Preformed Line Products Company 10-K/A
 

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
Amendment No. 1
Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006
Commission file number 0-31164
Preformed Line Products Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
     
Ohio   34-0676895
     
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
660 Beta Drive    
Mayfield Village, Ohio   44143
     
(Address of Principal Executive Office)   (Zip Code)
(440) 461-5200
 
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
     
Common Shares, $2 par value per share   NASDAQ
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: (None)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes o   No þ
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o   No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes o   No þ
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange act.
Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer þ     Non-accelerated filer o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o   No þ
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2006 was $102,142,433, based on the closing price of such common shares, as reported on the NASDAQ National Market System. As of March 12, 2007, there were 5,358,437 common shares of the Company ($2 par value) outstanding.
 
 

 


 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 23, 2007 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

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Explanatory Note
This Form 10-K/A amends our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2007 (the “Original Filing”). We have restated the accompanying consolidated financial statements to expand our previous two reportable segments (Domestic and Foreign) to seven reportable segments (PLP-USA, SMP, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Canada and All Other). The following items have been amended as a result of the restatement of our reportable segments:
    Part I — Item 1. Business
 
    Part I — Item 2. Properties
 
    Part II — Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
    Part II — Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
    Part II — Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
 
    Part IV — Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
We have also updated our contractual obligations table and our critical accounting policies and estimates for excess and obsolescence reserves contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and our Note E — Leases and Note F — Income Taxes contained in our Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements in response to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) comment letter.
The restatement of our segment information and other changes contained in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements have no effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Except as noted above, we have not modified or updated disclosures presented in the original annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 except as required to reflect the effects of the restatement of our reportable segments and our response to several SEC comments on this Form 10-K/A. Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the filing of our original Form 10-K filed on March 15, 2007. This Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the filing of the original Form 10-K, including amendments to those filings.

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Table of Contents
                 
            Page
Part I.
               
 
               
 
  Item 1.   Business     5  
 
               
 
  Item 1A.   Risk Factors     13  
 
               
 
  Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments     15  
 
               
 
  Item 2.   Properties     15  
 
               
 
  Item 3.   Legal Proceedings     16  
 
               
 
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     16  
 
               
Part II.
               
 
               
 
  Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Stock and Related Shareholder Matters     17  
 
               
 
  Item 6.   Selected Financial Data     19  
 
               
 
  Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     19  
 
               
 
  Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     30  
 
               
 
  Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     30  
 
               
 
  Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     54  
 
               
 
  Item 9A.   Controls and Procedures     54  
 
               
 
  Item 9B.   Other Information     57  
 
               
Part III.
               
 
               
 
  Item 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     57  
 
               
 
  Item 11.   Executive Compensation     57  
 
               
 
  Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management     57  
 
               
 
  Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions     58  
 
               
 
  Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services     58  
 
               
Part IV.
               
 
               
 
  Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules     58  
 
               
SIGNATURES
      60  
 
               
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts     61  

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Forward-Looking Statements
          This Form 10-K/A and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s and management’s beliefs and expectations. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused upon future plans, objectives or performance (as opposed to historical items) and include statements of anticipated events or trends and expectations and beliefs relating to matters not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the Company’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such uncertainties and factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.
     The following factors, among others, could affect the Company’s future performance and cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in this report:
    The overall demand for cable anchoring and control hardware for electrical transmission and distribution lines on a worldwide basis, which has a slow growth rate in mature markets such as the United States, Canada, and Western Europe;
 
    Technological developments that affect longer-term trends for communication lines such as wireless communication;
 
    The Company’s success at continuing to develop proprietary technology to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations;
 
    The potential impact of consolidation, deregulation and bankruptcy among the Company’s suppliers, competitors and customers;
 
    The rate of progress in continuing to reduce costs and in modifying the Company’s cost structure to maintain and enhance the Company’s competitiveness;
 
    The Company’s success in strengthening and retaining relationships with the Company’s customers, growing sales at targeted accounts and expanding geographically;
 
    The extent to which the Company is successful in expanding the Company’s product line into new areas;
 
    The Company’s ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions for profitable growth;
 
    The relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company’s products;
 
    The cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products;
 
    The effects of fluctuation in currency exchange rates upon the Company’s reported results from international operations, together with non-currency risks of investing in and conducting significant operations in foreign countries, including those relating to political, social, economic and regulatory factors;
 
    Changes in significant government regulations affecting environmental compliances;
 
    The Company’s ability to compete in the domestic data communication market;
 
    The effect on the Company’s business resulting from economic uncertainty within Latin American regions;
 
    The telecommunication market’s continued deployment of Fiber-to-the-Premises;
 
    The Company’s ability to increase sales or margins to recover the compliance costs of being a publicly listed company; and
 
    Those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 13.

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Part I
Item 1. Business
Background
          Preformed Line Products Company and its subsidiaries (“the Company”) is an international designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, information (data communication) and other similar industries. The Company’s primary products support, protect, connect, terminate and secure cables and wires. The Company also manufactures a line of products serving the voice and data transmission markets. The Company’s goal is to continue to achieve profitable growth as a leader in the innovation, development, manufacture and marketing of technically advanced products and services related to energy, communications and cable systems and to take advantage of this leadership position to sell additional quality products in familiar markets.
          The Company serves a worldwide market through strategically located domestic and foreign manufacturing facilities. Each of the Company’s domestic and foreign manufacturing facilities have obtained an International Standards Organization (“ISO”) 9001:2000 Certification for our Management System. The ISO 9001:2000 certified management system is a globally recognized quality standard for manufacturing and assists the Company in marketing its products throughout the world. The Company’s customers include public and private energy utilities and communication companies, cable operators, financial institutions, governmental agencies, original equipment manufacturers, contractors and subcontractors, distributors and value-added resellers. The Company is not dependent on a single customer or a few customers. No single customer accounts for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
          The Company’s products include:
    Formed Wire and Related Hardware Products
 
    Protective Closures
 
    Data Communication Interconnection Devices
 
    Plastic Products
 
    Other Products
          Formed Wire Products are used in the energy, communications, cable and non-utility industries to support, protect, terminate and secure both power conductor and communication cables and to control cable dynamics (e.g., vibration). These products are based on the principle of forming a variety of stiff wire materials into a helical (spiral) shape. Advantages of using the Company’s helical formed wire products are that they are economical, dependable and easy to use. The Company introduced formed wire products to the power industry almost 60 years ago and such products enjoy an almost universal acceptance in the Company’s markets. Formed wire and related hardware products are approximately 54% of the Company’s revenues in 2006, 49% in 2005, and 46% in 2004.
          Protective Closures, including splice cases, are used to protect fixed line communication networks, such as copper cable or fiber optic cable, from moisture, environmental hazards and other potential contaminants. Protective closures are approximately 26% of the Company’s revenues in 2006 and 29% in 2005 and 2004.
          Data Communication Interconnection Devices are products used in high-speed data systems to connect electronic equipment. Data communication interconnection devices are approximately 13% of the Company’s revenues in 2006, 15% in 2005 and 17% in 2004.
          Plastic Products, including guy markers, tree guards, fiber optic cable markers and pedestal markers are used in energy, communications, cable television and non-utility industries to identify power conductors, communication cables and guy wires. Plastic products are approximately 2% of the Company’s revenues in 2006 and 2005, and 3% in 2004.

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          Other Products include hardware assemblies, pole line hardware, resale products, underground connectors and urethane products. They are used by energy, communications, cable and non-utility industries for various applications and are defined as products that compliment the Company’s core line offerings. Other products are approximately 5% of the Company’s revenues in 2006, 2005 and 2004.
Corporate History
          The Company was incorporated in Ohio in 1947 to manufacture and sell helically shaped “armor rods,” which are sets of stiff helically shaped wires applied on an electrical conductor at the point where it is suspended or held. Thomas F. Peterson, the Company’s founder, developed and patented a unique method to manufacture and apply these armor rods to protect electrical conductors on overhead power lines. Over a period of years Mr. Peterson and the Company developed, tested, patented, manufactured and marketed a variety of helically shaped products for use by the electrical and telephone industries. Although all of Mr. Peterson’s patents have now expired, those patents served as the nucleus for licensing the Company’s formed wire products abroad.
          The success of the Company’s formed wire products in the United States led to expansion abroad. The first international license agreement was established in the mid-1950s in Canada. In the late 1950s the Company’s products were being sold through joint ventures and licensees in Canada, England, Germany, Spain and Australia. Additionally, the Company began export operations and promoted products into other selected offshore markets. The Company continued its expansion program, bought out most of the original licensees, and, by the mid-1990s, had complete ownership of operations in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa and Spain and held a minority interest in two joint ventures in Japan. The majority of the Company’s international subsidiaries operate as independent business units with the necessary infrastructure (i.e. manufacturing, engineering, marketing and general management) to support local business activities. Each is staffed with local personnel to ensure that the Company is well versed in local business practices, cultural constraints, technical requirements and the intricacies of local client relationships.
          In 1968, the Company expanded into the underground telecommunications field by its acquisition of the Smith Company located in California. The Smith Company had a patented line of buried closures and pressurized splice cases. These closures and splice cases protect copper cable openings from environmental damage and degradation. The Company continued to build on expertise acquired through the acquisition of the Smith Company and in 1995 introduced the highly successful COYOTEâ Closure line of products. Since 1995 eleven domestic and three foreign patents have been granted to the Company on the COYOTE Closure. None of the COYOTE Closure patents have expired. The earliest COYOTE Closure patent was filed in April 1995 and will not expire until April 2015.
          In 1993, the Company purchased the assets of Superior Modular Products Company. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Superior Modular Products is a technical leader in the development and manufacture of high-speed interconnection devices for voice, data and video applications. This acquisition was the catalyst to expand the Company’s range of communication products to components for structuring cabling systems used inside a customer’s premises.
          Recognizing the need for a stronger presence in the fast growing Asian market, in 1996 the Company formed a joint venture in China and, in 2000, became sole owner of this venture.
          In 2000, the Company acquired Rack Technologies Pty. Ltd, headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Rack Technologies is a specialist manufacturer of rack system enclosures for the communications, electronics and securities industries. This acquisition complements and broadens the Company’s existing line of data communication products used inside a customer’s premises.
          In 2002, the Company acquired the remaining 2.6% minority interest in its operations in Mexico.
          In 2003, the Company acquired the assets of Richardson Pacific Ltd located in Sydney, Australia. This acquisition complements the existing product lines manufactured at Rack Technologies for the data communication industry.

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          In 2003, the Company sold its 24% interest in Toshin Denko Kabushiki Kaisha in Osaka, Japan. The Company’s investment in Toshin Denko dates back to 1961 when the joint venture company was founded.
          In 2004, the Company acquired the assets of Union Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd, located in Bangkok, Thailand.
          In 2004, the Company sold its 49% interest in Japan PLP Co. Ltd., a joint venture in Japan. The sale resulted in an after-tax gain of $1.7 million.
          The Company’s World headquarters is located at 660 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143.
Business
          The demand for the Company’s products comes primarily from new, maintenance and repair construction for the energy, telecommunication and data communication industries. The Company’s customers use many of the Company’s products, including formed wire products, to revitalize the aging outside plant infrastructure. Many of the Company’s products are used on a proactive basis by the Company’s customers to reduce and prevent lost revenue. A single malfunctioning line could cause the loss of thousands of dollars per hour for a power or communication customer. A malfunctioning fiber cable could also result in substantial revenue loss. Repair construction by the Company’s customers generally occurs in the case of emergencies or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods or ice storms. Under these circumstances, the Company provides 24-hour service to provide the repair products to customers as quickly as possible.
          The Company has adapted the formed wire products’ helical technology for use in a wide variety of fiber optic cable applications that have special requirements. The Company’s formed wire products are uniquely qualified for these applications due to the gentle gripping over a greater length of the fiber cable. This is an advantage over traditional pole line hardware clamps that compress the cable to the point of possible fatigue and optical signal deterioration.
          The Company’s protective closures and splice cases are used to protect cable from moisture, environmental hazards and other potential contaminants. The Company’s splice cases are easily re-enterable closures that allow utility maintenance workers access to the cables located inside the closure to repair or add communications services. Over the years, the Company has made many significant improvements in the splice case that have greatly increased their versatility and application in the market place. The Company also designs and markets custom splice cases to satisfy specific customer requirements. This has allowed the Company to remain a strong partner with several primary customers and has earned the Company the reputation as a responsive and reliable supplier.
          Fiber optic cable was first deployed in the outside plant environment in the early 1980’s. Through fiber optic technologies, a much greater amount of both voice and data communication can be transmitted reliably. In addition, this technology solved the cable congestion problem that the large count copper cable was causing in underground, buried and aerial applications. The Company developed and adapted copper closures for use in the emerging fiber optic world. In the late 1980’s, the Company developed a series of splice cases designed specifically for fiber application. In the mid-1990’s, the Company developed its plastic COYOTE Closure, and has since expanded the product line to address emerging Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) applications. The COYOTE Closure is an example of the Company developing a new line of proprietary products to meet the changing needs of its customers.
          The Company also designs and manufactures data communication interconnect devices and enclosures for data communication networks, offering a comprehensive line of copper and fiber optic cross-connect systems. The product line enables reliable, high-speed transmission of data over customers’ local area networks.
License Agreements
          The Company receives royalties under twenty-three separate license agreements. The Company does not believe that its business is materially dependent on any individual license agreement.

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Markets
          The Company markets its products to the energy, telecommunication, cable, data communication and non-utility industries. While rapid changes in technology have blurred the distinctions between telephone, cable, and data communication, the energy industry is clearly distinct. The Company’s role in the energy industry is to supply formed wire products and related hardware used with the electrical conductors, cables and wires that transfer power from the generating facility to the ultimate user of that power. Formed wire products are used to support, protect, terminate and secure both power conductor and communication cables and to control cable dynamics.
          Electric Utilities — Transmission. The electric transmission grid is the interconnected network of high voltage aluminum conductors used to transport large blocks of electric power from generating facilities to distribution networks. Currently, there are three major power grids in the United States: the Eastern Interconnect, the Western Interconnect and the Texas Interconnect. Virtually all electrical energy utilities are connected with at least one other utility by one of these major grids. The Company believes that the transmission grid has been neglected throughout much of the United States for more than a decade. Additionally, because of deregulation, some electric utilities have turned this responsibility over to Independent System Operators (ISOs), who have also been slow to add transmission lines. With demand for power now exceeding supply in some areas, the need for the movement of bulk power from the energy-rich states to the energy-deficient areas means that new transmission lines will likely be built and many existing lines will likely be refurbished. In addition, passage of The Energy Policy Act of 2005 has attracted new investment into the industry through the requirements it establishes for enforceable reliability standards, incentives for transmission grid improvements and reform of the transmission line construction approval process. The Company believes that this will generate growth for the Company’s products in this market over at least the next several years. In addition, increased construction of international transmission grids is occurring in many regions of the world. However, consolidation in the markets that the Company services may also have an adverse impact on the Company’s revenues.
          Electric Utilities — Distribution. The distribution market includes those utilities that distribute power from a substation where voltage is reduced to levels appropriate for the consumer. Unlike the transmission market, distribution is still handled primarily by local electric utilities. These utilities are motivated to reduce cost in order to maintain and enhance their profitability. The Company believes that its growth in the distribution market will be achieved primarily as a result of incremental gains in market share driven by emphasizing the Company’s quality products and service over price. Internationally, particularly in the developing regions, there is increasing political pressure to extend the availability of electricity to additional populations. Through its global network of factories and sales offices, the Company is prepared to take advantage of this new growth in construction.
          Communication and Cable. Major developments, including growing competition between the cable and communications industries and increasing overall demand for high-speed communication services, have led to a changing regulatory and competitive environment in many markets throughout the world. The deployment of new access networks and improvements to existing networks for advanced applications continues to gain momentum.
          Cable operators, local communication operators and power utilities are building, rebuilding or upgrading signal delivery networks in developed countries. These networks are designed to deliver video and voice transmissions and provide Internet connectivity to individual residences and businesses. Operators deploy a variety of network technologies and architectures to carry broadband and narrowband signals. These architectures are constructed of electronic hardware connected via coaxial cables, copper wires or optical fibers. The Company manufactures closures that these industries use to securely connect and protect these vital networks.
          As critical components of the outdoor infrastructure, closures provide protection against weather and vandalism and permit technicians who maintain and manage the system ready access to the devices. Cable operators and local telephone network operators place great reliance on manufacturers of protective closures because any material damage to the signal delivery networks is likely to disrupt communication services. In addition to closures, the Company supplies the communication and cable industry with its formed wire products to hold, support, protect and terminate the copper wires and cables and the fiber optic cables used by that industry to transfer voice, video or data signals.

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          The industry has developed new technological methods to increase the usage of copper-based plant through high-speed digital subscriber lines (DSLs). The popularity of these services, the regulatory environment and the increasingly fierce competition between communications and cable operators has driven the recent move toward building out the “last mile” in fiber networks. FTTP promises to be the next wave in broadband innovation by carrying fiber optic technology into homes and businesses. The Company has been actively developing products that address this market.
          Data Communication. The data communication market is being driven by the continual demand for increased bandwidth. Growing Internet Service Providers (ISPs), construction in Wide Area Networks (WANs) and demand for data communication in the workplace are all key elements to the increased demand for the connecting devices made by the Company. This market will increasingly be focused on the systems that provide the highest speed and highest quality signal, such as fiber optic and copper networks. The Company’s connecting devices are sold to a number of categories of customers including (i) original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which incorporate the Company’s connector technology in their product offering, (ii) ISPs, (iii) large companies and organizations which have their own local area network for data communication, and (iv) national and international distributors of structured cabling systems and components for use in the above markets.
          Non-Utility Industries. The Company’s formed wire products can also be used in other industries which require a method of securing or terminating cables, including the metal building, tower and antenna industries, the arborist industry, and various applications within the marine systems industry. Products other than formed wire products are also marketed to other industries. For example, the Company’s urethane capabilities allow it to market products to the light rail industry. The Company continues to explore new and innovative uses of its manufacturing capabilities; however, these markets remain a small portion of overall consolidated sales.
          See Note J to the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements for certain information relating to the the Company’s reportable segments.
Foreign Operations
          Except for location, the foreign operations of the Company are essentially the same as its domestic (PLP-USA) business. The Company manufactures similar types of products in its foreign plants as are sold domestically, it sells to similar types of customers and faces similar types of competition (and in some cases the same competitors). Sources of supply of raw materials are not significantly different internationally. See Note J in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements for information and financial data relating to the Company’s foreign operations that represent reportable segments.
          While a number of the Company’s foreign plants are in developed countries, the Company believes it has strong market opportunities in developing countries where the need for the transmission and distribution of electrical power is significant. The Company is now serving the Far East market, other than China and Japan, primarily from Thailand. In addition, as the need arises, the Company is prepared to establish new manufacturing facilities abroad. During 2003 a 25,000 square foot addition was completed at the manufacturing facility in China. In 2004, through a small acquisition, a new manufacturing operation was established outside of Bangkok, Thailand. In 2005, a 35,600 square foot addition was made to the Company’s operation in Australia. During 2006, the Company moved its Thailand manufacturing operations from a leased facility to a 60,000 square foot company-owned facility in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sales and Marketing
          Nationally and internationally, the Company markets its products through a direct sales force and manufacturing representatives. The direct sales force is employed by the Company and works with the manufacturer’s representatives, as well as, key direct accounts and distributors, who also buy and resell the Company’s products. The manufacturer’s representatives are independent organizations that represent the Company as well as other complimentary product lines. These organizations are paid a commission based on the sales amount.

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Research and Development
          The Company is committed to providing technical leadership through scientific research and product development in order to continue to expand the Company’s position as a supplier to the communications and power industries. Research is conducted on a continuous basis using internal experience in conjunction with outside professional expertise to develop state-of-the-art materials for several of the Company’s products. These products capitalize on cost-efficiency while offering exacting mechanical performance that meets or exceeds industry standards. The Company’s research and development activities have resulted in numerous patents being issued to the Company (see “Patents and Trademarks” below).
          Early in its history the Company recognized the need to understand the performance of its products and the needs of its customers. To that end, the Company developed its own Research and Engineering Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Using the Research and Engineering Center, engineers and technicians simulate a wide range of external conditions encountered by the Company’s products to ensure quality, durability and performance. The work performed in the Research and Engineering Center includes advanced studies and experimentation with various forms of vibration. This work has contributed significantly to the collective knowledge base of the industries the Company serves and is the subject matter of many papers and seminars presented to these industries.
          In 1979, the Company relocated and expanded its Research and Engineering Center as a 29,000-square-foot addition to its World Headquarters in Mayfield Village, Ohio. The Company believes that this facility is one of the most sophisticated in the world in its specialized field. The expanded Research and Engineering Center also has an advanced prototyping technology machine on-site to develop models of new designs where intricate part details are studied prior to the construction of expensive production tooling. Today, the Company’s reputation for vibration testing, tensile testing, fiber optic cable testing, environmental testing, field vibration monitoring and third-party contract testing is a competitive advantage. In addition to testing, the work done at the Company’s Research and Development Center continues to fuel product development efforts. For example, the Company estimates that approximately 24% of 2006 revenues were attributed to products developed by the Company in the past five years. In addition, the Company’s position in the industry is further reinforced by its long-standing leadership role in many key international technical organizations which are charged with the responsibility of establishing industry wide specifications and performance criteria, including IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), CIGRE (Counsiel Internationale des Grands Reseaux Electriques a Haute Tension), and IEC (International Electromechanical Commission). Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs for new products were $3.2 million in 2006 and $2.6 million in 2005 and 2004.
Patents and Trademarks
          The Company applies for patents in the United States and other countries, as appropriate, to protect its significant patentable developments. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had in force 42 U.S. patents and 45 foreign patents in 10 countries and had pending seven U.S. patent applications and 27 foreign applications. While such domestic and foreign patents expire from time to time, the Company continues to apply for and obtain patent protection on a regular basis. Patents held by the Company in the aggregate are of material importance in the operation of the Company’s business. The Company, however, does not believe that any single patent, or group of related patents, is essential to the Company’s business as a whole or to any of its businesses. Additionally, the Company owns and uses a substantial body of proprietary information and numerous trademarks. The Company relies on nondisclosure agreements to protect trade secrets and other proprietary data and technology. As of December 31, 2006, the Company had obtained U.S. registration on 32 trademarks and four trademark applications remained pending. Foreign registrations amounted to 188 registrations in 32 countries, with 17 pending foreign registrations.
          Since June 8, 1995, United States patents have been issued for terms of 20 years beginning with the date of filing of the patent application. Prior to that time, a U.S. patent had a term of 17 years from the date of its issuance. Patents issued by foreign countries generally expire 20 years after filing. U.S. and foreign patents are not renewable after expiration of their initial term. U.S. and foreign trademarks are generally perpetual, renewable in 10-year increments upon a showing of continued use. To the knowledge of management, the Company has not been subject to any significant allegation or charges of infringement of intellectual property rights by any organization.

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          In the normal course of business, the Company occasionally makes and receives inquiries with regard to possible patent and trademark infringement. The extent of such inquiries from third parties has been limited generally to verbal remarks to Company representatives. The Company believes that it is unlikely that the outcome of these inquiries will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.
Competition
          All of the markets that the Company serves are highly competitive. In each market the principal methods of competition are price, performance, and service. The Company believes, however, that several factors (described below) provide the Company with a competitive advantage.
    The Company has a strong and stable workforce. This consistent and continuous knowledge base has afforded the Company the ability to provide superior service to the Company’s customers and representatives.
 
    The Company’s Research and Engineering Center in Mayfield Village, Ohio and departments of subsidiary locations maintain a strong technical support function to develop unique solutions to customer problems.
 
    The Company is vertically integrated both in manufacturing and distribution and is continually upgrading equipment and processes.
 
    The Company is sensitive to the marketplace and provides an extra measure of service in cases of emergency, storm damage and other rush situations. This high level of customer service and customer responsiveness has become a hallmark of the Company.
 
    The Company’s 12 manufacturing locations ensure close support and proximity to customers worldwide.
          Domestically, there are several competitors for formed wire products. Although it has other competitors in many of the countries where it has plants, the Company has leveraged its expertise and is very strong in the global market. The Company believes that it is the world’s largest manufacturer of formed wire products for energy and communications markets. However, the Company’s formed wire products compete against other pole line hardware products manufactured by other companies.
          Minnesota Manufacturing and Mining Company (“3M”) is the primary domestic competitor of the Company for pressurized copper closures. The Company believes that its market share exceeds 3M’s market share. Based on its experience in the industry, the Company believes its market share stands at 60%.
          The fiber optic closure market is one of the most competitive product areas for the Company, with the Company competing against, among others, Tyco International Ltd., 3M and Corning Cable Systems. There are a number of primary competitors and several smaller niche competitors that compete at all levels in the marketplace. The Company believes that it is one of four leading suppliers of fiber optic closures.
          The Company’s data communication competitors range from assemblers of low cost, low quality components, to well-established multinational corporations. The Company’s competitive strength is its technological leadership and manufacturing expertise. Additionally, the Company provides product to its licensees and other companies on a privately branded basis. Patented technology developed by the Company is currently licensed to many of its largest competitors. Low-cost Asian competitors, however, keep pressure on prices and will continue to do so.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
          The principal raw materials used by the Company are galvanized wire, stainless steel, aluminum covered steel wire, aluminum re-draw rod, plastic resins, glass-filled plastic compounds, neoprene rubbers and aluminum castings. The Company also uses certain other materials such as fasteners, packaging materials and communications

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cable. The Company believes that it has adequate sources of supply for the raw materials used in its manufacturing processes and it regularly attempts to develop and maintain sources of supply in order to extend availability and encourage competitive pricing of these products.
          Most plastic resins are purchased under contracts to stabilize costs and improve delivery performance and are available from a number of reliable suppliers. Wire and re-draw rod are purchased in standard stock diameters and coils under contracts available from a number of reliable suppliers. Contracts have firm prices except for fluctuations of base metals and petroleum prices, which result in surcharges when global demand is greater than the available supply.
          The Company also relies on certain other manufacturers to supply products that complement the Company’s product lines, such as aluminum and ferrous castings, fiber optic cable and connectors, circuit boards and various metal racks and cabinets. The Company believes there are multiple sources of supply for these products.
          Due to increasing worldwide demand for carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum, costs of raw materials have risen significantly during 2006. The Company anticipates further increases in 2007 as the economy continues to expand. Prices for stainless steel and aluminum have increased to five-year highs and increased costs have been passed along in the supply chain. Worldwide demand in these commodities continues to exceed supply and price pressure will continue as the demand outpaces the supply.
Backlog Orders
          The Company’s backlog was approximately $23.4 million at the end of 2006. The Company’s order backlog generally represents four to six weeks of sales. All customer orders entered are firm at the time of entry. Substantially all orders are shipped within a two to four week period unless the customer requests an alternative date.
Seasonality
          The Company markets products that are used by utility maintenance and construction crews worldwide. The products are marketed through distributors and directly to end users, who maintain stock to ensure adequate supply for their customers or construction crews. As a result, the Company does not have a wide variation in sales from quarter to quarter.
Environmental
          The Company is subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local environmental laws, including laws and regulations that (i) relate to air and water quality, (ii) impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the environment, (iii) establish standards for the treatment, storage and disposal of toxic and hazardous waste, and (iv) require proper storage, handling, packaging, labeling, and transporting of products and components classified as hazardous materials. Stringent fines and penalties may be imposed for noncompliance with these environmental laws. In addition, environmental laws could impose liability for costs associated with investigating and remediating contamination at the Company’s facilities or at third-party facilities at which the Company has arranged for the disposal treatment of hazardous materials.
          Although no assurances can be given, the Company believes it is in compliance in all material respects, with all applicable environmental laws and the Company is not aware of any noncompliance or obligation to investigate or remediate contamination that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability. The Company does not expect to make any material capital expenditure during 2007 for environmental control facilities. The environmental laws continue to be amended and revised to impose stricter obligations, and compliance with future additional environmental requirements could necessitate capital outlays. However, the Company does not believe that these expenditures should ultimately result in a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. The Company cannot predict the precise effect such future requirements, if enacted, would have on the Company. The Company believes that such regulations would be enacted over time and would affect the industry as a whole.

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Employees
          At December 31, 2006, the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries had 1,528 employees. Approximately 43% of the Company’s employees are located in the United States.
Available Information
          The Company maintains an Internet site at http://www.preformed.com, on which, the Company makes available, free of charge, the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Company’s SEC reports can be accessed through the investor relations section of its Internet site. The information found on the Company’s Internet site is not part of this or any other report that is filed or furnished to the SEC.
          The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with or furnishes to the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW., Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room is available by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed with the SEC by electronic filers. The SEC’s Internet site is http://www.sec.gov. The Company also has a link from its Internet site to the SEC’s Internet site, this link can be found on the investor relations page of the Company’s Internet site.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Due to the Company’s dependency on the energy, telecommunication and data communication industries, the Company is susceptible to negative trends relating to those industries that could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.
          The Company’s sales to the energy, telecommunication and data communication industries represent a substantial portion of the Company’s historical sales. The concentration of revenue in such industries is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Demand for products to these industries depends primarily on capital spending by customers for constructing, rebuilding, maintaining or upgrading their systems. The amount of capital spending and, therefore, the Company’s sales and profitability are affected by a variety of factors, including general economic conditions, access by customers to financing, government regulation, demand for energy and cable services, and technological factors. As a result, some customers may not continue as going concerns, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. Consolidation and deregulation present the additional risk to the Company that combined or deregulated customers will rely on relationships with a source other than the Company. Consolidation and deregulation may also increase the pressure on suppliers, such as the Company, to sell product at lower prices.
The Company’s business will suffer if the Company fails to develop and successfully introduce new and enhanced products that meet the changing needs of the Company’s customers.
          The Company’s ability to anticipate changes in technology and industry standards and to successfully develop and introduce new products on a timely basis will be a significant factor in the Company’s ability to grow and remain competitive. New product development often requires long-term forecasting of market trends, development and implementation of new designs and processes and a substantial capital commitment. The trend toward consolidation of the energy, telecommunication and data communication industries may require the Company to quickly adapt to rapidly changing market conditions and customer requirements. Any failure by the Company to anticipate or respond in a cost-effective and timely manner to technological developments or changes in industry standards or customer requirements, or any significant delays in product development or introduction or any failure of new products to be widely accepted by the Company’s customers, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition as a result of reduced net sales.

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The intense competition in the Company’s markets, particularly telecommunication and data communication markets, may lead to a reduction in sales and profits.
          The markets in which the Company operates are highly competitive. The level of intensity of competition may increase in the foreseeable future due to anticipated growth in the telecommunication and data communication industries. The Company’s competitors in the telecommunication and data communication markets are larger companies with significant influence over the distribution network. The product lines within the data communication market have thin profit margins. Success in these product lines depends upon the Company’s ability to increase volume and reduce the cost structure. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against its competitors, many of which may have access to greater financial resources than the Company. In addition, the pace of technological development in the telecommunication and data communication markets is rapid and the Company cannot assure that these advances (i.e., wireless, fiber optic network infrastructure, etc.) will not adversely affect the Company’s ability to compete in this market.
The introduction of products embodying new technologies or the emergence of new industry standards can render existing products or products under development obsolete or unmarketable.
          The energy, telecommunication and data communication industries are characterized by rapid technological change. Satellite, wireless and other communication technologies currently being deployed may represent a threat to copper, coaxial and fiber optic-based systems by reducing the need for wire-line networks. There can be no assurance that future advances or further development of these or other new technologies will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition as a result of lost sales.
Price increases of raw materials could result in lower earnings.
          The Company’s cost of sales may be materially adversely affected by increases in the market prices of the raw materials used in the Company’s manufacturing processes. There can be no assurance that price increases in raw materials can be passed onto the Company’s customers through increases in product prices. As a result, the Company’s operating results could be adversely affected.
The Company’s international operations subject the Company to additional business risks.
          International sales account for a substantial portion of the Company’s net sales (49%, 44% and 42% in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively) and the Company expects these sales will increase as a percentage of net sales in the future. Due to its international sales, the Company is subject to the risks of conducting business internationally, including unexpected changes in, or impositions of, legislative or regulatory requirements, fluctuations in the U.S. dollar which could materially adversely affect U.S. dollar revenues or operating expenses, tariffs and other barriers and restrictions, potentially longer payment cycles, greater difficulty in accounts receivable collection, reduced or limited protection of intellectual property rights, potentially adverse taxes and the burdens of complying with a variety of international laws and communications standards. The Company is also subject to general geopolitical risks, such as political and economic instability and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships, in connection with its international operations. There can be no assurance that these risks of conducting business internationally will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
The Company may not be able to successfully integrate businesses that it may acquire in the future.
          A portion of the Company’s growth in sales and earnings has been generated from acquisitions. The Company expects to continue a strategy of identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products. In connection with this strategy, the Company faces certain risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions. The factors affecting this exposure are in addition to the risks faced in the Company’s day-to-day operations. Acquisitions involve a number of special risks, including the risks pertaining to integrating acquired businesses. In addition, the Company may incur debt to finance future acquisitions, and the Company may issue securities in connection with future acquisitions that may dilute the holdings of current and future shareholders. Covenant restrictions relating to additional indebtedness could restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, fund capital expenditures, consummate additional acquisitions and significantly increase the Company’s interest expense. Any failure to

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successfully complete acquisitions or to successfully integrate such strategic acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
          The Company does not have any unresolved staff comments as of December 31, 2006.
Item 2. Properties
          The Company currently owns or leases 17 facilities, which together contain approximately 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing, warehouse, research and development, sales and office space worldwide. Most of the Company’s international facilities contain space for offices, research and engineering (R&E), warehousing and manufacturing with manufacturing using a majority of the space. The following table provides information regarding the Company’s principal facilities:
                     
                    Reportable
Location   Use   Owned/Leased   Square Feet   Segment
 
                   
1. Mayfield Village, Ohio
  Corporate Headquarters
Research and Engineering (R&E) Center
  Owned     62,000     PLP-USA
 
                   
2. Rogers, Arkansas
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Owned     310,000     PLP-USA
 
                   
3. Albemarle, North Carolina
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Owned     261,000     PLP-USA
 
                   
4. Asheville, North Carolina
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Owned     64,100     SMP
 
                   
5. Sydney, Australia
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Owned     123,000     Australia
 
                   
6. São Paulo, Brazil
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Owned     148,500     Brazil
 
                   
7. Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Owned     73,300     Canada
 
                   
8. Andover, Hampshire, England
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Building Owned; Land Leased     89,400     All Other

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                    Reportable
Location   Use   Owned/Leased   Square Feet   Segment
 
                   
9. Queretaro, Mexico
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Owned     52,900     All Other
 
                   
10. Beijing, China
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Building Owned; Land Leased     61,000     All Other
 
                   
11. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Owned     73,100     South Africa
 
                   
12. Sevilla, Spain
  Manufacturing R&E Warehouse Office   Owned     63,300     All Other
 
                   
13. Bangkok, Thailand
  Manufacturing Warehouse Office   Owned     60,400     All Other
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
          From time to time, the Company may be subject to litigation incidental to its business. The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that the Company believes would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
          No matter was submitted to a vote of the security holders of the Registrant during the quarter ended December 31, 2006.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
          Each executive officer is elected by the Board of Directors, serves at its pleasure and holds office until a successor is appointed, or until the earliest of death, resignation or removal.
             
Name   Age   Position
Robert G. Ruhlman
    50     Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
Eric R. Graef
    54     Vice President — Finance and Treasurer
William H. Haag
    43     Vice President — International Operations
J. Cecil Curlee Jr.
    50     Vice President — Human Resources
Dennis F. McKenna
    40     Vice President — Marketing and Business Development
Michael A. Fout
    48     Vice President — Manufacturing
David C. Sunkle
    48     Vice President — Research and Engineerng
Caroline A. Saylor
    40     General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
          The following sets forth the name and recent business experience for each person who is an executive officer of the Company at March 1, 2007.
          Robert G. Ruhlman was elected Chairman in July 2004. Mr. Ruhlman has served as Chief Executive Officer since July 2000 and as President since 1995 (positions he continues to hold). He had served as Chief

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Operating Officer from 1995 until July 2000. Mr. Ruhlman is the brother of Randall M. Ruhlman and son of Barbara P. Ruhlman, both Directors of the Company.
          Eric R. Graef was elected Vice President — Finance and Treasurer in December 1999.
          William H. Haag was elected Vice President — International Operations in April 1999.
          J. Cecil Curlee Jr. was hired in 1982 in the position of Personnel Manager at the Albemarle, North Carolina facility. He was promoted to Director of Employee Relations in September 2002 and was elected Vice President — Human Resources in January 2003.
          Dennis F. McKenna was elected Vice President — Marketing and Business Development in April 2004. Mr. McKenna joined the Company in 1993 as a sales engineer and has served in various international and domestic product management, operations, and general management roles within the Company.
          Michael A. Fout was elected Vice President — Manufacturing in April 2005. Mr. Fout joined the Company in 2000 as Manager — Manufacturing Engineering and has led the Company’s Lean Manufacturing initiatives since that time.
          David C. Sunkle was elected Vice President-Research and Engineering in January 2007. Mr. Sunkle joined the Company in 1978. He has served a variety of positions in Research and Engineering until 2002 when he became Director of International Operations. In 2006, Mr. Sunkle rejoined Research and Engineering as the Director of Engineering.
          Caroline A. Saylor was elected General Counsel and Corporate Secretary in January 2007. Ms. Saylor joined the Company in 2005 as General Counsel and has led the Company’s legal affairs since that time. Prior to that time, Ms. Saylor worked as an attorney for The Timken Company from 2003 to 2005, and in the litigation department of Calfee, Halter and Griswold from 2000 to 2003.
Part II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Shares and Related Shareholder Matters
          The Company’s Common Shares are traded on NASDAQ under the trading symbol “PLPC”. As of March 12, 2007, the Company had approximately 1,205 shareholders of record. The following table sets forth for the periods indicated (i) the high and low closing sale prices per share of the Company’s Common Shares as reported by the NASDAQ and (ii) the amount per share of cash dividends paid by the Company.
          While the Company expects to continue to pay dividends of a comparable amount in the near term, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors in light of then current needs of the Company. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the Company will continue to make such dividend payments in the future.
                                                 
    Year ended December 31
    2006   2005
Quarter   High   Low   Dividend   High   Low   Dividend
 
First
  $ 45.58     $ 31.74     $ 0.20     $ 34.35     $ 28.85     $ 0.20  
Second
    37.90       30.75       0.20       41.88       30.00       0.20  
Third
    39.70       34.43       0.20       47.97       38.63       0.20  
Fourth
    36.97       30.93       0.20       47.24       37.40       0.20  
Equity Compensation Plan Information
          The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in Note G to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Performance Graph
          Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total return of a hypothetical investment in the Company’s Common Shares with the cumulative total return of hypothetical investments in the NASDAQ Market Index and the Hemscott Industry Group 627 (Industrial Electrical Equipment) Index based on the respective market price of each investment at December 31, 2001, December 31, 2002, December 31, 2003, December 31, 2004, December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2006, assuming in each case an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2001, and reinvestment of dividends.
COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO.,
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND HEMSCOTT GROUP INDEX
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JAN. 01, 2002
ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 2006
                                                 
COMPANY / INDEX / MARKET   12/31/2001   12/31/2002   12/31/2003   12/31/2004   12/31/2005   12/31/2006
PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO
    100.00       91.64       178.28       178.38       260.36       219.59  
HEMSCOTT GROUP INDEX
    100.00       73.62       102.98       114.32       137.59       184.15  
NASDAQ MARKET INDEX
    100.00       69.75       104.88       113.70       116.19       128.12  

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Purchases of Equity Securities
                                 
    Total           Total Number of Shares   Maximum Number of
    Number of   Average   Purchased as Part of   Shares that may yet be
    Shares   Price Paid   Publicly Announced Plans   Purchased under the
Period (2006)   Purchased   per Share   or Programs   Plans or Programs
 
                               
October
                51,646       48,354  
November
                51,646       48,354  
December
                51,646       48,354  
 
                               
Total
                             
          On December 16, 2004, the Company announced the Board of Directors authorized a plan to repurchase up to 100,000 of Preformed Line Products common shares. The repurchase plan does not have an expiration date. During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company did not repurchase any of its common shares under this plan. The remaining shares that may be purchased under this plan were 48,354 during the fourth quarter of 2006. On February 15, 2007, the Board of Directors authorized a plan to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of Preformed Line Products Company Common Shares, superseding any previously authorized plan, including the December 2004 plan that is the subject of the table above.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
                                         
    2006   2005   2004   2003   2002
    (Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Net Sales and Income (Loss)
                                       
Net sales
  $ 216,937     $ 205,804     $ 183,112     $ 153,333     $ 169,842  
Operating income (loss)
    16,717       17,891       15,827       5,484       (426 )
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of joint ventures
    17,576       18,506       15,949       5,254       (1,026 )
Net income (loss)
    12,060       11,986       13,037       4,383       (1,140 )
Per Share Amounts
                                       
Net income (loss) — basic
  $ 2.15     $ 2.09     $ 2.27     $ 0.76     $ (0.20 )
Net income (loss) — diluted
    2.13       2.07       2.25       0.76       (0.20 )
Dividends declared
    0.80       0.80       0.80       0.80       0.80  
Shareholders’ equity
    24.43       23.29       22.49       20.76       19.76  
Other Financial Information
                                       
Current assets
  $ 105,536     $ 110,393     $ 101,603     $ 88,979     $ 78,522  
Total assets
    170,963       168,547       158,808       148,970       144,784  
Current liabilities
    33,405       34,725       27,922       25,628       23,954  
Long-term debt, less current portion
    2,204       122       2,362       2,515       5,847  
Shareholders’ equity
    130,933       133,543       128,337       120,730       114,096  
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
          The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 in this report and gives effect to the restatement of reportable segments discussed in Note J contained in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements. The reportable segments are PLP-USA, SMP, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, and All Other. Our PLP-USA segment is comprised of our U.S. operations primarily supporting our domestic energy and telecommunications products and was previously part of our domestic segment. The SMP segment is comprised of our U.S. operations supporting our data communication products and was previously part of our domestic segment. The Australia segment is comprised of our operations in Australia supporting energy and telecommunications products and was previously part of our foreign segment. Our Brazil, South Africa and Canada segments are comprised of the manufacturing and sales operations from those locations which meet at least one of the criteria of a reportable segment and were previously part of our foreign segment. Our remaining foreign operations, including our operation in Australia producing and selling data communication products, that were previously part of our

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foreign segment are included in All Other as none of these operations meet the criteria for a reportable segment and individually represent less that 10% of our combined net sales, profit or loss, and consolidated assets.
Market Overview
          Domestically our business continues to be concentrated in the communications and energy markets. During 2006, industry consolidation continued as distributors and service provider consolidations took place in all of our major markets.
          In our communications markets, which consist of telecommunications, cable television (CATV) and data communication, telecommunication companies continued to curtail their investment in the construction and maintenance of copper networks while diverting some of these resources into Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) projects. Purchasing patterns for FTTP material stabilized in 2006 as service providers worked off the inventory built up during 2005. Sales of products for the CATV markets were negatively impacted as service providers continued to delay investment in infrastructure improvements. Sales into the data communications market were flat. As a result, our sales to the overall communications market decreased in 2006. We anticipate growth in the level of activity related to fiber network build-outs in 2007 and renewed investment in the CATV market. We expect data communications sales to remain flat and investment in the copper network will continue to decline.
          In 2006, we experienced growth in our domestic energy markets. We believe the investment in new transmission and distribution grids, new technologies, and upgrading and maintenance of the existing energy infrastructure will continue to increase over the next five years. We continue to introduce new transmission and distribution products to satisfy this anticipated growth.
          Our foreign business is more concentrated in the energy markets. Historically, our foreign sales were primarily to the distribution portion of the energy market. In 2006, we continued to increase our energy distribution sales while also experiencing significant sales growth in the energy transmission market. We expect that growth in the energy markets will continue for the foreseeable future not only as new construction projects are added in developing markets but, as in the domestic markets, there is a need to rebuild and refurbish much of the foreign energy transmission and distribution infrastructure. We believe that we are positioned to supply the needs of the world’s diverse energy market requirements as a result of our strategically located operations and array of product designs and technologies.
Preface
          Sales increased 5% in 2006 on the strength of our foreign operations. The impact of rising material costs partially softened the full impact of the sales increase resulting in only a 4% increase in gross profit. Costs and expenses increased 7% with the result being a decrease in operating income of $1.2 million from 2005. However, a more favorable effective tax rate in 2006 resulted in a small increase in net income.
2006 Results of Operations compared to 2005
          In 2006, net sales were $216.9 million, an increase of $11.1 million, or 5%, from 2005 as summarized in the following table:

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    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2006     2005     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Net sales
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 91,412     $ 95,776     $ (4,364 )         $ (4,364 )     (5 )%
SMP
    20,027       19,572       455             455       2  
Australia
    16,207       12,946       3,261       (84 )     3,345       26  
Brazil
    20,990       16,510       4,480       2,287       2,193       13  
South Africa
    8,244       7,319       925       (474 )     1,399       19  
Canada
    9,824       9,027       797       629       168       2  
All Other
    50,233       44,654       5,579       311       5,268       12  
 
                                     
Consolidated
  $ 216,937     $ 205,804     $ 11,133     $ 2,669     $ 8,464       4 %
 
                                   
          PLP-USA net sales of $91.4 million decreased $4.4 million, or 5%, compared to 2005 due primarily to a volume decrease partially offset by an improvement in price and mix. We anticipate that our 2007 sales in the PLP-USA energy and communication markets will increase. SMP net sales of $20 million increased $.5 million, or 2%, compared to 2005 due primarily to volume. Foreign net sales in 2006 were favorably impacted by $2.7 million, or 2.4%, when converted to U.S. dollars, as the result of a weaker U.S. dollar to certain foreign currencies. We believe our foreign net sales will continue to increase in 2007 but at a slower pace than we experienced in 2006 as a result of continued competitive pricing pressures. Excluding the effect of currency conversion, Australia net sales increased $3.3 million, Brazil net sales increased $2.2 million and South Africa net sales increased $1.4 million due primarily to volume. Canada net sales increased $.2 million, or 2% compared to 2005. Excluding the effects of currency conversion, All Other net sales increased $5.3 million, or 12%, compared to 2005 due primarily to volume.
          Gross profit of $69.8 million for 2006 increased $2.4 million, or 4%, compared to 2005 as summarized in the following table:
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2006     2005     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Gross profit
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 27,914     $ 31,236     $ (3,322 )         $ (3,322 )     (11 )%
SMP
    5,080       5,249       (169 )           (169 )     (3 )
Australia
    5,280       4,411       869       (47 )     916       21  
Brazil
    6,020       4,541       1,479       659       820       18  
South Africa
    3,515       3,188       327       (212 )     539       17  
Canada
    4,330       4,297       33       276       (243 )     (6 )
All Other
    17,666       14,498       3,168       104       3,064       21  
 
                                     
Consolidated
  $ 69,805     $ 67,420     $ 2,385     $ 780     $ 1,605       2 %
 
                                   
          The conversion of local currency to U.S. dollars favorably impacted gross margin by $.8 million. PLP-USA gross profit of $27.9 million decreased $3.3 million, or 11% due primarily to $1.4 million related to lower net sales, a $1.1 million increase in product cost and mix coupled with a $.8 million increase in freight and depreciation expenses. SMP gross profit of $5.1 million decreased $.2 million, or 3%, primarily due to a $.3 million increase in product cost and mix partially offset by $.1 million on increased sales. Excluding the impact of currency conversion, Australia gross profit increased $.9 million, Brazil gross profit increased $.8 million and South Africa gross profit increased $.5 million due primarily to increased sales. Excluding the effect of currency conversion, Canada gross profit decreased $.2 million primarily as the result of higher product costs and All Other gross profit increased $3.1 million primarily due to increased sales and lower manufacturing expenses as a percentage of sales. We anticipate

21


 

raw material cost increases in 2007.
          Costs and expenses increased $3.4 million, or 7%, compared to 2005 as summarized in the following table:
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2006     2005     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Costs and expenses
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 27,501     $ 26,948     $ 553           $ 553       2 %
SMP
    5,991       5,411       580             580       11  
Australia
    3,251       2,987       264       (41 )     305       10  
Brazil
    4,508       3,731       777       434       343       9  
South Africa
    1,357       1,014       343       (83 )     426       42  
Canada
    1,428       1,469       (41 )     90       (131 )     (9 )
All Other
    10,386       9,416       970       65       905       10  
 
                                     
Consolidated
  $ 54,422     $ 50,976     $ 3,446     $ 465     $ 2,981       6 %
 
                                   
          PLP-USA costs and expenses increased $.6 million primarily as a result of a $1.3 million increase in personnel expenses partially offset by $.4 million reduction in commission expense on lower sales, a $.2 million gain on the sale of land and a $.1 million decrease in bad debt expense primarily as a result of a $.1 million recovery in 2006 of accounts previously written off. SMP costs and expenses increased $.6 million primarily as a result of a $.4 million increase in personnel expenses, a $.1 million increase in commission expense and a $.1 million increase in travel related expenses. The weaker dollar unfavorably impacted costs and expenses by $.5 million when foreign costs in local currency were translated to U.S. dollars compared to the same period in 2005. Excluding the effects of currency exchange rate change compared to 2005, Australia costs and expenses increased $.3 million due primarily to an increase in personnel expenses and audit fees. Brazil costs and expenses increased $.3 million net of the effects of currency exchange rate change due primarily to increased personnel expenses. South Africa increased costs and expenses of $.4 million was primarily a result of a $.2 million increase in personnel expenses and a $.2 million increase in other expenses including repair and maintenance and the loss on foreign currency transactions. Excluding the effects of currency exchange rate change, Canada costs and expenses decreased $.1 million primarily as a result of $.1 million decrease in sales promotional expenses. All Other costs and expenses increased $.9 million primarily as a result of a $.7 million increase in personnel expenses and a $.3 million increase in the loss on foreign currency transactions partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense as a result of $.1 million recovery in 2006 of accounts previously written-off.
          Royalty income of $1.3 million decreased $.1 million as a result of lower SMP data communications royalties compared to 2005.
          Operating income of $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 decreased $1.2 million, or 7%, compared to 2005. This decrease was primarily a result of a $2.4 million increase in gross profit being more than offset by the $3.4 million increase in costs and expenses and a $.1 million reduction in royalty income. PLP-USA operating income decreased $3.1 million primarily as a result of a $3.3 million decrease in gross profit and a $.6 million increase in costs and expenses being partially offset by an increase in intercompany royalty income. SMP operating income decreased $.9 million primarily as a result of the $.2 million decrease in gross profit, the $.6 million increase in costs and expenses and a $.1 million decrease in royalty income. Australia operating income increased $.5 million as a result of the $.9 million increase in gross profit partially offset by a $.3 million increase in costs and expenses and a $.1 million increase in intercompany royalty expense. Brazil operating income increased $.6 million as a result of the $1.5 million increase in gross profit partially offset by the $.8 million increase in costs and expenses and a $.1 million increase in intercompany royalty expense. South Africa operating income decreased $.1 million as a result of the increase in costs and expenses and intercompany royalties being slightly greater than the $.3 million increase in gross profit. Canada operating income of $2.4 million remained relatively unchanged compared to 2005. All Other operating income of $4.9 million increased $1.8 million as a result of the $3.2 million

22


 

increase in gross profit partially offset by the $1 million increase in cost and expenses and a $.4 increase in intercompany royalty expense.
          Other income for the year ended December 31, 2006 of $.8 million improved $.2 million compared to 2005 as a result of an increase in interest income net of interest expense.
          Income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006 of $5.5 million were $1 million lower than the previous year. The effective tax rate in 2006 on income before income taxes was 31% compared to 35% in 2005. The 2006 effective tax rate is lower than the 34% statutory rate primarily as a result of a reduction in the valuation allowance related to foreign tax credit carryforwards.
          As a result of the preceding items, net income for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $12.1 million, or $2.13 per diluted share, which represents an increase of $.1 million or $.06 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12 million or $2.07 per diluted share in 2005. PLP-USA net income of $3.9 million decreased $1 million compared to 2005 as a result of a $3.1 million decrease in operating income partially offset by a $.3 million increase in interest income, a $.1 million decrease in other expense and a $1.7 million decrease in income taxes. SMP net income of $.3 million decreased $.6 million compared to 2005 primarily as a result of a $.9 million decrease in operating income partially offset by lower income taxes. Australia net income of $.8 million in 2006 increased $.3 million compared to 2005 due primarily to a $.5 million increase in operating income partially offset by a $.2 million increase in income taxes. Brazil net income of $.9 million increased $.4 million compared to 2005 due to a $.6 million increase in operating income and a $.1 million increase in interest income partially offset by an increase in income taxes. South Africa net income of $1.3 million increased $.2 million compared to 2005 primarily due to lower income taxes partially offset by a $.1 million decrease in operating income. Canada net income of $1.7 million remained relatively unchanged from 2005. All Other net income of $3.1 million increased $.8 million compared to 2005 primarily as a result of a $1.8 million increase in operating income partially offset by a $.4 million increase in interest expense —net and $.5 million in increased income taxes.
2005 Results of Operations compared to 2004
          In 2005, consolidated net sales were $205.8 million, an increase of $22.7 million, or 12%, from 2004 as summarized in the following table:
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2005     2004     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Net sales
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 95,776     $ 89,473     $ 6,303           $ 6,303       7 %
SMP
    19,572       17,597       1,975             1,975       11  
Australia
    12,946       11,215       1,731       534       1,197       11  
Brazil
    16,510       9,529       6,981       2,734       4,247       45  
South Africa
    7,319       5,385       1,934       126       1,808       34  
Canada
    9,027       7,746       1,281       634       647       8  
All Other
    44,654       42,167       2,487       147       2,340       6  
 
                                   
Consolidated
  $ 205,804     $ 183,112     $ 22,692     $ 4,175     $ 18,517       10 %
 
                                   
     PLP-USA net sales of $95.8 million increased $6.3 million, or 7%, due to volume increases in the energy and communications markets. SMP net sales of $19.6 million increased $2 million, or 11%, due primarily to volume increases in the data communication market. Foreign net sales were favorably impacted by $4.2 million, or 2%, when converted to U.S. dollars, as a result of the weaker U.S. dollar compared to most foreign currencies. Our foreign net sales increased in all markets throughout the world. Net of the favorable currency conversion, Australia net sales increased $1.2 million, Brazil net sales increased $4.2 million, South Africa net sales increased $1.8

23


 

million and Canada sales increased $.6 million primarily due to volume increases. All Other net sales increased $2.3 million.
          Gross profit of $67.4 million for 2005 increased $7.9 million, or 13%, compared to 2004 as summarized in the following table:
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2005     2004     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Gross profit
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 31,236     $ 29,545     $ 1,691           $ 1,691       6 %
SMP
    5,249       3,694       1,555             1,555       42  
Australia
    4,411       3,802       609       182       427       11  
Brazil
    4,541       2,992       1,549       772       777       26  
South Africa
    3,188       2,262       926       72       854       38  
Canada
    4,297       3,384       913       307       606       18  
All Other
    14,498       13,831       667       150       517       4  
 
                                   
Consolidated
  $ 67,420     $ 59,510     $ 7,910     $ 1,483     $ 6,427       11 %
 
                                   
          PLP-USA gross profit of $31.2 million increased $1.7 million, or 6%, due primarily to gross profit on increased sales and product mix of $1.3 million and $.4 million lower per unit manufacturing costs. SMP gross profit increased $1.5 million primarily due to gross profit on increased sales including product mix of $1 million and $.5 million due to lower per unit manufacturing costs. The lower per unit manufacturing costs at PLP-USA and SMP are a result of relatively fixed manufacturing expenses being spread over more sales. Gross profit was favorably impacted $1.5 million as a result of converting native currency to U.S. dollars compared to 2004 currency exchange rates. Net of the impact of the change in currency exchange rates, Australia gross profit increased $.4 million, Brazil gross profit increased $.8 million, South Africa gross profit increased $.9 million and Canada gross profit increased $.6 million primarily due to the increase in net sales. All Other gross profit of $14.5 million increased $.5 million, net of the impact of the change in the currency exchange rates compared to 2004, due primarily to the increase in net sales.
          Costs and expenses increased $5.4 million, or 12%, compared to 2004, as summarized in the following table:
                                                 
    Year ended December 31,  
                            Change                
                            due to                
                            currency             %  
                            conversion     Net     Net  
thousands of dollars   2005     2004     Change     rate changes     change     change  
Costs and expenses
                                               
PLP-USA
  $ 26,948     $ 24,609     $ 2,339           $ 2,339       10 %
SMP
    5,411       4,845       566             566       12  
Australia
    2,987       2,420       567       120       447       18  
Brazil
    3,731       2,683       1,048       647       401       15  
South Africa
    1,014       1,010       4       10       (6 )     (1 )
Canada
    1,469       1,164       305       101       204       18  
All Other
    9,416       8,841       575       113       462       5  
 
                                   
Consolidated
  $ 50,976     $ 45,572     $ 5,404     $ 991     $ 4,413       10 %
 
                                   
          PLP-USA’s $2.3 million increase in costs and expenses was primarily the result of a $.5 million increase in commissions on higher sales, a $.5 million increase in costs related to complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of

24


 

2002, a $.5 million increase in development supplies and services, a $.3 million increase in advertising and sales promotional expense, a $.2 million increase in losses on foreign currency transactions and a $.2 million reduction on the gain on sale of property. SMP costs and expenses increased $.6 million primarily as a result of a $.1 million increase in commission on higher sales, a $.1 million increase in advertising and sales promotional expenses, a $.2 million increase in auditing fees including the costs related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and a $.2 million increase in bad debt expense compared to 2004 due primarily to the recovery in 2004 of accounts previously written off. The weaker dollar unfavorably impacted costs and expenses by $1 million when foreign costs in local currency were translated to U.S. dollars. Excluding the effects of currency exchange rate change compared to 2005, Australia costs and expenses increased $.4 million due primarily to a $.2 million increase in personnel expenses, a $.1 million increase in costs related to complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and a $.1 million reduction on the gain on sale of property. Brazil costs and expenses increased $.4 million, net of the effects of currency exchange rate change, due primarily to increased personnel expenses. Net of the effects of currency exchange rate change, South Africa costs and expenses remained relatively unchanged. Excluding the effects of currency exchange rate change, Canada costs and expenses increased $.2 million primarily as a result of $.1 increase in costs related to complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and increased commissions on higher sales. All Other costs and expenses increased $.6 million primarily as a result of a $.3 million increase in commissions on higher sales, a $.2 million increase in costs related to complying with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and a $.1 million increase in personnel expense.
          Royalty income of $1.4 million decreased by $.4 million as a result of lower SMP data communication royalties compared to 2004. Our aggressive pursuit of our intellectual property rights resulted in a significant settlement in 2004.
          Operating income of $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 increased $2.1 million compared to the previous year. This increase was primarily a result of an increase in gross profit of $7.9 million partially offset by a $5.4 million increase in costs and expenses and a $.4 million decrease in royalty income. PLP-USA operating income decreased $.4 million as a result of the $2.3 million increase in costs and expenses being greater than the $1.7 million increase in gross profit and the $.2 million increase in intercompany royalty income. SMP operating income increased $.6 million primarily as a result of the $1.5 million increase in gross profit being partially offset by the $.6 million increase in costs and expenses and the decrease in royalty income. Australia operating income decreased $.1 million as a result of the $.6 million increase in costs and expenses and the $.1 million increase in intercompany royalty expense exceeding the $.6 million increase in gross profit. Brazil operating income increased $.5 million due primarily to the $1.5 million improvement in gross profit partially offset by the $1 million increase in costs and expenses. South Africa operating income increased $.9 million as a result of the $.9 million increase in gross profit. Canada operating income increased $.6 million primarily as a result of the $.9 million improvement in gross profit partially offset by the $.3 million increase in costs and expenses. All Other operating income increased $.1 million as a result of the $.7 million improvement in gross profit exceeding the $.6 million increase in costs and expenses.
          Other income for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $.6 million improved $.5 million compared to 2004. This increase is primarily due to a $.5 million increase in interest income, net of interest expense, as a result of higher cash balances.
          Income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2005 of $6.5 million were $1.3 million higher than the prior year. The effective tax rate in 2005 on income before income taxes was 35% compared to 29% in 2004. The 2004 effective tax rate is lower than the 35% statutory federal rate primarily as a result of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 allowing us to adjust our valuation allowance related to foreign tax credit carryforwards. The tax laws of China entitle us to a preferential tax rate of a 50% tax reduction for the succeeding three years beginning in 2003. The favorable aggregate tax and per share effect was less than $.1 million or $.01 per share for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004.
          Equity in net income of joint ventures decreased $2.4 million compared to 2004. We sold our interest in Japan PLP Co. Ltd. in 2004 for a pre-tax gain of $2.3 million, which is included in Equity in net income of joint ventures ($1.7 million gain net of tax). We no longer have an investment in any joint venture.

25


 

          As a result of the preceding items, net income for the year ended December 31, 2005 was $12 million, or $2.07 per diluted share, which represents a decrease of $1 million, or $0.18 per diluted share, compared to net income of $13 million, or $2.25 per diluted share in 2004. PLP-USA net income of $4.9 million decreased $2.9 million compared to 2004 primarily as a result of a $.4 million decrease in operating income, a $2.4 million decrease in the equity in net income of joint ventures and a $.6 million increase in income tax partially offset by a $.4 million increase in interest income and a decrease in other expense. SMP net income of $.9 million increased $1.8 million compared to 2004 as a result of a $.6 million increase in operating income and a $1.2 million decrease in income taxes due to the tax treatment of certain intercompany expenses in 2004. Australia net income of $.6 million remained relatively unchanged from 2004. Brazil net income of $.6 million increased $.4 million primarily as a result of a $.5 million increase in operating income partially offset by a $.1 million increase in income tax. South Africa net income of $1.1 million increased $.4 million compared to 2004 primarily as a result of a $.9 million increase in operating income partially offset by a $.5 million increase in income tax. Canada net income of $1.7 million increased $.4 million compared to 2004 primarily as a result of a $.6 million increase in operating income partially offset by an increase in income tax. All Other net income of $2.3 million decreased $1.2 million compared to 2004 as the $1.1 million increase in tax expense due to the tax treatment of certain intercompany income in 2004 and a $.1 million decrease in interest income — net exceeded a $.1 million increase in operating income.
Working Capital, Liquidity and Capital Resources
          Cash decreased $9.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities was $14.8 million. The major uses of cash were purchase of common shares of $12.1 million, capital expenditures of $10.2 million and dividends of $4.5 million.
          Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $6.8 million compared to 2005 primarily as a result of an increase in receivables, inventory and trade payables to support higher sales.
          Net cash used in investing activities of $9.9 million represents an increase of $2.1 million when compared to cash used in investing activities in 2005. Capital expenditures in 2006 were $2.5 million greater than 2005. During 2006, we received $.3 million greater proceeds from the sale of property and equipment when compared to 2005.
          Cash used in financing activities was $15.2 million compared to $2.9 million in the previous year. This increase was primarily a result of an $11.5 million repurchase of 365,311 Common Shares from a principal shareholder.
          We have commitments under operating leases primarily for office and manufacturing space, transportation equipment, office and computer equipment and capital leases primarily for equipment. One such lease is for our aircraft with a lease commitment through April 2012. Under the terms of the lease, we maintain the risk to make up a deficiency from market value attributable to damage, extraordinary wear and tear, excess air hours or exceeding maintenance overhaul schedules required by the FAA. At the present time, we believe our risks, if any, to be immaterial because the estimated market value of the aircraft approximates its residual value.
          Our financial position remains strong and our current ratio at December 31, 2006 and 2005 was 3.2:1. Working capital of $72.1 million has decreased from the December 31, 2005 amount of $75.7 million primarily due to $9.6 million less cash on hand partially offset by a $3.5 million increase in receivables and a $2.8 million increase in inventories. At December 31, 2006, our unused balance under our main credit facility was $20 million and our bank debt to equity percentage was 6%. The revolving credit agreement contains, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining levels of working capital, net worth, and profitability. At December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with these covenants. We believe our future operating cash flows will be more than sufficient to cover debt repayments, other contractual obligations, capital expenditures and dividends. In addition, we believe our existing cash position, together with our untapped borrowing capacity, provides substantial financial resources. If we were to incur significant additional indebtedness, we expect to be able to meet liquidity needs under the credit facilities. We do not believe we would increase our debt to a level that would have a material adverse impact upon results of operations or financial condition.

26


 

          Contractual obligations and other commercial commitments are summarized in the following tables:
                                         
    Payments Due by Period
Contractual Obligations   Total   Less than 1
year
  1-3 years   4-5 years   After 5
years
Thousands of dollars                                        
 
                                       
Notes payable to bank
  $ 3,738     $ 3,738     $  —     $  —     $  —  
Long-term debt (A)
    4,330       2,066       1,175       707       382  
Capital leases
    478       287       191              
Operating leases
    15,800       973       1,803       1,683       11,341  
Purchase commitments
    2,632       2,632                    
Pension contribution (B)
    506       506                    
                                         
    Amount of Commitment Expiration by Period
Other Commercial Commitments   Total   Less than 1
year
  1-3 years   4-5 years   After 5
years
Thousands of dollars                                        
 
                                       
Letters of credit
  $ 4,512     $ 4,396     $ 116     $  —     $  —  
Guarantees
    432       238       170             24  
 
(A)   Interest on long-term debt is included in the table at interest rates from 5.8% to 6.8% based on the variable interest rates in effect at December 31, 2006.
 
(B)   Amount represents the expected contribution to the Company’s defined benefit pension plan in 2007. Future expected amounts have not been disclosed as such amounts are subject to change based on performance of the assets in the plan as well as the discount rate used to determine the obligation. At December 31, 2006, the Company’s unfunded contractual obligation was $4 million.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
          Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
          Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgment and uncertainties, and potentially may result in materially different outcomes under different assumptions and conditions.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
          We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. We record estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon the number of days the accounts are past due, the current business environment, and specific information such as bankruptcy or liquidity issues of customers. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. During 2006, we recorded a provision for doubtful accounts of $.4 million. The allowance represented approximately 2% of our trade receivables at December 31, 2006 and 2005.

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Excess and Obsolescence Reserves
          We provide excess and obsolescence reserves to state inventories at the lower of cost or estimated market value. We identify inventory items which have had no usage or are in excess of the usages over the historical 12 to 36 months. A management team with representatives from marketing, manufacturing, engineering and finance reviews these inventory items and determines the disposition of the inventory and assesses the estimated market value based on their knowledge of the product and market conditions. These conditions include among other things, future demand for product, product utility, unique customer order patterns or unique raw material purchase patterns, changes in customer and quality issues. At December 31, 2006 and 2005 the allowance for excess and obsolete inventory was 9% and 6% of gross inventory. If the impact of market conditions worsen from those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be necessary.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
          We record impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the discounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying value of those items. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect the best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is then reduced to fair value. The estimates of fair value represent the best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions.
Goodwill
          We perform our annual impairment test for goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology, market comparables, and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. We then compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill and other indefinite life intangibles have been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly changed. However, we believe that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units.
          Our measurement date for our annual impairment test is January 1 of each year. We perform interim impairment tests if trigger events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. There were no trigger events during 2006, 2005 or 2004 and as such only an annual impairment test was performed.
Deferred Tax Assets
          Deferred taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. We established a valuation allowance to record our deferred tax assets at an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their recorded amount, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be charged to expense in the period such determination was made.
New Accounting Pronouncements
          In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 151, “Inventory Costs,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material. This standard requires that such items be recognized as current-period charges. The standard also establishes the concept of “normal capacity” and requires the allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Any unallocated overhead must be recognized as an expense in the period incurred. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2006, and the impact was immaterial on its consolidated financial statements.

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          Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R). SFAS No. 123R affects the value of stock options that have been granted and requires the Company to expense share-based payment awards with compensation cost for transactions measured at fair value. For the year ended December 31, 2006 the Company recorded compensation costs related to the stock options currently vesting, reducing income before taxes and net income by $.2 million, or $.04 per diluted share. The Company adopted the modified-prospective-transition method and accordingly has not restated the amounts in prior periods.
          In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income taxes” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for the Company starting January 1, 2007. Upon adoption, the Company estimates that a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $1.1 million to $1.3 million will be charged to retained earnings to increase reserves for uncertain tax positions, which is subject to revision as the Company completes its analysis.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard does not require new fair value measurements; however the application of this standard may change current practice for an entity. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal periods. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” This standard requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. This standard also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position. This standard also requires disclosure in the notes to financial statements, additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. The requirement to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures is effective for an employer with publicly traded equity securities as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this standard resulted in a decrease of $2.3 million in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities.” This staff position amends certain provisions in the AICPA Industry Audit Guide, Audits of Airlines (Airline Guide), and APB No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting. This staff position prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods. This staff position is effective as of January 1, 2007. The Company will adopt the direct expense method effective January 1, 2007, and will record a cumulative effect increasing beginning retained earnings by $.2 million.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) abstract Issue No. 06-5, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance — Determining the Amount that Could be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4.” This issue clarifies the calculation of the amount that could be realized under an insurance contract as of the date of the statement of financial position. This issue concludes that the policyholder should consider any additional amounts included in contractual terms of the policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract. Contractual limitations should be considered, as well as the amount recoverable by the policyholder at the discretion of the insurance company should be excluded from the amount that could be realized. All fixed amounts recoverable by the policyholder in future periods in excess of one year from the surrender of the policy should be recognized at their present values. Last, any amount that is realized by the policyholder upon surrender of the final policy shall be included in the amount that could be realized. This issue

29


 

should be applied by either a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or to other components of equity or net assets or a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods. This issue is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact this EITF issue will have on its consolidated financial statements.
          In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108) to provide interpretive guidance on the considerations of the effects of prior year misstatements in qualifying current year misstatements for the purpose of materiality assessment. If a material misstatement exists after recording the adjustment in the current year financial statements, the prior year financial statements should be corrected, even though such revision previously was and continues to be immaterial to the prior year financial statements. This bulletin is effective for years ending after November 15, 2006. Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SAB 108 which did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
          In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including and Amendment to FAS No. 115.” This standard permits entities to measure certain financial instruments and other certain items at fair value. The fair value option established by this standard permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair values option has been elected at each subsequent reporting period. The fair value option election is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity’s election on earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standards. This standard is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
          The Company operates manufacturing facilities and offices around the world and uses fixed and floating rate debt to finance the Company’s global operations. As a result, the Company is subject to business risks inherent in non-U.S. activities, including political and economic uncertainty, import and export limitations and market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes the political and economic risks related to the Company’s foreign operations are mitigated due to the stability of the countries in which the Company’s largest foreign operations are located.
          The Company has no foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2006. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
          The Company is exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates. The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its variable rate revolving credit facilities and term notes, which consisted of borrowings of $8.1 million at December 31, 2006. A 100 basis point increase in the interest rate would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of approximately $.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
          The Company’s primary currency rate exposures are related to foreign denominated debt, intercompany debt, forward exchange contracts, foreign denominated receivables and cash and short-term investments. A hypothetical 10% change in currency rates would have a favorable/unfavorable impact on fair values of $1.7 million and on income before tax of less than $.1 million.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Preformed Line Products Company
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006.

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Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Notes A and G to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for stock-based compensation with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” effective January 1, 2006. Also, as discussed in Notes A and C to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans with the adoption of SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans” effective December 31, 2006.
As discussed in Note J to the consolidated financial statements, the accompanying segment disclosures have been restated.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 15, 2007 (January 4, 2008 as to the effects of a material weakness described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Revised)) expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
March 15, 2007
(January 4, 2008 as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note J)

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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 
    December 31  
    2006     2005  
    (Thousands of dollars,  
    except share data)  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 29,949     $ 39,592  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $1,209 ($789 in 2005)
    30,029       26,481  
Inventories — net
    40,415       37,618  
Deferred income taxes
    2,639       3,870  
Prepaids and other
    2,504       2,832  
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    105,536       110,393  
 
               
Property and equipment — net
    52,810       48,804  
Deferred income taxes
    5,145       2,060  
Goodwill — net
    2,166       2,018  
Patents and other intangibles — net
    2,546       2,871  
Other assets
    2,760       2,401  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 170,963     $ 168,547  
 
           
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Notes payable to banks
  $ 3,738     $ 1,156  
Current portion of long-term debt
    2,157       4,806  
Trade accounts payable
    11,606       10,878  
Accrued compensation and amounts withheld from employees
    5,556       5,161  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    4,551       6,406  
Accrued profit-sharing and other benefits
    3,596       4,290  
Dividends payable
    1,072       1,147  
Income taxes
    1,129       881  
 
           
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    33,405       34,725  
 
               
Long-term debt, less current portion
    2,204       122  
Deferred income taxes
    439       157  
Unfunded pension obligation
    3,982        
 
               
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock — $2 par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized,
5,360,259 and 5,734,797 issued and outstanding, net of 365,311
and 511,159 treasury shares at par, respectively
    10,721       11,470  
Paid in capital
    1,562       1,237  
Retained earnings
    131,734       135,481  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (13,084 )     (14,645 )
 
           
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    130,933       133,543  
 
           
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 170,963     $ 168,547  
 
           
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

32


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS
                         
    Year ended December 31  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)  
 
                       
Net sales
  $ 216,937     $ 205,804     $ 183,112  
Cost of products sold
    147,132       138,384       123,602  
 
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    69,805       67,420       59,510  
 
                       
Costs and expenses
                       
Selling
    22,483       21,665       18,980  
General and administrative
    23,893       22,392       21,160  
Research and engineering
    7,659       6,700       5,666  
Other operating expenses (income) — net
    387       219       (234 )
 
                 
 
    54,422       50,976       45,572  
 
                       
Royalty income — net
    1,334       1,447       1,889  
 
                 
 
                       
OPERATING INCOME
    16,717       17,891       15,827  
 
                       
Other income (expense)
                       
Interest income
    1,494       1,103       696  
Interest expense
    (564 )     (379 )     (429 )
Other expense
    (71 )     (109 )     (145 )
 
                 
 
    859       615       122  
 
                 
 
                       
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN NET INCOME OF JOINT VENTURES
    17,576       18,506       15,949  
 
                       
Income taxes
    5,516       6,520       5,268  
 
                 
 
                       
NET INCOME BEFORE JOINT VENTURES
    12,060       11,986       10,681  
 
                 
 
                       
Equity in net income of joint ventures
                2,356  
 
                 
 
                       
NET INCOME
  $ 12,060     $ 11,986     $ 13,037  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income per share — basic
  $ 2.15     $ 2.09     $ 2.27  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income per share — diluted
  $ 2.13     $ 2.07     $ 2.25  
 
                 
 
                       
Cash dividends declared per share
  $ 0.80     $ 0.80     $ 0.80  
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic
    5,611       5,725       5,732  
 
                 
 
                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — diluted
    5,660       5,783       5,789  
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS
                         
    Year ended December 31  
    2006     2005     2004  
    (Thousands of dollars)  
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
                       
Net income
  $ 12,060     $ 11,986     $ 13,037  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    7,538       7,214       7,385  
Deferred income taxes
    (658 )     (838 )     (531 )
Stock based compensation expense
    240              
Net investment in life insurance
    (95 )     110       93  
Translation adjustment
    (42 )     77       (85 )
Earnings of joint ventures
                (21 )
Dividends received from joint ventures
                2,141  
Gain on sale of joint venture
                (2,335 )
Other — net
    (79 )     266       (280 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (2,471 )     2,373       (4,530 )
Inventories
    (1,688 )     (1,728 )     (3,703 )
Trade accounts payables and accrued liabilities
    (686 )     2,595       3,063  
Income taxes
    936       (197 )     (1,597 )
Other — net
    (298 )     (293 )     232  
 
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    14,757       21,565       12,869  
 
                       
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
                       
Capital expenditures
    (10,198 )     (7,737 )     (6,187 )
Business acquisitions
                (456 )
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
    469       126       403  
Proceeds from the sale of equity investment
                1,925  
Proceeds (payments) on life insurance — net
    (149 )     (149 )     581  
 
                 
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    (9,878 )     (7,760 )     (3,734 )
 
                       
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                       
Increase (decrease) in notes payable to banks
    2,300       449       (312 )
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
    3,059       2,142       53  
Payments of long-term debt
    (3,986 )     (1,030 )     (944 )
Dividends paid
    (4,508 )     (4,577 )     (4,593 )
Issuance of common shares
    102       789       85  
Purchase of common shares for treasury
    (12,140 )     (700 )     (2,978 )
 
                 
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    (15,173 )     (2,927 )     (8,689 )
 
                       
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    651       (1,030 )     1,089  
 
                 
 
                       
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (9,643 )     9,848       1,535  
 
                       
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    39,592       29,744       28,209  
 
                 
 
                       
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR
  $ 29,949     $ 39,592     $ 29,744  
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                                                 
                            Accumulated Other        
                            Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
                            Cumulative     Unrecognized        
    Common     Additional Paid     Retained     Translation     Pension        
    Shares     in Capital     Earnings     Adjustment     Benefit Cost     Total  
    (In thousands, except share and per share data)  
 
                                               
Balance at January 1, 2004
  $ 11,629     $ 472     $ 123,022     $ (14,198 )   $ (195 )   $ 120,730  
Net income
                    13,037                       13,037  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            3,936               3,936  
Cumulative translation adjustment for sale of a joint venture
                            (1,655 )             (1,655 )
Minimum pension liability — net of tax benefit of $145
                                    (247 )     (247 )
 
                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                            15,071  
Purchase of 113,755 common shares
    (228 )             (2,750 )                     (2,978 )
Issuance of 6,199 common shares
    12       73                               85  
Cash dividends declared — $.80 per share
                    (4,571 )                     (4,571 )
 
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2004
    11,413       545       128,738       (11,917 )     (442 )     128,337  
 
                                               
Net income
                    11,986                       11,986  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            (2,008 )             (2,008 )
Minimum pension liability — net of tax benefit of $182
                                    (278 )     (278 )
 
                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                            9,700  
Purchase of 20,000 common shares
    (40 )             (660 )                     (700 )
Issuance of 48,084 common shares
    97       692                               789  
Cash dividends declared — $.80 per share
                    (4,583 )                     (4,583 )
 
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2005
    11,470       1,237       135,481       (13,925 )     (720 )     133,543  
 
                                               
Net income
                    12,060                       12,060  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                            3,167               3,167  
Minimum pension liability — net of tax provision of $441
                                    720       720  
 
                                             
Total comprehensive income
                                            15,947  
Cumulative effect adjustment to recognize unfunded pension obligation net of tax benefit of $1,355
                                    (2,326 )     (2,326 )
Stock based compensation
            240                               240  
Purchase of 383,202 common shares
    (766 )             (11,374 )                     (12,140 )
Issuance of 8,664 common shares
    17       85                               102  
Cash dividends declared — $.80 per share
                    (4,433 )                     (4,433 )
 
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $ 10,721     $ 1,562     $ 131,734     $ (10,758 )   $ (2,326 )   $ 130,933  
 
                                   
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tables in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data, unless specifically noted)
Note A — Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
          Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (“the Company”) is a designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, data communication and other similar industries. The Company’s primary products support, protect, connect, terminate and secure cables and wires. The Company also manufactures a line of products serving the voice and data transmission markets. The Company’s customers include public and private energy utilities and communication companies, cable operators, financial institutions, governmental agencies, original equipment manufacturers, contractors and subcontractors, distributors and value-added resellers. The Company serves its worldwide markets through strategically located domestic and international manufacturing facilities.
Consolidation
          The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries where ownership is greater than 50%. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures
          Investments in joint ventures, where the Company owns at least 20% but less than 50%, were accounted for by the equity method.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
          Cash equivalents are stated at fair value and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.
Inventories
          The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of determining cost for the majority of its raw material portion of inventories in the United States. All other inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
          The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and debt. The carrying amount of all financial instruments approximates fair value.
Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation
          Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation for the Company’s domestic assets is computed using accelerated methods over the estimated useful lives, with the exception of personal computers which are depreciated over three years using the straight line method. Depreciation for the Company’s foreign assets is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used are: land improvements, ten years; buildings, forty years; and machinery and equipment, three to ten years.

36


 

Long-Lived Assets
          The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the discounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the carrying value of those items. The Company’s cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect the Company’s best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is then reduced to fair value. The estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. The Company did not record any impairments to long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 2006.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
          Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests. The Company’s measurement date for its annual impairment test is January 1 of each year. Patents and other intangible assets with finite lives represent primarily the value assigned to patents acquired, with purchased businesses and are amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. Goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired, or in the case of finite lived intangible assets, when the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that would result in an impairment review primarily include operations reporting losses or a significant change in the use of an asset. Impairment charges are recognized pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142.
Sales Recognition
          Sales are recognized when products are shipped and the title and risk of loss has passed to unaffiliated customers. Shipping and handling billed-to customers is included in net sales while shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold.
Research and Development
          Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. The Company sponsored costs for research and development of new products were $3.2 million in 2006 and $2.6 million in 2005 and 2004.
Advertising
          Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Foreign Currency Translation
          Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the date of the consolidated balance sheet; and revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates in effect during the period. Transaction gains and losses arising from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in income and expense as incurred. Such transactions have not been material. Unrealized translation adjustments are recorded as accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments in shareholders’ equity. Upon the sale or upon substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment for that entity is removed from accumulated foreign currency translation adjustment in shareholders’ equity and reclassified to earnings.
Use of Estimates
          The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

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Derivative Financial Instruments
          The Company had no foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding at December 31, 2006 and 2005. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
Stock-Based Compensation
          Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R). SFAS No. 123R requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for share-based payment awards measured at fair value. The Company adopted the modified-prospective-transition method and accordingly has not restated amounts in prior periods.
          Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, the Company applied the intrinsic value based method prescribed in APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, to account for stock options granted to employees to purchase common shares. Under this method, compensation expense was measured as the excess, if any, of the market price at the date of grant over the exercise price of the options. No compensation expense has been recorded because the exercise price was equal to market value at the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, as if the fair value based method had been applied to all outstanding and vested awards:
                 
    Year ended December 31  
    2005     2004  
 
               
Net income, as reported
  $ 11,986     $ 13,037  
Less: Stock-based compensation expense, pro forma
    191       74  
 
           
 
               
Pro forma net income
  $ 11,795     $ 12,963  
 
           
 
               
Earnings per share:
               
Basic — as reported
  $ 2.09     $ 2.27  
 
           
Basic — pro forma
  $ 2.06     $ 2.26  
 
           
 
               
Diluted — as reported
  $ 2.07     $ 2.25  
 
           
Diluted — pro forma
  $ 2.04     $ 2.24  
 
           
New Accounting Pronouncements
          In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 151, “Inventory Costs,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material. This standard requires that such items be recognized as current-period charges. The standard also establishes the concept of “normal capacity” and requires the allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Any unallocated overhead must be recognized as an expense in the period incurred. The Company adopted this standard effective January 1, 2006, and the impact was immaterial on its consolidated financial statements.
          Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R). SFAS No. 123R requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for share-based payment awards measured at fair value. For the year ended December 31, 2006 the Company recorded compensation costs related to the stock options currently vesting, reducing income before taxes and net income by $.2 million, or $.04 per diluted share. The Company adopted the modified-prospective-transition method and accordingly has not restated the amounts in prior periods.
          In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income taxes” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This interpretation prescribes a

38


 

recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. This interpretation is effective for the Company starting January 1, 2007. Upon adoption, the Company estimates that a cumulative effect adjustment of approximately $1.1 million to $1.3 million will be recorded to retained earnings to increase reserves for uncertain tax positions, which is subject to revision as the Company completes its analysis.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard does not require new fair value measurements; however the application of this standard may change current practice for an entity. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal periods. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” This standard requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. This standard also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position. This standard also requires disclosure in the notes to financial statements, additional information about certain effects on net periodic benefit cost for the next fiscal year that arise from delayed recognition of the gains or losses, prior service costs or credits, and transition asset or obligation. The requirement to initially recognize the funded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan and to provide the required disclosures is effective for an employer with publicly traded equity securities as of the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2006. The requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the employer’s fiscal year-end statement of financial position is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008. Adoption of this standard resulted in a decrease of $2.3 million in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position AUG AIR-1, “Accounting for Planned Major Maintenance Activities.” This staff position amends certain provisions in the AICPA Industry Audit Guide, Audits of Airlines (Airline Guide), and APB No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting. This staff position prohibits the use of the accrue-in-advance method of accounting for planned major maintenance activities in annual and interim financial reporting periods. This staff position is effective as of January 1, 2007. The Company will adopt the direct expense method effective January 1, 2007, and will record a cumulative effect increasing beginning retained earnings by $.2 million.
          In September 2006, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) abstract Issue No. 06-5, “Accounting for Purchases of Life Insurance — Determining the Amount that Could be Realized in Accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-4.” This issue clarifies the calculation of the amount that could be realized under an insurance contract as of the date of the statement of financial position. This issue concludes that the policyholder should consider any additional amounts included in contractual terms of the policy in determining the amount that could be realized under the insurance contract. Contractual limitations should be considered, as well as the amount recoverable by the policyholder at the discretion of the insurance company should be excluded from the amount that could be realized. All fixed amounts recoverable by the policyholder in future periods in excess of one year from the surrender of the policy should be recognized at their present values. Lastly, any amount that is realized by the policyholder upon surrender of the final policy shall be included in the amount that could be realized. This issue should be applied by either a change in accounting principle through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings or to other components of equity or net assets or a change in accounting principle through retrospective application to all prior periods. This issue is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. The Company is evaluating the impact this EITF issue will have on its consolidated financial statements.
          In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108 (SAB 108) to provide interpretive guidance on the considerations of the effects of prior year misstatements in qualifying current year misstatements for the purpose of materiality assessment. If a material misstatement exists after recording the adjustment in the current year financial statements, the prior year financial statements should be corrected, even though such revision previously was and continues to be immaterial to the prior year financial

39


 

statements. This bulletin is effective for years ending after November 15, 2006. Effective December 31, 2006, the Company adopted SAB 108 which did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
          In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Including and Amendment to FAS No. 115.” This standard permits entities to measure certain financial instruments and other certain items at fair value. The fair value option established by this standard permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair values option has been elected at each subsequent reporting period. The fair value option election is irrevocable, unless a new election date occurs. SFAS No. 159 establishes presentation and disclosure requirements to help financial statement users understand the effect of the entity’s election on earnings, but does not eliminate disclosure requirements of other accounting standards. This standard is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Note B — Other Financial Statement Information
Inventories — net
                 
    December 31  
    2006     2005  
 
               
Finished products
  $ 17,044     $ 15,550  
Work-in-process
    1,844       1,732  
Raw materials
    25,431       23,021  
 
           
 
    44,319       40,303  
Excess of current cost over LIFO cost
    (3,904 )     (2,685 )
 
           
 
  $ 40,415     $ 37,618  
 
           
          Material inventories using the LIFO method of determining costs were approximately $15.2 million in 2006 and $14 million in 2005.
Property and equipment — net
          Major classes of property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and were as follows:
                 
    December 31  
    2006     2005  
 
               
Land and improvements
  $ 8,422     $ 6,762  
Buildings and improvements
    41,941       37,902  
Machinery and equipment
    101,339       93,619  
Construction in progress
    2,629       5,627  
 
           
 
    154,331       143,910  
Less accumulated depreciation
    101,521       95,106  
 
           
 
  $ 52,810     $ 48,804  
 
           
          Depreciation of property and equipment was $7.1 million in 2006, $6.7 million in 2005 and $6.9 million in 2004.
          Machinery and equipment includes $.8 million in capital leases in 2006 and $.4 million in 2005.
          Property and equipment includes less than $.1 million of purchases in trade accounts payable at December 31, 2006 and $.5 million in 2005.

40


 

Guarantees
          The Company establishes a warranty reserve when a known measurable exposure exists. Such reserves are adjusted for management’s best estimate of warranty obligations based on current and historical trends. The change in the carrying amount of product warranty reserves for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows:
                         
    2006     2005     2004  
Balance at January 1
  $ 10     $ 177     $ 202  
Additions charged to costs
    82       26       53  
Deductions
    (10 )     (204 )     (78 )
Currency translation
          11        
 
                 
Balance at December 31
  $ 82     $ 10     $ 177  
 
                 
Legal proceedings
          From time to time, the Company may be subject to litigation incidental to its business. The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings that the Company believes would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Share Retirements
          During 2006, the Company retired 529,050 shares of common stock that had been previously held as treasury shares.
Note C — Pension Plans
          Domestic hourly employees of the Company who meet specific requirements as to age and service are covered by a defined benefit pension plan. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its plan.
          Net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s domestic plan consists of the following components for the years ended December 31:
                         
    2006     2005     2004  
 
                       
Service cost
  $ 793     $ 719     $ 560  
Interest cost
    901       808       701  
Expected return on plan assets
    (872 )     (751 )     (614 )
Recognized net actuarial loss
    214       204       107  
 
                 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 1,036     $ 980     $ 754  
 
                 
          The following tables set forth benefit obligations, assets and the accrued benefit cost of the Company’s domestic defined benefit plan at December 31:

41


 

                 
    2006     2005  
 
               
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of the year
  $ 15,957     $ 13,534  
Service cost
    793       719  
Interest cost
    901       808  
Actuarial (gain) loss
    (922 )     1,168  
Benefits paid
    (319 )     (272 )
 
           
Projected benefit obligation at end of year
  $ 16,410     $ 15,957  
 
           
 
               
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of the year
  $ 11,122     $ 9,983  
Actual return on plan assets
    972       429  
Employer contributions
    653       982  
Benefits paid
    (319 )     (272 )
 
           
Fair value of plan assets at end of the year
  $ 12,428     $ 11,122  
 
           
 
               
Benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
    ($3,982 )     ($4,835 )
Unrecognized net loss
    3,681       4,917  
Minimum pension liability
            (1,161 )
 
           
Accrued benefit cost
    (301 )     ($1,079 )
 
             
Adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive loss for unrecognized net loss
    (3,681 )        
 
             
Unfunded pension obligation
    ($3,982 )        
 
             
          The domestic defined benefit pension plan with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets was:
                 
    2006   2005
 
               
Projected benefit obligation
  $ 16,410     $ 15,957  
Accumulated benefit obligation
    12,488       12,201  
Fair market value of assets
    12,428       11,122  
          Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2006   2005
Discount rate
    6.00 %     5.75 %
Rate of compensation increase
    3.50       3.50  
          Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
                         
    2006   2005   2004
Discount rate
    5.75 %     5.75 %     6.25 %
Rate of compensation increase
    3.50       3.50       3.50  
Expected long-term return on plan assets
    8.00       8.00       7.50  
          The net periodic pension cost for 2006 was based on a long-term asset rate of return of 8.0%. This rate is based upon management’s estimate of future long-term rates of return on similar assets and is consistent with historical returns on such assets.

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          The Company’s pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2006 and 2005, by asset category, are as follows:
                 
    Plan assets
    at December 31
Asset category   2006   2005
Equity securities
    65.0 %     59.1 %
Debt securities
    32.6       39.4  
Cash and equivalents
    2.4       1.5  
 
               
 
    100.0 %     100.0 %
 
               
          Management seeks to maximize the long-term total return of financial assets consistent with the fiduciary standards of ERISA. The ability to achieve these returns is dependent upon the need to accept moderate risk to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
          In recognition of the expected returns and volatility from financial assets, retirement plan assets are invested in the following ranges with the target allocation noted:
                 
    Range   Target
Equities
    30-80 %     60 %
Fixed Income
    20-70 %     40 %
Cash Equivalents
    0-10 %        
          Investment in these markets is projected to provide performance consistent with expected long-term returns with appropriate diversification.
          The Company’s policy is to fund amounts deductible for federal income tax purposes. The Company expects to contribute $.5 million to its pension plan in 2007.
          The benefits expected to be paid out of the plan assets in each of the next five years and the aggregate benefits expected to be paid for the subsequent five years are as follows:
         
Year   Pension Benefits
2007
  $ 323  
2008
    380  
2009
    428  
2010
    461  
2011
    503  
2012-2016
    3,598  
          Because this is the first disclosure under SFAS No. 158, the charge to other comprehensive income is the full unrecognized net loss of $3.7 million pre-tax, or $2.3 million net of tax. The estimated net loss for the defined benefit pension plan that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into periodic benefit cost for 2007 is $.1 million. There is no prior service cost to be amortized in the future.
          The incremental effect of applying FASB Statement No. 158 on individual line items in the statement of financial position is as follows:

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    December 31, 2006
    Before Application           After Application
    of Statement 158   Adjustment   of Statement 158
Deferred income taxes
  $ 3,790     $ 1,355     $ 5,145  
Total assets
    169,608       1,355       170,963  
Unfunded pension obligation
    301       3,681       3,982  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (10,758 )     (2,326 )     (13,084 )
Total shareholders’ equity
    133,259       (2,326 )     130,933  
 
                       
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
    169,608       1,355       170,963  
          Expense for defined contribution plans was $3.7 million in 2006, $3 million in 2005, and $2.8 million in 2004.
Note D — Debt and Credit Arrangements
                 
    December 31  
    2006     2005  
Short-term debt
               
Secured Notes
               
Chinese Rmb denominated at 5.4% in 2006 (5.58% in 2005)
  $ 385     $ 496  
Thailand Baht denominated at 6.08% in 2006 (6.15% in 2005)
    3,353       660  
 
               
Current portion of long-term debt
    2,157       4,806  
 
           
Total short-term debt
    5,895       5,962  
 
           
 
               
Long-term debt
               
Australian dollar denominated term loans (A$4,967),
at 5.83 to 6.54% (5.56 to 5.88% in 2005), due 2008 and 2013, secured by land and building
    3,910       2,730  
Australian dollar denominated term loans (A$2,594)
at 6.50 to 7.00% in 2005, due 2006
          1,889  
Australian dollar denominated capital loan (A$1,137)
at 6.80% (6.80% in 2005), due 2007 and 2009
    451       285  
Brazilian Reais denominated term loan (R$848)
at 15.30% in 2005, due 2006
          24  
 
           
Total long-term debt
    4,361       4,928  
Less current portion
    (2,157 )     (4,806 )
 
           
 
    2,204       122  
 
               
 
           
Total debt
  $ 8,099     $ 6,084  
 
           
          A domestic revolving credit agreement makes $20 million available to the Company at an interest rate of money market plus .875%. At December 31, 2006, the interest rate on the revolving credit agreement was 6.1875%. However, there was no debt outstanding at December 31, 2006 on the revolving credit agreement. The Company paid less than $.1 million in commitment fees on the revolving credit agreement during 2006. The revolving credit agreement contains, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining levels of working capital, net worth and profitability. At December 31, 2006, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
          Aggregate maturities of long-term debt during the next five years are as follows: $2.2 million for 2007, $.8 million for 2008, $.4 million for 2009, $.3 million for 2010 and 2011.
          Interest paid was $.5 million in 2006 and $.4 million in 2005 and 2004.

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Note E — Leases
          The Company has commitments under operating leases primarily for office and manufacturing space, transportation equipment, office equipment and computer equipment. Rental expense was $1.3 million in 2006 and 2005, and $1.2 million in 2004. Future minimum rental commitments having non-cancelable terms exceeding one year are $1 million in 2007, $.9 million in 2008 and 2009, $.8 million in 2010 and 2011, and an aggregate $11.3 million thereafter. One such lease is for the Company’s aircraft with a lease commitment through April 2012. Under the terms of the lease, the Company maintains the risk to make up a deficiency from market value attributable to damage, extraordinary wear and tear, excess air hours or exceeding maintenance overhaul schedules required by the Federal Aviation Administration. At the present time, the Company does not believe it has incurred any obligation for any contingent rent under the lease.
          The Company has commitments under capital leases for equipment. Future minimum rental commitments for capital leases are $.3 million in 2007, $.2 million in 2008, and less than $.1 million thereafter. The imputed interest for the capital leases is less than $.1 million.
Note F — Income Taxes
          The provision for income taxes is based upon income before tax and equity in net income of joint ventures for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying value for financial statement purposes. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company considers anticipated future events, except changes in tax laws or rates, which are recognized when enacted.
          The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
                         
    2006     2005     2004  
Current
                       
Federal
  $ 1,361     $ 3,330     $ 3,084  
Foreign
    4,592       3,621       2,372  
State and local
    221       407       343  
 
                 
 
    6,174       7,358       5,799  
 
                 
Deferred
                       
Federal
    (263 )     (612 )     (462 )
Foreign
    (365 )     (234 )     (66 )
State and local
    (30 )     8       (3 )
 
                 
 
    (658 )     (838 )     (531 )
 
                 
 
  $ 5,516     $ 6,520     $ 5,268  
 
                 
          The differences between the provision for income taxes at the U.S. statutory rate and the tax shown in the Statements of Consolidated Operations for the years ended December 31 are summarized as follows:

45


 

                         
    2006     2005     2004  
Statutory Federal Tax Rate
    34 %     35 %     35 %
 
                       
Federal tax at statutory rate
  $ 5,976     $ 6,477     $ 6,407  
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit
    164       269       224  
Non-deductible expenses
    109       196       141  
Foreign earnings and related tax credits
    47       (521 )     (147 )
Non-U.S. tax rate variances
    (132 )     (173 )     (298 )
Capital gain on the sale of foreign joint venture
                (173 )
Valuation allowance
    (527 )     343       (759 )
Tax credits
    (168 )     (175 )     (168 )
Other, net
    47       104       41  
 
                 
 
  $ 5,516     $ 6,520     $ 5,268  
 
                 
          The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the Company’s deferred tax assets (liabilities) at December 31 are as follows:
                 
    2006     2005  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Accrued compensation and benefits
  $ 1,033     $ 1,073  
Depreciation and other basis differences
    445       716  
Inventory valuation reserves
    1,543       1,234  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    207       166  
Benefit plans reserves
    1,611       632  
Foreign tax credits
    4,235       4,364  
NOL carryforwards
    648       694  
Other accrued expenses
    1,158       943  
 
           
Gross deferred tax assets
    10,880       9,822  
Valuation allowance
    (2,119 )     (2,646 )
 
           
Net deferred tax assets
    8,761       7,176  
 
           
 
               
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation and other basis differences
    (1,128 )     (1,104 )
Undistributed foreign earnings
    (81 )      
Inventory
    (89 )     (133 )
Prepaid expenses
    (96 )     (123 )
Other
    (22 )     (43 )
 
           
Net deferred tax liabilities
    (1,416 )     (1,403 )
 
           
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 7,345     $ 5,773  
 
           
                 
    2006     2005  
Change in net deferred tax assets:
               
Deferred income tax benefit
  $ 658     $ 838  
Items of other comprehensive income
    914       182  
 
           
Total change in net deferred tax assets
  $ 1,572     $ 1,020  
 
           
          Deferred taxes are recognized at currently enacted tax rates for temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
          At December 31, 2006, the Company had $4.2 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards that will expire in 2014. At December 31, 2006, the Company had $.4 million state and $.2 million foreign operating loss

46


 

carryforwards, which will expire in 2009 through 2021. The Company has established a valuation allowance to record its deferred tax assets at an amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowance of $2.1 million at December 31, 2006, relates to foreign tax credits and loss carryforwards that may expire before being realized. The net reduction in the valuation allowance was $.5 million in 2006 due to changes in the computation of useable foreign tax credits. The changes in the computation are related to increases in expected foreign source royalty income which results in an improvement in the estimate of future utilization of foreign tax credit carryforwards and, therefore, a reduction in the valuation allowance. In 2005, the net increase in the valuation allowance was $.3 million, resulting from a $1.2 million increase in foreign tax credits available, a net increase of the valuation allowance of $.2 million for other activity, and a $1.1 million decrease due to a reassessment of utilizable foreign tax credits.
          As of December 31, 2006, the Company has established a deferred tax liability of $.1 million associated with its plans to repatriate approximately $2.4 million of its undistributed foreign earnings. Upon repatriation, the associated U.S. income taxes will be fully offset by foreign tax credit carryforwards. The Company has not provided for U.S. income taxes or foreign witholding taxes on the remaining undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, which are considered to be permanently reinvested. The amount of such earnings is approximately $47.5 million at December 31, 2006. These earnings would be taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries, or upon the remittance of dividends. While the measurement of the unrecognized U.S. income taxes with respect to these earnings is not practicable, foreign tax credits would be available to offset some or all of any portion of such earnings that are remitted as dividends.
          In accordance with the applicable tax laws in China, the Company was entitled to a preferential tax rate of 0% for the first two profit making years after utilization of any tax loss carryforwards, which may be carried forward for five years; and a 50% tax reduction for the succeeding three years beginning in 2003. The favorable aggregate tax and per share effect was less than $.1 million, or less than $.01 per share, for 2005 and 2004.
          Income taxes paid, net of refunds, were approximately $5.3 million in 2006, $7.6 million in 2005, and $7.3 million in 2004.
Note G -Stock Options
          The 1999 Stock Option Plan (the Plan) permits the grant of 300,000 options to buy common shares of the Company to certain employees at not less than fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. At December 31, 2006 there were 42,000 shares remaining available for issuance under the Plan. Options issued to date under the Plan vest 50% after one year following the date of the grant, 75% after two years, and 100% after three years and expire from five to ten years from the date of grant. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises will be funded with the issuance of new shares.
          Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R). SFAS No. 123R requires the Company to recognize compensation expense for share-based payment awards measured at fair value. The Company adopted the modified-prospective-transition method and accordingly has not restated amounts in prior periods. The Company has elected to use the simplified method of calculating the expected term of the stock options and historical volatility to compute fair value under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The risk free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. zero coupon Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. Forfeitures have been estimated to be zero.
          There were no options granted for the year ended December 31, 2006. The fair values for the stock options granted in 2005 and 2004 were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

47


 

                 
    2005   2004
Risk-free interest rate
    4.1 %     3.5 %
Dividend yield
    3.4 %     4.6 %
Expected life
  9 years   10 years
Expected volatility
    38.8 %     38.9 %
          Activity in the Company’s stock option plan for the year ended December 31, 2006 was as follows:
                                 
                    Weighted Average    
            Weighted Average   Remaining    
            Exercise Price per   Contractual Term   Aggregate Intrinsic
    Number of Shares   Share   (Years)   Value
 
                               
Outstanding at January 1, 2006
    140,742     $ 22.82       7.0        
Granted
                       
Exercised
    (9,931 )   $ 14.88           $ 223  
Forfeited or expired
                       
 
                               
Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at December 31, 2006
    130,811     $ 23.43       6.2     $ 1,649  
 
                               
 
                               
Exercisable at December 31, 2006
    102,811     $ 20.72       5.6     $ 1,545  
 
                               
          The weighted —average grant-date fair value of options granted during 2005 and 2004 was $12.19 and $5.88, respectively. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $.2 million, $.9 million, and less than $.1 million, respectively. The total fair value of stock options vested during the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 was $.3 million, $.1 million, and $.1 million, respectively.
          For the year ended December 31, 2006 the Company recorded compensation expense related to the stock options currently vesting, reducing income before taxes and net income by $.2 million. The impact on earnings per share was a reduction of $.04 per share, basic and diluted. The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized is expected to be a combined total of $.2 million over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.
          Activity for nonvested stock options for the year ended December 31, 2006 was as follows:
                 
            Weighted- Average
            Grant- Date Fair
    Number of Shares   Value per Share
 
               
Nonvested at January 1, 2006
    62,500     $ 9.77  
Granted
             
Vested
    (34,500 )   $ 9.08  
Forfeited
             
 
               
Nonvested at December 31, 2006
    28,000     $ 10.61  
 
               

48


 

Note H — Computation of Earnings Per Share
                         
    Year ended December 31  
In thousands, except per share data   2006     2005     2004  
 
                       
Numerator
                       
Net income
  $ 12,060     $ 11,986     $ 13,037  
 
                 
Denominator
                       
Determination of shares
                       
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    5,611       5,725       5,732  
Dilutive effect — employee stock options
    49       58       57  
 
                 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    5,660       5,783       5,789  
 
                 
Earnings per common share
                       
Basic
  $ 2.15     $ 2.09     $ 2.27  
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 2.13     $ 2.07     $ 2.25  
 
                 
          For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, 18,000 stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to the average market price being lower than the exercise price, and the result would have been anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2004, no stock options were excluded from the calculation of earnings per share due to the average market price being greater than the exercise price.
Note I — Goodwill and Other Intangibles (As Restated, See Note J)
                 
    December 31  
    2006     2005  
 
               
Goodwill
  $ 2,726     $ 2,578  
Less accumulated amortization
    560       560  
 
           
 
  $ 2,166     $ 2,018  
 
           
 
               
Intangible assets- primarily patents
  $ 5,026     $ 5,026  
Less accumulated amortization
    2,480       2,155  
 
           
 
  $ 2,546     $ 2,871  
 
           
          The Company performed its annual impairment test for goodwill pursuant to SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” as of January 1, 2006, 2005, and 2004, and had determined that no adjustment to the carrying value of goodwill was required. The aggregate amortization expense for other intangibles with finite lives, ranging from 10 to 17 years, was $.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2006, and $.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004. Amortization expense is estimated to be $.3 million for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
          The Company’s only intangible asset with an indefinite life is goodwill. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, is as follows:
                                 
    Australia     South Africa     All Other     Total  
 
                               
Balance at January 1, 2005
  $ 257     $ 68     $ 1,805     $ 2,130  
Curency translation
          (7 )     (105 )     (112 )
 
                       
Balance at December 31, 2005
  $ 257     $ 61     $ 1,700     $ 2,018  
 
                       
 
                               
Curency translation
          (6 )     154       148  
 
                       
Balance at December 31, 2006
  $ 257     $ 55     $ 1,854     $ 2,166  
 
                       

49


 

Note J — Segment Information (As Restated)
          The Company designs, manufactures and sells hardware employed in the construction and maintenance of telecommunication, energy and other utility networks and data communication products. Principal products include cable anchoring and control hardware, splice enclosures and devices which are sold primarily to customers in North and South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia Pacific.
          Subsequent to the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company completed a re-assessment of its operations and reporting structures. As a result of this assessment the Company has restated and will now report seven reportable segments. Consequently, the Company’s segment disclosures have been restated from the two reportable segments (Domestic and Foreign) that were previously reported. The international segments have been determined based on results of operations as reported by location. The domestic segments have been determined based upon the end use of products. The reportable segments are PLP-USA, SMP, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Canada, and All Other. The PLP-USA segment is comprised of the U.S. operations supporting primarily the Company’s domestic energy and telecommunications products and was previously part of the domestic segment. The SMP segment is comprised of the U.S. operations supporting the Company’s data communication products and was previously part of the domestic segment. The Australia segment is comprised of the Company’s operation in Australia producing and selling the Company’s energy and telecommunications products and was previously part of the foreign segment. The Brazil, South Africa and Canada segments are comprised of the manufacturing and sales operations from those locations which meet at least one of the criteria of a reportable segment and were previously part of the foreign segment. The remaining foreign operations, including the Company’s operation in Australia producing and selling data communication products, that were previously part of the foreign segment are included in the All Other segment because none of these operations meet the criteria for a reportable segment and individually represent less than 10% of combined net sales, consolidated net income, or consolidated assets.
          The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in Note A in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company evaluates performance based on net income. No single customer accounts for more than ten percent of the Company’s consolidated revenues. It is not practical to present revenues by product line. U.S. net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $111.4 million, $115.3 million and $107.1 million. U.S. long lived assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $32.4 million and $32 million. The two Australia operations’ net sales for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 were $25.9 million, $22.6 million and $19.6 million. The two Australia operations’ long lived assets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 were $10.6 million and $9.4 million.
          The following table presents a summary of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. Current year and prior year amounts have been restated to reflect the seven reportable segments.

50


 

                         
    Year ended December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
Net sales
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 91,412     $ 95,776     $ 89,473  
SMP
    20,027       19,572       17,597  
Australia
    16,207       12,946       11,215  
Brazil
    20,990       16,510       9,529  
South Africa
    8,244       7,319       5,385  
Canada
    9,824       9,027       7,746  
All Other
    50,233       44,654       42,167  
 
                 
Total net sales
  $ 216,937     $ 205,804     $ 183,112  
 
                 
 
                       
Intersegment sales
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 5,238     $ 5,770     $ 5,392  
SMP
    492       504       501  
Australia
    288       205       2,496  
Brazil
    1,126       1,023       1,455  
South Africa
    417       318       269  
Canada
    355       279       262  
All Other
    5,840       3,919       2,242  
 
                 
Total intersegment sales
  $ 13,756     $ 12,018     $ 12,617  
 
                 
 
                       
Interest income
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 889     $ 562     $ 140  
SMP
    38              
Australia
    18       11       20  
Brazil
    215       100       72  
South Africa
    51       44       60  
Canada
    172       99       105  
All Other
    111       287       299  
 
                 
Total interest income
  $ 1,494     $ 1,103     $ 696  
 
                 
 
                       
Interest expense
                       
PLP-USA
  $ (31 )   $ (43 )   $ (39 )
SMP
                 
Australia
    (112 )     (94 )     (215 )
Brazil
    (5 )     (25 )     (22 )
South Africa
    (9 )            
Canada
                 
All Other
    (407 )     (217 )     (153 )
 
                 
Total interest expense
  $ (564 )   $ (379 )   $ (429 )
 
                 
 
                       
Income taxes
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 1,429     $ 3,175     $ 2,611  
SMP
    185       425       1,623  
Australia
    396       219       204  
Brazil
    576       211       84  
South Africa
    546       790       316  
Canada
    901       796       674  
All Other
    1,483       904       (244 )
 
                 
Total income taxes
  $ 5,516     $ 6,520     $ 5,268  
 
                 
 
                       
Net income (loss)
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 3,877     $ 4,873     $ 7,740  
SMP
    276       860       (920 )
Australia
    843       562       570  
Brazil
    924       560       158  
South Africa
    1,319       1,137       758  
Canada
    1,693       1,691       1,266  
All Other
    3,128       2,303       3,465  
 
                 
Total net income (loss)
  $ 12,060     $ 11,986     $ 13,037  
 
                 

51


 

                         
    As of December 31,  
    2006     2005     2004  
Expenditure for long-lived assets
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 4,974     $ 3,590     $ 3,433  
SMP
    701       399       382  
Brazil
    311       439       156  
South Africa
    102       77       35  
Canada
    1       20       13  
All Other
    4,109       3,212       2,168  
 
                 
Total expenditures for long-lived assets
  $ 10,198     $ 7,737     $ 6,187  
 
                 
 
                       
Depreciation and amortization
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 4,141     $ 3,554     $ 3,768  
SMP
    798       1,106       1,345  
Brazil
    565       574       439  
South Africa
    72       80       87  
Canada
    123       201       195  
All Other
    1,839       1,699       1,551  
 
                 
Total depreciation and amortization
  $ 7,538     $ 7,214     $ 7,385  
 
                 
 
                       
Identifiable assets
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 73,116     $ 80,481          
SMP
    12,809       12,651          
Brazil
    12,161       12,264          
South Africa
    4,103       3,149          
Canada
    6,637       8,555          
All Other
    62,137       51,447          
 
                 
Total identifiable assets
  $ 170,963     $ 168,547          
 
                 
 
                       
Long-lived assets
                       
PLP-USA
  $ 27,712     $ 27,241          
SMP
    4,665       4,762          
Brazil
    2,974       2,810          
South Africa
    498       499          
Canada
    1,686       1,791          
All Other
    22,747       18,991          
 
                 
Total long-lived assets
  $ 60,282     $ 56,094          
 
                 
          The Company’s Australia reportable segment activity for expenditure for long-lived assets, depreciation and amortization, identifiable assets and long-lived assets for the periods ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 has been included in All Other because the information is not seperately maintained.
          Transfers between geographic areas are above cost and consistent with rules and regulations of governing tax authorities.
Note K — Related Party Transactions
          The Company, upon the approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, purchased from the estate of Jon R. Ruhlman Lot 61 at the Champions Golf and Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas, at a price of $275,000. The price was determined based on the appraisal of Lot 61 and the fair market price in which the Company had sold a comparable lot. The Company owned four other lots in this development and considered Lot 61 more attractive than any of the lots owned by the Company, which are listed for resale. Jon R. Ruhlman was the previous Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors and the late husband of Barbara P. Ruhlman and late father of Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman, all of whom are members of the Board of Directors. The purchase

52


 

was consummated pursuant to an Agreement of Purchase and Sale between the Company and Estate of Jon R. Ruhlman and Mrs. Ruhlman, Executrix, dated January 30, 2006.
          On September 8, 2006, the Company, upon the approval of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors, purchased 365,311 Common Shares of the Company from Barbara P. Ruhlman at a price per share of $31.48. The Audit Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors, acted as a special committee of the Board of Directors in connection with the review of the transaction with Mrs. Ruhlman. In connection with its review, the Audit Committee engaged an investment banking firm to serve as its financial advisor. Barbara P. Ruhlman is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the mother of Robert G. Ruhlman and Randall M. Ruhlman, both of whom are also members of the Board of Directors. The purchase was consummated pursuant to a Shares Purchase Agreement between the Company and Mrs. Ruhlman, as trustee, under trust agreement dated February 16, 1985, dated September 9, 2006.
          The Company is a sponsor of Ruhlman Motorsports. Ruhlman Motorsports is owned by Randall M. Ruhlman, a director of the Company, and by his wife. In 2006, 2005 and 2004 the Company paid sponsorship fees of $950,000, $658,000, and $658,000, respectively, to Ruhlman Motorsports. In addition, in 2005 and 2004 the Company’s Canadian subsidiary, Preformed Line Products (Canada) Ltd., paid $101,000, and $106,000, respectively, to Ruhlman Motorsports in sponsorship fees.
Note L — Investment in Foreign Joint Venture
          During the third quarter of 2004 the Company sold its 49% ownership minority interest in its joint venture, Japan PLP Co. Ltd., which had been accounted for by the equity method. Proceeds of the sale were approximately $1.9 million, and the transaction resulted in a pretax gain of $2.3 million, which included the reversal of $1.7 million in cumulative translation adjustment related to the equity investment. The entire amount of the proceeds was taxable resulting in a tax of $.6 million and therefore reduced the gain to $1.7 million after-tax. Dividends received from this joint venture totaled $2.1 million in 2004.
          Summarized financial information for the Company’s equity-basis investment in Japan PLP Co. Ltd. was as follows for the year ended March 31, 2004:
         
Income statement information:
       
Revenues
  $ 11,448  
Gross profit
    4,042  
Operating income
    1,245  
Net income
    693  
 
       
Financial position information:
       
Current assets
    7,253  
Noncurrent assets
    4,355  
Current liabilities
    3,118  
Noncurrent liabilities
    1,719  
Net worth
    6,771  

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Note M — Quarterly Financial Information (unaudited)
                                 
    Quarter ended
    March 31   June 30   September 30   December 31
2006
                               
Net sales
  $ 52,635     $ 56,098     $ 56,439     $ 51,765  
Gross profit
    16,471       18,446       18,762       16,126  
Income before income taxes
    3,579       5,385       6,021       2,591  
Net income
    2,484       3,545       3,999       2,032  
Net income per share, basic
    0.43       0.62       0.71       0.38  
Net income per share, diluted
    0.43       0.61       0.70       0.38  
 
                               
2005
                               
Net sales
  $ 50,772     $ 52,692     $ 55,614     $ 46,726  
Gross profit
    16,627       17,417       19,259       14,117  
Income before income taxes
    5,271       5,477       6,708       1,050  
Net income
    3,228       3,696       4,179       883  
Net income per share, basic
    0.56       0.65       0.73       0.15  
Net income per share, diluted
    0.56       0.64       0.72       0.15  
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
          None
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Background of Restatement
          Subsequent to the filing of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and in response to a comment raised by the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, we determined that our previously issued financial statements should be restated to expand the Company’s segment disclosures. The restatement is further discussed in Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K/A and in Note J contained in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10-K/A.
          The restatement of the Company’s segment information contained in the Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements has no effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
          An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities and Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15-d-15(e)) as of December 31, 2006 in connection with the original filing of the Form 10-K on March 15, 2007. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management including the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2006.
          Subsequent to the evaluation made in connection with the filing of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 and in connection with the restatement and the filing of this Form 10-K/A, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance and Treasurer, reevaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and concluded that, because of the material weakness identified in internal control over financial reporting as discussed below, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2006.

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Restated)
          The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
          Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
          Management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control — Integrated Framework.
          In connection with the filing of the original 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 15, 2007, the Company’s management included Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting therein, which expressed a conclusion that management believed that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2006. As a result of the restatement of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management has determined that, technically, a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting existed at December 31, 2006, and based on the criteria noted above, now concludes that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2006.
          A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management concluded that, as of December 31, 2006, a material weakness existed in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. This conclusion is based on the Company’s recognition upon its reassessment of SFAS 131 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” that the Company did not adequately analyze the disclosure requirements and, as a result, needed to expand its number of reportable segments from two reportable segments to seven reportable segments.
          Deloitte and Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Annual Report of Form 10-K/A, has issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 (Restated), which is set forth below.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
          There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, identified in connection with the evaluation of the Company’s internal control performed during the quarter ended December 31, 2006 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
          Subsequent to December 31, 2006, the Company’s management is taking the following steps to remedy the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting identified above:
    Key personnel involved in the financial reporting process are enhancing the controls by which the SFAS No. 131 authoritative guidance is analyzed, monitored and applied on a regular basis.
 
    The Company will now require the Company’s Disclosure Committee to review its segment reporting on a quarterly basis.

55


 

Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Preformed Line Products Company
We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Restated), that Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, because of the effect of the material weakness identified in management’s assessment based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our report dated March 15, 2007, we expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. The Company subsequently identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting, which caused its 2006 annual consolidated financial statements and 2006 interim condensed financial statements to be restated, as described in Note J. Accordingly, management subsequently restated its assessment about the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, and our present opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006 expressed herein is different from that expressed in our initial report dated March 15, 2007.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected. The following material weakness has been identified and included in

56


 

management’s restated assessment: management did not design and maintain adequate internal controls over the identification of operating segments, the determination of reportable segments and the preparation and review of the associated financial statement disclosures of the related segment information, which resulted in the restatement of the previously issued consolidated financial statements. This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006 (as restated) and this report does not affect our report on such financial statements.
In our opinion, management’s revised assessment that the Company did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, is fairly stated in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Also in our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness described above on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2006, and our report dated March 15, 2007 (January 4, 2008 as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note J) expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedule, and included explanatory paragraphs regarding the Company’s adoption of new accounting standards and the restatement discussed in Note J.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Cleveland, Ohio
March 15, 2007
(January 4, 2008 as to the effects of the material weakness described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Restated))
Item 9B. Other Information
          None
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
          The information required by this Item 10 is incorporated by reference to the information under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Compliance” in the Company’s Proxy Statement, for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held April 23, 2007 (the “Proxy Statement”). Information relative to executive officers of the Company is contained in Part I of this Annual Report of Form 10-K/A. The Company has adopted a code of conduct. A copy of the code of conduct can be obtained from our Internet site at http://www.preformed.com in our About Us section.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
          The information set forth under the caption “Director and Executive Officer Compensation” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
          Other than the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K the information set forth under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in Item 5 of this report.

57


 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
          The information set forth under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Election of Directors” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
          The information set forth under the captions “Independent Auditors”, “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees”, “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees” in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Financial Statements and Schedule
     
Page   Financial Statements
 
   
32
  Consolidated Balance Sheets
33
  Statements of Consolidated Operations
34
  Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
35
  Statements of Consolidated Shareholders’ Equity
36
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
     
Page   Schedule
 
   
61
  II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

58


 

(b) Exhibits
     
Exhibit    
Number   Exhibit
 
   
3.1
  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
3.2
  Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of Preformed Line Products Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
4
  Description of Specimen Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.1
  Agreement between Ruhlman Motor Sports and Preformed Line Products Company dated February 7, 2006 regarding sponsorship of racing car, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2006).
 
   
10.2
  Preformed Line Products Company 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.3
  Preformed Line Products Company Officers Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.4
  Preformed Line Products Company Executive Life Insurance Plan — Summary (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.5
  Preformed Line Products Company Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.6
  Revolving Credit Agreement between National City Bank and Preformed Line Products Company, dated December 30, 1994 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.7
  Amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement between National City Bank and Preformed Line Products Company, dated October 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.8
  Retirement Agreement between R. Jon Barnes and Preformed Line Products Company dated April 14, 2004, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
10.9
  Preformed Line Products Company 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan Incentive Stock Option agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
10.10
  Retirement Agreement between Robert C. Hazenfield and Preformed Line Products Company dated December 19, 2005, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2005).
 
   
14.1
  Preformed Line Products Company Code of Conduct (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
21
  Subsidiaries of Preformed Line Products Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
 
   
31.1
  Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
   
31.2
  Certifications of the Principal Financial Officer, Eric R. Graef, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.
 
   
32.2
  Certification of the Principal Accounting Officer, Eric R. Graef, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.

59


 

SIGNATURES
          Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  Preformed Line Products Company
 
 
January 4, 2008  /s/ Robert G. Ruhlman    
  Robert G. Ruhlman   
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Eric R. Graef    
  Eric R. Graef   
  Vice President Finance and Treasurer   
 
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacity and on the dates indicated.
         
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Robert G. Ruhlman    
  Robert G. Ruhlman   
  Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Frank B. Carr    
  Frank B. Carr   
  Director   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ John D. Drinko    
  John D. Drinko   
  Director   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Barbara P. Ruhlman    
  Barbara P. Ruhlman   
  Director   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Randall M. Ruhlman    
  Randall M. Ruhlman   
  Director   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ John P. O’Brien    
  John P. O'Brien   
  Director   
 
     
January 4, 2008  /s/ Glenn E. Corlett    
  Glenn E. Corlett   
  Director   

60


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004
(In Thousands)
                                         
    Balance at   Additions charged           Other additions   Balance at
    beginning   to costs and           or deductions   end of
For the year ended December 31, 2006:   of period   expenses   Deductions   (a)   period
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 616     $ 419     $ (289 )   $ 16     $ 762  
Product return reserve
    173       742       (468 )           447  
Inventory reserve
    3,185       1,906       (834 )     76       4,333  
Accrued product warranty
    10       82       (10 )           82  
 
    Balance at   Additions charged               Balance at
    beginning   to costs and           Other additions   end of
For the year ended December 31, 2005:   of period   expenses   Deductions   or deductions   period
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 2,396     $ 85     $ (1,874 )   $ 9     $ 616  
Product return reserve
    71       102                   173  
Inventory reserve
    3,093       603       (607 )     96       3,185  
Accrued product warranty
    177       26       (204 )     11       10  
 
    Balance at   Additions charged               Balance at
    beginning   to costs and           Other additions   end of
For the year ended December 31, 2004:   of period   expenses   Deductions   or deductions   period
 
                                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 2,463     $ 190     $ (386 )   $ 129     $ 2,396  
Product return reserve
    123       (52 )                 71  
Inventory reserve
    3,013       1,066       (985 )     (1 )     3,093  
Accrued product warranty
    202       53       (78 )           177  
 
(a)   Other additions or deductions relate to translation adjustments.

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Exhibit Index
     
3.1
  Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
3.2
  Amended and Restated Code of Regulations of Preformed Line Products Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
4
  Description of Specimen Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.1
  Agreement between Ruhlman Motor Sports and Preformed Line Products Company dated February 7, 2006 regarding sponsorship of racing car, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2006).
 
   
10.2
  Preformed Line Products Company 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.3
  Preformed Line Products Company Officers Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.4
  Preformed Line Products Company Executive Life Insurance Plan — Summary (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.5
  Preformed Line Products Company Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.6
  Revolving Credit Agreement between National City Bank and Preformed Line Products Company, dated December 30, 1994 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10).
 
   
10.7
  Amendment to the Revolving Credit Agreement between National City Bank and Preformed Line Products Company, dated October 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
10.8
  Retirement Agreement between R. Jon Barnes and Preformed Line Products Company dated April 14, 2004, (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
10.9
  Preformed Line Products Company 1999 Employee Stock Option Plan Incentive Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
10.10
  Retirement Agreement between Robert C. Hazenfield and Preformed Line Products Company dated December 19, 2005 (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2005).
 
   
14.1
  Preformed Line Products Company Code of Conduct (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2003).
 
   
21
  Subsidiaries of Preformed Line Products Company (incorporated by reference to the Company’s 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2004).
 
   
23.1
  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed herewith.
 
   
31.1
  Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
   
31.2
  Certifications of the Principal Financial Officer, Eric R. Graef, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
 
   
32.1
  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.
 
   
32.2
  Certification of the Principal Accounting Officer, Eric R. Graef, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.

62