e10vq
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
     
ý   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 29, 2007
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OF 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM            TO           
Commission file number 0-20388
LITTELFUSE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware   36-3795742
     
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification No.)
     
800 East Northwest Highway    
Des Plaines, Illinois   60016
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(847) 824-1188
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
     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 þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
     Large accelerated filer ý            Accelerated filer o            Non-accelerated filer o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES o NO ý
     As of September 29, 2007, 22,363,173 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the Registrant were outstanding.
 
 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        PAGE
 
           
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
           
Item 1.
  Financial Statements        
 
           
 
  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 2007 and December 30, 2006 (unaudited).     1  
 
           
 
  Consolidated Statements of Income for the periods ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006 (unaudited).     2  
 
           
 
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006 (unaudited).     3  
 
           
 
  Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)     4  
 
           
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.     14  
 
           
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.     18  
 
           
  Controls and Procedures.     19  
 
           
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
           
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.     20  
 
           
  Exhibits.     20  
 Section 302 Certification
 Section 302 Certification
 Section 906 Certification

 


Table of Contents

LITTELFUSE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, unaudited)
                 
    September 29, 2007     December 30, 2006  
 
               
Assets Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 57,716     $ 56,704  
Accounts receivable
    90,166       83,901  
Inventories
    59,990       65,961  
Deferred income taxes
    15,309       12,382  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    14,566       9,821  
 
           
Total current assets
    237,747       228,769  
 
               
Property, plant, and equipment:
               
Land
    12,323       10,916  
Buildings
    47,528       45,518  
Equipment
    265,428       285,758  
 
           
 
    325,279       342,192  
Accumulated depreciation
    (189,566 )     (216,676 )
 
           
Net property, plant and equipment
    135,713       125,516  
 
               
Intangible assets, net of amortization:
               
Patents , licenses and software
    9,464       10,118  
Distribution network
    14,164       15,209  
Trademarks and tradenames
    1,283       1,321  
Goodwill
    72,545       67,500  
 
           
 
    97,456       94,148  
 
               
Investments
    6,339       5,231  
Long-term deferred tax asset
    8,661       9,746  
Other assets
    1,309       1,556  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 487,225     $ 464,966  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 26,815     $ 23,334  
Accrued payroll
    16,546       22,468  
Accrued expenses
    14,173       12,579  
Accrued severance
    17,949       10,670  
Accrued income taxes
    4,251       4,656  
Current portion of long-term debt
    6,565       24,328  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    86,299       98,035  
 
               
Long-term debt, less current portion
    1,355       1,785  
Accrued severance
    11,191       18,879  
Accrued post-retirement benefits
    24,074       27,971  
Other long-term liabilities
    11,294       14,488  
Minority interest
    143       143  
Shareholders’ equity
    352,869       303,665  
 
           
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 487,225     $ 464,966  
 
           
 
               
Common shares issued and outstanding
               
of 22,363,173 and 22,110,674,
               
at September 29, 2007, and December 30, 2006, respectively
               

1


Table of Contents

LITTELFUSE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands, except per share data, unaudited)
                                 
    For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
    Sept 29,     Sept 30,     Sept 29,     Sept 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 140,215     $ 143,471     $ 401,178     $ 407,023  
 
                               
Cost of sales
    93,926       96,386       272,297       283,849  
 
                       
 
                               
Gross profit
    46,289       47,085       128,881       123,174  
 
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    27,578       29,174       76,938       83,595  
Research and development expenses
    5,644       4,634       16,237       14,099  
Gain on sale of Ireland property
    (8,037 )           (8,037 )      
Amortization of intangibles
    877       909       2,413       2,020  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    20,227       12,368       41,330       23,460  
 
                               
Interest expense
    207       480       1,037       1,252  
Other expense (income), net
    195       (117 )     (690 )     (1,627 )
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and income taxes.     19,825       12,005       40,983       23,835  
 
                               
Income taxes
    5,531       2,645       12,086       5,243  
 
                       
 
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
    14,294       9,360       28,897       18,592  
 
                               
Discontinued operations (net of tax).
                      588  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
  $ 14,294     $ 9,360     $ 28,897     $ 19,180  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share:
                               
Basic:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.30     $ 0.83  
 
                       
Discontinued operations
  $     $     $     $ 0.03  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.30     $ 0.86  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.29     $ 0.82  
 
                       
Discontinued operations
  $     $     $     $ 0.03  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.29     $ 0.85  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average shares and equivalent shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    22,359       22,347       22,272       22,308  
 
                       
Diluted
    22,499       22,504       22,445       22,440  
 
                       

2


Table of Contents

LITTELFUSE, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands, unaudited)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended  
    Sept 29,     Sept 30,  
    2007     2006  
 
               
Operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 28,897     $ 19,180  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation
    18,503       23,199  
Amortization of intangibles
    2,413       2,020  
Stock-based compensation
    3,795       3,903  
Gain on sale of Ireland property
    (8,037 )      
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (5,356 )     (13,914 )
Inventories
    7,182       392  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (7,350 )     24,975  
Accrued taxes
    (4,373 )     (6,289 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (4,400 )     900  
 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities
    31,274       54,366  
 
               
Investing activities:
               
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment
    (26,215 )     (14,116 )
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired
    (4,507 )     (37,642 )
Sale of business and property, plant and equipment
    8,593       11,574  
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
    (22,129 )     (40,184 )
 
               
Financing activities:
               
Proceeds from debt
    41,700       35,273  
Payments of debt
    (59,866 )     (35,935 )
Notes receivable, common stock
          7  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    6,205       5,984  
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation
    1,005       408  
Purchase of treasury stock
          (652 )
 
           
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (10,956 )     5,085  
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    2,823       1,675  
 
           
 
               
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    1,012       20,942  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    56,704       21,947  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 57,716     $ 42,889  
 
           

3


Table of Contents

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
September 29, 2007
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, Des Plaines and Elk Grove, Illinois, Irving, Texas, Ireland and Heinrich severance, accrued employee-related costs pursuant to contractual obligations, the gain recognized related to the sale of property in Ireland, pension related expense associated with the U.K. pension plan and income tax reserve reclassifications required under FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The December 30, 2006 balance of $8.0 million for uncertain income tax positions has been reclassified from accrued income taxes to other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 29, 2007. For further information, refer to the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006.
2. Business Segment Information
SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” establishes annual and interim reporting standards for an enterprise’s operating segments and related disclosures about its products, services, geographic areas and major customers. An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) in deciding how to allocate resources. The CODM has historically evaluated the operations and reported the enterprise by geography segment for the purpose of SFAS No. 131. Over the last several quarters, the Company has made a number of organizational changes that have changed the information the CODM receives and how the CODM evaluates the Company’s operations. These structural changes have increased the importance of the Company’s reliance on business unit performance compared to geographic. As such, the Company determined in the third quarter of 2007 that business units now represent operating segments, as defined in SFAS No. 131, and therefore have reported these business units as separate segments. In accordance with SFAS No. 131, the Company has also provided this business unit segment information for all comparable prior periods.
The Company’s operating segments include the electronics business, the automotive business, and the electrical business. Each of the operating segments is directly responsible for sales, marketing and research & development. Manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, customer service, finance, information technology and human resources are shared functions which are allocated back to the three operating segments.
The Chief Operating Decision Maker, as defined by SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (SFAS No. 131), is the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CODM allocates resources to and assesses the performance of each operating segment using information about its revenue and operating income (loss) before interest and taxes.
The Company reports the financial results of the following operating segments:
    Electronics Business. Provides circuit protection components and expertise to leading global manufacturers of a wide range of electronic products including mobile phones, computers, LCD TV’s, telecommunications equipment, medical devices, lighting products and white goods. The Electronics Business has the broadest product offering in the industry including fuses, PTC’s, varistors, diodes, thyristors, gas discharge tubes and polymer ESD protectors
 
    Automotive Business. Provides circuit protection products to the worldwide passenger vehicle, off-road truck & bus and automotive aftermarket segments. Products include blade fuses, high current fuses, battery cable

4


Table of Contents

      protectors and varistors
    Electrical Business. Provides circuit protection products, hazard assessments, and safety services for industrial and commercial customers. Products include power fuses and other circuit protection devices that are used in commercial and industrial buildings and large equipment such as HVAC systems, elevators and machine tools
Sales, marketing and research & development expenses are charged directly into each operating segment. All other functions are shared by the operating segments and expenses for these shared functions are allocated to the operating segments and included in the operating results reported below. The CODM does not evaluate operating segments using discrete asset information. The Company does not report inter-segment revenue because the operating segments do not record it. The Company does not allocate interest and other income, interest expense, or taxes to operating segments. Although the CODM uses operating income to evaluate the segments, operating costs included in one segment may benefit other segments. Except as discussed above, the accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for Littelfuse as a whole.
Export sales to Hong Kong were 20.1% and 17.9% of consolidated sales for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007, respectively. No other foreign country sales exceeded 10% for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007. Export sales to Hong Kong were 18.5% and 15.5% of consolidated sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. No other foreign country sales exceeded 10% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006. Sales to no single customer amounted to 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007. Sales to Arrow Pemco Group were 8.9% and 10.7% of consolidated sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. Sales to no other single customer amounted to 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.
Segment information is summarized as follows:
                                 
    Three Months     Three Months     Nine Months     Nine months  
    Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended  
    Sept 29, 2007     Sept 30, 2006     Sept 29, 2007     Sept 30, 2006  
 
                               
Net sales
                               
 
                               
Electronic
  $ 92,439     $ 101,118     $ 260,744     $ 279,858  
Automotive
    33,882       30,225       101,416       92,810  
Electrical
    13,894       12,128       39,018       34,355  
 
                       
Total net revenue
  $ 140,215     $ 143,471     $ 401,178     $ 407,023  
 
                               
Operating income (loss)
                               
 
                               
Electronic
  $ 6,277     $ 11,172     $ 17,248     $ 31,020  
Automotive
    5,168       2,353       14,561       10,955  
Electrical
    3,294       2,734       8,938       7,274  
Other
    5,488       (3,891 )     583       (25,789 )
 
                       
Total operating income
  $ 20,227     $ 12,368     $ 41,330     $ 23,460  
 
                               
Interest expense
  $ 207     $ 480     $ 1,037     $ 1,252  
Other (income) expense
  $ 195     $ (117 )   $ (690 )   $ (1,627 )
 
                       
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes
  $ 19,825     $ 12,005     $ 40,983     $ 23,835  
Income taxes
  $ 5,531     $ 2,645     $ 12,086     $ 5,243  
 
                       
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 14,294     $ 9,360     $ 28,897     $ 18,592  
Discontinued operations (net of tax)
  $     $     $     $ 588  
 
                       
Net income
  $ 14,294     $ 9,360     $ 28,897     $ 19,180  
 
                               
Net sales
                               
 
                               
Americas
  $ 51,828     $ 54,574     $ 152,305     $ 166,404  
Europe
    28,312       27,777       88,499       85,254  
Asia-Pacific
    60,075       61,120       160,374       155,365  
 
                       
Consolidated total
  $ 140,215     $ 143,471     $ 401,178     $ 407,023  

5


Table of Contents

Identifiable assets
                 
    September 29, 2007     December 30, 2006  
 
               
Americas
  $ 206,308     $ 227,322  
Europe
    134,126       159,639  
Asia-Pacific
    165,081       148,526  
 
           
Combined total
    505,515       535,487  
Eliminations
    (122,085 )     (169,900 )
 
           
Consolidated total
  $ 383,430     $ 365,587  
 
           
3. Inventories
The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):
                 
    September 29,     December 30,  
    2007     2006  
 
               
Raw material
  $ 17,309     $ 15,043  
Work in process
    13,480       15,838  
Finished goods
    29,201       35,080  
 
           
Total
  $ 59,990     $ 65,961  
 
           
4. Debt Obligations
The Company has an unsecured domestic financing arrangement consisting of a credit agreement with banks that provides a $75.0 million revolving credit facility, with a potential increase of up to $125.0 million upon request of the Company and agreement with the lenders, that expires on July 21, 2011. At September 29, 2007, the Company had $6.0 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility, leaving $69.0 million of borrowing capability available under the revolving credit facility at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.50% (6.06% as of September 29, 2007). The Company also had $6.3 million in letters of credit outstanding at September 29, 2007.
The Company has an unsecured bank line of credit in Japan that provides a Yen 0.9 billion (an equivalent of $7.8 million) revolving credit facility at an interest rate of TIBOR plus 0.625% (1.651% as of September 29, 2007). The revolving line of credit balance becomes due on July 21, 2011. At September 29, 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on the Yen facility.
The Company has an unsecured bank line of credit that provides a Taiwanese Dollar 35.0 million (equivalent to $1.1 million) revolving credit facility at an interest rate of two-years Time Deposit plus 0.145% (2.3% as of September 29, 2007). The revolving line of credit becomes due on August 18, 2009. At September 29, 2007, the Company had the equivalent of $0.7 million of outstanding borrowings on the Taiwanese Dollar facility.
The Company has various other foreign fixed rate loans outstanding at September 29, 2007, totaling $1.2 million with maturity dates through August 2013.
The domestic bank credit agreement contains covenants that, among other matters, impose limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, future mergers, sales of assets, payment of dividends, and changes in control, as defined. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage, working capital, leverage and net worth. At September 29, 2007, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

6


Table of Contents

5. Per Share Data
Net income per share amounts for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007, and September 30, 2006, are based on the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the periods as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
                                 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    Sept 29,     Sept 30,     Sept 29,     Sept 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
                               
Net income
  $ 14,294     $ 9,360     $ 28,897     $ 19,180  
 
                       
 
                               
Average shares outstanding — Basic
    22,359       22,347       22,272       22,308  
 
                               
Net effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares
                               
- Diluted
    140       157       173       132  
 
                       
 
                               
Average shares outstanding
                               
- Diluted
    22,499       22,504       22,445       22,440  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share
                               
- Basic
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.30     $ 0.86  
 
                       
- Diluted
  $ 0.64     $ 0.42     $ 1.29     $ 0.85  
 
                       
Potential shares of common stock relating to stock options excluded from the EPS calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive were 1,200,127 and 840,917 for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007 and 1,150,052 and 1,059,066 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively.
6. Acquisitions
On February 3, 2006, the Company acquired SurgX Corporation (“SurgX”) for $2.5 million. All of the assets of SurgX were classified as patents in the Electronics segment with an average useful life of seven years. The SurgX acquisition expands the Company’s product offering and strengthens the Company’s position in the circuit protection industry. SurgX is included in the Company’s financial statements since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information is not presented due to amounts not being materially different than actual results.
On May 30, 2006, the Company acquired all of the common stock of Concord Semiconductor (“Concord”) for $23.8 million in cash, net of cash acquired of $1.2 million, and acquisition costs of approximately $0.2 million. The Company funded the acquisition with $14.0 million in cash and $10.0 million of borrowings on an existing revolving line of credit.
Littelfuse has continued to operate Concord’s electronics business subsequent to the acquisition. The Concord acquisition expands the Company’s product offering and strengthens the Company’s position in the circuit protection industry.
The acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and the operations of Concord are included in the Company’s operations from the date of acquisition. The following table sets forth the purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Concord in accordance with the purchase method of accounting with adjustments to record the acquired assets and liabilities of Concord at their estimated fair market or net realizable values.
         
Purchase price allocation (in thousands)  
Current assets
  $ 7,548  
Property, plant and equipment
    7,903  
Patents and licenses
    4,477  
Distribution network
    6,906  
Goodwill
    6,356  
Current liabilities
    (2,975 )
Deferred taxes
    (3,593 )
Long-term debt
    (2,657 )
 
     
 
  $ 23,965  
 
     

7


Table of Contents

All Concord goodwill and intangible assets are recorded in the Electronics segment. Patents and licenses have an average estimated useful life of approximately four years. Pro forma financial information is not presented due to amounts not being materially different than actual results.
On June 26, 2006, the Company acquired Catalina Performance Accessories, Inc. (“Catalina”) for $4.5 million. The Company acquired $0.4 million of accounts receivable, $0.5 million of inventory and a $3.6 million distribution network. The distribution network was reported in the Automotive segment with a useful life of ten years. The Catalina acquisition expands the Company’s product offering and strengthens the Company’s position in the circuit protection industry. Catalina is included in the Company’s financial statements since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information is not presented due to amounts not being materially different than actual results.
On August 1, 2006 the Company acquired the gas discharge tube (GDT) assets of SRC Devices, Inc. (“SRC”), for $6.0 million in cash, subject to post-closing purchase price adjustments. The Company acquired $0.3 million of inventory, $0.9 million of fixed assets, and $2.2 million of distribution network, with the excess purchase price of $2.6 million recorded as goodwill. The distribution network was reported in the Electronics segment with a useful life of nine years. The SRC acquisition expands the Company’s product offering and strengthens the Company’s position in the circuit protection industry. SRC is included in the Company’s financial statements since the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information is not presented due to amounts not being materially different than actual results. The Company completed its move of the production of the GDT product line from the SRC manufacturing facility in Mexico to its existing operation in Suzhou, China during the third quarter of 2007.
On July 31, 2007, the Company acquired the assets of Song Long Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Song Long”) for approximately $5.5 million and acquisition costs of approximately $0.5 million. The final purchase price is subject to revision as the Company negotiates working capital adjustments to the purchase price. $1.2 million of the estimated purchase price has been held back by the Company pending resolution of these negotiations. All Song Long goodwill and assets are recorded in the Electronics segment at estimated fair values. The purchase price allocations are estimates and subject to revision as the Company completes its negotiation and fair value analysis. Pro forma financial information is not present due to amounts not being materially different than actual results. The following table sets forth the preliminary purchase price allocation for Song Long’s assets in accordance with the purchase method of accounting with adjustments to record the acquired assets at their estimated fair market or net realizable values.
         
Purchase price allocation (in thousands)
Property, plant and equipment
  $ 1,290  
Goodwill
    4,679  
 
     
 
  $ 5,969  
 
     
Goodwill for all of the above acquisitions is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
7. Discontinued Operations
In February 2006, the Company sold the Efen business that consisted of production and sales facilities in Uebigau and Eltville, Germany and Kaposvar, Hungary. The Company obtained Efen as part of its acquisition of Heinrich in May 2004. Results of operations for Efen have been reclassified and presented as discontinued operations for 2006. Efen is reflected as a discontinued operation in reporting the change between operating income by segment and consolidated net income.. Due to the Efen sale taking place in February 2006, the results of Efen were no longer recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income after the first quarter of 2006.

8


Table of Contents

Efen’s results are summarized as follows for the periods ending (in thousands):
                 
    Sept 29,     Sept 30,  
    2007     2006*  
 
               
Net sales
  $     $ 3,789  
Income before taxes
          773  
Income taxes
          324  
 
           
Net income
  $     $ 449  
 
           
*Additionally, for the period ended December 30, 2006, discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income includes a gain on the sale of assets of $139 (net of tax of $85) relating to Efen.
The Efen product line was sold for Euro 9.5 million (approximately $11.6 million) in February 2006. In connection with the sale, a pretax loss of approximately $0.0 million was recognized, resulting in an after tax gain of $0.1 million after recognizing a tax benefit on the sale of $0.1 million. No assets or liabilities related to Efen existed on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 29, 2007 or December 31, 2006.
8. Restructuring Charges
During 2005, the Company announced a downsizing of the Ireland operation and outsourcing of more of its varistor manufacturing to lower cost Asian subcontractors. Charges related to this downsizing are recorded in Other for segment reporting purposes. A liability of $4.9 million was recorded related to redundancy costs for the manufacturing operation associated with this downsizing. This restructuring impacts approximately 35 associates in various production and support related roles. These costs were paid in 2005 and 2006. In the second quarter of 2006, an additional $17.1 million, net of $2.9 million statutory rebate consisting of $20.0 million of accrued severance less a statutory rebate of $2.9 million recorded as a current asset, was recorded as part of cost of sales related to the closure of the entire facility. During the second quarter and third quarter of 2007 an additional $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively was recorded as part of cost of sales related to the accumulation of additional severance benefits based upon current year service. This restructuring is part of the Company’s strategy to expand operations in Asia in order to be closer to current and potential customers and take advantage of lower manufacturing costs. This portion of the restructuring impacts approximately 131 employees. Restructuring charges are based upon each associate’s current salary and length of service with the Company. These costs will be paid through 2008.
         
Ireland restructuring (in thousands)
Balance at October 1, 2005
  $ 4,900  
Additions
     
Payments
    (897 )
 
     
Balance at December 31, 2005
    4,003  
Additions
    20,019  
Payments
    (2,473 )
Exchange rate impact
    1,059  
 
     
Balance at December 30, 2006
  $ 22,608  
 
     
Additions
     
Payments
    (280 )
Exchange rate impact
    79  
 
     
Balance at March 31, 2007
  $ 22,407  
 
     
Additions
    179  
Payments
    (1,337 )
Exchange rate impact
    28  
 
     
Balance at June 30, 2007
  $ 21,277  
 
     
Additions
    569  
Payments
    (1,959 )
Exchange rate impact
    1,128  
 
     
Balance at September 29, 2007
  $ 21,015  
 
     

9


Table of Contents

During the first quarter of 2006, the Company recorded a $2.1 million charge related to the downsizing of the Heinrich operations. Manufacturing related charges of $0.9 million are recorded as part of cost of sales and non-manufacturing related charges of $1.2 million are recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. During the second quarter of 2006 additional expense of $0.5 million was recognized primarily as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. During the third quarter of 2006, additional expense of $2.4 million was recorded. Manufacturing related charges of $1.4 million are recorded as part of cost of sales and non-manufacturing related charges of $1.0 million are recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. During the first quarter of 2007, additional expense of $0.6 million was recorded as part of cost of sales. These charges are primarily for redundancy costs to be paid through 2007. All charges related to this downsizing are recorded in Other for segment reporting purposes. Employees affected by this downsizing include technical, production, administrative and support employees. A summary of activity of this liability is as follows:
         
Heinrich restructuring (in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2005
  $  
Additions
    4,995  
Payments
    (632 )
 
     
Balance at December 30, 2006
  $ 4,363  
 
     
Additions
    629  
Payments
    (3,243 )
 
     
Balance at March 31, 2007
  $ 1,749  
 
     
Additions
     
Payments
    (536 )
 
     
Balance at June 30, 2007
  $ 1,213  
 
     
Additions
     
Payments
    (535 )
 
     
Balance at September 29, 2007
  $ 678  
 
     
During December 2006 the Company announced the closure of its Irving, Texas facility and the transfer of its semiconductor wafer manufacturing from Irving, Texas to Wuxi, China in a phased transition from 2007 to 2010. A liability of $1.9 million was recorded related to redundancy costs for the manufacturing operation associated with this downsizing. This charge was recorded as part of cost of sales. All charges related to this downsizing are recorded in Other for segment reporting purposes. The total cost expected to be incurred through 2010 is $6.5 million. The amounts not yet recognized relate to retention costs that will be incurred over the remaining closure period. This restructuring impacts approximately 180 associates in various production and support related roles and the costs relating to the restructuring will be paid over the period 2007 to 2010. A summary of activity of this liability is as follows:
         
Irving, Texas restructuring (in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2005
  $  
Additions
    1,890  
Payments
     
 
     
Balance at December 30, 2006
  $ 1,890  
 
     
Additions
    318  
Payments
     
 
     
Balance at March 31, 2007
  $ 2,208  
 
     
Additions
    392  
Payments
    (78 )
 
     
Balance at June 30, 2007
  $ 2,522  
 
     
Additions
     438  
Payments
    (200 )
 
     
Balance at September 29, 2007
  $ 2,760  
 
     

10


Table of Contents

During March 2007, the Company announced the closure of its Des Plaines and Elk Grove, Illinois facilities and the transfer of its manufacturing from Des Plaines, Illinois to the Philippines and Mexico in a phased transition from 2007 to 2009. A liability of $3.5 million was recorded related to redundancy costs for the manufacturing and distribution operations associated with this downsizing. Manufacturing related charges of $3.0 million are recorded as part of cost of sales and non-manufacturing related charges of $0.5 million are recorded as part of selling, general and administrative expenses. All charges related to this downsizing are recorded in Other for segment reporting purposes. The total cost expected to be incurred through 2009 is $7.1 million. The amounts not yet recognized relate to retention costs that will be incurred over the remaining closure period. This restructuring impacts approximately 307 associates in various production and support related roles and the costs relating to the restructuring will be paid over the period 2007 to 2009. A summary of activity of this liability is as follows:
         
Des Plaines and Elk Grove, Illinois (in thousands)
Balance at December 30, 2006
  $ 102  
Additions
    3,458  
Payments
    (70 )
 
     
Balance at March 31, 2007
  $ 3,490  
 
     
Additions
    476  
Payments
     
 
     
Balance at June 30, 2007
  $ 3,966  
 
     
Additions
    556  
Payments
    (99 )
 
     
Balance at September 29, 2007
  $ 4,423  
 
     
9. Pensions
The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007, compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, were (in thousands):
                                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    U.S. Pension Benefits     Foreign Plans  
    2007     2006     2007     2006     2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
                                                               
Service cost
  $ 798     $ 798     $ 2,394     $ 2,394     $ 281     $ 361     $ 843     $ 1,083  
Interest cost
    950       950       2,850       2,850       511       495       1,533       1,485  
Expected return on plan assets
    (1,057 )     (1,037 )     (3,171 )     (3,110 )     (529 )     (496 )     (1,587 )     (1,488 )
Amortization of prior service cost
    3       2       9       7       (3 )     (3 )     (9 )     (9 )
Amortization of transition asset
                            (28 )     (27 )     (84 )     (81 )
Amortization of net (gain) loss
    14       14       42       43       77       74       231       222  
Settlement cost
                            1,847             1,847        
 
                                               
Total cost of the plan
    708       727       2,124       2,184       2,156       404       2,774       1,212  
Expected plan participants’ contribution
                            (81 )     (89 )     (243 )     (267 )
 
                                               
Net periodic benefit cost
  $ 708     $ 727     $ 2,124     $ 2,184     $ 2,075     $ 315     $ 2,531     $ 945  
 
                                               

11


Table of Contents

During the third quarter of 2007 the Company recognized $1.8 million of additional expense associated with the settlement of pension obligations associated with its U.K. pension plan.
The expected rate of return on pension assets is 8.50% and 8.50% in 2007 and 2006, respectively. The expected rate of return on foreign pension assets is 6.70% and 6.70% in 2007 and 2006, respectively.
10. Income Taxes
The effective income tax rate for the third quarter of 2007 was 27.9% compared to an effective tax rate of 22.0% in the third quarter of last year. The current quarter effective income tax rate was higher than the prior year quarter primarily due to income earned in higher tax jurisdictions partially offset by a $2.8 million decrease in income tax reserves due to the lapsing of statutes of limitations, and more repatriation of cash from lower tax jurisdictions, as well as a $1.2 million benefit recorded in the prior year quarter for a favorable reserve adjustment.
In June 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. The interpretation addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under FIN 48, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties on income taxes, accounting in interim periods and requires increased disclosures.
The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, the Company had no adjustments to retained earnings. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at January 1, 2007 was approximately $8.0 million. Of this total, approximately $5.2 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. The Company does not expect significant increases or decreases in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12 months.
The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for 2003 onward. Foreign and U.S. state statute of limitations generally range from 3 to 6 years. The Company is currently under examination in several foreign jurisdictions.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the income tax provision. As of January 1, 2007 the Company had approximately $1.1 million of accrued interest and penalties.
11. Comprehensive Income
The following table sets forth the computation of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 29, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively:
                                 
    Three months ended     Nine months ended  
    Sept 29,     Sept 30,     Sept 29,     Sept 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
                               
Net income
  $ 14,294     $ 9,360     $ 28,897     $ 19,180  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Currency translation adjustments
    5,483       1,719       8,832       6,528  
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes
    24       (134 )      666       (730 )
 
                       
Comprehensive income
  $ 19,801     $ 10,945     $ 38,395     $ 24,978  
 
                       

12


Table of Contents

12. Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure various financial instruments and certain other items at fair value in order to mitigate volatility in reporting earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Net Sales by Geography and Market
(in millions)
                                                 
    Third Quarter     Year-to-Date  
    2007     2006     % Change     2007     2006     % Change  
 
                                               
Geography*
                                               
AMERICAS
  $ 52.9     $ 55.4       (5 )%   $ 155.5     $ 167.9       (7 )%
EUROPE
    28.2       27.9       1 %     88.8       84.7       5 %
ASIA-PACIFIC
    59.1       60.1       (2 )%     156.9       154.4       2 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 140.2     $ 143.4       (2 )%   $ 401.2     $ 407.0       (1 )%
 
                                   
                                                 
    Third Quarter     Year-to-Date  
    2007     2006%     Change     2007     2006     % Change  
 
                                               
Market
                                               
ELECTRONICS
  $ 92.4     $ 101.1       (9 )%   $ 260.7     $ 279.9       (7 )%
AUTOMOTIVE
    33.9       30.2       12 %     101.5       92.8       9 %
ELECTRICAL
    13.9       12.1       15 %     39.0       34.3       14 %
 
                                   
 
                                               
Total
  $ 140.2     $ 143.4       (2 )%   $ 401.2     $ 407.0       (1 )%
 
                                   
*  Sales are defined based upon shipped to destination. Segment reporting reflects sales based upon origination.
Results of Operations
Third Quarter, 2007
Sales decreased $3.2 million or 2% to $140.2 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $143.4 million in the third quarter of 2006 due to weaker electronic sales partially offset by higher sales in the automotive and electrical markets. Electronic sales decreased $8.7 million or 9% to $92.4 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $101.1 million in the third quarter of 2006. The decrease in electronic sales was driven by weaker distributor demand due primarily to an unusually strong third quarter of 2006 which benefited from inventory increases at distributors. Automotive sales increased $3.7 million or 12% to $33.9 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $30.2 million in the third quarter of 2006. The increase in automotive sales was due to growth in the off-road truck and bus segment and new products for the passenger vehicle segment Electrical sales increased $1.8 million or 15% to $13.9 million in the third quarter of 2007, compared to $12.1 million in the third quarter of 2006 due to price increases over the prior year quarter and improvements in the industrial market.
On a geographic basis, sales in the Americas decreased $2.5 million or 5% in the third quarter of 2007, compared to the third quarter of last year. Within the Americas the electronics business experienced a decline of $5.4 million reflecting weaker demand from North American distributors due primarily to an unusually strong third quarter of 2006 which benefited from inventory increases at distributors. Automotive OEM sales increased $0.8 million due to growth in the off-road truck and bus segment and new products for the passenger vehicle segment. The electrical business grew $1.7 million in the Americas due to price increases over the prior year quarter and improvements in the industrial market. Europe sales increased $0.3 million or 1% in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006. The increase in European sales was primarily due to increased automotive sales of $2.3 million partially offset by a $2.0 million decrease in electronic distributor sales. The automotive sales increase was due to favorable currency effects and growth in both the passenger vehicle and off-road, truck and bus segments. The lower electronics sales reflect decreased demand from electronics distributors. Asia-Pacific sales decreased $1.0 million or 2% compared to the prior year third quarter. The decrease in Asia-Pacific sales was mainly the result of an unusually strong third quarter of 2006 due primarily to distributor inventory increases. Automotive sales increased by $0.3 million in the Asia-Pacific region reflecting continued share gain in the growing Asian markets outside of Japan. Exchange rates had a favorable $2.5 million effect on sales in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to strengthening of the Euro.
Gross profit was $46.3 million or 33.0% of sales for the third quarter of 2007, compared to $47.1 million or 32.8% of sales in the same quarter last year. The third quarter of 2007 includes $1.5 million of charges related to employee severance while the third quarter of 2006 includes $2.1 million of asset write-downs and employee-related cost pursuant to contract obligations. Excluding the severance, asset write-downs and employee-related costs pursuant to

13


Table of Contents

contractual obligations, the third quarter 2007 gross margin was 33.4% in 2007 compared to 34.3% in 2006. The lower 2007 gross margin reflect unfavorable operating leverage and higher costs related to manufacturing transfers.
Total operating expense was $26.1 million or 18.6% of sales for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $34.7 million or 24.2% of sales for the same quarter in the prior year. Special items included in operating expenses for the third quarter of 2007 include a gain on the sale of land in Ireland of $8.0 million partially offset by an unfavorable pension expense adjustment of $1.8 million from the settlement of U.K pension obligation. Special items included in operating expenses in the third quarter of 2006 include $0.8 million for asset write-downs and $1.0 million of employee-related cost pursuant to contract obligations. Excluding special items, operating expenses were $32.0 million in 2007 compared to $33.0 million for 2006, reflecting lower bonus and salary expense partially offset by $1.0 million of additional research and development spending to support the Company’s solution selling strategy.
Operating income was $20.2 million or 14.4% of sales for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $12.4 million or 8.6% of sales for the same quarter of last year. The increase in operating income compared to the prior year was due to the gain on the sale of Ireland property and lower severance and asset write-down charges partially offset by lower sales, unfavorable operating leverage, the settlement of the pension obligation, and higher commodity prices.
Interest expense was $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2007 compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of the prior year reflecting a lower average debt balance in 2007 compared to the prior year quarter. Other expense was $0.2 million for the third quarter of 2007 compared to other income of $0.1 million in the third quarter of last year.
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes was $19.8 million for the third quarter 2007 compared to $12.0 million for the third quarter of 2006. Income taxes were $5.5 million or a 28% effective rate, for the third quarter of 2007 compared to $2.6 million or a 22% effective tax rate, in the third quarter of last year. Income taxes in the prior year quarter include a $1.2 million benefit related to a favorable tax reserve adjustment.
Net income for the third quarter of 2006 was $14.3 million or $0.64 per diluted share compared to $9.4 million or $0.42 per diluted share for the same quarter of last year due to the factors discussed above.
Nine Months, 2007
Sales for the first nine months of 2007 decreased 1% to $401.2 million from $407.0 million for the first nine months of last year due to weaker electronic sales partially offset by higher sales in the automotive and electrical markets. Electronic sales decreased $19.2 million or 7% to $260.7 million for the first nine months of 2007, compared to $279.9 million for the first nine months of 2006. The decrease in electronic sales reflects the North American distributor inventory correction in the first half of 2007 and lower demand in the telecommunications segment partially offset by increased improvements in Asian markets for digital consumer products. Automotive sales increased $8.7 million or 9% to $101.5 million for the first nine months of 2007, compared to $92.8 million for the first nine months of 2006. The increase in automotive sales was due to growth in the off-road truck and bus segment, new products for the passenger vehicle segment and gains in the growing Asian markets outside of Japan. Electrical sales increased $4.7 million or 14% to $39.0 million for the first nine months of 2007, compared to $34.3 million for the first nine months of 2006 due to price increases over the prior year quarter and improvements in the industrial market.
On a geographic basis, sales in the Americas decreased $12.4 million or 7% in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the prior year due primarily to lower North American electronics distributor sales partially offset by increased electrical sales. North American electronic sales for the current year decreased $19.0 million compared to the prior year primarily reflecting the distributor inventory correction in the first half of 2007 and lower demand in the telecommunications segment. Electrical sales for the current year increased $4.6 million compared to the prior year reflecting price increases and a strong industrial market. Europe sales increased $4.1 million or 5% in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the prior year largely due to favorable currency effects and increased automotive sales partially offset by lower sales to electronic distributors. Asia-Pacific sales increased $2.5 million or 2% for the first nine months of 2007 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to increased electronics sales throughout the region driven largely by improvements in the markets for digital consumer products. Automotive sales also increased by $0.9 million over the prior year reflecting share gain in the growing Asian markets outside of Japan. Favorable changes in exchange rates had the effect of increasing sales by $7.4 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to the prior year.
Gross profit was $128.9 million or 32.1% of sales for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $123.2 million or 30.3% of sales for the first nine months of last year. The 2007 gross margin percentage increased compared to the prior year as lower sales volume and related operating leverage was offset by 2006 Ireland severance charges of $17.1 million. Additionally, the first nine months of 2007 includes severance and asset write-down charges of $4.3 million while the first nine months of 2006 includes severance and asset write-down charges of $3.0 million.
Total operating expense was $87.6 million or 21.8% of sales for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $99.7 million or 24.5% of sales last year. The decrease in operating expenses reflects a gain recorded in the third quarter of 2007 on the sale of land in Ireland of $8.0 million, lower bonus expense and lower severance and asset-write-

14


Table of Contents

downs partially offset by higher research and development spending of $2.1 million to support the Company’s solution selling strategy.
Operating income for the first nine months of 2007 was $41.3 million or 10.3% of sales compared to $23.5 million or 5.8% of sales for the prior year. The improvement in operating income compared to the prior year was due to a gain recorded on the sale of property in Ireland, lower severance and asset write-down charges partially offset by lower sales and plant operating leverage.
Interest expense was $1.0 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $1.3 million last year due to lower average debt levels. Other income was $0.7 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $1.6 million for the same period last year primarily due to lower foreign currency revaluation expense recognized in the current year.
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes was $41.0 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $23.8 million the first nine months of last year. Income taxes were $12.1 million for the first nine months of 2007 compared to $5.2 million for the first nine months of last year. Income taxes for the first nine months of 2006 include a $2.8 million benefit related to the recognition of certain previous years net operating losses from the Teccor acquisition and a $1.2 million favorable tax reserve adjustment partially offset by $0.9 million of charges.
Net income for the first nine months of 2007 was $28.9 million compared to $19.2 million for the same period last year. Earnings per share for the first nine months of 2007 was $1.29 per diluted share compared to $0.85 per diluted share last year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Assuming no material adverse changes in market conditions or interest rates, management expects that the Company will have sufficient cash from operations to support both its operations and its current debt obligations for the foreseeable future.
Littelfuse started the 2007 year with $56.7 million of cash and cash equivalents. Net cash provided by operations was $31.3 million for the first nine months of 2007. Net cash provided by operations includes net income of $28.9 million, stock based compensation of $3.8 million, depreciation of $18.5 million, amortization of $2.4 million and the reduction of cash flow from operations of $4.9 million for the after-tax gain on the sale of Ireland property in addition to various working capital and other items. Accounts receivable increased $5.3 million due primarily to the timing of cash receipts. Inventory decreased $7.2 million due to improved inventory management. Accounts payable, accrued expenses, prepaid expenses and other items reduced cash flow by $19.3 million, primarily due to higher cash payments for bonuses, severance and income taxes in the first nine months of 2007. Net cash used in investing activities included $26.2 million in capital spending for the first nine months of 2007, $4.5 million for the purchase of Song Long and cash received of $8.6 million related to the sale of property in Ireland. In addition, net cash used in financing activities included net payments of debt of $18.1 million offset by stock option exercises of $6.2 million and excess tax benefits on share-based compensation of $1.0 million. The effects of exchange rate changes increased cash by $2.8 million. The net cash provided by operations and financing activities less investing activities plus the effects of exchange rate changes resulted in a $1.0 million net increase in cash. This left the Company with a cash balance of $57.7 million at September 29, 2007.
The EFEN business, which is presented as a discontinued operation, did not contribute significantly to cash from operations for the first, second and third quarters of 2007 or 2006.
The days sales in receivables was approximately 59 days at the end of the third quarter of 2007, compared to 60 days at the end of fiscal 2006 and 63 days at the end of the third quarter of 2006. The days inventory outstanding was approximately 58 days at the end of the third quarter of 2007 compared to 67 days at the end of 2006 and 63 days at end of the third quarter of 2006.
The Company’s capital expenditures were $26.2 million for nine months of 2007 compared to $14.1 million for nine months of 2006. The increase in spending in 2007 relates primarily to moving manufacturing operations from Europe and the U.S. to Asia and Mexico.

15


Table of Contents

The Company has an unsecured domestic financing arrangement consisting of a credit agreement with banks that provides a $75.0 million revolving credit facility, with a potential increase of up to $125.0 million upon request of the Company and agreement with the lenders, that expires on July 21, 2011. At September 29, 2007, the Company had available $69.0 million of borrowing capability under the revolving credit facility at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 0.5% (6.06% as of September 29, 2007). The Company also had $6.3 million in letters of credit outstanding at September 29, 2007.
The domestic bank credit agreement contains covenants that, among other matters, impose limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, future mergers, sales of assets, payment of dividends, and changes in control, as defined. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage, working capital, leverage and net worth. At September 29, 2007, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
The Company has an unsecured bank line of credit in Japan that provides a Yen 0.9 billion revolving credit facility (an equivalent of $7.8 million) at an interest rate of TIBOR plus 0.625% (1.651% as of September 29, 2007). The revolving line of credit balance becomes due on July 21, 2011. At September 29, 2007, the Company had no outstanding borrowings on the Yen facility.
The Company also has an unsecured bank line of credit that provides a Taiwanese Dollar 35.0 million revolving credit facility (an equivalent of $1.1 million) at an interest rate of two-years Time Deposit plus 0.145% (2.3% as of September 29, 2007). The revolving line of credit becomes due on August 18, 2009. At September 29, 2007, the Company had an equivalent $0.7 million outstanding on the Taiwanese Dollar facility.
The Company also has various other fixed rate loans at September 29, 2007 totaling $1.2 million with maturity dates through August 2013.
Outlook
The Company believes its long-term growth strategy, which emphasizes development of new circuit protection products, providing customers with solutions and technical support in all major regions of the world and leveraging low cost production facilities in Asia and Mexico will drive sales growth and reduce costs in each of its segments. In addition, the fundamentals for the Company’s major markets appear to be neutral to moderately positive for the remainder of 2007.
The Company initiated a series of projects over the last several years to reduce costs in its global manufacturing and distribution operations as well as reduce the cost of purchased materials and transportation. These programs are expected to generate significant cost savings in 2009 and future years. On the other hand, the Company plans to continue to increase research and development spending on new electronic and automotive products in 2008.
The Company is working to expand its share of the circuit protection market by leveraging new products that it has recently acquired or developed as well as improved solution selling capabilities. In the future, the Company will look for opportunities to add to its product portfolio and technical expertise so that it can provide customers with the most complete circuit protection solutions available in the marketplace.
“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
The statements in this section and in the other sections of this report which are not historical facts contained in this report are intended to be forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, product demand and market acceptance, economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product quality problems or product recalls, capacity and supply difficulties or constraints, coal mining exposures in excess of reserves, failure of an indemnification for environmental liability, exchange rate fluctuations, commodity price fluctuations, the effect of the Company’s accounting policies, labor disputes, restructuring costs in excess of expectations, pension plan asset returns less than assumed, integration of acquisitions, and other risks which may be detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Should one or more of these risks or

16


Table of Contents

uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements. This report should be read in conjunction with information provided in the financial statements appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2006.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, customer solvency and commodities.
The Company had debt outstanding at September 29, 2007, in the form of a domestic revolving credit facility and foreign lines of credit at variable rates. While 100% of this debt has variable interest rates, the Company’s interest expense is not materially sensitive to changes in interest rate levels since debt levels and potential interest expense increases are small relative to earnings.
A substantial portion of the Company’s operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign countries. The Company has manufacturing facilities in Mexico, Ireland, Germany, China and the Philippines. Substantially all sales in Europe are denominated in Euro, U.S. Dollar and British Pound Sterling, and substantially all sales in the Asia-Pacific region are denominated in U.S. Dollar, Japanese Yen and South Korean Won.
The Company’s identifiable foreign exchange exposures result from the purchase and sale of products from affiliates, repayment of intercompany trade and loan amounts and translation of local currency amounts in consolidation of financial results. As international sales were more than half of total sales, a significant portion of the resulting accounts receivable are denominated in foreign currencies. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign countries in which it manufactures and distributes products could affect the Company’s sales, accounts receivable values and financial results. The Company uses netting and offsetting intercompany account management techniques to reduce known foreign currency exposures where possible.
The Company uses various metals in the production of its products, including zinc and copper. The Company’s earnings are exposed to fluctuations in the prices of these commodities. The Company does not currently use derivative financial instruments to mitigate this commodity price risk. A 10% increase in the price of zinc and copper would increase costs by approximately $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively. A portion of these cost increases would be offset by customer surcharges tied to the prices of these commodities.
The Company does not believe it has significant exposure to market risk from changes in interest rates or foreign exchange rates.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of September 29, 2007, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company and concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries has been made known to them by the employees of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries during the period preceding the filing of this Report. There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls during the period covered by this Report that could materially affect these controls or could reasonably be expected to materially affect the Company’s internal control reporting, disclosures and procedures subsequent to the last day they were evaluated by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

17


Table of Contents

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A: Risk Factors
A detailed description of risks that could have a negative impact on our business, revenues and performance results can be found under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 10-K, filed on February 27, 2007.
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
  (c)   The table below provides information with respect to purchases by the Company of shares of its common stock during each fiscal month of the third quarter of fiscal 2007:
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
                                 
                            Total Number of Shares  
                    Purchased as Part of     Maximum Number of Shares  
    Total Number of     Average Price     Publicly Announced     that May Yet Be Purchased  
Period   Shares Purchased     Paid per Share     Plans or Programs     Under the Plans or Programs  
 
                               
July 2007
                      1,000,000  
 
                               
August 2007
                      1,000,000  
 
                               
September 2007
                      1,000,000  
 
                               
Total
                      1,000,000  
The Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares under a program for the period May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008.
Item 6: Exhibits
             
    Exhibit   Description
 
           
 
    31.1     Certification of Gordon Hunter, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
    31.2     Certification of Philip G. Franklin, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
    32.1     Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 29, 2007, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  Littelfuse, Inc.
 
 
Date: November 1, 2007  By:   /s/ Philip G. Franklin    
    Philip G. Franklin   
    Vice President, Operations Support and Chief Financial Officer (As duly authorized officer and as the principal financial and accounting officer)   
 

18