BEST LOCK CORP
10-Q, 1996-11-14
CUTLERY, HANDTOOLS & GENERAL HARDWARE
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                                    UNITED STATES
                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                               WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549
                                           
                                      FORM 10-Q
                                           
                                           
               [  ]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                       OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
                  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996
                                           
                                          OR
                                           
              [    ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                        of the securities exchange act of 1934
                                           
      For the transition period from ___________________ to ___________________
                                           
                            Commission file number 0-1491
                                BEST LOCK CORPORATION
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                           
                                           


            DELAWARE                             35-1092570
   (State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer 
    incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)


   P.O. BOX 50444, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA               46250
  (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (317)849-2250
         

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 [ ] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes 
of common, as of October 25, 1996.

        COMMON STOCK                          121,653.85 SHARES

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- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>


                                        INDEX
                                        -----  

                                                                       PAGE NO.
                                                                       --------

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the 
             three months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                   3

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for 
             the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                4
                    
          Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 
             1996 and December 31, 1995                                     5-6
                    
          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
             at September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995                      7

          Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for 
             the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                8
                    
          Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements             9-10
                    
Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
             Condition and Results of Operations                          11-12


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings                                                  13

Item 5.   Other Information                                                  13

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                   13


SIGNATURE                                                                    14


                                       2

<PAGE>
                                BEST LOCK COMPANIES 
                       BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY    

    BEST UNIVERSAL LOCK CO. (A NON-OPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES 
      FRANK E. BEST, INC. (A NON-OPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES 
                    
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
                                   (Unaudited)    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Three Months Ended September 30
                                                -------------------------------
                                                     1996             1995   
                                                ------------      -------------
NET SALES                                        $32,076,158        $32,843,190
                    
OPERATING EXPENSES  
   Cost of goods sold                             17,415,473         19,686,845
   Selling                                         8,243,313          8,248,008
   General and administrative                      3,161,452          4,228,566
   Engineering, research and development             187,269            645,764
                                                  ----------         ----------
      Total operating expenses                    29,007,507         32,809,183
                                                  ----------         ----------

OPERATING INCOME                                   3,068,631             34,007
   Interest expense                                 (311,428)          (227,767)
   Other income, net                                 138,811             69,764
                                                  ----------         ----------
INCOME (LOSS) before provision for income taxes    2,896,034           (123,996)
   Provision (benefit) for income taxes            1,222,777            (47,878)
                                                  ----------         ----------
NET INCOME (LOSS), Best Lock Corporation 
  and Subsidiary                                   1,673,257            (76,118)
   Minority interest in net (income) loss, Best 
     Lock Corporation and Subsidiary                (358,947)               292
   Corporate - Best Universal Lock Co. expense        (6,320)               (90)
                                                  ----------         ----------
NET INCOME (LOSS), Best Universal Lock Co. 
   and Subsidiaries                                1,307,990            (75,916)
   Minority interest in net (income) loss, 
     Best Universal Lock Co. and Subsidiaries       (220,229)            15,146

   Corporate - Frank E. Best, Inc. income 
     (expense)                                        23,029                (77)
                                                  ----------         ----------
NET INCOME (LOSS), Frank E. Best, Inc. 
   and Subsidiaries                               $1,110,790          $ (60,847)
                                                  ----------         ----------
                                                  ----------         ----------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Best Universal Lock Co.
                                                         Best Lock     ------------------------    Frank E.
                                                        Corporation    Series A     Series B       Best, Inc.
                                                        -----------    ---------    --------       ----------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>
Earnings (loss) per common share, three months ended:
September 30, 1996                                       $  13.75        $  3.63     $  3.63         $  2.65
                                                        -----------    ----------    --------       ----------
                                                        -----------    ----------    --------       ----------
September 30, 1995                                       $  (0.62)      $  (0.20)    $ (0.20)        $ (0.15)
                                                        -----------    ----------    --------       ----------
                                                        -----------    ----------    --------       ----------
Weighted average shares outstanding, three months 
   ended: 
September 30, 1996                                       121,653.85     60,739.31  300,000.00       418,457.89
                                                         ----------     ---------  ----------       ---------- 
                                                         ----------     ---------  ----------       ---------- 
September 30, 1995                                       122,797.47     78,498.31  300,000.00       418,457.89
                                                         ----------     ---------  ----------       ---------- 
                                                         ----------     ---------  ----------       ---------- 
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.     

                                       3
<PAGE>
                             BEST LOCK COMPANIES 
                      BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY    
BEST UNIVERSAL LOCK CO. ( A NON-OPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES
  FRANK E. BEST, INC. (A NON-OPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES 

                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME  
                               (Unaudited)    
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Nine Months Ended September 30
                                               ------------------------------
                                                   1996             1995
                                             -------------      -------------
NET SALES                                    $ 89,774,150       $ 91,081,063
                    
OPERATING EXPENSES  
   Cost of goods sold                          48,759,004         51,812,946
   Selling                                     24,627,655         22,296,814
   General and administrative                  12,462,346         13,057,524
   Engineering, research and development          826,862          1,862,879
                                             -------------      -------------
      Total operating expenses                 86,675,867         89,030,163
                                             -------------      -------------
OPERATING INCOME                                3,098,283          2,050,900

   Interest expense                              (889,946)          (590,605)
   Other income, net                              253,803            306,516
                                             -------------      -------------
INCOME before provision for income taxes        2,462,140          1,766,811

   Provision for income taxes                   1,136,968            722,143
                                             -------------      -------------
NET INCOME, Best Lock Corporation and 
   Subsidiary                                   1,325,172          1,044,668
                    
   Minority interest in net income, Best 
      Lock Corporation and Subsidiary            (284,184)          (213,716)
   Corporate - Best Universal Lock Co. 
      expense                                     (34,948)           (10,492)
                                             -------------      -------------
NET INCOME, Best Universal Lock Co. and 
   Subsidiaries                                 1,006,040            820,460
                    
   Minority interest in net income, Best 
     Universal Lock Co. and Subsidiaries         (169,392)          (230,191)
   Corporate - Frank E. Best, Inc. 
     income (expense)                              54,136            (12,479)
                                             -------------      -------------
NET INCOME, Frank E. Best, Inc. and 
   Subsidiaries                                $  890,784         $  577,790
                                             -------------      -------------
                                             -------------      -------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Best Universal Lock Co.
                                                         Best Lock     ------------------------    Frank E.
                                                        Corporation    Series A      Series B      Best, Inc.
                                                        -----------    ---------     --------       ----------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>
Earnings per common share, nine months ended:
September 30, 1996                                       $  10.89         $   2.79      $  2.79        $  2.13
                                                        ----------     ------------  ----------     ---------- 
                                                        ----------     ------------  ----------     ---------- 
September 30, 1995                                       $   8.36         $   2.16      $ 2.16         $  1.28
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
Weighted average shares outstanding, nine months ended: 
September 30, 1996                                      121,653.85        60,739.31   300,000.00    418,457.89
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
September 30, 1995                                      124,943.23        79,985.85    300,000.00   450,038.27
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
                                                        ----------     ------------  -----------    ---------- 
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.     

                                       4
<PAGE>

                   BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                               (Unaudited)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>               <C>
                                          September 30         December 31
                                              1996                 1995
                                          ------------         -----------

CURRENT ASSETS:
 Cash and cash equivalents                $  3,069,131         $  1,348,876
 Trade receivables:
  Direct                                    14,526,875           11,878,119
  Sales representatives and other            3,170,051            1,893,871
  Allowance for uncollectible
   accounts                                   (233,320)             (263,559)
 Estimated refundable income taxes                -                2,628,103
 Current portion of notes receivable            12,181                14,895
 Inventories                                11,679,506            11,383,059
 Prepaid income taxes                        4,468,905             4,239,578
 Other prepaid expenses                        180,575               379,905
                                          ------------          ------------
  Total current assets                      36,873,904            33,502,847
                                          ------------          ------------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost 
 Land and buildings                         14,192,144            14,200,461
 Machinery and equipment                    28,610,211            28,941,851
 Tooling                                     8,920,417             8,519,483
 Furniture, fixtures and other              13,506,602            11,034,048
 Construction work-in-progress                 188,327             2,473,290
                                          ------------         -------------
                                            65,417,701            65,169,133
 Less - accumulated depreciation           (37,508,787)          (34,297,523)
                                          ------------         -------------
  Total property, plant and equipment       27,908,914            30,871,610
                                          ------------         -------------

OTHER ASSETS
 Long-term notes receivable                  3,358,972             3,358,972
 Other assets                                1,175,210             1,283,467
                                          ------------         -------------
  Total assets                           $  69,317,000         $  69,016,896
                                          ------------         -------------
                                          ------------         -------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       5

<PAGE>

                       BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                       CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                    (Unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                  <C>
                                          September 30         December 31
                                             1996                 1995
                                          ------------         -----------

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 Notes payable and current portion
  of long-term debt                           $  2,500             $  2,500
 Current portion of retirement benefit
  obligations                                1,331,663            1,362,431
 Accounts payable                            3,267,903            3,517,797
 Customer advances                           1,712,459            1,433,801
 Accrued liabilities:
  Income taxes                                 882,578              430,953
  Property and other taxes                   1,275,449              976,765
  Payroll, vacation and benefits             4,300,231            5,195,317
  Accrued severance                          1,619,080            3,462,508
  Other                                      1,202,217              194,497
                                          ------------         ------------
   Total current liabilities                15,594,080           16,576,569
                                          ------------        -------------

LONG-TERM DEBT                              15,816,236           15,197,079
RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION                2,819,090            3,870,345
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                        2,586,843            2,120,957
                                          ------------         ------------
   Total liabilities                        36,816,249           37,764,950
                                          ------------         ------------

COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK OF 
 UNIVERSAL AND BEST, REDEEMABLE UNDER 
 STOCK BONUS PLAN                            6,007,282            6,007,282
                                          ------------       --------------
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 Common stock, no par value, 
  200,000 shares authorized;
   145,128.85 shares issued                  1,407,841            1,407,841

 Accumulated earnings                       46,151,829           44,826,657

 Cumulative translation adjustment            (217,863)            (141,496)

 Common stock and common stock of 
  Universal and Best, redeemable under
   Stock Bonus Plan                         (6,007,282)          (6,007,282)

 Treasury stock; includes 
  23,475 of Lock                           (14,841,056)         (14,841,056)
                                          ------------       --------------
   Total shareholders' equity               26,493,469           25,244,664
                                          ------------        -------------

   Total liabilities and shareholders'
    equity                               $  69,317,000         $ 69,016,896
                                          ------------          -----------
                                          ------------          -----------

</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       6

<PAGE>

                       BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS'S EQUITY
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<S>                                       <C>                  <C>
                                          September 30         December 31
                                             1996                 1995
                                          ------------         -------------

COMMON STOCK, no par value, 200,000
 shares authorized; 145,128.85 shares
  issued; 121,653.85 shares outstanding  $   1,407,841         $    1,407,841
                                          ------------          -------------

ACCUMULATED EARNINGS
 Balance at beginning of year               44,826,657             49,523,858
 Net income (loss)-(nine months ended
  September 30, 1996 and twelve months
   ended December 31, 1995)                  1,325,172             (4,204,498)
 Cash dividends received                        -                     165,444
 Cash dividends paid                            -                    (658,147)
                                          ------------          -------------
 Balance at end of period                   46,151,829             44,826,657
                                          ------------          -------------

COMMON STOCK AND COMMON STOCK
 OF UNIVERSAL AND BEST, REDEEMABLE
  UNDER STOCK BONUS PLAN                    (6,007,282)            (6,007,282)
                                          ------------          -------------

CUMULATIVE TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT             (217,863)              (141,496)
                                          ------------         --------------

TREASURY STOCK
 Balance at beginning of year              (14,841,056)              (784,355)
 Shares purchased                               -                 (14,056,701)
                                          ------------          -------------
 Balance at end of period                  (14,841,056)           (14,841,056)
                                          ------------          -------------
  Total shareholders' equity             $  26,493,469         $   25,244,664
                                          ------------          -------------
                                          ------------          -------------

 Cash dividends per share                $      -              $         5.41
                                          ------------          -------------
                                          ------------          -------------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       7

<PAGE>

                        BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Nine Months Ended September 30
                                                     ----------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>
                                                           1996               1995
                                                      -------------       -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Cash received from customers                        $  85,854,082       $  88,087,728
 Cash paid to suppliers and employees                  (85,089,724)        (88,935,344)
 Interest received                                         148,805             298,324
 Interest paid                                            (964,382)           (225,301)
 Income taxes (paid) refunded                            2,189,273          (1,563,424)
                                                      ------------        ------------
  Net cash provided (used) by operating activities       2,138,054          (2,338,017)
                                                      ------------        -------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment        55,085              16,061
 Capital expenditures                                   (1,054,202)         (4,496,903)
                                                      ------------        ------------
 Net cash used in investing activities                    (999,117)         (4,480,842)
                                                      ------------        ------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 Borrowings against line of credit                      26,200,000          13,700,000
 Payments on line of credit                            (25,580,843)               -
 Other borrowings                                           -                  232,472
 Purchase of treasury stock                                 -               (9,353,984)
                                                      ------------         -----------
  Net cash provided by financing activities                619,157           4,578,488
                                                      ------------         -----------

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                    (37,839)             19,968
                                                      ------------         -----------

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                  1,720,255          (2,220,403)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR           1,348,876           4,792,083
                                                      ------------         -----------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD           $   3,069,131        $  2,571,680
                                                      ------------         -----------
                                                      ------------         -----------

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 Net income                                          $  1,325,172         $  1,044,668
 Adjustments-
  Depreciation and amortization                         4,093,635            3,572,293
  Provision for losses on accounts receivable              81,972               98,618
  Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment            41,811               30,966
 Changes in assets and liabilities-   
  (Increase) decrease in:
   Accounts and notes receivable                       (4,067,711)          (3,388,405)
   Refundable income taxes                              2,628,103             (882,869)
   Inventories                                           (327,909)             769,021
   Prepaid income taxes and other expenses                (29,996)             418,617
   Other assets                                           (84,651)          (1,235,099)
  Increase (decrease) in:
   Accounts payable, customer advances and accrued
    liabilities                                        (1,367,815)          (1,586,706)
   Income taxes payable                                   461,580             (582,562)
   Deferred income taxes                                  465,886              229,982
   Retirement benefit and benefit obligation           (1,082,023)            (826,541)
                                                      -----------          -----------
NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES     $  2,138,054        $  (2,338,017)
                                                      -----------          -----------
                                                      -----------          -----------
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       8

<PAGE>

                              BEST LOCK COMPANIES

                      BEST LOCK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
     BEST UNIVERSAL LOCK CO. (A NONOPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES
       FRANK E. BEST, INC. (A NONOPERATING HOLDING COMPANY) AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

   The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have not been 
audited by independent accountants.  In the opinion of the Company's 
management, the financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to 
fairly present the results of operations for the three and nine month periods 
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, the Company's financial position at 
September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, and the cash flows for the 
nine-month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995.  These adjustments are 
of a normal recurring nature.

   Certain notes and other information have been omitted from the interim 
financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. 
Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the 
Company's 1995 Form 10-K.

   The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 1996 are not 
necessarily indicative of future financial results.

   The condensed consolidated financial statements for each parent Company in 
the Best Lock Companies (the Company) include their respective subsidiaries 
as indicated below:

                                                           Percent Owned
   Parent Company          Subsidiaries              As of September 30, 1996
   --------------          ------------              ------------------------

Frank E. Best, Inc.    Best Universal Lock Co.                 83%
     (Best)

Best Universal Lock    Best Lock Corporation                   79%
 Co. (Universal)

Best Lock              Best Universal Locks Limited (Canada)  100%
 Corporation (Lock or the Company)


2.  INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 1996 was 42.2 percent 
compared with (38.6) percent for the third quarter of 1995 and the effective 
tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 were 46.2 
percent and 40.9 percent, respectively.  The change for all periods presented
is due to an increase in state tax expense.

                                       9

<PAGE>

3.  FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

    The Company entered into a $25.0 million line of credit agreement on 
February 15, 1995, which was amended December 31, 1995.  The agreement 
expires on May 5, 1998 and bears interest at a variable rate, based upon the 
prime rate or LIBOR, at the Company's election.  The line of credit is 
secured by a blanket lien on all accounts and notes receivable, inventory, 
machinery and equipment, and intangible assets with a negative pledge on real 
estate.  The agreement contains financial covenants including those relating 
to debt service coverage, liabilities to tangible net worth, and tangible net 
worth, the most restrictive of which relates to tangible net worth.  As of 
September 30, 1996 the Company was in compliance with all required covenants. 
The covenants require tangible net worth (shareholder equity less certain 
intangible assets and related party receivables) to increase to $23.5 million 
by December 31, 1996 and to $28.5 million by December 31, 1997.  At 
September 30, 1996, tangible net worth was $22.3 million. 

4.  RECLASSIFICATIONS

    Certain reclassifications have been made to the statements of income and 
balance sheet for the prior periods to conform to the current period 
presentation.

5.  RESTRUCTURING

    During 1995, the Company recorded a restructuring charge of $3.1 million 
in connection with the announcement of a board approved early retirement, 
voluntary and involuntary separation plan.  The Company's plan was to reduce 
the number of employees in all divisions and centralize certain functions in 
the distribution division.

    As of September 30, 1996, 63 employees had separated or agreed to 
separate under the voluntary separation or early retirement provisions of the 
plan.  In conjunction with the acceptances, the Company accrued approximately 
an additional $1 million in restructuring expenses during the first quarter 
of 1996, due to the additional expenses associated with voluntary separation 
and early retirement.  The total number of anticipated separations was 
reduced during the first quarter from 340 in the original plan to 193, 
resulting in an approximate $1 million reduction in the reserve.  In the 
third quarter of 1996, the Company made additional changes to the plan, which 
reduced the number of anticipated separations from 193 to 63 and reduced the 
restructuring reserve by approximately $800 thousand.  The number of 
anticipated separations was reduced due to a change in the management of the 
sales and marketing areas of the company, which resulted in a revision to the 
plan to eliminate positions in those areas.

6.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

    On November 12, 1996, Lock purchased 1,000 shares of its common stock for 
$395.00 per share, 1,102 shares of the common stock of Universal for $67.68 
per share, and 3,000 shares of the common stock of Best for $30.13 per share 
from a shareholder. In addition, on such date, each of Lock, Universal, Best 
and the shareholder entered into a seven year Release Agreement whereby the 
parties mutually released each other from any claims, and whereby the 
shareholder, on behalf of itself and its affiliates, agreed not to purchase 
shares in or take any action with respect to the governance or operations of 
any of Lock, Universal or Best.


                                      10

<PAGE>

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

Since Frank E. Best, Inc. and Best Universal Lock Co. are non-operating 
parents of Best Lock Corporation, a discussion of Best Lock Corporation's 
business is necessary in order to understand the character and development of 
the total enterprise.  As the variations between the financial statements of 
these three companies are not significant, the discussion and analysis of 
Best Lock Corporation is representative of all.  The following, therefore, is 
a discussion of the business of Best Lock Corporation (the Company).

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED 
SEPTEMBER 30, 1995

Sales for the third quarter of 1996 were $800 thousand, or 2.3%, lower than 
the same period of 1995.  The majority of the decrease was in sales from the 
manufacturing division (BLM) to independent distributors and Authorized 
Contract Construction Dealers.  During the third quarter of 1995, the backlog 
of unshipped orders at BLM was reduced significantly, which accounted for 
approximately $1.7 million in sales.   Sales from the distribution division 
(BLS) to end customers in the third quarter of 1996 were also slightly lower 
than the third quarter of 1995.

The gross profit on sales for the third quarter of 1996 improved by $1.5 
million to 45.7% of sales, compared to 40.1% for the same period of 1995.  
Salaries, wages and fringe benefits in the cost of goods sold decreased $790 
thousand from the comparable period of 1995, mainly due to the lower 
headcount from separation packages offered in the indirect labor areas and 
lower overall fringe benefit costs.  Changes implemented during the first 
quarter of 1996 to reduce inefficiencies involving the production costs of 
the Company's lever-handle cylindrical lock also contributed to the 
improvement in the gross profit.  During the third quarter of 1996, the 
Company discovered that mortise locksets manufactured since December of 1995 
did not meet stated standards and could, in certain situations, cause a 
security breach.  A $1.1 million increase in product service expense for the 
estimated material, labor, and travel costs to replace certain parts in the 
defective locksets was recorded during the third quarter of 1996.  Margins 
improved in the distribution division during the third quarter of 1996 
compared to 1995, due to a price increase implemented by the Company during 
the quarter.

Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 1996 increased by 
$3.0 million over the three months ended September 30, 1995 to 9.6% of sales, 
due to the improved gross profit and reduced selling, general and 
administrative, and engineering expenses.  Third quarter selling, general and 
administrative, and engineering expenses were $1.5 million lower than the 
third quarter of 1995. During the third quarter of 1996, the Company revised 
the number of separations anticipated to be offered under the plan that was 
approved in the fourth quarter of 1995.  This revision reduced general and 
administrative expenses during the third quarter of 1996 by $800 thousand.  
The reduction in fringe benefit costs that helped to improve the gross profit 
also accounted for most of the remaining decrease in selling, general and 
administrative, and engineering expenses for the quarter.

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995
 
Due to the strong sales performance during the third quarter of 1995 and 
sluggish sales during the first quarter of 1996, sales for the nine months 
ended September 30, 1996 were $1.3 million lower than the prior year.  The 
gross profit on sales for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 improved 
by $1.7 million to 45.7% of sales, compared to 43.1% for the same period of 
1995. Salaries, wages and fringe benefits in the cost of goods sold decreased 
approximately $1 million from the comparable period of 1995, mainly due to 
the lower headcount from separation packages offered in the indirect labor 
areas and lower overall fringe benefit costs.  Changes implemented during the 
first quarter of 1996 to reduce inefficiencies involving the production costs 
of the Company's lever-handle cylindrical lock contributed approximately $590 
thousand to the improvement in the gross profit for the nine months.  During 
the third quarter of 1996, the Company discovered that mortise locksets 
manufactured since December of 1995 did not meet stated standards and could, 
in certain situations, cause a security breach. A $1.1 million increase in 
product service expense for the estimated material, labor, and travel costs 
to replace certain parts in the defective locksets was recorded during the 
third quarter of 1996.
                                       11
<PAGE>

For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, selling, general and 
administrative, and engineering expenses were $700 thousand higher than the 
prior year.  Salaries, wages and fringe benefits in the distribution division 
were $1.1 million higher in 1996 than the comparable period of 1995, which 
accounted for the majority of the increase.  These increases are attributable 
to expanded service and installation operations, as well as expenses 
associated with the establishment of an electronics distribution operation.   
During the third quarter of 1996, the Company revised the number of 
separations anticipated to be offered under the plan that was approved in the 
fourth quarter of 1995. This revision reduced general and administrative 
expenses during the third quarter of 1996 by $800 thousand.  Operating income 
for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased $1.0 million from the 
same period in the prior year.  

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's liquidity continues to be strong at September 30, 1996, due to 
the availability of approximately $9 million on the line of credit.  Working 
capital increased by approximately $4.4 million, mainly due to increased 
accounts receivable at September 30, 1996.  Refundable income taxes decreased 
$2.6 million from December 31, 1995 to September 30, 1996 due to the receipt 
of 1995 estimated tax overpayments and carryback claims.  The current ratio 
improved from  2.0:1 at December 31, 1995 to 2.4:1 at September 30, due to 
positive cash flow from operations.  Inventory turns for the first nine 
months of 1996 were 5.5, which is comparable to the same period in 1995.  
Inventory levels at September 30, 1996 have been relatively unchanged since 
December 31, 1995.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 1996 were approximately 
$1.1 million.  Capital spending is projected to total approximately $1.5-$2.0 
million for the year.  The Company plans to meet its 1996 working capital and 
capital expenditure requirements through funds from operations and from its 
existing credit facility.  The Company also plans to meet all required bank 
covenants through results of operations.


                                       12

<PAGE>

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION
- ---------------------------

ITEM 1.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Reference is made to Item 3 of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended 
December 31, 1995.  There have been no new legal proceedings initiated during 
the quarter, nor has there been a change in status or termination of any 
previously reported legal proceeding.

ITEM 5.  OTHER INFORMATION
None.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
NONE.


                                       13
<PAGE>

                                    SIGNATURE


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

                                       BEST LOCK CORPORATION
                                       ---------------------
                                           (Registrant)


Date: November 14, 1996                By:
      -----------------                /s/ GREGG A. DYKSTRA.
                                           -----------------
                                       Vice President
                                       Chief Operating Officer
                                       

                                       /s/ PAULA J. TINKEY
                                           ---------------
                                       Controller


                                      14

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                       3,069,131
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               17,696,026
<ALLOWANCES>                                 (233,320)
<INVENTORY>                                 11,679,506
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                            36,573,904
<PP&E>                                      65,417,701
<DEPRECIATION>                            (37,508,787)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              69,317,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       15,594,080
<BONDS>                                     15,816,236
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                     1,407,841
<OTHER-SE>                                  25,085,628
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                69,317,000
<SALES>                                     89,774,150
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            89,774,150
<CGS>                                       48,759,004
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               37,916,863
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               636,143
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                81,972
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             889,946
<INCOME-PRETAX>                              2,462,140
<INCOME-TAX>                                 1,136,968
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                          1,325,172
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                 1,325,172
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    10.89
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    10.89
        

</TABLE>


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