 1995 and is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This multilateral trade organization has set forth mechanisms by which world trade in clothing is being progressively liberalized by phasing-out quotas and reducing duties over a period of time that began in January of 1995. As it implements the WTO mechanisms, the United States government is negotiating bilateral trade agreements with developing countries, which are generally exporters of textile and apparel products, that are members of the WTO to get them to reduce their tariffs on imports of textiles and apparel in exchange for reductions by the United States in tariffs on imports of textiles and apparel. In January 2005, United States import quotas were removed on knitted shirts from China. The elimination of quotas and the reduction of tariffs under the WTO may result in increased imports of certain apparel products into North America. In May 2005, quotas on three categories of clothing imports, including knitted shirts, from China were re-imposed. A reduction of import quotas and tariffs could make Alstyle’s products less competitive against low cost imports from developing countries. ### Environmental regulations may impact our future operating results. We are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and foreign laws and regulations establishing health and environmental quality standards, and may be subject to liability or penalties for violations of those standards. We are also subject to laws and regulations governing remediation of contamination at facilities currently or formerly owned or operated by us or to which we have sent hazardous substances or wastes for treatment, recycling or disposal. We may be subject to future liabilities or obligations as a result of new or more stringent interpretations of existing laws and regulations. In addition, we may have liabilities or obligations in the future if we discover any environmental contamination or liability at any of our facilities, or at facilities we may acquire. ***Our new manufacturing facility in Mexico is subject to certain risks regarding sales growth and cost savings, as well as transition risks associated with moving the current production.*** Our new manufacturing facility was built to capture anticipated future growth and savings in production costs over our cost structure in Anaheim, CA. Should such growth or production savings not materialize, such events may impact our ability to achieve our expected return and/or could negatively impact our operational results and financial condition. ***We are exposed to the risk of non-payment by our customers on a significant amount of our sales.*** Our extension of credit involves considerable judgment and is based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition and payment history. We monitor our credit risk exposure by periodically obtaining credit reports and updated financials on our customers. We saw a heightened amount of bankruptcies by our customers, especially retailers, during the recent economic downturn. While we maintain an allowance for doubtful receivables for potential credit losses based upon our historical trends and other available information, in times of economic turmoil, there is heightened risk that our historical indicators may prove to be inaccurate. The inability to collect on sales to significant customers or a group of customers could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. ### Our business incurs significant freight and transportation costs. We incur significant freight costs to transport our goods, especially as it relates to our Apparel Segment where we transport yarn from our domestic suppliers to our textile facility in Mexico. The internal freight from the textile to the sewing facilities, as well as the logistic cost of keeping our product in the distribution centers to maintain our product close to the customer and on time to market is also significant. In addition, we incur transportation expenses to ship our products to our customers. Significant increases in the costs of freight and transportation could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, as there can be no assurance that we could pass these increased costs to our customers. ### The price of energy is prone to significant fluctuations and volatility. Our apparel manufacturing operations require high inputs of energy, and therefore changes in energy prices directly impact our gross profit margins. We are focusing on manufacturing methods that will reduce the amount of energy used in the production of our apparel products to mitigate the rising costs of energy. Significant increases in energy prices could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, as there can be no assurance that we could pass these increased costs to our customers given the competitive environment in which our Apparel segment operates. ***We depend upon the talents and contributions of a limited number of individuals, many of whom would be difficult to replace.*** The loss or interruption of the services of our Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, Vice President of Apparel or Chief Financial Officer could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Although we maintain employment agreements with these individuals, it cannot be assured that the services of such individuals will continue. ***Increases in the cost of employee benefits could impact the Company’s financial results and cash flow.*** The Company’s expenses relating to employee health benefits are significant. Unfavorable changes in the cost of such benefits could impact the Company’s financial results and cash flow. Healthcare costs have risen significantly in recent years, and recent legislative and private sector initiatives regarding healthcare reform could result in significant changes to the U.S. healthcare system. The Company is not able at this time to determine the impact that healthcare reform could have on the Company-sponsored medical plans. ### Cautionary Statements You should read this discussion and analysis in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Report. In addition, certain statements in this Report, and in particular, statements found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We believe these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our knowledge of Ennis. All such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and as a result, actual results could differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied by these statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, including but not limited to, general economic, business and labor conditions; the ability to implement our strategic initiatives; the ability to be profitable on a consistent basis; dependence on sales that are not subject to long-term contracts; dependence on suppliers; the ability to recover the rising cost of key raw materials in markets that are highly price competitive; the ability to meet customer demand for additional value-added products and services; the ability to timely or adequately respond to technological changes in the industry; the impact of the Internet and other electronic media on the demand for forms and printed materials; postage rates; the ability to manage operating expenses; the ability to manage financing costs and interest rate risk; a decline in business volume and profitability could result in an impairment of goodwill; the ability to retain key management personnel; the ability to identify, manage or integrate future acquisitions; the costs associated with and the outcome of outstanding and future litigation; and changes in government regulations. In view of such uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements since such statements may prove to be inaccurate and speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ### Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the disclosures and reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis, including those related to allowance for doubtful receivables, inventory valuations, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, pension plan obligations, accrued liabilities and income taxes. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following accounting policies are the most critical due to their effect on our more significant estimates and judgments used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements. We maintain a defined-benefit pension plan for employees. Included in our financial results are pension costs that are measured using actuarial valuations. The actuarial assumptions used may differ from actual results. As our pension assets are invested in marketable securities, fluctuations in market values could potentially impact our funding status and associated liability recorded. Amounts allocated to amortizable intangibles are determined based on valuation analysis for our acquisitions and are amortized over their expected useful lives. We evaluate these amounts periodically (at least once a year) to determine whether a triggering event has occurred during the year that would indicate potential impairment. We exercise judgment in evaluating our long-lived assets for impairment. We assess the impairment of long-lived assets that include other intangible assets, goodwill, and property, plant, and equipment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. In performing tests of impairment, we must make assumptions regarding the estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the respective assets in assessing the recoverability of our long lived assets. If these estimates or the related assumptions change, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets in the future. Actual results could differ from assumptions made by management. At May 31, 2012, our goodwill and other intangible assets were approximately $121.2 million and $86.6 million (includes $0.7 million relating to patents included in other long-term assets), respectively. We believe our businesses will generate sufficient undiscounted cash flow to more than recover the investments we have made in property, plant and equipment, as well as the goodwill and other intangibles recorded as a result of our acquisitions. However, we cannot predict the occurrence of future impairments or specific triggering events nor the impact such events might have on our reported asset values. Revenue is generally recognized upon shipment of products. Net sales consist of gross sales invoiced to customers, less certain related charges, including discounts, returns and other allowances. Returns, discounts and other allowances have historically been insignificant. In some cases and upon customer request, we print and store custom print product for customer specified future delivery, generally within twelve months. In this case, risk of loss from obsolescence passes to the customer, the customer is invoiced under normal credit terms and revenue is recognized when manufacturing is complete. Approximately $3.3 million of revenue was recognized under these agreements during the three months ended May 31, 2012 as compared to $2.0 million during the three months ended May 31, 2011. We maintain an allowance for doubtful receivables to reflect estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. On an on-going basis, we evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based upon historical collection trends, current economic factors, and the assessment of the collectability of specific accounts. We evaluate the collectability of specific accounts using a combination of factors, including the age of the outstanding balances, evaluation of customers’ current and past financial condition and credit scores, recent payment history, current economic environment, discussions with our project managers, and discussions with the customers directly. Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. We regularly review inventory values on hand, using specific aging categories, and write down inventory deemed obsolete and/or slow-moving based on historical usage and estimated future usage to its estimated market value. As actual future demand or market conditions may vary from those projected by management, adjustments to inventory valuations may be required. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each jurisdiction in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. To the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance, we must include an expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statements of earnings. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, our provision for income taxes could be materially impacted. In addition to the above, we also have to make assessments as to the adequacy of our accrued liabilities, more specifically our liabilities recorded in connection with our workers compensation and health insurance, as these plans are self funded. To help us in this evaluation process, we routinely get outside third party assessments of our potential liabilities under each plan. In view of such uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements since such statements speak only as of the date when made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ### Results of Operations The discussion that follows provides information which we believe is relevant to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. The discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. This analysis is presented in the following sections: - *Consolidated Summary –* this section provides an overview of our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended May 31, 2012. - *Segment Operating Results –* this section provides an analysis of our net sales, gross profit margin and operating income by segment. ### Consolidated Summary | Consolidated Statements of Earnings—Data | Three Months Ended May 31, 2012 | | 2011 | | | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: | | Net sales | $142,528 | 100.0% | $143,258 | 100.0% | | Cost of goods sold | 114,279 | 80.2 | 103,557 | 72.3 | | Gross profit margin | 28,249 | 19.8 | 39,701 | 27.7 | | Selling, general and administrative | 22,022 | 15.4 | 20,857 | 14.5 | | Income from operations | 6,227 | 4.4 | 18,844 | 13.2 | | Other expense, net | (119) | (0.1) | (994) | (0.7) | | Earnings before income taxes | 6,108 | 4.3 | 17,850 | 12.5 | | Provision for income taxes | 2,229 | 1.6 | 6,426 | 4.5 | | Net earnings | $3,879 | 2.7% | $11,424 | 8.0% | *Net Sales.* Our net sales decreased by $0.8 million, or 0.6% from $143.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to $142.5 million for the current quarter. During the quarter we were able to offset the decline in our apparel sales by the additional sales associated with our print acquisitions. Our apparel sales continue to be impacted by softness in the market and competitive pricing pressures. *Cost of Goods Sold.* Our manufacturing costs increased by $10.7 million from $103.6 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to $114.3 million for the current quarter, or 10.3%. Our gross profit margin decreased from 27.7% for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to 19.8% for the three months ended May 31, 2012 due to the decline in our apparel margin during the quarter which decreased from 26.8% to 7.0%. The decline in our apparel margin was caused by higher input costs (i.e., mainly cotton) and competitive pressures on selling prices. *Selling, general and administrative expense.* For the three months ended May 31, 2012, our selling, general and administrative expenses were $22.0 million, or 15.4% of sales, compared to $20.9 million, or 14.5% of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2011, or an increase of approximately $1.1 million, or 5.3%. Selling, general and administrative expenses were up slightly as a result of our two print acquisitions last fiscal year. *Income from operations.* Our income from operations for the three months ended May 31, 2012 was $6.2 million or 4.4% of sales, as compared to $18.8 million, or 13.2% of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2011, a decrease of $12.6 million, or 67.0%. The decrease in our operational earnings related to our decreased apparel margin during the current period. *Other income and expense.* Interest expense decreased from $0.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to $0.5 million for the three months ended May 31, 2012. The decrease in our interest expense related to a lower effective borrowing rate which was offset by the additional debt outstanding due to our recent print acquisition. *Provision for income taxes.* Our effective tax rate was 36.5% for the three months ended May 31, 2012 compared to 36.0% for the three months ended May 31, 2011. The increase in our effective tax rate during the current period related to a reduction in the benefit associated with our Domestic Production Activities Deduction, which was caused by the moving of our apparel manufacturing from the United States to Mexico. Our effective tax rate for all of fiscal year 2012 was 36.5%. *Net earnings.* Due to the above factors, our net earnings for the three months ended May 31, 2012 was $3.9 million, or 2.7% of sales, as compared to $11.4 million, or 8.0% of sales for the three months ended May 31, 2011. Our basic earnings per share were $0.15 per share for the three months ended May 31, 2012, as compared to $0.44 per share for the three months ended May 31, 2011. Our diluted earnings per share were $0.15 per share for the three months ended May 31, 2012, as compared to $0.44 per share for the three months ended May 31, 2011. ### Segment Operating Results | Net Sales by Segment (in thousands) | Three months ended May 31, 2012 | 2011 | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Print | $87,299 | $67,114 | | Apparel | 55,229 | 76,144 | | Total | $142,528 | $143,258 | ***Print Segment***. Our net print sales, which represented 61.3% of our consolidated sales during the three months ended May 31, 2012, were approximately $87.3 million compared to $67.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011, an increase of $20.2 million, or 30.1%. The increase in our sales during the quarter related primarily to our print acquisitions which added $22.9 million in sales during the quarter. While the growth has related primarily to our acquisitions, we continue to see signs of stability in our underlying business. ***Apparel Segment***. Our net apparel sales, which represented 38.7% of our consolidated sales for the three months ended May 31, 2012, were approximately $55.2 million compared to approximately $76.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011, a decrease of $20.9 million, or 27.5%. Our apparel sales continue to be impacted by soft market conditions; reduced retail and consumer sentiment attributed to the protracted and volatile economic recovery; the destocking of inventories at the retail/distributor/screen-print levels; a drop in commodity prices and competitors pricing strategies. The drop in commodity prices over the past 6 months has caused some unrealistic expectations with respect to selling prices. These unrealistic expectations caused some destocking of inventories during this period, which added to the competitive pressures in the marketplace. In attempts to move product, we believe our competitors instituted various rebate programs (stock/restock programs, etc.) or announced price decreases, all during a time when these same competitors were experiencing high cotton costs in their cost of sales. Due to such promotional pricing, at times, products were being sold at less than their associated raw material costs. Since our pricing strategy has been to try to cover our costs, we feel this has negatively impacted our top-line results over the past several quarters and may continue to impact our top-line results for the next quarter or two. However, as the higher priced inventory in the marketplace is worked through, sales volumes should return to more normalized levels, pricing should stabilize as selling prices and the cost of cotton in inventories being consumed are in better alignment, and as such we continue to expect a better business environment during the second half of fiscal year 2013. | Gross Profit by Segment (in thousands) | Three months ended May 31, 2012 | 2011 | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Print | $24,367 | $19,330 | | Apparel | 3,882 | 20,371 | | Total | $28,249 | $39,701 | ***Print Segment***. Our print gross profit margin (“margin”) for the three months ended May 31, 2012 was $24.4 million as compared to $19.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011. As a percentage of sales, our margins decreased slightly from 28.8% to 27.9% for the three months ended May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2012, respectively. The decrease on a percentage basis was due to the impact of our new print acquisitions, which had a lower gross profit margin on average than our seasoned plants. ***Apparel Segment***. Our apparel gross profit margin (“margin”), as a percentage of sales, was 7.0% for the three months ended May 31, 2012, as compared to 26.8% for the three months ended May 31, 2011. Our apparel margin, as expected and as previously discussed, continues to be compressed by higher input costs flowing through cost of sales and competitive pricing pressures in the marketplace. Cotton, our largest input cost flowing through cost of sales during the quarter increased 96% over the comparable quarter last year. Unfortunately, due to sale side pressures noted above, manufacturers have not been able to pass on enough in price increases to fully cover these additional costs. As such, all large manufacturers’ gross margins over the past several quarters have suffered from margin compression due to this imbalance. While the average unit cost of our finished goods inventory continues to decline as the lower priced cotton replaces the higher priced cotton, there still exists an imbalance between cost and selling price, and as such we would continue to expect margins to be compressed on a comparable basis for the next quarter or two until we have worked through the remaining high cost cotton residing in our finished goods. The length of time it takes to manage through this position and the negative impact thereof will be dependent upon how quickly we can turn our finished goods inventory and the selling price at which we are able to do it. | Profit by Segment (in thousands) | Three months ended May 31, 2012 | 2011 | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Print | $12,614 | $11,002 | | Apparel | (2,821) | 10,915 | | Total | 9,793 | 21,917 | | Less corporate expenses | 3,685 | 4,067 | | **Earnings before income taxes** | $6,108 | $17,850 | ***Print Segment***. As a result of the increase in our Print margin, our print profit for the three months ended May 31, 2012 was $12.6 million compared to $11.0 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011. As a percent of sales, our print profits decreased from 16.4% to 14.4% for the three months ended May 31, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Both the dollar increase and the percentage decrease can be attributed to our recent print acquisitions. ***Apparel Segment***. As a result of the decrease in our apparel sales and margin, our apparel profit decreased approximately $13.7 million, from $10.9 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to a loss of $2.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2012. As a percent of sales, our apparel profits were -5.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2012, compared to 14.3% for the comparable quarter last year. We feel our Apparel margins and profits should return to more historical levels once we have been able to work our way through the remaining higher yarn costs residing in our finished goods inventory. At current sales levels, we would anticipate this to occur sometime during the second half of this fiscal year. ### Liquidity and Capital Resources *(Dollars in thousands)* | | May 31, 2012 | February 29, 2012 | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Working Capital | $166,612 | $168,969 | | Cash | $14,967 | $10,410 | ***Working Capital.*** Our working capital decreased by approximately $2.4 million, or 1.4% from $169.0 million at February 29, 2012 to $166.6 million at May 31, 2012. Our current ratio, calculated by dividing our current assets by our current liabilities, increased from 4.4 to 1.0 at February 29, 2012 to 5.2 to 1.0 at May 31, 2012. Our current ratio increased primarily due to the fact that on a percentage basis, our current payables decreased by a larger percentage than our current assets. *(Dollars in thousands)* | | Three months ended May 31, 2012 | 2011 | | --- | ---: | ---: | | Net Cash provided by operating activities | $14,766 | $11,271 | | Net Cash used in investing activities | $(126) | $(2,117) | | Net Cash used in financing activities | $(9,561) | $(3,869) | ***Cash flows from operating activities.*** Cash provided by operating activities increased by $3.5 million from $11.3 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to $14.8 million for the three months ended May 31, 2012. Our lower operational profits which decreased our operational cash by $7.5 million during the quarter was more than offset by our decreased inventory balances which increased our operational cash flow by $29.8 million. This was partially offset by a decrease in our outstanding payables and an increase in our accounts receivable, which decreased our operational cash by $16.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively, during the quarter. ***Cash flows from investing activities.*** Cash used for investing activities, which related to capital expenditures, decreased by $2.0 million, from $2.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2011 to $0.1 million for the three months ended May 31, 2012. The decrease in our capital expenditures relates primarily to the fact that our new Apparel manufacturing facility located in Agua Prieta, Mexico was completed last fiscal year. ***Cash flows from financing activities.*** We used $9.6 million in cash for financing activities this period, compared to $3.9 million for the same period last year. This related primarily to the repayment of $5.0 million of outstanding debt on our credit line and an increase of $0.6 million in our dividends, which resulted from our Board’s approving an increase in our quarterly dividend from $0.155 to $0.175. ***Credit Facility.*** On February 22, 2012, we entered into the Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Facility”) with a group of lenders led by Bank of America, N.A. (the “Lenders”). The Facility provides us access to $150.0 million in revolving credit, which we may increase to $200.0 million in certain circumstances, and matures on August 18, 2016. The Facility bears interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a spread ranging from 1.0% to 2.25% (LIBOR + 1.5% or 1.74% at May 31, 2012 and 2.44% at May 31, 2011), depending on our total funded debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined. As of May 31, 2012, we had $85.0 million of borrowings under the revolving credit line and $3.5 million outstanding under standby letters of credit arrangements, leaving us availability of approximately $61.5 million. The Facility contains financial covenants, restrictions on capital expenditures, acquisitions, asset dispositions, and additional debt, as well as other customary covenants, such as total funded debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined. We are in compliance with all these covenants as of May 31, 2012. The Facility is secured by substantially all of our domestic assets as well as all capital securities of each Domestic Subsidiary and 65% of all capital securities of each direct Foreign Subsidiary. It is anticipated that the available line of credit is sufficient to cover working capital requirements for the foreseeable future should it be required. We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our floating rate $150.0 million revolving credit facility from time to time. We account for our derivatives as cash flow hedges and record them as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet, measure those instruments at fair value and recognize changes in the fair value of derivatives in earnings in the period of change, unless the derivative qualifies as an effective hedge that offsets certain exposures, at which time the changes in fair value would be recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. On July 7, 2008, we entered into a three-year Interest Rate Swap Agreement (“Swap”) for a notional amount of $40.0 million which matured on July 22, 2011. The Swap effectively fixed the LIBOR rate at 3.79. ***Pension Plan –*** We are required to make contributions to our defined benefit pension plan. These contributions are required under the minimum funding requirements of the Employee Retirement Pension Plan Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). For the current fiscal year ending February 28, 2013, the minimum required contribution to the plan is approximately $2.0 million. We have satisfied the first quarterly installment towards the minimum required contribution by electing to apply a portion of our available Funding Standard Carryover Balance: thus, no cash contributions have been made to the plan during the first quarter of the fiscal year. However, we do expect to make a cash contribution to the plan of between $2.0 million and $3.0 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, which will be more than sufficient to meet the minimum funding requirement for the year. We made contributions of $3.0 million to our pension plan during fiscal year 2012. As our pension assets are invested in marketable securities, fluctuations in market values could potentially impact our funding status, associated liabilities recorded and future required minimum contributions. At May 31, 2012, we had an unfunded pension liability recorded on our balance sheet of $8.0 million. ***Inventories –*** We believe our current inventory levels are sufficient to satisfy our customer demands and we anticipate having adequate sources of raw materials to meet future business requirements. We have long-term contracts in effect with paper and yarn suppliers that govern prices, but do not require minimum purchase commitments. Certain of our rebate programs do, however, require minimum purchase volumes. Management anticipates meeting the required volumes. ***Capital Expenditures –*** We expect our capital requirements for 2013, exclusive of capital required for possible acquisitions will be in line with our historical levels of between $4.0 million and $5.0 million. We expect to fund these expenditures through existing cash flows. We rely on our cash flows generated from operations and the borrowing capacity under our Facility to meet cash requirements of our business. The primary cash requirements of our business are payments to vendors in the normal course of business, capital expenditures, debt repayments and related interest payments, contributions to our pension plan, and the payment of dividends to our shareholders. We expect to generate sufficient cash flows from operations supplemented by our Facility as required to cover our operating and capital requirements for the foreseeable future. ***Contractual Obligations & Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements –*** There have been no significant changes in our contractual obligations since February 29, 2012 that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition. We had no off-balance sheet arrangements in place as of May 31, 2012. ## Market risk As filed, 1,872 characters. ### Market Risk ### Interest Rates We are exposed to interest rate risk on short-term and long-term financial instruments carrying variable interest rates. We may from time to time utilize interest rate swaps to manage overall borrowing costs and reduce exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates. We do not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. Our variable rate financial instruments, including the outstanding credit facility, totaled $85.0 million at May 31, 2012. We had entered into a $40.0 million interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge related to this debt, but this arrangement matured July 22, 2011; as such the entire balance of our line of credit is subject to fluctuations in the LIBOR rate. The impact on our results of operations of a one-point interest rate change on the outstanding balance of the variable rate financial instruments as of May 31, 2012 would be approximately $0.9 million. ### Foreign Exchange We have global operations and thus make investments and enter into transactions in various foreign currencies. The value of our consolidated assets and liabilities located outside the United States (translated at period end exchange rates) and income and expenses (translated using average rates prevailing during the period), generally denominated in Pesos and Canadian Dollars, are affected by the translation into our reporting currency (the U.S. Dollar). Such translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of consolidated statements of comprehensive income. In future periods, foreign exchange rate fluctuations could have an increased impact on our reported results of operations. This market risk discussion contains forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from this discussion based upon general market conditions and changes in domestic and global financial markets. ## Controls and procedures As filed, 2,081 characters. **Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.** A review and evaluation were carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that review and evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of May 31, 2012 are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports filed or submitted by us under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in such reports is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and financial officers as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. Those inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls could be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons or by collusion of two or more people. Our controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have been met. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ## Risk factors As filed, 209 characters. Reference is made to page 25 of this Report on Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes in our Risk Factors as previously discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2012. Filed Jun 29, 2012. Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001193125-12-288912. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 24, 2026, 14:52 ET. 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