UNITED STATES SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 11-K [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 or [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-4987 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN 520 FELLOWSHIP ROAD, SUITE A-114 MT. LAUREL, NJ 08054 (Name & address of Principal Executive Offices of the issuer of the Securities) 21-0682685 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. SL INDUSTRIES, INC., SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN Plan Administrator By: /s/ David R. Nuzzo ------------------ David R. Nuzzo June 28, 2004 2 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE Report of Independent Public Accountants for the year ended December 31, 2003 4 Financial Statements: Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 5 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003 6 Notes to Financial Statements 7-11 Supplemental Schedule: Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets Held for Investment Purposes - December 31, 2003 12 Exhibit Index 13 Consent of Independent Accountants 14 3 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To the Plan Administrator SL Industries, Inc. Savings and Pension Plan Mount Laurel, New Jersey We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of the SL Industries, Inc. Savings and Pension Plan as of December 31, 2003, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003. These financial statements and the schedule referred to below are the responsibility of the Plan's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. The statement of net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2002 was audited by other auditors whose report dated June 5, 2003 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2003 and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2003, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule listed in the accompanying index is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic statements taken as a whole. /s/Sobel & Co., LLC Livingston, New Jersey June 24, 2004 4 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS December 31, --------------------------------- 2003 2002 ----------- ----------- INVESTMENTS $15,887,951 $12,445,397 ----------- ----------- RECEIVABLES Employer contributions 261,851 260,967 Participant contributions 52,644 47,849 ----------- ----------- TOTAL RECEIVABLES 314,495 308,816 ----------- ----------- CASH 24,697 16,512 ----------- ----------- NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS $16,227,143 $12,770,725 =========== =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS Year Ended December 31, 2003 ----------------- ADDITIONS TO NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO: INVESTMENT INCOME: Net appreciation in fair value of investments $2,142,771 Net realized gain on sales of investments 390,371 Interest/dividends 353,127 CONTRIBUTIONS: Employer 536,940 Participant 859,920 Rollover 12,907 ----------- TOTAL ADDITIONS: 4,296,036 ----------- DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTED TO: Benefits Paid to Participants 824,356 Administrative Expenses 15,262 ----------- TOTAL DEDUCTIONS 839,618 ----------- NET INCREASE 3,456,418 NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS Beginning of Year 12,770,725 ----------- End of Year $16,227,143 =========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. DESCRIPTION OF PLAN AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES DESCRIPTION OF PLAN SL Industries, Inc. Savings and Pension Plan (the "Plan"), originally adopted May 1, 1976, is a defined contribution savings and pension plan covering substantially all U.S. non-union employees of SL Industries, Inc.'s Corporate Office, SL Surface Technologies Inc., Condor D.C. Power Supplies, Inc. and SL Montevideo Technology, Inc. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description for more complete information with respect to the provisions of the Plan. USE OF ESTIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 2. INVESTMENTS As part of the Plan provisions, participants may invest in SL Industries, Inc. Common Stock ("Common Stock") and/or in various combinations of fourteen Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. ("Fidelity") funds: Blended Income Fund, Puritan Fund, Growth and Income Portfolio, Low-Priced Stock Fund, Diversified International Fund, Mid-Cap Stock Fund, Freedom Income Fund, Freedom 2000 Fund, Freedom 2010 Fund, Freedom 2020 Fund, Freedom 2030 Fund, Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund, U.S. Bond Index Fund and Money Market Fund. All income, gains or other amounts from any investment are reinvested in the same investment from which they are received. The amounts are then allocated, as appropriate, to each participant's account balance. The Blended Income Fund represents a deposit contract with Fidelity's Managed Income Portfolio. Contributions are maintained in pooled accounts. The account is credited with earnings on the underlying investments at various rates and charged for Plan withdrawals. The financial statements reflect the contract/market values as reported by Fidelity as of the Plan year-end. Employer matching contributions are invested solely in Common Stock of SL Industries, Inc. Until a participant is fully vested, the employer matching contribution credited to the participant's account cannot be liquidated. 7 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. INVESTMENTS (continued) The remaining funds are Fidelity separate investment accounts and are carried at market value as reported by Fidelity as of the Plan year-end. The fair value of the SL Industries, Inc. Common Stock is based on the market price as quoted on the American Stock Exchange. The Plan presents in the statement of changes in net assets available for benefits the net appreciation in investments, which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation or depreciation of those investments. Interest and dividend income are recorded as earned on an accrual basis. During 2003, the Plan's investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated in value by $2,533,142 as follows: Mutual funds $1,875,366 Common stock 657,776 ---------- $2,533,142 ========== The following table represents investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan's net assets: December 31, 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- Blended Income Fund $3,654,398 $3,539,701 * SL Industries, Inc. Common Stock 2,017,062 1,238,843 Fidelity Growth and Income Portfolio 1,319,023 1,094,635 Fidelity Low Priced Stock Fund 1,856,958 1,284,594 Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund 1,530,518 998,387 Spartan U.S, Equity Index Fund 1,222,176 860,151 Fidelity Freedom 2020 854,220 -- * Participant-directed and nonparticipant-directed. 8 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. INVESTMENTS (continued) Information about the significant components of the changes in net assets relating to the SL Industries, Inc. Common Stock, which is both a participant-directed and a nonparticipant-directed investment option, is as follows for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002: December 31, ----------------------------- Changes in net assets 2003 2002 --------- --------- Contributions $ 342,006 $ 651,127 Dividends -- 39 Net appreciation (depreciation) 657,776 (116,739) Benefits paid to participants (49,229) (205,900) Transfer/loan activity (172,334) (403,606) --------- --------- Net changes $ 778,219 ($ 75,079) --------- --------- CONTRIBUTIONS ELECTIVE CONTRIBUTIONS Employees' contributions are based upon authorized payroll withholdings. Participants may make elective deferrals up to an annual maximum of the lesser of 20% of their annual compensation, as defined by the Plan, or $12,000 in the calendar year of 2003, and thereafter as adjusted by the Secretary of the Treasury. Additionally, eligible participants may elect to defer "catch-up" contributions. MATCHING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS The employer's match is fifty percent (50%) of the participant's elective deferrals, not to exceed six percent (6%) of the participant's compensation. Matching employer contributions have been invested solely in the Common Stock of SL Industries, Inc. PROFIT SHARING CONTRIBUTIONS A profit sharing contribution can be made annually to all Plan participants who have earned at least 1,000 hours of service during the Plan year and are employed on the last day of the plan year, with the exception of participants who are disabled, die or retire. This is a discretionary contribution determined by resolution of the Board of Directors. Profit sharing contributions are invested in accordance with the election of each participant. 9 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. INVESTMENTS (continued) BENEFITS At the time of separation, the vested portion of a participant's account represents the participant's accumulated benefit. If a participant's account balance is less than $5,000, a lump sum distribution will be made regardless of whether the participant requests a distribution. A participant who has an account balance of $5,000 or greater may elect to: (1) continue to invest their accumulated benefit in the Plan until their normal retirement date; (2) purchase a qualified joint and survivor annuity; (3) receive payment in one lump sum; or (4) have any portion paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover. At the retirement date, a participant may elect to receive their retirement benefit in one lump sum payment, in various types of installments, or in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. The amount of the benefit payment depends on the value of the participant's account and the retirement benefit option the participant elects. VESTING Participants become immediately vested in their elective deferral contributions plus actual earnings and their employer's profit sharing contributions. Employer matching contributions become vested as follows: Percentage Years of Service Vested ---------------- ---------- Five years or more 100% Four years or more, but less than five years 80% Three years or more, but less than four years 60% Two years or more, but less than three years 40% One year or more, but less than two years 20% Less than one year 0% In determining years of service for vesting, the Plan considers service from the participant's date of hire. Only whole years of service will be counted for vesting purposes. The nonvested portion of a participant's account, if any, will be forfeited in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. Forfeitures will be allocated to the remaining participants' accounts on a prorated basis as defined by the Plan. INTEREST INCOME For financial statement purposes, interest and dividend income includes amounts earned on investments and participant loans. For purposes of reporting on Form 5500 interest and dividend income only includes amounts earned on participant loans. 10 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. INVESTMENTS (continued) PARTICIPANT LOANS The Plan makes loans to a participant, using the participant's account balance as collateral. The minimum loan amount is $1,000 and may not exceed the lesser of $50,000 or one-half of the participant's vested account balance. Loans bear interest at an interest rate as determined by the Plan Administrator based upon the prevailing rates of interest charged by persons in the business of lending money. The interest rates on the participant loans receivable as of December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002 range from 5.25% to 10.25% and 4.75% to 10.25%, respectively. The term of any loan to a participant shall be no greater than five years, except in the case of a loan to acquire a dwelling unit that is considered a principal residence, in which case the term is 10 years. 3. PLAN TERMINATION While SL Industries, Inc. has not expressed any intent to do so, it may terminate the Plan at any time, subject to the penalties set forth in ERISA, as amended. In the event of such Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Administrative expenses and asset management fees of the Plan may be paid by SL Industries, Inc., at their discretion. Total asset management fees paid by the Plan in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 were $15,262. 5. TAX STATUS The Internal Revenue Service has issued a favorable determination letter stating that the Plan meets the requirements for qualification pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and that the Plan is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code. Although the Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, management believes that they are operating the Plan in accordance with the Code. Accordingly, there is no provision for income taxes in the accompanying financial statements. 11 SL INDUSTRIES, INC. SAVINGS AND PENSION PLAN EIN: 21-0682685 PLAN NUMBER 001 FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, LINE 4 I SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AT END OF YEAR DECEMBER 31, 2003 (D) (E) (A) (B) (C) CURRENT IDENTITY OF ISSUE DESCRIPTION COST VALUE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMON STOCK * SL Industries, Inc. Common stock $2,040,019 2,017,062 COMMON TRUST FUND Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Blended Income Fund 3,649,399 3,654,398 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Puritan Fund 710,565 704,262 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio 1,488,988 1,319,023 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund 1,392,014 1,856,958 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Diversified Int'l. Fund 317,542 368,801 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Mid-Cap Stock Fund 1,408,844 1,530,518 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Freedom Income Fund 64,818 66,335 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Freedom 2000 Fund 210,382 207,092 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund 619,201 613,890 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund 877,984 854,220 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund 539,393 544,024 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Spartan US Equity Index Fund 1,259,057 1,222,176 Fidelity Institutional Retirement Services Co., Inc. Fidelity US Bond Index Fund 497,094 508,179 * Participant Loans Receivable Loans, ranging 1-10 years maturity with interest rates of 5.25%-10.25% -- 421,013 ----------- ----------- $15,075,300 $15,887,951 =========== =========== * A party-in-interest as defined by ERISA 12 Exhibit Index Number Description 23.1 Consent of Independent Accountants, Sobel & Co., LLC for the year ended December 31, 2003. 13