UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 22, 2014 or

 

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from _____ to _____

 

Commission File Number 0-6966

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Indiana

(State of incorporation)

13-2739290

(I.R.S. EIN)

 

817 Maxwell Ave, Evansville, Indiana

(Address of principal executive office)

47711

(Zip Code)

 

812-467-4449

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x       No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x      No ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨     (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company x

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨         No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class Outstanding at April 10, 2014
Common, no par value 13,796,326

 

1
 

 

INDEX

 

 

    Page No.

 

Part I.

 

Financial Information:

 

 

Item 1 -

 

Financial Statements:

 
 

 

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 22, 2014, December 28, 2013, and March 23, 2013

 

 

3

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013

 

 

4

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive

Income for the Three Months Ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013

 

 

4

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013

 

 

5

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

 

6

 

Item 2 -

 

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

 

10

 

Item 3 -

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

13

 

Item 4 -

 

Controls and Procedures

 

13

 

Part II.

 

Other Information

 

 

Item 2 -

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

14

Item 5 - Other Information 15

 

Item 6 -

 

Exhibits

 

15

 

 

Signature

 

15

 

2
 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Information   March 22,
2014
    December 28,
2013
    March 23,
2013
 
    (Unaudited)     (Audited)     (Unaudited)  
ASSETS                        
Current Assets:                        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,027     $ 2,346     $ 1,913  
Time deposits     1,450       1,700       1,950  
Receivables, less allowance of $1,314; $1,321; and $969; respectively     31,593       43,751       26,556  
Inventories     32,933       28,307       36,894  
Prepaid expenses     1,461       2,039       996  
Deferred income tax benefit     2,136       2,220       1,587  
Prepaid income tax     604       853       --  
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS     73,204       81,216       69,896  
                         
Property, plant and equipment, net     14,661       14,958       14,166  
Intangible assets     12,186       12,753       12,326  
Goodwill     13,113       13,113       12,017  
Investments     20,310       19,786       17,418  
Other assets     145       148       171  
    $ 133,619     $ 141,974     $ 125,994  
                         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                        
Current Liabilities:                        
Notes payable   $ 13,871     $ 21,700     $ 14,672  
Current portion of long-term debt     1,569       1,563       2,546  
Trade accounts payable     4,508       2,483       5,691  
Accrued liabilities     13,651       17,933       13,099  
Income tax payable     --       --       777  
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES     33,599       43,679       36,785  
                         
Other Liabilities:                        
Long-term debt     4,551       4,946       4,620  
Deferred income tax liability     5,393       5,394       3,462  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     43,543       54,019       44,867  
                         
Stockholders' Equity:                        
Preferred stock:                        
Authorized 1,000,000 shares; no par value, none issued                        
Common stock:                        
Authorized 30,000,000 shares; no par value, issued and outstanding – 13,786,966; 13,656,557; and 13,458,935; shares respectively     13,787     13,657       13,459  
Retained earnings     70,944       69,379       63,653  
Accumulated other comprehensive income     5,345       4,919       4,015  
      90,076       87,955       81,127  
    $ 133,619     $ 141,974     $ 125,994  

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3
 

 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

    Three Months Ended  
All Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data   March 22, 2014     March 23, 2013  
             
Net sales   $ 34,074     $ 31,838  
                 
Costs, Expenses and Other Income                
Cost of products sold     22,718       20,960  
Selling, administrative and general expenses     7,251       7,273  
Amortization     571       557  
                 
Operating Income     3,534       3,048  
                 
Interest expense     156       167  
Other expense (income)     (189 )     38  
                 
Income Before Income Taxes     3,567       2,843  
                 
Provision for Income Taxes     1,316       1,219  
                 
Net Income   $ 2,251     $ 1,624  
                 
Earnings Per Share Data:                
Basic earnings per share   $ 0.16     $ 0.12  
Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.16     $ 0.12  
                 
Dividends declared   $ 0.09     $ 0.08  
                 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

    Three Months Ended  
All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Information   March 22, 2014     March 23, 2013  
             
Net income   $ 2,251     $ 1,624  
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment     425       (78 )
                 
Comprehensive income   $ 2,676     $ 1,546  
                 

 

 

 

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4
 

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

 

    Three Months Ended  
All Amounts in Thousands   March 22,
2014
    March 23,
2013
 
             
Operating Activities:                
Net income   $ 2,251     $ 1,624  
Depreciation and amortization     1,147       1,065  
(Gain) Loss on disposal of property and equipment     (1 )     6  
Stock-based compensation     133       130  
Adjustments necessary to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities     6,018       1,606  
Net cash provided by operating activities     9,548       4,431  
                 
Investing Activities:                
Purchase of property and equipment     (279 )     (181 )
Purchase of short-term time deposits     -       (750 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     7       1  
Proceeds from disposal of short-term time deposits     250       --  
Net cash used by investing activities     (22 )     (930 )
                 
Financing Activities:                
Net decrease in notes payable     (7,828 )     (1,707 )
Net decrease in overdraft facility     -       (691 )
Principal payments on long-term debt     (389 )     (634 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options     533       31  
Cash dividends paid     (1,244 )     (1,084 )
Director stock compensation     23       46  
Net cash used by financing activities     (8,905 )     (4,039 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     60       (93 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     681       (631 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     2,346       2,544  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period   $ 3,027     $ 1,913  
                 
Supplemental Cash Flows Information                
Dividends payable   $ 39     $ 41  
Seller note issued in purchase of real estate     -     $ 2,300  
                 

 

See notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 

5
 


ESCALADE, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

Note A – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Presentation of Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements – The significant accounting policies followed by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries for interim financial reporting are consistent with the accounting policies followed for annual financial reporting. All adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are in the opinion of management necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods reported have been included in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements. The consolidated condensed balance sheet of the Company as of December 28, 2013 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of that date. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the Company’s annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These consolidated condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Form 10-K annual report for 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

 

Note B - Seasonal Aspects

 

The results of operations for the three month periods ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

Note C - Inventories

 

In thousands   March 22, 2014     December 28, 2013     March 23, 2013  
                   
Raw materials   $ 8,122     $ 7,308     $ 9,056  
Work in progress     5,174       4,151       4,842  
Finished goods     19,637       16,848       22,996  
    $ 32,933     $ 28,307     $ 36,894  

 

Note D – Equity Interest Investments

 

The Company has a 50% interest in a joint venture, Stiga Sports AB (Stiga). The joint venture is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Stiga, located in Sweden, is a global sporting goods company producing table tennis equipment and game products. Financial information for Stiga reflected in the table below has been translated from local currency to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the respective period-end for balance sheet amounts, and using average exchange rates for statement of operations amounts. Certain differences exist between U.S. GAAP and local GAAP in Sweden, and the impact of these differences is not reflected in the summarized information reflected in the table below. The most significant difference relates to the accounting for goodwill for Stiga which is amortized over eight years in Sweden but is not amortized for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. The effect on Stiga’s net assets resulting from the amortization of goodwill for the periods ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013 are addbacks to Stiga’s consolidated financial information of $13.8 million and $11.9 million, respectively. These net differences are comprised of cumulative goodwill adjustments of $19.3 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $5.5 million as of March 22, 2014 and cumulative goodwill adjustments of $16.6 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $4.7 million as of March 23, 2013. The statement of operations impact of these goodwill and tax adjustments and other individually insignificant U.S. GAAP adjustments for the periods ended March 22, 2014, and March 23, 2013 are to increase Stiga’s net income by approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively. The Company’s 50% portion of net income for Stiga for the periods ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013 was $189 thousand and $69 thousand, respectively, and is included in other income (expense) on the Company’s statements of operations.

 

In addition, Escalade has a 50% interest in Neoteric Industries Inc. in Taiwan. The income and assets of Neoteric have no impact on the Company’s financial reporting. Additional information regarding Neoteric is considered immaterial and has not been included in the totals listed below.

 

6
 

 

Summarized financial information for Stiga Sports AB balance sheets as of March 22, 2014, December 28, 2013, and March 23, 2013 and statements of operations for the periods ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013 is as follows:

 

In thousands   March 22, 2014     December 28, 2013     March 23, 2013  
                   
Current assets   $ 26,775     $ 31,399     $ 23,730  
Non-current assets     9,444       8,967       8,133  
Total assets     36,219       40,366       31,863  
                         
Current liabilities     5,498       10,019       6,670  
Non-current liabilities     4,991       4,893       3,990  
Total liabilities     10,489       14,912       10,660  
                         
Net assets   $ 25,730     $ 25,454     $ 21,203  
                         

 

 

    Three Months Ended  
    March 22, 2014     March 23, 2013  
             
Net sales   $ 5,345     $ 4,836  
Gross profit     2,856       2,563  
Net income     93       52  

 

Note E – Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all financial instruments recognized in the accompanying balance sheets at amounts other than fair values.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Time Deposits

 

Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and time deposits approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity.

 

Notes Payable and Long-term Debt

 

Fair values of notes payable and long-term debt is estimated based on borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and determined through the use of a discounted cash flow model.

 

7
 

 

The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall in accordance with FASB ASC 825 at March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013.

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using  
March 22, 2014
In thousands
  Carrying Amount     Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)     Significant Other Observable Inputs  (Level 2)     Significant Unobservable Inputs  (Level 3)  
Financial assets                                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 3,027     $ 3,027     $ --     $ --  
Time deposits   $ 1,450     $ 1,450     $ --     $ --  
                                 
Financial liabilities                                
  Notes payable   $ 13,871     $ --     $ 13,871     $ --  
Current portion of
Long-term debt
  $ 1,569     $ --     $ 1,569     $ --  
  Long-term debt   $ 4,551     $ --     $ 4,551     $ --  

 

          Fair Value Measurements Using  
March 23, 2013
In thousands
  Carrying Amount     Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)     Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)     Significant Unobservable Inputs  (Level 3)  
Financial assets                                
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,913     $ 1,913     $ --     $ --  
Time deposits   $ 1,950     $ 1,950     $ --     $ --  
                                 
Financial liabilities                                
  Notes payable   $ 14,672     $ --     $ 14,672     $ --  
Current portion of
Long-term debt
  $ 2,546     $ --     $ 2,546     $ --  
  Long-term debt   $ 4,620     $ --     $ 4,620     $ --  

 

The outstanding balance of the euro overdraft facility is included in Notes payable. For the periods ended March 22, 2014, December 28, 2013, and March 23, 2013, the balance of the euro overdraft facility was zero, zero, and $1.8 million, respectively.

 

Note F – Stock Compensation

 

The fair value of stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation .

 

During the three months ended March 22, 2014 and pursuant to the 2007 Incentive Plan, in lieu of director fees, the Company awarded to certain directors 1,982 shares of common stock. In addition, the Company awarded 25,000 stock options to directors and 50,000 restricted stock units to employees. The stock options awarded to directors vest at the end of one year and have an exercise price equal to the market price on the date of grant. Director stock options are subject to forfeiture, except for termination of services as a result of retirement, death or disability, if on the vesting date the director no longer holds a position with the Company. The 2014 restricted stock units awarded to employees vest over four years (one-third two years from grant date, one-third three years from grant date and one-third four years from grant date) provided that the employee is still employed by the Company and that the performance criteria related to the market price of the Company’s stock is satisfied. The criteria is for any 30 consecutive trading days on the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal securities exchange on which the Company’s shares of common stock are then traded) during the period beginning on the grant date and ending on the fourth anniversary thereof, the cumulative average Volume Weighted Average Price per share is at least 15% higher than the closing price per share on the grant date plus any incremental dividends paid above the current quarterly dividend rate of $0.09 per share by the Company during such four year period. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted and utilizes the Monte Carlo technique to determine the fair value of restricted stock units granted.

 

8
 

 

For the three months ended March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $156 thousand and $176 thousand, respectively. At March 22, 2014 and March 23, 2013, respectively, there was $1.2 million and $1.2 million in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards.

 

Note G - Segment Information

 

 

    For the Three Months
Ended March 22, 2014
 
In thousands   Sporting Goods     Information Security and Print Finishing     Corp.     Total  
                         
Revenues from external customers   $ 27,721     $ 6,353     $ --     $ 34,074  
Operating income (loss)     4,269       211       (946 )     3,534  
Net income (loss)     2,619       (14 )     (354 )     2,251  
Total assets   $ 84,242     $ 22,629     $ 26,748     $ 133,619  

 

    For the Three Months
Ended March 23, 2013
 
In thousands   Sporting Goods     Information Security and Print Finishing     Corp.     Total  
                         
Revenues from external customers   $ 25,265     $ 6,573     $ --     $ 31,838  
Operating income (loss)     4,225       (452 )     (725 )     3,048  
Net income (loss)     2,561       (617 )     (320 )     1,624  
Total assets   $ 79,527     $ 25,022     $ 21,455     $ 125,994  

 

Note H – Dividend Payment

 

On March 20, 2014, the Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.09 per common share to all shareholders of record on March 13, 2014. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $1.2 million and was charged against retained earnings.

9
 

 

Note I - Earnings Per Share

 

The shares used in computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended  
In thousands   March 22, 2014     March 23, 2013  
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding     13,686       13,447  
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units     255       157  
Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution     13,941       13,604  

 

Stock options that are anti-dilutive as to earnings per share and unvested restricted stock units which have a market condition for vesting that has not been achieved are ignored in the computation of dilutive earnings per share. The number of stock options and restricted stock units that were excluded in 2014 and 2013 were 75,000 and 559,250, respectively.

 

Note J – New Accounting Standards

 

With the exception of that discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the three months ended March 22, 2014, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013, that are of significance, or potential significance to the Company.

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740), which clarifies the presentation requirements of unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists at the reporting date. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013 and should be applied prospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Note K – Commitments and Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company does not believe that the disposition or ultimate resolution of existing claims or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, Escalade’s ability to successfully achieve the anticipated results of strategic transactions, including the integration of the operations of acquired assets and business, the continuation and development of key customer and supplier relationships, Escalade’s ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the securities market, Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.

 

Overview

 

Escalade, Incorporated (Escalade, the Company, we, us or our) manufactures and distributes products for two industries: Sporting Goods and Information Security and Print Finishing. The Sporting Goods segment competes in a variety of categories including indoor recreational games, sports training and archery. Strong brands and on-going product innovation provide diversity for our customer base and adds value to consumers. Information Security and Print Finishing has increasingly focused its strategy on high security data destruction and post-printing document preparation.

 

10
 

 

Within these industries the Company has successfully built a robust market presence in several niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding our customer base, barriers to entry, strong brands, excellent customer service and a commitment to innovation. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified portfolio of products to meet the demands of consumers. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has substantial manufacturing and import experience that enable it to be a low cost supplier.

 

A majority of the Company's products are in markets that are currently experiencing low growth rates. Where the Company enjoys a commanding market position, such as table tennis tables in the Sporting Goods segment and paper folding machines in the Information Security and Print Finishing segment, revenue growth is expected to be roughly equal to general macro-economic consumer trends. However, in markets that are fragmented and where the Company is not the dominant leader, such as archery in the Sporting Goods segment, the Company anticipates growth.

 

To enhance growth opportunities, the Company has a strategy of promoting new product innovation and development and brand marketing. In addition, the Company has embarked on a strategy of acquiring companies or product lines that complement or expand the Company's existing product lines or provide expansion into new or emerging categories, particularly in its Sporting Goods segment. A key objective is the acquisition of product lines with barriers to entry that the Company can take to market through its established distribution channels or through new market channels. Significant synergies are achieved through assimilation of acquired product lines into the existing company structure. The Company also sometimes divests or discontinues certain operations, assets, and products that do not perform to the Company's expectations or no longer fit with the Company's strategic objectives.

 

The Company is currently facing weak demand and increased competition in the Information Security and Print Finishing segment. The operational focus for this segment continues to be expanding its Information Security product and service offerings to assist businesses and governments with their document and information high security needs to secure sensitive customer, employee and business information and to comply with new information privacy laws, rules and regulations. The Company continues to extend the capabilities of its line of shredders to include not only the secure destruction of paper but also the secure destruction and/or de-commissioning of other forms of electronic storage media. The Company also continues to monitor the profitability and explore the overall strategic fit of its Information Security and Print Finishing segment with its overall objectives, product and service offerings.

 

Management believes that key indicators in measuring the success of these strategies are revenue growth, earnings growth, new product introductions, and the expansion of channels of distribution.

 

Results of Operations

 

Consolidated net sales for the first quarter of 2014 were 7% higher compared to the same quarter last year. Operating income for the quarter was $3.5 million compared with $3.0 million in the same quarter last year, an increase of 16%. The increase in operating profits is primarily a result of decreased expenses in the Information Security and Print Finishing segment.

 

The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of operations data as a percentage of net revenue:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    March 22, 2014     March 23, 2013  
Net revenue     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of products sold     66.7 %     65.8 %
Gross margin     33.3 %     34.2 %
Selling, administrative and general expenses     21.3 %     22.9 %
Amortization     1.7 %     1.7 %
Operating income     10.3 %     9.6 %

 

11
 

 

Consolidated Revenue and Gross Margin

 

Revenues from the Sporting Goods business were up 9.7% for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the same quarter last year. The Company attributes sales increases to new product development, brand marketing and product expansion which have increased consumer demand for our products. Management expects continued growth in the Sporting Goods segment through the remainder of the year; although at a lower growth rate in certain categories than in prior years.

 

Revenues from the Information Security and Print Finishing business decreased 3.3% for the first quarter of 2014 compared with the same quarter last year. Excluding the effects of changes in the currency exchange rates, revenues decreased 3.1% for the quarter. Declines in revenues were expected as the Company consolidates product offerings and concentrates focus on profitable markets.

 

The overall gross margin ratio for the first quarter of 2014 was 33.3% compared to 34.2% for the same quarter last year. Gross margins in the Sporting Goods segment decreased to 32.5% for the first quarter of 2014 compared with 33.9% for the same quarter last year due mainly to product mix. Gross margins for the Information Security and Print Finishing segment increased to 36.9% for the first quarter of 2014 compared with 35.3% for the same quarter last year partially resulting from cost cutting measures enacted in the prior year.

 

Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Consolidated selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) costs decreased as a percent of net sales to 21.3% for the first quarter of 2014, which is lower than the 22.9% experienced in the same quarter last year. A portion of this decrease in expense relates to cost cutting measures implemented in the prior year the Information Security and Print Finishing segment. However, the Company will continue to focus on strategic investments in product development and brand marketing throughout the year.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2014 was 36.9% compared to 42.9% for the same quarter last year. The Company experienced a reduction in losses in certain foreign taxing jurisdictions in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the first quarter of 2013. Losses in these foreign taxing jurisdictions do not offset gains in other foreign taxing jurisdictions which negatively affected the effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2013.

 

Financial Condition and Liquidity

 

Total debt at the end of the first three months of 2014 was $20.0 million, a reduction of $8.2 million from December 28, 2013. Cash generated from the decreases in account receivables of $12.2 million from December 28, 2013 were used to reduce debt and pay dividends which resulted in the net decrease in notes payable. The following schedule summarizes the Company’s total debt:

 

In thousands   March 22,
2014
    December 28,
2013
    March 23,
2013
 
                   
Notes payable short-term   $ 13,871     $ 21,700     $ 12,911  
Current portion long-term debt     1,569       1,563       2,546  
Bank overdraft facility     --       --       1,761  
Long term debt     4,551       4,946       4,620  
Total   $ 19,991     $ 28,209     $ 21,838  

 

As a percentage of stockholders’ equity, total debt was 22%, 32% and 27% at March 22, 2014, December 28, 2013, and March 23, 2013 respectively.

 

The Company funds working capital requirements through operating cash flows and revolving credit agreements with its bank. Based on working capital requirements, the Company expects to have access to adequate levels of revolving credit to meet growth needs.

 

 

12
 

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company attempts to minimize these risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when considered appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. During the quarter there were no derivatives in use. The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

 

Interest Rates
The Company’s exposure to market-rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its revolving variable rate bank debt which is based on LIBOR interest rates and its overdraft facility which is based on EURIBOR interest rates. A hypothetical 1% or 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operation.

 

Foreign Currency
The Company conducts business in various countries around the world and is therefore subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. This revenue is generated from the operations of the Company’s subsidiaries in their respective countries and surrounding geographic areas and is primarily denominated in each subsidiary’s local functional currency. These subsidiaries incur most of their expenses (other than inter-company expenses) in their local functional currency and include the Euro, Great Britain Pound Sterling, Mexican Peso, Chinese Yuan, Swedish Krona and South African Rand.

 

The geographic areas outside the United States in which the Company operates are generally not considered by management to be highly inflationary. Nonetheless, the Company’s foreign operations are sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates arising from, among other things, certain inter-company transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the respective functional currency. Operating results as well as assets and liabilities are also subject to the effect of foreign currency translation when the operating results, assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in our consolidated financial statements.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries conduct substantially all their business in their respective functional currencies to avoid the effects of cross-border transactions. To protect against reductions in value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates, the Company carefully considers the use of transaction and balance sheet hedging programs such as matching assets and liabilities in the same currency. Such programs reduce, but do not entirely eliminate the impact of currency exchange rate changes. The Company has evaluated the use of currency exchange hedging financial instruments but has determined that it would not use such instruments under the current circumstances. Changes in currency exchange rates may be volatile and could affect the Company’s performance.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports 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 the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-14(c). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, Management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and Management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, the Company has investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

13
 

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the first quarter of 2014.

 

There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s first quarter of 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

 

None.

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS.

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

 

c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

Period   (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased     (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)     (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs   (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
Shares purchases prior to 12/29/2013 under the current repurchase program.     982,916     $ 8.84     982,916   $2,273,939
First quarter purchases:                        
12/29/2013–01/25/2014     None       None     No Change   No Change
01/26/2014-02/22/2014     None       None     No Change   No Change
02/23/2014-03/22/2014     None        None     No Change   No Change
Total share purchases under the current program     982,916     $ 8.84     982,916   $2,273,939

 

The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which initially authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. In each of February 2005 and 2006, August 2007 and February 2008 the Board of Directors increased the remaining balance on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000. The repurchase plan has no termination date and there have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program.

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.

 

None.

 

14
 

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

 

On April 22, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted amendments to Article III, Section 1 “Election and Term” of its Amended By-Laws. The Board has elected that the classes and terms of office of the Company’s Board of Directors shall not be governed by Indiana Code Section 23-1-33-6(c), a provision of the Indiana Business Corporation Law that would, absent this election by the Company’s Board of Directors, require the Company to maintain a classified board of directors. This amendment to the Company’s Amended By-Laws is effective as of July 29, 2009. The Board further amended Article III, Section 1 to implement the annual election of directors commencing at the annual meeting of shareholders that is held in calendar year 2015. A copy of the Amended By-Laws, as amended, is filed as Exhibit 3.2 with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

Number   Description
3.1   Articles of Incorporation of Escalade, Incorporated.  Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2007 First Quarter Report on Form 10-Q.
3.2   Amended By-Laws of Escalade, Incorporated, as amended April 22, 2014.
31.1   Chief Executive Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
31.2   Chief Financial Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification.
32.1   Chief Executive Officer Section 1350 Certification.
32.2   Chief Financial Officer Section 1350 Certification.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

  ESCALADE, INCORPORATED
   
   
Date: April 22, 2014 /s/ Deborah Meinert
 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the registrant and in her

capacities as Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer)

     
     

   

15

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

AMENDED BY-LAWS

OF

ESCALADE, INCORPORATED

 

ARTICLE I.
OFFICES

 

The registered office of Escalade, Incorporated (hereinafter referred to as the “Corporation”) shall be located in the City of Evansville, County of Vanderburgh, State of Indiana. The Corporation may establish or discontinue, from time to time, such other offices and such other places of business within or without the State of Indiana as may be deemed proper for the conduct of the Corporation’s business.

 

ARTICLE II.
MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Section 1. Annual Meeting . The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the fourth Friday of April of each year or at such other date as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and set forth in the notice of said meeting and at such time and place as designated by the Board.

 

Section 2. Special Meetings . In addition to such special meetings as are provided for by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, special meetings of the holders of any class or series or all classes or series of the Corporation’s stock may be called at any time by the Board of Directors, and special meetings of the holders of the common stock of the Corporation (hereinafter called the “Common Stock”) shall be called by the Secretary upon the written request, stating the purpose or purposes of any such meeting, of the holders of the Common Stock who hold of record collectively at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Unless limited by law, the Articles of Incorporation, these By-Laws, or by the terms of the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at any special meeting of stockholders.

 

Section 3. Place of Meetings . Meetings of the stockholders shall be held at such place within or without the State of Indiana as shall be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

Section 4. Notice of Meetings . Except as otherwise provided by law, notice of each meeting of stockholders shall be given either by delivering a notice personally or mailing a notice to each stockholder of record entitled thereto. If mailed, the notice shall be directed to the stockholder in a postage-prepaid envelope at his address as it appears on the stock books of the Corporation, unless, prior to the time of mailing, the Secretary shall have received from any such stockholder a written request that notices intended for him be mailed to some other address, in which case notices intended for such stockholder shall be mailed to the address designated in such request. Notice of each meeting of stockholders shall be in such form as is approved by the Board of Directors and shall state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, the date and hour when and the place where it is to be held, and shall be delivered personally or mailed not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the day of the meeting.

 

Section 5. Waiver of Notice . Anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, notice of any meeting of stockholders shall not be required as to any stockholder who shall attend such meeting in person or by proxy, and who shall not have attended such meeting for the express purposes of objecting, at the beginning of such meeting, to the transaction of any business because such meeting was not lawfully called or convened, or who shall, or whose proxy or attorney duly authorized shall, sign a written waiver thereof, whether before or after the time stated therein.

 

Section 6. Organization . The Chairman of the Board shall act as chairman at all meetings of stockholders at which he is present, and as such chairman shall call such meetings of stockholders to order and preside thereat. If the Chairman of the Board shall be absent from any meeting of stockholders, the duties otherwise provided in this Section 6 of Article II to be performed by him at such meeting shall be performed at such meeting by the officer prescribed in Article VI hereof. If no such officer is present at such meeting, any stockholder or the proxy of any stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting may call the meeting to order and a chairman shall be elected who shall preside thereat. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as secretary at all meetings of the stockholders, but in his absence the chairman of the meeting may appoint any person present to act as secretary of the meeting.

 

Section 7. Inspectors . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, all votes by ballot at any meeting of stockholders shall be conducted by three (3) inspectors who shall be appointed for the purpose by the chairman of the meeting. The inspectors shall decide upon the qualifications of voters, count the votes and declare the result.

 

 
 

 

Section 8. Fixing Date for Determination of Stockholders of Record; List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote . Nothing herein contained shall be construed to enlarge the voting rights of any stockholder of the Corporation as provided by the Articles of Incorporation or the laws of the State of Indiana. The Board of Directors may fix a date not more than seventy (70) days prior to the date of the meeting of the stockholders (or if not fixed by the Board, then on the close of business on the day before the first notice is delivered to stockholders), nor more than seventy (70) days prior to the last day on which the consent or dissent of stockholders may be effectively expressed for any purpose without a meeting, nor more than seventy (70) days prior to any other action specified below, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote, at such meeting or any adjournment thereof, or to give such consent or express such dissent, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action and in such case such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall be stockholders of record on the date so fixed, shall be entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to give such consent or express such dissent, or entitled to receive payment of such dividend or other distribution or allotment of such rights, or entitled to exercise such rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of such other lawful action as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of stock on the books of the Corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid. The Secretary shall prepare and make or cause to be prepared and made, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each such stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each such stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either at a place, specified in the notice of the meeting, within the city where the meeting is to be held, or at the place where the meeting is to be held. Such list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of meeting during the whole time thereof, and subject to the inspection of any stockholder who may be present.

 

Section 9. Quorum and Adjournment . The holders of a majority of the shares of stock entitled to vote at any meeting on every matter that is to be voted on shall constitute a quorum at such meeting of the stockholders. In the absence of a quorum, the holders of a majority of such shares of stock present in person or by proxy may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, until a quorum shall attend. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum may be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. Except as otherwise provided by law, no notice of any adjourned meeting need be given other than by announcement at the meeting that is being adjourned.

 

Section 10. Order of Business . The order of business at all meetings of stockholders shall be determined by the chairman of the meeting or as otherwise determined by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on every matter that is to be voted on.

 

Section 11. Vote of Stockholders . Except as otherwise permitted by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by Section 12 of this Article II, all action by stockholders shall be taken at a stockholders’ meeting. Every stockholder of record, as determined pursuant to Section 8 of this Article II, and who is entitled to vote, shall be entitled at every meeting of the stockholders to one (1) vote for every share of stock standing in his name on the books of the Corporation. Every stockholder entitled to vote shall have the right to vote at a meeting of the stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting in person or by proxy duly appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed by such stockholder and executed not more than three (3) years prior to the meeting, unless the instrument provides for a longer period. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, no vote on any question upon which a vote of the stockholders may be taken need be by ballot unless the chairman of the meeting shall determine that it shall be by ballot or the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy and entitled to participate in such vote shall so demand. In a vote by ballot, each ballot shall state the number of shares voted and the name of the stockholder or proxy voting. All elections of directors shall be by a plurality vote and, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by Section 14 of Article III hereof, all other elections and all questions shall be decided by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote in the election or on the question.

 

Section 12. Consent of Stockholders in Lieu of Meeting . Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, whenever the vote of stockholders at a meeting thereof is required or permitted to be taken in connection with any corporate action, the meeting, the notice thereof and the vote of the stockholders may be dispensed with, if a consent in writing, setting forth such action so taken, shall be signed by all the holders of outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.

 

 
 

 

Section 13. Attendance at Stockholders’ Meetings . Any stockholder of the Corporation who is not entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders of the Corporation may nevertheless attend any such meeting upon receipt of a written invitation from the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

Section 14. Notice of Nominations for Election to the Board of Directors.

 

(a) Nominations of any person for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or at a special meeting (but only if the election of directors is a matter specified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of the person calling such special meeting) may be made at such meeting only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, including by any committee or persons appointed by the Board of Directors, or (ii) by a stockholder who (A) was a stockholder of record (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, on whose behalf such nomination is proposed to be made, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 14 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with this Section 14 as to such nomination. The foregoing clause (ii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting or special meeting regardless of whether or not such stockholder intends to or does conduct its own proxy solicitation with respect to such nomination.

 

(b) Without qualification, for a stockholder to make any nomination of a person or persons for election to the Board of Directors at stockholder’s meeting, the stockholder must provide timely notice thereof in writing in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the Corporation no later than the later of ninety (90) days prior to the date of the meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the meeting was made. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nomination must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation by the tenth day following the date of public disclosure of the date of such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment of an annual or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice described above.

 

(c) To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth:

 

(i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director, (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person; (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person for the past five years; (C) the class and number of the Corporation’s shares which are beneficially owned by such person; (D) a description of any arrangement or understanding between each person so proposed and the stockholder(s) making such nomination with respect to such person’s proposal for nomination and election as a director and actions to be proposed or taken by such person if elected as a director; (E) the written consent of each person so proposed to serve as a director if nominated and elected as a director and (F) such other information regarding each such person as would be required under the proxy solicitation rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission if proxies were to be solicited for the election as a director of each person so proposed.

 

(ii) As to the stockholder(s) giving the notice, (A) the name and record address for each such stockholder, (B) the class and number of the Corporation’s shares which are beneficially owned by such stockholder(s)

 

(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 14 shall be eligible to serve as directors of the Corporation. The presiding officer at the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine that a nomination was not properly made in accordance with this Section 14, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determinate to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

 

 
 

 

Section 15. Notice of Stockholder Business.

  

(a) At any meeting of stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall

have been properly brought before the meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who (A) was a stockholder of record (and, with respect to any beneficial owner, if different, only if such beneficial owner was the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation) both at the time of giving the notice provided for in this Section 15 and at the time of the meeting, (B) is entitled to vote at the meeting, and (C) has complied with this Section 15 as to such proposal. The foregoing clause (ii) shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to propose any business at any stockholder meeting (except for a stockholder nomination of a person for election as a director, which business is subject in its entirety to Article II, Section 14 hereof) regardless of whether or not such stockholder intends or seeks the inclusion of such proposal in the Corporation’s proxy statement for such meeting. For business to be properly brought before a stockholder meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must provide timely notice thereof in writing in proper form to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however , that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to such anniversary date or delayed more than sixty (60) days after such anniversary date then to be timely such notice must be received by the Corporation no later than the later of ninety (90) days prior to the date of the meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting was made. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice for nominations must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive office of the Corporation by the tenth day following the date of public disclosure of the date of such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment of an annual or special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice described above.

 

(b) To be in proper form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting; (ii) the name and record address for each stockholder proposing such business, and (iii) the class and number of the Corporation’s shares which are beneficially owned by such stockholder(s) and any material interest of the stockholder in such business.

 

(c) No business shall be conducted at a stockholder meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 15. The presiding officer of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this Section 15, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare such determination to the meeting and any such business shall not be transacted.

 

 

ARTICLE III.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. Election and Term . Commencing at the annual meeting of shareholders that is held in calendar year 2015, and except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation and subject to these By-Laws, Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

Effective as of July 29, 2009, the classes and terms of Directors shall not be governed by Section 23-1-33-6(c) of the Indiana Business Corporation Law.”

 

Section 2. Number . The number of directors may be fixed from time to time by action of the Board of Directors but shall not be less than five (5) or more than nine (9). A majority of the Board may fix or change the number of directors from time to time within the specified range.

 

Section 3. General Powers . The Board of Directors may exercise all the powers of the Corporation and do all lawful acts and things other than those powers which are reserved to the stockholders by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws. Specifically, the business, properties and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors, which, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall have the power to elect and appoint the officers of the Corporation, to appoint and direct agents, to grant general or limited authority to officers, employees and agents of the Corporation to make, execute and deliver contracts and other instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, without specific authority in each case, and to appoint committees, the membership of which may consist of such persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors whether or not any of such persons is then a director of the Corporation, and which committees so appointed may advise the Board of Directors with respect to any matters relating to the conduct of the Corporation’s business.

 

Section 4. Place of Meetings . Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any place, within or without the State of Indiana, from time to time designated by the Board of Directors.

 

 
 

 

Section 5. Organization Meeting . A newly elected Board of Directors shall meet and organize as soon as practicable after each annual meeting of stockholders, at the place at which such meeting of stockholders took place, without notice of such meeting, provided a majority of the whole Board of Directors is present. If such a majority is not present, such organization meeting may be held at any other time or place which may be specified in a notice given in the manner provided in Section 7 of this Article III for special meetings of the Board of Directors, or in a waiver of notice thereof.

 

Section 6. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such times as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors and no notice shall be required for any regular meeting. Except as otherwise provided by law, any business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

 

Section 7. Special Meetings; Notice and Waiver of Notice . Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the Secretary on the request of the Chief Executive Officer, or on the request in writing of any two (2) directors stating the purpose or purposes of such meeting. Notice of any special meeting shall be in a form approved by the Chief Executive Officer, or if the meeting is called pursuant to the request of two directors and there shall be a failure to approve the form of notice as aforesaid, then in form approved by such directors. Notices of special meetings shall be mailed to each director, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business not later than seven (7) days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him at such place by telegraph or cablegram or delivered personally, not later than two (2) days before such day of meeting. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors need not be given to any director if he shall sign a written waiver thereof either before or after the time stated therein, or if he shall attend such meeting and shall not have attended such meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of such meeting, to the transaction of any business because such meeting was not lawfully called or convened; and any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be a legal meeting without any notice thereof having been given, if all the members shall be present thereat. Unless limited by law, by the Articles of Incorporation, by these By-Laws, or by the terms of the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at any special meeting.

 

Section 8. Organization . The Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors at which he is present. If the Chairman of the Board shall be absent from any meeting of the Board of Directors, the duties otherwise provided in this Section 8 of Article III to be performed by him at such meeting shall be performed at such meeting by the officer prescribed by Article VI hereof. If no such officer is present at such meeting, one of the directors present shall be chosen by the members of the Board of Directors present to preside at such meeting. The Chairman of the Board shall designate an officer to act as the secretary at all meetings of the Board of Directors and in his absence a temporary secretary shall be appointed by the chairman of the meeting.

 

Section 9. Quorum and Manner of Acting . Except as otherwise provided by law, at every meeting of the Board of Directors one-third (1/3) of the total number of Directors shall constitute a quorum but in no event shall a quorum be constituted by less than two (2) directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, or by these By-Laws, the act of a majority of the directors present at any such meeting, at which a quorum is present, shall be the act of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. No notice of any adjourned meeting need be given other than by announcement at the meeting that it is being adjourned.

 

Section 10. Voting . On any question on which the Board of Directors shall vote, the names of those voting and their votes shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting when any member of the Board of Directors so requests.

 

Section 11. Action Without a Meeting . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board of Directors or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or the committee.

 

Section 12. Resignations . Any director may resign at any time either by oral tender of resignation at any meeting of the Board of Directors or by such tender to the Chairman of the Board or the President or by giving written notice thereof to the Corporation. Any resignation shall be effective immediately unless a date certain is specified or is conditioned upon the happening of a specified event(s). If a resignation is conditioned upon failing to receive a specified vote for election as a director, such resignation may be irrevocable. Acceptance of any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective, unless the resignation is tendered subject to such acceptance.

 

 
 

 

Section 13. Removal of Directors . No director shall be removed without cause, during his term of office. Any director may be removed, for cause, at any time, by action of the directors or of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote thereon at a meeting of the holders of such shares, and the vacancy in the Board of Directors caused by such removal may be filled by action of such stockholders at such meeting or at any subsequent meeting or by the remaining directors as allowed by law.

 

Section 14. Filling of Vacancies Not Caused by Removal . Except as otherwise provided by law, in case of any increase in the numbers of directors, or of any vacancy created by death, resignation or otherwise, the additional director or directors may be elected, or, as the case may be, the vacancy or vacancies may be filled either (a) by the Board of Directors at any meeting by affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors though the remaining directors be less than the quorum provided for by this Article III, or (b) by the holders of the Common Stock entitled to vote thereon, either at an annual meeting of stockholders or at a special meeting of such holders called for the purpose. The term of a director elected or selected to fill a vacancy shall expire at the end of the term for which such director’s predecessor was elected, or if the vacancy arises because of an increase in the size of the board of directors, at the end of the term specified at the time of election or selection, and until their successors are elected and qualify.

 

Section 15. Director’s Compensation . Each director shall be entitled to reimbursement for his expenses incurred in attending meetings or otherwise incurred in connection with his attention to the business of the Corporation. Each director, for his services, as a director and as a member of any committee of the Board of Directors, shall also be entitled to receive such compensation as the Board of Directors shall from time to time fix. Such compensation may be a salary or a fee for attendance at a meeting of the Board of Directors or both.

 

Section 16. Transactions by Directors . A director shall not be disqualified from dealing or contracting with the Corporation, as a vendor, purchaser, employee, agent or otherwise; nor shall any transaction or contract between the Corporation and one or more of its directors, or between the Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association, or other organization in which one or more of its directors are directors or officers, or have a financial interest shall be void or voidable solely for the reason, or solely because such director is present at or participates in the meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, provided:

 

(1) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the committee, and the Board of Directors or committee in good faith authorizes the contract or transaction by the affirmative votes of a majority of the disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than a quorum (but at least two directors); or

 

(2) The material facts as to his relationship or interest and as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or

 

(3) The contract or transaction is fair as to the corporation as of the time it is authorized, approved or ratified, by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof, or the stockholders.

 

Nor shall any such director be accountable or responsible to the Corporation for or in respect to any such transaction or contract of the Corporation or for any gains or profits realized by him by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he is a member or any corporation of which he is a shareholder, director or officer is interested in such transaction or contract; and any such director, common or interested, may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof which shall authorize or take action in respect to any such contract, or transaction, including the establishment of any payment of compensation to such director and may vote to authorize, ratify or approve any such contract or transaction, including the establishment of any payment of compensation to such director, with like force and effect as if he or any firm of which he is a member, or any corporation of which he is a shareholder, director or officer were not interested in or did not have a relationship to such transaction or contract or compensation, as the case may be.

 

Section 17. Indemnification .

 

(a) Indemnification Pursuant to Statute. The Corporation shall indemnify its directors, officers, trustees, employees and agents (and the heirs, executors or administrators of such person) against any liability, potential or actual, in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or related to such person’s position as a director, officer, employee, employee benefit plan administrator or fiduciary, or agent of the corporation or of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of the corporation, and against any expenses incurred in defending against any such liability to no less than the full extent as required or permitted by Section 23-1-37 of the Indiana General Corporation Act or any successor thereto as in effect at the time indemnification is requested or required (the “Indemnification Statute”), as determined by any persons or entities authorized under the Indemnification Statute of this Section 17 to make a determination whether indemnification is proper.

 

 
 

 

(b) Insurance. The Corporation, at its expense may purchase and maintain insurance or similar protection (including without limitation a trust fund, letter of credit or self-insurance) to protect itself and any such director, officer, trustee, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the law of the State of Indiana.

 

(c) Indemnification Not Exclusive. The indemnification authorized by this Section 17 shall not be exclusive of, and shall be in addition to, any rights of indemnification now existing or hereafter granted to any person under any statute, provision of the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, agreement, vote or other action of the Corporation’s stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

(d) Maximum Indemnification. It is the intention of this Section 17 to give the persons covered hereunder the maximum indemnification permitted under the law of the State of Indiana as it exists at the time any such person seeks indemnification hereunder.

 

ARTICLE IV.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 

Section 1. Constitution and Powers . The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the whole Board of Directors, appoint an Executive Committee, which shall have and may exercise, during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors, all the powers of the Board of Directors in the management of the business, properties and affairs of the Corporation, including authority to take all action provided by these By-Laws to be taken by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the foregoing is subject to the applicable provisions of law and shall not be construed as authorizing action by the Executive Committee with respect to any action which pursuant to Section 14(a) of Article III, this Section 1 and Section 8 of this Article IV, Section 1 of Article V and Section 3 and Section 6 of Article VI, is required to be taken by vote of a specified proportion of the whole Board of Directors, or as authorizing the Executive Committee to declare any dividend or to amend these By-Laws. The Executive Committee shall consist of such number of directors as may from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors, but shall not be less than three (3) or more than seven (7) directors. So far as practicable, the members of the Executive Committee shall be appointed at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors in each year, and unless sooner discharged by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the stockholders and until their respective successors are appointed. All acts done and powers conferred by the Executive Committee shall be deemed to be and may be certified as being done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 2. Place of Meeting . Meetings of the Executive Committee may be held at any place, within or without the State of Indiana, from time to time designated by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

Section 3. Meetings; Notice and Waiver of Notice . Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held at such times as may be determined by resolution either of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee and no notice shall be required for any regular meeting. Members of the Executive Committee may participate in any meeting of the Executive Committee by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. Special meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the Secretary upon the request of any member thereof. Notice of any special meeting of the Executive Committee shall be in form approved by the Chairman of the Executive Committee, or if the meeting is called pursuant to the request of some other member of the Executive Committee and there shall be a failure to approve the form of notice as aforesaid, then in the form approved by such member. Notices of special meetings shall be mailed to each member, addressed to him at his residence or usual place of business, not later than two (2) days before the day which the meeting is to be held, or shall be sent to him at such place by telegraph, or be delivered personally or by telephone, not later than the day before such day of meeting. Notices of such meeting need not be given to any member of the Executive Committee, however, if waived by him as provided in Section 7 of Article III, the provisions of such Section 7 with respect to waiver of notice of meetings of the Board of Directors applying to meetings of the Executive Committee as well.

 

 
 

 

Section 4. Organization . The Board of Directors shall designate a Chairman of the Executive Committee who shall preside at all meetings of the Executive Committee at which he is present. In the absence of the Chairman of the Executive Committee, one of the members present shall be chosen by the members of the Executive Committee present to preside at such meeting. The Chairman of the Executive Committee shall designate a member of said Committee to act as secretary at all meetings of the Executive Committee and in his absence a temporary secretary shall be appointed by the chairman of the meeting.

 

Section 5. Quorum and Manner of Acting . A majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, shall be the act of the Executive Committee. In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the members of the Executive Committee present may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is present. No notice of any adjourned meeting need be given other than by announcement at the meeting that it is being adjourned. The provisions of Section 11 of Article III with respect to action taken by a committee of the Board of Directors without a meeting shall apply to action taken by the Executive Committee.

 

Section 6. Voting . On any question on which the Executive Committee shall vote, the names of those voting and their votes shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting when any member of the Executive Committee so requests.

 

Section 7. Records . The Executive Committee shall keep minutes of its acts and proceedings, which shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, and any action taken by the Board of Directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 8. Vacancies . Any vacancy among the appointed members of the Executive Committee may be filled by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V.
OTHER COMMITTEES

 

Section 1. Appointing Other Committees . The Board of Directors may from time to time by resolution adopted by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, appoint other committees of the Board of Directors which shall have such powers and duties as the Board of Directors may properly determine. No such other committee of the Board of Directors shall be composed of fewer than three (3) directors.

 

Section 2. Time and Place of Meetings; Manner of Acting; Notice and Wavier of Notice. Meetings of such committees of the Board of Directors may be held at any place, within or without the State of Indiana, from time to time designated by the Board of Directors, or the committee in question. Regular meetings of any such committee shall be held at such times as may be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors or the committee and no notice shall be required for any regular meeting. Members of such committee may participate in any meeting of such committee by means of conference telephone or similar communication equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and participation in a meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting. A special meeting of any such committee shall be called by resolution of the Board of Directors, or by its secretary upon the request of any member of the committee. The provisions of Section 3 of Article IV with respect to notice and waiver of notice of special meetings of the Executive Committee shall also apply to all special meetings of other committees of the Board of Directors. Any such committee may make rules for holding and conducting its meetings and shall keep minutes thereof. The provisions of Section 11 of Article III with respect to action taken by a committee of the Board of Directors without a meeting shall apply to action taken by any such committee.

 

ARTICLE VI.
THE OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Officers . The elected officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of the Board (if desired), a Vice-Chairman of the Board (if desired), a President, one or more Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The elected officers shall be elected by the Board of Directors. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board, shall be selected from the Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Vice-Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and such other officers and agents as in their judgment the business of the Corporation may require.

 

 
 

 

Section 2. Terms of Office; Vacancies . So far as is practicable, all elected officers shall be elected at the organization meeting of the Board of Directors in each year, and, except as otherwise provided in this Article VI, shall hold office until the organization meeting of the Board of Directors in the next subsequent year and until their respective successors are elected and qualify, provided, however, that this Section 2 shall not be deemed to create any contract rights in such offices. All other officers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If any vacancy shall occur in any office, the Board of Directors may elect or appoint a successor to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the term.

 

Section 3. Removal of Elected Officers . Any elected officer may be removed at any time, either for or without cause, by affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors, at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for the purpose.

 

Section 4. Resignations . Any officer may resign at any time, either by oral tender of resignation to the Chairman of the Board or the President or by giving written notice thereof to the Corporation. Any resignation shall be effective immediately unless a date certain is specified for it to take effect and acceptance of any resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless such resignation is tendered subject to such acceptance.

 

Section 5. Officers Holding More Than One Office . Any officer may hold two or more offices the duties of which can be consistently performed by the same person.

 

Section 6. Chief Executive Officer . The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall be so designated from time to time by vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors. Subject to the direction and control of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors he shall have general and active management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and shall have the responsibility for having all orders of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors carried into effect. He shall have general authority to execute bonds, deeds and contracts in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, and in general to exercise all the powers generally appertaining to the chief executive officer of a corporation. In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, his duties shall be performed and his powers may be exercised by the persons so designated by vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors.

 

Section 7. The Chairman of the Board, The Vice-Chairman of the Board, The President and Vice-Presidents . The Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the President and Vice-President (or Vice-Presidents) shall perform such duties and have such powers as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

Section 8. The Secretary . The Secretary shall attend to the giving of notice of all meetings of stockholders, shall keep minutes of all proceedings at meetings of the stockholders, and shall perform such other duties as assigned to him by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee.

 

Section 9. The Treasurer . The Treasurer shall have the care and custody of all the funds of the Corporation and shall deposit the same in such banks or other depositaries as the Board of Directors, or any officer or officers, or any officer and agent jointly, thereunto duly authorized by the Board of Directors shall, from time to time, direct or approve. He shall keep a full and accurate account of all moneys received and paid on account of the Corporation, and shall render a statement of his accounts whenever the Board of Directors shall require. He shall perform all other necessary acts and duties in connection with the administration of the financial affairs of the Corporation, and shall generally perform all the duties usually appertaining to the affairs of the treasurer of a corporation, including specifically the duty of supervising and causing the timely filing of all federal, state and municipal tax reports and returns and the timely payment of all taxes due to or withheld for such federal, state or local governments. When required by the Board of Directors, he shall give bonds for the faithful discharge of his duties in such sums and with such sureties as the Board of Directors shall approve. In the absence of the Treasurer, such person as shall be designated by the Chief Executive Officer shall perform his duties.

 

Section 10. Additional Powers and Duties . In addition to the foregoing especially enumerated duties and powers, the several officers of the Corporation shall perform such other duties and exercise such further powers as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine or as may be assigned to them by a superior officer.

 

Section 11. Compensation . The compensation of all officers and directors of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. The compensation of all other employees and agents of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer or by such person or persons as shall be designated by him.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE VII.
STOCK AND TRANSFERS OF STOCK

 

Section 1. Stock Certificates; Uncertificated Shares . The stock of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution(s) that some or all of any or all classes or series of stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution(s) shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Certificates, if any, for shares shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice-President and by the Secretary, Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer, and sealed with the seal, if any, of the Corporation. Such signatures and/or seal may be a facsimile, engraved or printed. In case any such officer who has signed any such certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such certificate is delivered by the Corporation, it may nevertheless be issued and delivered by the Corporation with the same effect as if such officer had not ceased to be such at the date of its issue. The certificates representing the stock of the Corporation shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors and shall conform to the requirements of the laws of the State of Indiana.

 

Section 2. Transfers of Stock . Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the person named in the certificate, or by an attorney lawfully constituted in writing, and upon surrender and cancellation of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares of the same class or series of stock, with duly executed assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, and with such proof of the authenticity of the signatures as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. No transfer of stock shall be valid, until such transfer shall have been made upon the books of the Corporation.

 

Section 3. Lost Certificates . In case any certificate of stock shall be lost, stolen or destroyed, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, or any officer or officers thereunto duly authorized by the Board of Directors, may authorize the issue of a substitute certificate in the place of the certificate so lost, stolen or destroyed; provided, however, that in each case, the applicant for a substitute certificate shall furnish to the Corporation evidence to the Corporation, which it determines in its discretion is satisfactory, of the loss, theft or destruction of such certificate and of the ownership thereof, and also such security or indemnity as may by it be required.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
CORPORATE SEAL

 

Section 1. Form . The Board of Directors may adopt a seal of the Corporation in any form that a majority of directors deem appropriate at any time. If the Board so determines, no seal need be adopted.

 

Section 2. Affixing and Attesting . The seal of the Corporation, if any, shall be in the custody of the Secretary, who shall have the power to affix it to the proper corporate instruments and documents, and who shall attest it. In his absence, it may be affixed and attested by an Assistant Secretary or by the Treasurer, or an Assistant Treasurer, or by any other person or persons as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IX.
MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 1. Fiscal Year . The fiscal year of the corporation shall end on the last Saturday of December in each year and the succeeding fiscal year shall begin on the day next succeeding the last day of the preceding fiscal year.

 

Section 2. Signatures on Negotiable Instruments . All bills, notes, checks or other instruments for the payment of money shall be signed or countersigned by such officers or agents and in such manner as, from time to time, may be prescribed by resolution (whether general or special) of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3. References to Articles and Section Numbers and to these By-Laws and Certificate of Incorporation . Whenever in these By-Laws reference is made to an Article or Section number, such reference is to the number of an Article or Section of these By-Laws. Whenever in these By-Laws reference is made to these By-Laws such reference is to these By-Laws as the same may from time to time be amended and whenever reference is made to the Articles of Incorporation, such reference is to the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation as the same may from time to time be amended.

 

 
 

 

ARTICLE X.
AMENDMENTS

 

These By-Laws may be made, altered, amended or repealed, from time to time, at a meeting held for such purpose, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors or without such a meeting by the written consent of all the members of the Board of Directors, or at a meeting held for such purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of shares entitling them to exercise a majority of the voting power of the Corporation on such proposal.

  

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

I, Robert J. Keller, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Escalade, Incorporated;
   
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 officers 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 15-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent 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: April 22, 2014 /s/ Robert J. Keller
 

Chief Executive Officer

     
     

  

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

I, Deborah Meinert, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Escalade, Incorporated;
   
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 officers 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 15-15(f)) for the registrant and we 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 officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent 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: April 22, 2014 /s/ Deborah Meinert
 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the registrant and in her

capacities as Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting 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 Quarterly Report of Escalade, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 22, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robert J. Keller, 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, that:

 

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

 

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

 

 

/s/ Robert J. Keller

Chief Executive Officer

April 22, 2014

 

 

 

 

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 Quarterly Report of Escalade, Incorporated (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 22, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Deborah Meinert, 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, that:

 

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

 

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

 

 

/s/ Deborah Meinert

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the registrant and in her

capacities as Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting Officer)

April 22, 2014