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  September 30, 2007.
OR
o
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: 1-4639

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

 
Indiana
 
35-0225010
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
 

 
905 West Boulevard North, Elkhart, IN
 
46514
 
 
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 574-293-7511

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of  “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   o                                Accelerated filer   x                              Non-accelerated filer   o

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of October 19, 2007: 35,202,358.



CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
   
Page
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
3
 
 
 
 
 
                       Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings
3
 
- For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
                             Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
4
 
                - As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
                             Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
5
 
- For the Nine Months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
                            Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
6
 
- For the Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006
 
 
 
 
 
 
                             Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
7
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
18
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
27
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.
27
 
 
 
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
28
       
 
Item 1A.
28
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
29
       
 
Item 6.
29
 
 
 
 
 
30





 
PART I   -   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 

CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - UNAUDITED
(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)



 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Net sales
  $
174,790
    $
165,676
    $
507,672
    $
482,094
 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of goods sold
   
140,997
     
136,571
     
410,597
     
391,180
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
19,821
     
16,320
     
62,031
     
51,932
 
Research and development expenses
   
4,055
     
3,775
     
12,277
     
11,937
 
Restructuring charges
   
     
486
     
     
3,368
 
Operating earnings
   
9,917
     
8,524
     
22,767
     
23,677
 
Other (expense) income:
                               
Interest expense
    (869 )     (803 )     (2,241 )     (2,948 )
Interest income
   
497
     
199
     
1,462
     
522
 
Other
   
320
     
231
     
474
     
293
 
Total other expense
    (52 )     (373 )     (305 )     (2,133 )
                                 
Earnings before income taxes
   
9,865
     
8,151
     
22,462
     
21,544
 
Income tax expense — Note I
   
2,071
     
1,904
     
4,717
     
4,998
 
Net earnings
  $
7,794
    $
6,247
    $
17,745
    $
16,546
 
 
Net earnings per share Note H
                               
Basic
  $
0.22
    $
0.17
    $
0.50
    $
0.46
 
                                 
Diluted
  $
0.20
    $
0.16
    $
0.46
    $
0.43
 
                                 
Cash dividends declared per share
  $
0.03
    $
0.03
    $
0.09
    $
0.09
 
Average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
   
35,481
     
35,861
     
35,709
     
35,841
 
Diluted
   
39,956
     
40,266
     
40,222
     
40,215
 


      See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
 
CTS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS — UNAUDITED
(dollars in thousands)

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 31, 2006*
 
ASSETS
 
 
   
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $
44,956
    $
38,630
 
Accounts receivable, less allowances (2007 - $1,486; 2006 - $2,139)
   
102,707
     
106,012
 
Inventories, net — Note C
   
72,537
     
60,543
 
Other current assets
   
23,624
     
22,435
 
Total current assets
   
243,824
     
227,620
 
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation (2007  - $268,233; 2006 - $259,548)
   
91,391
     
96,468
 
Other Assets
               
Prepaid pension asset — Note E
   
107,365
     
100,666
 
Goodwill
   
24,657
     
24,657
 
Other intangible assets, net
   
36,816
     
39,154
 
Deferred income taxes  — Note I
   
32,592
     
37,401
 
Other
   
1,417
     
1,867
 
Total other assets
   
202,847
     
203,745
 
Total Assets
  $
538,062
    $
527,833
 
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
  Notes payable
  $
1,934
    $
5,425
 
  Current portion of long-term debt — Note D
   
     
186
 
  Accounts payable
   
84,445
     
78,205
 
  Accrued liabilities
   
41,980
     
41,865
 
    Total current liabilities
   
128,359
     
125,681
 
Long-term debt   Note D
   
60,000
     
60,635
 
Other long-term obligations
   
20,081
     
22,494
 
Shareholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock – authorized 25,000,000 shares without par value; none issued
   
     
 
Common stock — authorized 75,000,000 shares without par value; 53,911,117 shares issued at 2007 and 53,718,801 shares issued at 2006
   
278,821
     
276,553
 
Additional contributed capital
   
27,789
     
27,899
 
Retained earnings
   
329,911
     
315,370
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (28,381 )     (31,283 )
     
608,140
     
588,539
 
Cost of common stock held in treasury (18,603,959 shares at 2007 and 17,895,708 shares at 2006) — Note J
    (278,518 )     (269,516 )
Total shareholders’ equity
   
329,622
     
319,023
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
  $
538,062
    $
527,833
 
*The balance sheet at December 31, 2006  has been derived from the  audited financial statements at that date.
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
               






(In thousands of dollars)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
   
 
 
Net earnings
  $
17,745
    $
16,546
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
       Depreciation and amortization
   
16,977
     
19,043
 
Prepaid pension asset
    (6,699 )     (4,697 )
       Equity-based compensation
   
2,526
     
2,960
 
       Restructuring charges
   
     
3,368
 
       Loss/(gain) on sales of assets
   
50
      (2,124 )
       Deferred income taxes
    (413 )    
 
       Amortization of retirement benefit adjustments
   
3,188
     
 
       Changes in assets and liabilities
               
      Accounts receivable
   
3,305
      (10,863 )
      Inventories
    (11,994 )     (6,243 )
      Other current assets
    (708 )     (4,860 )
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
7,826
     
13,963
 
      Other
    (568 )    
1,397
 
Total adjustments
   
13,490
     
11,944
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
31,235
     
28,490
 
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (9,295 )     (11,108 )
Proceeds from sales of assets
   
39
     
14,453
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (9,256 )    
3,345
 
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Payments of long-term debt
    (7,857 )     (81,562 )
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt
   
7,000
     
73,850
 
Payments of short-term notes payable
    (43,756 )     (102,078 )
Proceeds from borrowings of short-term notes payable
   
40,265
     
98,237
 
Dividends paid
    (3,204 )     (3,227 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (8,922 )     (946 )
Other
   
303
      (149 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (16,171 )     (15,875 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents
   
518
     
1,734
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
6,326
     
17,694
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
38,630
     
12,029
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $
44,956
    $
29,723
 
                 
Supplemental cash flow information
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $
1,437
    $
2,249
 
Income taxes—net
  $
1,953
    $
3,123
 
                 
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



(In thousands of dollars)



 

 

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
Net earnings
  $
7,794
    $
6,247
    $
17,745
    $
16,546
 
Other comprehensive earnings:
                               
   Cumulative translation adjustment
   
457
     
932
     
1,007
     
2,915
 
   Amortization of retirement benefit adjustments (net of tax)
   
625
     
     
1,895
     
 
Comprehensive earnings
  $
8,876
    $
7,179
    $
20,647
    $
19,461
 
 

 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



September 30, 2007
 

 
NOTE A—Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared by CTS Corporation (CTS or the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, notes thereto, and other information included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items) necessary for a fair statement, in all material respects, of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire year.

Certain reclassifications have been made for the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements to conform to the classifications adopted in 2007.
 
 
NOTE B—Equity-Based Compensation
 
Effective January 1, 2006, CTS adopted the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.”  FAS No. 123(R) requires that CTS recognize expense related to the fair value of equity-based compensation awards in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings.

At September 30, 2007, CTS had five equity-based compensation plans:  the 1988 Restricted Stock and Cash Bonus Plan (1988 Plan), the 1996 Stock Option Plan (1996 Plan), the 2001 Stock Option Plan (2001 Plan), the Nonemployee Directors’ Stock Retirement Plan (Directors’ Plan), and the 2004 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (2004 Plan).  As of December 2004, additional grants can only be made under the 2004 Plan.  CTS believes that equity-based awards align the interest of employees with those of its shareholders.

The 2004 Plan, and previously the 1996 Plan and 2001 Plan, provides for grants of incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options to officers, key employees, and nonemployee members of CTS’ board of directors.  In addition, the 2004 Plan allows for grants of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and other equity awards.

The following table summarizes the compensation expense included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 relating to equity-based compensation plans:

 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
  ($ in thousands)
 
September 30,
2007
 
October 1,
2006
 
September 30,
2007
 
October 1,
2006
 
Stock options (1)
 
$
82
 
$
167
 
$
318
 
$
938
 
Restricted stock units
 
 
777
 
 
680
 
 
2,093
 
 
1,856
 
Restricted stock
 
 
31
 
 
48
 
 
115
 
 
166
 
Total
 
$
890
 
$
895
 
$
2,526
 
$
2,960
 

(1)   
Stock option expense includes $3 and $10  in the quarters ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, respectively, and $11 and $35 for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, respectively, related to non-employee director stock options.
_______________________
 

 
 
The following table summarizes plan status as of September 30, 2007:

 
 
2004 Plan
   
2001 Plan
   
1996 Plan
 
Awards originally available
   
6,500,000
     
2,000,000
     
1,200,000
 
Stock options outstanding
   
313,850
     
846,938
     
290,050
 
Restricted stock units outstanding
   
581,878
     
     
 
Awards exercisable
   
160,863
     
808,004
     
290,050
 
Awards available for grant
   
5,300,456
     
     
 
 
Stock Options
 
Stock options are exercisable in cumulative annual installments over a maximum 10-year period, commencing at least one year from the date of grant.   Stock options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant.  The stock options generally vest over four years and have a 10-year contractual life.  The awards generally contain provisions to either accelerate vesting or allow vesting to continue on schedule upon retirement if certain service and age requirements are met.   The awards also provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control event.

The Company estimates the fair value of the stock option on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and assumptions for expected price volatility, option term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield.  Expected price volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s stock.  The expected option term is derived from historical data on exercise behavior.  The range of option terms shown below results from certain groups of employees exhibiting different behavior.  The dividend yield is based on historical dividend payments.  The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

A summary of the status of stock options as of September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, and changes during the nine-month periods then ended, is presented below:

 
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1, 2006
 
 
 
Options
   
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   
Options
   
Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
   
1,529,863
    $
15.91
     
1,567,499
    $
15.93
 
Granted
   
     
     
93,000
     
13.68
 
Exercised
    (42,900 )    
8.74
      (37,624 )    
8.53
 
Expired
    (20,400 )    
26.79
      (52,150 )    
23.07
 
Forfeited
    (15,725 )    
12.29
      (8,950 )    
9.43
 
Outstanding at end of period
   
1,450,838
    $
16.01
     
1,561,775
    $
15.76
 
 
                               
Exercisable at end of period
   
1,258,917
    $
16.54
     
1,220,275
    $
16.94
 

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 was $209,363 and $183,000, respectively.   The exercise price of options granted during the nine-month period ending October 1, 2006 equaled the trading price of the Company’s stock on the grant date.  There were no options granted during the nine-month period ending September 30, 2007.

A summary of the weighted-average remaining contractual term and aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at September 30, 2007 is presented below:

 
Weighted-average
Remaining Contractual Life
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Options outstanding
5.08 years
$2,864
Options exercisable
4.76 years
$2,697





A summary of the nonvested stock options as of September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, and changes during the nine-month periods then ended, is presented below:

 
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1, 2006
 
 
 
Options
   
Weighted-average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
   
Options
   
Weighted-average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Nonvested at beginning of year
   
340,900
    $
6.11
     
488,943
    $
5.35
 
Granted
   
     
     
93,000
     
6.53
 
Vested
    (166,588 )    
5.69
      (231,493 )    
4.74
 
Forfeited
    (15,725 )    
7.58
      (8,950 )    
4.52
 
Nonvested at end of period
   
158,587
  (1)   $
6.41
     
341,500
    $
6.11
 
 
(1) Based on historical experience, CTS currently expects all of these options to vest.
_____________________


The total fair value of shares vested during the nine-months ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 was approximately $947,886 and $1,097,277 respectively.  As of September 30, 2007, there was $218,276 of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.  CTS recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at September 30, 2007:

 
 
 
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
 
           
Weighted-Average
               
Range of
 
Number
 
Remaining
 
Weighted-Average
 
Number
 
Weighted-Average
Exercise
 
Outstanding
 
Contractual
 
Exercise
 
Exercisable
 
Exercise
Prices
 
at 9/30/07
 
Life (Years)
 
Price
 
at 9/30/07
 
Price
$
7.70 – 11.11
   
814,613
 
 
 
5.88
 
 
$
9.41
 
 
 
723,876
   
$
9.20
 
 
13.68 – 16.24
   
227,800
 
 
 
5.99
 
 
 
14.12
 
 
 
126,616
   
 
14.33
 
 
23.00 – 33.63
   
306,675
 
 
 
3.28
 
 
 
24.62
 
 
 
306,675
   
 
24.62
 
 
35.97 – 79.25
   
101,750
 
 
 
2.96
 
 
 
47.12
 
 
 
101,750
   
 
47.12
 
 

 
 
 
Service-Based Restricted Stock Units
 
Service-based restricted stock units (RSUs) entitle the holder to receive one share of common stock for each unit when the unit vests.  RSUs are issued to officers and key employees as compensation.  Generally, the RSUs vest over a five-year period.  A summary of the status of RSUs as of September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006, and changes during the nine-month periods then ended is presented below:

 
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1, 2006
 
 
 
RSUs
   
Weighted-average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
   
RSUs
   
Weighted-average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
 
Outstanding at beginning of year
   
658,938
    $
12.43
     
525,898
    $
11.49
 
Granted
   
192,950
     
12.18
     
236,700
     
13.67
 
Settled
    (211,987 )    
12.75
      (100,110 )    
11.23
 
Cancelled
    (58,023 )    
12.46
      (22,570 )    
11.34
 
Outstanding at end of period
   
581,878
    $
12.23
     
639,918
    $
12.11
 
 
                               
Weighted-average remaining contractual life
 
4.6 years
           
4.2 years
         

As of September 30, 2007, there was $3.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSUs.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.  CTS recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
During the first quarter of 2007, CTS established performance-based restricted stock unit awards for certain executives.  Executives will receive between 0% to 200% of their target awards based on achievement of year-over-year sales growth and free cash flow performance goals for fiscal year 2007.  Restricted stock unit awards will be made in 2008 following a determination of the extent to which performance goals were achieved.  Each performance-based restricted stock unit will cliff vest and convert to one share of CTS common stock three years after the end of the 2007 fiscal year.   CTS intends to review its assumptions about the level of performance goal achievement on a quarterly basis and to adjust the related compensation expense accordingly.  CTS recorded compensation expense of approximately $23,000 related to performance-based restricted stock units during the nine-months ending September 30, 2007.

Market-Based Restricted Stock Units
 
In July 2007, CTS established a market-based restricted stock unit award for an executive officer.  An aggregate of 25,000 units may be earned in performance years ending in the following three consecutive years on the anniversary of the award date.  Vesting will occur, if at all, at a rate of 0 -150% of the target award on the end date of each performance period and is tied exclusively to CTS total stockholder return relative to 32 enumerated peer group total stockholder return rates.  The vesting rate will be determined using a matrix based on a percentile ranking of CTS total stockholder return with peer group total shareholder return.  CTS recorded compensation expense of approximately $9,000 related to market-based restricted stock units during the nine-months ending September 30, 2007.

Restricted Stock and Cash Bonus Plan
 
CTS’ 1988 Plan originally reserved 2,400,000 shares of CTS’ common stock for sale at market price, or award, to key employees.  Under the 1988 Plan, 11,600 shares of Restricted Stock were outstanding as of September 30, 2007.  Shares sold or awarded are subject to restrictions against transfer and repurchase rights of CTS.  In general, restrictions lapse at the rate of 20% per year beginning one year from the grant date.  In addition, the 1988 Plan provides for a cash bonus to the participant equal to the fair market value of shares on the dates restrictions lapse, in the case of an award.  The total bonus paid to any participant during the restricted period is limited to twice the fair market value of the shares on the date of award. As of September 30, 2007, there was $55,700 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested Restricted Stock.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years.  CTS recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards.

Stock Retirement Plan
 
The Directors’ Plan provides for a portion of the total compensation payable to nonemployee directors to be deferred and paid in CTS stock.  The Directors’ Plan was frozen effective December 1, 2004.  All future grants will be from the 2004 Plan.
 
 
 
NOTE C—Inventories, net
 
Inventories consist of the following:

($ in thousands)
 
September 30, 2007
   
December 31,
2006
 
Finished goods
  $
10,736
    $
12,336
 
Work-in-process
   
16,929
     
15,059
 
Raw materials
   
44,872
     
33,148
 
Total inventories
  $
72,537
    $
60,543
 
 
 
NOTE D—Debt
 
Long-term debt was comprised of the following:

($ in thousands)
 
September 30, 2007
   
December 31,
2006
 
Revolving credit agreement, weighted-average interest rate of 6.2%, due in 2011
  $
    $
 
Convertible, senior subordinated debentures at a weighted-average interest rate of 2.125%, due in 2024
   
60,000
     
60,000
 
Term loan, weighted-average interest rate of 8.0% (2007) and 7.3% (2006), due in 2011
   
     
821
 
 
   
60,000
     
60,821
 
Less current maturities
   
     
186
 
Total long-term debt
  $
60,000
    $
60,635
 

On June 27, 2006, CTS entered into a $100 million, unsecured revolving credit agreement.  Under the terms of the revolving credit agreement, CTS can expand the credit facility to $150 million.  There were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit agreement at September 30, 2007 or December 31, 2006.  Interest rates on the revolving credit agreement fluctuate based upon LIBOR and the Company’s quarterly total leverage ratio.  CTS pays a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit agreement.  The commitment fee varies based on the quarterly leverage ratio and was 0.15 percent per annum at September 30, 2007.  The revolving credit agreement requires, among other things, that CTS comply with a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.  Failure of CTS to comply with these covenants could reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit agreement.  CTS was in compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2007.

Additionally, the revolving credit agreement contains restrictions relating to the amount of secured debt the Company can have outstanding, the amounts allowed for acquisitions or asset sales and the amounts allowed for stock repurchases and dividend payments.  The revolving credit agreement expires in June 2011.
 
CTS has $60 million convertible senior subordinated debentures (2.125% Debentures). These debentures bear interest at an annual rate of 2.125%, payable semiannually on May 1 and November 1 of each year through the maturity date of May 1, 2024. The 2.125% Debentures are convertible, under certain circumstances, into CTS common stock at a conversion price of $15.00 per share (which is equivalent to an initial conversion rate of approximately 66.6667 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes). Upon conversion of the 2.125% Debentures, in lieu of delivering common stock, the Company may, at its discretion, deliver cash or a combination of cash and common stock.

The conversion price of the 2.125% Debentures will be adjusted if CTS completes certain transactions, including: distribution of shares as a dividend to substantially all shareholders; subdivision, combination or reclassification of its common stock; distribution of stock purchase warrants to substantially all shareholders; distribution of cash, stock or property to shareholders in excess of  $0.03 per share; or purchase of its common stock pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer under certain circumstances.
 
Holders may convert the 2.125% Debentures at any time during a conversion period if the closing price of CTS common stock is more than 120% of the conversion price ($18.00 per share) for at least 20 of the 30 consecutive trading days immediately preceding the first trading day of the conversion period. The conversion periods begin on February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 of each year. Holders may also convert the notes if certain corporate transactions occur. As of September 30, 2007, none of the conditions for conversion of the 2.125% million Debentures were satisfied.
 
 
 
CTS may, at its option, redeem all or a portion of the 2.125% Debentures for cash at any time on or after May 1, 2009, at a redemption price equal to the principal amount of the notes plus any accrued and unpaid interest at the redemption date. Holders may require CTS to purchase for cash all or part of their notes on May 1, 2009, 2014, and 2019, or upon the occurrence of certain events, at 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but not including, the date of purchase.

As of December 31, 2006, the Company also had an $0.8 million (denominated in Thai Baht) outstanding term loan that was assumed in connection with the acquisition of SMTEK.  The loan was secured by machinery and equipment of the Thailand Manufacturing facility and was repaid by CTS in March 2007.

During the nine-months ended September 30, 2007, CTS paid down its foreign lines of credit, classified as short-term notes payable, through normal cash flow generation.

NOTE E—Retirement Plans

Effective December 31, 2006, CTS adopted all of the provisions of FAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).”  FAS No. 158 requires employers to: a) recognize the funded status of a benefit plan—measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation—in its statement of financial position, b) recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost pursuant to FAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” or FAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,”   c) measure defined benefit plan assets and obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position, and d) disclose in the notes to financial statements additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. As required by the standard, CTS has applied these FAS No. 158 requirements prospectively.
 
Net pension (income)/postretirement expense for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 includes the following components:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
($ in thousands)
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
PENSION PLANS
                       
Service cost
  $
1,215
    $
1,283
    $
3,637
    $
3,839
 
Interest cost
   
3,005
     
3,020
     
9,003
     
9,049
 
Expected return on plan assets (1)  
    (6,346 )     (6,188 )     (19,026 )     (18,547 )
Amortization of prior service cost
   
224
     
135
     
674
     
404
 
Amortization of (gain)/loss
   
835
     
645
     
2,513
     
1,933
 
Curtailment loss
   
     
     
     
325
 
Net pension income
  $ (1,067 )   $ (1,105 )   $ (3,199 )   $ (2,997 )

(1)   Expected return on plan assets is net of expected investment expenses and certain administrative expenses.
__________________
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
($ in thousands)  
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLAN
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Service cost
  $
5
    $
5
    $
16
    $
14
 
Interest cost
   
83
     
75
     
250
     
224
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
1
     
     
1
     
 
Amortization of (gain)/loss
   
     
     
     
 
Curtailment gain
   
     
     
      (81 )
Net postretirement expense
  $
89
    $
80
    $
267
    $
157
 

CTS recognized a pension plan curtailment loss of approximately $0.3 million in 2006 and a postretirement benefit plan curtailment gain of approximately $0.1 million in 2006, due to reduced employment levels.  Also, effective April 1, 2006, CTS closed one of its U.S. defined benefit plans to new participants.

 
NOTE F—Segments
 
FAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” requires companies to provide certain information about their operating segments.  CTS has two reportable segments: 1) Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and 2) Components and Sensors.
 
EMS includes the higher level assembly of electronic and mechanical components into a finished subassembly or assembly performed under a contract manufacturing agreement with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) or other contract manufacturer.  Additionally, for some customers, CTS provides full turnkey manufacturing and completion including design, bill-of-material management, logistics, and repair.
 
Components and sensors are products which perform specific electronic functions for a given product family and are intended for use in customer assemblies.  Components and sensors consist principally of automotive sensors and actuators used in commercial or consumer vehicles; electronic components used in communications infrastructure and computer markets; terminators, including ClearONE™ terminators, used in computer and other high speed applications, switches, resistor networks, and potentiometers used to serve multiple markets.
 
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.  Management evaluates performance based upon segment operating earnings before restructuring and related charges, interest expense, other non-operating income, and income tax expense.
 
 
 
 
 
Summarized financial information concerning CTS’ reportable segments is shown in the following table:
 

($ in thousands)
 
EMS
 
 
Components and Sensors
 
 
Total
 
Third Quarter of 2007
               
 
Net sales to external customers
 
$
106,000
   
$
68,790
   
$
174,790
 
Segment operating earnings
   
3,952
     
5,965
     
9,917
 
Total assets
   
170,722
     
367,340
     
538,062
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Third Quarter of 2006
                     
 
Net sales to external customers
 
$
100,832
   
$
64,844
   
$
165,676
 
Segment operating earnings
   
3,598
     
5,666
     
9,264
 
Total assets
   
169,403
     
392,310
     
561,713
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Nine Months of 2007
                       
Net sales to external customers
 
$
298,559
   
$
209,113
   
$
507,672
 
Segment operating earnings
   
6,309
     
16,458
     
22,767
 
Total assets
   
170,722
     
367,340
     
538,062
 
                         
First Nine Months of 2006
                       
Net sales to external customers
 
$
277,927
   
$
204,167
   
$
482,094
 
Segment operating earnings
   
3,424
     
24,577
     
28,001
 
Total assets
   
169,403
     
392,310
     
561,713
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciling information between reportable segments’ operating earnings and CTS’ consolidated pre-tax income is shown in the following table:

 
 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
 ($ in thousands)
 
September 30,
2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
Total segment operating earnings
  $
9,917
    $
9,264
    $
22,767
    $
28,001
 
Restructuring and related charges - Components and Sensors
   
      (265 )    
      (3,849 )
Restructuring charge – EMS
   
      (475 )    
      (475 )
Interest expense
    (869 )     (803 )     (2,241 )     (2,948 )
Other income
   
817
     
430
     
1,936
     
815
 
Earnings before income taxes
  $
9,865
    $
8,151
    $
22,462
    $
21,544
 
 
 
NOTE G—Contingencies
 
Certain processes in the manufacture of CTS’ current and past products create hazardous waste by-products as currently defined by federal and state laws and regulations.  CTS has been notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental agencies and, in some cases, generator groups, that it is or may be a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) regarding hazardous waste remediation at several non-CTS sites.  In addition to these non-CTS sites, CTS has an ongoing practice of providing reserves for probable remediation activities at certain of its manufacturing locations and for claims and proceedings against CTS with respect to other environmental matters.  In the opinion of management, based upon presently available information relating to all such matters, either adequate provision for probable costs has been made, or the ultimate costs resulting will not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of CTS.
 
Certain claims are pending against CTS with respect to matters arising out of the ordinary conduct of its business.  For all claims, in the opinion of management, based upon presently available information, either adequate provision for anticipated costs has been made or the ultimate anticipated costs resulting will not materially affect CTS’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 

 
NOTE H—Earnings Per Share
 
FAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” requires companies to provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) computations. The calculations below provide net earnings, average common shares outstanding, and the resultant earnings per share for both basic and diluted EPS for the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006.
 

($ in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net Earnings
(Numerator)
   
Shares
(in thousands) (Denominator)
   
Per Share Amount
 
Third Quarter 2007
                 
Basic EPS
  $
7,794
     
35,481
    $
0.22
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Convertible debt
   
251
     
4,000
         
Equity-based compensation plans
   
     
475
         
Diluted EPS
  $
8,045
     
39,956
    $
0.20
 
 
                       
Third Quarter 2006
                       
Basic EPS
  $
6,247
     
35,861
    $
0.17
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Convertible debt
   
240
     
4,000
         
Equity-based compensation plans
           
405
         
Diluted EPS
  $
6,487
     
40,266
    $
0.16
 
 
                       
First Nine Months of 2007
                       
Basic EPS
  $
17,745
     
35,709
    $
0.50
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Convertible debt
   
753
     
4,000
         
Equity-based compensation plans
   
     
513
         
Diluted EPS
  $
18,498
     
40,222
    $
0.46
 
 
                       
First Nine Months of 2006
                       
Basic EPS
  $
16,546
     
35,841
    $
0.46
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Convertible debt
   
724
     
4,000
         
Equity-based compensation plans
           
374
         
Diluted EPS
  $
17,270
     
40,215
    $
0.43
 

 
The following table shows the potentially dilutive securities which have been excluded from the three and nine-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006 dilutive earnings per share calculation because they are either anti-dilutive, or the exercise price exceeds the average market price.

 
 
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
(Number of Shares in Thousands)
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
Stock options where the assumed proceeds exceeds the average market price
   
636
     
701
     
609
     
750
 
Securities related to the 6.5% Debentures (1)
   
     
     
     
159
 

(1) The 6.5% convertible, subordinated debentures were repaid in June 2006.
________________

 
 
 
NOTE I – Income Taxes

On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48).  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions recognized in accordance with FAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 requires that an enterprise must determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold is then measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements.
 
At the date of adoption, CTS had approximately $4.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits, which, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  Of this amount, approximately $3.6 million was reclassified from current tax liabilities to a reduction of the long-term deferred tax asset in accordance with the provisions of FIN 48.  The remaining $0.7 million was reclassified from current tax liabilities to long term deferred tax liabilities.  Adoption of this interpretation had no other impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, CTS did not have a change to its total unrecognized tax benefits of $4.3 million.  These benefits are not expected to be realized within the next twelve months.    
 
CTS’ continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2007, there were no significant amounts accrued for interest and/or penalties related to uncertain income tax positions.

The Company’s tax years are subject to examination for all U.S. jurisdictions from 2003 through 2006.  The international tax statutes vary widely and the tax years subject to examination range from 2001 through 2006. Taxing authorities also have the ability to review prior tax years to the extent of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards and apply these changes to open tax years. CTS does not anticipate any significant changes in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months as the result of examinations or lapse of statutes of limitation.
 
The provision for income taxes for the nine-months ending September 30, 2007 was calculated using an estimated full year rate of 21.0% compared to 23.2% for the nine-months ending October 1, 2006 and an actual effective rate of  21.1% for the full year 2006.  The reduction in the effective tax rate between the nine-months ending October 1, 2006 and nine-months ending September 30, 2007 was attributable to a higher percentage of foreign earnings in lower taxed jurisdictions relative to total foreign earnings.
 
NOTE J—Treasury Stock

In November 2005, CTS’ Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to one million shares of its common stock in the open market.  Reacquired shares will be used to support equity-based compensation programs and for other corporate purposes. Under this program, CTS repurchased 395,000 shares at a total cost of $4.9 million before the program expired on June 29, 2007.

In June 2007, CTS’ Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to two million shares of common stock in the open market.  The authorization expires on June 30, 2009.  Reacquired shares will be used to support equity-based compensation programs and for other corporate purposes.  Since June 30, 2007 CTS has repurchased 307,700 shares at a total cost of $4.0 million, under this program.
 
 

 
 
NOTE K New Accounting Pronouncements

EITF 06-03 “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation)”
In June 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-03, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation)” (EITF 06-03).  EITF 06-03 provides that the presentation of taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer on either a gross basis (included in revenue and costs) or on a net basis (excluded from revenues) is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed.  The provisions of EITF 06-3 were effective for CTS as of January 1, 2007.  CTS classifies sales taxes on a net basis in its consolidated financial statements.

FAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”
In September 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”(FAS No. 157).  FAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS No. 157 is effective for CTS beginning January 1, 2008. CTS is currently reviewing the provisions of FAS No. 157, but does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

FAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
In February 2007, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (FAS No. 159).  FAS No. 159 provides the option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with the intent to mitigate volatility in financial reporting that can occur when related assets and liabilities are recorded on different bases.  This statement is effective for CTS beginning January 1, 2008.  CTS does not expect FAS No. 159 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48”
In May 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1 that amends FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FSP FIN 48-1).  FSP FIN 48-1 provides guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. CTS does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF 06-11 “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards”
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus reached on EITF Issue No. 06-11, “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards” (EITF 06-11).  EITF 06-11 provides that a realized income tax benefit from dividends that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees for equity classified nonvested equity shares and units should be recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital. The provisions of this EITF should be applied prospectively to the income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified employee share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2007. CTS currently pays dividends on its unvested Restricted Stock under the 1988 Plan. CTS has reviewed the provisions of EITF 06-11 and does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods and Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities”
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods and Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities” (EITF 07-3).  EITF 07-3 provides that nonrefundable advance payments for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized and recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed. The provisions of this EITF are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. CTS does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.





Item 2.          Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Overview
 
CTS is a global manufacturer of components and sensors used primarily in the automotive, communications, and computer markets.  The Company also provides electronic manufacturing solutions, including design and supply chain management functions, primarily serving the communications, computer, industrial, medical and defense and aerospace markets under contract arrangements with the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).  Sales and marketing are accomplished through CTS sales engineers, independent manufacturer’s representatives and distributors.  Sales are reported through two segments, Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) and Components and Sensors.
 
In the third quarter of 2007, sales of EMS and Components and Sensors segments represented 60.6% and 39.4% of CTS’ total sales respectively, compared to 60.9% and 39.1% respectively in the third quarter of 2006.
 
As discussed in more detail throughout the Management's Discussion and Analysis:

·  
Sales increased by $9.1 million, or 5.5%, in the third quarter of 2007 from the third quarter of 2006.  Sales in the EMS segment increased by 5.1% compared to the third quarter of 2006, while sales in the Components and Sensors segment increased by 6.1% compared to the third quarter of 2006.

·  
Gross margin, as a percent of sales, was 19.3% and 17.6% in the third quarter of 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Gross margin within the Component and Sensors segment was higher primarily due to improved product mix and lower automotive launch-related costs while EMS segment gross margins were higher due to favorable product mix and lower material costs.

·  
Selling, general and administrative and research and development expenses as a percent of sales increased to 13.6% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 12.1% in the third quarter of 2006.  In the third quarter of 2006, a $0.7 million pre-tax gain was realized for the sale/leaseback of CTS’ Albuquerque, New Mexico building.

·  
The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was calculated using an estimate full year rate of 21.0% compared to 23.2% for the nine months ending October 1, 2006 and an actual effective rate of 21.1% for the full year 2006.

·  
Net earnings were $7.8 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $6.2 million, or $0.16 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2006.


Critical Accounting Policies
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
 
Management believes that judgment and estimates related to the following critical accounting policies could materially affect its consolidated financial statements:

·  
Estimating inventory valuation, the allowance for doubtful accounts, and other accrued liabilities
·  
Valuation of long-lived and intangible assets, and depreciation/amortization periods
·  
Income taxes
·  
Retirement plans
·  
Equity-based compensation

In the third quarter of 2007, there were no material changes in the above critical accounting policies.

Results of Operations
 
Comparison of Third Quarter 2007 and Third Quarter 2006
 
Segment Discussion
 
Refer to Note F, “Segments,” for a description of the Company’s segments.
 
The following table highlights the segment results for the three-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006:
 

($ in thousands)
 
Components & Sensors
   
EMS
   
Consolidated Total
 
Third Quarter 2007
                 
Sales
  $
68,790
    $
106,000
    $
174,790
 
Segment operating earnings
   
5,965
     
3,952
     
9,917
 
% of sales
    8.7 %     3.7 %     5.7 %
 
                       
Third Quarter 2006
                       
Sales
  $
64,844
    $
100,832
    $
165,676
 
Segment operating earnings
   
5,666
     
3,598
     
9,264
 
% of sales
    8.7 %     3.6 %     5.6 %
 
Sales in the Components and Sensors segment increased by $3.9 million, or approximately 6.1% from the third quarter of 2006.  The increase in sales was attributable primarily to growth in automotive component demand and higher sales into infrastructure applications.

The Components and Sensors segment operating earnings increased $0.3 million, or 5.2%, in the third quarter of 2007 versus the third quarter of 2006.  Operating earnings increased primarily due to margin contribution from higher sales volume, favorable product mix and lower automotive launch related costs for certain new products, partially offset by higher compensation-related and outside service expenses.  Also, a gain of $0.7 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2006 on the sale/leaseback of CTS’ Albuquerque, New Mexico building.
 
Sales in the EMS segment increased by $5.2 million, or 5.1%, in the third quarter of 2007 versus the third quarter of 2006.  The increase in sales was attributable primarily to higher sales into the industrial and defense and aerospace markets partially offset by a decrease primarily in computer market sales.
 
The EMS segment operating earnings increased $0.4 million in the third quarter of 2007 primarily due to improved product mix and margin contribution from higher sales volume.
 
 
 
Total Company Discussion
 
The following table highlights changes in significant components of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006:
 

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
($ in thousands, except net earnings per share)
 
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
Increase (Decrease)
 
Net sales
  $
174,790
    $
165,676
    $
9,114
 
Restructuring-related costs
   
-
     
254
      (254 )
% of net sales
    - %     0.2 %     (0.2 )%
 
                       
Gross margin
   
33,793
     
29,105
     
4,688
 
% of net sales
    19.3 %     17.6 %     1.7 %
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
19,821
     
16,320
     
3,501
 
% of net sales
    11.3 %     9.9 %     1.4 %
 
                       
Research and development expenses
   
4,055
     
3,775
     
280
 
% of net sales
    2.3 %     2.3 %     0.0 %
 
                       
Restructuring charge
   
-
     
486
      (486 )
% of net sales
    - %     0.3 %     (0.3 )%
 
                       
Operating earnings
   
9,917
     
8,524
     
1,393
 
% of net sales
    5.7 %     5.1 %     0.6 %
 
Income tax expense
   
2,071
     
1,904
     
167
 
 
Net earnings
  $
7,794
    $
6,247
    $
1,547
 
% of net sales
    4.5 %     3.8 %     0.7 %
 
Net earnings per share - diluted
  $
0.20
    $
0.16
    $
0.04
 
 
Third quarter sales increased $9.1 million, or 5.5%, from the third quarter of 2006.  The sales increase was mainly attributable to higher sales into the industrial, defense and aerospace and automotive markets partially offset by a decline in computer sales and weak electronic component demand.
 
Gross margin as a percent of sales was 19.3% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to 17.6% in the third quarter of 2006, primarily due to favorable product mix, lower material costs and lower automotive launch-related costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $19.8 million, or 11.3% of sales, in the third quarter of 2007 versus $16.3 million, or 9.9% of sales in the third quarter of 2006.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were higher primarily due to higher compensation-related expenses and a $0.7 million pre-tax gain for the sale/leaseback of CTS’ Albuquerque, New Mexico building recorded in 2006.

Operating earnings were $9.9 million, or 5.7% of sales, in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $8.5 million, or 5.1% of sales, in the third quarter of 2006.  The increase in operating earnings resulted from higher gross margin dollars.  Additionally, the three months ended October 1, 2006 included restructuring and related costs associated with CTS’ Berne, Indiana and Marlborough, Massachusetts facilities that were incurred in the third quarter of 2006.  The increase was partially offset by higher selling general and administrative expenses.

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ending September 30, 2007 was calculated using an estimated full year rate of 21.0% compared to 23.2% for the nine months ending October 1, 2006 and an actual effective rate of 21.1% for the full year 2006.  The reduction in the effective tax rate between the nine months ending October 1, 2006 and the nine months ending September 30, 2007 was attributable to a higher percentage of foreign earnings in lower taxed jurisdictions relative to total foreign earnings.

 
 
 
Comparison of First Nine Months of 2007 and First Nine Months of 2006
 
Segment Discussion
 
The following table highlights the segment results for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006:
 

($ in thousands)
 
Components
& Sensors
   
EMS
   
Consolidated
Total
 
First Nine Months 2007
                 
    Sales
  $
209,113
    $
298,559
    $
507,672
 
    Segment operating earnings
   
16,458
     
6,309
     
22,767
 
    % of sales
    7.9 %     2.1 %     4.5 %
 
                       
First Nine Months 2006
                       
    Sales
  $
204,167
    $
277,927
    $
482,094
 
   Segment operating earnings
   
24,577
     
3,424
     
28,001
 
   % of sales
    12.0 %     1.2 %     5.8 %

During the first nine months of 2007, sales of Components and Sensors and EMS products, as a percentage of total sales, were 41.2% and 58.8% respectively.  In the first nine months of 2006, sales of Components and Sensors and EMS products, as a percentage of total sales, were 42.4% and 57.6% respectively.

The Components and Sensors segment sales increased $4.9 million or 2.4% from the first nine months of 2006.  The increase was primarily due to higher sales of automotive products, partially offset by decreased sales of electronic components.  The Components and Sensors segment operating earnings decreased $8.1 million, primarily due to legal and accounting expenses, lower royalty income, lower fixed asset gains, start-up costs of CTS’ Czech Republic facility, and an insurance settlement received in the first quarter of 2006.
 
EMS segment sales increased by $20.6 million, or 7.4%, in the first nine months of 2007 from the first nine months of 2006.  The increase is due to higher sales into the industrial and defense and aerospace markets, partially offset by lower computer and medical market sales.  The EMS segment operating earnings increased $2.8 million due to higher sales volumes versus 2006, improved product mix and efficiency gains, partially offset by legal and accounting expenses.  
 
Total Company Discussion
 
The following table highlights changes in significant components of the condensed consolidated statements of earnings for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2007 and October 1, 2006:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
     
 ($ in thousands, except net earnings per share)  
September 30, 2007
   
October 1,
2006
   
Increse (Decrease)
 
Net sales
  $
507,672
    $
482,094
    $
25,578
 
Restructuring-related costs
   
-
     
956
      (956 )
% of net sales
    - %     0.2 %     (0.2 )%
                         
Gross margin
   
97,075
     
90,914
     
6,161
 
% of net sales
    19.1 %     18.9 %     0.2 %
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
62,031
     
51,932
     
10,099
 
% of net sales
    12.2 %     10.8 %     1.4 %
                         
Research and development expenses
   
12,277
     
11,937
     
340
 
% of net sales
    2.4 %     2.5 %     (0.1 )%
                         
Restructuring charge
   
-
     
3,368
      (3,368 )
% of net sales
    - %     0.7 %     (0.7 )%
                         
Operating earnings
   
22,767
     
23,677
      (910 )
% of net sales
    4.5 %     4.9 %     (0.4 )%
 
Income tax expense
   
4,717
     
4,998
      (281 )
 
Net earnings
  $
17,745
    $
16,546
    $
1,199
 
% of net sales
    3.5 %     3.4 %     0.1 %
                         
Net earnings per share - diluted
  $
0.46
    $
0.43
    $
0.03
 

Sales in the first nine months of 2007 increased $25.6 million, or 5.3%, from the first nine months of 2006.  The sales increase was attributable to higher sales into the industrial, defense and aerospace, and automotive markets offset by a decline in computer sales and lower electronic component demand.
 
Gross margin increased $6.2 million for the first nine months of 2007 primarily due to the contribution from higher sales volume and lower restructuring-related costs, partially offset by lower royalty income.  As a percentage of sales, gross margin increased to 19.1% in the first nine months of 2007 compared to 18.9% in the first nine months of 2006.
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.1 million, primarily from $3.4 million of legal and accounting fees, higher compensation-related expenses, a favorable insurance claim settlement of $1.5 million received in 2006, and a pre-tax gain of $0.7 million for the sale/leaseback of CTS’ Albuquerque, New Mexico building recorded in 2006.

Operating earnings were $22.8 million in the first nine months of 2007 compared to $23.7 million in the first nine months of 2006.  The decrease in operating earnings was primarily attributable to higher selling, general and administrative expenses as discussed above.  The decrease in operating earnings was partially offset by higher gross margins.  Additionally, the first nine months of 2006 included restructuring and related costs associated with CTS’ Berne, Indiana and Marlborough, Massachusetts facilities that were incurred in the first nine months of 2006.

 
 
The provision for income taxes for the nine months ending September 30, 2007 was calculated using an estimated full year rate of 21.0% compared to 23.2% for the nine months ending October 1, 2006 and an actual effective rate of 21.1% for the full year 2006.  The reduction in the effective tax rate between the nine months ending October 1, 2006 and the nine months ending September 30, 2007 was attributable to a higher percentage of foreign earnings in lower taxed jurisdictions relative to total foreign earnings.

Interest and other expenses through the first nine months of 2007 were $0.3 million, $1.8 million lower than the first nine months of 2006.  Compared to the prior year, interest income increased $0.9 million, favorable foreign currency gain increased $0.3 million and interest expense was $0.7 million lower primarily from lower outstanding debt balances.

Outlook

Based on the first nine months results and the outlook for the remainder of the year, CTS expects full-year 2007 sales to grow by 4% to 5% over 2006.  Full-year diluted earnings per share are expected to be in a range of $0.65 to $0.68.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Cash and cash equivalents were $45.0 million at September 30, 2007 compared to $38.6 million at December 31, 2006.  Total debt on September 30, 2007 was $61.9 million, lower than the $66.3 million amount at the end of 2006, primarily due to decreased notes payable.  Total debt as a percentage of total capitalization was 15.8% at the end of the third quarter of 2007, compared with 17.2% at the end of 2006. Total debt as a percentage of total capitalization is defined as the sum of notes payable, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt as a percent of total debt and shareholder’s equity.

 
Cash Flow
 
Operating Activities
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.2 million for the first nine months of 2007.  Components of net cash provided by operating activities included net earnings of $17.7 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $17.0 million, equity-based compensation of $2.5 million and unfavorable changes in assets and liabilities of $1.6 million.  The changes in assets and liabilities were due to increased inventory of $12.0 million and an increase in prepaid pension asset of $6.7 million partially offset by increased accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $7.8 million and decreased accounts receivable of $3.3 million.
 
Net cash provided by operating activities was $28.5 million for the first nine months of 2006.  Components of net cash provided by operating activities included net earnings of $16.5 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $19.0 million, equity-based compensation of $3.0 million and restructuring charges of $3.4 million partially offset by an increase to the prepaid pension asset of $4.7 million, gain on sales of assets of $2.1 million and an unfavorable change in assets and liabilities of $8.0 million. The changes in assets and liabilities were primarily due to increased accounts receivables of $10.9 million, an increase in inventory of $6.2 million, and an increase in other current assets of $4.9 million, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $14.0 million.

Investing Activities
 
Net cash used by investing activities was $9.3 million for the first nine months of 2007, primarily for capital expenditures.
 
Net cash provided by investing activities were $3.3 million for the first nine months of 2006, including $14.5 million in proceeds for sale of assets, primarily related to the $12.5 million proceeds for the sale of the Albuquerque facility, partially offset by $11.1 million used for capital expenditures.
 
Total free cash flow in the first nine months of 2007 was $21.9 million.  Total free cash flow in the first nine months of 2006 was $17.4 million.
 
 
 
The following table summarizes free cash flow for CTS:
 

 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
($ in millions)  
 
September 30,
 2007
   
October 1,
2006
 
Net cash provided by operations
  $
31.2
    $
28.5
 
Capital expenditures
    (9.3 )     (11.1 )
Free cash flow
  $
21.9
    $
17.4
 
 
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that CTS defines as net cash provided by operations less capital expenditures.  The most comparable GAAP measure is net cash provided by operations.  CTS' management uses free cash flow to evaluate financial performance and in strategic planning, specifically, for investing and financing decisions.  CTS' management believes that free cash flow is a useful measure because it indicates the ability of a business operation to fund its own required capital investments.  CTS' management believes that the non-GAAP measure free cash flow is useful to investors because it reflects the performance of its overall operations more accurately than net cash provided by operations and because it provides investors with the same results that management uses as the basis for making decisions about the business.  Free cash flow is not an indicator of residual cash available for discretionary spending, because it does not take into account mandatory debt service or other non-discretionary spending requirements which are not deducted in the calculation of free cash flow.  CTS' management takes these limitations into account when using free cash flow to make investing and financing decisions.

Financing Activities
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $16.2 million in first nine months of 2007, consisting primarily of an $8.9 million purchase of treasury stock, $3.5 million in decreased short-term debt and $3.2 million in dividend payments.
 
Net cash used in financing activities was $15.9 million in first nine months of 2006, consisting primarily of a net $7.7 million reduction in long-term debt associated with the payment of the $5.5 million of 6.5% debenture, a decrease in short- term notes payable of $3.8 million, $3.2 million in dividends payments, and a $0.9 million purchase of treasury stock.
 
Capital Resources

Refer to Note D, “Debt,” for further discussion.

On June 27, 2006, CTS entered into a $100 million, unsecured revolving credit agreement.  Under the terms of the revolving credit agreement, CTS can expand the credit facility to $150 million.  There were no amounts outstanding under the revolving credit agreement at September 30, 2007.  Interest rates on the revolving credit agreement fluctuate based upon LIBOR and the Company’s quarterly total leverage ratio.  CTS pays a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit agreement.  The commitment fee varies based on the quarterly leverage ratio and was 0.15 percent per annum at September 30, 2007.  The revolving credit agreement requires, among other things, that CTS comply with a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.  Failure of CTS to comply with these covenants could reduce the borrowing availability under the revolving credit agreement.  CTS was in compliance with all debt covenants at September 30, 2007.

Additionally, the revolving agreement contains restrictions relating to the amount of secured debt the Company can have outstanding, the amounts allowed for acquisitions or asset sales and the amounts allowed for stock repurchases and dividend payments.  The revolving credit agreement expires in June 2011.
 
CTS believes cash flows from operating activities and available borrowings under its revolving credit agreement will be adequate to fund its working capital and capital expenditure requirements.  CTS may choose to pursue additional equity and/or debt financing to fund acquisitions and/or to reduce its overall interest expense or improve its capital structure.

In November 2005, CTS’ Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to one million shares of its common stock in the open market.  Reacquired shares will be used to support equity-based compensation programs and for other corporate purposes.  Under this program, CTS repurchased 395,000 shares at a total cost of $4.9 million before the program expired June 29, 2007.

In June 2007, CTS’ Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to two million shares of its common stock in the open market.  The authorization expires on June 30, 2009.  Reacquired shares will be used to support equity-based compensation programs and for other corporate purposes.  Since June 30, 2007 CTS has repurchased 307,700 shares at a total cost of $4.0 million, under this program.




New Accounting Pronouncements

EITF 06-03 “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation)”
In June 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 06-03, “How Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation)” (EITF 06-03).  EITF 06-03 provides that the presentation of taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer on either a gross basis (included in revenue and costs) or on a net basis (excluded from revenues) is an accounting policy decision that should be disclosed.  The provisions of EITF 06-3 were effective for CTS as of January 1, 2007.  CTS classifies sales taxes on a net basis in its consolidated financial statements.

FAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”
In September 2006, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”(FAS No. 157).  FAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. FAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, and accordingly, does not require any new fair value measurements. FAS No. 157 is effective for CTS beginning January 1, 2008. CTS is currently reviewing the provisions of FAS No. 157, but does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

FAS No. 159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”
In February 2007, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (FAS No. 159).  FAS No. 159 provides the option to report certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value, with the intent to mitigate volatility in financial reporting that can occur when related assets and liabilities are recorded on different bases.  This statement is effective for CTS beginning January 1, 2008.  CTS does not expect FAS No. 159 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48”
In May 2007, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FIN 48-1 that amends FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FSP FIN 48-1).  FSP FIN 48-1 provides guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits. CTS does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF 06-11 “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards”
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus reached on EITF Issue No. 06-11, “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards” (EITF 06-11).  EITF 06-11 provides that a realized income tax benefit from dividends that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees for equity classified nonvested equity shares and units should be recognized as an increase to additional paid-in capital. The provisions of this EITF should be applied prospectively to the income tax benefits of dividends on equity-classified employee share-based payment awards that are declared in fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2007. CTS currently pays dividends on its unvested Restricted Stock under the 1988 Plan. CTS has reviewed the provisions of EITF 06-11 and does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

EITF 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods and Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities”
In June 2007, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods and Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities” (EITF 07-3).  EITF 07-3 provides that nonrefundable advance payments for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized and recognized as an expense as the goods are delivered or the related services are performed. The provisions of this EITF are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2007. CTS does not expect the provisions to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.



*****


 
Forward-Looking Statements


This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any financial or other guidance, statements that reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and any other statements that are not based solely on historical fact.  Forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations, certain assumptions and currently available information.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those presented in the forward-looking statements.  For more detailed information on the risks and uncertainties associated with CTS’ business, see our reports filed with the SEC.  Examples of factors that may affect future operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: rapid technological change; general market conditions in the automotive, communications, and computer industries, as well as conditions in the industrial, defense & aerospace, and medical markets; reliance on key customers; the ability to protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures and demand for our products; and risks associated with our international operations, including trade and tariff barriers, exchange rates and political and geopolitical risks; and the impact of the accounting misstatements at its Moorpark and Santa Clara, California locations, including the results of the impact of the SEC’s informal inquiry into these misstatements.  CTS undertakes no obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, including market or industry changes.






  Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
There have been no material changes in CTS’ market risk since December 31, 2006.
 
 
 Item 4.           Controls and Procedures
 
CTS’ management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).

In February 2007, CTS announced that it was investigating incorrect accounting entries at its Moorpark, California manufacturing location and that its financial statements for the first three quarters of 2006 should not be relied upon.  The investigation determined that incorrect entries transferred significant costs from income statement accounts, primarily cost of goods sold, to balance sheet accounts, primarily accounts payable, beginning in 2005 and continuing through 2006.  For more information on these matters, please refer to Item 1A, Risk Factors; Item 9A Controls and Procedures; Note B to the consolidated financial statements, “Restatement of the Consolidated Financial Statements”; and Management 's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in CTS’ 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed May 15, 2007.  Management determined that the effect of the misstatements on CTS' 2006 consolidated financial statements was material and accordingly amendments to CTS’ 2006 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A restating CTS' condensed consolidated financial statements for each of the first three quarters of 2006 were filed contemporaneously with CTS’ 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, as a result of the incorrect entries discussed above CTS restated its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005 in its 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In its assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the year ended December 31, 2006, CTS' management concluded that a material weakness existed in CTS' internal control over financial reporting. The following control deficiencies, on a combined basis, resulted in the material weakness related to the Moorpark and Santa Clara, California manufacturing locations:
 
·   
Monitoring and accountability over the operating effectiveness of controls including effective operation of designed controls over reconciliations, journal entry approval and oversight.
·   
Ability to set-up fictitious vendors and ability to make payments to vendors without appropriate support and approval.
·   
Lack of effectiveness of the internal audit function to obtain an understanding of process and controls at the Moorpark and Santa Clara, California locations.
 
Prior to identifying the material weakness described above, CTS’ management had taken actions to strengthen the  Moorpark and Santa Clara accounting organization by replacing the Moorpark plant controller and adding a Santa Clara plant controller.  Since identifying the material weakness, CTS has implemented the following changes to strengthen its internal control over financial reporting:

·  
Increased review and approval of all manual journal entries by the entity controllers.
·  
Increased review and approval of all account reconciliation activities by the entity controllers.
·  
Added a senior Corporate accountant to provide additional review and oversight of all key accounting processes globally, including manual journal entries and key account reconciliations.
·  
Increased internal audit resources and revised internal audit programs to increase the scope and frequency of audits.
·  
Standardized and strengthened the account reconciliation process at both Moorpark and Santa Clara.
·  
Completed a review of all Moorpark and Santa Clara vendors.
·  
Removed the entity controllers’ ability to set-up vendors and make payments through the financial information system.
·  
Removed the entity controllers’ security access to record journal entries.

Management believes these actions have strengthened the internal control environment at both Moorpark and Santa Clara and that these actions have remediated the material weakness described above.  These internal control enhancements will be tested throughout the year by CTS’ Internal Audit organization to confirm that they are operating effectively.

 
In addition, CTS intends to implement the following changes over the course of 2007 to further strengthen its internal control environment:

·  
Further enhance the Moorpark and Santa Clara reporting system documentation and user training.
·  
Continue to strengthen operating policies, including policies around pricing adjustments, customer returns and vendor disputes at all CTS locations.
·  
Institute additional operational monitoring reports to review and track early warning signs e.g. short payments, premium freight and customer rejects at all CTS locations.
·  
Further enhance and document CTS’ annual vendor certification process at all CTS locations.
·  
Standardize and strengthen the account reconciliation process at all CTS locations.

As of September 30, 2007 CTS' management, including its Chief Executive Officer and its Interim Chief Financial Officer, have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of CTS' disclosure controls and procedures.  Based on the determination that the material weakness remediations in CTS' internal control over financial reporting described above have not been fully tested, CTS’ Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer have determined that CTS' disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2007.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Except as described above, there were no changes in CTS' internal control over financial reporting for the quarter ended September 30, 2007 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect CTS' internal control over financial reporting.
 

 
PART II   -   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings
 
Certain processes in the manufacturer of CTS’ current and past products create hazardous waste by-products as currently defined by federal and state laws and regulations.  CTS has been notified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state environmental agencies and, in some cases, generator groups that it is or may be a Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) regarding hazardous waste remediation at several non-CTS sites.  In addition to these non-CTS sites, CTS  has an ongoing practice of providing reserves for probably remediation activities at certain of its manufacturing locations and for claims and proceedings against CTS with respect to other environmental matters.  In the opinion of management, based upon presently available information relating to all such matters, either adequate provision for probable costs has been made, or the ultimate costs resulting will not materially affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of CTS.

Certain claims are pending against CTS with respect to matters arising out of the ordinary conduct of its business.  For all claims, in the opinion of management, based upon presently available information, either adequate provision for anticipated costs has been made by insurance, accruals or otherwise, or the ultimate anticipated costs resulting will not materially affect CTS’ consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

CTS has been informed that the staff of the SEC is conducting an informal inquiry relating to the accounting misstatements of its Moorpark and Santa Clara, California manufacturing facilities.  CTS is in full cooperation with the SEC in its inquiry.
 
Item 1A.     Risk Factors

There have been no significant changes in the Company’s risk factors since December 31, 2006.




   Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
The following table summarizes the repurchases of CTS common stock made by the Company during the three-month period ending September 30, 2007:

   
(a)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   
(b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
(c)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part of Plans
or Programs
(1)
   
(d)
Maximum Number
of Shares
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
                       
2,340,000
 
July 2, 2007 – July 5, 2007
   
45,000
    $
12.90
     
45,000
     
2,000,000
 
August 8, 2007 – August 24, 2007
   
116,000
     
12.95
     
116,000
     
1,884,000
 
August 27, 2007 – September 28, 2007
   
191,700
     
13.02
     
191,700
     
1,692,300
 
Total
   
352,700
    $
12.98
     
352,700
         
 
 
_________________________________
 
(1)
In November 2005, CTS’ Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to one million shares of its common stock in the open market.  The authorization expired June 29, 2007.
 
 
In June 2007, CTS’ Board of Director authorized a program to repurchase up to two million shares of its common stock in the open market.  The authorization expires June 30, 2009.
 

 
 
Item 6.      Exhibits

 
Performance Share Agreement with Vinod M. Khilnani
     
 
Amendment to Employment Agreement of Donald K. Schwanz
     
 
Amendment to CTS Corporation Individual Excess Benefit Retirement Plan of Donald K. Schwanz
     
 
Form of CTS Corporation Individual Excess Benefit Retirement Plan
     
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     
 
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
     




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.

CTS Corporation
 
CTS Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Richard G. Cutter III
 
/s/ Vinod M. Khilnani
 
Richard G. Cutter III
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
 
Vinod M. Khilnani
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
Dated: October 24, 2007
 
 Dated: October 24, 2007
 

 
 
 
 
30

 

CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (10)(a)

 CTS CORPORATION
PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENT


THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), made by and between CTS CORPORATION, an Indiana corporation (together with any successors to all or substantially all of the business of such corporation, the "Company"), and Vinod M. Khilnani (the "Grantee").  Except as expressly provided herein, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms under the Company's 2004 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

The execution of a Performance Share Agreement substantially in the form hereof has been authorized by the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Company’s Board of Directors. The Company hereby confirms to the Grantee, effective as of the Date of Grant, pursuant to the Plan, the grant of Performance Shares described below in Section 1 of this Agreement subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the terms and conditions described below.

1.    Grant . Subject to the terms set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee three awards of 8,333, 8,333 and 8,334 Performance Shares respectively, together with the opportunity to earn up to an additional approximately 50% of such Performance Shares (the “Award”), which the Grantee may earn during each of three separate performance periods (the “Tranches”), subject to a maximum of 25,000 Shares that may be earned in the aggregate.
 
2.    Performance Periods .  The performance periods will commence on July 2, 2007, July 2, 2008 and July 2, 2009 respectfully, the performance periods will end on July 1, 2010 (the “First Performance Period”), July 1, 2011 (the “Second Performance Period”), and July 1, 2012 (the “Third Performance Period”), respectively.  The term “Performance Period” refers to any of the First Performance Period, the Second Performance Period or the Third Performance Period, as applicable, and the term “Vesting Date” refers to any of July 1, 2010, July 1, 2011 or July 1, 2012, as applicable.
 
3.            Performance Measure .  For purposes of this Agreement, “Performance Measure” means the Relative Total Stockholder Return goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based on the Total Stockholder Return of the Company during each Performance Period relative to the Total Stockholder Return of a benchmark peer group comprised of the 32 entities set forth on Exhibit A (each, a “Peer”).  For purposes of this Agreement, “Total Stockholder Return” means the appreciation in the price of a share of common stock plus reinvested dividends (including dividends paid in cash or other property) over a specified period of time.  Such peer group of entities (the “Peer Group”) will be adjusted during the Performance Period, if necessary, as determined by the Committee, according to the protocol set forth on Exhibit A .

The Performance Measure for the Performance Period covered by this Agreement is set forth on Exhibit B .  The following applies with respect to the Performance Measure:
 
(a)  
The Total Stockholder Return of the Company and each Peer will be determined and the Performance Measure evaluated separately for each Performance Period, and the Award will be determined based on the matrix set forth on Exhibit B (the “RTSR Matrix”); and
 
(b)  
In no event shall the Grantee be entitled to receive more than 25,000 Shares under this Agreement in the aggregate.

4.            Earning Performance Shares; Settlement of Award .  Performance Shares will be earned and become non-forfeitable on the respective Vesting Date for each Performance Period in accordance with the RTSR Matrix; provided , however , that, except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the Grantee remains in the continuous employ of the Company during the applicable Performance Period and is an employee of the Company on the applicable Vesting Date.  Each Tranche of Performance Shares will be forfeited to the extent that they are not earned at the end of the applicable Performance Period or, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if the Grantee ceases to be employed by the Company at any time prior to the end of the Performance Period.


Performance Shares will be settled on the basis of one Share for each Performance Share that vests and is earned during the applicable Performance Period.  Shares will be issued or transferred to the Grantee in settlement of Performance Shares that vest and are earned during an applicable Performance Period, less applicable taxes, as soon as practicable after the determination by the Committee of the level of attainment of Relative Total Stockholder Return for each Performance Period (but in no case later than 60 days after the applicable Vesting Date) (“Settlement Date”).  The Company’s obligations to the Grantee with respect to earned and vested Performance Shares will be satisfied in full upon the distribution of one Share for each Performance Share earned and vesting during the applicable Performance Period.  On each Settlement Date, the Company may, at its election, either:
 
(a)  
credit the number of Shares to be issued or transferred to the Grantee as of that Settlement Date to a book-entry account in the name of the Grantee held by the Company’s transfer agent; or
 
(b)  
deliver to the Grantee a certificate representing the number of Shares transferred or issued to the Grantee as of that Settlement Date.

Subject to Section 3(b) of this Agreement, upon the first to occur of the following events while the Grantee is employed by the Company, all 25,000 Performance Shares granted hereunder and that have not been previously earned or forfeited shall vest and be deemed earned under this Agreement:

(a)  
the Grantee becomes disabled;

(b)  
the Grantee dies; or

(c)  
a change in ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company.
 
5.   Tax Withholding .  The Company shall have the right to deduct from any compensation due the Grantee from the Company any federal, state, local or foreign taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with the issuance of Shares or vesting of any Performance Shares pursuant to this Agreement.  To the extent that the amounts payable to the Grantee are insufficient for such withholding, it shall be a condition to the issuance of Shares or vesting of the Performance Shares, as the case may be, that the Grantee shall pay such taxes or make provisions that are satisfactory to the Company for the payment thereof within the 60-day payment period.

Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company shall retain Shares otherwise deliverable on any Settlement Date in an amount sufficient to satisfy the amount of tax required to be withheld; provided , that such amounts shall not exceed the statutorily required minimum withholding. The determination of the number of Shares retained for this purpose shall be based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Settlement Date.

6.            Rights Not Conferred .  The Grantee shall have none of the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Performance Shares, including the right to receive dividends or vote stock, until such time, if any, that Shares are distributed to the Grantee in settlement thereof.  The Grantee is further advised that until distribution, the Company’s obligation will be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of the Company to deliver Shares in the future, and the rights of the Grantee will be no greater than that of an unsecured general creditor.  No assets of the Company will be held as collateral security for the obligations of the Company hereunder, and all assets of the Company will be subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors.

7.            Agreement Not Assignable .  This Agreement and the Performance Shares awarded hereunder are not transferable or assignable by the Grantee; provided , that no provision herein shall prevent the distribution of Shares to the Grantee’s estate or designated beneficiary, in the event of the Grantee’s death.

8.            Adjustments .  In the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to the foregoing, the Committee shall adjust the Award, as provided by the Plan.
 
9.            Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal substantive laws of the State of Indiana.

10.            Amendments.   Any amendment to the Plan shall be deemed to be an amendment to this Agreement to the extent that the amendment is applicable hereto; provided , however , that no amendment to the Plan or the Agreement shall adversely affect the value or number of the Grantee’s Performance Shares without the Grantee’s written consent, except to the extent necessary to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.

2

11.            Administration.   The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules.  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Committee shall be final and binding upon the Grantee, the Company and all other interested persons.  No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Agreement.

It is intended that this Agreement and its administration comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code.  Accordingly, notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or in the Plan to the contrary, this Agreement and the Plan will be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with such intention.  As used herein, “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended from time to time, and any interpretations thereof issued by the U.S. Treasury Department on which the Company is permitted to rely.
 
12.            Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans .  The value of the Performance Shares granted pursuant to this Agreement shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salary or other similar terms used when calculating the Grantee’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any subsidiary, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides.  The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s employee benefit plans.

13.    Severability .  If any provision of the Plan or this Agreement is, becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or award hereunder under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or award, and the remainder of the Plan or Agreement shall be in full force and effect.

14.            Construction .  The Performance Shares granted hereunder are being issued pursuant to Sections 3(s), 7 and 11 of the Plan (“Performance Awards”) and are subject to the terms of the Plan.  A copy of the Plan has been given to the Grantee, and additional copies of the Plan are available upon request during normal business hours at the principal executive offices of the Company.  To the extent that any provision of this Agreement violates or is inconsistent with an express provision of the Plan, the Plan provision shall govern and any inconsistent provision in this Agreement shall be of no force or effect.

15.            Data Protection .  By signing below, the Grantee expressly consents to the transfer and use of personal data by the Company and its agents in connection with the administration of this Award.

16.            Binding Effect .  This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties hereto.


The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of an executed original of this Performance Share Agreement and accepts the Performance Shares granted thereunder on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan.



Date:  August 1, 2007                                                                                        /s/ Vinod M. Khilnani
                                                                    ________________________________
           Vinod M. Khilnani


Executed in the name and on behalf of the Company at Elkhart, Indiana as of the 1 day of August, 2007.


CTS CORPORATION

 
By:     /s/ James L. Cummins
     ___________________________________
     James L. Cummins
            Senior Vice President Administration

3


EXHIBIT A

CTS CORPORATION

Relative Total Stockholder Return — Peer Group (32 Peers)
 

NAME
SYMBOL
STOCK EXCHANGE
Aeroflex Incorporated
ARXX
Nasdaq Global Select Market
ArvinMeritor, Inc.
ARM
New York Stock Exchange
AVX Corporation
AVX
New York Stock Exchange
Benchmark Electronics, Inc.
BHE
New York Stock Exchange
BorgWarner Inc.
BWA
New York Stock Exchange
Celestica Inc.
CLS
New York Stock Exchange
EPCOS AG
EPC
New York Stock Exchange
Flextronics International Ltd.
FLEX
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Frequency Electronics, Inc.
FEIM
Nasdaq Global Market
Gentex Corporation
GNTX
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Jabil Circuit, Inc.
JBL
New York Stock Exchange
KEMET Corporation
KEM
New York Stock Exchange
Key Tronic Corporation
KTCC
Nasdaq Global Market
Kimball International, Inc.
KBALB
Nasdaq Global Select Market
LaBarge, Inc.
LB
American Stock Exchange
Lear Corporation
LEA
New York Stock Exchange
LittelFuse, Inc.
LFUS
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Methode Electronics, Inc.
METH
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Molex Incorporated
MOLX
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Plexus Corp.
PLXS
Nasdaq Global Select Market
RF Micro Devices, Inc.
RFMD
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Sanmina-Sci Corporation
SANM
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Sirenza Microdevices, Inc.
SMDI
Nasdaq Global Market
Solectron Corporation
SLR
New York Stock Exchange
Sparton Corporation
SPA
New York Stock Exchange
Spectrum Control, Inc.
SPEC
Nasdaq Global Market
Stoneridge, Inc.
SRI
New York Stock Exchange
Sypris Solutions, Inc.
SYPR
Nasdaq Global Market
Technitrol, Inc.
TNL
New York Stock Exchange
Triquint Semiconductors, Inc.
TQNT
Nasdaq Global Select Market
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
VSH
New York Stock Exchange
Williams Controls, Inc.
WMCO
Nasdaq Global Market





      
                                              
      
                                     
    
4


Peer Group Adjustment Protocol

If, as of the last date of any Performance Period, all of the common equity of any Peer has been delisted from the stock exchange on which any of its common equity was listed as of the date of this Agreement (and all such common equity (or the common equity of a successor to all or substantially all of the business of such Peer) has not been, within 30 days of such delisting, subsequently listed on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC, the London Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange), then:
 
·  
such Peer will be removed from the Peer Group for purposes of such Performance Period and any subsequent Performance Periods; and
 
·  
the Relative Total Stockholder Return for such Performance Period and any subsequent Performance Periods will be calculated as if such Peer had never been a member of the Peer Group.
 
For purposes of this Agreement, Peer includes any successor to all or substantially all of the business of an entity as set forth on Exhibit A , whether or not the same legal entity at end of any Performance Period.

If a company files for bankruptcy or is operating under bankruptcy protection, it clearly shows bad performance and will, therefore, stay in the Peer Group as a bottom performer.

5


EXHIBIT B

CTS CORPORATION

Determining Relative Total Stockholder Return
                                                              (for each Performance Period)                                                                 

For purposes of calculating Relative Total Stockholder Return (rounding shall be to the nearest tenth of a percent, with all hundredths of a percent equal to or greater than 5 rounded up to the nearest tenth of a percent):

·  
Company Return .  For each Performance Period, the Company’s Total Stockholder Return will be a percentage amount determined based on (1) the average closing price of the Shares for the 20 business days immediately preceding the respective Vesting Date (including aggregate dividends for the Performance Period) compared to (2) the average closing price of the Shares for the 20 business days immediately preceding July 2, 2007.
 
·  
Peer Return .
 
 
For each Performance Period, each Peer’s Total Stock Return will be a percentage amount determined based on (1) the closing stock price on the last trading day of the Performance Period (adjusted for stock splits) compared to (2) the closing stock price on the first trading day of the Performance Period (adjusted for stock splits.)
 
·  
Company Ranking .  For each Performance Period, the Company’s and each Peer’s Total Stockholder Return will be ranked in decreasing order.  Relative Total Stockholder Return equals the percentile rank (expressed as a percentage) of the Company’s Total Stockholder Return when compared to the rankings, from lowest to highest, of the Total Stockholder Returns of the Peers comprising the Peer Group for the Performance Period.
 

      
                                              
      
                                     
    
6


RTSR Matrix
 
Relative Total Stockholder Return                                                                                 Earned and Vested Performance
(RTSR) for a Performance Period                                                                     Shares for the Performance Period
 
Less than 33%                                                                                                                            0 Performance Shares
 
Greater than or equal to 33% and less                                                                                   50% of Performance Shares (or 4,166 than or equal to 49.9%Shares)
 
Greater than 49.9% and less than or                                                                                      100% of Performance Shares (or 8,333 equal to 66.6%Shares)
 
Greater than 66.6%                                                                                                                    150% of Performance Shares (or 12,500 Shares)
 
*  Provided, that in no event shall the Grantee be entitled to receive more than 25,000 Shares during the Performance Period under this Agreement.

Examples:
 
1.           Hypothetical results for First Performance Period:
 
Company Ranking:                     15 th out of 34
RTSR:                                           55.9 percentile of Peer Group
Payout:                                         100%, or 8,333 Shares

2.           Hypothetical results for Second Performance Period:
 
Company Ranking:                     21 st out of 34
RTSR:                                           38.2 percentile of Peer Group
Period Payout:                            50%, or 4,166 Shares
Cumulative Payout:                    12,499 Shares

3.           Hypothetical results for Third Performance Period:
 
Company Ranking:                      10 th out of 34
RTSR:                                            70.6 percentile of Peer Group
Period Payout:                              150%, or 12,500 Shares
Total Payout:                                24,999

4.           Alternative hypothetical results for Third Performance Period (where 100% of payout received for First Performance Period and 150% of payout received for Second Performance Period, for a total of 20,833 previously earned Shares):
 
Company Ranking:                     8 th out of 34
RTSR:                                           76.5 percentile of Peer Group
Payout:                                         150%, but overall cap applies – only 4,167additional Shares are earned
Total Payout:                               25,000

7


CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (10)(b)

 
AMENDMENT TO
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
 
This Agreement (“ Agreement ”) is entered into this 12 th day of September, 2007, by and between CTS Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”), and Donald K. Schwanz (“ Executive ”).
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into that certain Employment Agreement as of October 1, 2006 (the “ Employment Agreement ”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Company and Executive wish to amend the Employment Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree that the Employment Agreement is amended as follows, effective as of the date first written above:
 
AMENDMENT
 
1.    Section 4(d) of the Employment Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
 
(d)
Expense Reimbursement.   The Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business-related expenses incurred by Executive during the Employment Period and, to the extent provided under paragraph 6 and paragraph 10(b), during the Consulting Period and during Executive’s lifetime, respectively, in the course of performing Executive’s duties under this Agreement that are consistent with the Company’s policies in effect from time to time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s requirements applicable generally with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.  Any such reimbursement shall be made not later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive incurs the expense.  In no event may the amount of expenses reimbursed by the Company in one calendar year affect the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year.
 
2.    Section 7(c)(vi) of the Employment Agreement is amended by adding the following provision thereto:
 
Such present values will be determined as of January 1, 2008. The lump sum payment (difference between A and B) shall be increased with interest, at the interest rate specified in the SERP, for the period between January 1, 2008, and the date of payment.
 
3.    Section 7(d)(i) of the Employment Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
 
(i)
Executive or his estate or beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the amount of Base Salary Executive would have earned from the Termination Date until December 31, 2007, payable within 90 days of the date of Executive’s death or determination of Disability, as the case may be; and
 
1

4.    Section 7(e) of the Employment Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
 
(e)
Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 7:
 
 
(i)
If the Company determines in good faith that (A) any payment to Executive or his estate or beneficiaries under this paragraph 7 does not qualify for the “short-term deferral exception” or otherwise would constitute a “deferral of compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, (B) Executive is a “specified employee” (as such phrase is defined in Section 409A of the Code) and (C) delay of such payment is required by Section 409A of the Code and is not already provided for in this paragraph 7, Executive (or Executive’s estate or beneficiary) will receive payment of such amounts upon the earlier of (X) the first day of the seventh month following Executive’s “separation from service” with the Company (as such phrase is defined in Section 409A of the Code) or (Y) Executive’s death.
 
 
(ii)
It is expressly understood that the Company’s payment obligations under paragraph 7 shall terminate and Executive’s right to such payments shall be forfeited in the event Executive breaches any of his agreements in paragraph 8 hereof.
 
 
(iii)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Release Agreement has not been executed and all periods for revocation expired within the applicable “short term deferral period” prescribed by Section 409A of the Code, Executive will forfeit the payments prescribed by paragraphs 7(c)(ii), 7(c)(iii) and 7(c)(v), above.
 
5.    Section 23 of the Employment Agreement is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
 
23.
Section 409A of the Code .  To the extent applicable, it is intended that the compensation arrangements under this Agreement be in full compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  This Agreement shall be construed in a manner to give effect to such intention.  Reference to Section 409A of the Code includes any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.
 
6.    Exhibit B to the Employment Agreement (the “Release Agreement”) is amended and restated in its entirety as attached hereto.
 
7.    Except as provided herein, the Employment Agreement remains in full force and effect.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
  CTS CORPORATION  
       
 
By:
/s/  James L. Cummins  
    James L. Cummins  
    Senior Vice President Administration  
       
 
     
       
 
By:
/s/  Donald K. Schwanz  
    Donald K. Schwanz  
    Executive  
       

 

 

2


CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (10)(c)

 
AMENDMENT TO
 
CTS CORPORATION
 
INDIVIDUAL EXCESS BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
 
This Amendment (“ Amendment ”) to that certain CTS Corporation Individual Excess Benefit Retirement Plan with respect to Donald K. Schwanz (the “ Plan ”) is adopted as of September 12, 2007, by CTS Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “ Company ”).
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, the Company previously adopted the Plan effective as of October 1, 2006; and
 
WHEREAS, the Company wishes to amend the Plan to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows, effective as of the date first written above:
 
AMENDMENT
 
1.  
Section 2.02 of the Plan (“ Beneficiary ”) is amended by replacing the term “termination of employment” contained therein with the term “separation from service.”
 
 2.  
The fourth sentence of Section 3.03 of the Plan (“ Payment of the Retirement Benefit ”) is amended by replacing the phrase “the date the Member’s employment with the Company terminated” contained therein with the phrase “the date the Member separated from service with the Company.”
 
3.   The second paragraph of Section 3.03 of the Plan is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event that the Member becomes disabled as defined by Section 409A of the Code prior to the Member’s separation from service with the Company, the Retirement Benefit shall be distributed to the Member as soon as practicable within 90 days after the determination of the Member’s disability, and in such event no interest shall be payable on the Retirement Benefit.  In the event that the Member dies after separation from service with the Company, but prior to payment of the Retirement Benefit, the Retirement Benefit and interest thereon calculated as provided above to the date of payment, shall be distributed to the Beneficiary as soon as practicable, within 90 days after the date of the Member’s death.
 
4.  
The second sentence of Section 3.04 of the Plan (“ Payment of the Pre-retirement Death Benefit ”) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
Such payment shall be made as soon as practicable within 90 days after the date of the Member’s death.
 
5.  
The second sentence of Section 3.05 of the Plan (“ Section 409A of the Code ”) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
 
This Plan shall be construed in a manner to give effect to such intention.
 
6.   Except as provided herein, the Plan remains in full force and effect.
 

1

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Amendment to be executed by its proper officer duly authorized by its Board of Directors.
 
  CTS CORPORATION  
       
 
By:
/s/  James L. Cummins  
    James L. Cummins  
    Senior Vice President Administration  
       
 
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Donald K. Schwanz  
    Donald K. Schwanz  
       



2

CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (10)(d)

CTS CORPORATION
INDIVIDUAL EXCESS BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN
 
Adopted Effective as of __________________
 
ARTICLE I
 

 
Purpose
 
1.01    Purpose .  It is the intention of CTS Corporation (the “Company”) to maintain appropriate levels of retirement benefits for employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who are entitled to benefits under the CTS Corporation Pension Plan (the “Pension Plan”).  This Plan is intended to maintain the level of total retirement benefits which, but for the limitations on annual benefits and compensation under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the “Code”) would otherwise be payable under the provisions of the Pension Plan and to provide a competitive level of retirement benefits to an individual who is a member of a select group of management or a highly compensated executive.
 
1.02    Effective Date .  This Plan is effective as of _______________, 2007 (the “Effective Date”).  The benefit payable under this Plan shall be in substitution for and in lieu of any benefit earned by the Member under the CTS Corporation [1996/2003] Excess Benefit Retirement Plan (the “[1996/2003] Plan”), and the Member shall have no claim to any benefit under or determined under the provisions of the [1996/2003] Plan.
 
ARTICLE II
 

 
Definitions
 
2.01    Member .  [                                           ] shall be referred to herein as the “Member.”
 
2.02    Capitalized Terms .  Capitalized terms used herein which are not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Pension Plan.
 
ARTICLE III
 

 
Benefits
 
3.01    Retirement Benefit .  The Member shall be entitled to receive a Retirement Benefit as described herein.  The amount of the Retirement Benefit which the Member is eligible to receive under this Plan upon separation from service (as defined by Section 409A of the Code) with the Company shall be equal to the actuarial present value of the excess of (a) over (b):
 
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(a)    The benefit which the Member would be entitled to receive under the terms of the Pension Plan in the form of a single life annuity beginning on the first day of the month following the Member’s attainment of age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date the Member’s separation from service with the Company occurs if:
 
(i)  
the percentage of “Compensation” (as defined in the Pension Plan) used in determining the Member’s benefit under the applicable provision of Section 6 of the Pension Plan was determined as follows, based on the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company:
 
 
 
Date of Separation from Service
Applicable Percentage
 
 
Prior to July 1, 2008
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011
[           ]%
 
 
After June 30, 2011
[           ]%
 

(ii)  
the “Credited Service” (as defined in the Pension Plan) used in determining the Member’s benefit under the applicable provision of Section 6 of the Pension Plan is limited to a maximum of 30 years; and
 
(iii)  
such benefit were computed without giving effect to the limitations then currently imposed by Code Section 401(a)(17) and Code Section 415(b) and regulations thereunder and without regard to the benefit accrual determined under Section 6.13 of the Pension Plan.
 
The benefit determined under the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.01(a) shall not be less than the benefit determined under Section 3.01(a) of the [1996/2003] Plan, determined as if the Member had incurred a separation from service with the Company on the date that this Plan is adopted by the Company, and payable in the form of a single life annuity beginning on the first day of the month following the Member’s attainment of age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date the Member’s separation from service with the Company occurs.
 
(b)    The amount of benefit which the Member would actually be entitled to receive under the Pension Plan if the Member received a single life annuity beginning on the first day of the month following the Member’s attainment of age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coincident with or next following the date the Member’s separation from service with the Company occurs.
 
3.02    Pre-Retirement Death Benefit .  If the Member dies before receiving the Retirement Benefit and the Member is survived by a Spouse, the Spouse shall be entitled to receive a Pre-Retirement Death Benefit which shall be equal to the actuarial present value of the excess of (a) over (b):
 
(a)    The Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity benefit which the surviving Spouse of the Member would be entitled to receive under the Pension Plan, beginning as of the first day of the month following the date the Member would have attained age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date of the Member’s death, if:
 
(i)  
the percentage of “Compensation” (as defined in the Pension Plan) used in determining the Member’s benefit under the applicable provision of Section 6 of the Pension Plan was determined as follows, based on the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company:
 
 
 
Date of Separation from Service
Applicable Percentage
 
 
Prior to July 1, 2008
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010
[           ]%
 
 
July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011
[           ]%
 
 
After June 30, 2011
[           ]%
 

(ii)  
the “Credited Service” (as defined in the Pension Plan) used in determining the Member’s benefit under the applicable provision of Section 6 of the Pension Plan is limited to a maximum of 30 years; and
 
(iii)  
the Member’s benefit were computed without giving effect to the limitations then currently imposed by Code Section 401(a)(17) and Code Section 415(b) and regulations thereunder and without regard to the benefit accrual determined under Section 6.13 of the Pension Plan.
 
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The benefit determined under the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.02(a) shall not be less than the Spouse’s benefit determined under Section 3.01(a) of the [1996/2003] Plan, determined as if the Member had died on the date that this Plan is adopted by the Company and payable on the first day of the month following the date the Member would have attained age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date of the Member’s death.
 
(b)    The Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity benefit which the surviving Spouse would be entitled to receive under the Pension Plan, beginning as of the first day of the month following the date the Member would have attained age 55 or, if later, the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date of the Member’s death.
 
3.03    Pre-Retirement Death without a Surviving Spouse.   If the Member dies before receiving the Retirement Benefit and the Member is not survived by a Spouse, there shall be no benefit payable under this Plan, or any predecessor plan(s).
 
3.04    Payment of the Retirement Benefit .  Payment of the Retirement Benefit shall be accomplished by means of an unfunded payment to the Member directly from the Company.  The Retirement Benefit shall be payable in the form of a single lump sum cash payment, and shall be payable on the later of (a) the second Tuesday of the seventh calendar month next following the date on which the Member’s separation from service with the Company occurs or (b) the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the Member’s attainment of age 55.  Actuarial present values shall be determined using the actuarial assumptions employed under the Pension Plan for lump sum cashouts for the Plan Year containing the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company.
 
In addition to and coincident with the Retirement Benefit payment, if the Member’s payment date is determined under clause (a) above, the Company shall pay an amount equal to the interest accrued on the Retirement Benefit for the period between the first day of the month next following the later of (x) the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company or (y) the date the Member attained age 55, and the date of payment.  The interest rate shall be equal to the lump sum interest rate assumption used to calculate the Retirement Benefit.
 
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, in the event that the Member becomes disabled as defined by Section 409A of the Code prior to the Member’s separation from service with the Company, the Retirement Benefit shall be distributed to the Member 90 days after the determination of the Member’s disability, and in such event no interest shall be payable on the Retirement Benefit.
 
3.05    Payment of the Pre-Retirement Death Benefit .  Payment of the Pre-Retirement Death Benefit shall be accomplished by means of an unfunded payment directly from the Company to the Member’s surviving Spouse.  Such payment shall be made as soon as practicable within 90 days after the date of the Member’s death or, if later, on the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the date the Member would have attained age 55.  Actuarial present values shall be determined using the actuarial assumptions employed under the Pension Plan for lump sum cashouts for the Plan Year containing the date of the Member’s death.
 
3.06    Change in Control .  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, if (a) a Member incurs a separation from service with the Company following a Change in Control (as defined in Appendix A to the Plan) and (b) as a result of such separation from service the Member becomes entitled to change in control severance benefits under any severance agreement between the Company and the Member, the Member’s Retirement Benefit shall be paid on the second Tuesday of the seventh calendar month following the date on which the Member’s separation from service with the Company occurs.  For purposes of calculating the Retirement Benefit, the Member shall be considered to be fully vested in both his or her benefit under this Plan and his or her benefit under the Pension Plan.  Actuarial present values shall be determined using the actuarial assumptions employed under the Pension Plan for lump sum cashouts for the Plan Year containing the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company.
 
In addition to and coincident with the Retirement Benefit payment, if the Member’s payment date is after the date the Member attains age 55, the Company shall pay an amount equal to the interest accrued on the Retirement Benefit for the period between the first day of the month next following the later of (x) the date of the Member’s separation from service with the Company or (y) the date the Member attained age 55, and the date of payment.  The interest rate shall be equal to the lump sum interest rate assumption used to calculate the Retirement Benefit.
 
3.07    Section 409A of the Code .  To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan be in full compliance with Section 409A of the Code.  This Plan shall be construed in a manner to give effect to such intention.  Reference to Section 409A of the Code is to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.
 
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ARTICLE IV
 

 
Authority of Committee
 
4.01    Committee .  The Plan shall be approved and administered by the Compensation Committee of the CTS Corporation Board of Directors (the “Committee”).
 
4.02    Authority of Committee .  The Committee shall have authority to control, delegate and manage the operation and administration of the Plan, including all rights and powers necessary or convenient to the carrying out of its functions hereunder, whether or not such rights and powers are specifically enumerated herein.
 
Without limiting the foregoing, and in addition to the other powers set forth in this Article IV, the Committee shall have the following express authorities:
 
(a)    To construe and interpret the Plan and determine the amount, manner and time of payment of any Benefits hereunder;
 
(b)    To prescribe procedures to be followed by the Member or Spouse filing any requests or applications in connection with benefits hereunder;
 
(c)    To prepare and distribute, in such manner as the Committee determines to be appropriate, information explaining the Plan;
 
(d)    To receive from the Company and from the Member and Spouse such information as shall be necessary for the proper administration of the Plan;
 
(e)    To furnish the Company, upon request, such annual and other reports with respect to the administration of the Plan as are reasonable and appropriate;
 
(f)    To resolve all questions and make all factual determinations relating to any matter for which it has administrative responsibility; and
 
(g)    To delegate to the CTS Corporation Benefit Plan Administration Committee such administrative powers and duties as it deems appropriate.
 
4.03    Disqualification of Committee Member .  No member of the Committee or delegate of the Committee shall vote upon any question or exercise any discretion under the Plan relating specifically to himself or his Spouse.
 
4.04    Records and Reports .  The Committee shall take all such action as it deems necessary or appropriate to comply with any laws or regulations now or hereafter in existence relating to the maintenance of records, notifications or registrations.
 
ARTICLE V
 

 
Amendment or Termination
 
The Company intends the Plan to be permanent, but, subject to Section 3.06, reserves the right, at any time, to modify, amend or terminate the Plan, provided, however, that no termination, amendment or modification of or to the Plan may, without written approval of the Member, reduce the total benefit payable under this Plan or the Pension Plan, assuming the Member retired, died or otherwise incurred a separation from service with the Company as of the effective date of such termination, amendment or modification.  The Plan shall terminate automatically upon payment of all amounts due hereunder.
 
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ARTICLE VI
 

 
Miscellaneous
 
6.01    No Guarantee of Employment .  Neither the creation of this Plan nor anything contained herein shall be construed (a) to give the Member the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (b) to give the Member or Spouse any benefits not specifically provided by the Plan, or (c) to modify, in any manner, the right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to modify, amend, or terminate any of its employee benefit plans.
 
6.02    Rights of the Member and Spouse .  Payment of benefits to which any Member or Spouse is entitled shall be made only to such Member or Spouse.  The expectation of such benefits shall not be assignable by the Member or Spouse or by operation of law, or be subject to reduction for the debts or defaults of such Member or Spouse whether to the Company or to others, or be subject to execution or attachment.  The preceding sentence shall not apply to portions of benefits applied at the direction of the person eligible to receive such benefits to the payment of premiums on life or health insurance provided under any Company program, or to the withholding of federal income taxes.
 
6.03    Payments in Event of Final Determination .  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if any amounts accrued under the Plan by a Member or Spouse are found in a final determination to have been includible in the gross income of the Member or Spouse prior to the payment of such amounts to the Member or Spouse as a result of the failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code, then to the maximum extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code without incurring penalty taxes thereunder, the Company will pay such amounts to or on behalf of the Member or Spouse as soon as practicable within 90 days after the date of the final determination.  Such payment may not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  For purposes of the Plan, a “final determination” means (i) an assessment of tax by the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Member or Spouse which is not timely appealed to the courts, (ii) a final determination by the United States Tax Court or any other federal court, the time for an appeal thereof having expired or been waived, or (iii) an opinion of counsel to the Company with respect to a change in any applicable law, regulation or ruling, in each case to the effect that amounts accrued under the Plan are subject to federal income tax to the Member or Spouse prior to payment.  No final determination will be deemed to have occurred until the Committee has actually received a copy of the assessment, court order or opinion which forms the basis thereof and such other documents as it may reasonably request.
 
6.04    Claims Procedure .
 
(a)    If the Member or Spouse does not receive the benefits which the Member or Spouse believes he or she is entitled to receive under the Plan, the Member or Spouse may file a claim for benefits with the Committee.  All claims must be made in writing and be signed by the claimant.  If the claimant does not furnish sufficient information to enable the Committee to process the claim, the Committee will indicate to the claimant any additional information which is required.
 
(b)    Each claim will be approved or disapproved by the Committee within 90 days following the receipt of the information necessary to process the claim, or within 180 days if the Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of the 90-day period and the claimant is notified of the extension within the-original 90-day period.  In the event the Committee denies a claim for benefits in whole or in part, the Committee will notify the claimant in writing of the adverse determination.  Such notice by the Committee will also set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination, reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the determination is based, a description of any additional material or information necessary to perfect the claim with an explanation of why such material or information is necessary and an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedure as set forth in Section 6.04(c).
 
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(c)    A claimant may appeal an adverse benefit determination by requesting a review of the decision by the Committee or a person designated by the Committee.  An appeal must be submitted in writing within 60 days after receiving notification of the adverse determination and must (i) request a review of the claim for benefits under the Plan, (ii) set forth all of the grounds upon which the claimant’s request for review is based and any facts in support thereof, and (iii) set forth any issues or comments which the claimant deems pertinent to the appeal.  The claimant will be given the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits and will be provided, upon written request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim for benefits, provided the Committee finds the requested documents or materials are relevant to the appeal.  The Committee or the person designated by the Committee will make a full and fair review of each appeal and any materials submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial determination.  On the basis of its review, the Committee or person designated by the Committee will make an independent determination of the claimant’s eligibility for benefits under the Plan.  The Committee or the person designated by the Committee will act upon each appeal within 60 days after receipt thereof unless special circumstances require an extension of the time for processing, in which case the Committee will notify the claimant within the initial 60-day period of such special circumstances and will render a decision as soon as possible but not later than 120 days after the appeal is received.  The decision of the Committee or person designated by the Committee on any claim for benefits will be final and conclusive upon all parties thereto.  In the event the Committee or person designated by the Committee denies an appeal in whole or in part, it will give written notice of the determination to the claimant.  Such notice will set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination, reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the determination is based, a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim and a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under section 502(a)   of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), if applicable.
 
6.05    Expenses and Indemnity .  All expenses and fees incurred in connection with the administration of the Plan will be paid by the Company.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company will indemnify and save harmless the Committee, the Board and any delegate of the Committee who is an employee of the Company and any officers and employees of the Company against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims, arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the Plan, other than expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will, promptly upon request, advance funds to persons entitled to indemnification hereunder to the extent necessary to defray legal and other expenses incurred in the defense of such liabilities and claims, as and when incurred.  This indemnity will not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any bylaw, agreement or otherwise.
 
6.06    Withholding .  There will be deducted from each payment made under the Plan all taxes which are required to be withheld by the Company in respect to such payment.
 
6.07    Receipt or Release .  Any payment to the Member or the Member’s Spouse in accordance with the provisions of the Plan will, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Committee and the Company with respect to the amount paid.  Except in the case of payments due to the death of the Member, no payments shall be made under Article III unless the Member has executed and delivered to the Company a Release Agreement substantially in the form attached to the Plan as Appendix B and such release has become effective and irrevocable in accordance with its terms no later than the date of payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Release Agreement has not been executed and all periods for revocation expired prior to the date of payment, Executive will forfeit the payments prescribed by Article III above.  The Committee will provided the Release Agreement to the Member within 5 days following the Member’s separation from service.
 
6.08    Payments on Behalf of Persons Under Incapacity .  In the event that any amount or distribution becomes payable under the Plan to a person who, in the sole judgment of the Committee, is considered by reason of physical or mental condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefor, the Committee may direct that such distribution or payment be made to any person found by the Committee, in its sole judgment, to have assumed the care of such person.  Any distribution or payment made pursuant to such determination will, to the extent thereof, constitute a full release and discharge of the Committee and the Company with respect to the distribution or amount paid.
 
6.09    Successors and Assigns .  The Company may not assign its obligations under this Plan, whether by contract, merger, operation of law or otherwise, unless the Member consents to the assignment.  The Member hereby consents to the assignment by the Company of all of its rights and obligations hereunder to any successor to the Company by merger or consolidation or purchase of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, provided such transferee or successor assumes the liabilities of the Company hereunder.  The provisions of this Section 6.09 will be binding upon each and every successor to the Company.
 
6.10    No Requirement to Fund .  No provisions in the Plan, either directly or indirectly, shall be construed to require the Company to reserve, or otherwise set aside, funds for the payment of benefits hereunder, and the Member and his or her Spouse shall have the status of general unsecured creditors with respect to the obligation of the Company to make payments under the Plan.  The Plan is intended to provide benefits for a “management or highly compensated employee” within the meaning of ERISA and therefore to be exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of the Title I of ERISA.
 
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6.11    Controlling Law .  To the extent not preempted by the laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of Indiana shall be the controlling state law in all matters relating to the Plan and shall apply.
 
6.12    Severability .  If any provisions of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan; and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal and invalid provisions had never been included herein.
 
6.13    Provisions of Pension Plan Unchanged .  Any benefit payable under the Pension Plan shall be paid solely in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Pension Plan; and nothing in the Plan shall operate or be construed in any way to modify, amend or affect the terms and provisions of the Pension Plan.
 
6.14    Nature of Payments .  Any benefits provided hereunder shall constitute nonqualified deferred compensation payments to the Member and shall not be taken into account in computing the amount of salary or compensation of the Member for the purposes of determining any pension, retirement, death or other benefits under (a) any pension, retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance or other employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (b) any agreement between the Company or any subsidiary and the Member except as such plan or agreement shall otherwise expressly provide.
 
6.15    Gender and Number .  Masculine gender shall include the feminine; and the singular shall include the plural, unless the context clearly indicated otherwise.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, CTS Corporation has caused this CTS Corporation Individual Excess Benefit Retirement Plan to be executed by its proper officer duly authorized by its Board of Directors.
 
CTS CORPORATION
 

 
By:
James L. Cummins
 
Title:
Senior Vice President Administration



Date:

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APPENDIX A
 
“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
 
(i)           the acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) (a “Person”) of aggregate beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Voting Stock”) of the Company (including, for this purpose, any Voting Stock of the Company acquired prior to July 1, 2003); provided, however, that for purposes of this Section (i), the following will not be deemed to result in a Change in Control:  (A) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company directly from the Company that is approved by the Incumbent Board (as defined below), (B) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by the Company or any entity in which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the outstanding Voting Stock (a “Subsidiary”) and any change in the percentage ownership of Voting Stock of the Company that results from such acquisition, (C) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (D) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by any Person pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (I), (II) and (III) of Section (iii); or
 
(ii)           individuals who are members of the Board of Directors of CTS Corporation (the “Board” collectively “Directors” and as to an individual “Director”) and who, as of July 1, 2003, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to July 1, 2003 whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) will be deemed to have been a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual becoming a Director as a result of an actual or threatened election contest (as described in Rule 14a-12(c) of the Securities Exchange Act) with respect to the election or removal of Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (collectively, an “Election Contest”); or
 
(iii)           consummation of (A) a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company, or (B) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (such reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale each, a “Business Combination”), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, (I) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 75% of the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), (II) no Person (other than the Company, such entity resulting from such Business Combination, or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company, any Subsidiary or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 15% or more of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination, and (III) at least a majority of the members of the Board of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or
 
(iv)           approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (I), (II) and (III) of Section (iii).
 

 

8


APPENDIX B
 
__________________ [date]
 
[employee’s home address]
 
 
 
Re:
Release Agreement
Dear ______________:
 
This Release Agreement summarizes the arrangements which have been discussed with you concerning your Retirement Benefits upon separation of employment from CTS Corporation (the “Company”) as set forth in the Individual Excess Benefit Retirement Plan entered into between you and the Company effective as of , 2007 (“SERP”).  This Agreement shall constitute the Release Agreement referenced in and defined under paragraph 6.07 of your SERP.
 
1.  
Termination of Employment
 
Your last day of employment with the Company will be ______________ (hereinafter, your “Termination Date”).
 
2.  
Payments and Benefits
 
You shall receive the payments and benefits set forth in Article III of your SERP, which is incorporated herein by reference, at the times and under the terms provided therein.
 
3.  
Release
 
In exchange for the compensation described in Section 2 above and other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, you hereby agree that you, your representatives, agents, estate, dependents, beneficiaries and assigns release and forever discharge CTS and/or its affiliates, successors, assigns, directors, members, officers, employees and/or agents, both individually and in their official capacities with CTS, from any and all actions or causes of action, suits, claims, complaints, contracts, liabilities, agreements, promises, debts or damages, whether existing or contingent, known or unknown, which arise out of your employment or the termination of your employment with CTS except for claims which relate to your enforcement of CTS’ payments and other obligations under the SERP and except for claims under the Severance Agreement dated _____________________, and your outstanding stock option agreements and restricted stock unit agreements.  This release is intended by you to be all encompassing and to act as a full and total release of any claims that you may have or have had against CTS, its affiliates, successors, assigns, directors, members, officers, employees, and/or agents, both individually and in their official capacities with CTS.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this release includes any claim of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, marital status, sexual preference, national origin, handicap or disability, age, veteran status, special disabled handicap status or any other basis prohibited by law; any claim arising from any express or implied employment contract or covenant of good faith and fair dealing; any claim arising under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; any tort claims and any personal gain with respect to any claim arising under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act, 31 USC 3730.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 3 shall not release or discharge CTS from its obligations to indemnify you, in accordance with the bylaws of the corporation or as provided under applicable law, and to cover you under its director and officer liability insurance policy with respect to the performance of your duties while an officer of the Corporation.
 
You agree and acknowledge that the payments and benefits set forth in Section 2 above, together with payments and benefits previously provided to you by CTS and the payments and benefits, if any, to which you are entitled under your Severance Agreement dated _____________________, and your outstanding stock option agreements and restricted stock unit agreements, are the only payments and benefits you will receive in connection with your employment or its termination.
 
You represent that you understand the foregoing release, that you understand that rights and claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and similar state and local anti-discrimination laws are among the rights and claims against the Company that you are releasing hereby.
 
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You further acknowledge and agree that you have been encouraged to seek the advice of an attorney of your choice in regard to this Agreement.  You represent that you have relied upon the advice of your attorney in entering into this Agreement and, specifically, in agreeing to the release contained herein.  You hereby understand and acknowledge the significance and consequences of the release contained herein.  You represent that you fully understand the terms of the release contained herein and voluntarily accept the terms of the release contained herein.  You further acknowledge that you have had a sufficient amount of time to consider the terms of this Agreement and to seek independent advice regarding the effect of this Agreement prior to its execution.
 
4.  
Right to Consider/Rescind
 
In accordance with the provisions of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, you understand that you shall have the right to consider whether to accept this Agreement for a period of twenty-one (21) days from your Termination Date (i.e. ______________).  You are also advised to consult with your attorney before signing this Agreement.  You further understand that you shall have the right to rescind (that is, cancel) this Agreement within seven (7) days of signing it to reinstate claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (hereinafter, the “Rescission Period”).  To begin receiving benefits pursuant to this Agreement you must deliver a fully executed copy of the Agreement to James L. Cummins, CTS Corporation, 905 West Boulevard North, Elkhart, IN 46514, upon expiration of the above referenced twenty-one (21) day period.
 
5.  
Release of Claims by the Company
 
In consideration of your execution and performance under this Release Agreement, the Company hereby waives and releases you from all claims arising from your performance of duties within the proper scope of your employment with the Company.
 
6.  
Miscellaneous
 
A.  
This Agreement may not be modified, altered or changed except upon written consent of the parties.
 
B.  
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Indiana.
 
C.  
The benefits afforded you under this Agreement (and the Severance Agreement dated ______________________, to the extent applicable, and the benefits to which you are entitled under your outstanding stock option agreements and restricted stock unit agreements) are in lieu of any other compensation, benefit, bonus pay, separation pay, severance pay, or notice pay to which you might otherwise have been entitled.
 
D.  
The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach thereof.
 
E.  
It is agreed and understood that neither the offer nor any negotiations or proceedings connected herewith nor the execution of this Agreement nor the payment of money shall constitute or be construed as an admission of any liability to, or the validity of, any claims whatsoever.
 
F.  
The parties intend this Agreement to serve as a final expression of this contract and as a complete and exclusive statement of the terms hereof.  This Agreement supersedes any prior written or verbal contracts, agreements, or letters of intent or understanding between you and CTS executed prior to the execution date hereof to the extent any such agreement is inconsistent with the terms hereof.
 
G.  
The parties agree that in the event a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the character, duration or scope of any provision of this Agreement is unreasonable or unenforceable in any respect, then such provision shall be deemed limited to the extent the court deems reasonable or enforceable and the provision shall remain in effect as limited by the court.  In the event that such a court determines that any provision is wholly unenforceable, the provision shall be deemed severed from this Agreement and the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
 
10

7.  
Representations and Warranties
 
You hereby make the following representations and warranties to CTS:
 
A.  
You have been provided a reasonable time of at least twenty-one (21) days to consider whether or not to sign this Agreement.
 
B.  
You are aware, by signing this Agreement, which includes a general release, you are giving up rights to initiate a lawsuit.
 
C.  
You understand and agree that by signing this Agreement, you are specifically waiving your rights to file a lawsuit against CTS under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar state and local anti-discrimination laws.
 
D.  
There are no promises or representations except those contained in this Agreement which have been made to you in connection with this subject.
 
E.  
You have read and understand each and every provision of this Agreement.
 
F.  
You acknowledge and agree that the release contained herein is an essential and material term of this Agreement.
 
Please review this Agreement carefully.  If you are in agreement with its provisions, please signify your acceptance by signing and dating both copies of this letter in the space provided below and return one copy to me.
 
Very truly yours,

CTS Corporation




I have carefully read and reviewed the foregoing Release Agreement, acknowledge its contents, and agree to be bound by its terms, including the release of claims set forth in the Agreement.  I have been given sufficient time of at least twenty-one (21) days to decide whether to sign this Release Agreement.  I understand that I have seven (7) days from the date of my signature below to revoke my acceptance of this Release Agreement, thereby canceling it.  If I do not revoke my acceptance, this Release Agreement will become effective and enforceable on the date that is seven (7) days from the date of my signature, as indicated below.
 
_______________________________
 
_______________________________
Date of Execution of Agreement

 

CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (31)(a)

CERTIFICATION

I, Vinod M. Khilnani, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CTS Corporation:

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

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

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

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

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

(c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

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

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

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

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

 
     
       
Date: October 24, 2007
By:
/s/  Vinod M. Khilnani  
    Vinod M. Khilnani  
     President and Chief Executive Officer  
       


CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007



EXHIBIT (31)(b)

CERTIFICATION


I, Matthew W. Long, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of CTS Corporation:

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

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

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

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

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

(c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusion about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

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

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

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

(b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
     
       
Date: October 24, 2007
By:
/s/  Matthew W. Long  
    Matthew W. Long  
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
       


CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007




EXHIBIT (32)(a)




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





In connection with the quarterly report of CTS Corporation (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), the undersigned officer of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

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

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

     
       
Date: October 24, 2007
By:
/s/  Vinod M. Khilnani  
    Vinod M. Khilnani  
    President and Chief Executive Officer  
       

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to CTS Corporation and will be retained by CTS Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.





CTS Corporation
Form 10-Q
Third Quarter 2007


EXHIBIT (32)(b)




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





In connection with the quarterly report of CTS Corporation (the Company) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report), the undersigned officer of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

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

(2)  
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
 
     
       
Date: October 24, 2007
By:
/s/  Matthew W. Long  
    Matthew W. Long  
    Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  
       


 
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to CTS Corporation and will be retained by CTS Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.