UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES   EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES   EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transaction period from ____ to ____
 
Commission file number:   1-4743
 
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
New York
11-1362020
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
37-18 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, N.Y.
11101
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(718) 392-0200
   
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
   
Title of each class
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share
New York Stock Exchange
   
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  o No  þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o No  þ
 
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  þ           No  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes o       No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer o
Accelerated Filer þ
Non-Accelerated Filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  o No  þ
 
The aggregate market value of the voting common stock based on the closing price on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2010 (the last business day of registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) of $8.07 per share held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $150,926,125.  For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, all directors and officers have been deemed to be affiliates, but the registrant disclaims that any of such are affiliates.
 
As of February 28, 2011, there were 22,663,742 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $2.00 per share.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
The information required by Part III of this Report is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 19, 2011.
 


 
 

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

INDEX
 
   
Page No.
PART I.
 
     
Item 1.
Business
3
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
13
     
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
20
     
Item 2.
Properties
21
     
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
22
     
Item 4.
{Reserved}
23
     
PART II.
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and
 
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
23
     
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
25
     
Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
 
and Results of Operations
27
     
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
45
     
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
46
     
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
 
 
and Financial Disclosure
95
     
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
95
     
Item 9B.
Other Information
96
     
PART III.
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
96
     
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
96
     
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
 
 
Stockholder Matters
96
     
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
96
     
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
96
     
PART IV.
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
97
     
 
Signatures
98
 
 
2

 
 
PART I
 
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Standard Motor Products,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refer to Standard Motor Products, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise. This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements in this Report are indicated by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects” and similar expressions. These statements represent our expectations based on current information and assumptions and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those which are anticipated or projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, our substantial indebtedness; economic and market conditions (including access to credit and financial markets); the performance of the aftermarket sector and the automotive sector generally; changes in business relationships with our major customers and in the timing, size and continuation of our customers’ programs; changes in the product mix and distribution channel mix; the ability of our customers to achieve their projected sales; competitive product and pricing pressures; increases in production or material costs that cannot be recouped in product pricing; successful integration of acquired businesses; our ability to achieve cost savings from our restructuring initiatives;  product liability and environmental matters (including, without limitation, those related to asbestos-related contingent liabilities and remediation costs at certain properties); as well as other risks and uncertainties, such as those described under Risk Factors, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and those detailed herein and from time to time in the filings of the Company with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, historical information should not be considered as an indicator of future performance.
 
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
 
Overview

We are a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry, with an increasing focus on the original equipment service market.  We are organized into two major operating segments, each of which focuses on a specific line of replacement parts.  Our Engine Management Segment manufactures ignition and emission parts, ignition wires, battery cables and fuel system parts.  Our Temperature Control Segment manufactures and remanufactures air conditioning compressors, air conditioning and heating parts, engine cooling system parts, power window accessories, and windshield washer system parts.

We sell our products primarily to warehouse distributors, large retail chains,   original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Our customers consist of many of the leading warehouse distributors, such as CARQUEST and NAPA Auto Parts, as well as many of the leading auto parts retail chains, such as Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, O’Reilly Automotive, Canadian Tire and Pep Boys. Our customers also include national program distribution groups and specialty market distributors. We distribute parts under our own brand names, such as Standard, BWD, Intermotor, Four Seasons, Factory Air, ACi, Imperial and Hayden and through private labels, such as CARQUEST, NAPA Echlin, NAPA Temp Products and NAPA Belden.

Business Strategy

Our goal is to grow revenues and earnings and deliver returns in excess of our cost of capital by providing high quality original equipment and replacement products to the engine management and temperature control markets. The key elements of our strategy are as follows:
 
 
3

 
 
 
·
Maintain Our Strong Competitive Position in the Engine Management and Temperature Control Businesses. We are one of the leading independent manufacturers serving North America and other geographic areas in our core businesses of Engine Management and   Temperature Control. We believe that our success is attributable to our emphasis on product quality, the breadth and depth of our product lines for both domestic and imported automobiles, and our reputation for outstanding customer service.

To maintain our strong competitive position in our markets, we remain committed to the following:

 
·
providing our customers with broad lines of high quality engine management and temperature control products, supported by the highest level of customer service and reliability;
 
·
continuing to maximize our production and distribution efficiencies;
 
·
continuing to improve our cost position through increased global sourcing and increased manufacturing in low cost countries; and
 
·
focusing further on our engineering development efforts including a renewed focus on bringing more product manufacturing in house.

 
·
Provide Superior Customer Service, Product Availability and Technical Support. Our goal is to increase sales to existing and new customers by leveraging our skills in rapidly filling orders, maintaining high levels of product availability, providing insightful customer category management, and providing technical support in a cost-effective manner. In addition, our category management and technically skilled sales force professionals provide product selection and application support to our customers.

 
·
Expand Our Product Lines. We intend to increase our sales by continuing to develop internally, or through potential acquisitions, the range of Engine Management and Temperature Control products that we offer to our customers. We are committed to investing the resources necessary to maintain and expand our technical capability to manufacture multiple product lines that incorporate the latest technologies .

 
·
Broaden Our Customer Base. Our goal is to increase our customer base by (a) continuing to leverage our manufacturing capabilities to secure additional original equipment business with automotive, industrial, marine, military and heavy duty vehicle and equipment manufacturers and their service part operations as well as our existing customer base including traditional warehouse distributors, large retailers, other manufacturers and export customers, and (b) supporting the service part operations of vehicle and equipment manufacturers with value added services and product support for the life of the part.

 
·
Improve Operating Efficiency and Cost Position. Our management places significant emphasis on improving our financial performance by achieving operating efficiencies and improving asset utilization, while maintaining product quality and high customer order fill rates. We intend to continue to improve our operating efficiency and cost position by:

 
·
increasing cost-effective vertical integration in key product lines through internal development;
 
·
focusing on integrated supply chain management;
 
·
maintaining and improving our cost effectiveness and competitive responsiveness to better serve our customer base, including sourcing certain products from low cost countries such as those in Asia;
 
·
enhancing company-wide programs geared toward manufacturing and distribution efficiency; and
 
 
4

 
 
 
·
focusing on company-wide overhead and operating expense cost reduction programs, such as closing excess facilities and consolidating redundant functions.

 
·
Cash Utilization. We intend to apply any excess cash flow from operations and the management of working capital primarily to reduce our outstanding indebtedness, pay dividends to our shareholders, and expand our product lines through potential acquisitions.

The Automotive Aftermarket

The automotive aftermarket industry is comprised of a large number of diverse manufacturers varying in product specialization and size. In addition to manufacturing, aftermarket companies allocate resources towards an efficient distribution process and product engineering in order to maintain the flexibility and responsiveness on which their customers depend. Aftermarket manufacturers must be efficient producers of small lot sizes and do not have to provide systems engineering support. Aftermarket manufacturers also must distribute, with rapid turnaround times, products for a full range of vehicles on the road. The primary customers of the automotive aftermarket manufacturers are national and regional warehouse distributors, large retail chains, automotive repair chains and the dealer service networks of original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

During periods of economic decline or weakness, more automobile owners may choose to repair their current automobiles using replacement parts rather than purchasing a new automobile, which benefits the automotive aftermarket industry, including suppliers like us.  Current global economic and financial market conditions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the volume of new cars and truck sales, which could also benefit the automotive aftermarket.

The automotive aftermarket industry differs substantially from the OEM supply business. Unlike the OEM supply business that primarily follows trends in new car production, the automotive aftermarket industry’s performance primarily tends to follow different trends, such as:

 
·
growth in number of vehicles on the road;
 
·
increase in average vehicle age;
 
·
change in total miles driven per year;
 
·
new and modified environmental regulations;
 
·
increase in pricing of new cars;
 
·
new car quality and related warranties; and
 
·
change in average fuel prices.
 
Traditionally, the parts manufacturers of OEMs and the independent manufacturers who supply the original equipment (“OE”) part applications have supplied a majority of the business to new car dealer networks. However, certain parts manufacturers have become more independent and are no longer affiliated with OEMs, which has provided, and may continue to provide, opportunities for us to supply replacement parts to the dealer service networks of the OEMs, both for warranty and out-of-warranty repairs.

 
5

 
 
Financial Information about our Operating Segments

The table below shows our consolidated net sales by operating segment and by major product group within each segment for the three years ended December 31, 2010. Our two major reportable operating segments are Engine Management and Temperature Control.
 
Effective January 1, 2010, as a result of the sale of our European distribution business, we realigned our business segments to more clearly reflect our evolving business model.  The realignment consisted of moving the results of our Poland manufacturing facility to the Engine Management Segment to reflect the change in responsibility for the operating activities, financial results, forecasts, and strategic plans for the facility to the management of this segment.   Results for the year ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 have been reclassified to reflect this realignment.
 
   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Amount
   
% of Total
   
Amount
   
% of Total
   
Amount
   
% of Total
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Engine Management:
                                   
Ignition, Emission and Fuel System Parts
  $ 478,578       59.0 %   $ 420,083       57.2 %   $ 447,194       57.7 %
Wires and Cables
    98,755       12.2 %     86,352       11.7 %     90,464       11.6 %
Total Engine Management
    577,333       71.2 %     506,435       68.9 %     537,658       69.3 %
                                                 
Temperature Control:
                                               
Compressors
    104,733       12.9 %     89,125       12.1 %     83,765       10.8 %
Other Climate Control Parts
    117,353       14.5 %     107,604       14.7 %     110,406       14.3 %
Total Temperature Control
    222,086       27.4 %     196,729       26.8 %     194,171       25.1 %
                                                 
Europe:
                                               
Engine Management Parts
          %     25,572       3.4 %     37,878       4.9 %
Temperature Control Parts
          %     1,174       0.2 %     2,249       0.3 %
Total Europe
          %     26,746       3.6 %     40,127       5.2 %
                                                 
All Other
    11,491       1.4 %     5,514       0.7 %     3,285       0.4 %
                                                 
Total
  $ 810,910       100 %   $ 735,424       100 %   $ 775,241       100 %

The following table shows our operating profit and identifiable assets by operating segment for the three years ended December 31, 2010.

   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
   
Identifiable
Assets
   
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
   
Identifiable
Assets
   
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
   
Identifiable
Assets
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Engine Management
  $ 43,410     $ 323,162     $ 26,927     $ 310,142     $ (26,925 )   $ 346,888  
Temperature Control
    13,096       92,732       6,855       79,066       2,335       112,259  
Europe
                (7,016 )           2,101       20,462  
All Other
    (9,713 )     76,907       (9,135 )     95,251       5,652       95,418  
Total
  $ 46,793     $ 492,801     $ 17,631     $ 484,459     $ (16,837 )   $ 575,027  

“All Other” consists of items pertaining to our corporate headquarters function and our Canadian business unit, each of which does not meet the criteria of a reportable operating segment.

Engine Management Segment

Breadth of Products . We manufacture a full line of engine management replacement parts including, electronic ignition control modules, fuel injectors, ignition wires, voltage regulators, coils, switches, emission sensors, EGR valves, distributor caps and rotors and many other engine management components primarily under our brand names Standard, BWD, Intermotor and GP/Sorensen, and through private labels such as CARQUEST, NAPA Echlin and NAPA Belden. We are a basic manufacturer of many of the engine management parts we market. In addition, our strategy includes sourcing certain products from low cost countries such as those in Asia. In our Engine Management Segment, replacement parts for ignition, emission control and fuel systems accounted for approximately 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 57% of our consolidated net sales in 2009, and 58% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.

 
6

 
 
Computer-Controlled Technology . Nearly all new vehicles are factory-equipped with computer-controlled engine management systems to control ignition, emission and fuel injection systems. The on-board computers monitor inputs from many types of sensors located throughout the vehicle, and control a myriad of valves, injectors, switches and motors to manage engine and vehicle performance. Electronic ignition systems enable the engine to operate with improved fuel efficiency and reduced level of hazardous fumes in exhaust gases.

Government emissions laws have been implemented throughout the majority of the United States. The Clean Air Act imposes strict emissions control test standards on existing and new vehicles, and remains the preeminent legislation in the area of vehicle emissions. As many states have implemented required inspection/maintenance tests, the Environmental Protection Agency, through its rulemaking ability, has also encouraged both manufacturers and drivers to reduce vehicle emissions.  Automobiles must now comply with emissions standards from the time they were manufactured and, in most states, until the last day they are in use. This law and other government emissions laws have had, and we expect it to continue to have, a positive impact on sales of our ignition and emission controls parts since vehicles failing these laws may require repairs utilizing parts sold by us.

Our sales of sensors, valves, solenoids and related parts have increased as automobile manufacturers equip their cars with more complex engine management systems.

Wire and Cable Products . Wire and cable parts accounted for 12% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 2009 and 2008. These products include ignition (spark plug) wires, battery cables and a wide range of electrical wire, terminals, connectors and tools for servicing an automobile’s electrical system.

The largest component of this product line is the sale of ignition wire sets. We have historically offered a premium brand of ignition wires and battery cables, which capitalizes on the market’s awareness of the importance of quality. We extrude high voltage wire for use in our ignition wire sets. This vertical integration of this critical component offers us the ability to achieve lower costs and a controlled source of supply and quality. In addition, in 2009, we supplemented our wire and cable business by acquiring the Belden wire and cable product line from Federal-Mogul Corporation.

Temperature Control Segment

We manufacture, remanufacture and market a full line of replacement parts for automotive temperature control (air conditioning and heating) systems, engine cooling systems, power window accessories and windshield washer systems, primarily under our brand names of Four Seasons, ACi, Hayden, Factory Air and Imperial and through private labels such as CARQUEST, NAPA Temp Products and Murray. The major product groups sold by our Temperature Control Segment are new and remanufactured   compressors, clutch assemblies, blower   and radiator fan motors, filter dryers, evaporators, accumulators,   hose assemblies, expansion valves, heater valves, AC service tools and chemicals, fan assemblies, fan clutches, engine oil coolers, transmission coolers, window lift motors, motor/regulator assemblies and windshield washer pumps. Our temperature control products accounted for approximately 27% of our consolidated net sales in 2010 and 2009, and 25% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.

Due to increasing offshore competitive price pressure, our Temperature Control business made several changes within its manufacturing portfolio. We have outsourced the manufacturing of several major product groups to low cost areas such as those in Asia, and have consolidated excess manufacturing facilities. In addition, we continue to increase production of remanufactured compressors in our facility in Reynosa, Mexico.

 
7

 
 
Today’s vehicles are being produced with smaller, more complex and efficient AC system designs. These newer systems are less prone to leak resulting in fewer AC system repairs. Our Temperature Control Segment continues to be a leader in providing superior training to service dealers who seek the knowledge in which to perform proper repairs for today’s vehicles. We believe that our training module (HVAC Tips & Techniques) remains one of the most sought-after training clinics in the industry and among professional service dealers.

Europe Segment

Our European Segment was conducted through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Standard Motor Products (SMP) Holdings Limited located in Nottingham, England until we sold the distribution business in November 2009.  Pursuant to the sale, we retained our manufacturing operation in Poland.  Prior to the divestiture, we distributed a broad line of engine management products primarily to customers in Europe under brand names such as Intermotor, Kerr Nelson, Lemark and Blue Streak and through private labels such as Lucas. We continue to distribute, to a lesser degree, air conditioner compressors for the European market.  Our European Segment accounted for approximately 4% and 5% of our consolidated net sales in 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Financial Information about Our Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

We sell our line of products primarily in the United States, with additional sales in Canada, Europe and Latin America. Our sales are substantially denominated in U.S. dollars.

The table below shows our consolidated net sales by geographic area for the three years ended December 31, 2010.
   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
United States
  $ 723,628     $ 635,977     $ 650,498  
Canada
    51,515       48,896       51,886  
Europe
    8,296       29,984       44,205  
Other International
    27,471       20,567       28,652  
Total
  $ 810,910     $ 735,424     $ 775,241  

The table below shows our long-lived assets by geographical area for the three years ended December 31, 2010.
   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
United States
  $ 81,485     $ 85,083     $ 89,528  
Europe
    2,314       2,102       5,714  
Canada
    1,782       1,892       3,540  
Other International
    1,168       1,626       605  
Total
  $ 86,749     $ 90,703     $ 99,387  
 
Sales and Distribution

In the traditional distribution channel, we sell our products to warehouse distributors, who supply auto parts jobber stores, who in turn sell to professional technicians and to consumers who perform automotive repairs themselves. In recent years, warehouse distributors have consolidated with other distributors, and an increasing number of distributors own their jobber stores. In the retail distribution channel, customers buy directly from us and sell directly to technicians and “do-it-yourselfers” through their own stores. Retailers are also consolidating with other retailers and have begun to focus on the commercial market adding additional competition in the “do-it-for-me” business segment targeting the professional technician.

 
8

 
 
As automotive parts grow more complex, consumers are less likely to service their own vehicles and may become more reliant on dealers and technicians. In addition to new car sales, automotive dealerships sell OE brand parts and service vehicles. The products available through the dealers are purchased through the original equipment service (“OES”) network. Traditionally, the parts manufacturers of OEMs have supplied a majority of the OES network. However, certain parts manufacturers have become independent and are no longer affiliated with OEMs. In addition, many Tier 1 OEM suppliers are disinterested in providing service parts requirements for up to 15 years after the OE model has gone out to production. As a result of these factors, there are additional opportunities for independent automotive aftermarket manufacturers like us to supply the OES network.

We believe that our sales force is the premier direct sales force for our product lines due to our concentration of highly-qualified, well-trained sales people dedicated to geographic territories. Our sales force allows us to provide customer service that we believe is unmatched by our competitors. We thoroughly train our sales people both in the function and application of our product lines, as well as in proven sales techniques. Customers, therefore, depend on these sales people as a reliable source for technical information   and to assist with sales to stores and professional repair technicians. We give newly hired sales people extensive instruction at our training facility in Irving, Texas and have a continuing education program that allows our sales force to stay current on troubleshooting and repair techniques, as well as the latest automotive parts and systems technology.

We generate demand for our products by directing a significant portion of our sales effort to our customers’ customers (i.e., jobber stores and professional technicians). We also conduct instructional clinics, which teach technicians how to diagnose and repair complex systems related to our products. To help our sales people to be teachers and trainers, we focus our recruitment efforts on candidates who already have strong technical backgrounds as well as sales experience.

In connection with our sales activities, we offer a variety of customer discounts, allowances and incentives. For example, we offer cash discounts for paying invoices in accordance with the specified discounted terms of the invoice, and we offer pricing discounts based on volume and different product lines purchased from us. We also offer rebates and discounts to customers as advertising and sales force allowances, and allowances for warranty and overstock returns are also provided. We believe these discounts, allowances and incentives are a common practice throughout the automotive aftermarket industry, and we intend to continue to offer them in response to competitive pressures.

Customers

Our customer base is comprised largely of warehouse distributors, large retailers, OE/OES customers, other manufacturers and export customers.  In 2010, our consolidated net sales to our major market channels consisted of $350.8 million to our traditional customers, $320.2 million to our retail customers, $78.5 million to our OE/OES customers, and $61.4 million to other customers.

Our five largest individual customers, including members of a marketing group, accounted for 66% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2009, and 53% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.  During 2010, three of our customers (NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Automotive) each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated sales and, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 56.8% of our consolidated sales.

 
9

 
 
Competition

We are a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of replacement parts for product lines in Engine Management and Temperature Control. We compete primarily on the basis of product quality, product availability, customer service, product coverage, order turn-around time, order fill rate, technical support and price. We believe we differentiate ourselves from our competitors primarily through:

 
·
a value-added, knowledgeable sales force;
 
·
extensive product coverage;
 
·
sophisticated parts cataloguing systems;
 
·
inventory levels sufficient to meet the rapid delivery requirements of customers; and
 
·
breadth of manufacturing capabilities.
 
In the Engine Management business, we are one of the leading independent manufacturers in the United States. Our competitors include ACDelco, Delphi Corporation, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch Corporation, Visteon Corporation, NGK/NTK, General Cable, Prestolite and United Components, Inc.

Our Temperature Control business is one of the leading independent manufacturers and distributors of a full line of temperature control products in North America and other geographic areas. ACDelco, Delphi Corporation, Denso Corporation, Sanden International, Inc., Continental/VDO Automotive, Vista-Pro Corporation and several privately-owned companies are some of our key competitors in this market.

The automotive aftermarket is highly competitive, and we face substantial competition in all markets that we serve. Our success in the marketplace continues to depend on our ability to offer competitive prices, improved products, superior customer service and expanded offerings in competition with many other suppliers to the aftermarket. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In addition, we face competition from automobile manufacturers who supply many of the replacement parts sold by us, although these manufacturers generally supply parts only for cars they produce through OE dealerships.

Seasonality

Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year, with revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our products is typically the highest, specifically in the Temperature Control Segment of our business. In addition to this seasonality, the demand for our Temperature Control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories. For example, a cool summer may lessen the demand for our Temperature Control products, while a hot summer may increase such demand. As a result of this seasonality and variability in demand of our Temperature Control products, our working capital requirements peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. During this period, our working capital requirements are typically funded by borrowings from our revolving credit facility.

Working Capital Management

Automotive aftermarket companies have been under increasing pressure to provide broad SKU (stock keeping unit) coverage due to parts and brand proliferation. In response to this, we have made, and continue to make, changes to our inventory management system designed to reduce inventory requirements. We have a pack-to-order distribution system, which permits us to retain slow moving items in a bulk storage state until an order for a specific brand part is received. This system reduces the volume of a given part in inventory and reduces the labor requirements to package and repackage inventory. We also expanded our management system to improve inventory deployment, enhance our collaboration with customers on forecasts, and further integrate our supply chain both to customers and suppliers.

 
10

 
 
We face inventory management issues as a result of warranty and overstock returns. Many of our products carry a warranty ranging from a 90-day limited warranty to a lifetime limited warranty, which generally covers defects in materials or workmanship and failure to meet industry published specifications. In addition to warranty returns, we also permit our customers to return products to us within customer-specific limits (which are generally limited to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us) in the event that they have overstocked their inventories. In addition, the seasonality of our Temperature Control Segment requires that we increase our inventory during the winter season in preparation of the summer selling season and customers purchasing such inventory have the right to make returns.

In order to better control warranty returns, we tightened the rules to reduce returns arising from installer error or misdiagnosis. For example, with respect to our air conditioning compressors, our most significant customer product warranty returns, we established procedures whereby a warranty will be voided if a customer does not provide acceptable proof that complete AC system repair was performed.

Our profitability and working capital requirements are seasonal due to our sales mix of Temperature Control products. Our working capital requirements peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. These increased working capital requirements are funded by borrowings from our revolving credit facility.

Suppliers

The principal raw materials purchased by us consist of brass, electronic components, fabricated copper (primarily in the form of magnet and insulated cable), steel magnets, laminations, tubes and shafts, stamped steel parts, copper wire, stainless steel coils and rods, aluminum coils, fittings, rods, cast aluminum parts, lead, steel roller bearings, rubber molding compound, thermo-set and thermo plastic molding powders. Additionally, we use components and cores (used parts) in our remanufacturing processes for air conditioning compressors.

We purchase materials in the U.S. and foreign open markets and have a limited number of supply agreements on key components. A number of prime suppliers make these materials available. In the case of cores for air conditioning compressors, we obtain them either from exchanges with customers who return cores subsequent to purchasing remanufactured parts or through direct purchases from a network of core brokers. In addition, we acquire certain materials by purchasing products that are resold into the market, particularly by OEM sources and other domestic and foreign suppliers.

 
We believe there is an adequate supply of primary raw materials and cores. In order to ensure a consistent, high quality and low cost supply of key components for each product line, we continue to develop our own sources through an internal manufacturing capacity.  We are not dependent on any single commodity, however, there can be no assurance over the long term that increases in commodity prices will not materially affect our business or results of operations.
 
Production and Engineering

We engineer, tool and manufacture many of the components used in the assembly of our products. We also perform our own plastic molding operations, stamping and machining operations, automated electronics assembly and a wide variety of other processes. In the case of remanufactured components, we conduct our own teardown, diagnostics and rebuilding for air conditioning compressors. We have found this level of vertical integration provides advantages in terms of cost, quality and availability. We intend to continue selective efforts toward further vertical integration to ensure a consistent quality and supply of low cost components. In addition, our strategy includes sourcing an increasing number of finished goods and component parts from low cost countries such as those in Asia.

 
11

 
 
Employees

As of December 31, 2010, we employed approximately 1,900 people in the United States, and 1,300 people in Mexico, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong. Of these, approximately 1,600 are production employees. We operate primarily in non-union facilities and have binding labor agreements with employees at other unionized facilities. We have approximately 97 production employees in Edwardsville, Kansas who are covered by a contract with The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (“UAW”) that expires in April 2012.  We also have union relationships in Mexico with agreements negotiated at various intervals. The current union agreements in Mexico cover 572 employees and expire in January 2012.

We believe that our facilities are in favorable labor markets with ready access to adequate numbers of skilled and unskilled workers, and we believe our relations with our union and non-union employees are good.

Insurance

We maintain basic liability coverage up to $2 million for automobile liability, general and product liability and $50 million for umbrella liability coverage. We also maintain environmental insurance of $10 million, covering our existing U.S. and Canadian facilities. One of our facilities is currently undergoing testing for potential environmental remediation. The environmental testing and any remediation costs at such facility may be covered by several insurance policies, although we can give no assurance that our insurance will cover any environmental remediation claims. Historically, we have not experienced casualty losses in any year in excess of our coverage.  However, there can be no assurances that liability losses in the future will not exceed our coverage.

Available Information

We are a New York corporation founded in 1919. Our principal executive offices are located at 37-18 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, New York 11101, and our main telephone number at that location is (718) 392-0200. Our Internet address is www.smpcorp.com . We provide a link to reports that we have filed with the SEC. However, for those persons that make a request in writing or by e-mail (financial@smpcorp.com), we will provide free of charge our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These reports and other information are also available, free of charge, at www.sec.gov.

 
12

 
 
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
 
You should carefully consider the risks described below.  These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or other factors not perceived by us present significant risks to our business at this time also may impair our business and results of operations.  If any of the stated risks actually occur, they could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

Risks Related to Our Operations

We depend on a limited number of key customers, and the loss of any such customer, or a significant reduction in purchases by such customer, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations .

Our five largest individual customers, including members of a marketing group, accounted for 66% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2009, and 53% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.  During 2010, three of our customers (NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Automotive) each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated sales and, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 56.8% of our consolidated sales.  The loss of one or more of these customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them, could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Also, we do not typically enter into long-term agreements with any of our customers. Instead, we enter into a number of purchase order commitments with our customers, based on their current or projected needs. We have in the past, and may in the future, lose customers or lose a particular product line of a customer due to the highly competitive conditions in the automotive aftermarket industry, including pricing pressures. A decision by any significant customer, whether motivated by competitive conditions, financial difficulties or otherwise, to materially decrease the amount of products purchased from us, to change their manner of doing business with us, or to stop doing business with us, including a decision to source products directly from a low cost region such as Asia, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Because our sales are concentrated, and the market in which we operate is very competitive, we are under ongoing pressure from our customers to offer lower prices, extend payment terms, increase marketing allowances and other terms more favorable to these customers. These customer demands have put continued pressure on our operating margins and profitability, resulted in periodic contract renegotiation to provide more favorable prices and terms to these customers, and significantly increased our working capital needs.

Our industry is highly competitive, and our success depends on our ability to compete with suppliers of automotive aftermarket products, some of which may have substantially greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do .

The automotive aftermarket industry is highly competitive, and our success depends on our ability to compete with suppliers of automotive aftermarket products. In the Engine Management Segment, our competitors include ACDelco, Delphi Corporation, Denso Corporation, Robert Bosch Corporation, Visteon Corporation, NGK/NTK, General Cable, Prestolite and United Components, Inc. In the Temperature Control Segment, we compete with ACDelco, Delphi Corporation, Denso Corporation, Sanden International, Inc., Continental/VDO Automotive, Vista-Pro Corporation and several privately-owned companies. In addition, automobile manufacturers supply many of the replacement parts we sell.

Some of our competitors may have larger customer bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. These factors may allow our competitors to:
 
 
13

 
 
 
·
respond more quickly than we can to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements by devoting greater resources than we can to the development, promotion and sale of automotive aftermarket products and services;
 
·
engage in more extensive research and development;
 
·
sell products at a lower price than we do;
 
·
undertake more extensive marketing campaigns; and
 
·
make more attractive offers to existing and potential customers and strategic partners.

We cannot assure you that our competitors will not develop products or services that are equal or superior to our products or that achieve greater market acceptance than our products or that in the future other companies involved in the automotive aftermarket industry will not expand their operations into product lines produced and sold by us. We also cannot assure you that additional entrants will not enter the automotive aftermarket industry or that companies in the aftermarket industry will not consolidate. Any such competitive pressures could cause us to lose market share or could result in significant price decreases and could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations.

There is substantial price competition in our industry, and our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure .

There is substantial price competition in our industry, and our success and profitability will depend on our ability to maintain a competitive cost and price structure. This is the result of a number of industry trends, including the impact of offshore suppliers in the marketplace (particularly in China), the consolidated purchasing power of large customers, and actions taken by some of our competitors in an effort to ‘‘win over’’ new business. We have in the past reduced prices to remain competitive and may have to do so again in the future. Price reductions have impacted our sales and profit margins and are expected to do so in the future. In addition, we are implementing ongoing facility integration efforts to further reduce costs. Our future profitability will depend in part upon the success of our integration plans, and our ability to respond to changes in product and distribution channel mix, to continue to improve our manufacturing efficiencies, to generate cost reductions, including reductions in the cost of components purchased from outside suppliers, and to maintain a cost structure that will enable us to offer competitive prices. Our inability to maintain a competitive cost structure could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our business is seasonal and is subject to substantial quarterly fluctuations, which impact our quarterly performance and working capital requirements .

Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year and with revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our products is typically the highest, specifically in the Temperature Control Segment of our business. In addition to this seasonality, the demand for our Temperature Control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories. For example, a cool summer may lessen the demand for our Temperature Control products, while a hot summer may increase such demand. As a result of this seasonality and variability in demand of our Temperature Control products, our working capital requirements peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. During this period, our working capital requirements are typically funded by borrowing from our revolving credit facility.

 
14

 
 
Our operations would be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to purchase raw materials, manufactured components or equipment from our suppliers.

Because we purchase various types of raw materials, finished goods, equipment and component parts from suppliers, we may be materially and adversely affected by the failure of those suppliers to perform as expected.  This non-performance may consist of delivery delays or failures caused by production issues or delivery of non-conforming products.  The risk of non-performance may also result from the insolvency or bankruptcy of one or more of our suppliers.  Our suppliers’ ability to supply products to us is also subject to a number of risks, including availability of raw materials, destruction of their facilities or work stoppages.  In addition, our failure to promptly pay, or order sufficient quantities of inventory from our suppliers may increase the cost of products we purchase or may lead to suppliers refusing to sell products to us at all.  Our efforts to protect against and to minimize these risks may not always be effective.

We may incur material losses and significant costs as a result of warranty-related returns by our customers in excess of anticipated amounts .

Our products are required to meet rigorous standards imposed by our customers and our industry. Many of our products carry a warranty ranging from a 90-day limited warranty to a lifetime limited warranty, which generally covers defects in materials or workmanship, failure to meet industry published specifications and/or the result of installer error. In the event that there are material deficiencies or defects in the design and manufacture of our products and/or installer error, the affected products may be subject to warranty returns and/or product recalls. Although we maintain a comprehensive quality control program, we cannot give any assurance that our products will not suffer from defects or other deficiencies or that we will not experience material warranty returns or product recalls in the future.

We accrue for warranty returns as a percentage of sales, after giving consideration to recent historical returns. While we believe that we make reasonable estimates for warranty returns in accordance with our revenue recognition policies, actual returns may differ from our estimates. We have in the past incurred, and may in the future incur, material losses and significant costs as a result of our customers returning products to us for warranty-related issues in excess of anticipated amounts. Deficiencies or defects in our products in the future may result in warranty returns and product recalls in excess of anticipated amounts and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our profitability may be materially adversely affected as a result of overstock inventory-related returns by our customers in excess of anticipated amounts .

We permit overstock returns of inventory that may be either new or non-defective or non-obsolete but that we believe we can re-sell. Customers are generally limited to returning overstocked inventory according to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us. In addition, a customer’s annual allowance cannot be carried forward to the upcoming year.

We accrue for overstock returns as a percentage of sales, after giving consideration to recent historical returns. While we believe that we make reasonable estimates for overstock returns in accordance with our revenue recognition policies, actual returns may differ from our estimates. To the extent that overstocked returns are materially in excess of our projections, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely affected.

We may be materially adversely affected by asbestos claims arising from products sold by our former brake business, as well as by other product liability claims .

In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998. When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed after September 1, 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 1, 2001 and the amounts paid for indemnity and defense of such claims.

 
15

 
 
Actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities conducted a study to estimate our potential claim liability as of August 31, 2010. The updated study has estimated an undiscounted liability for settlement payments, excluding legal costs and any potential recovery from insurance carriers, ranging from $25.7 million to $66.9 million for the period through 2059.  The change from the prior year study was a $0.9 million decrease for the low end of the range and a $0.6 million increase for the high end of the range.  Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments was more likely than any other and, therefore, recorded the low end of the range as the liability associated with future settlement payments through 2059 in our consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, an incremental $1.8 million provision in our discontinued operation was added to the asbestos accrual in September 2010 increasing the reserve to approximately $25.7 million. According to the updated study, legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operation in the accompanying statement of operations, are estimated to range from $20.3 million to $61.3 million during the same period.

At December 31, 2010, approximately 1,540 cases were outstanding for which we may be held responsible for any related liabilities. Since inception in September 2001 through December 31, 2010, the amounts paid for settled claims are approximately $11.6 million. A substantial increase in the number of new claims or increased settlement payments or awards of damages could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Given the uncertainties associated with projecting asbestos-related matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we cannot give any assurance that significant increases in the number of claims filed against us will not occur, that asbestos-related damages or settlement awards will not exceed the amount we have in reserve, or that additional provisions will not be required. Management will continue to monitor the circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether additional reserves and provisions may be necessary. We plan on performing a similar annual actuarial analysis during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future.

In addition to asbestos-related claims, our product sales entail the risk of involvement in other product liability actions. We maintain product liability insurance coverage, but we cannot give any assurance that current or future policy limits will be sufficient to cover all possible liabilities. Further, we can give no assurance that adequate product liability insurance will continue to be available to us in the future or that such insurance may be maintained at a reasonable cost to us. In the event of a successful product liability claim against us, a lack or insufficiency of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Severe weather, natural disasters and other disruptions could adversely impact our operations at our distribution centers.

Severe weather conditions and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods and tornados, could damage our properties and effect our operations, particularly our major distribution centers in Virginia, Texas and Kansas. In addition, our business and operations could be materially adversely affected in the event of other serious disruptions at these facilities due to fire, electrical blackouts, power losses, telecommunications failures, terrorist attack or similar events.  Any of these occurrences could impair our ability to adequately supply our customers due to all or a significant portion of our inventory being damaged. We may not be able to effectively shift the delivery of products to our customers if one or more of our distribution centers are significantly disrupted.

 
16

 
 
We may not be able to achieve the cost savings that we expect from the restructuring of our operations.

We are implementing a number of cost savings programs.  Although we expect to realize cost savings as a result of our restructuring plans, we may not be able to achieve the level of benefits that we expect to realize or we may not be able to realize these benefits within the time frames we currently expect.  We are currently rationalizing certain manufacturing operations in order to alleviate redundant capacity and reduce our cost structure.  This restructuring will involve moving some U.S. production to Mexico and increasing production in Poland.  Our ability to achieve these cost savings could be affected by a number of factors.  Changes in the amount, timing and character of charges related to restructuring, failure to complete or a substantial delay in completing the restructuring and planned divestitures, or receipt of lower proceeds from such divestitures than currently is anticipated, could have a material adverse effect on us.  Our cost savings is also predicated upon maintaining our sales levels.

Risks Related to Liquidity

Our substantial indebtedness could negatively affect our financial health .

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of December 31, 2010, our total outstanding indebtedness was $65.6 million. We have an existing revolving bank credit facility of $200 million with General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent, and a syndicate of lenders, which we refer to throughout this Report as our revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2010, we had $52.9 million of outstanding indebtedness and approximately $89 million of availability under this revolving credit facility. Our substantial indebtedness could:

 
·
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
 
·
limit our ability to obtain additional financing or borrow additional funds;
 
·
limit our ability to pay future dividends;
 
·
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
 
·
require that a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations be used for the payment of interest on our indebtedness instead of funding working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or other general corporate purposes; and
 
·
increase the amount of interest expense that we must pay because some of our borrowings are at variable interest rates, which, as interest rates increase, would result in a higher interest expense.

In addition, we have granted the lenders under our revolving credit facility a first priority security interest in substantially all of our currently owned and future acquired personal property, real property and other assets. We have also pledged shares of stock in our subsidiaries to those lenders. If we default on any of our indebtedness, or if we are unable to obtain necessary liquidity, our business could be adversely affected.

We may not be able to generate the significant amount of cash needed to service our indebtedness and fund our future operations .

Our ability either to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, or to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development efforts, will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is in part subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.  For example, current conditions in the credit markets generally, and those related to the automotive sector specifically, including the ability of vendors to factor receivables from customers, could result in reduced cash flow, or increased challenges in obtaining additional financing or refinancing. Also, in operating our business we depend on the ability of our customers to pay timely the amounts we have billed and any disruption in our customers’ ability to pay us because of financial difficulty, or otherwise, would have a negative impact on our cash flow.

 
17

 
 
Based on our current level of operations, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next 12 months.  Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. If we are unable to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as:

 
·
deferring, reducing or eliminating future cash dividends;
 
·
reducing or delaying capital expenditures or restructuring activities;
 
·
reducing or delaying research and development efforts;
 
·
selling assets;
 
·
deferring or refraining from pursuing certain strategic initiatives and acquisitions;
 
·
refinancing our indebtedness; and
 
·
seeking additional funding.

We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

We are exposed to risks related to our receivables factoring arrangements.

We have entered in to factoring arrangements with financial institutions to sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable without recourse.  If we do not enter into these factoring arrangements, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected by delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables.  In addition, if any of the financial institutions with which we have factoring arrangements experience financial difficulties or are otherwise unable or unwilling to honor the terms of, or otherwise terminates, our factoring arrangements, we may experience material and adverse economic losses due to the failure of such factoring arrangements and the impact of such failure on our liquidity, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risks Related to External Factors

Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by global economic and financial market conditions.

Current global economic and financial markets conditions, including severe disruptions in the credit markets, the potential for a significant and prolonged global economic recession, and a global increase in commodity prices, may materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. These conditions may also materially impact our customers, suppliers and other parties with whom we do business.  For example, end users may put off discretionary repairs or drive less miles thereby resulting in less need for our products.  Economic and financial market conditions that adversely affect our customers may cause them to terminate existing purchase orders or to reduce the volume of products they purchase from us in the future. In connection with the sale of products, we normally do not require collateral as security for customer receivables and do not purchase credit insurance. We may have significant balances owing from customers that operate in cyclical industries and under leveraged conditions that may impair the collectability of those receivables. Failure to collect a significant portion of amounts due on those receivables could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Adverse economic and financial market conditions may also cause our suppliers to be unable to meet their commitments to us or may cause suppliers to make changes in the credit terms they extend to us, such as shortening the required payment period for outstanding accounts receivable or reducing the maximum amount of trade credit available to us. Changes of this type could significantly affect our liquidity and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If we are unable to successfully anticipate changing economic and financial markets conditions, we may be unable to effectively plan for and respond to those changes, and our business could be negatively affected.

 
18

 
 
We conduct our manufacturing and distribution operations on a worldwide basis and are subject to risks associated with doing business outside the United States.

We have manufacturing and distribution facilities in many countries, including Canada, Poland and Mexico, and increasing our manufacturing footprint in low cost countries is an important element of our strategy. There are a number of risks associated with doing business internationally, including (a) exposure to local economic and political conditions, (b) social unrest such as risks of terrorism or other hostilities, (c) currency exchange rate fluctuations and currency controls, (d) export and import restrictions, and (e) the potential for shortages of trained labor.  In particular, there has been social unrest in Mexico and any increased violence in or around our manufacturing facilities in Mexico could impact our business by disrupting our supply chain, the delivery of products to customers and the reluctance of our customers to visit our Mexican facilities.  In addition, the increased violence in or around our manufacturing facilities in Mexico could present several risks to our employees who may be directly affected by the violence and may result in a decision by them to relocate from the area, or make it difficult for us to recruit or retain talented employees at our Mexican facilities.  The likelihood of such occurrences and their potential effect on us is unpredictable and vary from country to country. Any such occurrences could be harmful to our business and our financial results.

We may incur liabilities under government regulations and environmental laws, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations .

Domestic and foreign political developments and government regulations and policies directly affect automotive consumer products in the United States and abroad.  Regulations and policies relating to over-the-highway vehicles include standards established by the United States Department of Transportation for motor vehicle safety and emissions.  The modification of existing laws, regulations or policies, or the adoption of new laws, regulations or policies, such as legislation offering incentives to remove older vehicles from the road, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our operations and properties are subject to a wide variety of increasingly complex and stringent federal, state, local and international laws and regulations, including those governing the use, storage, handling, generation, treatment, emission, release, discharge and disposal of materials, substances and wastes, the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater and the health and safety of employees. Such environmental laws, including but not limited to those under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation & Liability Act, may impose joint and several liability and may apply to conditions at properties presently or formerly owned or operated by an entity or its predecessors, as well as to conditions at properties at which wastes or other contamination attributable to an entity or its predecessors have been sent or otherwise come to be located.

The nature of our operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to such matters, and we can give no assurance that violations of such laws have not occurred or will not occur or that material costs or liabilities will not be incurred in connection with such claims. One of our facilities is currently undergoing testing for potential environmental remediation, and our reserve balance related to the environmental clean-up at this facility is $1.8 million at December 31, 2010.  The testing and any environmental remediation costs at such facility may be covered by several insurance policies, although we can give no assurance that our insurance will cover any environmental remediation claims.  We also maintain insurance to cover our existing U.S. and Canadian facilities. We can give no assurance that the future cost of compliance with existing environmental laws and the liability for known environmental claims pursuant to such environmental laws will not give rise to additional significant expenditures or liabilities that would be material to us. In addition, future events, such as new information, changes in existing environmental laws or their interpretation, and more vigorous enforcement policies of federal, state or local regulatory agencies, may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 
19

 
 
Our future performance may be materially adversely affected by changes in technologies and improvements in the quality of new vehicle parts .

Changes in automotive technologies, such as vehicles powered by fuel cells or electricity, could negatively affect sales to our aftermarket customers. These factors could result in less demand for our products thereby causing a decline in our results of operations or deterioration in our business and financial condition and may have a material adverse effect on our long-term performance.

In addition, the size of the automobile replacement parts market depends, in part, upon the growth in number of vehicles on the road, increase in average vehicle age, change in total miles driven per year, new and modified environmental regulations, increase in pricing of new cars and new car quality and related warranties. The automobile replacement parts market has been negatively impacted by the fact that the quality of more recent automotive vehicles and their component parts (and related warranties) has improved, thereby lengthening the repair cycle. Generally, if parts last longer, there will be less demand for our products and the average useful life of automobile parts has been steadily increasing in recent years due to innovations in products and technology. In addition, the introduction by original equipment manufacturers of increased warranty and maintenance initiatives has the potential to decrease the demand for our products. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B. 
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.
 
 
20

 
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
 
We maintain our executive offices in Long Island City, New York. The table below describes our principal facilities as of December 31, 2010.
 
 
Location
 
 
 
State or
Country
 
 
 
Principal Business Activity
 
Approx.
Square
Feet
 
Owned or
Expiration
Date
of Lease
                 
       
Engine Management
       
                 
Orlando
 
FL
 
Manufacturing (Ignition)
 
50,640
 
2017
Mishawaka
 
IN
 
Manufacturing
 
153,070
 
Owned
Edwardsville
 
KS
 
Distribution (Wire)
 
363,450
 
Owned
Independence
 
KS
 
Manufacturing
 
337,400
 
Owned
Long Island City
 
NY
 
Administration
 
74,755
 
2018
Greenville
 
SC
 
Manufacturing (Ignition)
 
184,500
 
Owned
Disputanta
 
VA
 
Distribution (Ignition)
 
411,000
 
Owned
Reynosa
 
Mexico
 
Manufacturing (Wire)
 
100,000
 
2014
Reynosa
 
Mexico
 
Manufacturing (Ignition)
 
153,000
 
2013
                 
       
Temperature Control
       
                 
Lewisville
 
TX
 
Administration and Distribution
 
415,000
 
2016
Grapevine
 
TX
 
Manufacturing
 
180,000
 
Owned
St. Thomas
 
Canada
 
Manufacturing
 
40,000
 
Owned
Reynosa
 
Mexico
 
Remanufacturing (Compressors)
 
81,967
 
2013
                 
       
Europe
       
                 
Bialystok
 
Poland
 
Manufacturing (Ignition)
 
31,000
 
2014
                 
       
Other
       
                 
Mississauga
 
Canada
 
Administration and Distribution (Ignition, Wire, Temperature Control)
 
128,400
 
2016
Irving
 
TX
 
Training Center
 
13,400
 
2013
                 
       
Available For Sale
       
                 
Nottingham
 
England
 
Vacant Land
 
 
 
Owned
 
The real property that we own in Indiana, Kansas, South Carolina, Virginia and Texas and in St. Thomas, Canada is encumbered by a mortgage or deed of trust, as applicable, in favor of General Electric Capital Corporation or its affiliated company, as agent for our revolving credit facility.

 
21

 

ITEM 3. 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998 and which is accounted for as a discontinued operation in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed on or after September 1, 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 1, 2001 and the amounts paid for indemnity and defense thereof. At December 31, 2010, approximately 1,540 cases were outstanding for which we may be held responsible for any related liabilities.  Since inception in September 2001 through December 31, 2010, the amounts paid for settled claims are approximately $11.6 million. In September 2007, we entered into an agreement with an insurance carrier to provide us with limited insurance coverage for the defense and indemnity costs associated with certain asbestos-related claims. We have submitted various asbestos-related claims for coverage under this agreement, and received approximately $2.7 million in reimbursement for settlement claims and defense costs.  In addition, in May 2010 we entered into an agreement with an excess insurance carrier to provide us with limited insurance coverage for defense and indemnity costs associated with asbestos-related claims. We have submitted claims to this carrier since we have exhausted our coverage under the agreement with the primary insurance carrier discussed above and have received $0.8 million in reimbursement for settlement claims and defense costs.  See Note 19 of the notes to consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

In November 2004, we were served with a summons and complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by The Coalition for a Level Playing Field, which is an organization comprised of a large number of auto parts retailers. The complaint alleges antitrust violations by us and a number of other auto parts manufacturers and retailers and seeks injunctive relief and unspecified monetary damages. In August 2005, we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, following which the plaintiff filed an amended complaint dropping, among other things, all claims under the Sherman Act. The remaining claims allege violations of the Robinson-Patman Act. Motions to dismiss those claims were filed by us in February 2006. Plaintiff filed opposition to our motions, and we subsequently filed replies in June 2006.  Oral arguments were originally scheduled for September 2006, however the court adjourned these proceedings until a later date to be determined. Subsequently, the judge initially assigned to the case recused himself, and a new judge has been assigned before whom further preliminary proceedings have been held culminating in a decision and order dated September 16, 2010 granting the motion to dismiss and, in view of an intervening change in pleading standards, deferring decision on whether to grant plaintiff leave to amend to allow an opportunity to propose curative amendments. On October 18, 2010, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint changing certain alleged claims relating to the Robinson-Patman Act.  By Order dated October 26, 2010, the court directed that the Third Amended Complaint be deemed withdrawn and gave plaintiffs until November 9, 2010 to file a motion for leave to amend identifying the curative amendments to the Second Amended Complaint setting forth why the amendments accord with the rules.  The motion was timely filed, opposed on December 9, 2010, which opposition was replied to on December 24, 2010 and awaits oral argument or a decision.  Although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this case or estimate the range of any potential loss that may be incurred in the litigation, we believe that the lawsuit is without merit, deny all of the plaintiff’s allegations of wrongdoing and believe we have meritorious defenses to the plaintiff’s claims. We intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

We are involved in various other litigation and product liability matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any asbestos-related matters or any other litigation or product liability matter cannot be determined, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, it is our opinion that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
22

 
 
ITEM 4. 
{RESERVED}

PART II

ITEM 5: 
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “SMP.” The following table shows the high and low sales prices per share of our common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange and the dividends declared per share for the periods indicated:

   
High
   
Low
   
Dividend
 
                   
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2010
                 
First Quarter
  $ 11.26     $ 7.00     $ 0.05  
Second Quarter
    11.70       7.03       0.05  
Third Quarter
    10.73       7.38       0.05  
Fourth Quarter
    14.25       10.06       0.05  
                         
Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2009
                       
First Quarter
  $ 4.29     $ 1.36     $  
Second Quarter
    8.62       2.50        
Third Quarter
    15.71       8.12        
Fourth Quarter
    15.70       8.33        

The last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE on February 28, 2011 was $11.63 per share. As of February 28, 2011, there were 502 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends are declared and paid on the common stock at the discretion of our board of directors and depend on our profitability, financial condition, capital needs, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by our board. After suspending our quarterly dividend for 2009, in January 2010 our board voted to reinstate our quarterly dividend, at a rate of $0.05 per share per quarter.  In January 2011, our board voted to increase our quarterly dividend to a rate of $0.07 per share per quarter.  Our revolving credit facility permits dividends and distributions by us provided specific conditions are met.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a further discussion of our revolving credit facility.

There have been no unregistered offerings of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010 nor any repurchases of our common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010. For a discussion of our registered public offering in 2009, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 
23

 
 
The following graph compares the five year cumulative total return on the Company’s Common Stock to the total returns on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the S&P 1500 Auto Parts & Equipment Index, which is a combination of automotive parts and equipment companies within the S&P 400, the S&P 500 and the S&P 600. The graph shows the change in value of a $100 investment in the Company’s Common Stock and each of the above indices on December 31, 2005 and the reinvestment of all dividends. The comparisons in this table are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to forecast or be indicative of possible future performance of the Company’s Common Stock or the referenced indices.

  
   
 
SMP
   
 
S&P 500
   
S&P 1500 Auto
Parts &
Equipment
Index
 
2005
    100       100       100  
2006
    168       116       105  
2007
    95       122       127  
2008
    43       77       60  
2009
    106       97       93  
2010
    174       112       146  
 
* Source: Standard & Poor’s
 
 
24

 
 
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
   
The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data for the five years ended December 31, 2010.  This selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

   
Year Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
         
(Dollars in thousands)
       
Statement of Operations Data:
                             
Net sales
  $ 810,910     $ 735,424     $ 775,241     $ 790,185     $ 812,024  
Gross profit
    207,606       177,224       184,156       202,275       205,221  
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges (1) (2)
                (39,387 )            
Operating income (loss) (3)
    46,793       17,631       (16,837 )     24,208       33,685  
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
    24,700       5,906       (21,098 )     5,431       9,163  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax
    (2,740 )     (2,423 )     (1,796 )     (3,156 )     248  
Net earnings (loss) (4)
    21,960       3,483       (22,894 )     2,275       9,411  
                                         
Per Share Data:
                                       
                                         
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations:
                                       
Basic
  $ 1.10     $ 0.31     $ (1.14 )   $ 0.29     $ 0.50  
Diluted
    1.09       0.31       (1.14 )     0.29       0.50  
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
Basic
    0.97       0.18       (1.24 )     0.12       0.51  
Diluted
    0.97       0.18       (1.24 )     0.12       0.51  
Cash dividends per common share
    0.20              0.36       0.36       0.36  
                                         
Other Data:
                                       
                                         
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 13,574     $ 14,354     $ 14,700     $ 15,181     $ 15,486  
Capital expenditures
    10,806       7,174       10,500       13,995       10,080  
Dividends
    4,508             6,653       6,683       6,579  
                                         
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,135     $ 10,618     $ 6,608     $ 13,261     $ 22,348  
Working capital
    169,875       159,591       104,599       183,074       183,313  
Total assets
    492,801       484,459       575,027       678,092       640,092  
Total debt
    65,596       76,405       194,157       255,311       238,320  
Long-term debt (excluding current portion)
    307       17,908       273       90,534       97,979  
Stockholders’ equity
    209,883       193,878       163,545       188,364       190,699  

 
(1)
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired.  Our annual impairment test of goodwill as of December 31, 2008 indicated that the carrying amounts of certain of our reporting units exceeded the corresponding fair values.  As a result, we recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge to operations of $38.5 million during the fourth quarter of 2008 related to the Engine Management Segment for goodwill acquired with our Dana acquisition.
 
 
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(2)
During 2008, we implemented a plan to transition products sold under the Neihoff name to our BWD name and discontinue the Neihoff brand name.  As such, we recognized an impairment charge for the total Neihoff trademark value of $0.9 million.

 
(3)
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we identified an immaterial correction related to our classification in the consolidated statements of operations of gains/losses on the sale of long-lived assets. We determined that in accounting for such gains/losses, although there is no effect on net income (loss) or on income (loss) from continuing operations, we did not properly classify such amounts within operating income, as required by paragraph 360-10-45-5 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  As such, we corrected the consolidated statements of operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006.  See Note 1 and 15 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 
(4)
We recorded an after tax gain (charge) of $(2.7) million, $(2.4) million, $(1.8) million, $(3.2) million, and $0.2 million as earnings (loss) from discontinued operation to account for legal expenses and potential costs associated with our asbestos-related liability for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.  Such costs were also separately disclosed in the Operating Activity section of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for those same years.
 
 
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ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and the financial condition of our business during each of the fiscal years in the three year period ended December 31, 2010.

Overview

We are a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry, with an increasing focus on the original equipment service market.  We are organized into two major operating segments, each of which focuses on a specific line of replacement parts.  Our Engine Management Segment manufactures ignition and emission parts, ignition wires, battery cables and fuel system parts.  Our Temperature Control Segment manufactures and remanufactures air conditioning compressors, air conditioning and heating parts, engine cooling system parts, power window accessories, and windshield washer system parts.

We sell our products primarily to warehouse distributors, large retail chains,   original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada and Latin America. Our customers consist of many of the leading warehouse distributors, such as CARQUEST and NAPA Auto Parts, as well as many of the leading auto parts retail chains, such as Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, O’Reilly Automotive, Canadian Tire and Pep Boys. Our customers also include national program distribution groups and specialty market distributors. We distribute parts under our own brand names, such as Standard, BWD, Intermotor, Four Seasons, Factory Air, ACi, Imperial and Hayden and through private labels, such as CARQUEST, NAPA Echlin, NAPA Temp Products and NAPA Belden.

Business Strategy

Our goal is to grow revenues and earnings and deliver returns in excess of our cost of capital by providing high quality original equipment and replacement products to the engine management and temperature control markets. The key elements of our strategy are as follows:

 
·
Maintain Our Strong Competitive Position in the Engine Management and Temperature Control Businesses. We are one of the leading independent manufacturers serving North America and other geographic areas in our core businesses of Engine Management and   Temperature Control. We believe that our success is attributable to our emphasis on product quality, the breadth and depth of our product lines for both domestic and imported automobiles, and our reputation for outstanding customer service.

To maintain our strong competitive position in our markets, we remain committed to the following:

 
·
providing our customers with broad lines of high quality engine management and temperature control products, supported by the highest level of customer service and reliability;
 
·
continuing to maximize our production and distribution efficiencies;
 
·
continuing to improve our cost position through increased global sourcing and increased manufacturing in low cost countries; and
 
·
focusing further on our engineering development efforts including a renewed focus on bringing more product manufacturing in house.
 
 
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·
Provide Superior Customer Service, Product Availability and Technical Support. Our goal is to increase sales to existing and new customers by leveraging our skills in rapidly filling orders, maintaining high levels of product availability, providing insightful customer category management, and providing technical support in a cost-effective manner. In addition, our category management and technically skilled sales force professionals provide product selection and application support to our customers.
 
·
Expand Our Product Lines. We intend to increase our sales by continuing to develop internally, or through potential acquisitions, the range of Engine Management and Temperature Control products that we offer to our customers. We are committed to investing the resources necessary to maintain and expand our technical capability to manufacture multiple product lines that incorporate the latest technologies .

 
·
Broaden Our Customer Base. Our goal is to increase our customer base by (a) continuing to leverage our manufacturing capabilities to secure additional original equipment business with automotive, industrial, marine, military and heavy duty vehicle and equipment manufacturers and their service part operations as well as our existing customer base including traditional warehouse distributors, large retailers, other manufacturers and export customers, and (b) supporting the service part operations of vehicle and equipment manufacturers with value added services and product support for the life of the part.

 
·
Improve Operating Efficiency and Cost Position. Our management places significant emphasis on improving our financial performance by achieving operating efficiencies and improving asset utilization, while maintaining product quality and high customer order fill rates. We intend to continue to improve our operating efficiency and cost position by:

 
·
increasing cost-effective vertical integration in key product lines through internal development;
 
·
focusing on integrated supply chain management;
 
·
maintaining and improving our cost effectiveness and competitive responsiveness to better serve our customer base, including sourcing certain products from low cost countries such as those in Asia;
 
·
enhancing company-wide programs geared toward manufacturing and distribution efficiency; and
 
·
focusing on company-wide overhead and operating expense cost reduction programs, such as closing excess facilities and consolidating redundant functions.

 
·
Cash Utilization. We intend to apply any excess cash flow from operations and the management of working capital primarily to reduce our outstanding indebtedness, pay dividends to our shareholders, and expand our product lines through potential acquisitions.

The Automotive Aftermarket

The automotive aftermarket industry is comprised of a large number of diverse manufacturers varying in product specialization and size. In addition to manufacturing, aftermarket companies allocate resources towards an efficient distribution process and product engineering in order to maintain the flexibility and responsiveness on which their customers depend. Aftermarket manufacturers must be efficient producers of small lot sizes and do not have to provide systems engineering support. Aftermarket manufacturers also must distribute, with rapid turnaround times, products for a full range of vehicles on the road. The primary customers of the automotive aftermarket manufacturers are national and regional warehouse distributors, large retail chains, automotive repair chains and the dealer service networks of original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

During periods of economic decline or weakness, more automobile owners may choose to repair their current automobiles using replacement parts rather than purchasing new automobiles, which benefits the automotive aftermarket industry, including suppliers like us.  Current global economic and financial market conditions have adversely affected, and may continue to adversely affect, the volume of new cars and truck sales, which could also benefit the automotive aftermarket.

 
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Seasonality.   Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year and revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our products is typically the highest, specifically in the Temperature Control Segment of our business. In addition to this seasonality, the demand for our Temperature Control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories. For example, a cool summer may lessen the demand for our Temperature Control products, while a hot summer may increase such demand. As a result of this seasonality and variability in demand of our Temperature Control products, our working capital requirements typically peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received. During this period, our working capital requirements are typically funded by borrowing from our revolving credit facility.

Inventory Management. We face inventory management issues as a result of warranty and overstock returns. Many of our products carry a warranty ranging from a 90-day limited warranty to a lifetime limited warranty, which generally covers defects in materials or workmanship and failure to meet industry published specifications. In addition to warranty returns, we also permit our customers to return products to us within customer-specific limits (which are generally limited to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us) in the event that they have overstocked their inventories. We accrue for overstock returns as a percentage of sales, after giving consideration to recent returns history.

In order to better control warranty and overstock return levels, we tightened the rules for authorized warranty returns, placed further restrictions on the amounts customers can return and instituted a program so that our management can better estimate potential future product returns.  In addition, with respect to our air conditioning compressors, which are our most significant customer product warranty returns, we established procedures whereby a warranty will be voided if a customer does not provide acceptable proof that complete air conditioning system repair was performed.

Discounts, Allowances and Incentives. In connection with our sales activities, we offer a variety of usual customer discounts, allowances and incentives.  First, we offer cash discounts for paying invoices in accordance with the specified discount terms of the invoice.  Second, we offer pricing discounts based on volume and different product lines purchased from us.  These discounts are principally in the form of “off-invoice” discounts and are immediately deducted from sales at the time of sale. For those customers that choose to receive a payment on a quarterly basis instead of “off-invoice,” we accrue for such payments as the related sales are made and reduce sales accordingly.  Finally, rebates and discounts are provided to customers as advertising and sales force allowances, and allowances for warranty and overstock returns are also provided.  Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and other allowances. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and other allowances in any accounting period.  We account for these discounts and allowances as a reduction to revenues, and record them when sales are recorded.

Comparison of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2009

Sales .   Consolidated net sales for 2010 were $810.9 million, an increase of $75.5 million, or 10.3%, compared to $735.4 million in the same period of 2009. The increase in net sales is due to higher sales in our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments supported by ongoing positive demographic trends such as an ageing car population and the closure of car dealers offset by a $26.7 million decrease related to the sale of our European distribution business.

 
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The following table summarizes net sales and gross margins by segment for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively:

Year Ended
December 31,
 
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Europe
   
Other
   
Total
 
2010
                             
Net sales
  $ 577,333     $ 222,086     $     $ 11,491     $ 810,910  
Gross margins
    144,090       51,293             12,223       207,606  
Gross margin percentage
    25.0 %     23.1 %                 25.6 %
                                         
2009
                                       
Net sales
  $ 506,435     $ 196,729     $ 26,746     $ 5,514     $ 735,424  
Gross margins
    122,838       38,677       6,997       8,712       177,224  
Gross margin percentage
    24.3 %     19.7 %     26.2 %           24.1 %

Engine Management’s net sales increased $70.9 million, or 14%, to $577.3 million for 2010.  Engine Management’s revenue growth was driven by overall strong demand for our products across all market channels including inventory increases on the part of several customers as they returned to more normalized stocking levels, particularly in the our retail channel.  In addition, incremental sales from our acquisition of Federal Mogul’s wire and cable business, which began shipping in September 2009, contributed to the increase in our traditional sales volumes.

Temperature Control’s net sales increased $25.4 million, or 12.9%, to $222.1 million for 2010.  The increase in sales primarily reflects incremental new business in our retail market and increased demand across all markets due to the warm summer weather.

Gross margins.   Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, increased by 1.5 percentage points to 25.6% in 2010 from 24.1% in 2009.  The increase resulted from a 3.4 percentage point increase in Temperature Control margins and a 0.7 percentage point increase in Engine Management margins.  Temperature Control’s gross margin increase resulted primarily from favorable manufacturing and purchase price variances as sales volumes increased due to stronger demand, incremental new sales and increased production at our low cost Mexico facility.  The increase in the Engine Management margins was the result of improving fixed overhead absorption resulting from increased production and the benefit of operational integration initiatives, offset in part, by a higher mix of OE/OES sales volumes and mix of lower margin products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) increased by $12.8 million to $159.4 million or 19.7% of consolidated net sales in 2010, as compared to $146.6 million or 19.9% of consolidated net sales in 2009.  The increase in SG&A expenses is due primarily to higher selling, marketing and distribution expenses as a result of the increase in sales.  Expenses related to the sale of receivables, which are included in SG&A, were $6.4 million in 2010 compared to $3 million in the same period last year.

Restructuring and integration expenses.   Restructuring and integration expenses decreased to $3.5 million in 2010 compared to $7.4 million in 2009.  The 2010 expense related primarily to severance and lease termination costs incurred in connection with the closures of our Corona, California and Hong Kong, China manufacturing facilities.  The 2009 expense related primarily to severance and other exit costs incurred in connection with the closure of our Edwardsville, Kansas, Wilson, North Carolina and Corona, California manufacturing operations, building demolition costs incurred at our European properties held for sale, and charges related to severance and other relocation costs incurred in connection with our wire and cable business acquisition.

 
30

 
 
Other income (expense), net.   Other income, net was $2.1 million in 2010 compared to other expense, net of $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  In 2010, other income, net included a $1.5 million gain on the sale of our Reno, Nevada distribution property, a $0.1 million gain on the sale of vacant land at one of our locations in the U.K. and $1 million of deferred gain related to the sale-leaseback of our Long Island City, New York property offset, in part, by losses of $0.5 million related to equipment sales.  During 2009, we sold our European distribution business and recorded a loss of $6.6 million, which was offset, in part, by the recognition of $1 million of deferred gain related to the sale-leaseback of our Long Island City, New York property.

Operating income (loss).   Operating income was $46.8 million in 2010, compared to $17.6 million in 2009.  The increase of $29.2 million was due primarily to stronger sales across all markets of our Engine Management Segment including a rebound in the OE/OES markets and higher sales volumes and favorable manufacturing variances in our Temperature Control Segment offset, in part, by an increase in SG&A expenses.

Other non-operating income, net.   Other non-operating income, net was $0.4 million in 2010 compared to $3.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009.  During 2009, we redeemed our investment in the preferred stock of a third party issuer resulting in a pretax gain of $2.3 million.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by $2.1 million to $7.1 million in 2010 compared to interest expense of $9.2 million in 2009.  The decline is due to lower outstanding borrowings and our increased utilization of accounts receivable factoring programs with some of our larger customers.

Income tax provision.   The income tax provision for 2010 was $15.4 million at an effective tax rate of 38.4% compared to $6.1 million at an effective tax rate of 50.8%.  The 2010 effective tax rate reflects the reversal of previously established reserves related to certain business combinations and foreign transfer pricing as a result of the expiration of the statue of limitations for the 2006 and prior tax years.  The 2009 effective tax rate of 50.8% was impacted by the valuation allowance recorded related to the capital loss recognized in connection with the sale of our European distribution business which resulted in a higher effective tax rate.  We have concluded that our current level of valuation allowance of $29.5 million continues to be appropriate, as discussed in Note 16 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

Loss from discontinued operation, net of income tax benefit .   Earnings (loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax, reflects legal expenses associated with our asbestos related liability and adjustments thereto based on the information contained in the August 2010 actuarial study and all other available information considered by us.  We recorded $2.7 million and $2.4 million as a loss, both net of tax, from discontinued operation for 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The loss for 2010 reflects a $1.8 million pre-tax adjustment to increase our indemnity liability in line with the August 2010 actuarial study, as well as legal fees incurred in litigation.  As discussed more fully in Note 19 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.

 
31

 
 
Comparison of Fiscal Years 2009 and 2008
 
The following table summarizes net sales and gross margins by segment for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively:

Year Ended
December 31,
 
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Europe
   
Other
   
Total
 
2009
                             
Net sales
  $ 506,435     $ 196,729     $ 26,746     $ 5,514     $ 735,424  
Gross margins
    122,838       38,677       6,997       8,712       177,224  
Gross margin percentage
    24.3 %     19.7 %     26.2 %           24.1 %
                                         
2008
                                       
Net sales
  $ 537,658     $ 194,171     $ 40,127     $ 3,285     $ 775,241  
Gross margins
    122,260       37,406       11,412       13,078       184,156  
Gross margin percentage
    22.7 %     19.3 %     28.4 %           23.8 %

Sales.  Consolidated net sales for 2009 were $735.4 million, a decrease of $39.8 million or 5.1%, compared to $775.2 million in 2008.  The decrease in consolidated net sales resulted from declines in Engine Management net sales of $31.2 million, or 5.8%, and European Segment net sales of $13.4 million, or 33.3%.  The decline in net sales within our Engine Management Segment was due to lower sales volumes in our traditional markets as a single large customer changed brands to a competitor and as customers reduced and maintained lower inventory levels in response to the economic environment.  The reduction in sales in our European Segment resulted from a decrease in OE/OES sales volumes, an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates and the impact of the sale of our distribution business to the managers of the business at the end of November.  Temperature Control Segment net sales increased $2.6 million due to incremental new customer sales volumes and increased customer demand within our retail channel.

Gross margins.   Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, increased by 0.3 percentage points to 24.1% in 2009 from 23.8% in 2008.  This primarily reflects a 1.6 percentage point increase in our Engine Management margins due to a reduction in our fixed overhead costs as a result of our cost reduction programs and the negative impact on prior year margins of unabsorbed overhead during our closure of two manufacturing facilities and start up and training costs at our new Mexico facility, and a 0.4 percentage point increase in our Temperature Control Segment margins, where increased sales and production volumes combined with the further shift of certain production lines to low cost facilities resulted in favorable manufacturing variances compared to the prior year.  European Segment margins declined 2.2 percentage points as a result of lower sales volumes and higher manufacturing costs due to reduced production volumes in response to economic conditions.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $19.6 million to $146.6 million or 19.9% of consolidated net sales in 2009, as compared to $166.2 million or 21.4% of consolidated net sales in 2008.  The decrease in SG&A expenses is due primarily to lower selling, marketing and distribution expenses, and the full year benefit recognized from the postretirement benefit plan amendment announced in May 2008, partially offset by an increase in discount fees of $1.8 million related to our customer accounts receivable factoring program.

Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges .  In 2008, as the carrying amount of the goodwill acquired as a result of our Dana acquisition was determined to be in excess of its respective fair value, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $38.5 million in our Engine Management Segment related to goodwill.  Global economic and financial market conditions during the fourth quarter of 2008, including severe disruptions in credit markets and the continuing economic recession, have caused us to reduce our business outlook and revenue forecasts, thereby negatively impacting our estimates of fair value.  In addition, during 2008 we implemented a plan to transition products sold under the Neihoff name to our BWD name and discontinue the Neihoff brand name.  In connection therewith, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge for the Neihoff trademark value of $0.9 million.  Our annual test of impairment for goodwill and other intangible assets resulted in no impairment charges in 2009.

 
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Restructuring and integration expenses.   Restructuring and integration expenses decreased to $7.4 million in 2009 compared to $16.9 million in 2008.  The 2009 expense related primarily to severance and other exit costs incurred in connection with the closure of our Edwardsville, Kansas, Wilson, North Carolina and Corona, California manufacturing operations, building demolition costs incurred at our European properties held for sale, and charges related to severance and other relocation costs incurred in connection with our wire and cable business acquisition.

The 2008 expense related to charges incurred in connection with our company wide voluntary separation package, the shutdown of our Long Island City, New York manufacturing operations, the closure of our Puerto Rico manufacturing operations, the integration of operations to our facilities in Mexico and for severance in connection with the consolidation of our Reno, Nevada distribution operations and shutdown of our Edwardsville, Kansas manufacturing operations.

Other income (expense), net.   Other expense, net was $5.6 million in 2009 compared to other income, net of $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Other income, net for 2008 included a gain of $21.8 million on the sale of our Long Island City property.  During 2009, we sold our European distribution business and recorded a loss of $6.6 million, which was offset, in part, by the recognition of $1 million of deferred gain related to the sale-leaseback of our Long Island City, New York property.

Operating income (loss).   Operating income was $17.6 million in 2009, compared to an operating loss of $16.8 million in 2008.  During 2008 we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $38.5 million and $0.9 million for goodwill and as a result of our plan to discontinue an acquired trademark.  In 2009, the decline in net sales was offset by the positive impact of an increase in gross margins in our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments and the full year benefit of lower SG&A expenses as a result of our cost reduction programs.

Other non-operating income, net.   Other non-operating income, net was $3.6 million in 2009 compared to $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  During 2009, we redeemed our investment in the preferred stock of a third party issuer resulting in a pretax gain of $2.3 million.  Other non-operating income, net for 2008 included a $3.8 million gain related to the repurchase of $45.1 million principal amount of our 6.75% convertible subordinate debentures offset, in part, by a $1.4 million charge related to the defeasance of our mortgage on the Long Island City property.

Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by $4.4 million to $9.2 million in 2009 compared to interest expense of $13.6 million in 2008.  The decline is due primarily to our debt reduction efforts which resulted in lower outstanding borrowings that more than offset the increase in the interest rate on our revolving credit facility as a result of amendments made to the credit agreement.  Our accounts receivable factoring programs initiated during the second quarter of 2008 with some of our larger customers accelerated collection of accounts receivable balances and improved working capital management contributed to lower year over year borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Income tax provision (benefit).   The income tax provision for 2009 was $6.1 million at an effective tax rate of 50.8% compared to an income tax benefit for 2008 of $8.1 million at an effective tax rate of 27.8%.  The 2009 effective tax rate of 50.8% was impacted by the valuation allowance recorded related to the capital loss recognized in connection with the sale of our European distribution business which resulted in a higher effective tax rate.  The 2008 rate included the tax impact of the non-deductibility of a portion of the $5 million distribution in the unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan and a portion of the goodwill impairment charge.

 
33

 
 
Loss from discontinued operation, net of income tax benefit .   Earnings (loss) from discontinued operation, net of tax, reflects legal expenses associated with our asbestos related liability and adjustments thereto based on the information contained in the August 2009 actuarial study and all other available information considered by us.  We recorded $2.4 million as a loss and $1.8 million as a loss, both net of tax, from discontinued operation for 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The loss for 2009 reflects a $2.2 million pre-tax adjustment to increase our indemnity liability in line with the August 2009 actuarial study, as well as legal fees incurred in litigation offset by a $1 million payment received from our insurance carrier.  As discussed more fully in Note 19 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.
 
Restructuring and Integration Costs
 
The aggregated liabilities included in “sundry payables and accrued expenses” and “other accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet relating to the restructuring and integration activities as of and activity for years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 12,751     $ 2,956     $ 15,707  
Restructuring and integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    3,686       3,700       7,386  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (3,003 )     (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
    (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (7,651 )     (1,682 )     (9,333 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 8,774     $ 1,971     $ 10,745  
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,824       1,678       3,502  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (181 )     (181 )
Cash payments
    (4,378 )     (1,033 )     (5,411 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $ 6,220     $ 2,435     $ 8,655  

Restructuring Costs

Voluntary Separation Program

During 2008 as part of an initiative to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and to reduce costs in light of economic conditions, we implemented certain organizational changes and offered eligible employees a voluntary separation package.  The restructuring accrual relates to severance and other retiree benefit enhancements to be paid through 2015.  Of the original restructuring charge of $8 million, we have $2.2 million remaining as of December 31, 2010 that is expected to be paid in the amounts of $1.0 million in 2011, $0.5 million in 2012 and $0.7 million for the period 2013-2015.

Activity, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to the voluntary separation program, consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Other
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 3,736     $ 1,000     $ 3,295     $ 8,031  
Restructuring costs:
                               
Amounts provided for during 2009
    (202 )     327             125  
Cash payments
    (2,139 )     (942 )     (1,873 )     (4,954 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,395     $ 385     $ 1,422     $ 3,202  
Restructuring costs:
                               
Amounts provided for during 2010
                       
Cash payments
    (425 )     (64 )     (507 )     (996 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $ 970     $ 321     $ 915     $ 2,206  

 
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Integration Expenses
 
Overhead Cost Reduction Program
 
Beginning in 2007 in connection with our efforts to improve our operating efficiency and reduce costs, we announced our intention to focus on company-wide overhead and operating expense cost reduction activities, such as closing excess facilities and reducing redundancies.  Integration expenses under this program to date relate primarily to the integration of operations to our facilities in Mexico, the closure and consolidation of our distribution operations in Reno, Nevada, the closure of our production operations in Edwardsville, Kansas, Wilson, North Carolina, Corona, California and Hong Kong, China.  We expect that all payments related to the current liability will be made within twelve months.

Activity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to our overhead cost reduction program consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 1,117     $ 727     $ 1,844  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    2,187       2,863       5,050  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (3,003 )     (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
    (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (1,945 )     (587 )     (2,532 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,347     $     $ 1,347  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,815       1,509       3,324  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (181 )     (181 )
Cash payments
    (2,309 )     (642 )     (2,951 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $ 853     $ 686     $ 1,539  

Wire and Cable Relocation
 
As a result of our acquisition during 2009 of a wire and cable business and the relocation of certain machinery and equipment to our Reynosa, Mexico manufacturing facility, integration costs were incurred related to employee severance and equipment relocation.  As of December 31, 2010, all such costs have been fully paid.

   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $     $     $  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    803       415       1,218  
Cash payments
    (271 )     (415 )     (686 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 532     $     $ 532  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
          131       131  
Cash payments
    (532 )     (131 )     (663 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $     $     $  

Reynosa Integration Program

During 2008, we closed our Long Island City, New York and Puerto Rico manufacturing facilities and integrated these operations in Reynosa, Mexico.  In connection with the shutdown of the manufacturing operations at Long Island City, we incurred severance costs and costs associated with equipment removal, capital expenditures and environmental clean-up.  As of December 31, 2010, the reserve balance related to environmental clean-up at Long Island City of $1.8 million is included in other exit costs.

 
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In connection with the shutdown of the manufacturing operations at Long Island City, we entered into an agreement with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and its Local 365 (“UAW”).  As part of the agreement, we incurred a withdrawal liability from a multi-employer plan.  The pension plan withdrawal liability is related to trust asset under-performance in a plan that covers our former UAW employees at the Long Island City facility and is payable quarterly for 20 years at $0.3 million per year, which commenced in December 2008.  As of December 31, 2010, the reserve balance related to the pension withdrawal liability of $3.1 million is included in the workforce reduction reserve.
 
Activity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to the Reynosa integration program, consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 3,603     $ 2,229     $ 5,832  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    571       422       993  
Cash payments
    (481 )     (680 )     (1,161 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 3,693     $ 1,971     $ 5,664  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    9       38       47  
Cash payments
    (541 )     (260 )     (801 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $ 3,161     $ 1,749     $ 4,910  

Integration activity, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010  related to our aggregate integration programs consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
European
   
Other
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 7,363     $     $ 15     $ 298     $ 7,676  
Integration costs:
                                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    5,622       474       1,165             7,261  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
    (1,987 )           (1,016 )           (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
                (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (3,981 )     (110 )     (152 )     (136 )     (4,379 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 7,017     $ 364     $     $ 162     $ 7,543  
Integration costs:
                                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,931       1,571                   3,502  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
    (99 )     (82 )                 (181 )
Cash payments
    (3,269 )     (984 )           (162 )     (4,415 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2010
  $ 5,580     $ 869     $     $     $ 6,449  
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities. During 2010, cash provided by operations was $28.1 million, compared to cash provided by operations of $102.3 million in 2009.  The $74.2 million decrease in operating cash flow is primarily the result of the build-up of inventory levels in 2010 in response to increased demand and customer requirements.
 
During 2009, cash provided by operations was $102.3 million, compared to cash provided by operations of $47.1 million in 2008.  The $55.2 million increase in operating cash flow is primarily due to the continuation of our customer accounts receivable factoring program, improved alignment of our inventory levels to our customer needs and an overall improvement in working capital management.
 
 
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Investing Activities .   Cash used in investing activities was $7.9 million in 2010, compared to cash used in investing activities of $11.2 million in 2009.  During 2010, we received $2.4 million in payments related to the note issued in connection with the divestiture of certain of our joint venture equity ownerships and received proceeds of $2.6 million from the sale of our Wilson, North Carolina building, our Reno, Nevada building and the sale of the vacant land at one of our locations in the U.K.  In addition, investing activities in 2010 included a $2 million payment related to the acquisition of certain product lines by our Temperature Control Segment
 
Cash used in investing activities in 2009 included a $6 million payment to complete our core sensor asset purchase transaction entered into in 2008, a $6.8 million payment in connection with our acquisition of a wire and cable business offset by a $4 million cash receipt in connection with our December 2008 divestiture of certain of our joint venture equity ownerships, $0.8 million in proceeds from the sale of our European distribution business and $3.9 million in proceeds received in connection with the redemption of preferred stock of a third-party issuer.  Capital expenditures in 2010 were $10.8 million compared to $7.2 million in the comparable period of the last year.
 
Cash used in investing activities was $11.2 million in 2009, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $22.1 million in 2008.  Investing activities in 2009 included a $6 million payment to complete our core sensor asset purchase transaction entered into in 2008, a $6.8 million payment in connection with our acquisition of a wire and cable business offset by a $4 million cash receipt in connection with our December 2008 divestiture of certain of our joint venture equity ownerships, $0.8 million in proceeds from the sale of our European distribution business and $3.9 million in proceeds received in connection with the redemption of preferred stock of a third-party issuer.  Cash provided by investing activities in 2008 includes $37.3 million in net cash proceeds from the sale of the Long Island City, New York property and a $4.9 million payment in connection with our acquisition of a core sensor product line.  Capital expenditures in 2009 were $7.2 million compared to $10.5 million in 2008.
 
Financing Activities . Cash used in financing activities was $19.4 million in 2010, compared to cash used in financing activities of $91.5 million in 2009 and $68.4 million in 2008.  During 2010 borrowings were used to finance the increase in working capital resulting from the increase in sales volumes and inventory build-up.  Despite the $48 million increase in inventories, total debt was reduced $10.8 million from $76.4 million in 2009 to $65.6 million at December 31, 2010.

During 2009, we completed an underwritten public offering of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock and sold an additional 450,000 shares to the underwriters at the offering price of $8.50 per share, less a 5% underwriting discount and received cash proceeds of $27.5 million, net of expenses of $0.4 million.  The proceeds from the stock issuance along with the impact of the accounts receivable factoring programs and improved working capital management reduced our borrowings under our revolving credit facilities by $88.5 million and we retired $32.6 million of long-term debt, including the remaining $32.1 million balance of our 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures.  The debt reduction was partially offset by the issuance of $5.4 million of 15% unsecured promissory notes.

During 2008, we reduced our total borrowings by $58.1 million using the net cash proceeds received from the sale of the Long Island City, New York property and proceeds received from our improved working capital management.  We defeased the remaining $7.8 million mortgage loan on our Long Island City, New York property and repurchased $45.1 million principal amount of our 6.75% debentures.  Dividends of $4.5 million and $6.7 million were paid in 2010 and 2008, respectively.  No dividends were paid in 2009.

Liquidity

Our primary cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, regular quarterly dividends and principal and interest payments on indebtedness.  Our primary sources of funds are ongoing net cash flows from operating activities and availability under our secured revolving credit facility (as detailed below).

 
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In November 2010, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent, and a syndicate of lenders for a secured revolving credit facility.  This restated credit agreement replaces our prior credit facility (as amended through June 2009) with General Electric Capital Corporation.  The restated credit agreement provides for a line of credit of up to $200 million (inclusive of the Canadian revolving credit facility described below) and expires in March 2014.  Direct borrowings under the restated credit agreement bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin (as defined), or floating at the index rate plus the applicable margin, at our option. The interest rate may vary depending upon our borrowing availability. The restated credit agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by certain of our assets.

Borrowings under the restated credit agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets, and those of certain of our subsidiaries. After taking into account outstanding borrowings under the restated credit agreement, there was an additional $95.2 million available for us to borrow pursuant to the formula at December 31, 2010, of which $6.2 million was reserved for redemption of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 15% convertible subordinated debentures.  Outstanding borrowings under the restated credit agreement (inclusive of the Canadian revolving credit facility described below), which are classified as current liabilities, were $52.9 million and $58.4 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  At December 31, 2010, the weighted average interest rate on our restated credit agreement was 3.1%, which consisted of $52 million at 3.1% and an index loan of $0.9 million at 4.5%.  During 2010, our average daily index loan balance was $7.1 million.   At December 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on our restated credit agreement was 4.1%, which consisted of $53 million at 4% and an index loan of $5.4 million at 5.5%.

At any time that our average borrowing availability over the previous thirty days is less than $30 million or if our borrowing availability is $20 million or less, and until such time that we have maintained an average borrowing availability of $30 million or greater for a continuous period of ninety days, the terms of our restated credit agreement provide for, among other provisions, financial covenants requiring us, on a consolidated basis, (1) to maintain specified levels of fixed charge coverage at the end of each fiscal quarter (rolling twelve months), and (2) to limit capital expenditure levels. As of December 31, 2010, we were not subject to these covenants.  Availability under our restated credit agreement is based on a formula of eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible fixed assets.  Based upon amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2010, beginning October 15, 2010 and on a monthly basis thereafter, our borrowing availability will be reduced by approximately $2 million for the repayment, repurchase or redemption of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 15% convertible subordinated debentures due April 15, 2011.  Our restated credit agreement also permits dividends and distributions by us provided specific conditions are met.

In May 2010, we amended our Canadian Credit Agreement with GE Canada Finance Holding Company, for itself and as agent for the lenders.  The amended Canadian Credit Agreement provided for the conversion of the then existing $10 million line of credit into a revolving credit facility.   The Canadian $10 million line of credit is part of the $200 million available for borrowing under our restated credit agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation.

In November 2010, we further amended our Canadian Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date of the agreement to March 2014 and modify certain provisions, including interest rates, to parallel the revolving credit provisions of the restated credit agreement (see above).  The amended credit agreement is guaranteed and secured by us and certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Direct borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest at the same rate as our restated credit agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation.  As of December 31, 2010, we have no outstanding borrowings under the Canadian line of credit.

 
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During 2009, we exchanged $12.3 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures due 2009 for a like principal amount of newly issued 15% convertible subordinated debentures due 2011.  The newly issued 15% convertible subordinated debentures are convertible into our common stock at the option of the holders at a conversion price of $15 per share as opposed to the conversion price of $32.19 per share offered to holders of the 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures.  The impact of common shares to be issued, if converted, would be an increase from approximately 382,100 shares under the 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures to approximately 820,000 shares under the newly issued 15% convertible subordinated debentures at the aggregate principal amount of $12.3 million.  The 15% convertible subordinated debentures are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness, and if a change in control, as defined in the agreement, occurs at the Company, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the 15% convertible subordinated debentures at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregated principal amount, plus accrued interest.  We did not receive any cash proceeds from the exchange.

In addition during 2009, we issued $5.4 million aggregate principal amount of 15% unsecured promissory notes to certain directors and executive officers and to the trustees of our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan on behalf of the plan participants.  Cash proceeds from the issuance were used to repay a portion of our revolving credit facility.  The purpose of each of these transactions was to enable us to refinance the outstanding principal amount of our then existing 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures at maturity on July 15, 2009 with funds from our revolving credit facility.  As a result of the convertible subordinated debentures exchange and issuance of the promissory notes, we extended our short term maturity on $17.7 million of debt for two years until 2011, increased interest expense on an annualized basis by $1.5 million from $1.2 million to $2.7 million, and enhanced our financial flexibility.

During 2010, we prepaid the remaining outstanding principal amount of our 15% unsecured promissory notes with funds from our revolving credit facility.  The 15% unsecured promissory notes would have matured on April 15, 2011.

During 2010 and 2009, we entered into capital lease obligations related to certain equipment for use in our operations of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2010, our remaining capital lease obligations totaled $0.4 million.  Assets held under capitalized leases are included in property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the lives of the respective leases or over their economic useful lives, whichever is less.

In order to reduce our accounts receivable balances and improve our cash flow, we sold undivided interests in certain of our receivables to financial institutions.  We entered these agreements at our discretion when we determined that the cost of factoring was less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt.  Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $430.1 million and $212.9 million of receivables for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale.  As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.  A charge in the amount of $6.4 million, $3 million and $1.2 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

In November 2009, we completed a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock and sold an additional 450,000 shares to the underwriters at the offering price of $8.50 per share, less a 5% underwriting discount.  Net cash proceeds received were $27.5 million, net of expenses of $0.4 million.   The net proceeds from the offering were used to repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

We anticipate that our present sources of funds, including funds from operations and additional borrowings, will continue to be adequate to meet our financing needs over the next twelve months.  We continue to evaluate alternative sources to further improve the liquidity of our business.  The timing, terms, size and pricing of any alternative sources of financing will depend on investor interest and market conditions, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain any such financing.  In addition, we have a substantial amount of indebtedness which could, among other things, increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions, make it more difficult to satisfy our obligations, limit our ability to pay future dividends, limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate, and require that a portion of our cash flow from operations be used for the payment of interest on our indebtedness instead of for funding working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or for other corporate purposes.  If we default on any of our indebtedness, or breach any financial covenant in our revolving credit facility, our business could be adversely affected.

 
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The following table summarizes our contractual commitments as of December 31, 2010 and expiration dates of commitments through 2020:

(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
     
2016-
2020
   
Total
 
Principal payments of long term debt
  $ 12,300     $     $     $     $     $     $ 12,300  
Lease obligations
    7,567       7,404       6,448       5,333       4,938       5,738       37,428  
Postretirement benefits
    1,153       1,184       1,232       1,289       6,952       7,581       19,391  
Severance payments related to restructuring and integration
    2,219       811       704       514       316       3,592       8,156  
Total commitments
  $ 23,239     $ 9,399     $ 8,384     $ 7,136     $ 12,206     $ 16,911     $ 77,275  

Critical Accounting Policies

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements. You should be aware that preparation of our consolidated annual and quarterly financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We can give no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition. We derive our revenue primarily from sales of replacement parts for motor vehicles from both our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments. We recognize revenues when products are shipped and title has been transferred to a customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. For some of our sales of remanufactured products, we also charge our customers a deposit for the return of a used core component which we can use in our future remanufacturing activities.  Such deposit is not recognized as revenue but rather carried as a core liability. The liability is extinguished when a core is actually returned to us. We estimate and record provisions for cash discounts, quantity rebates, sales returns and warranties in the period the sale is recorded, based upon our prior experience and current trends. As described below, significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in estimating sales returns and allowances relating to revenue recognized in any accounting period.

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Where appropriate, standard cost systems are utilized for purposes of determining cost; the standards are adjusted as necessary to ensure they approximate actual costs. Estimates of lower of cost or market value of inventory are determined at the reporting unit level and are based upon the inventory at that location taken as a whole. These estimates are based upon current economic conditions, historical sales quantities and patterns and, in some cases, the specific risk of loss on specifically identified inventories.

We also evaluate inventories on a regular basis to identify inventory on hand that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future projected market demand. For inventory deemed to be obsolete, we provide a reserve on the full value of the inventory. Inventory that is in excess of current and projected use is reduced by an allowance to a level that approximates our estimate of future demand.
 
 
40

 

We utilize cores (used parts) in our remanufacturing processes for air conditioning compressors. The production of air conditioning compressors involves the rebuilding of used cores, which we acquire generally either in outright purchases or from returns pursuant to an exchange program with customers.  Under such exchange programs, we reduce our inventory, through a charge to cost of sales, when we sell a finished good compressor, and put back to inventory at standard cost through a credit to cost of sales the used core exchanged at the time it is eventually received from the customer.

Sales Returns and Other Allowances and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We must make estimates of potential future product returns related to current period product revenue. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and other allowances. Significant judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and other allowances in any accounting period. At December 31, 2010, the allowance for sales returns was $23.2 million.  Similarly, we must make estimates of the uncollectability of our accounts receivables. We specifically analyze accounts receivable and analyze historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment terms when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. At December 31, 2010, the allowance for doubtful accounts and for discounts was $6.8 million.

New Customer Acquisition Costs . New customer acquisition costs refer to arrangements pursuant to which we incur change-over costs to induce a new customer to switch from a competitor’s brand. In addition, change-over costs include the costs related to removing the new customer’s inventory and replacing it with Standard Motor Products inventory commonly referred to as a stocklift.  New customer acquisition costs are recorded as a reduction to revenue when incurred.

Accounting for Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income, and to the extent we believe that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be recovered, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or increase or decrease this allowance in a period, we must include an expense or recovery, respectively, within the tax provision in the statement of operations.

We maintain valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred asset will not be realized.  In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, we evaluate factors such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods and tax strategies. Management considers all positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the deferred tax asset. We consider cumulative losses in recent years as well as the impact of one time events in assessing our core pretax earnings.  Assumptions regarding future taxable income require significant judgment. Our assumptions are consistent with estimates and plans used to manage our business which includes restructuring and integration initiatives which are expected to generate significant savings in future periods.

At December 31, 2010, we had a valuation allowance of $29.5 million, due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize some of our deferred tax assets. The assessment of the adequacy of our valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable.
 
 
41

 
 
In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, or we adjust these estimates in future periods for current trends or expected changes in our estimating assumptions, we may need to modify the level of valuation allowance which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, we recognize in our financial statements only those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not-recognition threshold. We establish tax reserves for uncertain tax positions that do not meet this threshold. Interest and penalties associated with income tax matters are included in the provision for income taxes in our consolidated statement of operations.

Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill. At acquisition, we estimate and record the fair value of purchased intangible assets, which primarily consists of trademarks and trade names, patents and customer relationships.  The fair values of these intangible assets are estimated based on our assessment.  Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations.  Goodwill and certain other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not amortized to earnings, but instead are subject to periodic testing for impairment.  Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over their remaining useful lives.

We assess the impairment of long-lived and identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  With respect to goodwill, we test for impairment of goodwill of a reporting unit on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  Factors we consider important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following: (a) significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and (c) significant negative industry or economic trends. We review the fair values of each of our reporting units using the discounted cash flows method and market multiples.

To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit; we are required to perform a second step, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired.  In this step, we compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as product discontinuance, plant closures, product dispositions or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In addition, identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis.  In reviewing for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the assets fair value and their carrying value.

There are inherent assumptions and estimates used in developing future cash flows requiring our judgment in applying these assumptions and estimates to the analysis of identifiable intangibles and long-lived asset impairment including projecting revenues, interest rates, tax rates and the cost of capital.  Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods.  These changes can result in future impairments.  In the event our planning assumptions were modified resulting in impairment to our assets, we would be required to include an expense in our statement of operations, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
 
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Retirement and Postretirement Medical Benefits.   Each year, we calculate the costs of providing retiree benefits under the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 712, “Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits” and Accounting Standards Codification 715, “Retirement Benefits.”  The determination of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan obligations and their associated costs requires the use of actuarial computations to estimate participant plan benefits the employees will be entitled to.  The key assumptions used in making these calculations are the eligibility criteria of participants, the discount rate used to value the future obligation, and expected return on plan assets.  The discount rate reflects the yields available on high-quality, fixed-rate debt securities.  The expected return on assets is based on our current review of the long-term returns on assets held by the plans, which is influenced by historical averages.

Share-Based Compensation.   Accounting Standards Codification 718 “Stock Compensation,” requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the grant date using an option-pricing model.  The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.  Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant based on historical trends in order to estimate the amount of share-based awards that will ultimately vest.  We monitor actual forfeitures for any subsequent adjustment to forfeiture rates to reflect actual forfeitures. 

Environmental Reserves.   We are subject to various U.S. federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and are involved in certain environmental remediation efforts. We estimate and accrue our liabilities resulting from such matters based upon a variety of factors including the assessments of environmental engineers and consultants who provide estimates of potential liabilities and remediation costs. Such estimates are not discounted to reflect the time value of money due to the uncertainty in estimating the timing of the expenditures, which may extend over several years.  Potential recoveries from insurers or other third parties of environmental remediation liabilities are recognized independently from the recorded liability, and any asset related to the recovery will be recognized only when the realization of the claim for recovery is deemed probable.

Asbestos Reserve. We are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products. In accordance with our accounting policy, our most recent actuarial study as of August 31, 2010 estimated an undiscounted liability for settlement payments, excluding legal costs and any potential recovery from insurance carriers, ranging from $25.7 million to $66.9 million for the period through 2059. As a result, in September 2010 an incremental $1.8 million provision in our discontinued operation was added to the asbestos accrual increasing the reserve to approximately $25.7 million as of that date. Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments was more likely than any other and, therefore, recorded the low end of the range as the liability associated with future settlement payments through 2059 in our consolidated financial statements.  In addition, according to the updated study, legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operation, are estimated to range from $20.3 million to $61.3 million during the same period.  We will continue to perform an annual actuarial analysis during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future.  Based on this analysis and all other available information, we will continue to reassess the recorded liability and, if deemed necessary, record an adjustment to the reserve, which will be reflected as a loss or gain from discontinued operation.  The aforementioned estimated settlement payments and legal costs do not reflect any limited coverage that we may obtain pursuant to agreements with insurance carriers for certain asbestos-related claims.

Other Loss Reserves. We have other loss exposures, for such matters as product liability and litigation. Establishing loss reserves for these matters requires the use of estimates and judgment of risk exposure and ultimate liability. We estimate losses using consistent and appropriate methods; however, changes to our assumptions could materially affect our recorded liabilities for loss.

 
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, we adopted certain provisions of a new accounting standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  On January 1, 2009, we adopted the remaining provisions of this accounting standard as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.  The adoption of this standard as it related to certain non-financial assets and liabilities did not impact our consolidated financial statements in any material respect.

On June 30, 2009, we adopted the accounting pronouncement issued in April 2009 that provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with the accounting standard for fair value measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased.   This pronouncement stated that when quoted market prices may not be determinative of fair value, a reporting entity shall consider the reasonableness of a range of fair value estimates.  The adoption of this standard as it related to inactive markets did not impact our consolidated financial statements in any material respect.

On March 31, 2010, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements that requires companies to enhance the usefulness of fair value measurements by requiring both the disaggregation of information in certain existing disclosures, as well as the inclusion of more robust disclosures about valuation techniques and inputs to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.  The adoption of this standard will impact how we disclose in the future any material transfers into and out of Level 1 (measurements based on quoted prices in active markets) and Level 2 inputs (measurements based on other observable inputs) of the fair value hierarchy.  There were no such transfers in 2010.

Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, which will update Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition , and changes the accounting for certain revenue arrangements.  The new standard sets forth requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable to be based on the relative selling price.   ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in the fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which for us is January 1, 2011.  The adoption of these provisions did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 
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ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign currency exchange and interest rates. These exposures are actively monitored by management. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is due to certain costs, revenues and borrowings being denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiary’s functional currency. Similarly, we are exposed to market risk as the result of changes in interest rates which may affect the cost of our financing. It is our policy and practice to use derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to manage exposures. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Exchange Rate Risk

We have exchange rate exposure primarily with respect to the Canadian dollar, the British Pound, the Euro, the Polish zloty, the Mexican Peso and the Hong Kong dollar.  As of December 31, 2010, our monetary assets and liabilities which are subject to this exposure are immaterial, therefore, the potential immediate loss to us that would result from a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows.  This sensitivity analysis assumes an unfavorable 10% fluctuation in the exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies in which monetary assets and liabilities are denominated and does not take into account the offsetting effect of such a change on our foreign-currency denominated revenues.

Interest Rate Risk

We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt in our debt portfolio. To manage a portion of our exposure to interest rate changes, we have in the past entered into interest rate swap agreements.

At December 31, 2010, we had approximately $65.6 million in loans and financing outstanding, of which approximately $12.7 million bear interest at fixed interest rates and approximately $52.9 million bear interest at variable rates of interest. We invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term investments. Our percentage of variable rate debt to total debt was 80.6% and 76.5% at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Depending upon the level of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our excess cash, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rate may have an approximate $0.7 million negative impact on our earnings or cash flows.
 
 
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ITEM 8.                  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
Page No.
   
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
47
   
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
48
   
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms—Consolidated Financial Statements
49
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
51
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009
52
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
53
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008
54
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
55

 
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MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

To the Stockholders
Standard Motor Products, Inc.:

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.

All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Because of these inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation, and may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

We assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework. Based on our assessment using those criteria, we concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 and has also audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010.  KPMG’s report appears on the following pages of this “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
 
 
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM—
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER REPORTING
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries’ (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010, and our report dated March 9, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial statement schedule.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
March 9, 2011
 
 
48

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM—CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010.  In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the consolidated financial statement schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts. These consolidated   financial statements and the accompanying consolidated financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated   financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated   financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated   financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 9, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
New York, New York
March 9, 2011

 
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM—CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Standard Motor Products, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (a New York corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
New York, New York
March 11, 2010 (except for Note 1, Immaterial Correction Related to Prior Periods , and Note 17, Industry Segment and Geographic Data , as to which the date is March 9, 2011)
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands,
except share and per share data)
 
Net   sales
  $ 810,910     $ 735,424     $ 775,241  
Cost of sales
    603,304       558,200       591,085  
Gross profit
    207,606       177,224       184,156  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    159,433       146,642       166,199  
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge
            39,387  
Restructuring and integration expenses
    3,502       7,386       16,858  
Other income (expense), net
    2,122       (5,565 )     21,451  
Operating income (loss)
    46,793       17,631       (16,837 )
Other non-operating income, net (Note 15)
    425       3,584       1,219  
Interest expense
    7,127       9,215       13,585  
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
    40,091       12,000       (29,203 )
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
    15,391       6,094       (8,105 )
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
    24,700       5,906       (21,098 )
Loss from discontinued operation, net of income tax benefit of $1,826, $1,615 and $1,198
    (2,740 )     (2,423 )     (1,796 )
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 21,960     $ 3,483     $ (22,894 )
Net earnings (loss) per common share – Basic:
                       
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 1.10     $ 0.31     $ (1.14 )
Discontinued operation
    (0.13 )     (0.13 )     (0.10 )
Net earnings (loss) per common share – Basic
  $ 0.97     $ 0.18     $ (1.24 )
Net earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted:
                       
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
  $ 1.09     $ 0.31     $ (1.14 )
Discontinued operation
    (0.12 )     (0.13 )     (0.10 )
Net earnings (loss) per common share – Diluted
  $ 0.97     $ 0.18     $ (1.24 )
Average number of common shares
    22,556,858       19,340,672       18,500,229  
Average number of common shares and dilutive common shares
    22,634,062       19,388,771       18,531,148  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands,
except share data)
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,135     $ 10,618  
Accounts receivable, less allowances for discounts and doubtful accounts of $6,779 and $6,962 in 2010 and 2009, respectively
    104,986       124,823  
Inventories, net
    241,158       199,752  
Deferred income taxes
    18,135       18,129  
Assets held for sale
    216       1,405  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    8,076       9,487  
Total current assets
    384,706       364,214  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    60,666       61,478  
Goodwill
    1,437       1,437  
Other intangibles, net
    11,050       12,368  
Deferred incomes taxes
    21,347       29,542  
Other assets
    13,595       15,420  
Total assets
  $ 492,801     $ 484,459  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Notes payable
  $ 52,887     $ 58,430  
Current portion of long-term debt
    12,402       67  
Accounts payable
    49,919       54,381  
Sundry payables and accrued expenses
    29,280       24,114  
Accrued customer returns
    23,207       20,442  
Accrued rebates
    23,668       25,276  
Payroll and commissions
    23,468       21,913  
Total current liabilities
    214,831       204,623  
Long-term debt
    307       12,569  
Debt to related parties
 
      5,339  
Accrued postretirement benefits
    21,044       19,355  
Other accrued liabilities
    21,944       23,821  
Accrued asbestos liabilities
    24,792       24,874  
Total liabilities
    282,918       290,581  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Stockholders’ equity:                
Common Stock - par value $2.00 per share:
               
Authorized 30,000,000 shares, issued 23,936,036 shares in 2010 and 2009     47,872        47,872   
Capital in excess of par value
    77,471       77,238  
Retained earnings
    97,535       80,083  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    716       5,475  
Treasury stock - at cost (1,276,044 and 1,562,649 shares in 2010 and 2009, respectively)
    (13,711 )     (16,790 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    209,883       193,878  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 492,801     $ 484,459  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
52

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                 
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 21,960     $ 3,483     $ (22,894 )
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    13,574       14,354       14,700  
Increase to allowance for doubtful accounts
    502       946       1,874  
Increase to inventory reserves
    7,403       6,410       3,747  
Loss from sale of European distribution business
    79       6,608        
Gain on sale of buildings
    (1,048 )     (1,048 )     (21,845 )
Loss on defeasance of mortgage loan
                1,444  
Gain on repurchase of convertible debentures
          (40 )     (3,981 )
Gain on sale of investment
          (2,336 )      
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    (1,153 )     25       930  
Loss on impairment of assets
                39,696  
Equity loss (income) from joint ventures
    (97 )     (274 )     319  
Employee stock ownership plan allocation
    1,633       341       1,595  
Stock-based compensation
    1,494       914       880  
Decrease (increase) in deferred income taxes
    8,541       (2,335 )     (3,894 )
Decrease in unrecognized tax benefit
    (1,084 )            
Increase (decrease) in tax valuation allowance
    (353 )     2,748       232  
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
    2,740       2,423       1,796  
Change in assets and liabilities:
                       
Decrease in accounts receivable
    19,336       40,870       28,170  
Decrease (increase) in inventories
    (47,952 )     29,830       18,240  
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (702 )     3,341       (2,223 )
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    (1,542 )     (12,952 )     5,341  
Increase (decrease) in sundry payables and accrued expenses
    7,975       13,703       (11,121 )
Net changes in other assets and liabilities
    (3,228 )     (4,715 )     (5,870 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    28,078       102,296       47,136  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
    11       73       73  
Net cash received from the sale of buildings
    2,559             37,341  
Net proceeds from sale of European distribution business
          824        
Capital expenditures
    (10,806 )     (7,174 )     (10,500 )
Divestiture of joint ventures
    2,372       4,000        
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock investment
          3,896        
Acquisitions of businesses and assets
    (2,024 )     (12,770 )     (4,850 )
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
    (7,888 )     (11,151 )     22,064  
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net borrowings (repayments) under line-of-credit agreements
    (5,543 )     (88,467 )     (8,907 )
Issuance of common stock
          27,509        
Defeasance of mortgage loan
                (7,755 )
Repurchase of convertible debentures
          (433 )     (40,867 )
Principal payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
    (5,421 )     (32,172 )     (574 )
Issuance of unsecured promissory notes
          5,339        
Increase (decrease) in overdraft balances
    (2,920 )     56       (1,413 )
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options
    52       456        
Excess tax benefits related to the exercise of employee stock grants
    97       (49 )      
Adjustment to costs related to issuance of common stock
    36              
Payments of debt issuance costs
    (1,206 )     (3,716 )     (2,203 )
Dividends paid
    (4,508 )           (6,653 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (19,413 )     (91,477 )     (68,372 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    740       4,342       (7,481 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,517       4,010       (6,653 )
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of year
    10,618       6,608       13,261  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of year
  $ 12,135     $ 10,618     $ 6,608  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the year for:
                       
Interest
  $ 5,387     $ 10,416     $ 14,349  
Income taxes
  $ 2,173     $ 2,245     $ 3,880  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
53

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
 
   
Common
Stock
   
Capital in 
Excess of
Par Value
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Treasury
Stock
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
     
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2007
  $ 40,972     $ 59,220     $ 106,147     $ 5,546     $ (23,521 )   $ 188,364  
Comprehensive Loss:
                                               
Net loss
                    (22,894 )                     (22,894 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            (8,973 )             (8,973 )
Pension and retiree medical Adjustment, net of tax
                            11,226               11,226  
Total comprehensive loss
                                            (20,641 )
Cash dividends paid ($0.36 per share)
                    (6,653 )                     (6 ,653 )
Stock-based compensation
            169                       711       880  
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
            (548 )                     2,143       1,595  
                                                 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2008
    40,972       58,841       76,600       7,799       (20,667 )     163,545  
Comprehensive Income:
                                               
Net income
                    3,483                       3,483  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            1,209               1,209  
Pension and retiree medical Adjustment, net of tax
                            (3,533 )             (3,533 )
Total comprehensive income
                                            1,159  
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
    6,900       20,609                               27,509  
Stock-based  compensation and related tax benefits
            (615 )                     1,464       849  
Stock options and related tax benefits
            87                       388       475  
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
            (1,684 )                     2,025       341  
                                                 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2009
    47,872       77,238       80,083       5,475       (16,790 )     193,878  
Comprehensive Income:
                                               
Net income
                    21,960                       21,960  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            775               775  
Pension and retiree medical Adjustment, net of tax
                            (5,534 )             (5,534 )
Total comprehensive income
                                            17,201  
Cash dividends paid ($0.20 per share)
                    (4,508 )                     (4,508 )
Adjustment to costs related to issuance of common stock
            36                               36  
Stock-based compensation and related tax benefits
            440                       1,149       1,589  
Stock options and related tax benefits
            6                       48       54  
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
            (249 )                     1,882       1,633  
                                                 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2010
  $ 47,872     $ 77,471     $ 97,535     $ 716     $ (13,711 )   $ 209,883  
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 
 
54

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Standard Motor Products, Inc. (referred to hereinafter in these notes to consolidated financial statements as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is engaged in the manufacture and distribution of replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and all subsidiaries in which we have more than a 50% equity ownership. Our investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for on the equity method, as we do not have a controlling financial interest.  All significant inter-company items have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

In conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements. Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, valuation of inventory, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, product liability exposures, pensions and other postretirement benefits, asbestos, environmental and litigation matters, valuation of deferred tax assets, share based compensation and sales returns and other allowances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 presentation.  In connection with the sale of our European distribution business, we reclassified the operations of our Poland manufacturing facility from our European Segment to our Engine Management Segment.

Immaterial Correction Related to Prior Periods
 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, we identified an immaterial correction related to our classification in the consolidated statements of operations of gains/losses on the sale of long-lived assets. We determined that in accounting for such gains/losses, although there is no effect on net income (loss) or on income (loss) from continuing operations, we did not properly classify such amounts within operating income, as required by paragraph 360-10-45-5 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification . We reviewed the impact of this correction on the prior periods in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, “Materiality,” and determined that the correction was not material to the prior periods.  However, we have adjusted the following amounts within continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 increasing other non-operating income (expense) net, and decreasing other income, net and operating income (loss) by $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 and decreasing other non-operating income (expense) net, and increasing other income, net and operating income (loss) by $21.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Such correction was limited to classification within continuing operations on the consolidated statements of operations and did not impact the consolidated balance sheet, consolidated statements of cash flows or the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss).   See Notes 4, 5 and 15 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 
55

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Cash Discounts

We do not generally require collateral for our trade accounts receivable.  Accounts receivable have been reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future.  These allowances are established based on a combination of write-off history, aging analysis, and specific account evaluations.   When a receivable balance is known to be uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.  Cash discounts are provided based on an overall average experience rate applied to qualifying accounts receivable balances.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined by means of the first-in, first-out method) or market. Inventories are reduced by an allowance for excess and obsolete inventories, based on our review of on-hand inventories. We provided for an inventory reserve of $38.6 million and $36.3 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

We use cores (used parts) in our remanufacturing processes for air conditioning compressors. The production of air conditioning compressors involves the rebuilding of used cores, which we acquire either in outright purchases from used parts brokers, or from returns pursuant to an exchange program with customers.  Under such exchange programs, we reduce our inventory, through a charge to cost of sales, when we sell a finished good compressor, and put back to inventory the used core exchanged at standard cost through a credit to cost of sales when it is actually received from the customer.

Property, Plant and Equipment

These assets are recorded at historical cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method of depreciation over the estimated useful lives as follows:

 
Estimated Life
Buildings and improvements
25 to 33-1/2 years
Building refurbishments
10 years
Machinery and equipment
7 to 12 years
Tools, dies and auxiliary equipment
3 to 8 years
Furniture and fixtures
3 to 12 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease.  Costs related to maintenance and repairs which do not prolong the assets useful lives are expensed as incurred.  We assess our property, plant and equipment to be held and used for impairment when indicators are present that the carrying value may not be recoverable.
 
 
56

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Goodwill, Other Intangible and Long-Lived Assets

At acquisition, we estimate and record the fair value of purchased intangible assets, which primarily consists of trademarks and trade names, patents and customer relationships.  The fair values of these intangible assets are estimated based on management’s assessment and in certain instances with the assistance of an independent valuation firm.  Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations.  Goodwill and certain other intangible assets having indefinite lives are not amortized to earnings, but instead are subject to periodic testing for impairment.  Intangible assets determined to have definite lives are amortized over their remaining useful lives.

We assess the impairment of long-lived and identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  With respect to goodwill, we test for impairment of goodwill of a reporting unit on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that may indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.  Factors we consider important, which could trigger an impairment review, include the following: (a) significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results; (b) significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business; and (c) significant negative industry or economic trends. We review the fair values of each of our reporting units using the discounted cash flows method and market multiples.

To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit; we are required to perform a second step, as this is an indication that the reporting unit goodwill may be impaired.  In this step, we compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of the reporting unit goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets (recognized and unrecognized) and liabilities of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Intangible and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events such as product discontinuance, plant closures, product dispositions or other changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  In addition, identifiable intangible assets having indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis.  In reviewing for impairment, we compare the carrying value of such assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the assets fair value and their carrying value.

There are inherent assumptions and estimates used in developing future cash flows requiring our judgment in applying these assumptions and estimates to the analysis of identifiable intangibles and long-lived asset impairment including projecting revenues, interest rates, tax rates and the cost of capital.  Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside our control and it is reasonably likely that assumptions and estimates will change in future periods.  These changes can result in future impairments.  In the event our planning assumptions were modified resulting in impairment to our assets, we would be required to include an expense in our statement of operations, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

New Customer Acquisition Costs

New customer acquisition costs refer to arrangements pursuant to which we incur change-over costs to induce a new customer to switch from a competitor’s brand. In addition, change-over costs include the costs related to removing the new customer’s inventory and replacing it with our inventory commonly referred to as a stocklift. New customer acquisition costs are recorded as a reduction to revenue when incurred.
 
 
57

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of our foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates.  Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during the year.  The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and remains there until the underlying foreign operation is liquidated or substantially disposed of.  Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recorded in the statement of operations under the caption “other non-operating income, net.”

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenues when products are shipped and title has been transferred to a customer, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. For some of our sales of remanufactured products, we also charge our customers a deposit for the return of a used core component which we can use in our future remanufacturing activities.  Such deposit is not recognized as revenue but rather carried as a core liability. The liability is extinguished when a core is actually returned to us. We estimate and record provisions for cash discounts, quantity rebates, sales returns and warranties in the period the sale is recorded, based upon our prior experience and current trends.

Selling, General and Administration Expenses

Selling, general and administration expenses includes shipping costs and advertising, which are expensed as incurred. Shipping and handling charges, as well as freight to customers, are included in distribution expenses as part of selling, general and administration expenses.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent costs incurred in conjunction with our debt financing activities and are capitalized in other assets and amortized over the life of the related financing arrangements through 2014.  If the debt is retired early, the related unamortized deferred financing costs are written off in the period the debt is retired and are recorded in the statement of operations under the caption other non-operating income, net.

Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

The determination of defined benefit pension and postretirement plan obligations and their associated expenses requires the use of actuarial valuations to estimate the benefits the employees earn while working as well as the present value of those benefits.  Inherent in these valuations are financial assumptions including expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities can be settled, rates of increase of health care costs as well as employee demographic assumptions such as retirement patterns, mortality and turnover.  Management reviews these assumptions annually with its actuarial advisors.  The actuarial assumptions used may differ materially from actual results due to changing market and economic conditions, higher or lower turnover rates or longer or shorter life spans of participants.  Benefits are determined primarily based upon employees’ length of service.  We recognize the underfunded or overfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity.
 
 
58

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Income Taxes

Income taxes are calculated using the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by the current enacted tax rates.

We maintain valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred asset will not be realized.  The valuation allowance is intended in part to provide for the uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of our U.S. capital loss carryforwards, U.S. foreign tax credit carryovers, and foreign net operating loss carry forwards.  In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, we consider all positive and negative evidence and all sources of taxable income such as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods and tax strategies to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to realize the deferred tax asset.  The assessment of the adequacy of our valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction in which we operate and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable.  In the event that actual results differ from these estimates, or we adjust these estimates in future periods for current trends or expected changes in our estimating assumptions, we may need to modify the level of valuation allowance which could materially impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority.  For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority.  The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available.  Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by management.  While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded as income tax expense.

Net Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

We present two calculations of earnings (loss) per common share. “Basic” earnings (loss) per common share equals net income (loss) divided by weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. “Diluted” earnings (loss) per common share equals net income (loss) divided by the sum of weighted average common shares outstanding during the period plus potentially dilutive common shares. Potentially dilutive common shares that are anti-dilutive are excluded from net earnings (loss) per common share. The following is a reconciliation of the shares used in calculating basic and dilutive net earnings (loss) per common share.

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Basic
    22,557       19,341       18,500  
Plus incremental shares from assumed conversions:
                       
Dilutive effect of restricted stock
    77       48       31  
Dilutive effect of stock options
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted
    22,634       19,389       18,531  
 
 
59

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
The average shares listed below were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented or because they were excluded under the treasury method.

   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Stock options and restricted shares
    449       504       640  
6.75% Convertible debentures
          668       2,423  
15% Convertible debentures
    820       539        

Environmental Reserves

We are subject to various U.S. federal and state and local environmental laws and regulations and are involved in certain environmental remediation efforts. We estimate and accrue our liabilities resulting from such matters based upon a variety of factors including the assessments of environmental engineers and consultants who provide estimates of potential liabilities and remediation costs. Such estimates are not discounted to reflect the time value of money due to the uncertainty in estimating the timing of the expenditures, which may extend over several years.  Potential recoveries from insurers or other third parties of environmental remediation liabilities are recognized independently from the recorded liability, and any asset related to the recovery will be recognized only when the realization of the claim for recovery is deemed probable.

Asbestos Litigation

In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we use an actuarial study that is prepared by a leading actuarial firm with expertise in assessing asbestos-related liabilities.  We evaluate the estimate of the range of undiscounted liability to determine which amount to accrue. If there is no amount within the range of settlement payments that is more likely than any other, we record the low end of the range as the liability associated with future settlement payments. Legal costs are expensed as incurred.

Loss Contingencies
 
When it is probable that a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we establish a reserve based on management’s judgment as to the likelihood of a range of amounts needed to pay damages in the future for events that have already occurred.  We maintain an ongoing monitoring and identification process to assess how the activities are progressing against the accrued estimated costs.  Adjustments to the liabilities are recorded in the statement of operations in the period when additional information becomes available that affects our estimate of costs or payments to be made.
 
Product Warranty
 
We establish a provision for estimated expenses related to product warranties at the time products are sold.  These estimates are established using historical information on the nature, frequency and average cost of claims.  Revision to the reserves for estimated product warranties is made when necessary, based upon changes in these factors.  We regularly study trends of such claims.
 
 
60

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Trade Receivables

In compliance with accounting standards, sales of accounts receivable are reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale and any related expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable. We place our cash investments with high quality financial institutions and limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. Although we are directly affected by developments in the vehicle parts industry, management does not believe significant credit risk exists.

With respect to accounts receivable, such receivables are primarily from warehouse distributors and major retailers in the automotive aftermarket industry located in the United States. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions.  Our five largest individual customers, including members of a marketing group, accounted for 66% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2009, and 53% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.  During 2010, three of our customers (NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Automotive) each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated sales and, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 56.8% of our consolidated sales.  The loss of one or more of these customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them, could have a materially adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Substantially all of the cash and cash equivalents, including foreign cash balances, at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were uninsured.  Foreign cash balances at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $11.9 million and $9.5 million, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Fair Value Measurements

On January 1, 2008, we adopted certain provisions of a new accounting standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  On January 1, 2009, we adopted the remaining provisions of this accounting standard as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis.  The adoption of this standard as it related to certain non-financial assets and liabilities did not impact our consolidated financial statements in any material respect.

On June 30, 2009, we adopted the accounting pronouncement issued in April 2009 that provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with the accounting standard for fair value measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased.   This pronouncement stated that when quoted market prices may not be determinative of fair value, a reporting entity shall consider the reasonableness of a range of fair value estimates.  The adoption of this standard as it related to inactive markets did not impact our consolidated financial statements in any material respect.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
On March 31, 2010, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-06, Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements that requires companies to enhance the usefulness of fair value measurements by requiring both the disaggregation of information in certain existing disclosures, as well as the inclusion of more robust disclosures about valuation techniques and inputs to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements.  The adoption of this standard will impact how we disclose in the future any material transfers into and out of Level 1 (measurements based on quoted prices in active markets) and Level 2 inputs (measurements based on other observable inputs) of the fair value hierarchy.  There were no such transfers in 2010.

Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, which will update Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition , and changes the accounting for certain revenue arrangements.  The new standard sets forth requirements that must be met for an entity to recognize revenue from the sale of a delivered item that is part of a multiple-element arrangement when other items have not yet been delivered and requires the allocation of arrangement consideration to each deliverable to be based on the relative selling price.   ASU 2009-13 is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in the fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, which for us is January 1, 2011.  The adoption of these provisions did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

2.
Restructuring and Integration Costs
 
The aggregated liabilities included in “sundry payables and accrued expenses” and “other accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet relating to the restructuring and integration activities as of and activity for years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 12,751     $ 2,956     $ 15,707  
Restructuring and integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    3,686       3,700       7,386  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (3,003 )     (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
    (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (7,651 )     (1,682 )     (9,333 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 8,774     $ 1,971     $ 10,745  
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,824       1,678       3,502  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (181 )     (181 )
Cash payments
    (4,378 )     (1,033 )     (5,411 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $ 6,220     $ 2,435     $ 8,655  

Restructuring Costs

Voluntary Separation Program

During 2008 as part of an initiative to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, and to reduce costs in light of economic conditions, we implemented certain organizational changes and offered eligible employees a voluntary separation package.  The restructuring accrual relates to severance and other retiree benefit enhancements to be paid through 2015.  Of the original restructuring charge of $8 million, we have $2.2 million remaining as of December 31, 2010 that is expected to be paid in the amounts of $1.0 million in 2011, $0.5 million in 2012 and $0.7 million for the period 2013-2015.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Activity, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to the voluntary separation program, consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Other
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 3,736     $ 1,000     $ 3,295     $ 8,031  
Restructuring costs:
                               
Amounts provided for during 2009
    (202 )     327             125  
Cash payments
    (2,139 )     (942 )     (1,873 )     (4,954 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 1,395     $ 385     $ 1,422     $ 3,202  
Restructuring costs:
                               
Amounts provided for during 2010
                       
Cash payments
    (425 )     (64 )     (507 )     (996 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $ 970     $ 321     $ 915     $ 2,206  

Integration Expenses

Overhead Cost Reduction Program

Beginning in 2007 in connection with our efforts to improve our operating efficiency and reduce costs, we announced our intention to focus on company-wide overhead and operating expense cost reduction activities, such as closing excess facilities and reducing redundancies.  Integration expenses under this program to date relate primarily to the integration of operations to our facilities in Mexico, the closure and consolidation of our distribution operations in Reno, Nevada, the closure of our production operations in Edwardsville, Kansas, Wilson, North Carolina, Corona, California and Hong Kong, China.  We expect that all payments related to the current liability will be made within twelve months.

Activity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to our overhead cost reduction program consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 1,117     $ 727     $ 1,844  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    2,187       2,863       5,050  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (3,003 )     (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
    (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (1,945 )     (587 )     (2,532 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2009
  $ 1,347     $     $ 1,347  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,815       1,509       3,324  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
          (181 )     (181 )
Cash payments
    (2,309 )     (642 )     (2,951 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $ 853     $ 686     $ 1,539  
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Wire and Cable Relocation

As a result of our acquisition during 2009 of a wire and cable business and the relocation of certain machinery and equipment to our Reynosa, Mexico manufacturing facility, integration costs were incurred related to employee severance and equipment relocation.  As of December 31, 2010, all such costs have been fully paid.

   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $     $     $  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    803       415       1,218  
Cash payments
    (271 )     (415 )     (686 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 532     $     $ 532  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
          131       131  
Cash payments
    (532 )     (131 )     (663 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $     $     $  

Reynosa Integration Program

During 2008, we closed our Long Island City, New York and Puerto Rico manufacturing facilities and integrated these operations in Reynosa, Mexico.  In connection with the shutdown of the manufacturing operations at Long Island City, we incurred severance costs and costs associated with equipment removal, capital expenditures and environmental clean-up.  As of December 31, 2010, the reserve balance related to environmental clean-up at Long Island City of $1.8 million is included in other exit costs.

In connection with the shutdown of the manufacturing operations at Long Island City, we entered into an agreement with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and its Local 365 (“UAW”).  As part of the agreement, we incurred a withdrawal liability from a multi-employer plan.  The pension plan withdrawal liability is related to trust asset under-performance in a plan that covers our former UAW employees at the Long Island City facility and is payable quarterly for 20 years at $0.3 million per year, which commenced in December 2008.  As of December 31, 2010, the reserve balance related to the pension withdrawal liability of $3.1 million is included in the workforce reduction reserve.

Activity for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010 related to the Reynosa integration program, consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 3,603     $ 2,229     $ 5,832  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    571       422       993  
Cash payments
    (481 )     (680 )     (1,161 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2009
  $ 3,693     $ 1,971     $ 5,664  
Integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    9       38       47  
Cash payments
    (541 )     (260 )     (801 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $ 3,161     $ 1,749     $ 4,910  
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Integration activity, by segment, for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2010  related to our aggregate integration programs consisted of the following (in thousands):

   
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
European
   
Other
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2008
  $ 7,363     $     $ 15     $ 298     $ 7,676  
Integration costs:
                                       
Amounts provided for during 2009
    5,622       474       1,165             7,261  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
    (1,987 )           (1,016 )           (3,003 )
Liabilities related to assets sold
                (12 )           (12 )
Cash payments
    (3,981 )     (110 )     (152 )     (136 )     (4,379 )
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2009
  $ 7,017     $ 364     $     $ 162     $ 7,543  
Integration costs:
                                       
Amounts provided for during 2010
    1,931       1,571                   3,502  
Non-cash usage, including asset write-downs
    (99 )     (82 )                 (181 )
Cash payments
    (3,269 )     (984 )           (162 )     (4,415 )
Exit activity liability at December 31 , 2010
  $ 5,580     $ 869     $     $     $ 6,449  

Assets Held for Sale

As of December 31, 2010, we have reported $0.2 million as assets held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet related to the net book value of vacant land located in the U.K.  Following plant closures resulting from integration activities, this facility had been vacant, and we have solicited bids for the sale of such property.  We will record any resulting gain or loss in other income (expense), net included in operating income (loss) in the consolidated statement of operations, when a sale occurs.  In January 2010, we sold our Wilson, North Carolina property; in February 2010, we sold vacant land at one of our locations in the U.K.; and in September 2010, we sold our Reno, Nevada property.

3.
Sale of Receivables

From time to time, we sell undivided interests in certain of our receivables to financial institutions.  We enter these agreements at our discretion when we determined that the cost of factoring is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt.  Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $430.1 million and $212.9 million of receivables for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale.  As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.  A charge in the amount of $6.4 million, $3 million and $1.2 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
4.
Sale of European Distribution Business

In November 2009, we sold our European distribution business to the managers of the business for £1.8 million ($3.0 million) in cash and a promissory note and approximately £1.4 million ($2.3 million) in assumed debt.  In connection with the sale, we retained our manufacturing operation in Poland, certain land available for sale in the United Kingdom, and a small investment is a joint venture.  The third-party owned European operations will continue to buy manufactured product from our facility in Poland and from our domestic operations through two separate supply agreements.  As such, we are expected to receive significant continuing cash flows as a result of a continuation of activities between us and the disposed business (the European operations), and therefore the European operations results of operations have not been presented as a discontinued operation.  Additionally, in consideration for continued management oversight of the manufacturing operations in Poland, we granted to the buyers of the business an option exercisable any time on or before December 31, 2013 to purchase 20% of the outstanding voting shares of SMP Poland with the exercise price determined based upon the net values of Poland as of December 31, 2009.  At any time after the date of exercise and payment of the exercise price of the option, the managers of the business shall be entitled to require us to purchase all of the common shares underlying the option.  The pre-tax loss from the sale of $6.6 million, which includes realization of cumulative foreign currency translation losses of $3.7 million, is included in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.  Proceeds from the sale were used to pay down debt.

5.
Sale of Long Island City, New York Property

In March 2008, we completed the sale of our property located at 37-18 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, New York and entered into a Lease Agreement with the purchaser whereby we would lease space at the property.  The purchase price for the property was $40.6 million with the proceeds used to reduce debt.  The initial term of the lease is ten years and contains four 5-year renewal options.

The sale has been recorded as a sale and leaseback transaction.  As our retention rights to the property will be more than minor but less than substantially all, a portion of the gain has been deferred.  The total gain from the sale of the property was $31.6 million, of which $21.1 million was recognized upon closing with the balance of the gain of $10.5 million deferred to be recognized on a straight line basis over the initial term of the lease of ten years.  In connection with the closing, we have defeased the existing mortgage loan on the property of $7.8 million which resulted in a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1.4 million, consisting of fees and expenses of $1 million and the write-off of deferred finance costs of $0.4 million.  The gain on the sale of the property is included in other income (expense), net in operating income (loss) and the loss on extinguishment of debt is included in other non-operating income, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

6.
Inventories

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Finished goods, net
  $ 162,885     $ 130,054  
Work in process, net
    5,672       4,472  
Raw materials, net
    72,601       65,226  
Total inventories, net
  $ 241,158     $ 199,752  

 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
7.
Property, Plant and Equipment

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Land, buildings and improvements
  $ 39,773     $ 38,772  
Machinery and equipment
    121,681       118,238  
Tools, dies and auxiliary equipment
    29,277       27,268  
Furniture and fixtures
    22,324       25,122  
Leasehold improvements
    5,011       5,590  
Construction in progress
    4,747       6,759  
      222,813       221,749  
Less accumulated depreciation
    162,147       160,271  
Total property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 60,666     $ 61,478  

Depreciation expense was $12.4 million, $13 million, and $12.1 million for 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.

8.
Goodwill and other Intangible Assets

We assess the impairment of long-lived and identifiable intangibles assets and goodwill whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  With respect to goodwill, we test for impairment of goodwill of a reporting unit on an annual basis or in interim periods if an event occurs or circumstances change that would reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  We completed our annual impairment test of goodwill as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

The first step of the impairment analysis consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  The fair value of the Engine Management reporting unit was determined based upon the Income Approach, which estimates the fair value based on future discounted cash flows, and Market Approach, which estimates the fair value based on market prices of comparable companies.  We base our fair value estimates on projected financial information which we believe to be reasonable.  We also considered our total market capitalization as of December 31, 2010.  Our December 31, 2010 annual goodwill impairment analysis did not result in an impairment charge as it was determined that the fair value of our Engine Management reporting unit was over 40% in excess of its carrying amount.  While the fair value exceeds the carrying amount at the present time and we do not believe that impairment is probable, the performance of the business and brands require continued improvement in future periods to sustain their carrying value.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Changes in the carrying value of goodwill by operating segment during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Engine
Management
 
Balance as of December 31, 2008
     
Goodwill
    39,588  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (38,488 )
      1,100  
Activity in 2009
       
Acquisition of core sensor business
    150  
Acquisition of wire and cable business
    187  
         
Balance as of December 31, 2009
       
Goodwill
    39,925  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (38,488 )
    $ 1,437  
         
No Activity in 2010
       
         
Balance as of December 31, 2010
       
Goodwill
    39,925  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (38,488 )
    $ 1,437  

In 2008, as the carrying amount of the goodwill acquired as a result of our Dana acquisition was determined to be in excess of its respective fair value, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $38.5 million in our Engine Management Segment related to the goodwill.  Global economic and financial market conditions during the fourth quarter of 2008, including severe disruptions in credit markets and the continuing economic recession, have caused us to reduce our business outlook and revenue forecasts, thereby negatively impacting our estimates of fair value.

During 2008, we acquired the core sensor business of a third party.  The acquisition was made in steps and was completed in 2009.  The total purchase price for all production lines was $10.8 million ($4.9 million in 2008), equal to the net book value of the tangible assets purchased plus $1.25 million in cash.  Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition was $1.1 million 2008 and $150,000 in 2009.

In September 2009, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Federal-Mogul Corporation to acquire their wire and cable business for a purchase price of $6.8 million.  The purchase price exceeded the fair value of the acquired net assets and, accordingly, $0.2 million was allocated to goodwill in our consolidated balance sheet.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets include computer software.  As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, these costs totaled $15.4 million and $15.5 million, respectively, and total accumulated computer software amortization was $14.2 million and $13.6 million, respectively.  Computer software is amortized over its estimated useful life of 3 to 10 years.  Amortization expense for computer software was $1.1 million, $1.1 million, and $1.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Acquired Intangible Assets

Acquired identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 consist of:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Customer relationships
  $ 11,100     $ 11,100  
Trademarks and trade names
    5,500       5,500  
Patents and supply contracts
    723       54  
      17,323       16,654  
Less accumulated amortization (1)
    (7,398 )     (6,148 )
Net
  $ 9,925     $ 10,506  

 
(1)
Applies to all intangible assets, except for the Dana acquisition related trademarks and trade names.

In connection with the Dana acquisition in June 2003, $16.1 million was allocated to intangible assets consisting of customer relationships and trademarks and trade names; $10 million was assigned to customer relationships and will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 10 years; and the remaining $6.1 million of acquired intangible assets was assigned to trademarks and trade names, which is not subject to amortization as they were determined to have indefinite useful lives.  In connection with a decision to discontinue one of the trademarks, we recorded an impairment charge of $0.9 million in 2008.

In connection with the purchase of the Federal Mogul wire and cable business, $1.4 million was allocated to intangible assets; of which $1.1 million was assigned to customer relationships and will be amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of 20 years and $0.3 million was assigned to trademarks related to the Belden brand name which will be amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of 10 years.

During 2010, in connection with the purchase of certain product lines by our Temperature Control Segment, $0.7 million was allocated to intangible assets related to the acquisition of certain patents.  It was determined that the patents have a finite life and will be amortized on a straight line basis over the estimated useful life of 7 years.

Total amortization expense for acquired intangible assets was $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2010, $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, and $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Based on the current estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets, amortization expense for 2011 is estimated to be $1.2 million, $0.6 million in 2012, and $0.1 million annually for the years 2013 through 2015.

 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
9.
Other Assets

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Equity in joint ventures
  $ 435     $ 555  
Deferred financing costs, net
    4,922       5,647  
Long term receivables
    1,679       3,191  
Other
    6,559       6,027  
Total other assets, net
  $ 13,595     $ 15,420  
 
Included in the above caption “Other” is $6.0 million and $5.3 million of assets held in a nonqualified defined contribution pension plan for the year ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Joint Venture Operations

On December 31, 2008, we sold our equity ownership interests in our Blue Streak Electronics, Ltd. (“BSE”), Ototest, Ltd. (“Ototest”) and Testar, Ltd. (“Testar”) joint ventures to our partner and purchased the remaining ownership interest in Blue Streak Europe Ltd. (“BS Europe”) increasing our ownership interest in BS Europe to 100%.  Along with the sale of our interest in BSE, we sold certain inventory and have signed a long term transition service agreement to provide sales force support, cataloging, distribution and technology conversion services.  We sold our equity interests and inventory for $7.1 million, which approximated our net book value.  BS Europe was acquired for 1 British pound.  In November 2009, BS Europe was sold as part of the sale of our European distribution business.

Blue Streak Electronics, Ltd. was established in 1992, and until the sale in 2008 we maintained a 50% ownership interest in this joint venture.  The joint venture remanufactured on-board computers for the automobile aftermarket.  The headquarters of BSE are located in Canada and its manufacturing operations are in Tijuana, Mexico.  BSE has a fiscal year end of December 31.

Testar, Ltd. and Ototest, Ltd were established in 1995 and 2007, respectively, and until the sale in 2008 we maintained a 50% ownership interest in each of these joint ventures.  The headquarters and manufacturing facilities of Testar and Ototest are located in Israel.  The joint ventures produce software products for use in on-board computers for the automobile aftermarket.  Testar and Ototest have a fiscal year end of December 31.

The following is summarized selected financial information from our sold joint ventures through December 31, 2008, the date of their sale:

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
Aggregated Financial Information
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
(In thousands)
       
Net sales
  $     $     $ 8,641  
Costs and expenses
                10,206  
Net earnings (loss)
  $     $     $ (1,565 )

 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

As of December 31, 2010, we have a 50% equity ownership investment in a joint venture located in Europe.  Our ownership interest in this joint venture is accounted for on the equity method.  The following is summarized selected financial information from this joint venture for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008:

   
As of December 31,
 
Selected Financial Information
 
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Current assets
  $ 750     $ 2,206  
Non-current assets
    540       486  
Current liabilities
    420       1,581  
Non-current liabilities
           

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
         
(In thousands)
       
Net sales
  $ 3,427     $ 3,139     $ 3,299  
Costs and expenses
    2,990       2,725       3,255  
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 437     $ 414     $ 44  

10.
Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt

Total debt outstanding is summarized as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Revolving credit facilities (1)
  $ 52,887     $ 58,430  
15% convertible subordinated debentures
    12,300       12,300  
15% unsecured promissory notes (2)
          5,339  
Other
    409       336  
Total debt
  $ 65,596     $ 76,405  
                 
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 65,289     $ 58,497  
Long-term debt
    307       17,908  
Total debt
  $ 65,596     $ 76,405  
 
(1)
At December 31, 2009 consists of the revolving credit facility and the Canadian line of credit.  In May 2010, we converted the existing Canadian line of credit into a revolving credit facility.
 
(2)
Due to certain directors and executive officers and to the trustees of our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan on behalf of the plan participants.  The 15% unsecured promissory notes were repaid in full in July 2010 with funds from the revolving credit facility.

Maturities of long-term debt are $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $0.3 million for the period December 31, 2012 through 2015.
 
 
71

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
Deferred Financing Costs

We had deferred financing cost of $4.9 and $5.6 million as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2010 are related to our revolving credit facility and 15% convertible subordinated debentures.  In connection with the amendment to our revolving credit facility in November 2010, we incurred and capitalized $1.2 million of costs related to bank fees, legal and other professional fees which are being amortized through March 2014, the remaining term of the amended revolving credit facility.

Scheduled amortization for future years, assuming no further prepayments of principal is as follows:

(Amounts in thousands)
     
2011
  $ 1,598  
2012
    1,477  
2013
    1,477  
2014
    370  
2015 and beyond
     
Total amortization
  $ 4,922  

Revolving Credit Facility

In November 2010, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation, as agent, and a syndicate of lenders for a secured revolving credit facility.  This restated credit agreement replaces our prior credit facility (as amended through June 2009) with General Electric Capital Corporation.  The restated credit agreement provides for a line of credit of up to $200 million (inclusive of the Canadian revolving credit facility described below) and expires in March 2014.  Direct borrowings under the restated credit agreement bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus the applicable margin (as defined), or floating at the index rate plus the applicable margin, at our option. The interest rate may vary depending upon our borrowing availability. The restated credit agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by certain of our assets.

Borrowings under the restated credit agreement are collateralized by substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets, and those of certain of our subsidiaries. After taking into account outstanding borrowings under the restated credit agreement, there was an additional $95.2 million available for us to borrow pursuant to the formula at December 31, 2010, of which $6.2 million was reserved for redemption of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 15% convertible subordinated debentures.  Outstanding borrowings under the restated credit agreement (inclusive of the Canadian revolving credit facility described below), which are classified as current liabilities, were $52.9 million and $58.4 million at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.  At December 31, 2010, the weighted average interest rate on our restated credit agreement was 3.1%, which consisted of $52 million at 3.1% and an index loan of $0.9 million at 4.5%.  During 2010, our average daily index loan balance was $7.1 million.   At December 31, 2009, the weighted average interest rate on our restated credit agreement was 4.1%, which consisted of $53 million in direct borrowings at 4% and an index loan of $5.4 million at 5.5%.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

At any time that our average borrowing availability over the previous thirty days is less than $30 million or if our borrowing availability is $20 million or less, and until such time that we have maintained an average borrowing availability of $30 million or greater for a continuous period of ninety days, the terms of our restated credit agreement provide for, among other provisions, financial covenants requiring us, on a consolidated basis, (1) to maintain specified levels of fixed charge coverage at the end of each fiscal quarter (rolling twelve months), and (2) to limit capital expenditure levels. As of December 31, 2010, we were not subject to these covenants.  Availability under our restated credit agreement is based on a formula of eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible fixed assets.  Based upon amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2010, beginning October 15, 2010 and on a monthly basis thereafter, our borrowing availability will be reduced by approximately $2 million for the repayment, repurchase or redemption of the aggregate outstanding amount of our 15% convertible subordinated debentures due April 15, 2011.  Our restated credit agreement also permits dividends and distributions by us provided specific conditions are met.

Canadian Revolving Credit Facility

In May 2010, we amended our Canadian Credit Agreement with GE Canada Finance Holding Company, for itself and as agent for the lenders.  The amended Canadian Credit Agreement provided for the conversion of the then existing $10 million line of credit into a revolving credit facility.   The Canadian $10 million line of credit is part of the $200 million available for borrowing under our restated credit agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation.

In November 2010, we further amended our Canadian Credit Agreement to extend the maturity date of the agreement to March 2014 and modify certain provisions, including interest rates, to parallel the revolving credit provisions of the restated credit agreement (see above).  The amended credit agreement is guaranteed and secured by us and certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Direct borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest at the same rate as our restated credit agreement with General Electric Capital Corporation.  As of December 31, 2010, we have no outstanding borrowings under the Canadian line of credit.

Subordinated Debentures

In May 2009, we exchanged $12.3 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 6.75% convertible subordinated debentures due 2009 for a like principal amount of newly issued 15% convertible subordinated debentures due 2011.  The 15% convertible subordinated debentures issued in May 2009 carry an interest rate of 15% payable semi-annually, and will mature on April 15, 2011.  As of December 31, 2010, the $12.3 million principal amount of the 15% convertible subordinated debentures is convertible into 820,000 shares of our common stock; each at the option of the holder.  The convertible subordinated debentures are subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness. In addition, if a change in control, as defined in the agreement, occurs at the Company, we will be required to make an offer to purchase the convertible subordinated debentures at a purchase price equal to 101% of their aggregate principal amount, plus accrued interest.

Unsecured Promissory Notes to Related Parties

In July 2009, we issued $5.4 million aggregate principal amount of 15% unsecured promissory notes to certain directors and executive officers and to the trustees of our Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan on behalf of the plan participants.  In July 2010, we prepaid the remaining outstanding principal amount with funds from our revolving credit facility.  The 15% unsecured promissory notes would have matured on April 15, 2011, carried an interest rate of 15%, payable semi-annually, and were not convertible into common stock.  The 15% unsecured promissory notes were subordinated in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior indebtedness.  Prepayments of the principal amount had been made to fund annual or quarterly unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan distributions to participants, as required.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Capital Leases

During 2010 and 2009, we entered into capital lease obligations related to certain equipment for use in our operations of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2010, our remaining capital lease obligations totaled $0.4 million.  Assets held under capitalized leases are included in property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the lives of the respective leases or over their economic useful lives, whichever is less.

11.
Stockholders’ Equity

We have authority to issue 500,000 shares of preferred stock, $20 par value, and our Board of Directors is vested with the authority to establish and designate any series of preferred, to fix the number of shares therein and the variations in relative rights as between each series. In December 1995, our Board of Directors established a new series of preferred shares designated as Series A Participating Preferred Stock. The number of shares constituting the Series A Preferred Stock is 30,000. The Series A Preferred Stock is designed to participate in dividends, ranks senior to our common stock as to dividends and liquidation rights and has voting rights. Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock shall entitle the holder to one thousand votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of the Company. No such shares were outstanding at December 31, 2010 and 2009.

In November 2009, we completed a public offering of 3,000,000 shares of our common stock and sold an additional 450,000 shares to the underwriters at the offering price of $8.50 per share, less a 5 % underwriting discount.  Net cash proceeds received were $27.5 million, net of expenses of $0.4 million.   The net proceeds from the offering were used to repay a portion of our outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility.

Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised of the following:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 4,590     $ 3,815  
Unrecognized postretirement benefit costs (credit)
    (3,874 )     1,660  
Total accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 716     $ 5,475  

12.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Our stock-based compensation program is a broad-based program designed to attract and retain employees while also aligning employees’ interests with the interests of our shareholders.  In addition, members of our Board of Directors participate in our stock-based compensation program in connection with their service on our board.  We currently have five active stock-based compensation plans.

We account for our stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 718, “Stock Compensation” (ASC 718), which requires that a company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  The service period is the period of time that the grantee must provide services to us before the stock-based compensation is fully vested.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Stock-based compensation expense was $1,108,267 ($683,000, net of tax) or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, $531,650 ($261,700, net of tax) or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, and $446,300 ($322,450, net of tax) or $0.02 per basic and diluted share for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
Stock Option Grants

Under the 1994 Omnibus Stock Option Plan, as amended, which terminated in May 2004, we were authorized to issue options to purchase 1,500,000 shares of common stock. The options become exercisable over a three to five year period and expire at the end of five years following the date they become exercisable. At December 31, 2010, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 49,324 shares of common stock.

Under the 2004 Omnibus Stock Option Plan, which terminates in May 2014, we were authorized to issue options to purchase 500,000 shares of common stock. The options become exercisable over a three to five year period and expire at the end of ten years following the date of grant. At December 31, 2010, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 232,500 shares of common stock.

Under the 1996 Independent Directors’ Stock Option Plan, which terminated in May 2006, we were authorized to issue options to purchase 50,000 shares of common stock and under the 2004 Independent Directors’ Stock Option Plan; we were authorized to issue options to purchase an additional 50,000 shares of common stock. The options became exercisable one year after the date of grant and expired at the end of ten years following the date of grant. At December 31, 2010, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 30,200 shares of common stock.

Under the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which terminates in May 2016, we are authorized to issue, among other things, shares of restricted and performance based stock to eligible employees and directors of up to 700,000 shares of common stock. Stock options forfeited under the previous stock option plans and equity awards under the incentive plan are eligible to be granted again under the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan with respect to stock options and equity awards so forfeited.

At December 31, 2010, under all of our option plans there were options to purchase an aggregate of 312,024 shares of common stock, with no shares of common stock available for future grants.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
The following is a summary of the changes in outstanding stock options for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:
         
Weighted
   
Weighted Average
 
         
Average
   
Remaining
 
         
Exercise
   
Contractual
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term (Years)
 
                   
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    515,823     $ 13.40       4.1  
Expired
    (61,071 )   $ 14.31        
Exercised
    (36,100 )   $ 12.64        
Forfeited, Other
    (40,557 )   $ 13.97       3.6  
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    378,095     $ 13.26       3.7  
Expired
    (52,671 )   $ 14.33        
Exercised
    (4,500 )   $ 11.43        
Forfeited, Other
    (8,900 )   $ 12.75       5.5  
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    312,024     $ 13.12       3.2  
                         
Options exercisable at December 31, 2010
    312,024     $ 13.12       3.2  
 
The aggregate intrinsic value of all outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2010 was $0.4 million.  All outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2010 are fully vested and exercisable.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $9,275 and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  There were no options exercised in 2008.

Restricted Stock and Performance Share Grants

As part of the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we are authorized to issue shares of restricted and/or performance-based stock to eligible employees and directors.  Selected executives and other key personnel are granted performance awards whose vesting is contingent upon meeting various performance measures with a retention feature.  This component of compensation is designed to encourage the long-term retention of key executives and to tie executive compensation directly to Company performance and the long-term enhancement of shareholder value.  Performance-based shares are subject to a three year measuring period and the achievement of performance targets and, depending upon the achievement of such performance targets, they may become vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant.  Each period we evaluate the probability of achieving the applicable targets and we adjust our accrual accordingly.  Restricted shares granted to employees become fully vested upon the third anniversary of the date of grant; and for selected key executives certain restricted share grants vest 25% upon the attainment of age 60, 25% upon the attainment of age 63 and become fully vested upon the attainment of age 65.  Restricted shares granted to directors become fully vested upon the first anniversary of the date of grant.

Prior to the time a restricted share becomes fully vested or a performance share is issued, the awardees cannot transfer, pledge, hypothecate or encumber such shares.  Prior to the time a restricted share is fully vested, the awardees have all other rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote (but not receive dividends during the vesting period).  Prior to the time a performance share is issued, the awardees shall have no rights as a stockholder.  All shares and rights are subject to forfeiture if certain employment conditions are not met.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Under the plan, 700,000 shares are authorized to be issued.  At December 31, 2010, under our 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan, there were an aggregate of (a) 504,125 shares of restricted and performance-based stock grants issued, net of forfeitures, and (b) 195,875 shares of common stock available for future grants.  For the year ended December 31, 2010, 173,025 restricted and performance-based shares were granted (139,025 restricted shares and 34,000 performance-based shares), and for the year ended December 31, 2009, 111,675 restricted and performance-based shares were granted (79,425 restricted shares and 32,250 performance-based shares).

In determining the grant date fair value, the stock price on the date of grant, as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, was reduced by the present value of dividends expected to be paid on the shares issued and outstanding during the requisite service period, discounted at a risk-free interest rate.  The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the restriction or vesting period at the grant date. The fair value of the shares at the date of grant is amortized to expense ratably over the restriction period.  Forfeitures on restricted stock grants are estimated at 5% for employees and 0% for executives and directors, respectively, based on evaluation of historical and expected future turnover.

As related to restricted and performance stock shares, we recorded compensation expense of $1,108,267 ($683,000, net of tax) , $531,650 ($261,700, net of tax) and $446,300 ($322,450, net of tax), for the year ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The unamortized compensation expense related to our restricted and performance-based shares was $2,672,000 and $1,536,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.3 and 0.3 years for employees and directors, respectively, as of December 31, 2010 and over a weighted average period of 1.8 and 0.3 years for employees and directors, respectively, as of December 31, 2009.

Our restricted and performance-based share activity was as follows for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

   
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share
 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    280,775     $ 6.88  
Granted
    111,675     $ 13.78  
Vested
    (55,950 )   $ 7.26  
Forfeited
    (48,075 )   $ 7.36  
Balance at December 31, 2009
    288,425     $ 9.40  
Granted
    173,025     $ 10.75  
Vested
    (64,375 )   $ 6.78  
Forfeited
    (32,275 )   $ 7.48  
Balance at December 31, 2010
    364,800     $ 10.68  

The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted and performance-based shares outstanding as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was $3.9 million (or $10.68 per share), $2.7 million (or $9.40 per share), and $1.9 million (or $6.88 per share), respectively.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
13.
Retirement Benefit Plans

Defined contribution plans - We and certain of our subsidiaries maintain various defined contribution plans, which include profit sharing and provide retirement benefits for substantially all of our employees. Matching obligations, the majority of which were funded in cash in connection with the plans are as follows (in thousands):

   
U.S. Defined
Contribution
   
European Defined
Contribution
 
Year ended December 31,
           
2010
  $ 3,523     $  
2009
    3,444       311  
2008
    4,181       324  

In August 1994, we established an unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for key employees. Under the plan, these employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation and, in addition, we may at our discretion make contributions to the plan on behalf of the employees.  In August 2009, contributions of $73,500 were made related to calendar year 2008.  In March 2010, contributions of $67,000 were made related to calendar year 2009.  We have recorded an obligation of $126,750 for 2010.

We also have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (“ESOP”) for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  In 2000, we created an employee benefits trust to which we contributed 750,000 shares of treasury stock. We are authorized to instruct the trustees to distribute such shares toward the satisfaction of our future obligations under employee benefit plans. The shares held in trust are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share until they are committed to be released. The trustees will vote the shares in accordance with its fiduciary duties.  During 2010, we contributed to the trust an additional 170,000 shares from our treasury and released 175,075 shares from the trust leaving 6,930 shares remaining in the trust as of December 31, 2010.  The provision for expense in connection with the ESOP was approximately $1.6 million in 2010, $0.3 million in 2009 and $1.6 million in 2008.

Multi-Employer benefit plans – We participate in multi-employer plans which provide defined benefits to unionized workers at certain of our manufacturing facilities.  Contributions to the plans are determined in accordance with the provisions of a negotiated labor contract.

In December 2007, we entered into an agreement with the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America and its Local 365 regarding the shut down of our manufacturing operations at Long Island City, New York, which operations will be transferred to other facilities.  As part of the agreement, effective January 5, 2008, we agreed to withdraw from the multi-employer pension plan covering our UAW employees at the Long Island City facility.  As a result, we incurred a withdrawal liability.  The pension plan withdrawal liability is related to trust asset under-performance and is payable in a lump sum or over a period which is not to exceed 20 years.  In December 2007, we recorded a charge of $3.3 million related to the present value of the undiscounted $5.6 million withdrawal liability discounted over 80 quarterly payments using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate.  Under the terms of the agreement, quarterly payments totaling $0.3 million per year commenced in December 2008.
 
 
78

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Defined benefit pension plans - We historically have maintained qualified and nonqualified defined benefit retirement plans covering certain current and former U.S. and European employees.  The defined benefit retirement plans are generally based on years of service and employee compensation.

In October 2001, we adopted a defined benefit unfunded Supplemental Retirement Plan (“SERP”).  The SERP, as amended, is a defined benefit plan pursuant to which we will pay supplemental pension benefits to certain key employees upon the attainment of a contractual participant’s payment date based upon the employees’ years of service and compensation.  We use a January 1 measurement date for this plan.  Benefit obligations as of the end of each year reflect assumptions in effect as of this date.

Through November 30, 2009, the date of the sale of our European distribution business, we maintained a UK defined benefit plan that had been closed to new entrants and ceased accruing further benefits.  As part of the sale transaction, the new owners assumed ownership of the UK defined benefit plan and all future obligations under the plan.

The benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets, funded status, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements for our defined benefit retirement plans, as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, were (in thousands):
   
Defined Benefit Retirement Plans
 
   
U.S. Plans
   
European Plans
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in benefit obligation :
                       
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 2,765     $ 1,797     $     $ 2,275  
Service cost
    79       89              
Interest cost
    133       146             154  
Benefits paid
                      (85 )
Actuarial loss (gain)
    (304 )     733             707  
Translation adjustment
                      289  
Liabilities related to assets sold
                      (3,340 )
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 2,673     $ 2,765     $     $  
                                 
Change in plan assets :
                               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
              $     $ 2,021  
Employer contributions
                      86  
Actual return on plan assets
                      319  
Benefits paid
                      (85 )
Translation adjustment
                      268  
Assets sold
                      (2,609 )
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
  $     $     $     $  
                                 
Funded (unfunded) status of the plans
  $ (2,673 )   $ (2,765 )   $     $  
                                 
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
                               
Accrued postretirement benefit liabilities
  $ 2,673     $ 2,765     $     $  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (pre-tax) related to:
                               
Unrecognized net actuarial losses
    500       829              
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)
    249       359              
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The unrecognized amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income will be subsequently recognized as expense consistent with our historical accounting policy for amortizing those amounts.  Actuarial gains and losses incurred in future periods and not recognized as expense in those periods will be recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.  As they are subsequently recognized as a component of expense, the amounts recorded in other comprehensive loss in prior periods are adjusted.

The following defined benefit plan amounts were included in other comprehensive income, net of tax, during the year ended December 31, 2010 (in thousands).

   
Incurred but
Not Recognized
   
Reclassification
Adjustment for Prior
Period Amounts
Recognized
 
Actuarial gains (losses)
           
SERP defined benefit plan
  $ (182 )   $ 15  
                 
Prior service (cost) credit
               
SERP defined benefit plan
          66  
    $ (182 )   $ 81  

The prior service cost (credit) included in accumulated other comprehensive income at the end of 2010 and expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during 2011 is $0.1 million ($60,000 net of tax).  No plan assets are expected to be returned to us during the year ended December 31, 2010.

The components of net periodic benefit cost for our North American and European defined benefit plans includes the following components (in thousands):

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
U.S. defined benefit retirement plans:
                 
Service cost
  $ 79     $ 89     $ 91  
Interest cost
    133       146       236  
Amortization of prior service cost
    110       110       110  
Amortization of unrecognized loss
    25       96       30  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 347     $ 441     $ 467  
                         
European defined benefit retirement plans (1) :
                       
Service cost
  $     $     $  
Interest cost
          154       137  
Amortization of net actuarial loss
          110       84  
Expected return on plan assets
          (141 )     (186 )
Net periodic benefit cost
  $     $ 123     $ 35  
                         
Total net periodic benefit costs
  $ 347     $ 564     $ 502  

 
(1)
European defined benefit plan balances for 2009 represent other comprehensive income and net period benefit cost activity for the eleven months prior to the sale of our European distribution business.  The remaining unrecognized net actuarial loss of $2.5 million included in other comprehensive income at the date of the sale was recognized and included in the $6.6 million loss on the sale of the business.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Actuarial assumptions used to determine costs and benefit obligations related to our U.S. defined benefit plan are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Discount rates
    5.35 %     5.75 %     5.75 %
Salary increase
    4.00 %     4.00 %     4.00 %

Actuarial assumptions used to determine costs and benefit obligations related to our European defined benefit plan are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Discount rates
          5.50 %     6.70 %
Expected long-term rates of return on assets
          6.75 %     7.50 %
Inflation
          3.00 %     3.00 %

The Company’s discount rates are determined by considering current yield curves representing high quality, long-term fixed income instruments.  We set our discount rate for all U.S. plans based on a review of the Moody AA Long-Term Corporate Bond Index and a pension liability index; and our discount rate for our European plans is based on corporate cash bond yields.  We believe that the timing and amount of cash flows related to these instruments is expected to match the estimated defined benefit payment streams of our plans.

The expected return on plan assets reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested to provide for the benefits included in the benefit obligations.  The assumption reflects long-term expectations for future rate of return for the investment portfolio over the life of the benefit obligation, with consideration given to the distribution of investments by asset class and historical rates of return for each individual asset class.  The return on plan assets for 2009 was approximately 13.9%.

For defined benefit pension plans in which the accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) was in excess of the fair value of the plans’ assets, the projected benefit obligation (PBO), ABO and fair value of the plans’ assets as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

   
U.S. Plans
   
European Plans
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 2,673     $ 2,765     $     $  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    2,122       1,862              
Fair value of plan assets
                       
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows (in thousands):

   
U.S. Plan
Benefits
 
       
2011
  $  
2012
     
2013
     
2014
     
2015
    5,621  
Years 2016 – 2020
     

14.
Postretirement Medical Benefits

We provide certain medical and dental care benefits to eligible retired U.S. and Canadian employees. Eligibility for U.S. employees is limited to employees hired before 1995.  In May 2008, we announced that, in lieu of the then current retiree medical and dental plans funded on a pay-as-you-go basis, a Health Reimbursement Account (“HRA”) will be established beginning January 1, 2009 for each qualified U.S. retiree.  The plan amendment will effectively reduce benefits attributed to employee services already rendered and credit a fixed amount into an HRA to cover both medical and dental costs for all current and future eligible retirees.  The remeasurement of the postretirement welfare benefit plan as a result of these benefit modifications generated a $24.5 million reduction in the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation on June 1, 2008 which is being amortized on a straight-line basis and recognized as a reduction in benefit costs over the remaining service to full eligibility (3.8 years).  The annual reduction to expense over the amortization period will be $6.4 million commencing on June 1, 2008.

The benefit obligation, funded status, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements for our postretirement medical benefit plans as of and for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, were as follows: (in thousands):
   
Defined Benefit Retirement Plans
 
   
U.S. Plans
   
Canadian Plans
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Change in Benefit Obligation :
                       
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
  $ 19,355     $ 18,742     $ 911     $ 634  
Service cost
    179       196       13       8  
Interest cost
    1,156       1,068       50       50  
Benefits paid
    (795 )     (997 )     (26 )     (26 )
Actuarial loss (gain)
    2,274       346       (219 )     144  
Translation adjustment
                45       101  
Benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 22,169     $ 19,355     $ 774     $ 911  
                                 
Funded (unfunded) status of the plans
  $ (22,169 )   $ (19,355 )   $ (774 )   $ (911 )
Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
                               
Accrued postretirement benefit liabilities
  $ 22,169     $ 19,355     $ 774     $ 911  
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss (pre-tax) related to:
                               
Unrecognized net actuarial losses (gains)
    14,548       13,622       (461 )     (249 )
Unrecognized prior service cost (credit)
    (8,064 )     (17,076 )     (177 )     (186 )
Unrecognized net transition obligation (asset)
                17       20  
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The estimated net loss and prior service cost (credit) that is expected to be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into postretirement medical benefits cost during 2011 are $1.4 million and $(6.5) million, respectively.
 
Net periodic benefit cost related to our plans includes the following components (in thousands):

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
U.S. postretirement plans:
                 
Service cost
  $ 179     $ 196     $ 525  
Interest cost
    1,156       1,068       1,640  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (9,012 )     (9,253 )     (6,586 )
Amortization of unrecognized loss
    1,348       1,312       1,432  
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ (6,329 )   $ (6,677 )   $ (2,989 )
                         
Canadian postretirement plans:
                       
Service cost
  $ 13     $ 8     $ 10  
Interest cost
    50       50       41  
Amortization of transition obligation
    4       4       4  
Amortization of prior service cost
    (18 )     (17 )     (15 )
Amortization of net actuarial loss
    (13 )     (29 )     (15 )
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 36     $ 16     $ 25  
Total net periodic benefit costs
  $ (6,293 )   $ (6,661 )   $ (2,964 )

Actuarial assumptions used to determine costs and benefit obligations related to our U.S. postretirement plan are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Discount rate
    5.35 %     5.75 %     5.75 %

Actuarial assumptions used to determine costs and benefit obligations related to our Canadian postretirement plan are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Discount rates
    5.00 %     5.25 %     7 %
Current medical cost trend rate
    10 %     8 %     9 %
Ultimate medical cost trend rate
    5 %     5 %     5 %
Year trend rate declines to ultimate
    2017       2012       2012  
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
The Company’s discount rates are determined by considering current yield curves representing high quality, long-term fixed income instruments.  We set our discount rate for all U.S. plans based on a review of the Moody AA Long-Term Corporate Bond Index and a pension liability index.  We adjust the discount rate for all U.S. plans to determine our discount rate for the Canadian plans based on variances in the cost of borrowing money from the central bank and credit spreads.  We believe that the timing and amount of cash flows related to these instruments is expected to match the estimated defined benefit payment streams of our plans.
 
The following benefit payments which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):

2011
  $ 1,153  
2012
    1,184  
2013
    1,232  
2014
    1,289  
2015
    1,331  
Years 2016 – 2020
  $ 7,581  

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects for 2011 (in thousands):
   
1-Percentage-
Point Increase
   
1-Percentage-
Point Decrease
 
Effect on total of service and interest cost components
  $ 11     $ (9 )
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation
  $ 155     $ (132 )

15.
Other Non -Operating Income, Net

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we identified an immaterial correction related to our classification in the consolidated statements of operations of gains/losses on the sale of long-lived assets. We determined that in accounting for such gains/losses, although there is no effect on net income (loss) or on income (loss) from continuing operations, we did not properly classify such amounts within operating income, as required by paragraph 360-10-45-5 of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.  As such, we corrected the consolidated statements of operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.  The components of other non-operating income, net after reflecting the correction are as follows:
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Interest and dividend income
  $ 296     $ 400     $ 20  
Gain on repurchase of convertible debentures
          40       3,847  
Income (loss) from joint ventures
    97       274       (319 )
Loss on mortgage defeasance
                (1,444 )
Gain on sale of preferred stock
          2,336        
Gain (loss) on foreign exchange
    (60 )     292       (1,280 )
Other income – net
    92       242       395  
Total other non-operating income, net
  $ 425     $ 3,584     $ 1,219  

See Note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
16.
Income Taxes

The income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following (in thousands):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Current:
                 
Domestic
  $ (7 )   $ 102     $ 442  
Foreign
    1,528       334       1,997  
Total Current
    1,521       436       2,439  
                         
Deferred:
                       
Domestic
    13,873       5,534       (10,492 )
Foreign
    (3 )     124       (52 )
Total Deferred
    13,870       5,658       (10,544 )
Total income tax provision
  $ 15,391     $ 6,094     $ (8,105 )

We have not provided for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries that are deferred from U.S. income taxation and that we intend to be permanently reinvested.  We have provided for U.S. income tax regarding those undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries subject to current taxation under Subpart F of the Internal Revenue Code. Cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries on which no U.S. income tax has been provided were $24.7 million at the end of 2010, $22.2 million at the end of 2009, and $50.2 million at the end of 2008.  Earnings before income taxes for foreign operations amounted to approximately $4 million, $5.2 million, and $4.9 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Reconciliations between taxes at the United States federal income tax rate and taxes at our effective income tax rate on earnings from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
                   
U.S. federal income tax rate of 35%
  $ 14,032     $ 4,200     $ (10,221 )
Increase (decrease) in tax rate resulting from:
                       
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
    2,050       (17 )     (1,421 )
Non-deductible compensation
                1,830  
Non-deductible portion of goodwill impairment charge
                551  
Sale of European distribution business
          (2,680 )      
Other non-deductible items, net
    639       128       986  
Income (benefit) taxes attributable to foreign income
    107       1,715       (62 )
Change in unrecognized tax benefits
    (1,084 )            
Change in valuation allowance
    (353 )     2,748       232  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
  $ 15,391     $ 6,094     $ (8,105 )
 
 
85

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
The following is a summary of the components of the net deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Inventories
  $ 15,602     $ 14,329  
Allowance for customer returns
    8,313       7,535  
Postretirement benefits
    9,129       8,208  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    2,769       2,858  
Accrued salaries and benefits
    9,022       8,492  
Net operating loss
    2,162       11,221  
Capital loss
    6,903       6,923  
Tax credit carry forwards
    8,327       7,959  
Goodwill
    704       1,918  
Deferred gain on building sale
    3,010       3,438  
Accrued asbestos liabilities
    10,261       10,479  
Other
    3,499       3,174  
      79,701       86,534  
Valuation allowance (1)
    (29,468 )     (29,821 )
Total deferred tax assets
  $ 50,233     $ 56,713  
                 
   
December 31,
 
      2010       2009  
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation
  $ 10,528     $ 8,746  
Promotional costs
    223       267  
Other
          29  
Total deferred tax liabilities
  $ 10,751     $ 9,042  
                 
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 39,482     $ 47,671  

(1)
Current net deferred tax assets are $18.1 million for 2010 and 2009.  Non-current net deferred tax assets are $21.3 million and $29.5 million for 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The tax valuation allowance was allocated to the current deferred tax assets in the amounts of $13.6 million and $11.3 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The long term tax deferred assets had a valuation allowance of $15.9 million and $18.5 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will be realized.  Ultimately, the realization of the deferred tax asset is dependent upon the generation of sufficient taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences become deductible and/or net operating loss carryforwards can be utilized.  We consider the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted.  We consider cumulative losses in recent years as well as the impact of one time events in assessing our core pretax earnings. Assumptions regarding future taxable income require significant judgment. Our assumptions are consistent with estimates and plans used to manage our business which include restructuring and integration initiatives which are expected to generate significant savings in future periods.  Based on these considerations, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of the net deferred tax asset of $39.5 million as of December 31, 2010, which is net of a valuation allowance of $29.5 million.
 
 
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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The deferred tax asset valuation allowance of $29.5 million is intended to provide for uncertainty regarding the ultimate utilization of our state tax credit carryovers, U.S. capital loss carry forwards, U.S. foreign tax credit carryovers, foreign net operating loss carry forwards, and certain long lived deferred tax assets stemming mainly from accrued asbestos liabilities and postretirement benefit obligations.  In addition, if we are unable to generate sufficient taxable income in the future through our operations, increases in the valuation allowance may be required.

At December 31, 2010, we have approximately $7.3 million of domestic and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, of which $2.8 million will expire in 2011 through 2014, and $4.5 million will expire in 2023 through 2029.  We also have foreign tax credit carryforwards of approximately $0.7 million that will expire by 2012, a capital loss carryforward of $17.3 million that will expire in 2014 and an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of approximately $7.1 million, which has no expiration date.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
 
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 2,300  
Increase based on tax positions taken in the current year
     
Decrease based on tax positions taken in the current year
    (1,084 )
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 1,216  

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2010, includes $0.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits which, if ultimately recognized, will reduce our annual effective tax rate.

We are subject to taxation in the US and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2010, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for years before 2007.  We remain subject to examination by US Federal, state, and local tax authorities for tax years 2006 through 2010. Foreign jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 2 to 6 years.  Years still open to examination by foreign tax authorities in major jurisdictions include Canada (2005 onward), Hong Kong (2004 onward) and Poland (2006 onward).  We do not presently anticipate that our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease prior to September 15, 2011, the due date for the U.S. Federal tax return; however, actual developments in this area could differ from those currently expected.

We recognize interest and penalties associated with income tax matters as components of the “provision for income taxes.”

17. 
Industry Segment and Geographic Data

We have two major reportable operating segments, each of which focuses on a specific line of replacement parts.  Our Engine Management Segment manufactures and distributes ignition and emission parts, ignition wires, battery cables and fuel system parts.  Our Temperature Control Segment manufactures and remanufactures air conditioning compressors, air conditioning and heating parts, engine cooling system parts, power window accessories and windshield washer system parts.
 
 
87

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Effective January 1, 2010, as a result of the sale of our European distribution business, we realigned our business segments to more clearly reflect our evolving business model.  The realignment consisted of moving the results of our Poland manufacturing facility within the Engine Management Segment to reflect the change in responsibility for the operating activities, financial results, forecasts, and strategic plans for the facility to the management of this segment.  Results for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 have been reclassified to reflect this realignment.

The accounting policies of each segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1).  The following tables contain financial information for each reportable segment (in thousands):
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net Sales:
                 
Engine Management
  $ 577,333     $ 506,435     $ 537,658  
Temperature Control
    222,086       196,729       194,171  
Europe
          26,746       40,127  
Other
    11,491       5,514       3,285  
Total
  $ 810,910     $ 735,424     $ 775,241  
                         
Intersegment Sales :
                       
Engine Management
  $ 19,720     $ 22,445     $ 27,113  
Temperature Control
    4,567       3,752       3,371  
Europe
          287       284  
Other
    (24,287 )     (26,484 )     (30,768 )
Total
  $     $     $  
                         
Depreciation and amortization :
                       
Engine Management
  $ 10,378     $ 10,268     $ 9,747  
Temperature Control
    2,073       2,409       2,824  
Europe
          500       680  
Other
    1,123       1,177       1,449  
Total
  $ 13,574     $ 14,354     $ 14,700  
                         
Operating profit (loss) :
                       
Engine Management
  $ 43,410     $ 26,927     $ (26,925 )
Temperature Control
    13,096       6,855       2,335  
Europe
          (7,016 )     2,101  
Other
    (9,713 )     (9,135 )     5,652  
Total
  $ 46,793     $ 17,631     $ (16,837 )
                         
Investment in equity affiliates:
                       
Engine Management
  $     $     $  
Temperature Control
                 
Europe
                 
Other
    435       555       254  
Total
  $ 435     $ 555     $ 254  
 
 
88

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Capital expenditures :
                 
Engine Management
  $ 8,376     $ 6,207     $ 7,453  
Temperature Control
    2,336       432       1,837  
Europe
            535       1,187  
Other
    94             23  
Total
  $ 10,806     $ 7,174     $ 10,500  
                         
Total assets :
                       
Engine Management
  $ 323,162     $ 310,141     $ 346,888  
Temperature Control
    92,732       79,066       112,259  
Europe
                20,462  
Other
    76,907       95,252       95,418  
Total
  $ 492,801     $ 484,459     $ 575,027  

Reconciliation of segment operating income (loss) to net earnings (loss):

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 46,793     $ 17,631     $ (16,837 )
Other non-operating income
    425       3,584       1,219  
Interest expense
    7,127       9,215       13,585  
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before taxes
    40,091       12,000       (29,203 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    15,391       6,094       (8,105 )
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
    24,700       5,906       (21,098 )
Discontinued operation, net of tax
    (2,740 )     (2,423 )     (1,796 )
Net earnings (loss)
  $ 21,960     $ 3,483     $ (22,894 )

Other consists of items pertaining to our corporate headquarters function, as well as our Canadian business unit that does not meet the criteria of a reportable operating segment.

   
Revenues
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
United States
  $ 723,628     $ 635,977     $ 650,498  
Canada
    51,515       48,896       51,886  
Europe
    8,296       29,984       44,205  
Other Foreign
    27,471       20,567       28,652  
Total
  $ 810,910     $ 735,424     $ 775,241  
 
 
89

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
   
Long Lived Assets
 
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(In thousands)
 
United States
  $ 81,485     $ 85,083     $ 89,528  
Europe
    2,314       2,102       5,714  
Canada
    1,782       1,892       3,540  
Other Foreign
    1,168       1,626       605  
Total
  $ 86,749     $ 90,703     $ 99,387  

Revenues are attributed to countries based upon the location of the customer. Long lived assets are attributed to countries based upon the location of the assets.

Our five largest individual customers, including members of a marketing group, accounted for 66% of our consolidated net sales in 2010, 59% of our consolidated net sales in 2009, and 53% of our consolidated net sales in 2008.  During 2010, three of our customers (NAPA Auto Parts, Advance Auto Parts and O’Reilly Automotive) each accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated sales and, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 56.8% of our consolidated sales.

18.           Fair Value of Financial Instruments

We follow a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to measure fair value.  This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.”  The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the measurement date.
 
Level 2: Significant other observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
 
Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs that reflect assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
 
The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments at December 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):
 
   
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
 
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Carrying
Amount
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 12,135     $ 12,135     $ 10,618     $ 10,618  
Deferred compensation
    5,978       5,978       5,319       5,319  
Short term borrowings
    65,289       65,289       58,497       58,497  
Long-term debt
    307       307       17,908       17,908  
 
 
90

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

For fair value purposes the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments. The fair value of the underlying assets held by the deferred compensation plan are based on the quoted market prices of the funds in registered investment companies, which are considered Level 1 inputs. The carrying value of our revolving credit facilities, classified as short term borrowings, equals fair market value because the interest rate reflects current market rates. The fair value of our 15% convertible subordinated debentures, classified as current borrowings, is based upon the quoted market price, which is considered a Level 1 input.

19.           Commitments and Contingencies

Total rent expense for the three years ended December 31, 2010 was as follows (in thousands):

   
Total
   
Real Estate
   
Other
 
2010
  $ 10,038     $ 7,949     $ 2,089  
2009
    9,767       7,739       2,028  
2008
    9,835       7,344       2,491  

At December 31, 2010, we are obligated to make minimum rental payments through 2018, under operating leases, which are as follows (in thousands):

2011
  $ 7,567  
2012
    7,404  
2013
    6,448  
2014
    5,333  
2015
    4,938  
Thereafter
    5,738  
Total
  $ 37,428  

We generally warrant our products against certain manufacturing and other defects. These product warranties are provided for specific periods of time of the product depending on the nature of the product. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, we have accrued $12.2 million and $10.5 million, respectively, for estimated product warranty claims included in accrued customer returns.  The accrued product warranty costs are based primarily on historical experience of actual warranty claims.  Warranty expense for each of the years 2010, 2009 and 2008 were $52.9 million, $46.5 million, and $45.8 million, respectively.

T he following table provides the changes in our product warranties:

   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In thousands)
 
Balance, beginning of period
  $ 10,476     $ 10,162  
Liabilities accrued for current year sales
    52,862       46,517  
Settlements of warranty claims
    (51,185 )     (46,203 )
Balance, end of period
  $ 12,153     $ 10,476  

Letters of Credit .  At December 31, 2010, we had outstanding letters of credit with certain vendors aggregating approximately $5.1 million. These letters of credit are being maintained as security for reimbursements to insurance companies.  The contract amount of the letters of credit is a reasonable estimate of their value as the value for each is fixed over the life of the commitment.
 
 
91

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Change of Control Arrangements .  We entered into change in control arrangements with two key officers. In the event of a change of control (as defined in the agreement), each executive will receive severance payments and certain other benefits as provided in their respective agreement.

Asbestos .  In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998 and which is accounted for as a discontinued operation. When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed on or after September 1, 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 1, 2001 and the amounts paid for indemnity and defense thereof. At December 31, 2010, approximately 1,540 cases were outstanding for which we may be held responsible for any related liabilities.  Since inception in September 2001 through December 31, 2010, the amounts paid for settled claims are approximately $11.6 million. In September 2007, we entered into an agreement with an insurance carrier to provide us with limited insurance coverage for the defense and indemnity costs associated with certain asbestos-related claims. We have submitted various asbestos-related claims for coverage under this agreement, and received approximately $2.7 million in reimbursement for settlement claims and defense costs.  In addition, in May 2010 we entered into an agreement with an excess insurance carrier to provide us with limited insurance coverage for defense and indemnity costs associated with asbestos- related claims. We have submitted claims to this carrier since we have exhausted our coverage under the agreement with the primary insurance carrier discussed above and have received $0.8 million in reimbursement for settlement claims and defense costs .

In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we have considered various factors including, among other things, an actuarial study performed by an independent actuarial firm with expertise in assessing asbestos-related liabilities, our settlement amounts and whether there are any co-defendants, the jurisdiction in which lawsuits are filed, and the status and results of settlement discussions. As is our accounting policy, we engage actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities to estimate our potential claim liability. The methodology used to project asbestos-related liabilities and costs in the study considered: (1) historical data available from publicly available studies; (2) an analysis of our recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates into the future; (3) an analysis of our currently pending claims; and (4) an analysis of our settlements to date in order to develop average settlement values.

The most recent actuarial study was performed as of August 31, 2010.  The updated study has estimated an undiscounted liability for settlement payments, excluding legal costs and any potential recovery from insurance carriers, ranging from $25.7 million to $66.9 million for the period through 2059. The change from the prior year study was a $0.9 million decrease for the low end of the range and a $0.6 million increase for the high end of the range.  Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments was more likely than any other and, therefore, recorded the low end of the range as the liability associated with future settlement payments through 2059 in our consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, an incremental $1.8 million provision in our discontinued operation was added to the asbestos accrual in September 2010 increasing the reserve to approximately $25.7 million. According to the updated study, legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operation in the accompanying statement of operations, are estimated to range from $20.3 million to $61.3 million during the same period.
 
 
92

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

We plan to perform an annual actuarial evaluation during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future. Given the uncertainties associated with projecting such matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we can give no assurance that additional provisions will not be required. We will continue to monitor the circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether additional provisions may be necessary. At the present time, however, we do not believe that any additional provisions would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or consolidated financial position.

Antitrust Litigation .  In November 2004, we were served with a summons and complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York by The Coalition for a Level Playing Field, which is an organization comprised of a large number of auto parts retailers. The complaint alleges antitrust violations by us and a number of other auto parts manufacturers and retailers and seeks injunctive relief and unspecified monetary damages.  In August 2005, we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, following which the plaintiff filed an amended complaint dropping, among other things, all claims under the Sherman Act. The remaining claims allege violations of the Robinson-Patman Act.  Motions to dismiss those claims were filed by us in February 2006. Plaintiff filed opposition to our motions, and we subsequently filed replies in June 2006.  Oral arguments were originally scheduled for September 2006, however the court adjourned these proceedings until a later date to be determined. Subsequently, the judge initially assigned to the case recused himself, and a new judge has been assigned before whom further preliminary proceedings have been held culminating in a decision and order dated September 16, 2010 granting the motion to dismiss and, in view of an intervening change in pleading standards, deferring decision on whether to grant plaintiff leave to amend to allow an opportunity to propose curative amendments. On October 18, 2010, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint changing certain alleged claims relating to the Robinson-Patman Act.  By Order dated October 26, 2010, the court directed that the Third Amended Complaint be deemed withdrawn and gave plaintiffs until November 9, 2010 to file a motion for leave to amend identifying the curative amendments to the Second Amended Complaint setting forth why the amendments accord with the rules.  The motion was timely filed, opposed on December 9, 2010, which opposition was replied to on December 24, 2010 and awaits oral argument or a decision.  Although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this case or estimate the range of any potential loss that may be incurred in the litigation, we believe that the lawsuit is without merit, deny all of the plaintiff’s allegations of wrongdoing and believe we have meritorious defenses to the plaintiff’s claims. We intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously.

Other Litigation .  We are involved in various other litigation and product liability matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the final outcome of any asbestos-related matters or any other litigation or product liability matter cannot be determined, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, it is our opinion that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
 
 
93

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
 
20.          Quarterly Financial Data Unit (Unaudited)

   
2010 Quarter Ended
 
   
Dec. 31
   
Sept. 30
   
June 30
   
Mar. 31
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net sales
  $ 172,971     $ 227,540     $ 231,048     $ 179,351  
Gross profit
    45,385       60,014       58,389       43,818  
Earnings from continuing operations
    2,675       11,097       8,061       2,867  
Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes
    (431 )     (1,441 )     (372 )     (496 )
Net earnings
  $ 2,244     $ 9,656     $ 7,689     $ 2,371  
                                 
Net earnings from continuing operations per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.12     $ 0.49     $ 0.36     $ 0.13  
Diluted
  $ 0.12     $ 0.48     $ 0.35     $ 0.13  
Net earnings per common share:
 
Basic
  $ 0.10     $ 0.43     $ 0.34     $ 0.11  
Diluted
  $ 0.10     $ 0.42     $ 0.34     $ 0.11  

   
2009 Quarter Ended
 
   
Dec. 31
   
Sept. 30
   
June 30
   
Mar. 31
 
   
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Net sales
  $ 160,127     $ 205,577     $ 197,498     $ 172,222  
Gross profit
    40,122       49,803       46,406       40,893  
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations (1)
    (5,243 )     4,724       5,638       787  
Loss from discontinued operation, net of taxes
    (202 )     (1,639 )     (322 )     (260 )
Net earnings (loss)
  $ (5,445 )   $ 3,085     $ 5,316     $ 527  
                                 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.25 )   $ 0.25     $ 0.30     $ 0.04  
Diluted
  $ (0.25 )   $ 0.25     $ 0.30     $ 0.04  
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
 
Basic
  $ (0.26 )   $ 0.16     $ 0.28     $ 0.03  
Diluted
  $ (0.26 )   $ 0.16     $ 0.28     $ 0.03  

(1)
Includes a pre-tax loss of $6.6 million from the sale of our European distribution business which was sold in November 2009.
 
 
94

 
 
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)            Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Report. This evaluation also included consideration of our internal controls and procedures for the preparation of our financial statements as required under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

(b)            Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting .

Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as part of this Report we have furnished a report regarding our internal control over financial report as of December 31, 2010. The report is under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” which report is included herein.

(c)            Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .

KPMG, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an opinion as to the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. The opinion is under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm−Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for this attestation report, which is included herein.

(d)            Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended December 31, 2010 and subsequent to that date, we have not made changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
We continue to review, document and test our internal control over financial reporting, and may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business. These efforts will lead to various changes in our internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
95

 

ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
  
On March 8, 2011, the Company entered into an Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, as amended, with each of John P. Gethin, our President and Chief Operating Officer, and James J. Burke, our Chief Financial Officer and Vice President Finance. The amendment to each agreement modified the change of control definition to delete one of the triggering events.
 
The description set forth above is qualified by the Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement  with John P. Gethin filed herewith as exhibit 10.26 and the Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement with James J. Burke filed herewith as exhibit 10.27.
   
PART III

ITEM 10. 
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2011 Proxy Statement”) set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,”  “Management Information,” “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2011 Proxy Statement set forth under captions “Corporate Governance,” “Executive Compensation and Related Information” and “Compensation and Management Development Committee Report.”

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2011 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation and Related Information” and “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2011 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Corporate Governance” and “Executive Compensation and Related Information.”

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information in our 2011 Proxy Statement set forth under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees.”

 
96

 

PART IV

ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)
(1)
The Index to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Registrant under Item 8 of this Report is incorporated herein by reference as the list of Financial Statements required as part of this Report.

 
(2)
The following financial schedule and related report for the years 2010, 2009 and 2008 is submitted herewith:
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Schedule II

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

All other schedules are omitted because they are not required, not applicable or the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 
(3)
Exhibits.

The exhibit list in the Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference as the list of exhibits required as part of this Report.
 
 
97

 

SIGNATURES

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

 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
 
/s/ Lawrence I. Sills
 
Lawrence I. Sills
 
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
   
 
/s/ James J. Burke
 
James J. Burke
 
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

New York, New York
March 9, 2011

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Lawrence I. Sills and James J. Burke, jointly and severally, as his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

March 9, 2011
/s/
Lawrence I. Sills
 
   
Lawrence I. Sills
 
   
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director
 
   
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
James J. Burke
 
   
James J. Burke
 
   
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
 
 
98

 
 
March 9, 2011
/s/
Robert M. Gerrity
 
   
Robert M. Gerrity, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Pamela Forbes Lieberman
 
   
Pamela Forbes Lieberman, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Arthur S. Sills
 
   
Arthur S. Sills, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Peter J. Sills
 
   
Peter J. Sills, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Frederick D. Sturdivant
 
   
Frederick D. Sturdivant, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
William H. Turner
 
   
William H. Turner, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Richard S. Ward
 
   
Richard S. Ward, Director
 
       
March 9, 2011
/s/
Roger M. Widmann
 
   
Roger M. Widmann, Director
 
 
 
99

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
 
Number
 
   
3.1
Restated By-Laws, dated May 23, 1996, filed as an Exhibit of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
   
3.2
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated July 31, 1990, filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.
   
3.3
Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, dated February 15, 1996, filed as an Exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.
   
10.1
Amended and Restated Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, dated January 1, 2011.
   
10.2
1996 Independent Outside Directors Stock Option Plan of Standard Motors Products, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996).
   
10.3
1994 Omnibus Stock Option Plan of Standard Motor Products, Inc., as amended and restated, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-59524), filed on April 25, 2001).
   
10.4
2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-134239), filed on May 18, 2006).
   
10.5
2004 Omnibus Stock Option Plan of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and 2004 Independent Directors’ Stock Option Plan of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-134239), filed on June 7, 2005).
   
10.6
Supplemental Compensation Plan effective October 1, 2001 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
   
10.7
Severance Compensation Agreement, dated December 12, 2001, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and John Gethin (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
   
10.8
Severance Compensation Agreement, dated December 12, 2001, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and James Burke (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).
   
10.9
Credit Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2005, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as Borrower, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2006).
   
10.10
Amendment to the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Supplemental Compensation Plan, effective December 1, 2006 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
 
 
100

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 
Number
 
   
10.11
Retention Bonus and Insurance Agreement, dated December 26, 2006, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and John Gethin (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
   
10.12
Retention Bonus and Insurance Agreement dated December 26, 2006, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and James Burke (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).
   
10.13
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 21, 2007, between Standard Motors Products, Inc. and EXII Northern Boulevard Acquisition LLC (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
   
10.14
Lease Agreement, dated March 12, 2008, between Standard Motors Products, Inc. and 37-18 Northern Boulevard LLC (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).
   
10.15
First Amendment Agreement dated as of March 20, 2007, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed March 21, 2007).
   
10.16
Second Amendment Agreement dated as of May 1, 2007, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
   
10.17
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of December 18, 2008, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 22, 2008).
   
10.18
Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2008, between Standard Motor Products, lnc. and John Gethin. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
   
10.19
Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2008, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and James Burke. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
   
10.20
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, dated as of December 31, 2010.
   
10.21
Indenture, dated as of May 6, 2009, between Standard Motor Products, Inc and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., as trustee. (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form l0-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).
   
10.22
Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2009, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed June 29, 2009).
 
 
101

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

10.23
Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 20, 2010, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 20, 2010).
   
10.24
Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 2, 2010, among Standard Motor Products, Inc., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and General Electric Capital Corp., as agent and lender, Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as lenders and co-syndication agents, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as lender and as documentation agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed November 12, 2010).
   
10.25
Amendment No. 6 to Credit Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2010, among SMP Motor Products, Ltd., as borrower and the other credit parties thereto, and GE Canada Finance Holding Company, as lender and agent, and the other lenders thereto (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed November 12, 2010).
  
10.26
Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2011, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and John Gethin.
 
10.27
Amendment to Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of March 8, 2011, between Standard Motor Products, Inc. and James Burke.
 
 
102

 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 
Number
 
   
21
List of Subsidiaries of Standard Motor Products, Inc.
   
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
   
23.2
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
   
24
Power of Attorney (see signature page to Annual Report on Form 10-K).
   
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
103

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM ON SCHEDULE

Board of Directors and Stockholders
Standard Motor Products, Inc.

We have audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) the consolidated financial statements of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) referred to in our report dated March 11, 2010 (except for Note 1, Immaterial Correction Related to Prior Periods , and  Note 17, Industry Segment and Geographic Data, as to which the date is March 9, 2011), which is included in the annual report to security holders and included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.  Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2), which is the responsibility of the Company’s management.  In our opinion, this financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
New York, New York
March 11, 2010
 
 
104

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008

         
Additions
             
   
Balance at
   
Charged to
                   
   
beginning
   
costs and
               
Balance at
 
Description
 
of year
   
expenses
   
Other
   
Deductions
   
end of year
 
                               
Year ended December 31, 2010:
                             
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 5,363,000     $ 502,000     $     $ 443,000     $ 5,422,000  
Allowance for discounts
    1,599,000       12,659,000             12,901,000       1,357,000  
    $ 6,962,000     $ 13,161,000     $       $ 13,344,000     $ 6,779,000  
                                         
Allowance for sales returns
  $ 20,442,000     $ 89,211,000     $     $ 86,446,000     $ 23,207,000  
                                         
Allowance for inventory valuation
  $ 36,313,000     $ 7,403,000     $     $ 5,139,000     $ 38,577,000  
                                         
Year ended December 31, 2009:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 8,048,000     $ 946,000     $ (344,000 )(2)   $ 3,287,000     $ 5,363,000  
Allowance for discounts
    1,973,000       13,374,000             13,748,000       1,599,000  
    $ 10,021,000     $ 14,320,000     $ (344,000 )(2)   $ 17,035,000     $ 6,962,000  
                                         
Allowance for sales returns
  $ 19,664,000     $ 84,892,000     $ (118,000 )(2)   $ 83,996,000     $ 20,442,000  
                                         
Allowance for inventory valuation
  $ 33,729,000     $ 6,410,000     $ (1,316,000 )(2)   $ 2,510,000     $ 36,313,000  
                                         
Year ended December 31, 2008:
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 6,620,000     $ 1,874,000     $ (78,000 )(1)   $ 368,000     $ 8,048,000  
Allowance for discounts
    2,344,000       10,979,000             11,350,000       1,973,000  
    $ 8,964,000     $ 12,853,000     $ (78,000 )(1)   $ 11,718,000     $ 10,021,000  
                                         
Allowance for sales returns
  $ 23,149,000     $ 81,488,000     $     $ 84,973,000     $ 19,664,000  
                                         
Allowance for inventory valuation
  $ 36,747,000     $ 3,747,000     $     $ 6,765,000     $ 33,729,000  

(1) Reclass to non-current for receivables with extended terms.

(2)  Allowances related to European distribution business sold in November 2009.

 
105

 
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK
 
OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST OF
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
   
Amended and Restated
 
Effective January 1, 2011
 
 
 

 
 
WHEREAS, the Standard Motor Products, Inc. (the “Company”) has established and maintained the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (the “Plan”); and
 
WHEREAS, the Company intends that the Plan meet the requirements of an employee stock ownership plan under Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) for its eligible employees; and
 
WHEREAS, Section 14.1 of the Plan permits the Employer to amend the Plan; and
 
WHEREAS, the Plan was most recently amended and restated effective January 1, 1997; and
 
WHEREAS, the Employer wishes to amend and restate the Plan, effective January 1, 2011, to comply with the requirements of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (“EGTRRA”), the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 (“HEART Act”), and other changes in the rules and regulations governing the Plan.
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended and restated effective January 1, 2011 except where otherwise specifically stated in the document.
 
 
 

 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
Page
     
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS
1
     
ARTICLE TWO
PURPOSE
12
     
ARTICLE THREE
PARTICIPANTS
13
     
ARTICLE FOUR
COMPANY  CONTRIBUTIONS
14
     
ARTICLE FIVE
EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS
16
     
ARTICLE SIX
ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND FORFEITURES
17
     
ARTICLE SEVEN
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
27
     
ARTICLE EIGHT
MANNER OF PAYMENT
31
     
ARTICLE NINE
ADMINISTRATION
44
     
ARTICLE TEN
CLAIM PROCEDURES
48
     
ARTICLE ELEVEN
TRUSTEES’ POWERS AND DUTIES
50
     
ARTICLE TWELVE
TOP HEAVY RULES
59
     
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
MISCELLANEOUS
68
     
ARTICLE FOURTEEN      
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
70
     
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
REPURCHASE OF COMPANY SECURITIES
72
     
APPENDIX I
SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO EMPLOYEES OF THE GUARANTEED PARTS/SORENSEN DIVISION OF WICKES MANUFACTURING COMPANY
 
 
 
-i-

 
 
ARTICLE ONE
 
Definitions
 
For purposes of this Plan, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:
 
1.1         “Account” means the separate account which the Trustees shall maintain for a Participant under the Plan pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Plan.
 
1.2         “Accounting Date” means the last day of the Plan Year or such other interim valuation date as may be set by the Trustees.
 
1.3         “Beneficiary” means a person designated by a Participant, or otherwise, who is or may become entitled to a benefit under the Plan.
 
1.4         “Break in Service” means an eligibility or vesting computation period, as the case may be, during which a Participant has not completed more than 500 Hours of Service. Solely for purposes of determining whether the Employee incurs a Break in Service under any provision of this Plan, the Trustees shall credit Hours of Service during an Employee’ s unpaid absence period due to maternity or paternity leave. The Trustees shall consider an Employee on maternity or paternity leave if the Employee’s absence is due to the Employee’s pregnancy, the birth of the Employee’s child, the place with the Employee of an adopted child, or the care of the Employee’s child following the child’s birth or placement. The Trustees shall credit Hours of Service under this paragraph on the basis of the number of Hours of Service the Employee would receive, on the basis of 8 hours per day during the absence period. The Trustees shall credit only the number of Hours of Service (up to 501 Hours of Service) necessary to prevent an Employee’s Break in Service. The Trustees shall credit all Hours of Service described in this paragraph to the computation period in which the absence period begins or, if the Employee does not need these Hours of Service to prevent a Break in Service in the computation period in which his absence period begins, the Trustee shall credit these Hours of Service to the immediately following computation period.
 
 
1

 
 
1.5         “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
 
1.6         “Company” means Standard Motor Products, Inc., a New York corporation and any successor thereto.
 
1.7         “Company Securities” means shares of stock which constitute employer securities with respect to the Company as defined in Section 409(l) of the Code.
 
1.8         “Compensation” means the compensation as reported on Form W-2, excluding military differential pay as described in Section 3401(h) of the Code, and including any salary reduction contributions made by the Employee pursuant to a plan described in Section 125 of the Code or qualified under Section 401(k) of the Code, for services paid by an Employer to an Employee during the Plan Year.  For purposes of Article IV and Section 6.2 of the Plan, Compensation shall not include any payments an individual receives while not an Employee, including, but not limited to, severance payments.
 
If for a Plan Year the average of the ratios of the Compensation for each Participant (as limited by the second paragraph of this Section) who is not a Highly Compensated Employee to his Compensation as determined under Section 6.4 for such year (including amounts deferred under a Section 401(k) plan or Section 125 plan maintained by an Employer but after application of the second and third paragraphs of this Section 1.8) is less than the corresponding average office ratios during such Plan Year for Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees, then for all purposes under the Plan, the Compensation of each Employee who is not a Highly Compensated Employee shall be his compensation as determined under Section 6.4 for such year (including amounts deferred under a Section 401(k) plan or Section 125 plan maintained by an Employer).
 
 
2

 
 
For the purposes of Section 6.4 and Article Twelve, Compensation shall include:
 
I)           The Participant’s wages, salaries, fees for professional service and other amounts received for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan (including, but not limited to, commissions paid salesman, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions or insurance premiums, tips and bonuses).
 
II)          In the case of a Participant who is an Employee within the meaning of Section 401(c)(l) and the regulations thereunder, the Participant’s earned income (as described in Section 40l(c)(2) and the regulations thereunder.)
 
III)         For purposes of subdivisions (I) and (II) of this subparagraph, earned income from sources outside the United States (as defined in Section 911(b) of the Code), whether or not excludable from gross income under Section 911 or deductible under Section 913 of the Code.
 
IV)         Amounts described in Sections 104(a)(3), 105(a), and 105(h) of the Code, but only to the extent that these amounts are includible in the gross income of the Employee.
 
V)          Compensation shall also include elective contributions that are not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Section 132(f) of the Code.
 
VI)         Amounts paid or reimbursed by the Employer for moving expenses incurred by an Employee, but only to the extent that these amounts are not deductible by the Employee under Section 217 of the Code.
 
 
3

 
 
VII)       The value of a non-qualified stock option granted to an Employee by the Employer, but only to the extent that the value of the option is includable in the gross income of the Employee for the taxable year in which granted.
 
VIII)      The amount includable in the gross income of an Employee upon making the election described in Section 83(b) of the Code.
 
IX)        Any elective deferral (as defined in Section 402(g)(3) of the Code), and any amount which is contributed by the Employer at the election of the Employee and which is not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Section 125 of the Code.
 
For the purposes of Section 6.4 and Article Twelve, Compensation shall not include:
 
I)           Contributions made by an Employer to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that, before the application of the Section 415 of the Code limitations to that plan, the contributions are not includable in the gross income of the Employee for the taxable year in which contributed. In addition, Employer contributions made on behalf of an Employee to a simplified employee pension described in Section 408(k) of the Code are not considered as Compensation for the taxable year in which contributed to the extent such contributions are deductible by the Employee under Section 219(b)(7) of the Code. Additionally, any distributions from a funded plan of deferred compensation are not considered as Compensation for Section 415 purposes, regardless of whether such amounts are includible in the gross income of the Employee when distributed. However, any amounts received by an Employee pursuant to an unfunded nonqualified plan may be considered as compensation for Section 415 purposes in the year such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Employee.
 
 
4

 
 
II)          Amounts realized from the exercise of a nonqualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by an Employee either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.
 
III)         Amounts realized from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of stock under a qualified stock option.
 
IV)         Other amounts which have special tax benefits, such as premiums for group term life insurance (but only to the extent that the premiums are not includible in the gross income of the Employee), or contributions made by an Employer (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of an annuity contract as described in Section 403(b) or under a Section 401(k) Plan (whether or not the contributions are excludable from the gross income of the Employee).
 
The annual Compensation of each Participant taken into account in determining allocations for any Plan Year shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code (the limit for the 2010 Plan Year is $245,000).  Annual Compensation means Compensation during the Plan Year or such other consecutive 12-month period over which Compensation is otherwise determined under the Plan (the determination period).  The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to annual Compensation for the determination period that begins with or within such calendar year.
 
1.9            “Disability” means that a Participant, because of a physical or mental disability, is unable to perform the duties of his customary position of employment for an indefinite period which the Trustee considers will be of long and continued duration.
 
1.10           “Disqualified Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to that term under Section 4975(e)(2).
 
 
5

 
 
1.11           “Eligible Spouse” shall mean a Participant’s spouse if the Participant and such spouse had been legally married throughout the 1-year period ending on the date of the Participant’s death. To the extent provided in any qualified domestic relations order, “Eligible Spouse” shall also mean a former spouse of the Participant, if such former spouse and Participant had been married for at least 1 year.
 
1.12           “Employee” means any individual employed by an Employer.
 
1.13           “Employer” means the Company, or any ERISA Affiliate that, with the consent of the Company, hereafter adopts the Plan, as provided in Section 13.4.
 
1.14           “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Act of 1974, as amended.
 
1.15           “ERISA Affiliate” means any organization (whether or not incorporated) which, together with the Employer, is a member of a controlled group of corporations, is under “common control” or is a member of an “affiliated service group” within the meaning of Sections 414(b), 414(c) and 414(m) of the Code, respectively.
 
1.16           “Exempt Loan” means a loan (including an extension of credit) used by the Trust to finance the acquisition of Company Securities, which loan may be made or guaranteed by a Disqualified Person, provided the loan satisfies the requirements of Treasury Regulation 54.4975-7(b).
 
1.17           “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value as set by procedures established by the Trustee that comply with Section 3(18) of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
 
1.18           “Highly Compensated Employee” means an Employee who (i) was a 5% owner during the current or preceding Plan Year; or (ii) earned more than $80,000 (or larger amount, as indexed) for the preceding Plan Year.  The dollar amount referred to in the prior sentence shall be adjusted in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate pursuant to Section 415(d) of the Code, such adjustment to be effective for the Plan Year beginning in the calendar year for which such adjustment is announced; for 2011, such amount is $110,000.
 
 
6

 
 
For this purpose, a former employee shall be treated as a highly compensated employee if
 
A)           such former employee was a highly compensated employee when he terminated his employment, or
 
B)           such former employee was a highly compensated employee at any time after attaining age 55.
 
1.19       “Hour of Service” means:
 
(a)           Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, for the performance of duties for an Employer. These hours shall be credited to the Employee for the computation period or periods in which duties are performed;
 
(b)           Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, by an Employer on account of a period of time during which no duties are performed (irrespective of whether the employment relationship has terminated) due to vacation, holiday, illness, incapacity (including disability), layoff, jury duty, military duty or leave of absence. For purposes of this paragraph (b), a payment shall be deemed to be made by or due from an Employer regardless of whether such payment is made by or due from an Employer directly, or indirectly through, among others, a trust fund or insurer to which an Employer contributes or pays premiums, and regardless of whether contributions made or due to the trust fund, insurer or other entity are for the benefit of particular Employees or are on behalf of a group of Employees in the aggregate. In the case of a family and medical leave of absence a Participant shall be credited, to the extent required by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, for purposes of eligibility for participation and vesting, with the total number of Hours of Service he or she would have worked has he or she not been on a family and medical leave of absence;
 
 
7

 
 
(c)           Each hour for which back pay, irrespective of mitigation of damages, is either awarded or agreed to by an Employer. The same Hours of Service shall not be credited under both paragraph (a) or paragraph (b), as the case may be, and under this paragraph (c). These hours shall be credited to the Employee for the computation period or periods to which the award or agreement pertains rather than the computation period or periods in which the award, agreement or payment is made. Crediting of Hours of Service for back pay awarded or agreed to with respect to periods described in paragraph (b) above shall be subject to the limitations set forth in that paragraph;
 
(d)           No more than 501 Hours of Service shall be credited under paragraphs (b) and (c) for the nonperformance of duties for any single continuous period (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period). Hours of Service hereunder shall be calculated and credited pursuant to Section 2530.200b-2(b) and (c) of the Department of Labor regulations which are incorporated herein by reference. In crediting Hours of Service hereunder, each Employee for whom the Employer does not maintain hourly work records and who completes at least one Hour of Service (pursuant to paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above) during any week shall be credited with 45 Hours of Service for such week. For each other Employee, Hours of Service shall be credited based on the number of hours actually worked. For purposes of this Section 1.19, the term Employee shall include all persons employed by an Employer including employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement and the term Employer shall include all ER1SA Affiliates whether or not they have adopted the Plan;
 
 
8

 
 
(e)           Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in case of an absence from employment because of qualified military service, an Employee shall be credited, to the extent required by the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 and Code Section 414(u), for purposes of eligibility and vesting, with the total number of Hours of Service he would have worked had he not been on a leave of absence due to military service.
 
1.20        “Normal Retirement Date” means the date on which a Participant attains 65 years of age.
 
1.21        “Participant” means any present or former Employee who is qualified to participate and does participate in the Plan and for whom there remains an account balance.
 
1.22        “Plan” means the tax-qualified stock bonus plan established by the Company hereunder, designed to invest primarily in Company Securities and known as the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust of Standard Motor Products, Inc.
 
1.23        “Plan Administrator” shall be the person designated by the Company from time to time to have full responsibility for compliance with the reporting and disclosure rules under the Act with respect to the Plan, and such other duties as may be consistent therewith. lf no such person or committee is designated, the Company shall be the Plan Administrator.
 
1.24        “Plan Year” means the 12 consecutive month period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31.
 
1.25        “Rollover Account” means the amount maintained by the Trustees for a Participant who has elected to make a rollover contribution as provided in Section 5.2 of the Plan.
 
1.26        “Trust” means the entity created under the provisions of this Plan.
 
9

 
 
1.27         “Trustees” means the party or parties, individual or corporate, who are signatories to this Plan as Trustees, and any duly appointed additional or successor Trustee or Trustees acting hereunder. The Trustees shall be the “named fiduciaries” referred to in Section 402(a) of ERISA with respect to the control management and disposition of the assets of the Trust.
 
1.28         “Trust Fund” means the total of the contributions made by the Employers to the Trust pursuant to the Plan, increased by profits, gains, income and recoveries received, and decreased by losses, depreciation, benefits paid and expenses incurred in the administration of the Trust. Trust Funds includes all assets acquired by investment and reinvestment which are held in the Trust by the Trustees.
 
1.29         “Year of Service” means a 12 consecutive month period during which an Employee is credited with at least 1,000 Hours of Service. For purposes of determining an Employee’s eligibility for participation in the Plan, the initial 12 month period shall begin on the first day on which such Employee shall be credited with an Hour of Service and the subsequent 12 consecutive month period shall be Plan Years (including Plan Years prior to the effective date of the Plan) beginning after the first day on which the Employee is credited with an Hour of Service. In the case of an Employee who incurs a Break in Service at a time when he is nonvested in any portion of his benefit, and whose Break in Service exceeds the greater of (i) 5, or (ii) his years of eligibility service prior to such Break in Service, his eligibility service prior to such Break in Service shall be disregarded for eligibility purposes and for the initial 12 consecutive month period for determining his eligibility for participation following such Breaks in Service.
 
 
10

 
 
1.30         “Year of Vesting Service” means any Plan Year, including Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 1997, during which an Employee is credited with at least 1,000 Hours of Service.
 
 
11

 
 
ARTICLE TWO
 
Purpose
 
2.1           The Plan is established to provide for the participation of Employees in the growth of the Company by enabling them to acquire stock ownership interests in the Company, The Plan is intended as a stock bonus plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code and Section 407(d)(6) of ERISA.
 
2.2           The Trust hereunder is designed to invest primarily in Company Securities and is created for the exclusive benefit of Participants and their Beneficiaries and shall be interpreted and administered at all times in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Code and the Regulations thereunder relating to qualified stock bonus plans and trusts and employee stock ownership plans. Except as provided in Section 4.4 or Section 9.3(b), the principal or income of this Trust shall not be paid to or revert to the Company or be used for any purpose whatsoever other than the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their Beneficiaries.
 
 
12

 
 
ARTICLE THREE
 
Participants
 
3.1         Each Employee who is a Participant in the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Employees’ Profit Sharing Plan and Trust on December 31, 2010 shall continue to participate in this Plan on January 1, 2011.
 
For all other Employees, the following eligibility rules shall apply:
 
(a)           Effective March 30, 1998, all former Cooper Industries, Inc. employees who join the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan immediately.
 
(b)           Any Employee who completes 30 days of service with the Company shall become a Participant on the first day of the following calendar quarter.  Thirty days of service shall mean the 30 day period beginning with the Employee’s date of hire.
 
(c)           Effective July 1, 2003, all former employees of Dana Corporation who join the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan immediately.
 
3.2         If a former Employee who has incurred a termination of employment again becomes an Employee, then, unless his prior Years of Service are disregarded for eligibility purposes in accordance with Section 1.29, his prior service shall be recognized for eligibility purposes in accordance with Section 3.1 above had he not incurred a termination of employment.
 
3.3         Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan if he is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between Employee representatives and an Employer if retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining. Further, Employees who are nonresident aliens and who receive no earned income (within the meaning of Section 911(d)(2) of the Code) from the Employer which constitutes income from sources within the United States (within the meaning of Section 861(a)(3) of the Code) shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.
 
 
13

 
 
ARTICLE FOUR
 
Company  Contributions
 
4.1         Each Employer, or the Company acting on behalf of such Employer, shall contribute to the Trust under the Plan for each Plan Year it is in effect such an amount or amounts as it shall determine to be advisable.
 
4.2         The Trustees shall not be under any duty to inquire into the correctness of the amount contributed and paid over to the Trustees nor shall they have any duty to enforce payment of any contributions to be made hereunder. Employer contributions may be made in whole or in part in cash or in the form of Company Securities.
 
4.3         If more than one Employer maintains the Plan, the Trustees shall account separately for each Employer’s contribution(s) for a Plan Year to the Accounts of those Participants actually employed by that Employer during the Plan Year. For purposes of Section 6.2, Compensation shall include compensation paid or accrued during the Plan Year by an Employer during that Plan Year.  For purposes of Section 6.2, Compensation shall only include compensation paid or accrued for the period that the Employee is a Participant in the Plan during the Plan Year.
 
4.4         The establishment of the Plan and Trust by the Company is contingent upon obtaining the approval of the Internal Revenue Service. In the event that the Internal Revenue Service fails to approve the Plan and Trust, the Trustees shall proceed to liquidate the Trust by paying all expenses and returning all remaining assets to the Employers to which they are attributable as promptly as practical, but in no event later than 1 year after the date of the resolution of any appeals before the Internal Revenue Service or the courts. The Trust shall thereupon terminate. In the event an Employer contribution is made under a mistake of fact, such contribution shall be returned to the Employer within 1 year after the payment of the contribution, and if a deduction under Section 404 of the Code for a contribution is disallowed, such contribution shall be returned to the Employer (to the extent disallowed) within 1 year after the disallowance of the deduction.  The Trustees may require an Employer to furnish whatever evidence the Trustees deem necessary to enable the Trustees to confirm that the amount an Employer has requested be returned is properly returnable under ERISA.
 
 
14

 
 
4.5         Employer contributions may be paid in cash in such amounts and at such times as may be needed to provide the Trustees with cash sufficient to pay any currently maturing exempt loan obligations, provided, however, that to the extent provided in Section 11.12, such loan obligations (principal and interest) may be paid from cash dividends on Company Securities held by the Plan.
 
 
15

 
 
ARTICLE FIVE
 
Employee Contributions
 
5.1          The Plan does not require or permit contributions by Employees or Participants.
 
5.2           (a)           Subject to such objective and reasonable terms and conditions as the Trustees may establish from time to time, an Employee may at any time make a rollover contribution to this Plan, which shall be held by the Trustees in a Rollover Account established on behalf of such Employee. Such Employee shall submit a written certification by the sponsor, administrator or other party maintaining the plan from which the rollover contribution is to be received, satisfactory to the Trustees, that the contributions qualifies as a rollover contribution. The Trustees shall be entitled to rely upon such certification.
 
(b)           A contribution shall qualify as a rollover contribution if it satisfies the requirements of a rollover amount with respect to this Plan as an Eligible Retirement Plan as defined in Section 402(a) of the Code.
 
(c)           A Participant’s Rollover Account shall be distributed at the same time, to the same party and in the same manner as the Participant’s Account pursuant to Article Eight.
 
 
16

 
 
ARTICLE SIX
 
Allocation of Contributions and Forfeitures
 
6.1          The Trustees shall establish and maintain an Account in the name of each Participant and shall determine the accrual of benefits on the basis of the Plan Year.
 
6.2           (a)           70% of the contributions for a Plan Year made by an Employer shall be allocated to the Accounts of those Participants (i) who are Employees or on maternity or paternity leave as of January 1 of the current year, or (ii) who retire on or after their Normal Retirement Date, die or incur a Disability during the Plan Year for which the contribution is made, in the ratio which the Compensation of each such Participant for the Plan Year for which the contribution is made bears to the total Compensation of all such Participants for such Plan Year.
 
(b)           30% of the contributions made by an Employer for a Plan Year shall be allocated to the Accounts of those Participants who (i) have completed at least 5 Years of Vesting Service by the last day of the Plan Year for which the contribution is made, and (II) who are Employees or on maternity or paternity leave as of January 1 of the current Plan Year, or who retire on or after their Normal Retirement Date, die or incur a Disability during the Plan Year for which the contribution is made, in the ratio of which the Compensation of each such Participant for the Plan Year for which the contribution is made bears to the total Compensation of such Participants for such Plan Year.
 
 
17

 
 
6.3          In no event shall the Trustees allocate to the Account of any Participant in any Plan Year an Annual Addition (as hereinafter defined) in excess of the Maximum Permissible Amount (as hereinafter defined). If, as a result of the allocation of forfeitures, a reasonable error in estimating a Participant’s annual Compensation, or under other limited facts and circumstances justify the availability of the rules set forth in this paragraph, the Annual Additions under the terms of this Plan for a particular Participant exceed the Maximum Permissible Amount applicable to that Participant for the limitation year, the excess amounts shall not be deemed Annual Additions in that limitation year, and the Trustees shall hold the excess in a suspense account (but only to the extent permitted under current Code regulations and other relevant guidance) and allocate such amount in the following Plan Year to the Account from which such excess arose. The Trustees shall not distribute any such excess to Participants or former Participants. The allocation shall be made as of January 1 of the current Plan Year.
 
6.4          For purposes of this Article:
 
(a)           Annual Addition shall mean the sum of the following amounts allocated on behalf of a Participant for a Plan Year: (i) all Employer contributions allocated to such Accounts, (ii) all forfeitures (including income allocable thereto) and (iii) the amount of all nondeductible Participant contributions. For the purpose of this Article, Annual Addition shall also include excess amounts allocated to Accounts under Section 6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Company contributions applied by the Trustees for any Plan Year to pay interest on an exempt loan and any shares of Company Securities acquired by the Plan with the proceeds of an exempt loan which are allocated as forfeitures pursuant to Section 6.2(b) for any Plan Year shall not be included as Annual Additions, provided that not more than 1/3 of the Company contributions applied to pay principal and interest on an exempt loan for such Plan Year are allocated to Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees. The Trustees may reallocate such Company contributions in order to satisfy this special limitation.
 
 
18

 
 
Annual Additions shall also include amounts allocated to an individual medical account (as defined in Section 415(l) of the Code) included as part of a defined benefit plan maintained by the Company. Furthermore, Annual Additions include contributions paid or accrued attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to the separate account of a key employee (as defined in Code Section 419A(d)(3)) under a welfare benefit fund maintained by the Company.
 
(b)           Except to the extent permitted under Section 414(v) of the Code, the annual addition that may be contributed or allocated to a participant’s account under the Plan for any limitation year shall not exceed the lesser of: (i) $40,000, as adjusted by increases in the cost-of-living under Section 415(d) of the Code (the limit for the 2010 Plan Year is $49,000), or (ii) 100 percent of the Participant’s compensation, within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, for the limitation year.  The compensation limit referred to in (ii) shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits after separation from service (within the meaning of Section 401(h) and Section 419A(f)(2) of the Code) which is otherwise treated as an annual addition.
 
(c)           Company shall mean all members of a group which constitute a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b) as modified by Code Section 415(h)), or which constitutes a trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which are under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c) as modified by Code Section 415(h)), or which constitutes an affiliated service group as defined by Code Section 414(m).
 
(d)           The Trustees shall treat all defined contribution plans (whether or not terminated) maintained by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate as a single plan.
 
6.5          Final Section 415 Regulations.   (a) Effective date.  The provisions of this Section 6.5 (subject to Section 1.8) shall apply to limitation years beginning on and after January 1, 2008.
 
 
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(b)           415 Compensation paid after severance from employment.  415 Compensation (defined as the compensation that shall be considered for Section 415 of the Code purposes only and not for any other purposes under the Plan, including for purposes of Article IV) shall be adjusted, as set forth herein, for the following types of compensation paid after a Participant's severance from employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan (or any other entity that is treated as the Employer pursuant to Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o)) of the Code. However, amounts described in subsections (i) and (ii) below may only be included in 415 Compensation to the extent such amounts are paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after severance from employment or by the end of the limitation year that includes the date of such severance from employment. Any other payment of compensation paid after severance of employment that is not described in the following types of compensation is not considered 415 Compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, even if payment is made within the time period specified above.
 
(i)           Regular pay. 415 Compensation shall include regular pay after severance of employment if:
 
(1)           The payment is regular compensation for services during the participant's regular working hours, or compensation for services outside the participant's regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other similar payments; and
 
(2)           The payment would have been paid to the participant prior to a severance from employment if the participant had continued in employment with the Employer.
 
 
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(ii)           Leave cashouts and deferred compensation.  Leave cashouts shall be included in 415 Compensation if those amounts would have been included in the definition of 415 Compensation if they were paid prior to the participant's severance from employment, and the amounts are payment for unused accrued bona fide sick, vacation, or other leave, but only if the participant would have been able to use the leave if employment had continued. In addition, deferred compensation shall be included in 415 Compensation if the compensation would have been included in the definition of 415 Compensation if it had been paid prior to the participant's severance from employment and the compensation is received pursuant to a nonqualified unfunded deferred compensation plan, but only if the payment would have been paid at the same time if the participant had continued in employment with the Employer and only to the extent that the payment is includible in the participant's gross income.
 
(iii)           Salary continuation payments for military service participants.  415 Compensation does not include payments to an individual who does not currently perform services for the Employer by reason of qualified military service (as that term is used in Section 414(u)(1) of the Code) to the extent those payments do not exceed the amounts the individual would have received if the individual had continued to perform services for the Employer rather than entering qualified military service.
 
(c)           Administrative delay ("the first few weeks") rule.  415 Compensation for a limitation year shall not include amounts earned but not paid during the limitation year solely because of the timing of pay periods and pay dates.  415 Compensation for a limitation year may include amounts earned but not paid during the limitation year solely because of the timing of pay periods and pay dates, provided the amounts are paid during the first few weeks of the next limitation year, the amounts are included on a uniform and consistent basis with respect to all similarly situated participants, and no compensation is included in more than one limitation year.
 
 
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(d)           Definition of annual additions.  The Plan's definition of "annual additions" is modified as follows:
 
(i)           Restorative payments. Annual additions for purposes of Section 415 of the Code shall not include restorative payments. A restorative payment is a payment made to restore losses to a Plan resulting from actions by a fiduciary for which there is reasonable risk of liability for breach of a fiduciary duty under ERISA or under other applicable federal or state law, where participants who are similarly situated are treated similarly with respect to the payments. Generally, payments are restorative payments only if the payments are made in order to restore some or all of the plan's losses due to an action (or a failure to act) that creates a reasonable risk of liability for such a breach of fiduciary duty (other than a breach of fiduciary duty arising from failure to remit contributions to the Plan). This includes payments to a plan made pursuant to a Department of Labor order, the Department of Labor's Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program, or a court approved settlement, to restore losses to a qualified defined contribution plan on account of the breach of fiduciary duty (other than a breach of fiduciary duty arising from failure to remit contributions to the Plan). Payments made to the Plan to make up for losses due merely to market fluctuations and other payments that are not made on account of a reasonable risk of liability for breach of a fiduciary duty under ERISA are not restorative payments and generally constitute contributions that are considered annual additions.
 
(ii)           Other Amounts. Annual additions for purposes of Section 415 of the Code shall not include:  (1) The direct transfer of a benefit or employee contributions from a qualified plan to this Plan; or (2) Rollover contributions (as described in Sections 401(a)(31), 402(c)(1), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), and 457(e)(16) of the Code).
 
 
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(e)           Change of limitation year.  The limitation year may only be changed by a Plan amendment. Furthermore, if the Plan is terminated effective as of a date other than the last day of the Plan's limitation year, then the Plan is treated as if the Plan had been amended to change its limitation year.
 
(f)           Excess Annual Additions.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the annual additions (within the meaning of Section 415 of the Code) are exceeded for any participant, then the Plan may correct such excess in accordance with relevant IRS guidance, including, but not limited to, the preamble of the final Section 415 of the Code regulations.
 
(g)           Aggregation and Disaggregation of Plans.
 
(i)            For purposes of applying the limitations of Section 415 of the Code, all defined contribution plans (without regard to whether a plan has been terminated) ever maintained by the Employer (or a "predecessor employer") under which the participant receives annual additions are treated as one defined contribution plan. The "Employer" means the Employer that adopts this Plan and all members of a controlled group or an affiliated service group that includes the Employer (within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code), except that for purposes of this Section, the determination shall be made by applying Section 415(h) of the Code, and shall take into account tax exempt organizations under regulation Section 1.414(c)-5, as modified by regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1). For purposes of this Section:
 
 
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(1)           A former Employer is a "predecessor employer" with respect to a participant in a plan maintained by an Employer if the Employer maintains a plan under which the participant had accrued a benefit while performing services for the former Employer, but only if that benefit is provided under the plan maintained by the Employer. For this purpose, the formerly affiliated plan rules in regulation Section 1.415(f)-1(b)(2) apply as if the Employer and predecessor Employer constituted a single employer under the rules described in regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2) immediately prior to the cessation of affiliation (and as if they constituted two, unrelated employers under the rules described in regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2) immediately after the cessation of affiliation) and cessation of affiliation was the event that gives rise to the predecessor employer relationship, such as a transfer of benefits or plan sponsorship.
 
(2)           With respect to an Employer of a participant, a former entity that antedates the Employer is a "predecessor employer" with respect to the participant if, under the facts and circumstances, the employer constitutes a continuation of all or a portion of the trade or business of the former entity.
 
 
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(ii)           Break up of an affiliate employer or an affiliated service group.  For purposes of aggregating plans for Section 415 of the Code, a "formerly affiliated plan" of an employer is taken into account for purposes of applying the Section 415 of the Code limitations to the employer, but the formerly affiliated plan is treated as if it had terminated immediately prior to the "cessation of affiliation."  For purposes of this paragraph, a "formerly affiliated plan" of an employer is a plan that, immediately prior to the cessation of affiliation, was actually maintained by one or more of the entities that constitute the employer (as determined under the employer affiliation rules described in regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2)), and immediately after the cessation of affiliation, is not actually maintained by any of the entities that constitute the employer (as determined under the employer affiliation rules described in regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2)). For purposes of this paragraph, a "cessation of affiliation" means the event that causes an entity to no longer be aggregated with one or more other entities as a single employer under the employer affiliation rules described in Regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2) (such as the sale of a subsidiary outside a controlled group), or that causes a plan to not actually be maintained by any of the entities that constitute the employer under the employer affiliation rules of regulation Section 1.415(a)-1(f)(1) and (2) (such as a transfer of plan sponsorship outside of a controlled group).
 
(iii)           Midyear Aggregation.  Two or more defined contribution plans that are not required to be aggregated pursuant to Section 415(f) of the Code and the regulations thereunder as of the first day of a limitation year do not fail to satisfy the requirements of Section 415 of the Code with respect to a participant for the limitation year merely because they are aggregated later in that limitation year, provided that no annual additions are credited to the participant's account after the date on which the plans are required to be aggregated.
 
 
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6.6         Effective January 1, 2009, military differential wage payments, as described in Section 3401(h) of the Code, are considered compensation for purposes of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, but are not considered compensation for any other purpose under the Plan.
 
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ARTICLE SEVEN
 
Termination of Employment
 
7.1         All payments made by the Trustees pursuant to this Article shall be made in the manner provided in Article Eight.
 
7.2         A Participant’s Account shall be 100% non-forfeitable upon his attainment of his Normal Retirement Age (A) while employed by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate or (B) while on maternity or paternity leave. The Account of a Participant who remains in the employ of an Employer after attaining Normal Retirement Age shall continue to share in Employer contributions.
 
7.3         When a Participant terminates employment prior to attaining Normal Retirement Age because of death or Disability, the Trustees shall commence payment of the Participant’s non-forfeitable Account balance as determined under Section 7.6 to him (or to his Beneficiary if the Participant is deceased), in accordance with the provisions of Article Eight.
 
7.4         In no event shall the Trustees commence payment under Section 7.3 later than the time prescribed by Article Eight.
 
7.5         The non-vested portion of a Participant’s Account shall be forfeited at the time the Participant incurs 5 consecutive one-year Breaks in Service or, if earlier, at the time the Participant receives a lump-sum distribution of the non-forfeitable portion of his Account upon his termination of participation in the Plan. A distribution shall be deemed to be made upon termination of participation in this Plan if such distribution is made prior to the close of the second Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the termination occurs. For the purposes of this Section 7.5, if a Participant terminates employment without having any non-forfeitable interest in his Account, he shall be deemed to have received an immediate distribution of the non-forfeitable portion of such Account and thus the non-vested portion of the Account shall at that time he forfeited.
 
 
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In making a forfeiture, to the extent possible, Company Securities held in an Account that have been acquired pursuant to an exempt loan shall be forfeited last.  If a Participant’s Account reflects an interest in more than one class of Company Securities, the Trustees shall treat a Participant who incurs a forfeiture as forfeiting the same proportion of each such class.
 
Forfeitures arising under this Section 7.5 shall first be applied to the restoration of previously forfeited amounts to the extent required by Section 7.6. All or any portion of the remaining forfeitures shall be allocated among the Accounts of Participants in the same manner as provided in Section 6.2(a).
 
7.6         In the event that a former Participant (i) was not 100% vested in his Account, (ii) received a lump-sum distribution upon his termination of employment prior to the time he incurred 5 consecutive one-year Breaks in Service, (iii) who forfeited a portion of his Account upon such distribution, and (iv) is re-employed by the Company or an ERISA Affiliate prior to the time he incurs 5 consecutive one-year Breaks in Service, such Participant may elect on a form prescribed by the Trustees to repay to the Plan in cash, at any time prior to the earlier of (A) 5 years from his date of re-employment or (B) his incurring 5 consecutive one-year Breaks in Service, and the full amount distributed to him upon his prior termination of employment will be restored and credited to his Account as of such Accounting Date. Any forfeited amount shall be derived, to the extent necessary, from:
 
(a)           The amount, if any, of Participant forfeitures that would otherwise be allocated under Section 7.6;
 
 
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(b)           The amount, if any, of the Trust Fund net income or gain for the Plan Year, and
 
(c)           The amount, if any, of Employer contributions under Section 4.1 for the Plan Year, as the Trustees, in their discretion, direct. To the extent possible, such restoration of forfeitures shall be made in the form of Company Securities.
 
7.7           (a)           A Participant’s Account balance shall be 100% non-forfeitable upon his death or Disability (A) while employed by the Company or an ERISA Affiliate or (B) while on maternity or paternity leave.  Effective January 1, 2007, a Participant's Account balance shall be 100% non-forfeitable upon his death while performing qualifying military service as provided in Section 414(u) of the Code.
 
(b)           A Participant shall receive for each Year of Vesting Service a non-forfeitable right to such Account balance according to the following schedule:
 
Years of Vesting Service
 
% of Non-forfeitable Account
         
Less than 2
   
0%
 
         
2
   
20%
 
         
3
   
40%
 
         
4
   
60%
 
         
5
   
80%
 
         
6
   
100%
 
 
(c)           Effective March 30, 1998 all former employees of Cooper Industries, Inc. shall have their prior service with their former organization count in determining their Years of Vesting Service.
 
 
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(d)           Effective July 1, 2003, all former employees of Dana Corporation who join the Company shall have their prior service with their former organization count in determining their Years of Vesting Service.
 
(e)           With respect to cash dividends paid on Company Securities held under the Plan, a Participant shall vest in such dividends at the same time vesting occurs with respect to the underlying Company Securities on which the dividends are paid.
 
7.8         The following rules shall apply to the determination of Years of Vesting Service:
 
(a)           Years of Vesting Service before any Break in Service shall be disregarded if a Participant terminates employment without any non-forfeitable interest in his Account and the number of consecutive one-year Breaks in Service equals or exceeds the greater of:
 
i)           the aggregate number of Years of Vesting Service prior to such consecutive Breaks in Service; or
 
ii)           5.
 
(b)           Years of Vesting Service after any 5 consecutive one-year Breaks in Service shall not increase the non-forfeitable percentage of the Participant’s Account which accrued before such Break in Service.
 
7.9         Effective January 1, 2007, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the case of a Participant who dies while performing qualifying military service as provided in Section 414(u) of the Code, the survivors of the Participant are entitled to any additional benefits that would have been provided under the Plan (other than benefit accruals) had the Participant resumed employment and terminated employment on account of death pursuant to Section 401(a)(37) of the Code.
 
 
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ARTICLE EIGHT
 
Manner of Payment
 
8.1         Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustees shall direct that the distribution of the benefits payable to a Participant upon his retirement after attaining his Normal Retirement Date, or to his Beneficiary upon his death, commence as soon as practicable after such event, but in all cases prior to the close of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which such retirement or death occurs. The balance in such Participant’s Account shall be for this purpose determined as of the Accounting Date coincident with or immediately preceding such distribution.
 
8.2         When a Participant incurs a termination of employment or a Disability, his benefits shall be distributed as soon as is practicable based upon the Accounting Date coincident with or immediately prior to such distribution; provided, however, that if the value of such benefit exceeds $5,000 then distribution of such benefit shall not commence until the earlier of (A) the later of his Normal Retirement Date or 62 nd birthday, or (B) his death, unless the Participant, at the time he incurs a termination of employment or Disability, consents to such earlier distribution of aforesaid.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective March 28, 2005 and prior to January 1, 2008, distributions greater than $1,000 made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 8.2 will not  commence until the earlier of (A) the later of his Normal Retirement Date or 62 nd birthday, or (B) his death, unless the Participant, at the time he incurs a termination of employment or Disability, consents to such earlier distribution.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, effective January 1, 2008, in the event a Participant incurs a termination of employment or Disability, and his benefit exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000, and the Participant does not elect to have such distribution paid to an eligible retirement plan specified by the Participant in a direct rollover or to receive the distribution directly in a lump sum payment, then the Plan Administrator shall pay the distribution in a direct rollover to an individual retirement plan designated by the Plan Administrator.
 
 
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8.3         Benefits shall be distributed in accordance with the following methods:
 
(a)           All benefits payable on account of a Participant retiring after reaching his Normal Retirement Date or on account of his termination of employment or Disability shall be paid in the form of a single lump sum.
 
(b)           All benefits payable on account of a Participant’s death shall be distributed to his Beneficiary or Beneficiaries in a lump sum as soon as practicable after the Accounting Date coincident with or immediately following the date of such death.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a Participant dies before the distribution of his Account has begun, a Beneficiary may request in writing that the distribution be made in a lump sum at some later date within 5 years after the Participant’s death.
 
(c)           In all events the present value of the portion of the benefit payable to the Participant shall be greater than 50% of the present value of the total benefit payable to the Participant and his Beneficiary unless the Participant’s Beneficiary is his Eligible Spouse, and the distribution of a Participant’s benefit (or the distribution of any benefit payable upon the death of a Participant) shall comply with the provisions of Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and regulations published thereunder. This paragraph shall be administered in accordance with the Minimum Distribution Incidental Benefit Requirements of Reg. Section 1.40l(a)(9)-2, and shall apply notwithstanding any other contrary provisions in this Plan. Any portion of a Participant’s interest that is payable to (or for the benefit of a Beneficiary) shall begin not later than one year after the date of the employee’s death or such later date as the Secretary of Treasury may prescribe by regulation.
 
 
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8.4         All benefits payable under the Plan shall be paid or provided for solely by the Trust Fund. Neither the Company or any other Employer assumes any liability or responsibility therefor. Notwithstanding any provision hereof, and unless the Participant otherwise elects, in no event shall the payment of benefits commence later than 60 days after the close of the Plan Year in which occurs the latest of:
 
i)           the Participant reaching his Normal Retirement Date;
 
ii)          the 10th anniversary of the year in which the Participant commenced participation in the Plan; or,
 
iii)         the Participant’s termination of employment.
 
8.5         A Participant, other than a 5% owner, shall have his benefits commence no later than April 1 of the calendar year following the later of (i) the calendar year in which he attains age 70-1/2, or (ii) the earlier of (A) the calendar year with or within which ends the Plan Year in which he becomes a “5% owner” or (B) the calendar year in which he retires.
 
8.6          Minimum Distribution Requirements .
 
(a)            General Rules
 
i)            Effective Date .  The provisions of this Section 8.6 will apply for purposes of determining required minimum distributions.  The requirements of this Section 8.6 will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of the Plan.
 
ii)            Requirements of Treasury Regulations Incorporated .  All distributions required under this article will be determined and made in accordance with the Treasury regulations under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
 
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iii)            TEFRA Section 242(b)(2) Elections .  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this article, distributions may be made under a designation made before January 1, 1984, in accordance with section 242(b)(2) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) and the provisions of the plan that relate to section 242(b)(2) of TEFRA.
(b)          Time and Manner of Distribution .
 
i)            Required Beginning Date .  The Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to the Participant no later than the Participant’s required beginning date.
 
ii)            Death of Participant Before Distributions Begin .  If the Participant dies before distributions begin, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:
 
(1)           If the Participant's surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, then distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70½, if later, or as a lump sum within 5 years of the year of the Participant’s death if so elected by the surviving spouse.
 
(2)           If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, then distributions to the designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died or as a lump sum within 5 years of the year of the Participant’s death if so elected by the Beneficiary.
 
 
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(3)           If there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death.
 
(4)           If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Participant but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, this subsection (b)(ii), other than subsection (b)(ii)(1), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the participant.
 
For purposes of this subsection (b)(ii) and subsection (d), unless subsection (b)(ii)(4) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Participant’s required beginning date. If section (b)(ii)(4) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under subsection (b)(ii)(1).
 
iii)            Forms of Distribution .  Unless the Participant’s interest is distributed in a single sum on or before the required beginning date, as of the first distribution calendar year distributions will be made in accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this article.
 
(c)            Required Minimum Distributions During Participant’s Lifetime .
 
i)            Amount of Required Minimum Distribution For Each Distribution Calendar Year . During the Participant’s lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year is the lesser of:
 
(1)           the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's account balance by the distribution period in the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations, using the Participant’s age as of the Participant’s birthday in the distribution calendar year; or
 
 
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(2)           if the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary for the distribution calendar year is the Participant’s spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the number in the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations, using the Participant’s and spouse’s attained ages as of the Participant’s and spouse’s birthdays in the distribution calendar year.
 
ii)            Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year of Participant’s Death .  Required minimum distributions will be determined under this subsection (c) beginning with the first distribution calendar year and up to and including the distribution calendar year that includes the Participant’s date of death.
 
(d)           Required Minimum Distributions After Participant’s Death .
 
i)            Death On or After Date Distributions Begin .
 
(1)           Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's account balance by the longer of the remaining life expectancy of the Participant or the remaining life expectancy of the Participant’s designated Beneficiary, determined as follows:
 
(A)           The Participant’s remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.
 
 
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(B)          If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death using the surviving spouse’s age as of the spouse’s birthday in that year. For distribution calendar years after the year of the surviving spouse’s death, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouse’s birthday in the calendar year of the spouse’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year.
 
(C)          If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, the designated Beneficiary’s remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Beneficiary in the year following the year of the Participant’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.
 
(2)            No Designated Beneficiary .  If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year after the year of the Participant’s death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's account balance by the Participant’s remaining life expectancy calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.
 
ii)            Death Before Date Distributions Begin .
 
(1)           Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary. Unless the Beneficiary has elected otherwise, if the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's account balance by the remaining life expectancy of the Participant’s designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in subsection (d)(1).
 
 
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(2)           No Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death, distribution of the Participant's entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death.
 
(3)           Death of Surviving Spouse Before Distributions to Surviving Spouse Are Required to Begin. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin, the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under subsection (b)(ii)(1), this subsection (d)(ii) will apply as if the surviving spouse were the participant.
 
(e)           Definitions .
 
i)             Designated Beneficiary .  The individual who is designated as the Beneficiary under section 1.3 of the Plan and is the designated Beneficiary under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 1.401(a)(9)-1, Q&A-4, of the Treasury regulations.
 
ii)            Distribution calendar year . A calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required. For distributions beginning before the Participant’s death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Participant's required beginning date. For distributions beginning after the Participant’s death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin under subsection (b). The required minimum distribution for the Participant's first distribution calendar year will be made on or before the Participant's required beginning date. The required minimum distribution for other distribution calendar years, including the required minimum distribution for the distribution calendar year in which the Participant's required beginning date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that distribution calendar year.
 
 
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iii)           Life expectancy .  Life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations.
 
iv)           Participant’s account balance .  The account balance as of the last valuation date in the calendar year immediately preceding the distribution calendar year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date. The account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the distribution calendar year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.
 
v)            Required beginning date .  The Required Beginning Date of a Participant who is not a 5% owner is the April 1st of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the occurs the later of retirement or attainment of age 70½.  The Required Beginning Date of a Participant who is a 5% owner, is the April 1st immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant reaches age 70½.
 
(f)            2009 Required Minimum Distributions
 
i)            To the extent the Plan was required to make required minimum distributions for 2009, such distributions, if any, were made without regard to the temporary required minimum distribution suspension and rollover rules provided under the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2009.
 
 
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8.7          Each Participant may designate one or more Beneficiaries and contingent Beneficiaries by delivering a written designation thereof to the Trustees. Upon the death of a Participant, his Beneficiaries shall be entitled to payment of benefits in an amount and in the manner provided in the Plan. A Participant may change his Beneficiary designation at any time by delivering a new written designation to the Trustees. The most recent designation received by the Trustees shall supersede all prior designations. A designation of Beneficiary shall be effective only if the designated Beneficiary survives the Participant.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant has an Eligible Spouse on the date of his death, such Eligible Spouse shall be his sole primary Beneficiary, unless the spouse delivers a written consent to the Trustees waiving her right to be the sole primary Beneficiary. Such consent shall be irrevocable and in favor of a specific alternate beneficiary who may not be changed without the further consent of such spouse; provided, however, that an Eligible Spouse may execute an irrevocable general consent which shall expressly permit the Participant to select any alternate Beneficiary at any time without the need for any additional consent by such spouse. An Eligible Spouse’s consent shall contain an acknowledgment by the Eligible Spouse of the effect thereof, and shall be witnessed by a representative of the Plan or by a notary public. Such consent of an Eligible Spouse shall not be required if it is established to the satisfaction of the Trustees that the required consent cannot be obtained because there is no Eligible Spouse, or an Eligible Spouse cannot be located, or in other circumstances that may be prescribed by Treasury regulations.
 
 
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8.8          If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary, in accordance with Section 8.7, or if no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, if he is married at the date of his death, shall be deemed to be his designated Beneficiary. If, under such circumstances, the Participant is not married at the date of his death, his designated Beneficiary shall be deemed to be his estate.
 
8.9          Whenever the rights of a Participant are stated or limited in the Plan, his Beneficiary or Beneficiaries shall be bound thereby.
 
8.10        The Plan does not require the Trustees to search for, or ascertain the whereabouts of, any Participant or Beneficiary. The Employer, by certified or registered mail addressed to his last known address of record with the Trustees, shall notify any Participant or Beneficiary that he is entitled to a distribution under the Plan. If the Participant or Beneficiary fails to claim his Accounts or make his whereabouts known in writing to the Trustees within 12 months of the date of mailing of the notice, or before the termination or discontinuance of the Plan, whichever should first occur, the Trustees shall treat the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s unclaimed Accounts as forfeited and shall reduce Employer contributions, made pursuant to Section 4.1, by the amount forfeited for the Plan Year in which such forfeiture occurs. If a Participant or Beneficiary who has incurred a forfeiture of his Accounts under the provisions of this Section 8.10 makes a claim, at any time, for its forfeited Accounts, the Trustees shall direct the Employer to restore the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s forfeited Accounts to the same dollar amount of the Accounts so forfeited, unadjusted for gains and losses occurring subsequent to the date of forfeiture. The Employer shall make the restoration within 60 days after the close of the Plan Year in which the Participant or Beneficiary makes such claim.  In lieu of the foregoing, the Employer or Trustee shall also be permitted to handle a missing Participant’s or Beneficiary’s account in any other manner permitted under relevant law.
 
 
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8.11        Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributee’s election under this Section, a distributee may elect, at any time and in the manner prescribed by the plan administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.
 
(a)          Definitions
 
i)            Eligible rollover distribution:  An eligible rollover distribution is any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal period payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee’s designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of 10 years or more; any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution that is not includible in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities); and dividends paid on Company Securities as described in Code Section 404(k).
 
ii)           Eligible retirement plan: An eligible retirement plan is an individual retirement account described in Section 408(a) of the Code, an individual retirement annuity described in Section 408(b) of the Code, an annuity described in Section 403(a) of the Code, a qualified trust described in Section 401(a) of the Code, or an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code and an eligible retirement plan under Section 457(b) which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan that accepts the distributee’s eligible rollover distribution. The definition of eligible retirement plan shall also apply in case of a distribution to a surviving spouse, or to a spouse or former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code.  Participants may rollover an eligible rollover distribution, as defined in Section 402(c)(4) of the Code, to a Roth IRA, as defined in Section 408A of the Code, through a direct rollover so long as there is included in the Participant’s gross income any amount that would be includable if the distribution were not rolled over.
 
 
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iii)          Distributee: A distributee includes an employee or former employee. In addition, the employee’s or former employee’s surviving spouse or former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, are distributes with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse.
 
iv)          Direct rollover: A direct rollover is a payment by the Plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.
 
8.12         Non-Spouse Beneficiary Direct Rollovers .  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit the ability of a non-spouse Beneficiary to rollover a distribution to an IRS, a non-spouse Beneficiary who is a designated Beneficiary within the meaning of Section 401(a)(9)(E) of the Code may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid via trustee-to-trustee transfer directly to an individual retirement plan within the meaning of Section 408(a) or (b) of the Code that is established to receive the distribution as specified by the non-spouse Beneficiary, in a direct rollover pursuant to the provisions of Section 402(c)(11) of the Code and as provided under IRS Notice 2007-7 and subsequent guidance.
 
 
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ARTICLE NINE
 
Administration
 
9.1          The Company will furnish the Trustee with such information as the Trustee will deem necessary to carry out the Plan, but assumes no obligation to any Employee, Participant or Beneficiary for any act, of the Trustee, or the Plan Administrator.
 
9.2          The Company will indemnify and save each Trustee and the Plan Administrator harmless from and against any and all loss resulting from liability to which he may be subjected by any act or conduct (except for willful misconduct or gross negligence) in his official capacity in the administration of the Trust or Plan, except, however, from any liability he may have under the Act for breach of fiduciary duty.
 
9.3          (a)           Subject to paragraph (b) below relating to qualified domestic relations orders, neither a Participant nor a Beneficiary shall anticipate, assign or alienate any benefit under the Plan, and the Trustees shall not recognize any such anticipation, assignment or alienation. Furthermore, a benefit under the Plan is not subject to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution or other legal or equitable process.
 
(b)           Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Trustees from complying with the provisions of a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)).
 
The Plan Administrator shall establish reasonable procedures to determine the qualified status of a domestic relations order upon receiving a domestic relations order. The Plan Administrator promptly shall notify the Participant and any alternate payee named in the order, in writing, of the receipt of the order and the Plan’s procedures for determining the qualified status of the order. Within a reasonable period of time after receiving the domestic relations order, the Plan Administrator shall determine the qualified status of the order and shall notify the Participant and each alternate payee, in writing of the determination. The Plan Administrator shall provide notice under this paragraph by mailing to the individual’s address specified in the domestic relations order, or in a manner consistent with Department of Labor regulations. The Plan Administrator may treat as qualified any domestic relations order entered prior to January 1, 1985, irrespective of whether it satisfied all the requirements described in Code Section 414(p).
 
 
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If any portion of the Participant’s non-forfeitable Account balance is payable during the period the Plan Administrator is making its determination of the qualified status of the domestic relations order, the Trustees shall segregate the amounts payable in a separate account and invest the segregated account solely in fixed income investments. If the Plan Administrator determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order within 18 months of receiving the order, the Trustees shall distribute the segregated account in accordance with the order. If the Plan Administrator does not make a determination of the qualified status of the order within 18 months of receiving the order, the Trustees shall distribute the segregated account in the manner the Plan would distribute if the order did not exist and shall apply the order prospectively if the Plan Administrator later determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order.
 
To the extent it is not inconsistent with the provisions of the qualified domestic relations order, the Trustees may invest any partitioned amount in a segregated sub-account or separate account and invest the account in federally insured, interest bearing savings account(s) or time deposit(s) (or a combination of both), or in other fixed income investments. A segregated sub-account shall remain a part of the Trust, but it alone shall share in any income it earns, and it alone shall bear any expense or loss it incurs.
 
The Trustees shall make any payments or distributions required under this Section 9.3(b) by separate checks or other separate distribution to the alternate payee(s).
 
 
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9.4          Any Participant in the Plan or any Beneficiary may examine copies of the Plan description, latest annual report, this Plan and Trust or any other instrument under which the Plan was established or is operated. The Plan Administrator will maintain such copies on the premises of the Company for examination during reasonable business hours and will furnish copies at a reasonable charge upon request of a Participant or Beneficiary.
 
9.5          The Trustees shall establish a funding policy and method consistent with the objectives of the Plan and the requirements of Title I of ERISA. The Trustees shall meet at least annually to review such funding policy and method. All action of the Trustees, and the reasons therefore, taken pursuant to this Section 9.5 shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Trustees.
 
9.6          The Trustees, or an Investment Manager appointed by the Trustees, shall have the sole and complete discretion of the Trust Fund. The Trustees may reserve from investment such amounts of cash as they, from time to time, deem necessary or advisable in the administration of the Trust.
 
9.7          The Trust Fund shall be primarily invested in shares of Company Securities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, each “qualified Participant” in the Plan may elect within 90 days after the close of each Plan Year in the “qualified election period” (a “Diversification Year”) to direct the Trustees as to the investment of up to 25% of such Participant’s Account in the Plan (to the extent such portion exceeds the amount to which a prior election under this Section 9.7 applies).  In the case of the election year in which the Participant can make his last election, the preceding sentence shall be applied by substituting “50%” for “25%.”
 
The Plan shall be treated as meeting the requirements of this Section if
 
 
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I)           the portion of the Participant’s Account covered by the foregoing election is distributed within 90 days after the period during which the election may be made, or
 
II)          the Plan offers at least 3 investment options (not inconsistent with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate) to each Participant making an election under this Section, and within 90 days after the period during which such election may be made, the Plan invests the portion of the Participant’s Account covered by such election in accordance with such election.
 
For purposes of this Section, the term “qualified Participant” means any Participant who has completed at least 10 years of participation under the Plan and has attained age 55.
 
For purposes of this Section, the term “qualified election period” means the 6 Plan Year periods beginning with the first Plan Year in which the individual first becomes a qualified Participant.
 
Effective January 1, 1999, the Plan will not offer any investment options for purposes of the diversification requirement.
 
 
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ARTICLE TEN
 
Claim Procedures
 
10.1        The Trustees shall establish a procedure for the resolution of disputes and dispositions of claims arising under the Plan. Until modified by the Trustees, this procedure is as follows:
 
Any of the Employees, former Employees, or any Beneficiaries of such Employees or former Employees may, if they so desire, file with the Trustees a written claim for benefits under the Plan. Within 90 days after the filing of such a claim, the Trustees shall notify the claimant whether his claim is upheld or denied. The Trustees may, under special circumstances, extend the period of time for processing a claim by an additional 90 days. If such an extension of time is required written notice shall be furnished to the claimant or his duly authorized representative prior to the termination of the initial 90 day period. Such notice will indicate the special circumstance requiring an extension. in the event the claim is denied, the Trustees shall state in writing:
 
(a)           the specific reason for the denial;
 
(b)           specific references to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
 
(c)           a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
 
(d)           an explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in this Section 10.1.
 
 
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Within 60 days after receipt of notice that his claim has been denied, the claimant or his duly authorized representative may file with the Trustees a written request for a review hearing and may, in conjunction therewith, submit written issues and comments. The Trustees shall then schedule, within 60 days after the filing of such request, a full and fair hearing of the claim before the Trustees. The Trustees may, under special circumstances, extend such period of time by an additional 60 days. Prior to said hearing, the claimant or his representative shall have a reasonable opportunity to review a copy of the Plan, the Trust agreement, and other pertinent documents in the possession of the Trustees. The Trustees shall communicate their decision in writing to the claimant within 30 days after the hearing. The decision will include the specific reasons for the decision, specify the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based, a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Plan and the claimant’s right to obtain the information about such procedures and a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.  Any claim for benefits and any request for a review hearing must be filed on forms to be furnished by the Trustees upon a Participant’s request.
 
(e)           To the extent a Disability benefit related claim is made under the Plan, the claim will be handled in accordance with the applicable regulations promulgated by the Department of Labor in 29 C.F.R. 2560.503-1.
 
 
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ARTICLE ELEVEN
 
Trustees’ Powers and Duties
 
11.1        The Trustees accept the Trust created hereunder and agree to perform the obligations imposed. The Trustees shall provide a bond for the faithful performance of their duties under the Trust to the extent required by law.
 
11.2        The Trustees shall have full discretion and authority regarding the investment of the Trust Fund. The Trustees shall have, but not by way of limitation, the following powers, rights, and duties: (a) to invest the Trust Fund primarily in Company Securities (“primarily” meaning the power and authority to acquire, from Company shareholders or the Company or any ERISA Affiliate at prices not in excess of fair market value, not more than 100% of the Trust Fund in Company Securities) and to invest the balance, if any, of the Trust Fund in any common or preferred stocks, bonds, share of investment companies, common trust funds, insurance contracts, mortgages, notes or other property of any kind, real or personal, as a prudent man would do under like circumstances with due regard for the purposes of the Plan; (b) to retain in cash so much of the Trust Fund as they may deem advisable without liability for obtaining the highest rate of interest available; (c) to manage, sell, exchange, transfer, and lease for any term, and otherwise deal with all Trust property, real or personal, in such manner, for such consideration, and on such terms and conditions as they deem best; (d) to borrow money by mortgage, pledge or otherwise; (e) to compromise, contest, arbitrate or abandon claims and demands in their discretion; (f) to have with respect to the Trust all of the rights of an individual owner, including the power to give proxies, participate in voting trusts, mergers, consolidations or liquidations and to exercise or sell stock subscriptions or conversion rights; (g) to hold any securities or other property in the name of the Trustees or a nominee, or in another form as they deem best, without disclosing the trust relationship; (h) to furnish the Company an annual statement of account showing the condition of the Trust Fund and all investments, receipts, disbursements and other transactions affected by the Trustees during the Plan Year covered by the statement, and the assets of the Trust held at the end of the Plan Year, which statement of account shall be conclusive on all persons unless objected to within 90 days after receipt; and (i) to borrow money, to assume indebtedness, including installment obligations, extend mortgages and encumber by mortgage or pledge; provided however, if any loan transaction is with a Disqualified Person or a Disqualified Person guarantees a loan to the Plan or Trust, the following terms and conditions shall apply to such Exempt Loan.
 
 
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(1)          The Trustees shall use the proceeds of the Exempt Loan within reasonable time after receipt only for any or all of the following purposes: (i) to acquire Company Securities, (ii) to repay such Exempt Loan, or (iii) to repay a prior Exempt Loan. Except as may be expressly provided under this Plan, no Company Security acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan may be subject to a put, call or other option, or buy/sell or similar arrangement while held by and when distributed form this Plan, whether or not this Plan is then a leveraged employee stock ownership plan.
 
(2)          The interest rate on the Exempt Loan shall not be more than a reasonable rate of interest.
 
(3)          Any collateral the Trustees pledge to the creditor shall consist only of the Company Securities purchased with the borrowed funds and Company Securities the Trust used as collateral on the prior Exempt Loan repaid with the proceeds of the current Exempt Loan.
 
 
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(4)          The creditor shall have no recourse against the Trust under the Exempt Loan except with respect to such collateral given for the Exempt Loan, contributions (other than contributions of Company Securities) that the Company makes to the Trust to meet its obligations under the Exempt Loan, and earnings attributable to such collateral and the investment of such contributions. The payment made with respect to an Exempt Loan by the Plan during a Plan Year must not exceed an amount equal to the sum of such contributions and earnings received during or prior to the year less such payments in prior years. The Trustees must account separately for such contributions and earnings in the books of account of the Plan until the Trust repays the Loan.
 
(5)          In the event of default upon the Exempt Loan, the value of Plan assets transferred in satisfaction of the Exempt Loan must not exceed the amount of the default, and if the lender is a Disqualified Person, the Exempt Loan must provide for transfer of Plan assets upon default only upon and to the extent of the failure of the Plan to meet the payment schedule of the Exempt Loan.
 
(6)          The Trustees must deposit and maintain all assets acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan in a Suspense Account. In withdrawing assets from the Suspense Account, the Trustees shall apply the provisions of Treasury Regulation 54.4975-7(b)(8) as if all securities in the Suspense Account were encumbered. Upon the payment of any portion of the Exempt Loan, the Trustees shall effect the release of assets in the Suspense Account from encumbrances, and the pledge agreement must so provide. For each Plan Year during the duration of the Exempt Loan, the number of Company Securities released must equal the number of encumbered Company Securities held immediately before the release for the current Plan Year multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the amount of principal paid for the Plan Year. The denominator of the fraction is the sum of the numerator plus the principal to be paid for all future years. The number of future Plan Years under the Exempt Loan must be definitely ascertainable and must be determined without taking into account any possible extension or renewal periods, and may not exceed 10 years. Further, any such Exempt Loan must provide for annual payments of principal and interest at a cumulative rate that cannot be less rapid at any time than any level annual payments of such amounts for 10 years. In determining principal, interest shall be disregarded only to the extent that it would be determined to the interest under the amortization tables. If the collateral includes more than one class of Company Securities, the number of Company Securities of each class will be released from the Suspense Accounts to the Accounts of Participants in accordance with Section 6.2 for the Plan Year with respect to which the Trustees have paid the corresponding portion of the Exempt Loan.
 
 
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(7)          The Exempt Loan must be for a specific term and may not be payable at the demand of any person except in the case of default.
 
(8)          Notwithstanding the fact this Plan ceases to be an employee stock ownership plan, Company Securities acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan shall continue after the Trustees repay the Exempt Loan to be subject to the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 54.4975-7(b)(4), (10), (11) and (12) as provided under Article Fifteen.
 
11.3        The Trustees (except full-time Employees of an Employer or ERISA Affiliate) shall receive such reasonable annual compensation as may agreed to from time to time between the Company and the Trustees, and shall pay all expenses reasonably incurred from the Trust Fund unless the Company pays such expenses.
 
11.4        The Trustees may employ agents, attorneys, accountants and other persons and pay their reasonable compensation from the Trust Fund. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be obligated to see to the proper application of any money paid or property delivered to them. The certificate of the Trustees that they are acting in accordance with the Plan shall be conclusive in favor of any person relying thereon.
 
 
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11.5        Any Trustee may resign at any time by giving 30 days advance written notice to the Company and Trustees. The Company, by giving 30 days advance written notice to the Trustees, may remove any Trustee. In the event of resignation or removal of a Trustee, the Company may appoint a successor Trustee who shall succeed to the title of Trustee by accepting his appointment in writing and shall have and enjoy all of the powers conferred under this Agreement upon his predecessor Trustee.
 
11.6        The Trustees shall value the Trust Fund as of each Accounting Date to determine the Fair Market Value of each Participant’s Account, and shall credit (or debit) each Account with its proportionate share of gains, earnings, income, losses or expenses of the Trust Fund.
 
11.7        If there shall be more than one Trustee, they shall act by a majority of their number at a meeting, but may authorize one or more of them to sign papers on their behalf. The Trustees may also act by unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting.
 
11.8        Except as otherwise provided by ERISA, only the Company, the Plan Administrator, and the Trustees shall be necessary parties to any court proceeding involving the Trustees or the Trust Fund. No Participant or Beneficiary shall be entitled to any notice of process unless required by the Act. Any final judgment entered in any proceeding shall be conclusive upon the Company, the Plan Administrator, the Trustees, Participants, and Beneficiaries.
 
 
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11.9        Every Participant shall have the right to direct the Trustees as to the exercise of any voting shares for the share of Company Securities then allocated to his Account with respect to any matter which involves the voting of such shares with respect to the approval or disapproval of any corporate merger or consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation, dissolution, sale of substantially all assets of a trade or business, or such similar transaction as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe by regulation. On other matters the Trustees shall solicit and follow voting instructions from a Participant with respect to shares of Company Securities entitled to vote that are then allocated to his Account if either (A) the Company has a registration type class of Securities (as defined in Section 409(e)(4) of the Code), or (B) the Company Securities were acquired with an Exempt Loan that is treated as, and constitutes, a “securities acquisition loan” as defined in Section 133 of the Code.
 
11.10      On a matter involving the voting of shares of Company Securities, the Trustees shall vote the shares of Company Securities then held in the Trust Fund (A) but not released from a Suspense Account or (B) otherwise not yet allocated to the Account of any Participant or (C) allocated to the Account of a Participant who has not provided the Trustees with the relevant voting instructions as described in Section 11.9, in proportion to the voting instructions of Participants as received by the Trustees.  If no voting instructions are received or are required from Participants with respect to a voting matter, the Trustees shall vote the shares of Company Securities held in the Trust Fund (including the shares of Company Securities held in a Suspense Account and shares that have been allocated to the Accounts of the Participants) in a manner that they choose.
 
11.11      The Trustees and their assistants and representatives shall distribute benefits under the Plan in whole shares of Company Securities valued at Fair Market Value at the time of distribution, cash, or a combination of both, as they were determined, provided, however, a Participant shall have the right to demand distribution entirely in whole shares of Company Securities (with the value of any fractional share paid in cash, or with the balance in the Account applied to provide whole shares of Company Securities to Employees and the Trust, the distribution may be made entirely in cash without granting the Participant the right to demand distribution in shares of Company Securities).
 
 
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11.12      Subject to the last paragraph of this Section 11.12, all or any portion of any cash dividends declared by the Company with respect to shares of Company Securities held by the Trust as of the ex-dividend date with respect to such dividends (including shares held in a Suspense Account and shares that have been allocated to the Accounts of Participants) may, at the discretion of the Company, be distributed to those individuals who are Participants (or to the Beneficiaries of such Participants) in the Plan as of such ex-dividend date (A) directly to such Participants (or their Beneficiaries) or (B) through the Trust provided that the Trust in such case distributes such dividends to such Participants (or Beneficiaries) within 90 days after the close of the Plan Year in which such dividends are paid. Those Participants (or Beneficiaries) entitled to a share in a distribution of cash dividends in proportion to the number of shares of Company Securities allocated to their Accounts as of the relevant ex-dividend date.
 
If the Company chooses not to distribute to Participants a portion of any cash dividends declared with respect to shares of Company Securities held by the Trust, then all, or any part, as the Company decides, of the portion of such dividends that are not to be distributed may be used to repay all or a part of the interest and/or principal of an Exempt Loan then outstanding; provided, however, that dividends on shares of Company Securities that have been allocated to the Account of a Participant may not be used to pay interest or principal on an Exempt Loan unless shares of Company Securities having a Fair Market Value not less than the amount of such dividends so used are allocated to such Account for the Plan Year in which such dividends are so used, to the extent that dividends are so used. To the extent that dividends are not distributed to Participants or used to repay interest or principal on an Exempt Loan, such dividends, to the extent paid with respect to shares of Company Securities held in a Suspense Account shall be treated as an investment gain of the Trust, and to the extent paid with respect to shares of Company Securities allocated to the Accounts of Participants shall themselves be allocated to such Accounts as income.
 
 
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 11.12 or the Trust overall, effective with respect to cash dividends paid on Company Securities held by the Trust in which a Participant is fully vested, and which dividends have a record date of February 15, 2011 or later, the Participant (or his or her Beneficiary if applicable) in whose account such Company Securities are held shall have the right to receive current payment of such dividends from the Trust in lieu of reinvestment of the dividends in Company Securities.  An election by a Participant or Beneficiary to receive payment of dividends under this Section 11.12 shall be made in the manner designated by the Company provided that, (1) any Participant or Beneficiary who fails to make an affirmative election to receive payment of dividends within the time prescribed for such election by the Company shall be deemed to have elected to have such dividends remain in the Trust and reinvested in Company Securities under the Trust, and (2) any election by a Participant or Beneficiary to receive payment of dividends in lieu of reinvestment shall remain in effect until such election is revoked by the Participant or Beneficiary.  Distributions of dividends in accordance with a Participant’s or Beneficiary’s election shall occur not later than ninety (90) days after the close of the Plan Year in which such dividends were paid to the Trust.  This final paragraph of this Section 11.12 shall not apply to cash dividends (and the remainder of this Section 11.12 shall apply instead), to the extent such dividends (and the underlying Company Securities) are not yet vested in accordance with Section 7.7 of this Trust.
 
 
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11.13      The Trustees and its members, assistants and representatives shall be free from all liability for their acts and conduct in the administration of the Plan and Trust except for acts of willful misconduct; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not relieve any party from any liability for any responsibility, obligation or duty that may arise pursuant to ERISA or the Code.
 
11.14      In the event of and to the extent not insured against by any insurance company pursuant to provisions of any applicable insurance policy, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, any individual (but not a corporation), Trustees and their assistants and representatives from any claim, demands, suits or proceedings which may be in connection with the Plan or Trust be brought by the Company’s Employees, Participants or their Beneficiaries or legal representatives, or by any other person, corporation, entity, government, or agency thereof provided, however, that such indemnification shall not apply to any such person’s acts of willful misconduct in connection with the Plan or Trust.
 
11.15      If a tender offer is made for all or a portion of the outstanding shares of Company Securities, the Trustees shall poll the Participants with regard to such tender offer on the basis of the number of shares of Company Securities held in the Trust Fund (including shares held in a suspense account if, and only if, the number of votes of Participants in favor of a tender is greater than the number of votes of Participants opposed to tender).
 
 
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ARTICLE TWELVE
 
Top Heavy Rules
 
12.1         Special Definitions . For the purposes of this Article Twelve, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth below:
 
(a)           “Aggregate Account” means, as of the Determination Date, the sum of:
 
i)            a Participant’s Account balance as of the most recent Valuation Date occurring within a 12 consecutive month period ending on the Determination Date, including, in the case of a plan subject to the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code, amounts that would be allocated to such Account as of a date not later than the Determination Date even though such amounts are not yet required to be contributed to the plan by such Determination Date.
 
ii)           an adjustment for any contribution due as of the Determination Date. in the case of a plan not subject to the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code, such adjustment shall be the amount of any contributions actually made after the Valuation Date but on or before the Determination Date. In the case of a plan that is subject to the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code, such adjustment shall include any contribution made, or due to be made, after the Valuation Date but before the expiration of the extended payment period described in Section 412(c)(10) of the Code. in the first Plan Year, such adjustment shall also reflect the amount of any contributions made after the Determination Date that are allocated as of a date in the first Plan Year.
 
iii)          any distributions from this Plan and any plan aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2) of the Code during the 1 year period ending on the Determination Date.  The preceding sentence shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan which, has it not been terminated, would have been aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2)(A)(i) of the Code.  In the case of a distribution made for reason other than a separation of service, death, or Disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting “5 year period” for “1 year period”.  The accrued benefits and accounts of any individual who has not performed services for the Employer during the 1 year period ending on the Determination Date shall not be taken into account.
 
 
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iv)          any Employee contributions, whether voluntary or mandatory; provided, however, that amounts attributable to “deductible employee contributions,” as defined in Section 72(o)(5)(A) of the Code, if any, shall not be considered to be a part of the Participant’s Aggregate Account balance.
 
v)           with respect to unrelated rollovers and plan-to-plan transfers (ones which are both initiated by the Employee and made from a plan maintained by one Employer to a plan maintained by another Employer that is not an ERISA Affiliate), the Plan making the distribution or transfer shall consider such distribution or transfer as a distribution for the purposes of this Article Twelve.
 
If the Plan is the plan accepting such rollovers or plan-to-plan transfers, it shall not consider any such rollovers or plan-to-plan transfers accepted after December 31, 1983 as part of the Participant’s Aggregate Account balance. However, such unrelated rollovers or plan-to-plan transfers accepted prior to January 1, 1984 shall be considered as part of the Participant’s Aggregate Account balance.
 
vi)          with respect to related rollovers and plan-to-plan transfers (ones either not initiated by the Employee or made to a plan maintained by an ERISA Affiliate), if the plan provides for rollovers or plan-to-plan transfers, they shall not be counted as a distribution for purposes of this Article Twelve. If the Plan is the plan accepting such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer, it shall consider such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer as part of the Participant’s Aggregate Account balance, irrespective of the date on which such rollover or plan-to-plan transfer is accepted.
 
 
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vii)         if any individual is a non-key Employee with respect to any Plan for any Plan Year, but such individual was a Key Employee with respect to such Plan for any prior Plan Year, any accrued benefit for such Employee (and the Account of such Employee) shall not be taken into account.
 
viii)        if any individual has not performed services for the Employer maintaining the Plan at any time during the five-year period ending on the Determination Date, any accrued benefit for such individual (and the Account of such individual) shall not be taken into account.
 
(b)          “Aggregation Group” means either a Required Aggregation Group or a Permissive Aggregation Group, as hereinafter determined.
 
i)            Required Aggregation Group: In determining a Required Aggregation Group hereunder, each plan of the Employer in which a Key Employee is a Participant, or has been a Participant during the Plan Year containing the Determination Date, or in any of the 4 preceding Plan Years (whether or not such plan has been terminated), and each other plan of the Employer which enables any plan in which a Key Employee participates to meet the requirements of Section 40l(a)(4) or 410 of the Code during such period, will be required to be aggregated. Such group shall be known as a Required Aggregation Group. In the case of a Required Aggregation Group, each plan in the group will be considered a “Top Heavy Plan” If the Required Aggregation Group is a Top Heavy Group. No plan in the Required Aggregation Group will be considered a Top Heavy Plan If the Aggregation Group is not a Top Heavy Group.
 
 
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ii)           Permissive Aggregation Group: The Employer may also include any other plan which provides comparable benefits but is not required to be included in the Required Aggregation Group, provided the resulting group, taken as a whole, would satisfy the provisions of Sections 401(a)(4) and 410 of the Code. Such group shall be known as a Permissive Aggregation Group.
 
No plan in the Permissive Aggregation Group will be considered a Top Heavy Plan if the Permissive Aggregation Group is not a Top Heavy Group.
 
iii)          Only those plans of the Employer in which the Determination Dates fall within the same calendar year shall be aggregated in order to determine whether such plans are Top Heavy Plans.
 
(c)          “Determination Date” means (1) the last day of the preceding Plan Year, or (2) in the case of the first Plan Year of a Plan, the last day of such Plan Year.
 
(d)          “Key Employee” means any Employee or former Employee (including any deceased Employee) who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the Determination Date was:
 
i)            an “officer” of the Employer who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the determination date having annual compensation greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under Section 416(i)(1) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002);
 
ii)           a “5% owner” of the Employer.  “5% owner” means any Employee who owns (or is considered as owning within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code) more than 5% of the value of the outstanding stock of the Employer or stock possessing more than 5% of the total combined voting power of all stock of the Employer;
 
 
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iii)           a “1% owner” of the Employer having annual compensation of more than $150,000.  For purpose of this subsection and subsection (i) above, annual compensation means compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code.  “1% owner” means any Employee who owns (or is considered as owning within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code) more than 1% of the value of the outstanding stock of the Employer or stock possessing more than 1% of the total combined voting power of all stock of the Employer; and
 
iv)          The determination of who is a Key Employee will be made in accordance with Section 416(i)(I) of the Code and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.
 
(e)          “Non-Key Employee” means any Employee who is not a Key Employee.
 
(f)           “Top Heavy Plan Year” means that, for a particular Plan Year commencing after December 31, 1983, the Plan is a Top Heavy Plan.
 
(g)          “Valuation Date” means the most recent valuation date within a 12-month period ending on the determination date.
 
12.2         Determination of Top Heavy Status .
 
(a)           An Aggregation Group shall be a “Top Heavy Group” for any Plan Year commencing after December 31, 1983 in which, as of the Determination Date, the sum of the Present Value of Accrued Benefits of Key Employees and the Aggregate Account balances of Key Employees under all Plans of an Aggregation Group exceeds 60% of the sum of the Present Value of Accrued Benefits and the Aggregate Account balances of all Employees under the Plan and all Plans of the Aggregation Group.
 
 
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(b)           An Aggregation Group shall be a “Super Top Heavy Group” for any Plan Year commencing after December 31, 1983 in which, at the Determination Date, the sum of the Present Value of Accrued Benefits of Key Employees and the Aggregate Account balances of Key Employees and all Plans in an Aggregation Group exceeds 90% of the sum of the Present Value of Accrued Benefits and the Aggregate Account balances of all Employees under all Plans of the Aggregation Group.
 
(c)           “Present Value of Accrued Benefit” means, in the case of a defined benefit plan, the present value of an accrued benefit, as determined under the provisions of the applicable defined benefit plan and in compliance with Treasury Regulations Section 1.416-l(T-25 and T-26).
 
(d)           In determining Top Heavy Status, the accrued benefit of (i) an individual who is not a Key Employee with respect to any Plan in an Aggregation Group for a Plan Year but who was a Key Employee with respect to a Plan in an Aggregation Group for a prior Plan Year and (ii) an individual who performed no services for the Employer of an ERISA Affiliate during the 5-year period ending on the Determination Date, shall be disregarded.
 
12.3        For any Top Heavy Plan Year, the Plan shall provide the following:
 
(a)           Special minimum benefit and contribution requirements of Section 416(c) of the Code, pursuant to Section 12.4 of the Plan.
 
(b)           Special vesting requirements of Section 416(b) of the Code, pursuant to Section 12.5 of the Plan.
 
 
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12.4         Minimum Allocations and Benefits .
 
(a)           In the case of a defined contribution plan, for any Top Heavy Plan Year, the sum of employer contributions and forfeitures allocated to the Account of each Non-Key Employee who is a Participant and who has not terminated employment by the end of such Plan Year (including (A) Participants who fail to complete at least 1,000 Hours of Service during the Plan Year, (B) Employees who are excluded from the Plan or accrue no benefit because their Compensation is less than a stated amount, and (C) Employees who are excluded from the Plan or accrue no benefit because they fail to make mandatory contributions, or, in the case of a Plan intended to qualify under Section 401(k) of the Code, elective contributions) shall be equal to at least 3% of such Non-Key Employee’s Compensation. However, should the sum of the Employer’s contributions and forfeitures allocated to the Account of each Key Employee for such Top Heavy Plan Year be less than 3% of each such Key Employee’s Compensation, the sum of the Employer’s contributions and forfeitures allocated to the Account of each Non-Key Employee who is a Participant (including the Employees referred to in the preceding sentence) shall be equal to the highest percentage allocated to the Account of a Key Employee. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any plan required to be included in an Aggregation Group if such plan enables a defined benefit plan required to be included in an Aggregation Group to meet the requirements of Section 401(a)(4) or Section 410 of the Code. For purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution requirements of this subparagraph, an Employee’s elective deferrals under a cash or deferred arrangement (as defined under Section 401(k) of the Code shall not be treated as an Employer Contribution.  Employer matching contributions shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution requirements of Section 416(c)(2) of the Code and the Plan.
 
 
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(b)          In the case of a defined benefit plan, for any Top Heavy Plan Year, the accrued benefit, when expressed as an Annual Retirement Benefit (as defined below), of a Participant who is a Non-Key Employee and who has completed at least 1,000 Hours of Service during the Plan Year (including Employees who are excluded from the Plan or accrue no benefit because their Compensation is less than a stated amount and Employees who are excluded from the Plan or accrue no benefit because they fail to make mandatory contributions) will be at least equal to the lesser of (i) the product of (A) an Employee’s average annual Compensation for the period of consecutive years (not exceeding (5)) when the Employee had the highest aggregate Compensation from the Employer and (B) 2% per year of service with the Employer, or (ii) 20%.
 
i)            The foregoing defined benefit minimum shall be determined without regard to any Social Security contribution or benefit.
 
ii)           “Annual Retirement Benefit” means a benefit which commences at age 65 and is payable annually in the form of a single life annuity.
 
iii)          A “year of Top Heavy Service” shall be a Year of Service as determined under the rules of Section 411(a)(4), (5) and (6) of the Code, provided, however, that a Plan may disregard any Year of Service if the Plan was not top heavy for any Plan Year ending during such Year of Service, or if the Year of Service was completed in a Plan Year beginning before January 1, 1984.
 
(c)          Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in any Plan Year in which both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan are part of a Top Heavy Group, the following rules shall apply: For each Non-Key Employee who is participating in the Top Heavy defined contribution plan maintained by the Employer, the defined contribution minimum, as provided under Section 12.4(b) above, shall accrue, and the defined benefit minimum shall not be applicable. For each other Non-Key Employee who is a Participant in the Top Heavy defined benefit plan maintained by the Employer, the Employer shall satisfy the minimum contribution requirement of Section 12.4(b).
 
 
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12.5         Minimum Vesting .
 
For any Top Heavy Plan Year, the vested interest of each Participant who has been credited with at least 1 Hour of Service during such Top Heavy Plan Year in his accrued benefit (including benefits accrued before the effective date of Section 416 of the Code and before the Plan became a Top Heavy Plan, but not including benefits that were forfeited before the Plan became a Top Heavy Plan) shall not be less than the applicable percentage of Section 7.7(b) of the Plan, nor less than the applicable percentage indicated by the following minimum vesting schedule:
 
Years of Service
 
Minimum Vesting Percentage
     
Less than 2
   
0
 
         
2
   
20
 
         
3
   
40
 
         
4
   
60
 
         
5
   
80
 
         
6 or more
   
100
 
 
For purposes of this Section 12.5, Years of Vesting Service which may be disregarded under Section 411(a)(4) of the Code shall not be taken into account.
 
Should the Plan cease to be a Top Heavy Plan, this minimum vesting schedule shall no longer apply; provided, however, that: (a) a Participant’s vested percentage shall not be less than his vested percentage determined pursuant to the above minimum vesting schedule at the end of the last Top Heavy Plan Year, and (b) such reversion to the original vesting schedule of the Plan shall be treated as a change in the Plan’s vesting schedule so that for each Participant with 3 or more Years of Service the provisions of Section 14.6 of the Plan shall apply.
 
 
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ARTICLE THIRTEEN
 
Miscellaneous
 
13.1        The Trustees and the Company in no way guarantee the Trust Fund from loss or depreciation, and the Company does not guarantee the payment of any money which may be or becomes due to any person from the Trust Fund. The liability of the Trustees to make any payment from the Trust Fund at any time and all times is limited to the then available assets of the Trust Fund.
 
13.2        Words used in the masculine hereunder shall apply to the feminine where applicable and the plural shall be read as the singular, and the singular as the plural, wherever the context dictates.
 
13.3        All questions with respect to the interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined by the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that Federal law controls.
 
13.4        Conditional upon prior approval by the Company, any ERISA Affiliate may participate in this Plan as a participating company, provided it shall make, execute and deliver such instruments as the Company and the Trustees shall require. Such an ERISA Affiliate shall accept the Company as its agent to act for it in all transactions in which the Company believes such agency will facilitate the administration of the Plan. Any such ERISA Affiliate shall accept the Company as its agent to act for it in all transactions in which the Company believes such agency will facilitate the administration of the Plan. Any such ERISA Affiliate may withdraw from participation in this Plan upon written notice to the Company and the Trustees, and upon such withdrawal this Plan shall automatically terminate insofar as it relates to such withdrawing participating organization and its Employees.
 
 
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13.5        Nothing contained in this Plan, or with respect to the establishment of the Trust, or any modification or amendment to the Plan or Trust, or in the creation of any Account, or the payment of any benefit, shall give any Employee, Employee-Participant or any Beneficiary any right to continue employment, any legal or equitable right against the Company, or Employee of the Company, or against the Trustees, or their agents or Employees, or against the Plan Administrator, except as expressly provided by the Plan, the Trust, the Act of by a separate agreement.
 
 
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ARTICLE FOURTEEN
 
Amendment and Termination
 
14.1        The Company has the right to amend this Agreement at any time it deems necessary or advisable in order to maintain qualification of this Plan and Trust under the Code. It may further amend this Agreement for any other purpose provided no such amendment shall permit the Trust Fund to be used for or diverted to purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their Beneficiaries or estates, or cause or permit any portion of the Trust Fund to revert to or become the property of the Company.
 
14.2        The Company shall make all amendments in writing which shall state the date on which they are retroactively or prospectively effective.
 
14.3        Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, upon the date of either partial or full termination of the Plan, or of Complete discontinuance of contributions to the Plan, an affected Participant’s right to his Account shall be 100% non-forfeitable.
 
14.4        The Trustees shall not consent to, or be a party to, any merger or consolidation with another Plan, or to a transfer of assets or liabilities to another Plan unless immediately after the merger, consolidation or transfer, the surviving Plan provides each Participant a benefit equal or greater than the benefit each Participant would have received had the Plan terminated immediately before the merger, consolidation or transfer. Upon termination of the Plan, the Trust shall continue until the Trustees have distributed all of its benefits under the Plan.
 
 
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14.5        The Company shall not amend the vesting schedule (and no amendment shall be effective) if the amendment reduces the non-forfeitable percentage of any Participant’s Account balance derived from Employer contributions (determined as of the later of the date the Company adopts the amendment or the date the amendment becomes effective) to a percentage less than the non-forfeitable percentage computed under the Plan without regard to the amendment. If the Company amends the vesting schedule, each Participant having completed at least 3 Years of Service with the Company before the expiration of the election period may irrevocably elect during the election period to have the non-forfeitable percentage of his Account balance computed under the Plan without regard to the amendment. For purposes of the preceding sentence the election period shall begin no later than the date the Plan amendment is adopted and end no earlier than the latest of (i) the date which is 60 days after the day the Plan amendment is adopted; (ii) the date which is 60 days after the day the Plan amendment becomes effective, or (iii) the date which is 60 days after the day the Participant is given written notice of the Plan amendment by the Company or the Trustees. The Plan Administrator, as soon as practicable, shall forward a true copy of any amendment to the vesting schedule to each affected Participant, together with an explanation of the effect of the amendment, the appropriate form which the Participant may make an election to remain under the vesting schedule provided under the Plan prior to the amendment and notice of the time within which the Participant must make an election to remain under the prior vesting schedule.
 
 
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ARTICLE FIFTEEN
 
Repurchase of Company Securities
 
15.1        Shares of Company Securities distributed by the Trustees shall be subject to a “right of first refusal” which shall provide that, prior to any subsequent transfer, such shares must first be offered in writing to the Company and then if refused by the Company, to the Trust at the then Fair Market Value, or, if greater, at the purchase price offered by the first buyer making a good faith offer to purchase. A bona fide written offer from an independent prospective buyer shall be deemed to be the Fair Market Value of such shares for this purpose. The Company and the Trustees (on behalf of the Trust) shall have 14 days from the date of refusal on the same terms offered by the prospective buyer. A Participant (or Beneficiary) entitled to a distribution of Company Securities shall be required to execute an appropriate stock transfer agreement evidencing the right of first refusal prior to receiving a certificate for Company Securities. The right of first refusal shall be administered in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 54.4975-7(b)(9).
 
15.2        The Company shall issue a “put option” to each Participant receiving to a distribution of Company Securities from the Trust if such Company Securities are not readily tradeable on an established market when distributed, or are subject to a trading limitation. The put option shall permit the Participant (or his Beneficiary) to sell such Company Securities to the Company at any time during 2 option periods at their then Fair Market Value.
 
The first put option shall be a period of at least 60 days beginning on the date of distribution of Company Securities to the Participant. The second put option period shall be at least 60 days beginning after the new determination of the Fair Market Value of Company Securities by the Trustees (and notice to the Participant) in the next following Plan Year. The Company may permit the Trustees to direct the Plan to purchase Company Securities tendered to the Company under a put option.
 
 
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Payment by the Company of Securities put to it pursuant to this Section 15.2 shall be made (A) in a single sum within 30 days after such put option is exercised if such securities were part of an installment distribution, or (B) if such securities were distributed to the Participant as part of a total distribution, in a single sum or substantially equal periodic installments (not less frequently than annually) over a period beginning not later than 30 days after the exercise of the put option and not exceeding 5 years, with adequate security provided and reasonable interest charged on unpaid installments. The put option shall be administered in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 54.4975-7(b)(l0), (11) and (12).
 
15.3        Shares of Company Securities held or distributed by the Trustees may include such legend restrictions on transferability as the Company may reasonably require to assure compliance with applicable Federal and state securities laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, no shares of Company Securities held or distributed by the Trustees may be subject to a put, call or other option or buy-sell or other similar arrangement.
 
15.4        If shares of Company Securities are not readily tradeable on an established securities market, all valuations of such shares with respect to an activity carried on by the Plan shall be made by an independent appraiser meeting the requirements similar to the requirements for an appraiser under regulations promulgated by the Security of the Treasury or his delegates pursuant to Section 170(a)(1) of the Code.
 
15.5        The provisions of this Article Fifteen shall continue to apply to shares of Company Securities even if the Plan ceases to be an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.
 
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Plan has been executed this _________ day of ______________ of 2011.
 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
     
   
By:
 
       
   
Title: 
 
     
 
TRUSTEES
     
     
   
Carmine J. Broccole, Trustee
     
     
   
James J. Burke, Trustee
     
     
   
Sanford Kay, Trustee
     
     
   
Robert H. Martin, Trustee
     
     
   
Thomas Tesoro, Trustee

 
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Appendix I
 
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST
         OF STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.         
 
Special provisions relating to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (“ESOP”) and the participation of the employees of the Guaranteed Parts/Sorensen Division of Wickes Manufacturing Company, Inc. who transferred their employment to the Company on October 26, 1989 (“Transferred Employees”).
 
 
1.
For the purposes of determining a Transferred Employee’s vesting under the ESOP, and for purposes of determining any Hour of Service requirement with respect to eligibility for allocations for a Plan Year, all service from each such Transferred Employee’s last date of hire with Wickes Manufacturing Company, Inc. shall be recognized.
 
 
2.
Each Transferred Employee who was an employee of Wickes Manufacturing Company, Inc. on June 30, 1989 shall be eligible to participate in the ESOP on January 1, 1990. Each other Transferred Employee (those Transferred Employees hired after June 30, 1989) shall be subject to the Plan’s eligibility requirements as stated in Article Two of the Plan taking into account for this purpose his service from his late date of hire with Wickes Manufacturing Company, Inc.
 
 
3.
For the purpose of determining the 1990 ESOP allocation for those Transferred Employees who became Participants in the ESOP on January 1, 1990, only Compensation earned from October 26, 1989 shall be taken into consideration.
 
 
4.
Unless otherwise expressly provided to the contract, defined terms used in this Appendix I shall have their same meaning as in the Plan.
 
 
 

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE
RETIREMENT PLAN

Amended and restated as of December 31, 2010

 
 

 

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

   
Page
     
SECTION I.
PREAMBLE
2
     
SECTION II.
DEFINITIONS
3
     
SECTION III.
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
8
     
SECTION IV.
DEFERRAL ELECTIONS
9
     
SECTION V.
TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENTS
11
     
SECTION VI.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS
14
     
SECTION VII.
ADMINISTRATION
15
     
SECTION VIII.
BENEFIT CLAIM PROCEDURES
17
     
SECTION IX.
MISCELLANEOUS
19
     
APPENDIX I
SCHEDULE OF PARTICIPANTS
 

 
 

 

SECTION I

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS, Standard Motor Products, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “the Company” has previously established an unfunded supplemental deferred compensation plan for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described herein, known as the “STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN” (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”);

WHEREAS, the purpose of this Plan is to enable the Company to supplement the benefits from the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Profit Sharing Capital Accumulation Plan to certain key executive employees of the Company and to provide a means whereby certain amounts payable by the Company to key executive employees may be deferred to some future period and in order to attract and retain key executive employees of outstanding competence;

WHEREAS, the Company amended and restated the Plan, effective as of December 15, 2008 (the “2008 Restatement”) to comply with legislative changes affecting supplemental deferred compensation plans mandated by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”);

WHEREAS, it was  the purpose of the 2008 Restatement to conform the terms of the Plan to the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with respect to amounts deferred after December 15, 2008, within the meaning of Section 885(d) of the Act, as contemplated by Section 885(f) of the Act. It is intended that the modifications effected by the 2008 Restatement shall not cause any amount deferred in taxable years before December 15, 2008 to be treated as an amount deferred in a taxable year beginning on or after such date. The Plan shall be interpreted and at all times administered in a manner that avoids the inclusion of compensation in income under Section 409A(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code;
 
WHEREAS, the Plan was amended and restated, effective as of July 19, 2010, solely for the purpose of allowing Participants to direct the investment of their accounts into investments selected by the Company;
 
 
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WHEREAS, the Plan is now being amended and restated, effective as of December 31, 2010, solely for the purpose of allowing Participants to defer elections made on or after December 31, 2010 for a period longer than 10 years;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Company hereby adopts the Plan, which shall read as follows:

SECTION II
DEFINITIONS

All capitalized terms shall have the same meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

2.01        “Account” or “Deferred Compensation Account” means the deferred  compensation account established for a Participant pursuant to Section IV.

2.02        “Account Balance” means the fair market value of an Account as of a Valuation Date.

2.03        “Annual Base Salary” means the base salary to be paid by the Company to a Participant during the Plan Year. “Annual Base Salary” shall not include any Annual Bonus payment or Incentive Payments, but shall include Deferred Compensation and salary deferral contributions under the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Profit Sharing Capital Accumulation Plan and under any cafeteria plan maintained by the Company intended to comply with Section 125 of the Code.

2.04        “Annual Bonus” means any compensation, other than Performance-Based Compensation Payments, to be paid by the Company to a Participant during the Plan Year under a bonus plan or arrangement.

2.05        “Beneficiary” means any person designated by the Participant in accordance with Section III to receive benefits, if any, payable under the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death.
 
 
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2.06        “Benefit” means the non-forfeitable interest of a Participant in his or her Account(s) that is distributable to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary as provided in Section V.

2.07        “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.08        “Change in Control” means a transaction or series occurring after the Effective Date, in which:

(a)           there is an occurrence of a change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of a corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same or persons or persons is not considered a change in the ownership of the Company (or to cause a change in the effective control of the Company as discussed below). An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this section. This paragraph (a) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of a corporation (or issuance of stock of a corporation) and stock in such corporation remains outstanding after the transaction. For purposes of this paragraph (a), persons will not be considered to be acting as a group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering. However, persons will be considered as acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be acting as a group with other shareholders in a corporation prior to the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the Company.
 
 
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(b)           there is an occurrence of a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that either (i) any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such persons or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 35 percent or more of the total voting power of the Company; or (ii) a majority of members of the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the corporation’s board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election, provided that for purposes of (ii) the term corporation refers solely to the relevant corporation identified in (a), for which no other corporation is a majority shareholder for purposes of that paragraph.

(c)           there is a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition of such person or persons assets from the Company that have a gross fair market value equal to more than 40 percent of the gross fair market value of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

2.09        “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it has been and may be amended from time to time. Reference to any section of the Code shall include any provision successor thereto.
 
 
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2.10        “Committee” means the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board.

2.11        “Company” means Standard Motor Products, Inc. or any successor thereto.

2.12        “Company Contribution” means the amount, if any, contributed by the Company to the Plan on behalf of the Participant. For any Plan Year, the decision to make Company Contributions shall be made in the sole discretion of the Company.

2.13        “Deferred Compensation” means the amount of Annual Base Salary, Annual Bonus, and Performance-Based Compensation Payments that a Participant elects to defer for the Plan Year in accordance with Section 4.01.
 
2.14        “Disability” means for purposes of this Plan if he or she is unable to engage in any substantial activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident or health plan covering employees of the Company. The foregoing is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.15        “Effective Date” means December 31, 2010.
 
 
2.16        “Eligible Employee” means any employee designated by the Committee who satisfies the requirements of Section III.

2.17        “Participant” means an Eligible Employee of the Company who is selected to participate in the Plan in the manner described in Section III.
 
 
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2.18        “Performance-Based Compensation” means compensation to the extent that an amount is: (i) variable and contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organization or individual performance criteria that covers a performance period of at least 12 months and (ii) not readily ascertainable at the time of the election. The foregoing is intended to comply with Section 409A(a)(4)(iii) of the Code including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.19        “Plan” means the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as set forth herein and as may be amended from time to time.

2.20        “Plan Year” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on the first day of January and ending on the thirty-first of December.

2.21        “Specified Employee” means a key employee (as defined in Code Section 416(i) without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of a corporation any stock in which is publicly traded on an established securities market. The foregoing is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.22        “Trust” means the Standard Motor Products, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan Trust or any other trust established between the Company and the Trustee in connection with the Plan under which Plan assets are held and invested and from which benefits under the Plan are paid. This Trust is a grantor trust and is not intended to be a trust under ERISA.

2.23        “Trustee” means the corporation, individual or individuals acting as trustee of the Trust at any time of the reference.

2.24        “Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year.
 
 
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SECTION III
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

3.01         Eligibility

(a)           Any key executive employee selected by the Committee shall be an Eligible Employee and the Committee may select from time to time certain key executive employees who shall be eligible to participate under the Plan.

(b)           In order for an Eligible Employee to participate in the Plan, he or she must file with the Committee, no later than thirty (30) days before the applicable Plan Year begins, an election on a form approved by the Committee to defer Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus payments. An Eligible Employee must file with the Committee, no later than six (6) months before the performance period ends of Performance-Based Compensation, an election on a form approved by the Committee to defer Performance-Based Compensation payments. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, for the first year in which a Participant is eligible to participate, he or she may file an election on a form approved by the Committee, within thirty (30) days after the date on which he or she becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, with respect to services to be performed subsequent to the election. The Committee in its sole discretion shall permit a Participant to make a higher percentage rate of compensation to be deferred than those that would otherwise be allowable under Section 4.01 during his or her first year of participation so that his or her Deferred Compensation during such year will equal the amount that he or she could have made had such election began as of his or her first date of employment with the Company. In order for the allowance of additional deferrals to be made under this Section, the Participant must elect to make such deferrals in writing at the time he or she enrolls in the Plan before the Annual Base Salary payments, Annual Bonus payments, and Performance-Based Compensation from which such deferrals will be deducted has been earned.

(c)           A Participant’s participation in the Plan shall automatically terminate upon the distribution of his or her Benefit in full. In addition, the Company may terminate a Participant’s participation in the Plan at any time as permitted under Section 409A of the Code. In such event, the Company will terminate the Participant’s deferral election for the remainder of the year.
 
 
8

 

 
(d)           Each Eligible Employee shall be notified when he or she becomes eligible to become a Participant, and shall be furnished with the materials necessary to enroll in the Plan.

3.02         Beneficiary Designation

The Participant shall submit to the Company upon enrollment in the Plan, or at such time as the Committee requests and on a form provided by the Committee, a written designation of a primary beneficiary, contingent beneficiaries or secondary beneficiaries to whom payment of his or her Deferred Compensation Account shall be made.

SECTION IV
DEFERRAL ELECTIONS

4.01         Employee Salary Deferrals

At least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of each Plan Year, other than a Participant’s first year of participation (which are subject to the requirements of Section 3.01(b)), a Participant may make an election to defer a portion of his or her Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus payments earned in that Plan Year up to a maximum percent of 50% of his or her Annual Base Salary and 100% Annual Bonus payments. At least six (6) months before the performance period ends of Performance-Based Compensation, a Participant may make an election to defer a portion of his or her Performance-Based Compensation earned for the year of the performance period up to a maximum percent of 100% of his or her Performance-Based Compensation. The deferred amount may be expressed as a dollar amount, or a percentage of Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus paid during the Plan Year. The deferred amount of any deferrals of Performance-Based Compensation may also be expressed as a dollar amount, or a percentage of Performance-Based Compensation.
 
 
9

 
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, establish for any Plan Year maximum percentages which differ from those set forth above, including a maximum percentage designed to permit sufficient withholding of Social Security taxes.

4.02         Withholding of Deferrals

The percentage, if any, of a Participant’s Annual Base Salary that he or she elects to defer for a Plan Year shall be withheld from each regularly scheduled paycheck during the Plan Year. The dollar amount or percentage, if any, of a Participant’s Annual Bonus and Performance-Based Compensation that he or she elects to defer for a Plan Year shall be withheld at the time the Annual Bonus and Performance-Based Compensation are, or otherwise would be, paid to the Participant.

4.03         Company Contributions

The Company may contribute to the Trust for each Plan Year and on behalf of each Participant a Company Contribution in such amount as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

4.04         Deferral Period

At the time the Participant makes a deferral election pursuant to Section 4.01, he or she shall specify the date on which payments of the balance credited to his or her Account shall be made in accordance with Section V. The Participant shall also elect the form of distribution as discussed in Section 5.02. Each election described in this Section 4.04 must be made in the manner prescribed by the Committee.

4.05         Vesting

(a)           All employee salary deferrals made by a Participant and credited to his or her Deferred Compensation Account shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable at all times.
 
 
10

 
 
(b)           All Company Contributions made on behalf of a Participant and credited to his or her Deferred Compensation Account shall be non-forfeitable following the completion of three (3) consecutive years of employment with the Company. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee may in its discretion accelerate the vesting of any Company Contributions made on behalf of a Participant who terminates before the three (3) consecutive year period.
 
(c)           In the event of a Change of Control, all Company Contributions will become fully vested.

SECTION V
TIME AND MANNER OF PAYMENTS

5.01         Time of Payment

Deferrals under the Plan may not be made until the earlier of:

(a)           separation from service (except for Specified Employees),
 
(b)           death,
 
(c)           Disability, or
 
(d)           upon a Change in Control.

Specified Employees may not receive a distribution under (a) above before the date, which is six (6) months after the date of a separation of service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the employee). The term separation from service is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder. Distribution upon a Change in Control is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder and any other guidance including Q/A 11 through 14 of Notice 2005-1.
 
 
11

 
 
5.02         Manner of Payment Election

A Participant may elect the manner in which Benefits will be paid. Any such election must be made with each deferral election. The Participant may select either a lump sum payment or periodic payments over a period not to exceed ten (10) years, payable in installments of equal or varying percentages of the balance of his or her bookkeeping account under the Trust or such other method as approved by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for deferral elections made on or after December 31, 2010, the 10 year limit shall not apply.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, a Participant will only be permitted to make a subsequent election that results in a delay in payment or a change in form of payment if the subsequent election takes effect at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made, and with respect to a distribution due to separation of service, the first payment will be not less than five (5) years from the date on which it would   otherwise have been made. The election cannot be made less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment.

During the five (5) year subsequent deferral period, a distribution may be made only on account of death or Disability. The foregoing is intended to comply with Section 409A(a)(2)(C) of the Code, including any Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder.

5.03         Death Benefit

(a)           In the event of a Participant’s death while in the employment of the Company and prior to the commencement of payment of his or her Deferred Compensation Account, the Company shall pay the amount of the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account in a lump sum payment as of the date of death to the Participant’s designated Beneficiary in accordance with such designation received by the Committee. Subject to such rules and regulations as the Committee may promulgate, a Participant may from time to time change such designation of Beneficiary. The last effective designation of Beneficiary shall supersede all prior designations. A designation of Beneficiary shall be effective only if the designated Beneficiary survives the Participant and any prior designated Beneficiary.
 
 
12

 
 
(b)           If a Benefit becomes payable upon the death of a Participant and no Beneficiary has been properly designated, or if the Beneficiary designated (including any contingent or secondary Beneficiary) shall have predeceased the Participant, the Participant shall be deemed to have designated the following Beneficiaries (if living at the time of the death of the Participant) in the following order of priority: (i) the spouse of the Participant, (ii) the children, including adopted children, of the Participant, in equal shares, (iii) the natural parent of the Participant, in equal shares, (iv) the sibling of the Participant, in equal shares, and (v) the estate of the Participant.

(c)           If the Company has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive payments thereunder, the Company shall have the right to withhold such payment until the matter is finally adjudicated. Any payment made by the Company in good faith and in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall fully discharge the Company from all further obligations with respect to such payment.

(d)           In the event of the Participant’s death after the commencement of his or her Deferred Compensation Account, but prior to the completion of all such payments due and owing thereunder, the Company shall continue to make such payments in equal installments over the remainder of the period that would have been applicable to the Participant had he or she survived. Such continuing payments shall be made to the Participant’s designated Beneficiary in accordance with the last such designation received by the Committee from the Participant prior to his or her death.

 
13

 

SECTION VI
DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNT

6.01         Participant’s Accounts

The Committee shall cause the Trustees to maintain a bookkeeping account to be kept in the name of each Participant which shall reflect the value of the deferrals made by a Participant and the Company Contributions made by the Company, pursuant to Plan Section V on the Participant’s behalf. The Participant’s Account shall be credited as of the date the amounts deferred otherwise would have become due or payable, and with respect to Company Contributions or times as the Committee shall direct. The Account shall not be credited with any interest thereon.

6.02         Investment of Accounts

The value of funds credited to the Participant’s bookkeeping account shall be invested and re-invested as directed by the Participant in mutual funds or other investments from a roster  selected by the Committee from time to time in its discretion. The Committee may engage investment counsel and, if it so desires, may delegate to such counsel full or limited authority to select the available investment vehicles. As of each Valuation date, the bookkeeping account of each Participant shall be credited with a gain or loss equal to the adjustment which would be made if assets equal to the bookkeeping account had been invested in accordance with such Participant’s direction.

6.03         Assumption of Risk

The Participant agrees on behalf of himself and his (or herself and her) designated beneficiary to assume all risk in connection with any decrease in value of the funds which are deemed to be invested or which continue to be invested under the provisions of this Plan.

 
14

 

6.04         Charges Against Accounts

There shall be charged against each Participant’s bookkeeping account any payments made to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary in accordance with Plan Article V.

SECTION VII
ADMINISTRATION

7.01         Authority

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full power and authority to administer and interpret the Plan.

7.02         Liability

No member of the Board or management of the Company shall be liable to any persons for any actions taken under the Plan.
 
7.03         Procedures

The Board may from time to time adopt such procedures as it deems appropriate to assist in the administration of the Plan.

7.04         Duties of the Committee

The Committee, in addition to the duties otherwise provided for in the Plan, shall:

(a)           Construe the Plan and any Trust the Company may adopt to fund the Plan.
 
(b)           Determine all questions affecting the eligibility for and the amount of the Benefit payable hereunder to any Participant or Beneficiary.
 
(c)           Ascertain the persons to whom any death or other Benefits shall be payable under the provisions hereof.
 
 
15

 
 
(d)           Authorize and direct all disbursements by any trustee from the trust.
 
(e)           Make final and binding determinations in connection with any questions of fact which may arise under the operation of the Plan and any trust.
 
(f)            Make such rules and regulations, with reference to the operation of the Plan, as it may deem necessary or advisable, provided, that such rules and regulations shall not be inconsistent with the express terms of the Plan or ERISA.
 
(g)           Prescribe procedures and adopt forms to be used by Participants and Beneficiaries in filing applications for Benefits and in making elections under the Plan.
 
(h)           Prescribe procedures and adopt forms to be used by Participants and Beneficiaries in filing applications for Benefits and in making elections under the Plan.
 
(i)            Review the denial of claims under Section VIII and make decisions on such review.
 
(j)            Delegate such duties as it shall deem appropriate.

7.05         Committee’s Decisions Final and Binding

Benefits under the Plan will be paid only if the Committee decided in its discretion that the applicant is entitled to them. The decisions of the Committee on any matter within its authority shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee and shall be final and binding on all parties, including without limitation, the Company, Participants, and Beneficiaries. Any Eligible Employee who becomes a Participant shall acknowledge the exclusive authority of the Committee as set forth in this Section VII.

7.06         Employment of Counsel, Etc.

The Committee may employ such counsel, accountants and other agents as it shall deem advisable.

 
16

 

7.07         Payments of Expenses of the Committee

The reasonable cost and expenses incurred by the Committee in the performance of its duties hereunder, excluding compensation, but including, without limitation, reasonable fees for legal, accounting and other services rendered, shall be paid by the Company.

7.08         Committee to be Furnished Information Concerning Employees

The Company shall, from time to time, make available to the Committee such information with respect to Participants, their dates of employment, their compensation and other matters as may be reasonably necessary or desirable in connection with the performance of the Committee of its duties with respect to the Plan.

SECTION VIII
BENEFIT CLAIM PROCEDURES

8.01         Claim For Benefits

Any claim for Benefits shall be made in writing to the Committee. In the event such a claim to all or any part of any Benefit under this Plan shall be denied, the Committee shall provide to the claimant within 90 days (or, if determining whether a Participant is Disabled, 45 days) (or such additional period required by special circumstances, but not to exceed an additional 90 days (30 days in the case of a Disability claim), provided that written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the commencement of the extension) after receipt of such claim, a written notice setting forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant:

(a)           The specific reason or reasons for the denial.
 
(b)           References to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based.
 
(c)           A description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation as to why such material or information is necessary.
 
 
17

 
 
(d)           An explanation of the Plan’s procedure for review of the denial of a claim.
 
(e)           A statement of the claimant’s right to bring legal action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

8.02         Review of Denial of Claims

Within 60 days (or 180 days if a Disability claim) after receipt of the above material, the claimant may appeal the claim denial to the Committee for a full and fair review. Within such 60 or 180 days, the claimant or his or her duly authorized representative:

(a)           May request a review upon written notice to the Committee.
 
(b)           Shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.
 
(c)           May submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.

8.03         Decision on Review of Denial

A decision by the Committee will be made not later than 60 days (or 45 days for Disability claims) (or such additional period required by special circumstances, but not to exceed an additional 60 days (or 45   days for Disability claims); provided, however, that written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the commencement of the extension). The Committee will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim, whether or not submitted or considered in the Committee’s initial benefit determination. The Committee’s decision on review shall be provided to the claimant in writing. If the Committee’s decision is adverse, its written notification to the claimant shall include:

(a)           The specific reason or reasons for the decision.
 
 
18

 
 
(b)           References to the specific Plan provisions on which the decision is based.
 
(c)           A statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits.
 
(d)           A statement of the claimant’s right to bring legal action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

8.04         Legal Actions

No legal action to recover Benefits under the Plan may be filed after 12 months of the date of the Committee’s decision on appeal.

SECTION IX
MISCELLANEOUS

9.01         Claim for Benefits

No Eligible Employee or other person shall have any claim or right to payment of any amount hereunder until payment has been authorized and directed by the Board.

9.02         Not an Employment Contract

The Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Company and any Participant, nor shall the Plan be considered an inducement for the employment of any Participant or Employee. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be deemed to give any Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Company nor to interfere with the right of the Company to discharge any Participant or Employee at any time, regardless of the effect which such discharge may have upon that individual as a Participant in the Plan.

 
19

 

9.03         Non-transferability

No Participant shall have any legal right, title or interest in any trust fund that the Company may establish to fund the Plan or any of its assets. This same limitation shall be applicable with respect to Benefits payable upon the death of a Participant which may be distributable to a Beneficiary.

9.04         Tax Withholding

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, the Company shall withhold from all amounts payable hereunder all federal, state, and local taxes legally required to be withheld with respect to such amounts. To the extent that it is required to withhold any amounts before payments due and payable under the Plan, such amounts will be withheld by the Committee from other income sources if available.

9.05         Governing Law

(a)           The Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of New York, and all provisions hereunder shall be administered according to the laws thereof.

(b)           The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained by the Company primarily for a select group of management or highly compensated employees (within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA), and the Plan shall be so construed and interpreted wherever necessary. All benefits are unfunded, and as such shall be paid out of the general assets of the Company, including any trust fund assets, which are part of the Company’s general assets. The Trust shall be a domestic trust whose assets must at all times be located in the United States; and provided further that this section shall not be construed as providing that assets will become restricted to the provision of benefits under the Plan in connection with a change in any Employer’s financial health, and the Company shall not make any transfer that would be deemed “in connection with a change in the employer’s financial health” within the meaning of Section 409A(b)(2) of the Code. The purpose of the provisos is to comply with the funding restrictions of Section 409A(b) of the Code.
 
 
20

 
 
(c)           Any words herein used in the masculine or neuter shall read and be construed in the feminine, masculine or neuter where they would so apply. Words in the singular shall be read and construed as though used in the plural in all cases where they would so apply.

9.06         Amendment and Termination

The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to terminate or amend the Plan, wholly or partially, from time to time and at any time. Upon termination of the Plan, or upon any amendment to the Plan which would decrease the Benefit of Participants, each Participant shall be entitled to a Benefit hereunder equal to the Benefit the Participant would have received had the Participant Retired on the day immediately prior to the effective date of the termination or amendment of the Plan; provided, however, that no Participant shall receive a distribution of such Benefit from the Plan as the result of an amendment to the Plan. No distributions shall be made solely because of termination of the Plan. Upon termination of the Plan, Benefits will be distributed in accordance with Participants’ elections.

9.07         Unclaimed Benefits

The Benefit of a Participant or Beneficiary who cannot be located after reasonable efforts at the time the Benefit becomes payable shall be forever forfeited.

9.08         Severability

If any provision of this instrument shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the Plan shall continue to be fully effective.
 
 
21

 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the Plan to be effective as of December 31, 2010.

 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
 
       
 
By: 
  
 
 
Title: 
  
 
 
Date: 
  
 

  
 
Attest
 

 
22

 

AMENDMENT
TO
SEVERANCE COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of this 8 th day of March, 2011 by and between STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. (the “Corporation”), and JOHN P. GETHIN.
 
WHEREAS, the Corporation and you are parties to that certain Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, as amended (the “Agreement”), in which you are entitled to severance compensation under certain circumstances in the event of a Change in Control of the Corporation; and
 
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement to modify the Change in Control definition.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           Definitions.   All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
 
2.           Amendment to Agreement.   The definition of “Change in Control of the Corporation” is hereby amended to delete Section 1(b)(iii) so that as amended definition shall read in its entirety as follows:
 
 
“b.
‘Change in Control of the Corporation’ shall be deemed to occur if any of the following circumstances shall occur:
 
 
(i) 
the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”)) other than the Permitted Holders; or
 
 
(ii) 
any person or group, other than the Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50 percent of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Corporation, including by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise.
 
 
For the purposes of this Section 1b, “Permitted Holders” shall mean, as of the date of determination: (A) any and all of Larry Sills, his spouse, his parents, his siblings and their spouses, and descendants of them (whether natural or adopted) (collectively, the “Sills Group”); and (B) any trust established and maintained primarily for the benefit of any member of the Sills Group and any entity controlled by any member of the Sills Group.”
 
 
 

 
 
3.           No Waiver .  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the parties, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Agreement.
 
4.           Effect on the Agreement .  All references in the Agreement to the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Agreement as amended hereby.
 
5.           Governing Law .  This Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to its conflicts of law rules).

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
 
 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
 
       
 
By:
   
   
Name: Carmine J. Broccole
 
   
Title: Secretary
 
       
       
       
     
 
John Gethin
 
 
 
 
2

 

AMENDMENT
TO
SEVERANCE COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

This AMENDMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of this 8 th day of March, 2011 by and between STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. (the “Corporation”), and JAMES J. BURKE.
 
WHEREAS, the Corporation and you are parties to that certain Severance Compensation Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, as amended (the “Agreement”), in which you are entitled to severance compensation under certain circumstances in the event of a Change in Control of the Corporation; and
 
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement to modify the Change in Control definition.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.           Definitions.   All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Agreement.
 
2.           Amendment to Agreement.   The definition of “Change in Control of the Corporation” is hereby amended to delete Section 1(b)(iii) so that as amended definition shall read in its entirety as follows:
 
 
“b.
‘Change in Control of the Corporation’ shall be deemed to occur if any of the following circumstances shall occur:
 
 
(i) 
the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”)) other than the Permitted Holders; or
 
 
(ii) 
any person or group, other than the Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50 percent of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Corporation, including by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise.
 
 
For the purposes of this Section 1b, “Permitted Holders” shall mean, as of the date of determination: (A) any and all of Larry Sills, his spouse, his parents, his siblings and their spouses, and descendants of them (whether natural or adopted) (collectively, the “Sills Group”); and (B) any trust established and maintained primarily for the benefit of any member of the Sills Group and any entity controlled by any member of the Sills Group.”
 
 
 

 
 
3.           No Waiver .  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the parties, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Agreement.
 
4.           Effect on the Agreement .  All references in the Agreement to the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the Agreement as amended hereby.
 
5.           Governing Law .  This Amendment shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without giving effect to its conflicts of law rules).

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment to be executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.
 
 
 
STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
 
       
 
By:
   
    Name: Carmine J. Broccole  
   
Title: Secretary
 
       
       
       
     
 
James J. Burke
 
 
 
 
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EXHIBIT 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.


 
    Percent
 
State or
of Voting
 
Country of
Securities
Name
Incorporation
Owned
     
SMP Motor Products Limited
Canada
100
Motortronics, Inc.
New York
100
Stanric, Inc.
Delaware
100
Mardevco Credit Corp.
New York
100
Standard Motor Products (Hong Kong) Limited
Hong Kong
100
Industrial & Automotive Associates, Inc.
California
100
Standard Motor Products de Mexico,
   
  S. de R.L. de C.V. (1 )
Mexico
100
SMP Engine Management,
   
  S. de R.L. de C.V. (1 )
Mexico
100
SMP Four Seasons de Mexico,
   
  S. de R.L. de C.V. (1 )
Mexico
100
 
All of the subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements of Standard Motor Products, Inc.

(1)   Standard Motor Products, Inc. owns 49,999 shares and Motortronics, Inc. owns 1 share of these companies.


 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT 23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Subsidiaries:
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No. 333-134239 and No. 333-125600) on the Form S-8, and in the registration statement (No. 333-161101) on the Form S-3 of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries of our reports dated March 9, 2011, with respect to the consolidated balance sheet of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated statement of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows, for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the related consolidated financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, which reports appear in the December 31, 2010 annual report on Form 10-K of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
 
New York, New York
March 9, 2011
 
 
 

 
 
Exhibit 23.2
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We have issued our report dated March 11, 2010 (except for Note 1 Immaterial Correction Related to Prior Periods , and Note 17, Industry Segment and Geographic Data , as to which the date is March 9, 2011) with respect to the consolidated financial statements, and our report dated March 11, 2010 with respect to the schedule included in the Annual Report of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference of said reports in the Registration Statements of Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form S-3 (File No. 333-161101, effective October 5, 2009, and Forms S-8 (File No. 333-134239, effective May 18, 2006, and File No. 333-125600, effective June 7, 2005).

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
New York, New York
March 9, 2011
 
 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Lawrence I. Sills, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Standard Motor Products, Inc.;
 
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(s) 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 statements 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 conclusions 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(s) 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 the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
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:  March 9, 2011

 
/s/ Lawrence I. Sills
 
 
Lawrence I. Sills
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, James J. Burke, certify that:
 
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Standard Motor Products, Inc.;
 
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(s) 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 statements 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 conclusions 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(s) 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 the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
 
 
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: March 9, 2011

 
/s/ James J. Burke
 
 
James J. Burke
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 

 
 

 
 
EXHIBIT 32.1

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 Annual Report of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Lawrence I. Sills, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, 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 result of operations of the Company.

/s/ Lawrence I. Sills
 
Lawrence I. Sills
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
March 9, 2011
 

*A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Standard Motor Products, Inc. and will be retained by Standard Motor Products, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on its staff upon request.
 
 
 

 
 
 
EXHIBIT 32.2

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 Annual Report of Standard Motor Products, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, James J. Burke, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge, 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 result of operations of the Company.

/s/ James J. Burke
 
James J. Burke
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
March 9, 2011
 

*A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Standard Motor Products, Inc. and will be retained by Standard Motor Products, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission on its staff upon request.