As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

12/13/04  Griffon Corp                      10-K        9/30/04    7:2.4M                                   Merrill Corp-MD/FA

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Annual Report                                       HTML   1.03M 
 2: EX-4.3      Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML    600K 
 3: EX-4.4      Instrument Defining the Rights of Security Holders  HTML     17K 
 4: EX-23       Consent of Experts or Counsel                       HTML      7K 
 5: EX-31.1     Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 302)  HTML     12K 
 6: EX-31.2     Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 302)  HTML     11K 
 7: EX-32       Certification per Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Section 906)  HTML     11K 

PART I

Item 1.   Business

The Company

Griffon is a diversified manufacturing company with operations in four business segments: Garage Doors; Installation Services; Specialty Plastic Films; and Electronic Information and Communication Systems. The company’s Garage Doors segment designs, manufactures and sells garage doors for use in the residential housing and commercial building markets. The Installation Services segment sells, installs and services garage doors, garage door openers, manufactured fireplaces, floor coverings, cabinetry and a range of related building products primarily for the new residential housing market. The company’s Specialty Plastic Films segment develops, produces and sells plastic films and film laminates for use in infant diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products and disposable surgical and patient care products. The company’s Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment designs, manufactures, sells and provides logistical support for communications, radar, information, command and control systems and large-scale integrated circuits for defense and commercial markets.

The company relies upon both internal growth and strategic investments to develop its business. Over the past five years, the company has invested significant amounts to support growth. Equipment and plant expenditures in fiscal 2004 aggregated $56 million, the major portion of which were for Specialty Plastic Films’ ongoing capital expansion programs to increase its capacity to produce printed multi-color films and laminates for its baby diaper products in North America and Europe and to otherwise increase capacity throughout its operations. In fiscal 2004, the company purchased land near Sao Paulo, Brazil to build a manufacturing facility to expand its South American specialty plastic film operations. The company has also made strategic investments in each of its business segments to enhance its market position and expand into new markets, including:

·       In 2000, the Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment acquired a search and weather radar product line.

·       In 2002, Specialty Plastic Films acquired 60% ownership, which ownership was increased to 90% in October 2004, of a manufacturer of plastic hygienic and specialty films in Brazil, further expanding its markets and global supply capabilities.

·       In fiscal 2004, Specialty Plastic Films continued a significant capital expansion program commenced in fiscal 2003 which is designed to increase its overall production capacity and support anticipated growth opportunities with its major customers.

·       In 1999 and 2000, Installation Services acquired a number of installation operations.

The company was incorporated on May 18, 1959 under the laws of the State of New York. It was reincorporated in Delaware in 1970 and its name was changed to Griffon Corporation in 1995. The company makes available, free of charge through its website at www.griffoncorp.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Garage Doors

The company believes that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clopay, is the largest manufacturer and marketer of residential garage doors and among the largest manufacturers of commercial sectional doors in the United States. The company’s building products are sold under Clopay^®, Ideal Door^® and Holmes^® brand names through an extensive distribution network throughout the United States. The company

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estimates that the majority of Garage Doors’ net sales are from sales of garage doors to the home remodeling segment of the residential housing market, with the balance from the new residential housing and commercial building markets. The segment employs approximately 1,800 employees. Sales into the home remodeling market are being driven by the continued aging of the housing stock and the trend of improving home appearance.

According to industry sources, the residential and commercial sectional garage door market for 2004 was estimated to be $1.85 billion. Over the past decade there have been several key trends driving the garage door industry, including the shift from wood to steel doors and the growth of the home center channel of distribution. The company estimates that over 90% of the total garage door market today is steel doors. Superior strength, reduced weight and low maintenance have favored the steel door. Other product innovations during this period include insulated double-sided steel doors, new springing systems and residential garage doors with improved safety features.

Products and Services

The company manufactures a broad line of residential and commercial sectional garage doors with a variety of options at varying prices. The company offers garage doors made from several materials, including steel and wood. The company also sells related products such as garage door openers manufactured by third parties.

The company also markets commercial sectional doors. Commercial sectional doors are similar to residential garage doors, but are designed to meet more demanding performance specifications.

Sales by Garage Doors have provided approximately 33% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2004, 32% in 2003 and 35% in 2002.

Sales and Marketing

The company distributes its building products through a wide range of distribution channels including installing dealers, retailers and wholesalers. The company owns and operates a national network of 47 distribution centers. The company’s building products are sold to approximately 2,000 independent professional installing dealers and to major home center retail chains, including The Home Depot, Inc., Menards, Inc. and Lowe’s Companies, Inc. The company maintains strong relationships with its installing dealers and believes it is the largest supplier of residential garage doors to the retail and professional installing channels.

Over the past decade, an increasing number of garage doors have been sold through home center retail chains such as The Home Depot, Inc. The company estimates that approximately 35% of its garage doors are sold through the home center channel of distribution. These home centers sell garage doors to the do-it-yourself consumer, the small residential and commercial contractor, as well as installed residential doors and operators for the rapidly growing do-it-for-me consumer segment. Distribution through the retail channel requires different capabilities and skills than those traditionally utilized by garage door manufacturers. Factors such as immediately available inventory, national distribution, national installation services, point-of-sale merchandising and special packaging are all important to the retailer.

The company is the principal supplier of residential garage doors throughout the United States and Canada to The Home Depot, Inc., with Clopay^® brand doors being sold exclusively to this customer in the retail channel of distribution. Sales of the Clopay^® brand outside the retail channel of distribution are not restricted. The segment’s largest customers are The Home Depot, Inc. and Menards, Inc. The loss of either of these customers would have a material adverse effect on the company’s business. The company distributes its garage doors directly to customers from its manufacturing facilities and through its network of 47 company-owned distribution centers located throughout the United States and in Canada. These

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distribution centers allow the company to maintain an inventory of garage doors near installing dealers and provide quick-ship service to retail and professional dealer customers.

Manufacturing and Raw Materials

The company currently operates four garage door manufacturing facilities. A key aspect of Garage Doors’ research and development efforts has been the ability to continually improve and streamline its manufacturing process. The company’s engineering and technological expertise, combined with its capital investment in equipment, generally has enabled the company to efficiently manufacture products in large volume and meet changing customer needs. The company’s facilities use proprietary manufacturing processes to produce the majority of its products. Certain of the company’s equipment and machinery are internally modified to achieve its manufacturing objectives. These manufacturing facilities produce a broad line of high quality garage doors for distribution to professional installer, retail and wholesale channels.

The principal raw material used in the company’s manufacturing operations is galvanized steel, the price of which recently has significantly increased. The company also utilizes certain hardware components as well as wood and insulated foam. All of these raw materials are generally available from a number of sources.

Research and Development

The company operates a technical development center where its research engineers work to design, develop and implement new products and technologies and perform durability and performance testing of new and existing products, materials and finishes. Also at this facility, the company’s process engineering team works to develop new manufacturing processes and production techniques aimed at improving manufacturing efficiencies.

Competition

The garage door industry is characterized by several large national manufacturers and many smaller regional and local manufacturers. The company competes on the basis of service, quality, price, brand awareness and product design.

The company’s brand names are widely recognized in the building products industry. The company believes that it has earned a reputation among installing dealers, retailers and wholesalers for producing a broad range of high-quality doors. The company’s market position and brand recognition are key marketing tools for expanding its customer base, leveraging its distribution network and increasing its market share.

Installation Services

The company has developed a substantial network of specialty building products installation and service operations. Its network of locations cover many of the key new single family home markets in the United States and offer a variety of building products and services to the residential construction and remodeling industries. The segment employs approximately 1,600 employees.

The company provides installed specialty building products primarily to residential builders. Builders are increasingly acting as developers and marketers, sub-contracting a substantial portion of the actual construction of a home. Traditionally, the market for installation services has been very fragmented, characterized by small operations offering a single type of building product in a single market. In what has historically been an undercapitalized, fragmented industry, the company has sufficient capital and the scale to attract professional management, achieve operating economies, and serve the needs of even the largest national builders.

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Installation Services has targeted geographic markets that have a sizeable population or significant growth demographics. The markets served account for approximately 18% of all new residential housing permits in the United States. Installation Services’ multiple product offering is primarily targeted at new construction, wherein products are generally consumed at approximately the same time in the construction process. Products offered can be selected and upgraded by the end-customer in the company’s design centers. The company believes that its multi-product offering provides strategic marketing advantages over traditional, single product competitors, and provides the company with operational efficiencies. The company seeks to increase the cross-selling of its multiple products to its existing customers. Additionally, the company plans further growth through the introduction of additional installed building products. The replacement and remodeling markets are additional markets for the company’s products and professional installation services.

Products and Services

Installation Services sells and installs a variety of building products:

Garage Doors and Openers—garage doors are distributed, professionally installed and serviced in the new construction and replacement markets. Installation Services sources most of its garage doors from Garage Doors.

Fireplaces—manufactured wood and gas fireplaces and related products such as stone or marble surrounds, wood mantels and gas logs are distributed, professionally installed and serviced, primarily to the new construction market.

Flooring—flooring products distributed and installed to the new construction market include carpeting, tile and stone, wood and vinyl.

Appliances—appliances distributed to the new construction market include refrigerators, stoves, cooktops, ovens and dishwashers.

Kitchen and Bath Cabinets—cabinetry, with options in wood varieties and door styles, are offered for distribution and installation to the new construction market.

Other—other products include seamless gutters, closet systems, window coverings and bath enclosures. Tile and stone applications for shower and bath walls, counter tops and fireplace surrounds are also offered.

The company is able to leverage the offering of these products over a common customer base, providing efficiencies and convenience to the customer. The company operates well-appointed product design centers that facilitate selection of products by the consumer, enhancing customer service and providing an environment conducive to up-selling into higher margin products.

Sales by Installation Services have provided approximately 22% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2004 and 23% in 2003 and 2002.

Competition

The installation services industry is fragmented, consisting primarily of smaller, single-market companies which have less financial resources than the company. The company competes on the basis of service, price and product line diversity.

Specialty Plastic Films

The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Clopay Plastics Products Company, develops and produces specialty plastic films and laminates for a variety of hygienic, health care and industrial uses in

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domestic and certain international markets. Specialty Plastic Films’ products include thin gauge embossed and printed films, elastomeric films and laminates of film and non-woven fabrics. These products are used primarily as moisture barriers in disposable infant diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene products, as protective barriers in single-use surgical and industrial gowns, drapes and equipment covers, and as packaging for hygienic products. Specialty Plastic Films’ products are sold through the company’s direct sales force primarily to multinational consumer and medical products companies. The segment employs approximately 1,100 employees worldwide.

The segment’s major customer is Procter & Gamble, with whom the company enjoys a long and growing relationship. Specialty Plastic Films supplies Procter & Gamble with a variety of products used primarily for its infant diapers, both domestically and internationally, and expects to continue to expand the relationship in the future.

The segment of the specialty plastic films industry in which Clopay participates has been affected by several key trends over the past five years. These trends include the increased use of disposable products in developing countries and favorable demographics, including increasing immigration, in the major global economies. Other trends representing significant opportunities for manufacturers include the continued demand for new advanced products such as cloth-like, breathable, laminated, and printed products and the need of major customers for global supply partners. Notwithstanding the positive trends affecting the industry, design changes by Procter & Gamble for its infant diaper products have resulted in a change in products produced by the Company from laminates to a narrower printed film. As a result, the volume of film products sold by the segment for this market is expected to decline. The company believes that investments in its technology development capability and capacity increases will lead to sales of new and related products, minimizing the impact of this reduction.

Products

Specialty Plastic Films manufactures a wide variety of embossed and printed specialty films and laminates for the hygienic, healthcare and other markets. Specialty Plastic Films’ products are used as moisture barriers for disposable infant diapers, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products and as protective barriers in surgical and industrial gowns and drapes, equipment covers, flexible packaging, house wrap and other products. A specialty plastic film is a thin-gauge film (typically 0.0005” to 0.003”) that is manufactured from polyolefin resins and engineered to provide certain performance characteristics. A laminate is the combination of a plastic film and a non-woven fabric. These products are produced using both cast and blown extrusion and laminating processes. High speed, multi-color custom printing of films and customized embossing patterns further differentiate the products. The company’s specialty plastic film products typically provide a unique combination of performance characteristics that meet specific, proprietary customer needs. Examples of such characteristics include strength, breathability, barrier properties, processibility and aesthetic appeal.

Sales by Specialty Plastic Films have provided approximately 30% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2004, 30% in 2003 and 25% in 2002.

Sales and Marketing

The segment sells its products primarily in the United States and Europe with sales also in Canada, Central and South America and Asia Pacific. The segment utilizes an internal direct sales force, organized by customer accounts. Senior management actively participates by developing and maintaining close contacts with customers.

The segment’s largest customer is Procter & Gamble, which has accounted for a substantial portion of Specialty Plastic Films’ sales over the last five years. The loss of this customer would have a material

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adverse effect on the company’s business. Specialty plastic films also are sold to a diverse group of other leading consumer, health care and industrial companies.

The company seeks to expand its market presence for Specialty Plastic Films by capitalizing on its technological and manufacturing expertise and on its relationships with major international consumer products companies. Specifically, the company believes that it can continue to increase its North American sales and expand internationally through ongoing product development and enhancement and by marketing its technologically advanced breathable films and laminates and printed film for use in all of its markets. The company believes that its operations in Germany and Brazil provide a strong platform for additional sales growth in certain international markets.

Research and Development

The company believes it is an industry leader in the research, design and development of specialty plastic films and laminate products. The company operates a technical center where approximately 50 chemists, scientists and engineers work independently and in strategic partnerships with the company’s customers to develop new technologies, products, processes and product applications. Currently, the company is engaged in several joint efforts with the research and development departments of its customers.

The company’s research and development efforts have resulted in many inventions covering embossing patterns, improved processing methods, product formulations, product applications and other proprietary technology. Products developed by the company include microporous breathable films and cost-effective cloth-like films and laminates. Microporous breathability provides for moisture vapor transmission and airflow while maintaining barrier properties resulting in improved comfort and skin care. Cloth-like films and laminates provide consumers preferred aesthetics such as softness and visual appeal. The company recently began multi-color printing of films and laminates for its baby diaper products. The company holds a number of patents for its current specialty film and laminate products and related manufacturing processes. The company believes its patents are a less significant factor in its success than its proprietary know-how and the knowledge, ability and experience of its employees.

International Operations

The segment has two operations in Germany from which it sells plastic films throughout Europe. One of its German operations, Finotech, is structured as a joint venture with Corovin GmbH, a manufacturer of non-woven fabrics headquartered in Germany that is a subsidiary of BBA Group PLC, a publicly owned diversified U.K. manufacturer. Finotech is 60% owned by the company.

In June 2002, the company acquired 60% ownership in Isofilme Ltd., a manufacturer of plastic hygienic and specialty films located in Sao Paulo, Brazil which operates under the name Clopay do Brasil. In October 2004, the company acquired an additional 30% of Isofilme. The acquisition provides a platform to broaden participation in South American markets and strengthen the company’s position as a global supplier.

Manufacturing and Raw Materials

The company manufactures its specialty plastic film and laminate products on high-speed equipment designed to meet stringent tolerances. The manufacturing process consists of melting a mixture of polyolefin resins (primarily polyethylene) and additives, and forcing this mixture through a computer controlled die and rollers to produce embossed films. In addition, the lamination process involves extruding the melted plastic films directly onto a non-woven fabric and bonding these materials to form a laminate. The company also manufactures multi-color printed films and laminates. Through statistical process control methods, company personnel monitor and control the entire production process.

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This segment continued a significant capital expansion program begun in fiscal 2003 to support new opportunities with its major customers and to increase capacity throughout its operations. The product initiative involving the production of high-quality, multi-color printing of films and laminates for the baby diaper market in North America and Europe is nearing completion. Capital spending for Specialty Plastic Films was approximately $30 million in fiscal 2003 and $40 million in fiscal 2004. It is anticipated that spending in fiscal 2005 will approach 2004 levels, including the printing program and capacity additions for its operations in Europe and Brazil.

Plastic resins, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and non-woven fabrics are the basic raw materials used in the manufacture of substantially all of Specialty Plastic Films’ products, the price of which has increased since early 2002. The near-term outlook is for further increases in resin prices. The company currently purchases its plastic resins in pellet form from several suppliers. The purchases are made under supply agreements that do not specify fixed pricing terms. The company’s sources for raw materials are believed to be adequate for its current and anticipated needs.

Competition

The market for the company’s specialty plastic film and laminate products is highly competitive. The company has a number of competitors in the specialty plastic films and laminates market, some of which are larger and have greater resources than the company. The company believes that its technical expertise and product development capabilities enhance its market position and customer relationships. The company competes primarily on the basis of technical expertise, quality, service and price.

The company has developed strong, long-term relationships with leading consumer and health care products companies. The company believes that these relationships, combined with its technological expertise, product development and production capabilities, including global operations, have positioned it to meet changing customer needs, which the company expects will drive growth. In addition, the company believes its strong, long-term relationships provide it with increasing opportunities to expand and enter new international markets.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

The company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Telephonics Corporation, specializes in advanced electronic information and communication systems for defense, aerospace, civil, industrial, and commercial applications domestically and in certain international markets. The company designs, manufactures, sells, and provides logistical support for aircraft communication systems, radar, air traffic management, information and command and control systems, identification friend or foe (“IFF”) equipment, transportation communication systems and custom, mixed-signal, application specific integrated circuits. The company is a leading supplier of airborne maritime surveillance radar and aircraft intercommunication management systems, the segment’s two largest product lines. In addition to its traditional defense products used predominantly by the United States Government, in recent years the company has adapted its core technologies to products used in international markets and has expanded its presence in both non-defense government and commercial markets. In fiscal 2004, approximately 60% of the segment’s sales were to the United States defense industry, 30% to international customers and 10% to commercial customers. The segment employs approximately 1,100 employees.

The United States defense electronics procurement budget is expected to grow faster than the overall defense budget. Growth in this budget area reflects the trend in recent years for the United States’ Department of Defense to opt for the installation of new electronic systems and equipment in existing aircraft rather than develop new weapons systems. Conflicts involving the country’s military have also tended in recent years to require deployment and significant coordination between air, sea and ground forces, often in distant parts of the world, underscoring the evolution and growing importance of electronic

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systems that provide surveillance, tracking, communication and command and control. The company believes that Telephonics’ advanced systems and sub-systems are well positioned to address the needs of an electronic battlefield with emphasis on the generation and dissemination of timely data for use by highly mobile ground, air and naval forces. The company anticipates that the need for such systems will also increase in connection with the increasingly active role that the military is playing in the war on terrorism, both at home and abroad.

Programs and Products

The table below lists some of the major programs the company currently participates in:

Customer				Program		Product
The Boeing Company				U.S. Air Force C-17A Cargo  Transport U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules Air Transport Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) U.S. Navy F/A-18/E/F  Fighter/Attack Aircraft		Intercommunications Management Systems
				AWACS		Identification Friend or Foe System
BAE Systems				U.K. NIMROD Royal Maritime Patrol Aircraft		Intercommunications Systems Integration
Northrop Grumman				Joint-STARS Surveillance Aircraft		Intercommunications Management Systems
				U.S. Coast Guard HU-25 Aircraft		Maritime Surveillance Radar
				U.S. Air Force		Ground Surveillance Radar
Lockheed Martin Corporation				U.S. Navy MH-60S/MH-60R Helicopters U.S. Navy P-3 Aircraft		Intercommunications Management Systems
				U.S. Navy MH-60R Helicopter		Maritime Surveillance Radar and Identification Friend or Foe System
MacDonald Dettwiler				Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Aircraft Modernization Program		Maritime Surveillance Radar and Identification Friend or Foe System
Sikorsky Aircraft Company				S-70B Maritime Surveillance Helicopter		Maritime Surveillance Radar
				SH-60B Maritime Surveillance Helicopter UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter Upgrade Program		Intercommunications Management Systems

 

The company manufactures specialized electronic products for a variety of applications. Electronic Information and Communication Systems’ products include communication systems, radar systems, information and command and control systems, and mixed-signal application-specific large-scale integrated circuits used in defense, non-military government and commercial markets.

The company specializes in communication systems and products and is a leading manufacturer of aircraft intercommunication systems with products in digital and analog communication management, digital audio distribution and control, and communication systems integration. The company’s communication products are used on the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission and MH-60S utility

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helicopters, the United Kingdom’s NIMROD surveillance aircraft, the U.S. Air Force C-17A cargo transport, the U.S. Air Force’s Joint Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar System (Joint-STARS) aircraft, and AWACS aircraft.

The company’s command and control systems include airborne maritime surveillance radar, ground surveillance radar, weather and search radar systems, air traffic management systems and tactical instrument landing systems. The company provides expertise and equipment for detecting and tracking targets in a maritime environment and flight path management systems for air traffic control applications. Its maritime radar systems, which are used in more than 20 countries, are fitted aboard helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and aerostats for use at sea. The company’s radar expertise resulted in an award from Northrop Grumman to deliver ground surveillance radar in 2004 for perimeter protection of U.S. Air Force bases around the world. The company also increased its market penetration through an award to develop, manufacture and deliver radar with imaging in both maritime and overland environments for the Canadian Air Force’s CP-140 Aurora aircraft program. The company’s electronic systems include IFF systems used by the U.S. Air Force and NATO on the AWACS aircraft and tactical microwave landing systems used by the U.S. Navy, NASA and other customers for ground and ship-based applications.

Telephonics is generally a first tier supplier to prime contractors in the defense industry such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. With the significant contraction and consolidation that has occurred in the U.S. and international defense industry, major prime contractors worldwide are relying on smaller, key suppliers to provide advances in technology and greater efficiencies to reduce the cost of major systems and platforms. The company believes that this situation creates an opportunity for established, first tier suppliers to capitalize on existing relationships with major prime contractors and play a larger role in the foreseeable future.

The company also manufactures custom and standard, mixed-signal, application-specific large-scale integrated circuits for customers in the security, military telecommunications and multi-media industries.

Sales by Electronic Information and Communication Systems have provided approximately 16% of the company’s consolidated revenue in 2004, 14% in 2003 and 16% in 2002.

Backlog

The funded backlog for Electronic Information and Communication Systems was approximately $175 million at September 30, 2004, compared to $159 million at September 30, 2003. Approximately 80% of the current backlog is expected to be filled during fiscal 2005.

Sales and Marketing

Telephonics has approximately 25 technical business development personnel who act as the focal point for its marketing activities and approximately 40 sales representatives who introduce its products and systems to customers worldwide.

The company participates in a range of long-term defense and non-military government programs, both domestically and internationally. The company has developed a base of installed products in these programs that generate significant recurring revenue and retrofit, spare parts and customer support sales. Due to the inherent complexity of defense electronics, the company believes that its incumbent status on major platforms gives it a competitive advantage in the selection process for the upgrades and enhancements that have characterized defense electronics procurement. Furthermore, the company believes that awards such as the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R helicopter program and the recent contract award from Boeing to develop multiple configurations of Telephonics’ Secure Digital Intercommunications System in support of the U.S. Air Force’s C-130 Avionics Modernization Program, provide competitive advantages when such programs transition from development to the production phase.

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In recent years, the segment has also significantly expanded its customer base in international markets. The company’s international projects include a contract with BAE Systems as part of the United Kingdom’s upgrade of the NIMROD surveillance aircraft and a number of contracts with the Civil Aviation Authority of China for air traffic management systems for Mainland China.

Research and Development

This segment regularly updates its core technologies through internally funded research and development. The selection of these R&D projects is based on available opportunities in the marketplace, as well as input from the company’s customers. Recent internally funded research and development has resulted in the development of an airborne imaging maritime surveillance radar system with advanced technology and greater functionality, as well as an all-digital, totally secure intercommunications management system.

The company believes that it is a technological leader in its core markets and intends to pursue new growth opportunities by leveraging its systems design and engineering capabilities and incumbent position on key platforms. For example, during 2000 Telephonics was awarded a contract for the development of the next generation integrated radio management system for the U.S. Air Force’s C-17A air transport. This program transitioned from development to production in fiscal 2003. The company also expects substantial sales growth as it transitions from development to the production phase for the US Navy’s MH-60R helicopter program.

In addition to Telephonics’ products for defense programs, the company has also applied its technology to produce products for commercial applications such as airborne weather and search radar, air traffic control systems and car-borne and wayside communications and vehicle health monitoring systems for rail cars.

The company believes that its reputation for innovative product design and engineering capabilities, especially in the areas of voice and data communications, radio frequency design, digital signal processing, networking systems, inverse synthetic aperture radar and analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits, has enhanced its ability to secure, retain and expand its participation in defense programs and commercial undertakings. The company is capable of meeting a full range of customer requirements including system requirements definition, product design and development, manufacturing and test, integration and installation, and logistical support. As a result, the company has been successful in developing a number of relationships as an important strategic partner and first tier supplier to various prime contractors.

Telephonics’ objective is to anticipate the needs of its core markets and to invest in research and development in an effort to provide solutions well in advance of its competitors. In an effort to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty, Telephonics often designs its products to exceed customers’ minimum specifications, providing its customers with greater performance and flexibility. The company believes that these practices engender increased coordination and communication with its customers at the earliest stages of new program development, thereby increasing the likelihood that Telephonics’ products will be selected and integrated as part of a total system solution.

Competition

The Electronic Information and Communication Systems segment competes with major manufacturers of electronic information and communication systems that have greater financial resources than the company, and with several smaller manufacturers of similar products. The company competes on the basis of technology, design, quality, price and program performance.

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Employees

On a consolidated basis, the company has approximately 5,600 employees located throughout the United States, in Europe and Brazil. Approximately 105 of its employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, primarily with an affiliate of the AFL-CIO. The company believes its relationships with its employees are satisfactory.

Regulation

The company’s operations are subject to various environmental, health and employee safety laws. The company has spent money and management has spent time complying with environmental, health and worker safety laws which apply to its operations and facilities and the company expects to continue to do so. Compliance with environmental laws has not historically materially affected the company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. The company does not expect compliance with environmental laws to have a material effect on the company in the future. The company believes that it generally complies with applicable environmental, health and worker safety laws and governmental regulations. Nevertheless, the company cannot guarantee that in the future it will not incur additional costs for compliance or that those costs will not be material.

Seasonality

Historically the company’s revenues and earnings are lowest in its second fiscal quarter and highest in its fourth fiscal quarter.

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

Revenues, based on the customers’ locations, and property, plant and equipment attributed to the United Sates and all other countries are as follows:

		2004			2003			2002
Revenues by geographic area—
United States		$	1,045,943,000		$	950,686,000		$	936,704,000
Germany		73,341,000			57,345,000			41,366,000
United Kingdom		40,370,000			37,899,000			35,650,000
Canada		40,543,000			27,167,000			23,405,000
Poland		35,823,000			35,907,000			31,176,000
All other countries		157,789,000			145,646,000			124,303,000
		$	1,393,809,000		$	1,254,650,000		$	1,192,604,000
Property, plant and equipment by geographic area—
United States		$	113,631,000		$	112,517,000		$	107,248,000
Germany		86,815,000			55,964,000			39,929,000
All other countries		3,093,000			1,371,000			1,076,000
		$	203,539,000		$	169,852,000		$	148,253,000

 

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Research and Development

Research and development costs not recoverable under contractual arrangements are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs for all business segments were approximately $17,400,000 in 2004, $17,000,000 in 2003 and $17,000,000 in 2002.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Name				Age		Served as Officer Since		Positions and Offices
Harvey R. Blau				69		1983		Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Robert Balemian				65		1976		President and Chief Financial Officer
Patrick L. Alesia				56		1979		Vice President and Treasurer
Edward I. Kramer				70		1997		Vice President, Administration and Secretary

 

Item 2.   Properties

The company occupies approximately 4,000,000 square feet of general office, factory and warehouse space and showrooms throughout the United States, in Germany and in Brazil. For a description of the encumbrances on certain of these properties, see Note 2 to the company’s consolidated financial statements. The following table sets forth certain information related to the company’s major facilities:

Location				Business Segment		Primary Use		Approximate Square Footage		Owned or Leased
Jericho, NY				Corporate Headquarters		Office		10,000		Leased
Farmingdale, NY				Electronic Information and Communication Systems		Manufacturing and research and development		183,000		Owned
Huntington, NY				Electronic Information and Communication Systems		Manufacturing		95,000 44,000		Owned Leased
Mason, OH				Garage Doors Installation Services Specialty Plastic Films		Office and research and development		131,000		Leased
Aschersleben, Germany				Specialty Plastic Films		Manufacturing		290,000		Owned
Dombühl, Germany				Specialty Plastic Films		Manufacturing		124,000		Owned
Augusta, KY				Specialty Plastic Films		Manufacturing		232,000		Owned
Nashville, TN				Specialty Plastic Films		Manufacturing		250,000		Leased
Sao Paulo, Brazil				Specialty Plastic Films		Manufacturing		22,000		Leased
Russia, OH				Garage Doors		Manufacturing		339,000		Owned
Baldwin, WI				Garage Doors		Manufacturing		148,000		Leased
Los Angeles, CA				Garage Doors		Garage door hardware manufacturing		40,000		Leased
Auburn, WA				Garage Doors		Manufacturing		123,000		Leased
Tempe, AZ				Garage Doors		Manufacturing		100,000		Leased

 

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The company also leases approximately 1,900,000 square feet of space for the Garage Doors distribution centers and Installation Services locations in numerous facilities throughout the United States. The company has aggregate minimum annual rental commitments under real estate leases of approximately $12 million. The majority of the leases have escalation clauses related to increases in real property taxes on the leased property and some for cost of living adjustments. Certain of the leases have renewal and purchase options.

In fiscal 2004, the company purchased land near Sao Paulo, Brazil on which it intends to build a manufacturing facility to expand Specialty Plastic Films’ South American operations. Equipment and plant expenditures in fiscal 2005 are anticipated to be approximately $50 million, primarily in connection with the Specialty Plastic Films capital expansion program. The other plants and equipment of the company are believed to contain sufficient space for current and presently foreseeable needs.

Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

Department of Environmental Conservation of New York State (“DEC”), with ISC Properties, Inc.   Lightron Corporation (“Lightron”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, once conducted operations at a location in Peekskill in the Town of Cortlandt, New York owned by ISC Properties, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company (the “Peekskill Site”). ISC Properties, Inc. sold the Peekskill Site in November 1982.

Subsequently, the company was advised by the DEC that random sampling at the Peekskill Site and in a creek near the Peekskill Site indicated concentrations of solvents and other chemicals common to Lightron’s prior plating operations. ISC Properties, Inc. then entered into a consent order with the DEC in 1996 (the “Consent Order”) to perform a remedial investigation and prepare a feasibility study. After completing the initial remedial investigation pursuant to the Consent Order, ISC Properties, Inc. was required by the DEC to conduct a supplemental remedial investigation under the Consent Order. In or about August 2004, a report was submitted to the DEC of the findings under the supplemental remedial investigation. No feasibility study has yet been performed pursuant to the Consent Order. Amounts expended to date related to this proceeding aggregate less than $750,000 over a period that covers more than ten years. Management believes, based on facts presently known to it, that the resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

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PART II

Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(a)  The company’s Common Stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “GFF”. The following table shows for the periods indicated the quarterly range in the high and low sales prices for the company’s Common Stock:

FISCAL QUARTER ENDED				HIGH			LOW
December 31, 2002				$	13.86		$	10.27
March 31, 2003				14.49			12.28
June 30, 2003				16.55			12.85
September 30, 2003				19.21			15.75
December 31, 2003				21.18			17.98
March 31, 2004				23.35			19.71
June 30, 2004				23.35			20.52
September 30, 2004				22.75			19.69

 

(b)  As of December 1, 2004, there were approximately 14,700 recordholders of the company’s Common Stock.

(c)  The company declared and paid a 10% Common Stock dividend during fiscal 2001. No cash dividends on Common Stock were declared or paid during the five fiscal years ended September 30, 2004.

(d)  Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following sets forth information relating to the company’s equity compensation plans as of September 30, 2004:

Plan Category				Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (Column a)				Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (Column b)					Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in Column (a)) (Column c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders					4,364,225				$	10.91				449,375
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders					1,376,578				13.29					2,950
Total					5,740,803				11.48					452,325

 

The company’s 1998 Employee and Director Stock Option Plan (the “Employee and Director Plan”) is the only option plan which was not approved by the company’s stockholders. Eligible participants in the Employee and Director Plan include directors, officers and employees of, and consultants to, the company or any of its subsidiaries and affiliates. Under the terms of the Employee and Director Plan, the purchase price of the shares subject to each option granted will not be less than 100% of the fair market value at the date of grant. The terms of each option shall be determined at the time of grant by the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee.

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(e)  Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period				Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)				Average Price Paid Per Share					Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs				Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
July 1 - 31, 2004					35,000				$	22.19				35,000				1,386,695
August 1 - 31, 2004					155,000				20.07					155,000				1,231,695
September 1 - 30, 2004					206,100				21.03					206,100				1,025,595
Total					396,100									396,100

(1)          All purchases were made in open market transactions. The company’s stock buyback program has been in effect since 1993, under which a total of approximately 15 million shares have been purchased for $183.1 million. In November 2004, the company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of 1 million shares in the number of shares purchasable under the company’s stock buyback program, bringing the total authorization at that time to 1.9 million shares. There is no time limit on the repurchases to be made under the plan.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

		2004			2003			2002			2001			2000
Net sales		$	1,393,809,000		$	1,254,650,000		$	1,192,604,000		$	1,160,125,000		$	1,118,386,000
Income before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle		$	53,859,000		$	43,022,000		$	34,054,000	(1)	$	30,593,000		$	24,880,000
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle		—			—			(24,118,000		)	—			(5,290,000		)
Net income		$	53,859,000		$	43,022,000		$	9,936,000	(1)	$	30,593,000		$	19,590,000
Per share(2):
Basic		$	1.81		$	1.33		$	1.03		$	.93		$	.75
Diluted		$	1.71		$	1.28		$	.97		$	.92		$	.75
Total assets		$	749,516,000		$	678,730,000		$	587,694,000		$	584,993,000		$	582,026,000
Long-term obligations		$	154,445,000		$	155,483,000		$	74,640,000		$	108,615,000		$	125,916,000

(1)          Operating results for 2002 include a pre-tax charge of $10,200,000 for the divestiture of an unprofitable peripheral operation (Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

(2)          Per share amounts in 2002 and 2000 exclude the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.

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Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW

Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2004 increased to $1.4 billion, up from $1.25 billion in 2003. Income before income taxes increased to $104.7 million from $83.1 million last year. The improved operating results reflected higher sales, earnings and operating margins in each of the company’s segments.

The company’s building products operations enjoyed a solid economy in 2004. The garage door segment finished the year with improved operating results reflecting strong demand and operational improvements. Installation services, the company’s other building products operation, also performed well, buoyed by active construction markets and realizing the benefits of the elimination in 2003 of an underperforming location.

Specialty plastic films continued its positive operating trend, but experienced reduced unit volume toward the end of 2004 due primarily to product design changes by its major customer. The customer will be using a narrower, printed film product designed to meet its changing needs, instead of the film laminate product currently supplied by the segment. The conversion to the new printed film has begun and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2005.

Both the specialty plastic films and the garage doors segments performed well, achieving higher sales and profits while market prices for their principal raw materials were rising. In specialty plastic films, raw material (resin) costs increased throughout 2004 in both North America and in Europe. It is estimated that resin cost movement produced a negative impact on 2004 operations of approximately $5 to $5.5 million. In garage doors, escalating raw material (steel) costs in the second half of the year negatively impacted 2004 operating income by approximately $2 to $2.5 million. These segments increased selling prices during the year, moderating the impact of the raw material price volatility on their 2004 operating results. Upward pressure on raw material prices has continued, and it is expected that these segments’ operating results in the near term will continue to be affected until prices stabilize or the segments are able to implement further selling price increases.

Telephonics, the company’s electronic information and communication systems segment, achieved a substantial increase in net sales and operating profit compared to 2003. Shipments under a $35 million contract for ground surveillance radar providing perimeter protection of U.S. Air Force bases were a significant contributor to this segment’s operational improvement.

The specialty plastic films segment continued to execute its capital program, adding film capacity in its North American operations and additional printing capacity in Europe and in North America. Capital expenditures by this segment were approximately $40 million in 2004 and the segment will add substantial additional capacity in fiscal 2005 in its operations in Germany and Brazil. These investments, which will incorporate engineering and technology upgrades, are expected to provide for future geographic expansion and development of new markets.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

See Note 7 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

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Fiscal 2004 Compared to Fiscal 2003

Operating results (in thousands) by business segment were as follows:

		Net Sales						Operating Profit
		2004			2003			2004			2003
Garage doors		$	476,581		$	428,437		$	42,600		$	33,755
Installation services		306,992			289,409			10,909			7,380
Specialty plastic films		411,346			381,910			52,655			44,244
Electronic information and communication systems		220,674			178,693			20,224			14,161
Intersegment revenues		(21,784		)	(23,799		)	—			—
		$	1,393,809		$	1,254,650		$	126,388		$	99,540

 

Garage Doors

Net sales of the garage doors segment increased by $48.1 million compared to 2003. The increase was due to the higher unit sales ($33.6 million) driven primarily by strong demand in the professional installing dealer channel and the net effect ($14.5 million) of improved pricing and favorable product mix.

Operating profit of the garage doors segment increased $8.8 million compared to last year. Gross margin percentage increased to 33.0%, up from 32.3% in 2003. The higher margin was principally due to increased manufacturing efficiencies driven by unit volume growth and improved product mix, partly offset by the effect of higher raw material (steel) costs. Although the Company has implemented selling price increases, due to the magnitude of the cost increases and competitive conditions, such selling price adjustments have not fully offset the cost increases, resulting in a negative impact on operating income in 2004 of approximately $2 to $2.5 million. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in connection with the sales growth but, as a percentage of sales, declined to 24.1% from 24.4% last year due to effective expense control.

Installation Services

Net sales of the installation services segment increased by $17.6 million compared to 2003.  The increase was principally due to continued strength in the new construction markets served by the segment.

Operating profit of the installation services segment increased $3.5 million compared to last year.  Gross margin percentage increased to 27.6%, up from 26.9% last year.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 24.1% compared to 24.4% last year.  The increased profitability was principally due to the substantial sales growth and the positive effect of the elimination in 2003 of an underperforming location.

Specialty Plastic Films

Net sales of the specialty plastic films segment increased $29.4 million compared to 2003.  The increase was principally due to the impact of favorable product mix ($13.3 million), the effect of a weaker U.S. dollar on translated foreign sales ($25.1 million) and improved pricing ($3.1 million), partly offset by the effect ($12.1 million) of lower unit sales due to customer product design changes.

Operating profit of the specialty plastic films segment increased $8.4 million compared to last year.  Gross margin percentage increased to 25.6%, up from 23.8%.  The increased margin was principally due to the favorable product mix and improved pricing, increased manufacturing efficiencies, exchange rate differences and the recognition last year of costs associated with manufacturing facility expansion, partly offset by the effect of higher raw material (resin) costs and costs attributable to product design changes and capacity growth.  It is estimated that resin cost movement produced a negative impact on 2004 operations of approximately $5 to $5.5 million. 

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Raw material price changes will have some effect on future operating results.  However, due to the volatility of resin prices and the timing and amount of any related selling price adjustments, the company cannot predict the extent to which the segment’s future operating results may be affected.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was 12.9% compared to 12.4% last year.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in connection with the sales growth and increased product development expenditures.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

Net sales of the electronic information and communication systems segment increased $42.0 million compared to 2003.  The increase was principally due to performance under new contract awards, including a $35 million contract to provide ground surveillance radar that was completed in 2004, and an ongoing airborne surveillance radar program for the Canadian Air Force.

Operating profit of the electronic information and communication systems segment increased $6.1 million compared to last year primarily due to the sales increase.  Gross margin percentage decreased from 26.5% to 24.0%.  A lower margin product mix and the effect of cost growth in development programs were partly offset by the positive effect on gross margin percentage of improved performance in military production programs.  The effect of the lower gross margin percentage was offset by the sales increase.  Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased compared to last year principally due to lower business development costs and research and development expenditures.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was 15.0% compared to 19.1% last year due to the lower expense level and the substantial sales increase.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $3.2 million compared to 2003 due to the sale in July 2003 of $130 million of 4% convertible subordinated notes, $49 million of which was used to repay bank indebtedness.

Income Tax Expense

The provision for income taxes for 2003 included $1.7 million of tax benefits reflecting the resolution of certain previously recorded tax liabilities and the finalization of income taxes on foreign earnings and remittances.

In October 2004 the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was enacted.  The company is currently assessing the potential impact of this complex legislation.  See Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

Fiscal 2003 Compared to Fiscal 2002

Operating results (in thousands) by business segment were as follows:

		Net Sales						Operating Profit
		2003			2002			2003			2002
Garage doors		$	428,437		$	444,443		$	33,755		$	25,414
Installation services		289,409			278,831			7,380			7,736
Specialty plastic films		381,910			299,585			44,244			40,278
Electronic information and communication systems		178,693			195,430			14,161			15,156
Intersegment revenues		(23,799		)	(25,685		)	—			—
		$	1,254,650		$	1,192,604		$	99,540		$	88,584

 

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Garage Doors

Net sales of the garage doors segment decreased by $16.0 million compared to 2002.  The decrease was due to the fiscal 2002 divestiture of Atlas, an unprofitable peripheral operation that sold slatted steel coiling doors and related products for commercial users, which had sales in 2002 of $28 million.  The balance of the garage door business had a sales increase of approximately $12 million from favorable pricing and product mix.

Operating profit of the garage doors segment increased $8.3 million compared to 2002.  The Atlas divestiture accounted for approximately $4 million of the increase.  Gross margin percentage increased to 32.3%, up from 30.7%.  The increased margin was due primarily to the Atlas divestiture, improved pricing and product mix and increased manufacturing efficiencies.  Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 24.4%, down from 25.0% in 2002, primarily due to the Atlas divestiture.

Installation Services

Net sales of the installation services segment increased by $10.6 million compared to 2002. The increase was principally due to the segment’s expanded product offering and increased market share.

Operating profit of the installation services segment decreased $0.4 million compared to 2002. Gross margin percentage decreased to 26.9%, down from 27.6% in 2002. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 24.4% compared to 24.8% in 2002. The segment’s decreased profitability was principally due to costs to adjust inventory levels and make strategic changes in certain locations which have been underperforming.

Specialty Plastic Films

Net sales of the specialty plastic films segment increased $82.3 million compared to 2002. The net effect of increased unit volume and product mix ($34 million), the effect of a weaker U.S. dollar on translated foreign sales ($28 million), the addition of the Brazilian operation which was acquired at the end of fiscal 2002 ($10 million) and selling price adjustments to pass raw material cost increases to customers ($10 million) were the principal reasons for the increase.

Operating profit of the specialty plastic films segment increased $4.0 million compared to 2002. Gross margin percentage decreased to 23.8%, down from 25.4%. The lower margin percentage was principally due to the excess of raw material (resin) cost increases over selling price adjustments and costs associated with facility expansion for current and new products, partly offset by increased manufacturing efficiencies. The effect of the lower margin percentage on segment operating results was offset by the net positive effect of increased volume and favorable product mix, and exchange rate differences. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales was 12.4%, up from 12.1% in 2002, due to product development expenditures and higher freight and administrative costs associated with the segment’s European operations in support of the sales growth.

Electronic Information and Communication Systems

Net sales of the electronic information and communication systems segment decreased $16.7 million compared to 2002. The decrease was primarily due to delays in anticipated contract awards and continued softness in international markets for radar products, partly offset by sales growth in the last fiscal quarter from certain military production programs.

Operating profit of the electronic information and communication systems segment decreased $1.0 million compared to 2002 primarily due to the sales decrease. Gross margin percentage increased to 26.5%, up from 24.2%. The increased gross margin percentage is primarily due to manufacturing efficiencies in 2003, and lower margins in 2002 in connection with certain development phase programs.

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased over 2002 due primarily to higher research and development expenditures and new business development costs; due to the sales decrease these expenses increased to 19.1% as a percentage of sales, up from 16.9%.

Interest Expense

Interest expense increased by $0.3 million compared to 2002 due to the sale in July 2003 of $130 million of 4% convertible subordinated notes, $49 million of which was used to repay bank indebtedness.

Income Tax Expense

The company’s provision for income taxes included benefits of $1.7 million in 2003 and $2.0 million in 2002 reflecting the resolution of certain previously recorded tax liabilities principally in connection with completed examinations of prior years’ tax returns.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash flow generated by operations for 2004 was $105.8 million compared to $67.5 million last year and working capital was $270.0 million at September 30, 2004. Operating cash flows increased compared to last year due primarily to higher profitability and changes in operating assets and current liabilities.

Net cash used in investing activities during 2004 was $59.2 million. The company had capital expenditures of $56.1 million, principally made in connection with the ongoing capital expansion program in the specialty plastic films segment. Capital expenditures in 2005 are anticipated to be at approximately the same level as 2004, and are expected to be funded principally by existing cash balances and operating cash flows. These investments, which will add substantial additional capacity in specialty plastic films’ operations in Germany and Brazil, will incorporate engineering and technology upgrades expected to provide for future geographic expansion and development of new markets.

Net cash used by financing activities during 2004 was $29.3 million. Approximately $28.4 million was used to acquire a total of 1.3 million shares of Common Stock. The company’s board of directors has authorized a one million share increase in the company’s stock buyback program, bringing the unused authorization to approximately 2 million shares. Additional purchases under the company’s stock buyback program will be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, at prices deemed appropriate by management.

In connection with its outstanding 4% convertible subordinated notes (the “Notes”), upon conversion the company had the option of delivering cash or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock in exchange for tendered Notes. The company has irrevocably elected to pay Noteholders at least $1,000 in cash for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes presented for conversion. The excess of the value of the company’s Common Stock that would have been issuable upon conversion over the cash delivered will be paid to Noteholders in shares of the company’s Common Stock. See Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

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Contractual Obligations

At September 30, 2004, payments to be made pursuant to significant contractual obligations are as follows (000’s omitted):

Year				Purchase  Obligations					Capital Expenditures					Operating  Leases					Debt Repayments					Total
2005					$	73,700				$	10,100				$	29,100				$	8,300			$	121,200
2006					7,700					—					18,900					9,400				36,000
2007					3,200					—					14,700					13,600				31,500
2008					2,800					—					8,800					1,500				13,100
2009					1,600					—					3,600					—				5,200
Thereafter					300					—					3,500					130,000				133,800

 

The purchase obligations are generally for the purchase of goods and services in the ordinary course of business. The company uses blanket purchase orders to communicate expected requirements to certain of its vendors. Purchase obligations reflect those purchase orders where the commitment is considered to be firm. Purchase obligations that extend beyond 2005 are principally related to long-term contracts received from customers of the electronic information and communication systems segment.

A wholly owned subsidiary of the company has a lease agreement that limits dividends and advances it may pay to the parent company. The agreement permits the payment of income taxes based on a tax sharing arrangement, and dividends based on a percentage of the subsidiary’s net income. At September 30, 2004 the subsidiary had net assets of approximately $330 million. The company expects that cash flows from operations, together with existing cash, bank lines of credit and lease line availability, should be adequate to satisfy contractual obligations and finance presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRONOUNCEMENTS

Critical Accounting Policies

The company’s significant accounting policies are set forth in Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.” The following discussion of critical accounting policies addresses those policies that require management judgment and estimates and are most important in determining the company’s operating results and financial condition.

The company recognizes revenues for most of its operations when title and the risks of ownership pass to its customers. Provisions for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to remit payments are recorded in the company’s consolidated financial statements. Judgment is required to estimate the ultimate realization of receivables, including specific reviews for collectibility when, based on an evaluation of facts and circumstances, the company may be unable to collect amounts owed to it, as well as estimation of overall collectibility of those receivables that have not required specific review.

The company’s electronic information and communication systems segment does a significant portion of its business under long-term contracts. This unit generally recognizes contract-related revenue and profit using the percentage of completion method of accounting, which relies on estimates of total expected contract costs. A significant amount of judgment is required to estimate contract costs, including estimating many variables such as costs for material, labor and subcontracting costs, as well as applicable indirect costs. The company follows this method of accounting for its long-term contracts since reasonably dependable estimates of costs applicable to various elements of a contract can be made. Since the financial reporting of these contracts depends on estimates, recognized revenues and profit are subject to revisions as contracts progress to completion. Contract cost estimates are generally updated quarterly. Revisions in

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revenue and profit estimates are reflected in the period in which the circumstances requiring the revision become known. Provisions are made currently for anticipated losses on uncompleted contracts.

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (principally first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory valuation requires the company to use judgment to estimate any necessary allowances for excess, slow-moving and obsolete inventory, which estimates are based on assessments about future demands, market conditions and management actions.

The company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans. The amount of the company’s liability for pension benefits and the amount of pension expense recognized in the financial statements is determined using actuarial assumptions such as the discount rate, the long-term rate of return on plan assets and the rate of compensation increases. Judgment is required to annually determine the rates to be used in performing the actuarial calculations. The company evaluates these assumptions with its actuarial and investment advisors and believes that they are within accepted industry ranges. In 2004 the discount rate was lowered to reflect current market conditions.

Upon acquisition, the excess of cost over the fair value of an acquired business’ net assets is recorded as goodwill. Annually in its fourth fiscal quarter, the company evaluates goodwill for impairment by comparing the carrying value of its operating units to estimates of the related operation’s fair values. An evaluation would also be performed if an event occurs or circumstances change such that the estimated fair value of the company’s operating units would be reduced below its carrying value.

The company depreciates property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are based upon the nature of the assets and their planned use in the company’s operations. Events and circumstances such as changes in operating plans, technological change or regulatory matters could affect the manner in which long-lived assets are held and used. Judgment is required to establish depreciable lives for operating assets and to evaluate events or circumstances for indications that the value of long-lived assets has been impaired.

Income taxes include current year amounts that are payable or refundable and deferred taxes reflecting the company’s estimate of the future tax consequences of temporary differences between amounts reflected in the financial statements and their tax basis. Changes in tax laws and rates may affect the amount of recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In October 2004 the Financial Accounting Standards Board ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force on Issue 04-8, “The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings per Share.” This consensus requires contingently convertible debt to be included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share even though related market based contingencies have not been met. Holders of the company’s 4% convertible subordinated notes are entitled to convert their notes into the company’s Common Stock upon the occurrence of certain events and on the terms described in Note 2 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements”. Shares potentially issuable upon conversion will be included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share using the “treasury stock” method. Adoption of Issue 04-8, which becomes effective for fiscal 2005, will not affect the company’s fiscal 2004 or previously reported diluted earnings per share amounts. See Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.”

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this annual report, including without limitation statements regarding the company’s financial position, business strategy, and the plans and objectives of the company’s management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this annual report, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar

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expressions, as they relate to the company or its management, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of the company’s management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to, business and economic conditions, competitive factors and pricing pressures, capacity and supply constraints. Such statements reflect the views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to the operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Management does not believe that there is any material market risk exposure with respect to foreign currency, derivatives or other financial instruments that would require disclosure under this item.

Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The financial statements of the company and its subsidiaries and the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, dated November 30, 2004 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 are included herein:

·       Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

·       Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2004 and 2003.

·       Consolidated Statements of Income, Cash Flows and Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002.

·       Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Griffon Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) on page 45 present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Griffon Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at September 30, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedules listed in the index appearing under item 15(a)(2) on page 45 present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements 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, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

As discussed in Note 1, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (“SFAS 142”) “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, on October 1, 2001.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

November 30, 2004

 

24

GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

		September 30
		2004			2003
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	88,047,000		$	69,816,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,729,000 in 2004 and $7,965,000 in 2003 (Note 1)		174,938,000			173,942,000
Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed (Note 1)		32,700,000			46,642,000
Inventories (Note 1)		141,567,000			114,003,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		43,381,000			39,280,000
Total current assets		480,633,000			443,683,000
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost, net of depreciation and amortization (Note 1)		203,539,000			169,852,000
OTHER ASSETS:
Costs in excess of fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, net (Note 1)		50,554,000			49,983,000
Other		14,790,000			15,212,000
		65,344,000			65,195,000
		$	749,516,000		$	678,730,000

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt (Note 2)		$	14,490,000		$	12,161,000
Accounts payable		85,589,000			69,555,000
Accrued liabilities (Note 1)		96,288,000			95,372,000
Income taxes (Note 1)		14,264,000			16,975,000
Total current liabilities		210,631,000			194,063,000
Long-Term Debt (Note 2)		154,445,000			155,483,000
Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits		40,293,000			27,539,000
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 5)
Minority Interest		25,175,000			17,591,000
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Note 3):
Preferred stock, par value $.25 per share, authorized 3,000,000 shares, no shares issued		—			—
Common stock, par value $.25 per share, authorized 85,000,000 shares, issued 38,006,139 shares in 2004 and 36,625,717 shares in 2003		9,502,000			9,156,000
Capital in excess of par value		115,160,000			97,721,000
Retained earnings		338,485,000			284,626,000
Treasury shares, at cost, 9,014,509 common shares in 2004 and 7,165,919 common shares in 2003		(136,147,000		)	(97,902,000		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (Note 1)		(5,051,000		)	(6,064,000		)
Deferred compensation		(2,977,000		)	(3,483,000		)
Total shareholders’ equity		318,972,000			284,054,000
		$	749,516,000		$	678,730,000

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

25

GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

		Years ended September 30
		2004			2003			2002
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	53,859,000		$	43,022,000		$	9,936,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		28,331,000			26,182,000			22,637,000
Gain on sale of real estate		—			—			(1,974,000		)
Loss on divestiture		—			—			10,200,000
Minority interest		12,133,000			10,167,000			7,843,000
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle		—			—			24,118,000
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		2,785,000			1,879,000			1,407,000
Deferred income taxes		8,336,000			4,535,000			(3,275,000		)
Change in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable and contract costs and recognized income not yet billed		11,545,000			(12,621,000		)	4,214,000
Increase in inventories		(27,313,000		)	(9,832,000		)	(8,673,000		)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets		(4,655,000		)	(1,257,000		)	1,951,000
Increase in accounts payable, accrued liabilities and income taxes payable		14,632,000			4,919,000			8,637,000
Other changes, net		6,128,000			492,000			5,631,000
Total adjustments		51,922,000			24,464,000			72,716,000
Net cash provided by operating activities		105,781,000			67,486,000			82,652,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment		(56,124,000		)	(44,049,000		)	(24,300,000		)
Proceeds from divestiture		—			3,826,000			—
Proceeds from sale of real estate		—			—			2,638,000
Acquired businesses		—			(13,773,000		)	(4,598,000		)
Increase in equipment lease deposits		(3,787,000		)	(1,261,000		)	(2,816,000		)
Other, net		708,000			—			(789,000		)
Net cash used in investing activities		(59,203,000		)	(55,257,000		)	(29,865,000		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchase of treasury shares		(28,400,000		)	(60,655,000		)	(11,874,000		)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		12,393,000			157,193,000			4,000,000
Payments of long-term debt		(12,631,000		)	(78,259,000		)	(39,217,000		)
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings		103,000			1,072,000			(963,000		)
Exercise of stock options		5,473,000			1,288,000			6,788,000
Payment of debt issuance costs		—			(4,218,000		)	—
Distributions to minority interest		(5,974,000		)	(6,362,000		)	(6,252,000		)
Other, net		(269,000		)	—			(504,000		)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		(29,305,000		)	10,059,000			(48,022,000		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		958,000			1,779,000			888,000
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		18,231,000			24,067,000			5,653,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		69,816,000			45,749,000			40,096,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		$	88,047,000		$	69,816,000		$	45,749,000

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.

27

GRIFFON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Years Ended September 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002

		COMMON STOCK							CAPITAL IN EXCESS OF			RETAINED			TREASURY SHARES					ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE					DEFERRED					COMPREHENSIVE
		SHARES		PAR VALUE					PAR VALUE			EARNINGS			SHARES		COST			INCOME					COMPENSATION					INCOME
Balances, September 30, 2001		35,023,437			$	8,756,000			$	79,761,000		$	231,668,000		2,284,802		$	19,230,000			$	(4,573,000	)			$	2,529,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				(4,660,000		)			—					$	(4,660,000	)
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				(3,013,000		)			—					(3,013,000		)
Net income		—			—				—			9,936,000			—		—				—					—					9,936,000
Comprehensive income (Note 1)		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					—					$	2,263,000
Amortization of deferred compensation		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					(580,000		)
ESOP purchase of Common Stock		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					2,000,000
Purchase of treasury shares		—			—				—			—			982,181		16,971,000				—					—
Exercise of stock options		1,307,025			327,000				9,608,000			—			—		—				—					—
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		—			—				4,661,000			—			—		—				—					—
Other		6,730			1,000				747,000			—			—		—				—					100,000
Balances, September 30, 2002		36,337,192			9,084,000				94,777,000			241,604,000			3,266,983		36,201,000				(12,246,000		)			4,049,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				7,921,000					—					$	7,921,000
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				(1,739,000		)			—					(1,739,000		)
Net income		—			—				—			43,022,000			—		—				—					—					43,022,000
Comprehensive income (Note 1)		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					—					$	49,204,000
Amortization of deferred compensation		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					(666,000		)
Purchase of treasury shares		—			—				—			—			3,825,284		60,655,000				—					—
Exercise of stock options		281,225			70,000				1,923,000			—			73,652		1,046,000				—					—
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		—			—				854,000			—			—		—				—					—
Other		7,300			2,000				167,000			—			—		—				—					100,000
Balances, September 30, 2003		36,625,717			9,156,000				97,721,000			284,626,000			7,165,919		97,902,000				(6,064,000		)			3,483,000
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				3,018,000					—					$	3,018,000
Minimum pension liability adjustment		—			—				—			—			—		—				(2,005,000		)			—					(2,005,000		)
Net income		—			—				—			53,859,000			—		—				—					—					53,859,000
Comprehensive income (Note 1)		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					—					$	54,872,000
Amortization of deferred compensation		—			—				—			—			—		—				—					(606,000		)
Purchase of treasury shares		—			—				—			—			1,348,400		28,400,000				—					—
Exercise of stock options		1,375,772			344,000				11,220,000			—			500,190		9,845,000				—					—
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options		—			—				5,796,000			—			—		—				—					—
Other		4,650			2,000				423,000			—			—		—				—					100,000
Balances, September 30, 2004		38,006,139			$9,502,000				$ 115,160,000			$338,485,000			9,014,509		$136,147,000				$  (5,051,000		)			$	2,977,000

 

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.