q308.htm


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 August 30, 2008
   
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______ TO _____

Commission File No. 1-12879

GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
06-0868496
(state or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
   
One Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York
10020
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
Registrant’s Telephone Number including Area Code
(212) 218-7910
   
   


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

             Large accelerated filer  ¨
 
                               Non-accelerated filer  ¨
 
       
                     Accelerated filer   x
 
                     Smaller reporting company  ¨
 


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


­­­
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at September 26, 2008: 5,059,206

 
 
 

 

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Form 10-Q
Index


PART I  -
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
       
 
ITEM 1
Financial Statements
 
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
 
   
13 and 39 Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007
3
       
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
   
August 30, 2008 and December 1, 2007
4
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)
 
   
39 Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007
5
       
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
   
39 Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007
6
       
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
7-19
       
 
ITEM 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
 
   
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
20-32
       
 
ITEM 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
32-33
       
 
ITEM 4
Controls and Procedures
33
       
PART II  -
 
OTHER INFORMATION
 
       
 
ITEM 1
Legal Proceedings
34
       
 
ITEM 1A
Risk Factors
34
       
 
ITEM 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
35
       
 
ITEMS 3-5
Not Applicable
 
       
 
ITEM 6
Exhibits
35-37
       
   
SIGNATURES
38






PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
   
For the 13 Weeks Ended,
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
Landscape nursery net sales
  $ 3,824     $ 4,861     $ 21,301     $ 24,294  
Rental revenue and property sales
    4,040       7,287       12,108       24,336  
Total revenue
    7,864       12,148       33,409       48,630  
                                 
Costs of landscape nursery sales
    3,797       4,387       18,716       21,174  
Costs related to rental revenue and property sales
    2,625       3,483       8,926       10,590  
Total costs of goods sold and costs related to rental revenue and property sales
    6,422       7,870       27,642       31,764  
                                 
Gross profit
    1,442       4,278       5,767       16,866  
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    2,924       2,592       9,345       9,457  
Operating (loss) profit
    (1,482 )     1,686       (3,578 )     7,409  
Gain on sale of Centaur Media common stock
    -       476       -       2,873  
Interest expense
    (762 )     (793 )     (2,423 )     (2,339 )
Investment income
    106       2,105       675       3,018  
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision
    (2,138 )     3,474       (5,326 )     10,961  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (869 )     1,191       (2,071 )     3,993  
Net (loss) income
  $ (1,269 )   $ 2,283     $ (3,255 )   $ 6,968  
                                 
Basic net (loss) income per common share
  $ (0.25 )   $ 0.44     $ (0.64 )   $ 1.35  
                                 
Diluted net (loss) income per common share
  $ (0.25 )   $ 0.43     $ (0.64 )   $ 1.32  
                                 
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
3

 

 
Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
   
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
   Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,153     $ 11,120  
   Short-term investments, net
    10,623       22,875  
   Accounts receivable, less allowance of $154 and $124
    3,835       2,222  
   Inventories, net
    30,853       30,374  
   Deferred income taxes
    1,329       1,384  
   Other current assets
    5,768       3,640  
Total current assets
    57,561       71,615  
Real estate held for sale or lease, net
    115,273       109,644  
Property and equipment, net
    7,717       8,270  
Investment in Centaur Media, plc
    6,911       10,308  
Other assets
    6,967       6,966  
Total assets
  $ 194,429     $ 206,803  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
   Current portion of long-term debt
  $ 8,675     $ 1,239  
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    6,348       5,694  
   Deferred revenue
    2,514       3,141  
Total current liabilities
    17,537       10,074  
Long-term debt
    40,154       48,456  
Deferred income taxes
    3,444       4,987  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    4,756       4,383  
Total liabilities
    65,891       67,900  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
               
                 
Stockholders' Equity:
               
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 10,000,000 shares
               
   authorized, 5,437,162 and 5,321,232 shares issued, respectively,
               
   and 5,059,206 and 5,092,649 shares outstanding, respectively
    54       53  
Additional paid-in capital
    103,392       101,703  
Retained earnings
    35,425       40,199  
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax
    2,794       5,002  
Treasury stock, at cost, 377,956 and 228,583 shares, respectively
    (13,127 )     (8,054 )
Total stockholders' equity
    128,538       138,903  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 194,429     $ 206,803  
 
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
4

 

 
Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
For the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 and September 1, 2007
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 

 
Shares of Common Stock Issued
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-in Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
 
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Balance at December 2, 2006
  5,177,709   $ 52   $ 98,549   $ 32,377   $ 9,942   $ (1,306 ) $ 139,614      
                                               
Exercise of stock options,
                                             
   including tax benefit of $949,
                                             
   and shares tendered related to
                                             
   stock options exercised
  131,523     1     2,771     -     -     (2,568 )   204      
                                               
Stock-based compensation
                                             
   expense
  -     -     95     -     -     -     95      
                                               
Repurchase of common stock
  -     -     -     -     -     (1,555 )   (1,555 )    
                                               
Net income
  -     -     -     6,968     -     -     6,968   $ 6,968  
                                                 
Reclassification adjustment for
                                               
   gains on the sale of Centaur
                                               
   Media, plc included in net income
  -     -     -     -     (1,868 )   -     (1,868 )   (1,868 )
                                                 
Other comprehensive loss,
                                               
     from Centaur Media, plc,
                                               
     net of tax
  -     -     -     -     (878 )   -     (878 )   (878 )
                                                 
Balance at September 1, 2007
  5,309,232   $ 53   $ 101,415   $ 39,345   $ 7,196   $ (5,429 ) $ 142,580   $ 4,222  
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
                                                 
Balance at December 1, 2007
  5,321,232   $ 53   $ 101,703   $ 40,199   $ 5,002   $ (8,054 ) $ 138,903        
                                                 
Exercise of stock options,
                                               
   including shares tendered
                                               
   related to stock options
                                               
   exercised
  115,930     1     1,556     -     -     (2,193 )   (636 )      
                                                 
Stock-based compensation
                                               
   expense
  -     -     133     -     -     -     133        
                                                 
Repurchase of common stock
  -     -     -     -     -     (2,880 )   (2,880 )      
                                                 
Dividends declared
  -     -     -     (1,519 )   -     -     (1,519 )      
                                                 
Net loss
  -     -     -     (3,255 )   -     -     (3,255 ) $ (3,255 )
                                                 
Other comprehensive loss,
                                               
    from Centaur Media, plc,
                                               
    net of tax
  -     -     -     -     (2,208 )   -     (2,208 )   (2,208 )
                                                 
Balance at August 30, 2008
  5,437,162   $ 54   $ 103,392   $ 35,425   $ 2,794   $ (13,127 ) $ 128,538   $ (5,463 )
                                                 
                                                 
  See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

 
5

 

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
Operating activities:
           
Net (loss) income
  $ (3,255 )   $ 6,968  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
               
provided by operating activities:
               
   Depreciation and amortization
    4,695       4,308  
   Gain on sales of properties
    (903 )     (11,307 )
   Payment of employee withholding taxes on stock options exercised
    (769 )     (994 )
   Provision for inventory losses
    550       655  
   Deferred income taxes
    (299 )     205  
   Stock-based compensation expense
    133       95  
   Amortization of debt issuance costs
    75       75  
   Provision for bad debts
    35       14  
   Change in unrealized gains on trading securities
    14       393  
   Equity income from equity investment
    (6 )     (7 )
   Gain on sale of common stock in Centaur Media, plc
    -       (2,873 )
   Current taxes in other comprehensive income reclassified into net
               
      income
    -       197  
Changes in assets and liabilities which increased (decreased) cash:
               
   Short-term investments
    12,238       8,738  
   Accounts receivable
    (1,648 )     (1,820 )
   Inventories
    (1,029 )     1,295  
   Other current assets
    (2,128 )     653  
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    178       (1,625 )
   Deferred revenue
    718       608  
   Other noncurrent assets and noncurrent liabilities, net
    (290 )     (891 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    8,309       4,687  
                 
Investing activities:
               
Additions to real estate held for sale or lease
    (8,664 )     (8,895 )
Additions to property and equipment
    (407 )     (398 )
Proceeds from sales of properties, net of expenses
    -       11,361  
Increase in cash held in escrow by a third party
    -       (6,400 )
Proceeds from sale of common stock in Centaur Media, plc
    -       3,467  
Proceeds from distribution from Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.
    -       189  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (9,071 )     (676 )
                 
Financing activities:
               
Repurchase of common stock
    (2,880 )     (1,555 )
Dividends paid to stockholders
    (1,522 )     -  
Payments of debt
    (936 )     (908 )
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
    -       949  
Exercise of stock options
    133       249  
Net cash used in financing activities
    (5,205 )     (1,265 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (5,967 )     2,746  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    11,120       2,265  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 5,153     $ 5,011  
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


 
6

 

Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(dollars in thousands unless otherwise noted, except per share data)
(unaudited)

 
1.      Basis of Presentation
 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (“Griffin”) include the accounts of Griffin’s real estate division (“Griffin Land”) and Griffin’s wholly-owned subsidiary in the landscape nursery business, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. (“Imperial”), and have been prepared in conformity with the standards of accounting measurement set forth in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28 and amendments thereto adopted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). The accompanying financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies stated in Griffin’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2007 included in Griffin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Financial Statements appearing in that report. All adjustments, comprising only normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for the interim periods, have been reflected and all intercompany transactions have been eliminated.  The consolidated balance sheet data as of December 1, 2007 was derived from Griffin’s audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The results of operations for the thirteen weeks ended August 30, 2008 (the “2008 third quarter”) and the thirty-nine weeks ended August 30, 2008 (the “2008 nine month period”) are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The thirteen weeks ended September 1, 2007 is referred to herein as the “2007 third quarter” and the thirty-nine weeks ended September 1, 2007 is referred to herein as the “2007 nine month period.”

Certain amounts from the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.


2.   Recent Accounting Pronouncements


Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”). This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  Specifically, FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN No. 48 also provides enhanced guidance on the related derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition of uncertain tax positions. In connection with the adoption of FIN No. 48, Griffin has analyzed its federal and significant state filing positions.  Griffin’s federal income tax returns for fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2006 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  The periods subject to examination for Griffin’s significant state return, which is Connecticut, are fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2007.  Griffin believes that its income tax filing positions will be sustained on examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change on its financial statements.  As a result, no accrual for uncertain income tax positions has been recorded pursuant to FIN No. 48 nor was there a cumulative effect related to adopting FIN No. 48.
 
Griffin’s policy for recording interest and penalties, related to uncertain tax positions, is to record such items as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.
 
7


 Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  This new standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This statement does not require any new fair value measurements but provides guidance in determining fair value measurements presently used in the preparation of financial statements.  The amounts included on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.  Griffin’s short-term investments and its available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet.  The fair value of Griffin’s short-term investments and available-for-sale securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).  Griffin was not required to use significant other observable inputs (Level 2) or significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining the fair value of its short-term investments and available-for-sale securities.

Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”  This new standard allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities under an instrument-by-instrument election.  Subsequent measurements for the financial assets and liabilities an entity elects to fair value will be recognized in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing pronouncements that require assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value, nor does it eliminate disclosure requirements included under existing pronouncements.  Griffin did not elect to report any additional assets or liabilities at fair value that were not already being reported at fair value.


3.    Subsequent Events


Subsequent to the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin’s Board of Directors determined that Imperial will significantly reduce production at its Quincy, Florida farm.  Imperial expects to continue to operate its farm in Granby, Connecticut at its current level of production.  The significant reduction in product to be grown in Florida reflects the difficulties the Quincy facility has encountered as a result of the increase in costs to deliver Florida product to most of Imperial’s major markets, which are located in the mid-Atlantic area and northeastern United States.  Imperial has been unable to develop sufficient volume in more southern markets to reduce its dependence on shipping Florida product substantial distances.  This change will enable Imperial to focus more as a regional grower with most of its major markets within close proximity of its Connecticut farm. As of August 30, 2008, inventory and property and equipment at Imperial’s Florida farm comprised 35% of Imperial’s total assets. Imperial will record a significant charge to its operating results in the 2008 fourth quarter as a result of this decision.

Subsequent to the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin Land completed a lease for its entire approximate 308,000 square foot warehouse in Manchester, Connecticut, which had been vacant.  The new lease is for seven years, and, in addition to other customary terms, includes an option, with certain conditions, exercisable by Griffin Land to sell the property to the lessee, and another option, exercisable by the lessee to purchase the property from Griffin Land during different three year periods at an agreed upon price.  The new lease became effective in the 2008 fourth quarter.


8

4.           Industry Segment Information


Griffin defines its reportable segments by their products and services, which are comprised of the landscape nursery and real estate segments.  Management operates and receives reporting based upon these segments.  Griffin has no operations outside the United States.  Griffin’s export sales and transactions between segments are not material.


   
For the 13 Weeks Ended,
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
Total revenue:
                       
Landscape nursery net sales
  $ 3,824     $ 4,861     $ 21,301     $ 24,294  
Rental revenue and property sales
    4,040       7,287       12,108       24,336  
    $ 7,864     $ 12,148     $ 33,409     $ 48,630  
Operating (loss) profit:
                               
   Landscape nursery segment
  $ (1,096 )   $ (679 )   $ (1,250 )   $ (884 )
   Real estate segment
    606       3,192       992       11,701  
   Industry segment totals
    (490 )     2,513       (258 )     10,817  
   General corporate expense
    (992 )     (827 )     (3,320 )     (3,408 )
Operating (loss) profit
    (1,482 )     1,686       (3,578 )     7,409  
Gain on sale of Centaur Media common stock
    -       476       -       2,873  
Interest expense
    (762 )     (793 )     (2,423 )     (2,339 )
Investment income
    106       2,105       675       3,018  
(Loss) income before income tax (benefit) provision
  $ (2,138 )   $ 3,474     $ (5,326 )   $ 10,961  
                                 


             
Identifiable assets:
 
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
Landscape nursery segment
  $ 42,132     $ 42,107  
Real estate segment
    124,960       118,121  
Industry segment totals
    167,092       160,228  
General corporate (consists primarily of investments)
    27,337       46,575  
Total assets
  $ 194,429     $ 206,803  
                 

Revenue of the real estate segment in the 2008 third quarter and 2008 nine month period includes property sales revenue of $255 and $1,081, respectively.  Revenue of the real estate segment in the 2007 third quarter and 2007 nine month period includes property sales revenue of $3,798 and $13,895, respectively.  Included in property sales revenue for all periods presented is the recognition of previously deferred revenue on a sale of undeveloped land that was completed in 2006 (see Note 7).

 
9

 

5.      Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt includes:
   
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
Nonrecourse mortgages:
           
    8.54%, due July 1, 2009
  $ 7,508     $ 7,585  
    6.08%, due January 1, 2013
    7,684       7,834  
    6.30%, due May 1, 2014
    975       1,078  
    5.73%, due July 1, 2015
    20,495       20,721  
    8.13%, due April 1, 2016
    5,119       5,287  
    7.0%, due October 1, 2017
    6,859       6,983  
Total nonrecourse mortgages
    48,640       49,488  
Capital leases
    189       207  
Total
    48,829       49,695  
Less: current portion
    (8,675 )     (1,239 )
Total long-term debt
  $ 40,154     $ 48,456  

The entire balance of the nonrecourse mortgage due July 1, 2009 is classified as a current liability because that mortgage is due within the next twelve months.


6.    Stockholder’s Equity

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted per share results were based on the following:

 
   
For the 13 Weeks Ended,
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
                         
Net (loss) income as reported for computation
                       
   of basic and diluted per share results
  $ (1,269 )   $ 2,283     $ (3,255 )   $ 6,968  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding for
                               
   computation of basic per share results
    5,044,000       5,151,000       5,060,000       5,145,000  
                                 
Incremental shares from assumed exercise
                               
   of Griffin stock options (a)
    -       103,000       -       129,000  
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding for
                               
   computation of diluted per share results
    5,044,000       5,254,000       5,060,000       5,274,000  

(a)
Incremental shares from the assumed exercise of Griffin stock options are not included in periods where the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive.  The incremental shares from the assumed exercise of stock options for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended August 30, 2008 would have been 72,000 and 87,000, respectively.

 
10

 


      Stock Options

The Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan (the "Griffin Stock Option Plan"), adopted in 1997 and subsequently amended, makes available a total of 1,250,000 options to purchase shares of Griffin common stock. The Griffin Stock Option Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Griffin. Options granted under the Griffin Stock Option Plan may be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options issued at market value on the date approved by the Board of Directors of Griffin. Vesting of all of Griffin's previously issued stock options is solely based upon service requirements and does not contain market or performance conditions.

Stock options issued will expire ten years from the grant date.  Stock options issued to independent directors upon their initial election to the board of directors are fully exercisable immediately upon the date of the option grant. Stock options issued to independent directors upon their reelection to the board of directors vest on the second anniversary from the date of grant. Stock options issued to employees vest in equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries from the date of grant. None of the stock options outstanding at August 30, 2008 may be exercised as stock appreciation rights.

There were 29,704 stock options and 4,208 stock options granted during the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods, respectively.  The fair value of the stock options granted during the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods were estimated as of the grant dates using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  Assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options granted were as follows:

 
   
 For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
     August 30, 2008
 
September 1, 2007
 
           
 
Expected volatility
38.6% to 41.1%
 
43.4%
 
 
Risk free interest rate
3.5%
 
4.7%
 
 
Expected option term
 7 to 8 years
 
 8.8 years
 
 
Annual dividend yield
$0.40
 
 none
 
 

All of Griffin’s stock-based compensation expense in the 2008 third quarter and 2008 nine month period related to the unvested portion of options granted subsequent to Griffin’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R).  Included in Griffin's stock-based compensation expense in the 2007 nine month period are the costs related to the unvested portion of certain stock option grants made prior to Griffin’s adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) effective at the beginning of fiscal 2006.

Activity under the Griffin Stock Option Plan is summarized as follows:

 
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
Vested Options
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at beginning of period
    218,378     $ 14.13       347,300     $ 13.84  
Exercised
    (115,930 )   $ 13.43       (131,523 )   $ 13.86  
Vested
    5,140     $ 31.13       14,601     $ 19.71  
Outstanding at end of period
    107,588     $ 15.70       230,378     $ 14.21  
                                 

 
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Range of Exercise Prices for Vested Options
 
Outstanding at August 30, 2008
   
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
   
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
   
Total Fair Value
 
$9.00-$18.00
    88,962     $ 13.37       2.3     $ 476  
Over $24.00
    18,626     $ 26.84       6.6       248  
      107,588     $ 15.70       3.0     $ 724  
                                 

   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
Unvested Options
 
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
   
Number of Shares
   
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
 
Outstanding at beginning of period
    18,348     $ 32.62       28,741     $ 25.27  
Granted
    29,704     $ 34.03       4,208     $ 38.00  
Vested
    (5,140 )   $ 31.13       (14,601 )   $ 19.71  
Forfeited
    (2,228 )   $ 35.89       -     $ -  
Outstanding at end of period
    40,684     $ 33.66       18,348     $ 32.62  
                                 


Range of Exercise Prices for Unvested Options
 
Outstanding at August 30, 2008
 
Weighted Avg. Exercise Price
 
Weighted Avg. Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
 
Total Fair Value
 
Over $24.00
    40,684     $ 33.66       9.0     $ 637  
 


 
Number of option holders at August 30, 2008
17
 
       
 
Compensation expense for unvested stock options recognized in the 2008 third quarter and the 2008 nine month period was $33 and $133, respectively, with related tax benefits of $9 and $39, respectively.  Compensation expense for unvested stock options recognized in the 2007 third quarter and 2007 nine month period was $30 and $95, respectively, with related tax benefits of $8 and $25, respectively.  As of August 30, 2008, the unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options that will be recognized during future periods is as follows:

 
Remainder of Fiscal 2008
 
$ 46
 
 
Fiscal 2009
 
$ 161
 
 
Fiscal 2010
 
$ 120
 
 
Fiscal 2011
 
$ 64
 
 
Fiscal 2012
 
$ 27
 
 
Fiscal 2013
 
$ 2
 


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Treasury Stock
 
In fiscal 2007, Griffin’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase, from time to time, up to 250,000 shares of its outstanding common stock through private transactions.  The program does not obligate Griffin to repurchase any specific number of shares, may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion and expires on December 31, 2008.  During the 2008 nine month period, Griffin repurchased 85,200 of its outstanding shares for approximately $2.9 million.  During the 2007 nine month period, Griffin repurchased 42,000 shares of its outstanding common stock for approximately $1.6 million.  As of August 30, 2008, there remain 51,900 shares authorized to be repurchased by Griffin.
 
In the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods, Griffin received 64,173 shares and 70,637 shares, respectively, of its common stock in connection with the exercise of stock options and for reimbursement of income tax withholdings related to those stock option exercises.  The shares received were recorded as treasury stock, which resulted in increases of treasury stock of approximately $2.2 million and $2.6 million, respectively.
 
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

As of August 30, 2008, Griffin owns 5,277,150 shares in Centaur Media, plc (“Centaur Media”).  Griffin’s investment in Centaur Media is accounted for as an available-for-sale security under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”  Accordingly, the investment in Centaur Media is carried at its fair value on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet, with increases or decreases recorded, net of tax, as a component of other comprehensive income.  Upon Griffin’s sale of shares in Centaur Media, the change, net of tax, in the value of the shares of Centaur Media that are sold during the time Griffin held those shares, is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and included in Griffin’s consolidated statement of operations.  Griffin did not sell any of its holdings in Centaur Media in the 2008 nine month period.  In the 2007 third quarter and nine month period, Griffin sold 200,000 and 1,200,000 shares in Centaur Media, respectively, for total proceeds of $0.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively.

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income in the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods consist of the following:


   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
             
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 5,002     $ 9,942  
Reclassification adjustment for gains on Centaur Media, plc
               
   included in net income, net of tax provision of $1,022
    -       (1,868 )
Decrease in fair value of Centaur Media, net of taxes of
               
   ($874) and ($551), respectively
    (1,622 )     (1,024 )
(Decrease) increase in fair value of Centaur Media, due to exchange
               
   (loss) gain, net of taxes of ($315) and $78, respectively
    (586 )     146  
Balance at end of period
  $ 2,794     $ 7,196  
                 


 
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7.    Supplemental Financial Statement Information
 
Cash Dividends
 
In the 2008 nine month period, Griffin declared three cash dividends of $0.10 per common share each. There were no dividends declared in the 2007 nine month period.

 
Short-Term Investments

Griffin's short-term investments are comprised principally of debt securities and are accounted for as trading securities under SFAS No. 115.  Accordingly, the securities are carried at their fair values based upon the quoted market prices of those investments at the balance sheet dates, and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on those investments are included in Griffin’s pretax loss.  At August 30, 2008 and December 1, 2007, $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of Griffin’s short-term investments were being used as security for letters of credit of Griffin Land.  The composition of short-term investments at August 30, 2008 and December 1, 2007 is as follows:
 

   
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Cost
   
Fair Value
 
U.S. Treasury securities
  $ 10,362     $ 10,389     $ 10,930     $ 10,970  
Certificates of deposit
    234       234       454       454  
Federal agency coupon notes
    -       -       11,450       11,451  
Total short-term investments
  $ 10,596     $ 10,623     $ 22,834     $ 22,875  
                                 
 
Investment income in the 2008 and 2007 third quarters and 2008 and 2007 nine month periods consists of:


   
For the 13 Weeks Ended,
   
For the 39 Weeks Ended,
 
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
   
August 30, 2008
   
September 1, 2007
 
                         
Net realized gains on the sales of short-term investments
  $ 41     $ 411     $ 461     $ 1,407  
Interest and dividend income
    32       158       222       369  
Change in unrealized gains on short-term investments
    33       (92 )     (14 )     (393 )
Dividend income from Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp.
    -       1,628       -       1,628  
Other investment income
    -       -       6       7  
    $ 106     $ 2,105     $ 675     $ 3,018  

Included in investment income in the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 1, 2007 is $1.6 million of a total of $1.8 million in cash received from Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp. (“SNHC”).  The amount reported as dividend income is based on the amount of cumulative earnings of SNHC, with the balance of the amount received from SNHC reported as a return of investment.  After this transaction, and as of August 30, 2008, Griffin’s remaining investment in SNHC is $0.3 million and is included in other assets on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet.  Griffin, which holds approximately 14% of the outstanding common stock of SNHC, accounts for its investment in SNHC under the cost method of accounting for investments.

 
14

 
Deferred Revenue on Prior Year Land Sale

In fiscal 2006, Griffin sold 130 acres of undeveloped land in New England Tradeport (“Tradeport”), Griffin’s industrial park located in Windsor and East Granby, Connecticut, for cash proceeds of $13.0 million.  As provided under the contract for the sale of that land and under the State Traffic Commission Certificate covering the area in Tradeport located in Windsor, certain improvements to existing roads were required.  The cost of these improvements is the responsibility of Griffin, however, a portion of the costs are either being reimbursed from the purchaser of the land or performed by the town.  As a result of Griffin’s continuing involvement with the required improvements to the existing roads, this land sale was accounted for under the percentage of completion method.  Accordingly, the revenue and the pretax gain on the sale are being recognized on a pro rata basis in a ratio equal to the percentage of the total costs incurred to the total anticipated costs of the sale, including the allocated costs of the required improvements to existing roads. Costs included in determining the percentage of completion are the cost of the land sold, allocated master planning costs of Tradeport, selling and transaction costs and estimated future costs related to the land sold.

As of August 30, 2008, approximately 92% of the projected total costs related to this transaction have been incurred; therefore, from the date of the transaction through August 30, 2008, approximately 92% of the total revenue and pretax gain on the sale have been recognized in Griffin’s consolidated statements of operations.  Griffin’s consolidated statements of operations for the 2008 third quarter and 2008 nine month period include revenue of approximately $0.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and a pretax gain of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, from this land sale.  Griffin’s consolidated statements of operations for the 2007 third quarter and 2007 nine month period included revenue of $1.7 million and $1.8 million, respectively, and a pretax gain of $1.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, from this land sale.  The balance of the revenue and the pretax gain on the sale is expected to be recognized during fiscal 2008 because the required roadwork improvements are expected to be completed this year.  Included on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet as of August 30, 2008 is deferred revenue of approximately $1.0 million applicable to this transaction.  Including the approximately $9.4 million pretax gain on the sale recognized from the time the land sale closed in fiscal 2006 through August 30, 2008, the total pretax gain on this transaction is expected to be approximately $10.2 million after all revenue is recognized and all costs incurred.  While management has used its best estimates, based on industry knowledge and experience, in projecting the total costs of the required road improvements, increases or decreases in future costs over current estimated amounts would reduce or increase the gain recognized in future periods.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Decreases of $3.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, in the 2008 nine month period and 2007 nine month period, respectively, in Griffin’s Investment in Centaur Media reflect the mark to market adjustment of this investment and did not affect Griffin’s cash.

Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities at August 30, 2008 and December 1, 2007 were $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively, for additions to real estate held for sale or lease.  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to additions to real estate held for sale or lease increased $0.5 million in the 2008 nine month period and decreased by $0.6 million in the 2007 nine month period.

As of August 30, 2008, included in Griffin’s accrued liabilities is a dividend payable of $506 reflecting a dividend on Griffin’s common stock declared prior to the end of the 2008 third quarter that was paid subsequent to the end of Griffin’s 2008 third quarter.  As of December 1, 2007, Griffin’s accrued liabilities included $509 for a dividend on Griffin’s common stock that was declared prior to the end of fiscal 2007 and paid in the 2008 first quarter.

 
15

 
Deferred revenue related to the Walgreen land sale that closed in fiscal 2006 decreased by approximately $0.1 million and $1.0 million in the 2008 third quarter and 2008 nine month period, respectively, and decreased by $1.7 million and $1.8 million in the 2007 third quarter and 2007 nine month period, respectively.  That transaction is being accounted for using the percentage of completion method.  Griffin received the cash proceeds from that transaction in fiscal 2006.

Deferred revenue related to the value of an option to purchase residential lots in Stratton Farms, a residential development in Suffield, Connecticut, was recognized in the 2008 third quarter because the holder of that option did not exercise its right to purchase additional residential lots before that right expired.  There was no cash received in the 2008 third quarter related to this transaction as the cash for the option was received in fiscal 2006.

Interest payments, net of capitalized interest, were $2.4 million and $2.3 million in the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods, respectively.  There were no income tax payments made in the 2008 nine month period.  Income tax payments of $2.1 million were made in the 2007 nine month period.  Griffin capitalized interest of $0.1 million and $0.3 million in the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories consist of:


   
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
             
Nursery stock
  $ 30,282     $ 29,228  
Materials and supplies
    1,484       1,913  
      31,766       31,141  
Reserves
    (913 )     (767 )
    $ 30,853     $ 30,374  

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of:


 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
August 30, 2008
   
December 1, 2007
 
Land
    $ 715     $ 674  
Land improvements
10 to 20 years
    5,582       5,550  
Buildings and improvements
10 to 40 years
    3,060       3,060  
Machinery and equipment
3 to 20 years
    17,712       17,381  
        27,069       26,665  
Accumulated depreciation
      (19,352 )     (18,395 )
      $ 7,717     $ 8,270  

 
16

 
 

Griffin incurred new capital lease obligations of $70 and $79, respectively, in the 2008 nine month period and 2007 nine month period.

Real Estate Held for Sale or Lease

Real estate held for sale or lease consists of:


     
August 30, 2008
 
 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
Held for Sale
   
Held for Lease
   
Total
 
Land
    $ 1,696     $ 7,770     $ 9,466  
Land improvements
10 to 30 years
    691       6,781       7,472  
Buildings and improvements
10 to 40 years
    -       97,515       97,515  
Tenant improvements
Shorter of useful life or term of related lease
    -       10,855       10,855  
Development costs
      7,214       12,010       19,224  
        9,601       134,931       144,532  
Accumulated depreciation
      -       (29,259 )     (29,259 )
      $ 9,601     $ 105,672     $ 115,273  


     
December 1, 2007
 
 
Estimated Useful Lives
 
Held for Sale
   
Held for Lease
   
Total
 
Land
    $ 1,696     $ 7,732     $ 9,428  
Land improvements
10 to 30 years
    691       6,757       7,448  
Buildings and improvements
10 to 40 years
    -       97,167       97,167  
Tenant improvements
Shorter of useful life or term of related lease
    -       10,127       10,127  
Development costs
      6,803       4,717       11,520  
        9,190       126,500       135,690  
Accumulated depreciation
      -       (26,046 )     (26,046 )
      $ 9,190     $ 100,454     $ 109,644  

Income Taxes

Griffin’s effective income tax benefit rate was 38.9 % in the 2008 nine month period as compared to 36.4% in the 2007 nine month period.  Included in the income tax benefit for the 2008 nine month period is approximately $0.1 million of tax benefit resulting from the adjustment of amounts estimated when preparing the 2007 income tax provision to the amounts included on Griffin’s 2007 income tax returns.  The effective income tax benefit rate used in the 2008 nine month period is based on management’s projections for the balance of the year.  To the extent that actual results differ from current projections, the effective income tax rate may change.
 
17

 
The 2008 and 2007 nine month periods include decreases of $1,189 and $473, respectively, to deferred income tax liabilities related to the mark to market adjustments on Griffin’s investment in Centaur Media.  The decrease to deferred income tax liabilities for the mark to market adjustment of Centaur Media is included as a credit in Griffin’s other comprehensive income (loss) for the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods.

Postretirement Benefits

Griffin maintains a postretirement benefits program which provides principally health and life insurance benefits to certain of its retirees. The liability for postretirement benefits is included in other noncurrent liabilities on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheets. Griffin's postretirement benefits are unfunded, with benefits to be paid from Griffin's general assets.  Griffin's contributions to its postretirement benefits program in the 2008 nine month period and 2007 nine month period were $4 and $7, respectively, with an expected contribution of $6 for the fiscal 2008 full year.  The components of Griffin's postretirement benefits expense are immaterial for all periods presented.

8.    Commitments and Contingencies

As of August 30, 2008, Griffin had committed purchase obligations of $1.9 million, principally for Griffin Land’s construction of the shell of a new industrial building in Tradeport, site work for additional industrial buildings in Tradeport and required infrastructure improvements at Tradeport.  The infrastructure improvements are required by the Connecticut State Traffic Commission in connection with an increase in the permitted square feet of construction in the portion of Tradeport located in Windsor, Connecticut.

As of August 30, 2008, there were two collateralized letters of credit outstanding, aggregating approximately $0.2 million, issued by Griffin Land in favor of the towns of Suffield and Windsor, Connecticut, that ensures Griffin Land’s performance in completing certain infrastructure for Griffin Land’s residential development, Stratton Farms and certain road improvements at New England Tradeport.  The letters of credit are collateralized by short-term investments of $0.2 million.

As of August 30, 2008, Griffin is authorized by its Board of Directors to repurchase, from time to time, up to 51,900 shares of its outstanding common stock through private transactions.  The program to repurchase common stock expires on December 31, 2008, does not obligate Griffin to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion.  Based on the market price of its common stock as of August 30, 2008, if the total authorized number of shares are repurchased, Griffin would expend approximately $1.8 million.

Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, based on the advice of counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not be material, individually or in the aggregate, to Griffin’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

9.  Litigation Settlement

In the 2008 second quarter, Griffin Land and the Town of Simsbury, Connecticut, executed settlement agreements for litigation related to Meadowood, Griffin Land’s proposed residential development.  The terms of the settlement agreements, previously approved by Simsbury’s land use commissions, allow up to 299 homes to be built, require Griffin Land to perform certain remediation measures on the land and enable the Town to acquire, subject to certain approvals, a portion of the Meadowood land for town open space.  The settlement agreements were approved by the Connecticut
 
18

 
Superior Court on April 18, 2008 and April 28, 2008, thus concluding the litigation on this matter with no further appeals possible.  Subsequent to the execution of the settlement agreements, the Town approved the purchase of the agreed upon portion of the Meadowood land for town open space.  Development of Meadowood remains subject to receiving certain environmental approvals from government agencies, which Griffin Land will be seeking to obtain this year.


 
19

 

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
 
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The consolidated financial statements of Griffin include the accounts of Griffin’s subsidiary in the landscape nursery business, Imperial Nurseries, Inc. (“Imperial”), and Griffin’s Connecticut and Massachusetts based real estate business (“Griffin Land”).

The significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of Griffin’s consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 are consistent with those used in the preparation of Griffin’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 1, 2007 included in Griffin’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” and SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”  The adoption of these new pronouncements did not have a material effect on Griffin’s financial statements.

The preparation of Griffin’s financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The significant accounting estimates used by Griffin in preparation of its financial statements for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended August 30, 2008 are consistent with those used by Griffin in preparation of its fiscal 2007 financial statements.

Summary

Griffin incurred a net loss for the thirteen weeks ended August 30, 2008 (the “2008 third quarter”) of $1.3 million as compared to net income of $2.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 1, 2007 (the “2007 third quarter”).  The lower 2008 third quarter results principally reflect: (a) lower operating results at Griffin Land and Imperial; (b) lower investment income; and (c) the inclusion in the 2007 third quarter of a $0.5 million gain on the sale of a portion of Griffin’s common stock in Centaur Media, plc (“Centaur Media”).  Griffin did not sell any of its Centaur Media common stock in the 2008 third quarter.  The lower operating results principally reflect a significant decrease in gain on property sales at Griffin Land and lower net sales and lower gross profit margins at Imperial.  The lower investment income principally reflects the inclusion in the 2007 third quarter of $1.6 million of dividend income from Griffin’s investment in Shemin Nurseries Holding Corp. (“SNHC”), a private company of which Griffin holds approximately 14%.  General corporate expense increased in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter due principally to an increase in payroll and incentive compensation expense, due to higher headcount in the current year.

Griffin incurred a net loss for the thirty-nine weeks ended August 30, 2008 (the “2008 nine month period”) of $3.3 million as compared to net income of $7.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 1, 2007 (the “2007 nine month period”).  The lower results for the 2008 nine month period principally reflect: (a) lower operating profit at Griffin Land, due principally to a decrease in gain on property sales; (b) an increase in Imperial’s operating loss, due principally to lower net sales and lower gross margins on sales; (c) lower investment income; and (d) the inclusion in the 2007 nine month period of a $2.9 million gain on the sale of a portion of Griffin’s common stock in Centaur Media.  Griffin did not sell any of its Centaur Media common stock in the 2008 nine month period.  Partially offsetting these
 
20

items was a reduction in Griffin’s general corporate expense of approximately $0.1 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to the 2007 nine month period.

Subsequent to the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin’s Board of Directors determined that Imperial will significantly reduce production at its Quincy, Florida farm.  Imperial expects to continue to operate its farm in Granby, Connecticut at its current level of production.  The significant reduction in product to be grown in Florida reflects the difficulties the Quincy facility has encountered as a result of the increase in costs to deliver Florida product to most of Imperial’s major markets, which are located in the mid-Atlantic area and northeastern United States.  Imperial has been unable to develop sufficient volume in more southern markets to reduce its dependence on shipping Florida product substantial distances.  This change will enable Imperial to focus more as a regional grower with most of its major markets within close proximity of its Connecticut farm. As of August 30, 2008, inventory and property and equipment at Imperial’s Florida farm comprised 35% of Imperial’s total assets. Imperial will record a significant charge to its operating results in the 2008 fourth quarter as a result of this decision.

Results of Operations

Thirteen Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 Compared to the Thirteen Weeks Ended September 1, 2007

Griffin’s consolidated total revenue decreased from approximately $12.1 million in the 2007 third quarter to approximately $7.9 million in the 2008 third quarter.  The decrease in total revenue of approximately $4.2 million reflects decreases of approximately $3.2 million and approximately $1.0 million at Griffin Land and Imperial, respectively.

Total revenue at Griffin Land decreased from approximately $7.3 million in the 2007 third quarter to approximately $4.0 million in the 2008 third quarter.  The decrease of approximately $3.3 million reflects a decrease of approximately $3.6 million from property sales, partially offset by an increase of approximately $0.3 million in rental revenue. The increase in rental revenue principally reflects: (a) $0.1 million from leasing space in an industrial building in New England Tradeport (“Tradeport”) that was completed and placed in service in the 2007 fourth quarter and rental revenue from a warehouse building that was purchased in the 2007 fourth quarter; (b) $0.3 million from leasing previously vacant space and increased billings for maintenance costs; partially offset by (c) a $0.1 million decrease in rental revenue as a result of a lease that ended last year and was not renewed.

A summary of the square footage of Griffin Land’s real estate portfolio is as follows:

     
Total
Square
Footage
 
Square
Footage
Leased
 
 
Percentage
Leased
 
                 
 
As of August 30, 2008
 
2,016,000
 
1,342,000
 
67%
 
 
As of December 1, 2007
 
2,016,000
 
1,322,000
 
66%
 
 
As of September 1, 2007
 
1,837,000
 
1,275,000
 
69%
 

The increase in total square footage from 1,837,000 square feet at the end of the 2007 third quarter to 2,016,000 square feet at the end of the 2008 third quarter principally reflects the approximate 148,000 square foot industrial building in Tradeport that was completed and placed in service in the 2007 fourth quarter and the approximate 31,000 square foot warehouse building in Bloomfield, Connecticut, that was acquired near the end of fiscal 2007.  In the first nine months of fiscal 2008, the amount of leased square footage has remained essentially flat.

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Subsequent to the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin Land completed a lease for its entire approximate 308,000 square foot warehouse in Manchester, Connecticut, which had been vacant.  The new lease is for seven years, and, in addition to other customary terms, includes an option, with certain conditions, exercisable by Griffin Land to sell the property to the lessee, and another option, exercisable by the lessee to purchase the property from Griffin Land during different three year periods at an agreed upon price.  The new lease became effective in the 2008 fourth quarter.  Had the lease of the Manchester, Connecticut, warehouse been effective at the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin Land’s square footage leased would have been approximately 82% of its total square footage.

During the first half of fiscal 2008, Griffin Land entered into a new lease for approximately 58,000 square feet with a tenant that previously leased approximately 22,000 square feet in one of Griffin Land’s Tradeport industrial buildings, resulting in a net increase of approximately 36,000 square feet being leased.  This new lease is for space in a new approximate 100,000 square foot industrial building in Tradeport that was completed just after the end of the 2008 third quarter.  The new lease became effective in the 2008 fourth quarter at the same time the lease in the older Tradeport building was terminated.

Market activity for office space was weak in fiscal 2007 and has remained soft in the current year, although there has been a moderate increase in showings for small to mid-sized office space requirements recently.  Market activity for industrial and warehouse space weakened last year and has continued to be soft this year.  There is no assurance that a recent moderate increase in showings of office space and activity in industrial and warehouse space will result in the leasing of any of Griffin Land’s currently vacant space.

Revenue from property sales by Griffin Land decreased by approximately $3.6 million in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter.  The decrease reflects the 2008 third quarter including only $0.1 million of revenue recognized on the sale of undeveloped Tradeport land to Walgreen that closed in 2006 and is being accounted for under the percentage of completion method (as discussed in Note 7 to the financial statements under the heading “Deferred Revenue on Prior Year Land Sale”), and $0.1 million of previously deferred revenue related to a residential development that was recognized in the current quarter because the homebuilder that purchased the first twenty-five residential lots at Stratton Farms did not exercise its option, which has since expired, under the contract with Griffin Land to purchase the remaining Stratton Farms lots.  Property sales occur periodically and changes in revenue from year to year from these transactions may not be indicative of any trends in the real estate business.

Net sales and other revenue at Imperial decreased from $4.9 million in the 2007 third quarter to $3.8 million in the 2008 third quarter, as unit sales volume decreased approximately 19% in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter.  We believe that the lower sales at Imperial were a result of the weakened economy this year and the reduction in new home construction.  In the third quarter, Imperial’s sales to its rewholesale customer segment generally increase as a percentage of Imperial’s total sales.  We believe that sales to this customer segment have been hampered by the slowdown in new home construction.

Griffin incurred a consolidated operating loss in the 2008 third quarter, including general corporate expense, of $1.5 million as compared to a consolidated operating profit, including general corporate expense, of $1.7 million in the 2007 third quarter.  The lower operating results in the 2008 third quarter reflect a decrease of approximately $2.6 million in operating profit at Griffin Land, an increase of approximately $0.4 million in Imperial’s operating loss and an increase of approximately $0.2 million in general corporate expense.

 Operating results at Griffin Land in the 2008 and 2007 third quarters were as follows:

 
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2008
   
2007
 
     
Third Qtr.
   
Third Qtr.
 
     
(amounts in thousands)
 
 
Rental revenue
  $ 3,785     $ 3,489  
 
Costs related to rental revenue excluding
               
 
   depreciation and amortization expense (a)
    (1,399 )     (1,472 )
 
Profit from leasing activities before general and
               
 
   administrative expenses and before depreciation
               
 
   and amortization expense (a)
    2,386       2,017  
 
Revenue from property sales
    255       3,798  
 
Costs related to property sales
    1       (900 )
 
Gain from property sales
    256       2,898  
 
Profit from leasing activities and gain from property sales
               
 
   before general and administrative expenses and before
               
 
   depreciation and amortization expense (a)
    2,642       4,915  
 
General and administrative expenses excluding depreciation
               
 
   and amortization expense (a)
    (800 )     (604 )
 
Profit before depreciation and amortization expense
    1,842       4,311  
 
Depreciation and amortization expense related to costs of
               
 
   rental revenue
    (1,227 )     (1,111 )
 
Depreciation and amortization expense - other
    (9 )     (8 )
 
Operating profit
  $ 606     $ 3,192  
                   

   
(a)
The costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expense, profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense, general and administrative expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense and profit before depreciation and amortization expense are disclosures not in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United State of America.  They are presented because Griffin believes they are useful financial indicators for measuring the results in its real estate business segment.  However, they should not be considered as an alternative to operating profit as a measure of operating results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The aggregate of (i) costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expense; (ii) costs related to property sales; and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense related to costs of rental revenue equals the costs related to rental revenue and property sales as reported on Griffin’s consolidated statements of operations.
 

Profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense increased by approximately $0.4 million in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter.  The increase principally reflects the higher rental revenue as a result of more space under lease in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter and a slight decrease in costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expense.  The slight decrease in costs principally reflects lower repair and maintenance costs in the current quarter which more than offset the costs in the 2008 third quarter related to buildings that were not on line in the 2007 third quarter or acquired after the 2007 third quarter.


 
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The gain from property sales in the 2008 third quarter includes the recognition of a portion of the previously deferred gain from the land sale to Walgreen that closed in 2006 and the recognition of the remaining deferred gain related to Stratton Farms.  Costs related to property sales reflect the costs incurred in the 2008 third quarter for the required road improvements related to the Walgreen transaction offset by the effect of a reversal of a small accrual for costs that were expected to be incurred to complete work at Stratton Farms.  There were no property sales closed in the 2008 third quarter.  The gain on property sales in the 2007 third quarter principally reflected a gain on the sale of the second phase of residential lots in Stratton Farms and the recognition of a portion of the previously deferred gain on the 2006 land sale to Walgreen.

Griffin Land’s general and administrative expenses increased approximately $0.2 million in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter.  The increase principally reflects an increase in accrued incentive compensation expense, based on projected payment for the full year and the inclusion in the 2007 third quarter of the recovery of a receivable that had been written off in a previous period.  Depreciation and amortization expense at Griffin Land increased from approximately $1.1 million in the 2007 third quarter to approximately $1.2 million in the 2008 third quarter.  The increase principally reflects depreciation expense related to the Tradeport building completed and placed in service in the 2007 fourth quarter and the building purchased in the 2007 fourth quarter. There was no depreciation expense on these facilities in the 2007 third quarter.

Operating results at Imperial in the 2008 and 2007 third quarters were as follows:

 
     
2008
   
2007
 
     
Third Qtr.
   
Third Qtr.
 
     
(amounts in thousands)
 
 
Net sales and other revenue
  $ 3,824     $ 4,861  
 
Cost of goods sold
    3,797       4,387  
 
Gross profit
    27       474  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (1,123 )     (1,153 )
 
Operating loss
  $ (1,096 )   $ (679 )
                   

Imperial’s operating loss in the 2008 third quarter increased over its operating loss in the 2007 third quarter due to a decrease in gross profit.  The decrease in gross profit reflects the lower 2008 third quarter sales volume and lower gross margins on sales.  The lower gross margins were due to reduced pricing in the current quarter to move product that did not sell during the spring and increased delivery costs.  Cost of goods sold in both the 2008 and 2007 third quarters included a $0.4 million charge for unsalable inventories.  Imperial’s gross margin on sales, excluding the effect of the charges for unsalable inventories in the 2008 and 2007 third quarters, decreased from 17.6% in the 2007 third quarter to 9.9% in the 2008 third quarter, reflecting the lower pricing in the current quarter.  Due to the perishable nature of Imperial’s inventory, continued sales shortfalls could result in additional charges for unsalable inventories.

Imperial’s 2008 third quarter selling, general and administrative expenses were essentially unchanged from the 2007 third quarter.  A decrease of approximately $0.1 million of selling expense, due principally to lower commission expense as a result of the lower sales volume, was offset by higher general and administrative expenses, due to an increase in headcount.  As a percentage of net sales and other revenue, Imperial’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 23.7% in the 2007 third quarter to 29.4% in the 2008 third quarter.

 
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Griffin’s general corporate expense was higher in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter due principally to higher headcount and higher state franchise taxes, partially offset by lower costs related to Griffin’s deferred compensation plan.
 
In the 2007 third quarter, Griffin sold 200,000 shares of its approximately 6.5 million shares of Centaur Media common stock and recorded a pretax gain of $0.5 million on those sales.  Griffin has not sold any of its Centaur Media common stock thus far in fiscal 2008.

Griffin’s consolidated interest expense was approximately $0.8 million in both the 2008 and 2007 third quarters.  Griffin’s average outstanding debt was $48.9 million in the 2008 third quarter as compared to $51.1 million in the 2007 third quarter, reflecting principal payments made on Griffin Land’s nonrecourse mortgages.

Griffin reported investment income of $0.1 million in the 2008 third quarter as compared to $2.1 million in the 2007 third quarter.  The lower investment income in the current year principally reflects the 2007 third quarter including $1.6 million of dividend income from SHNC.  Additionally, the average amount of short-term investments in the 2008 third quarter was approximately $12.0 million lower than the average amount of short-term investments in the 2007 third quarter, and the short-term investments had lower returns in the 2008 third quarter as compared to the 2007 third quarter, attributed to a decline in interest rates this year.

Griffin’s effective income tax benefit rate is 40.6% in the 2008 third quarter as compared to an effective tax rate of 34.3% in the 2007 third quarter.  The effective income tax benefit rate reflects the statutory federal tax rate adjusted for state income taxes.  Included in the 2008 third quarter income tax benefit is approximately $0.1 million of tax benefit resulting from the adjustment of estimated amounts used in preparing the income tax provision for fiscal 2007 to the amounts included on the 2007 income tax returns.  The effective income tax benefit rate used in the 2008 third quarter is based on management’s projections of operating results for the full year.  To the extent that actual results differ from current projections, the effective rate may change.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended August 30, 2008 Compared to the Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 1, 2007

Griffin’s consolidated total revenue decreased from $48.6 million in the 2007 nine month period to $33.4 million in the 2008 nine month period.   The decrease in total revenue of approximately $15.2 million reflects decreases in revenue of approximately $12.2 million and approximately $3.0 million at Griffin Land and Imperial, respectively.

Total revenue at Griffin Land decreased from approximately $24.3 million in the 2007 nine month period to approximately $12.1 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The decrease of approximately $12.2 million reflects a decrease of approximately $12.8 million of revenue from property sales, partially offset by an increase of approximately $0.6 million of rental revenue.  The increase in Griffin Land's rental revenue in the 2008 nine month period, as compared to the 2007 nine month period, principally reflects: (a) $0.6 million from leasing an industrial building in Tradeport that was completed and placed in service in the 2007 fourth quarter and from an industrial building acquired in the 2007 fourth quarter; (b) $0.3 million from leasing space that was vacant during all or a significant portion of the 2007 nine month period but was leased in the 2008 nine month period; partially offset by (c) a decrease of $0.3 million from space being vacant this year that was leased during the 2007 nine month period. The approximate $12.8 million decrease in revenue from property sales reflects the 2007 nine month period including several significant land sale transactions while the 2008 nine month period included only approximately $1.1 million of revenue from property sales, principally comprised of the recognition of previously deferred revenue from the sale of undeveloped Tradeport land to Walgreen that
 
25

 
closed in 2006 and is being accounted for under the percentage of completion method.  Property sales occur periodically and changes in revenue from year to year from these transactions may not be indicative of any trends in the real estate business.

Net sales and other revenue at Imperial decreased from $24.3 million in the 2007 nine month period to $21.3 million in the 2008 nine month period, as unit sales volume decreased 19% in the 2008 nine month period as compared to the 2007 nine month period.  The decrease in net sales in the 2008 nine month period as compared to the 2007 nine month period reflects the factors discussed above in the 2008 third quarter results.

Griffin incurred a consolidated operating loss, after general corporate expense, of $3.6 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to consolidated operating profit, after general corporate expense, of $7.4 million in the 2007 nine month period.  The lower operating results in the 2008 nine month period reflect a decrease of approximately $10.7 million in operating profit at Griffin Land and an increase of approximately $0.4 million in the operating loss incurred by Imperial, partially offset by a reduction in general corporate expense of $0.1 million.

Operating results at Griffin Land in the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods were as follows:

 
     
2008
   
2007
 
     
Nine Month Period
   
Nine Month Period
 
     
(amounts in thousands)
 
               
 
Rental revenue
  $ 11,027     $ 10,441  
 
Costs related to rental revenue excluding
               
 
   depreciation and amortization expense (a)
    (5,044 )     (4,715 )
 
Profit from leasing activities before general and
               
 
   administrative expenses and before depreciation
               
 
   and amortization expense (a)
    5,983       5,726  
                   
 
Revenue from property sales
    1,081       13,895  
 
Costs related to property sales
    (178 )     (2,588 )
 
Gain from property sales
    903       11,307  
                   
 
Profit from leasing activities and gain from property sales
               
 
   before general and administrative expenses and before
               
 
   depreciation and amortization expense (a)
    6,886       17,033  
 
General and administrative expenses excluding depreciation
               
 
   and amortization expense (a)
    (2,164 )     (2,018 )
 
Profit before depreciation and amortization expense (a)
    4,722       15,015  
 
Depreciation and amortization expense related to costs of
               
 
   rental revenue
    (3,704 )     (3,287 )
 
Depreciation and amortization expense - other
    (26 )     (27 )
 
Operating profit
  $ 992     $ 11,701  
                   

   
(a)
The costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expense, profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before
 
 

26

 
   
 
depreciation and amortization expense, general and administrative expenses excluding depreciation and amortization expense, and profit before depreciation and amortization expense are disclosures not in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  They are presented because Griffin believes they are useful financial indicators for measuring the results in its real estate business segment.  However, they should not be considered as an alternative to operating profit as a measure of operating results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The aggregate of (i) costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expense; (ii) costs related to property sales; and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense related to costs of rental revenue equals the costs related to rental revenue and property sales on Griffin’s consolidated statement of operations.
 
 
The increase of $0.3 million in Griffin Land’s profit from leasing activities before general and administrative expenses and before depreciation and amortization expense principally reflects the $0.6 million increase in rental revenue, partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in costs related to rental revenue excluding depreciation and amortization expenses.  The higher costs principally reflect $0.2 million of building operating expenses for buildings that were on line for the entire 2008 nine month period but were either not in operation in the 2007 nine month period or in operation for only a portion of the 2007 nine month period.

The gain from property sales in the 2008 nine month period principally reflects the recognition of a portion of the previously deferred gain from the land sale to Walgreen that closed in 2006, as there were no property sales closed in the 2008 nine month period.  In the 2007 nine month period, Griffin Land’s gain from property sales included gains on several sales of undeveloped land, including two significant sales of undeveloped land parcels that were completed in the 2007 second quarter, the sale of the second phase of residential lots in Stratton Farms in the 2007 third quarter and approximately $1.7 million of previously deferred gain recognized on the land sale to Walgreen.

Griffin Land’s general and administrative expenses increased by approximately $0.1 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to the 2007 nine month period.  The increase principally reflects higher compensation expense in the current period.  Depreciation and amortization expense at Griffin Land increased from approximately $3.3 million in the 2007 nine month period to approximately $3.7 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The increase principally reflects approximately $0.3 million of depreciation expense related to buildings that were on line for the entire 2008 nine month period but were either not in operation in the 2007 nine month period or in operation for only a portion of the 2007 nine month period.

Imperial’s operating results for the 2008 and the 2007 nine month periods are as follows:


     
2008
   
2007
 
     
Nine Month Period
   
Nine Month Period
 
     
(amounts in thousands)
 
               
 
Net sales and other revenue
  $ 21,301     $ 24,294  
 
Cost of goods sold
    18,716       21,174  
 
Gross profit
    2,585       3,120  
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (3,835 )     (4,004 )
 
Operating loss
  $ (1,250 )   $ (884 )
                   

27


Imperial’s operating loss in the 2008 nine month period increased by approximately $0.4 million over the operating loss in the 2007 nine month period, reflecting an approximate $0.5 million decrease in gross profit partially offset by an approximate $0.1 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.  The decrease in gross profit reflects the decline in sales and lower pricing in the 2008 nine month period.  Cost of goods sold includes charges for unsalable inventories of $0.6 million and $0.7 million in the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods, respectively.  Imperial’s gross margin on sales, excluding the charges for unsalable inventories, decreased from 15.8% in the 2007 nine month period to 14.7% in the 2008 nine month period.  The lower margins principally reflect the lower pricing in the current year and increased delivery costs this year, which were not entirely offset by increased charges to customers.  Due to the perishable nature of Imperial’s inventory, continued sales shortfalls could result in additional charges for unsalable inventories.

Imperial’s selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from approximately $4.0 million in the 2007 nine month period to approximately $3.8 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The lower selling, general and administrative expenses in the current nine month period reflect a decrease of $0.1 million in selling expense, due to lower commission expense as a result of the lower sales, and the 2007 nine month period including $0.2 million of costs related to litigation that was settled last year.  Partially offsetting these items was a $0.1 million increase in general and administrative payroll expense due to an increase in headcount.  As a percentage of net sales, Imperial’s selling, general and administrative expenses increased from 16.5% in the 2007 nine month period to 18.0% in the 2008 nine month period.

Griffin’s general corporate expense decreased from $3.4 million in the 2007 nine month period to $3.3 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The decrease principally reflects the 2007 nine month period including $0.3 million of costs related to litigation against the Company, and a decrease of $0.2 million in expense related to Griffin’s non qualified deferred compensation plan, partially offset by increases of $0.2 million in payroll expense and $0.1 million in state franchise taxes and a net increase of $0.1 million in all other expenses.

In the 2007 nine month period, Griffin sold 1.2 million of its approximately 6.5 million shares of Centaur Media common stock and recorded a pretax gain of $2.9 million on those sales.  Griffin has not sold any of its Centaur Media common stock thus far in fiscal 2008.

Griffin’s consolidated interest expense increased from $2.3 million in the 2007 nine month period to $2.4 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The increase was due to less interest capitalized in the 2008 nine month period than the 2007 nine month period.  Griffin’s average outstanding debt in the 2008 nine month period was $49.3 million as compared to $51.4 million in the 2007 nine month period.

Griffin’s investment income decreased from $3.0 million in the 2007 nine month period to $0.7 million in the 2008 nine month period.  The decrease principally reflects the 2007 third quarter including $1.6 million of dividend income received from SNHC.  There was no dividend income from SNHC in the 2008 nine month period.  Additionally, the average amount of short-term investments in the 2008 nine month period was $9.2 million lower than the average amount of short-term investments in the 2007 nine month period, and the short-term investments had lower returns in the current nine month period, attributed to lower short-term interest rates this year.

Griffin’s effective income tax benefit rate was 38.9% for the 2008 nine month period, as compared to 36.4% for the 2007 nine month period.  The effective tax rate for the 2008 and 2007 nine month periods reflect the statutory federal income tax rate adjusted for state income taxes.  Included in the income tax benefit in the 2008 nine month period is approximately $0.1 million of tax benefit resulting from the adjustment of the amounts estimated in the 2007 income tax provision to the amounts reflected
 
28

 
on the 2007 income tax returns.  Griffin’s effective tax benefit rate is based on management’s projections for the balance of the year.  To the extent that actual results differ from current projections, the effective tax rate may change.


Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

Griffin does not have any material off balance sheet arrangements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.3 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to $4.7 million in the 2007 nine month period.  Net cash provided by operating activities in the 2008 nine month period includes $12.2 million of cash generated from a reduction of short-term investments as compared to $8.7 million of cash generated from a reduction of short-term investments in the 2007 nine month period.  Excluding the cash generated by the reductions of short-term investments in each period, Griffin had net cash used in operating activities of $3.9 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to $4.1 million in the 2007 nine month period.  Although Griffin incurred a net loss in the 2008 nine month period as compared to net income in the 2007 nine month period, the 2007 results included significant gains from the sale of properties and the sale of Centaur Media common stock, which are not included in operating activities.  Changes in assets and liabilities that affected cash provided by operating activities in the 2008 nine month period include increases in accounts receivables, inventories and other current assets.  The increase in accounts receivable in the 2008 nine month period was slightly less than the increase in accounts receivable in the 2007 nine month period due principally to the decrease in sales at Imperial this year.  Inventories increased in the 2008 nine month period, as compared to a decrease of inventories in the 2007 nine month period, as less inventory was liquidated by Imperial as a result of lower sales in the 2008 nine month period.  The increase in other current assets in the 2008 nine month period as compared to the decrease in the 2007 nine month period reflects the income tax benefit recorded in the current year.  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by $0.2 million in the 2008 nine month period, as compared to a reduction of $1.6 million in the 2007 nine month period, which is attributed to the timing of payments.

In the 2008 nine month period, Griffin had net cash of $9.1 million used in investing activities as compared to net cash of $0.7 million used in investing activities in the 2007 nine month period.  The net cash used in investing activities in the 2008 nine month period includes additions to Griffin Land’s real estate assets of $8.7 million, principally reflecting construction of a new approximate 100,000 square foot industrial building in Tradeport and tenant improvements related to new leases.  A lease for 58,000 square feet in this new building was signed prior to the start of construction with a tenant that previously leased approximately 22,000 square feet in one of Griffin Land’s other Tradeport industrial buildings.  As a result of an increase in material costs, the per square foot construction cost of this new building was higher than the per square foot cost of construction on the Tradeport buildings previously developed by Griffin Land.  An increase in the cost of construction of new facilities results in higher depreciation expense in future periods and requires increased investment in Griffin Land’s real estate assets, which may lower the return on investment in new facilities in the real estate business.  Additions to property and equipment in the 2008 nine month period were $0.4 million principally to replace equipment used in Imperial’s farming operations.
 
Investing activities in the 2007 nine month period included $11.4 million of cash generated from property sales, partially offset by $6.4 million of those cash proceeds being held in escrow, and $3.5 million of cash proceeds from the sale of a portion of Griffin’s common stock in Centaur Media.  The cash proceeds from one of the property sales completed in the 2007 nine month period were held in
 
29

 
escrow in connection with the use of a portion of those proceeds to acquire property in a Section 1031 exchange for income tax purposes.  That acquisition was completed in the 2007 fourth quarter.

Net cash used in financing activities was $5.2 million in the 2008 nine month period as compared to $1.3 million in the 2007 nine month period.  The net cash used in financing activities in the 2008 nine month period reflects $2.9 million for the repurchase of 85,200 shares of Griffin’s common stock (see below), $1.5 million for the payment of quarterly dividends on Griffin’s common stock and $0.9 million for payments of principal on Griffin Land’s nonrecourse mortgages and capital lease obligations.  There were no dividend payments in the 2007 nine month period as the payment of quarterly dividends did not begin until the first quarter of fiscal 2008.

In fiscal 2007, Griffin’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase, from time to time, up to 250,000 outstanding shares of Griffin common stock.  The program does not obligate Griffin to repurchase any specific number of shares, may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion and expires on December 31, 2008.  Griffin repurchased 85,200 shares of its common stock in the 2008 nine month period for approximately $2.9 million, and as of August 30, 2008, Griffin was authorized to repurchase an additional 51,900 shares of its common stock.  Based on the market price of its common stock as of August 30, 2008, if the total authorized number of shares are repurchased, Griffin would expend approximately $1.8 million.

Griffin’s payments (including principal and interest) under contractual obligations as of August 30, 2008 are as follows:
 

   
Total
   
Due Within One Year
   
Due From 1-3 Years
   
Due From 3-5 Years
   
Due in More Than 5 Years
 
   
(in millions)
 
Mortgages
  $ 65.3     $ 11.8     $ 7.3     $ 13.6     $ 32.6  
Capital Lease Obligations
    0.2       0.1       0.1       -       -  
Operating Lease Obligations
    1.2       0.2       0.5       0.5       -  
Purchase Obligations (1)
    1.9       1.9       -       -       -  
Other (2)
    2.3       -       -       -       2.3  
    $ 70.9     $ 14.0     $ 7.9     $ 14.1     $ 34.9  
                                         

(1)
Includes obligations for the completion of construction of a new industrial building by Griffin Land, completion of tenant improvements, infrastructure improvements in Tradeport and for the purchase of plants and raw materials by Imperial.
(2)
Includes Griffin’s deferred compensation plan and other postretirement benefit liabilities.
 

In the 2008 nine month period, Griffin Land and the Town of Simsbury, Connecticut, executed agreements settling litigation related to Meadowood, Griffin Land’s proposed residential development.  The settlement agreements grant Griffin Land town approvals for Meadowood.  As part of the agreements with the town, Griffin Land will be required to perform certain remediation measures.  Development of Meadowood remains subject to receiving certain environmental approvals from government agencies, which Griffin Land will be seeking to obtain this year.

An agreement executed in fiscal 2007 to sell, for approximately $4.5 million, approximately 45 acres of land in Bloomfield, Connecticut that is part of Griffin Center to a developer of residential housing will not move forward.  The developer who would have purchased the land was not able to secure financing for this project.

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Subsequent to the end of the 2008 third quarter, Griffin Land signed a letter of intent with a private company for that company to lease an approximate 300,000 square foot warehouse facility that Griffin Land would build in Tradeport.  The lease would be for ten years, and would include options for building expansion and lease renewal.  If this transaction proceeds, construction of the building is expected to be in 2009.  The completion of this build-to-suit transaction is subject to several contingencies, including completion of a definitive lease agreement, obtaining all necessary government approvals for the proposed facility and financing.  There can be no assurance that this transaction will be completed under its current terms, or at all.

In the near-term, Griffin plans to continue to invest in its real estate business through development of its current land holdings and expansion into new areas through acquisitions of undeveloped land, existing buildings or both.  Real estate acquisitions may or may not occur based on many factors, including real estate pricing.  During the remainder of this year, Griffin Land expects to incur expenditures for tenant improvements as leases for currently vacant space are executed.  Griffin Land will also continue to invest in infrastructure improvements required for present and future development in its office and industrial parks.

As of August 30, 2008, Griffin had cash and short-term investments of approximately $15.8 million.  Management believes that the cash and short-term investments held by Griffin as of August 30, 2008 will be sufficient to finance the working capital requirements of its businesses, the continued investment in Griffin’s real estate assets, the payment of quarterly dividends on its common stock and the repurchase of its common stock as authorized by the Board of Directors for the balance of this year.  Management believes a credit facility may be required to supplement its cash and short-term investments to meet its expected seasonal cash and potential real estate capital expenditure requirements in fiscal 2009.  In addition, Griffin may require construction loan financing for the potential built-to-suit project in Tradeport.  Griffin will seek to refinance its existing mortgage that is due in the 2009 third quarter and may also continue to seek nonrecourse mortgage placements on selected properties.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN No. 48”). The interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a company's financial statements in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”  Specifically, FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on the related derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting for interim periods, disclosure and transition of uncertain tax positions. In connection with the adoption of FIN No. 48, Griffin has analyzed its federal and significant state filing positions.  Griffin’s federal income tax returns for fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2006 are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service.  The periods subject to examination for Griffin’s significant state return, which is Connecticut, are fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2007.  Griffin believes that its income tax filing positions will be sustained on examination and does not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change on its financial statements.  As a result, no accrual for uncertain income tax positions has been recorded pursuant to FIN No. 48 nor was there a cumulative effect related to adopting FIN No. 48.  Griffin’s policy for recording interest and penalties, related to uncertain tax positions, is to record such items as part of its provision for federal and state income taxes.

Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.”  This new standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This statement does not
 
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require any new fair value measurements but provides enhanced guidance in determining fair value measurements presently used in the preparation of financial statements.  The amounts included on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.  Griffin’s short-term investments and its available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value on Griffin’s consolidated balance sheet.  The fair value of Griffin’s short-term investments and available-for-sale securities are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1).  Griffin was not required to use significant other observable inputs (Level 2) or significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in determining the fair value of its short-term investments and available-for-sale securities.

Effective December 2, 2007, Griffin adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”  This new standard allows an entity the irrevocable option to elect fair value for the initial and subsequent measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities under an instrument-by-instrument election.  Subsequent measurements for the financial assets and liabilities an entity elects to fair value will be recognized in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing pronouncements that require assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value, nor does it eliminate disclosure requirements included under existing pronouncements.  Griffin did not elect to report any additional assets or liabilities at fair value that were not already being reported at fair value.

Forward-Looking Information

The above information in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  Although Griffin believes that its plans, intentions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved, particularly with respect to improvement in the operating results of Imperial, leasing of currently vacant space, construction of additional facilities in the real estate business, the acquisition of real estate assets, the refinancing of a nonrecourse mortgage that is due in the 2009 third quarter, the sufficiency of Griffin’s cash and short-term investments to finance its working capital requirements and payment of quarterly dividends on its common stock or the repurchase by Griffin of the number of shares of its outstanding common stock currently authorized by its Board of Directors.  The projected information disclosed herein is based on assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Griffin as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of Griffin.


ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk represents the risk of changes in the value of a financial instrument, derivative or non-derivative, caused by fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and equity prices.  Changes in these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows.

For fixed rate mortgage debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair market value of the debt instrument, but not earnings or cash flows.  Griffin does not have an obligation to prepay any fixed rate debt prior to maturity, and therefore, interest rate risk and changes in the fair market value of fixed rate debt should not have a significant impact on earnings or cash flows until such debt is refinanced, if necessary.  Griffin’s mortgage interest rates are described in Note 5 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1.  For variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not impact the fair market value of the debt instrument, but do affect future earnings and cash flows.  Griffin did not have any variable rate debt outstanding during the 2008 nine month period.

 
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Griffin is potentially exposed to market risks from fluctuations in interest rates and the effects of those fluctuations on market values of Griffin’s cash equivalents.  These investments generally consist of overnight investments that are not significantly exposed to interest rate risk.  Griffin’s short-term investments generally consist of debt instruments with maturities ranging from one to twenty-three months, with a weighted average maturity of approximately eight months as of August 30, 2008.  These investments are not significantly exposed to interest rate risk except to the extent that changes in interest rates will ultimately affect the amount of interest income earned and cash flow from these investments.

Griffin does not currently have any derivative financial instruments in place to manage interest costs, but that does not mean that Griffin will not use them as a means to manage interest rate risk in the future.

Griffin does not have foreign currency exposure related to its operations.  Griffin does have an investment in a public company, Centaur Media, plc, based in the United Kingdom.  The ultimate liquidation of that investment and conversion of proceeds into United States currency is subject to future foreign currency exchange rates.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Griffin maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that
such information is accumulated and communicated to Griffin’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes 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 is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), Griffin carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Griffin’s management, including Griffin’s Chief Executive Officer and Griffin’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Griffin’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the fiscal period covered by this report.  Based on the foregoing, Griffin’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting during Griffin’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Griffin’s internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 

In 1999, Griffin Land filed land use applications with the land use commissions of Simsbury, Connecticut for Meadowood, a proposed residential development on approximately 363 acres of land.  In 2000, Simsbury’s land use commissions issued denials of Griffin Land’s Meadowood application.  As a result of those denials, Griffin brought several separate, but related, suits appealing those decisions.  In 2002, the trial court upheld two of Griffin Land’s appeals and ordered the town’s Planning and Zoning Commissions to approve the Meadowood application.  The Town appealed those decisions.  In 2004, the Connecticut Supreme Court ordered the Zoning Commission to approve the zoning regulations proposed by Griffin Land for Meadowood.  The Connecticut Supreme Court also ruled that the denial of the Meadowood application by the Planning Commission can be upheld because Griffin Land had not obtained the required sewer usage permits at the time the application was made to the Planning Commission.  The required sewer usage permits for Meadowood were subsequently obtained.  Also in 2004, the Connecticut Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision that had denied Griffin Land a wetlands permit, and remanded the case to Superior Court for further proceedings to determine if a wetlands permit must be issued.  In 2005, the Superior Court ruled that Griffin Land must again apply to the Town’s Conservation and Inland Wetlands Commission for a wetlands permit for its proposed Meadowood development.

In early 2007, Griffin Land and the Town of Simsbury jointly filed a motion in the Appellate Court to have the appeal remanded to the Superior Court in anticipation of the parties potentially presenting a settlement proposal to the court for its review and approval.  Also in 2007, the Town’s Planning, Zoning and Inland Wetlands Commissions approved resolutions for settlement agreements.  The settlement terms include, among other things, approval for up to 299 homes, certain remediation measures to be performed by Griffin Land and the purchase by the Town, subject to approvals, of a portion of the Meadowood land for Town open space.  In February 2008, the Simsbury Planning Commission approved a resolution recommending that the Town acquire the portion of the Meadowood land as outlined in the settlement agreements if such land is substantially clean and suitable for use as municipal open space.  In March 2008, Griffin Land and Simsbury executed settlement agreements under the terms described above.  The settlement agreements were approved by the Connecticut Superior Court on April 18, 2008 and April 28, 2008, thus concluding the litigation on this matter with no further appeals possible.  In May 2008, the Town of Simsbury approved the purchase of a portion of the Meadowood land for town open space.  Development of Meadowood remains subject to receiving certain environmental approvals from government agencies, which Griffin Land will be seeking to obtain this year.

Griffin is involved, as a defendant, in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these matters will not be material individually or in the aggregate to Griffin’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.


ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
 

There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 1, 2007.


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ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
   
 
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Date
Total Number of Shares Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
         
March 7, 2008
56,100
$34.02
169,000
81,000
May 30, 2008
12,900
$33.19
181,900
68,100
July 25, 2008
10,200
$33.84
192,100
57,900
August 21, 2008
6,000
$32.97
198,100
51,900


On January 31, 2007, Griffin announced that its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of 150,000 shares of its common stock.  On November 13, 2007, Griffin’s Board authorized an increase of 100,000 shares to the repurchase program.  The program to repurchase does not obligate Griffin to repurchase any specific number of shares, may be suspended at any time at management’s discretion and expires on December 31, 2008.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
     
 
Exhibit No.
Description
     
 
3.1
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
     
 
3.2
Form of Bylaws of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
     
 
10.4
Form of Agricultural Lease between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and General Cigar Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of General Cigar Holdings, Inc., filed December 24, 1996, as amended)
     
 
10.6
Form of 1997 Stock Option Plan of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
     
 
10.7
Form of 401(k) Plan of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
     
 
10.17
Loan Agreement dated June 24, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 28, 1999, filed October 8, 1999)
     
 
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10.21
Mortgage Deed, Security Agreement, Financing Statement and Fixture Filing with Absolute Assignment of Rents and Leases dated September 17, 2002 between Tradeport Development I, LLC and Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2002, filed October 11, 2002)
     
 
10.22
Letter of Agreement between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and USAA Real Estate Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated August 31, 2002, filed October 11, 2002)
     
 
10.23
Agreement of Purchase and Sale of Partnership Interest between Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and USAA Real Estate Company dated December 3, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated November 30, 2002, filed February 28, 2003)
     
 
10.24
Mortgage Deed and Security Agreement dated December 17, 2002 between Griffin Center Development IV, LLC and Webster Bank (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated November 30, 2002, filed February 28, 2003)
     
 
10.28
Secured Installment Note and First Amendment of Mortgage and Loan Documents dated April 16, 2004 among Tradeport Development I, LLC, and Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. and Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated May 29, 2004, filed July 13, 2004)
     
 
10.29
Mortgage Deed Security Agreement, Fixture Filing, Financing Statement and Assignment of Leases and Rents dated July 6, 2005 by Tradeport Development II, LLC in favor of First Sunamerica Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated May 28, 2005, filed on November 2, 2005)
     
 
10.30
Promissory Note dated July 6, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated May 28, 2005, filed on November 2, 2005)
     
 
10.31
Guaranty Agreement as of July 6, 2005 by Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. in favor of Sunamerica Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated May 28, 2005, filed on November 2, 2005)
     
 
10.32
Amended and Restated Mortgage Deed Security Agreement, Fixture Filing, Financing Statement and Assignment of Leases and Rents dated November 16, 2006 by Tradeport Development II, LLC in favor of First Sunamerica Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 2, 2006, filed February 15, 2007)
     
 
10.33
Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated November 16, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 2, 2006, filed February 15, 2007)
     
 
10.34
Guaranty Agreement as of November 16, 2006 by Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. in favor of Sunamerica Life Insurance Company (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated December 2, 2006, filed February 15, 2007)
 
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10.35
Employment Agreement by and between Imperial Nurseries, Inc. and Gregory Schaan dated January 1, 2001, as amended April 9, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q dated March 1, 2008, filed April 10, 2008)
     
 
14.1
Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Form 10-K dated November 29, 2003, filed February 25, 2004)
     
 
16.1
Letter from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated March 26, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Form 8-K dated March 25, 2008, filed March 27, 2008)
     
 
21
Subsidiaries of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Form 10 of Griffin Land & Nurseries, Inc., filed April 8, 1997, as amended)
     
 
31.1 *
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
31.2 *
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.1 *
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C
   
Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
 
32.2 *
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C
   
Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     


 *        Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURES

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

   
GRIFFIN LAND & NURSERIES, INC.
 
     
   
/s/ FREDERICK M. DANZIGER
Date:  October 8, 2008
 
Frederick M. Danziger
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
   
                                /s/ ANTHONY J. GALICI
Date:  October 8, 2008
 
Anthony J. Galici
   
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
     


 
 
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