United States


Securities and Exchange Commission


Washington, D.C. 20549





Form 10-K/A(Amendment No. 1)




x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934For the Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2009oro
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from _____________ to _____________




Commission File Number 0-6966




ESCALADE, INCORPORATED(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  Indiana

13-2739290(State of incorporation)

(I.R.S. EIN)817 Maxwell Ave, Evansville, Indiana

47711(Address of Principal Executive Office)

(Zip Code)




812-467-4449


(Registrant’s Telephone Number)




Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act


Common Stock, No Par Value

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC(Title of Class)

(Name of Exchange on Which Registered)




Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE




Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities




Yes o    No x


Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act


Yes o    No x




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 x    No o




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).


Yes o    No o




Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x




Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “Large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.




Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer oNon-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company x(do not check if a smaller reporting company)




Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12 b-2 of the Exchange Act).


Yes o    No x




Aggregate market value of common stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of July 11, 2009 based on the closing sale price as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market: $8,091,686




The number of shares of Registrant’s common stock (no par value) outstanding as of February 11, 2010: 12,682,759




DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE




Certain portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Report.





Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries




Table of Contents




PagePart IItem 1.
Business

3Item 1A.
Risk Factors

6Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

13Item 2.
Properties

14Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

14Item 4.
[Reserved]

14Part IIItem 5.
Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Securities

15Item 6.
Selected Financial Data

18Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

18Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

26Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

27Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

27Item 9A(T).
Controls and Procedures

27Item 9B.
Other Information

28Part IIIItem 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

29Item 11.
Executive Compensation

29Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

29Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

29Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services

30Part IVItem 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

30




2
 
 
 EXPLANATORY NOTE
 This Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Escalade, Incorporated (the “Company”) amends the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2009, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 5, 2010 (the “Original Filing”).  The Company is filing this Amendment No. 1 for the sole purpose of revising the reports of the Independent Auditors in Item XV to clarify that the Company’s principal accountant, BKD LLP, is responsible for auditing the components of the consolidated statements of cash flows and stockholders’ equity with respect to Martin Yale International GmbH.  In addition, in connection with the filing of this Amendment No. 1 and pursuant to SEC rules, the Company is including with this Amendment No. 1 certain currently dated certifications.
 
 Except as described above, no other changes have been made to the Original Filing.  This Amendment No. 1 continues to speak as of the date of the Original Filing, and the Company has not updated the disclosures contained therein to reflect any events that occurred at a date subsequent to the date of the Original Filing.  The filing of this Amendment No. 1 is not a representation that any statements contained in the Company’s Form 10-K are true and complete as of any date other than the date of the Original Filing.


Part I




ITEM 1 — BUSINESS




General




Escalade, Incorporated (“Escalade” or “Company”) operates in two business segments: sporting goods and office products. Escalade and its predecessors have more than 80 years of manufacturing and selling experience in these two industries.




The following table presents the percentages contributed to Escalade’s net sales by each of its business segments:




2009


2008


2007Sporting goods


66
%


66
%


70
%Office products


34
%


34
%


30
%Total net sales


100
%


100
%


100
%




For additional segment information, see Note 14 – Operating Segment and Geographic Information in the consolidated financial statements.




Sporting Goods




Headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Escalade Sports manufactures and distributes widely recognized brands in family game room and outdoor sporting goods products through traditional department stores, mass merchandise retailers, and sporting goods specific retailers. Escalade is the world’s largest producer of table tennis tables. Some of the Company’s most recognized brands include:




Product Segment

Brand NamesTable Tennis

Ping-Pong®, STIGA®Pool Tables and Accessories

Mizerak®, Mosconi®Basketball Backboards and Goals

GoalrillaTM, Goaliath®, Silverback®Game Tables (Hockey and Soccer)

Harvard Game®, RhinoPlay®, Atomic®Archery

Trophy Ridge®, Bear Archery®Fitness

The STEP®, USWeightTMPlay Systems

Woodplay®, OasisTM




Sears historically was one of Escalade Sports largest customers and accounted for 18% of total consolidated revenues in 2007. In 2008, the Company was unable to negotiate satisfactory terms for continued sales of table tennis and billiard tables. Sales to Sears in 2008, declined to 6% of total consolidated revenues. In 2009, the Company has one customer in the Sporting Goods group, Dick’s Sporting Goods, which accounted for 14.7% of total consolidated revenues.




Escalade Sports manufactures in the U.S.A. and Mexico and imports product from China, where the Company employs a number of contract manufacturers.




Certain products produced by Escalade Sports are subject to regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Company believes it is in full compliance with all applicable regulations.




Office Products




Operating as Martin Yale, the office products business has a worldwide presence with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Besides the sales offices located at each manufacturing plant, Martin Yale has sales offices in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, China, Italy, South Africa and Sweden.


3


Martin Yale products include: data shredders, paper trimmers, paper folding machines, paper drills, collators, bursting machines, letter openers, and other office related products. Martin Yale brands include Martin Yale®, Premier®, Master®, Master View®, Mead HatcherTM, Intimus®, and Paper Monster®.




Martin Yale products are sold throughout office products retailers, wholesalers and catalog distributors. No single Martin Yale customer accounted for more than 10% of Office Product sales during 2009.




Marketing and Product Development




In both the sporting goods and office product business segments, Escalade has rigorously developed strategic plans to enhance and promote product branding. The Company constantly evaluates the quality-to-price paradigm of its customers, and then designs and redesigns its products to achieve the best fit. Marketing efforts are then initiated through its retail partners in the form of advertising and other promotion allowances. In general, the Company does not directly advertise to end-users.




In order to meet customer needs, each operating segment conducts its own independent research and development efforts to design new products and enhance already existing products. On a consolidated basis, the Company incurred research and development costs of approximately $2.0 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.




Competition




Escalade is subject to competition with various manufacturers in each product line produced or sold by Escalade. The Company is not aware of any other single company that is engaged in both the same industries as Escalade or that produces the same range of products as Escalade within such industries. Nonetheless, competition exists for many Escalade products within both the sporting goods and office product industries. Some competitors are larger and have substantially greater resources than the Company. Escalade believes that its long-term success depends on its ability to strengthen its relationship with existing customers, attract new customers and develop new products that satisfy the quality and price requirements of sporting goods and office product customers.




Licenses, Trademarks and Brand Names




The Company has an agreement and contract with Sweden Table Tennis AB for the exclusive right and license to distribute and produce table tennis equipment under the brand name STIGA® for the United States and Canada. The company also owns several registered trademarks and brand names including but not limited to Ping-Pong®, Bear Archery®, Goalrillaä, The Step®, and Wood Play® which are used in the Sporting Goods business segment and Premier® and Intimus® which are used in the Office Products business segment.




Backlog and Seasonality




Sales are based primarily on standard purchase orders and in most cases orders are shipped within the same month received. Unshipped orders at the end of the fiscal year (backlog), were not material, and therefore not an indicator of future results. Consumer demand for sporting goods has typically been seasonal and driven by holiday season demand; however, increased diversity in product categories, such as playground and basketball, has helped the Company achieve more evenly distributed revenues. In 2009, 2008 and 2007, approximately 49%, 52% and 58%, respectively, of sporting goods sales came in the second half of the year. Demand for Office Products has not been seasonal and is not expected to be so in the future.


4


Employees




The number of employees at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008 for each business segment were as follows:




2009


2008Sporting GoodsUSA


259



277Mexico


104



206Asia


8



8371



491Office ProductsUSA


93



106Europe


128



134Asia


8



8229



248Total


600



739




The I.U.E./C.W.A. (United Electrical Communication Workers of America, AFL-CIO) represents hourly rated employees at the Escalade Sports’ Evansville, Indiana distribution center. There are approximately 15 covered employees at December 26, 2009. A 3-year labor contract was negotiated and renewed in April 2009; the new agreement expires on April 30, 2012. Management believes it has satisfactory relations with its employees.




Sources of Supplies




Raw materials for Escalade’s various product lines consist of wood, steel, plastics, fiberglass and packaging. Escalade relies upon suppliers in various countries and upon various third party Asian manufacturers for certain of its game tables and non-security paper shredders. The Company believes that these sources will continue to provide adequate supplies as needed and that all other materials needed for the Company’s various operations are available in adequate quantities from a variety of domestic and foreign sources.




SEC Reports




The Company’s internet site (www.escaladeinc.com) makes available free of charge to all interested parties the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to those reports, as well as all other reports and schedules filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Commission. Interested parties may also find reports, proxy and information statements and other information on issuers that file electronically with the Commission at the Commission’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov).


5


ITEM 1A — RISK FACTORS


Sales declined in 2009 and could continue to decline in 2010.




Overall sales in both sporting goods and office products declined in 2009 due mainly to consumer uncertainty generated by the poor economy in the United States and globally. Sales may further decline in 2010. Recovering or replacing these declining or lost sales will be a significant challenge. The Company cannot provide any assurance that it will be able to recover or replace all or any portion of these declining or lost sales.




Sales to Escalade Sports’ largest customer declined significantly in 2008 and in 2009 and sales to this customer continue to be reduced.




Sears historically was one of Escalade Sports largest customers and accounted for 18% of total consolidated revenues in 2007. In 2008, sales to Sears accounted for 6% of total consolidated revenues, representing a decline of 12% from prior year. Although Escalade Sports had been a preferred supplier of sporting goods products to Sears for more than 30 years and had won numerous awards from Sears for delivering outstanding products and services, the Company never had a long-term supplier contract with Sears. In 2008, Escalade Sports was unable to negotiate satisfactory terms for continued sales of table tennis and billiard tables, which products represented approximately 50% of total sales to Sears in 2007. The Company stopped supplying those products to Sears in the second half of 2008 and did not supply those products to Sears in 2009. Although the Company has achieved placement with other large mass-retail customers that will partially offset this lost business, it cannot provide any assurance that the Company will be able to recover or replace all of these declining or lost sales to Sears.




If the Company would lose significant customers in the future, the Company may have difficulty in replacing such lost revenues.




The Company has several large customers and historically has derived substantial revenues from those customers. The Company needs to continue to expand its customer base to minimize the effects of the loss of any single customer in the future. If sales to one or more significant customers would be lost or materially reduced, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to replace such revenues, which losses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.




Markets are highly competitive and the Company may not continue to compete successfully.




The market for sporting goods and office products is highly fragmented and intensely competitive. Escalade competes with a variety of regional, national and international manufacturers for customers, employees, products, services and other important aspects of the business. In sporting goods, the Company has historically sold a large percentage of our sporting goods products to mass merchandisers, and has increasingly attempted to expand sales to specialty retailer and dealer markets. Similarly, the Company has traditionally sold office products to office products retailers and specialty machine dealers. In addition to competition for sales into those distribution channels, vendors also must compete in sporting goods with large format sporting goods stores, traditional sporting goods stores and chains, warehouse clubs, discount stores and department stores, and in office products with office supply superstores, computer and electronics superstores, contract stationers, and others. Some of the current and potential competitors are larger than Escalade and have substantially greater financial resources that may be devoted to sourcing, promoting and selling their products, and may discount prices more heavily than the Company can afford.




If the Company is unable to predict or react to changes in consumer demand, it may lose customers and sales may decline.


Success depends in part on the ability to anticipate and respond in a timely manner to changing consumer demand and preferences regarding sporting goods and office products. Products must appeal to a broad range of consumers whose preferences cannot be predicted with certainty and are subject to change. The Company often makes commitments to manufacture products months in advance of the proposed delivery to customers. If Escalade misjudges the market for products, sales may decline significantly. The Company may have to take significant inventory markdowns on unpopular products that are overproduced and/or miss opportunities for other products that may rise in popularity, both of which could have a negative impact on profitability. A major shift in consumer demand away from sporting goods or office products could also have a material adverse effect on business, results of operations and financial condition.


6


Quarterly operating results are subject to fluctuation.




Operating results have fluctuated from quarter to quarter in the past, and the Company expects that they will continue to do so in the future. Earnings may not recover to historical levels and may fall short of either a prior fiscal period or market expectations. Factors that could cause these quarterly fluctuations include the following: international, national and local general economic and market conditions; the size and growth of the overall sporting goods and office products markets; intense competition among manufacturers, marketers, distributors and sellers of products; demographic changes; changes in consumer preferences; popularity of particular designs, categories of products and sports; seasonal demand for products; the size, timing and mix of purchases of products; fluctuations and difficulty in forecasting operating results; ability to sustain, manage or forecast growth and inventories; new product development and introduction; ability to secure and protect trademarks, patents and other intellectual property; performance and reliability of products; customer service; the loss of significant customers or suppliers; dependence on distributors; business disruptions; increased costs of freight and transportation to meet delivery deadlines; changes in business strategy or development plans; general risks associated with doing business outside the United States, including, without limitation: exchange rates, import duties, tariffs, quotas and political and economic instability; changes in government regulations; any liability and other claims asserted against the Company; ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; and other factors referenced or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K and any other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.




The Company’s Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility matures May 31, 2010 and the Company may be unable to renew or replace this financing.




The Company has significantly reduced the carrying value of its Credit Facilities from $46.5 million as of year-end 2008 to $27.6 million as of year-end 2009 and is and has been in compliance with all debt covenants under its Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility which was signed April 2009. The Company has begun preliminary discussions regarding renewal of its Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and anticipates finalizing a renewal or replacement credit agreement by May 31, 2010, although there can be no assurances that such agreement will be entered into or, if completed, that it will be executed by the loan maturity date.




Operating results may be impacted by changes in the economy that impact business and consumer spending.


In general, sales depend on discretionary spending by consumers. A deterioration of current economic conditions such as that experienced in both the United States and the global economy in 2008 and 2009 adversely impacted sales in 2009 and a continuing economic downturn could result in further declines in revenues and impair growth in 2010. Severely negative economic conditions could greatly impair the ability and willingness of consumers to buy products. Operating results are directly impacted by the health of the North American, European and Asian economies. Business and financial performance may be adversely affected by current and future economic conditions, including unemployment levels, energy costs, interest rates, recession, inflation, the impact of natural disasters and terrorist activities, and other matters that influence business and consumer spending.
  If the national and global financial crisis intensifies, potential disruptions in the credit markets may adversely affect business, including the availability and cost of short-term funds for liquidity requirements and ability to meet long-term commitments, which could adversely affect results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
  If internal funds are not available from operations we may be required to rely on the banking credit and equity markets to meet financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs. Even if the Company is able to successfully renew the credit facility as discussed above, disruptions in the capital and credit markets, as experienced during 2008 and 2009, could adversely affect its ability to borrow pursuant to the Credit Agreement with Chase or to borrow from other financial institutions. Access to funds under the Credit Agreement or pursuant to arrangements with other financial institutions is dependent on Chase’s or other financial institutions’ ability to meet funding commitments. Financial institutions, including Chase, may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience high volumes of borrowing requests from other borrowers within a short period of time.
 7
 Longer term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect access to the liquidity needed for business. Any disruption could require the Company to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged. Such measures could include deferring capital expenditures and reducing or eliminating future share repurchases, dividend payments or other discretionary uses of cash.
  Current financial conditions in the United States and globally may have significant effects on customers and suppliers that would result in material adverse effects on business, operating results and stock price.
  Current financial conditions in the United States and globally and the concern that the worldwide economy may enter into a prolonged recessionary period may materially adversely affect customers’ access to capital or willingness to spend capital on products and/or their levels of cash liquidity with which to pay for products that they will order or have already ordered from the Company. In addition, current financial conditions may materially adversely affect suppliers’ access to capital and liquidity with which to maintain their inventories, production levels and/or product quality, could cause them to raise prices, lower production levels or result in their ceasing operations. Continuing adverse economic conditions in our markets would also likely negatively impact business, which could result in: (1) reduced demand for products; (2) increased price competition for products; (3) increased risk of excess or obsolete inventories; (4) increased risk of collectability of cash from customers; (5) increased risk in potential reserves for doubtful accounts and write-offs of accounts receivable; (6) reduced revenues and (7) higher operating costs as a percentage of revenues.
  All of the foregoing potential consequences of current financial conditions are difficult to forecast and mitigate. As a consequence, operating results for a particular period are difficult to predict, and, therefore, prior results are not necessarily indicative of future results to be expected in future periods. Any of the foregoing effects could have a material adverse effect on business, results of operations and financial condition and could adversely affect stock price.
  Negative economic conditions could prevent us from accurately forecasting demand for our products which could adversely affect our operating results or market share.
  The current negative economic conditions and market instability in the United States and globally makes it increasingly difficult for the Company, customers and suppliers to accurately forecast future product demand trends, which could cause the Company to produce excess products that can increase inventory carrying costs and result in obsolete inventory. Alternatively, this forecasting difficulty could cause a shortage of products, or materials used in products, that could result in an inability to satisfy demand for products and a loss of market share.
  The Company may pursue strategic acquisitions, which could have an adverse impact on our business.
  The Company has grown in part over the years, through acquisitions of complementary companies or businesses, which have been part of the strategic plan and may continue to pursue acquisitions in the future from time to time. Acquisitions may result in difficulties in assimilating acquired companies, and may result in the diversion of capital and management’s attention from other business issues and opportunities. The Company may not be able to successfully integrate operations that it acquires, including their personnel, financial systems, distribution, and operating procedures. If the Company fails to successfully integrate acquisitions, business could suffer. In addition, the integration of any acquired business, and their financial results, may adversely affect operating results. Escalade will consider acquisitions in the future, but we currently do not have any agreements with respect to any such acquisitions.


8


Growth may strain resources, which could adversely affect business and financial performance.




Both the sporting goods and office products businesses have grown over the past several years through strategic acquisitions. Growth places additional demands on management and operational systems. If the Company is not successful in continuing to support operational and financial systems, expanding the management team and increasing and effectively managing customers and suppliers, growth may result in operational inefficiencies and ineffective management of the business, which could adversely affect the business and financial performance.


Ability to expand business will be dependent upon the availability of adequate capital.
  The rate of expansion will also depend on the availability of adequate capital, which in turn will depend in large part on cash flow generated by the business and the availability of equity and debt capital. Escalade can make no assurances that it will be able to obtain equity or debt capital on acceptable terms or at all, especially considering the current disruptions in the credit markets.
  Failure to improve operational efficiency and reduce administrative costs could have a material adverse effect on liquidity, financial position and results of operations.
  The Company’s ability to improve profit margins is largely dependent on the success of on-going initiatives to streamline infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and reduction of administrative costs at every level of the Company. Failure to continue to implement these initiatives successfully, or the failure of such initiatives to result in improved profitability, could have a material adverse effect on liquidity, financial position and results of operations.




Business may be adversely affected by the actions of and risks associated with third-party suppliers.




The raw materials that the Company purchases for manufacturing operations and many of the products that it sells are sourced from a wide variety of third-party suppliers. The Company cannot control the supply, design, function or cost of many of the products that are offered for sale and are dependent on the availability and pricing of key materials and products. Disruptions in the availability of raw materials used in production of these products may adversely affect sales and result in customer dissatisfaction. In addition, global sourcing of many of the products sold is an important factor in our financial performance. The ability to find qualified suppliers and to access products in a timely and efficient manner is a significant challenge, especially with respect to goods sourced outside the United States. Political instability, the financial instability of suppliers, merchandise quality issues, trade restrictions, tariffs, currency exchange rates, transport capacity and costs, inflation and other factors relating to foreign trade are beyond the Company’s control.


Historically, instability in the political and economic environments of the countries in which the Company or its suppliers obtain products and raw materials has not had a material adverse effect on operations. However, the Company cannot predict the effect that future changes in economic or political conditions in such foreign countries may have on operations. In the event of disruptions or delays in supply due to economic or political conditions in foreign countries, such disruptions or delays could adversely affect results of operations unless and until alternative supply arrangements could be made. In addition, products and materials purchased from alternative sources may be of lesser quality or more expensive than the products and materials currently purchased abroad.
  Deterioration in relationships with suppliers or in the financial condition of suppliers could adversely affect liquidity, financial position and results of operations.
  Access to materials, parts and supplies is dependent upon close relationships with suppliers and the ability to purchase products from the principal suppliers on competitive terms. The Company does not enter into long-term supply contracts with these suppliers, and has no current plans to do so in the future. These suppliers are not required to sell to the Company and are free to change the prices and other terms. Any deterioration or change in the relationships with, or in the financial condition of our significant suppliers, could have an adverse impact on the ability to procure materials and parts necessary to produce products for sale and distribution. If any of the significant suppliers terminated or significantly curtailed its relationship with the Company or ceased operations, the Company would be forced to expand relationships with other suppliers, seek out new relationships with new suppliers or risk a loss in market share due to diminished product offerings and availability. Any change in one or more of these suppliers’ willingness or ability to continue to supply the Company with their products could have an adverse impact on liquidity, financial position and results of operations.
 9
 Escalade may be subject to product liability claims and the Company’s insurance may not be sufficient to cover damages related to those claims.
  The Company may be subject to lawsuits resulting from injuries associated with the use of sporting goods equipment and office products that it sells. The Company may incur losses relating to these claims or the defense of these claims. There is a risk that claims or liabilities will exceed our insurance coverage. In addition, the Company may be unable to retain adequate liability insurance in the future. In addition, the Company is subject to regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and similar state regulatory agencies. If the Company fails to comply with government and industry safety standards, it may be subject to claims, lawsuits, fines and adverse publicity that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.




Intellectual property rights are valuable, and any inability to protect them could reduce the value of products.


The Company obtains patents, trademarks and copyrights for intellectual property, which represent important assets to the Company. If the Company fails to adequately protect intellectual property through patents, trademarks and copyrights, our intellectual property rights may be misappropriated by others, invalidated or challenged, and our competitors could duplicate the Company’s products or may otherwise limit any competitive design or manufacturing advantages. The Company believes that success is likely to depend upon continued innovation, technical expertise, marketing skills and customer support and services rather than on legal protection of intellectual property rights. However, the Company intends to aggressively assert its intellectual property rights when necessary.
  The Company is subject to risks associated with laws and regulations related to health, safety and environmental protection.
  Products, and the production and distribution of products, are subject to a variety of laws and regulations relating to health, safety and environmental protection. Laws and regulations relating to health, safety and environmental protection have been passed in several jurisdictions in which the Company operates in the United States and abroad. Although the Company does not anticipate any material adverse effects based on the nature of operations and the thrust of such laws, there is no assurance such existing laws or future laws will not have a material adverse effect on business, results of operations and financial condition.




International operations expose the Company to the unique risks inherent in foreign operations.




The Company has operations in Mexico, Europe and Asia.. Foreign operations encounter risks similar to those faced by U.S. operations, as well as risks inherent in foreign operations, such as local customs and regulatory constraints, control over product quality and content, foreign trade policies, competitive conditions, foreign currency fluctuations and unstable political and economic conditions. The 2003 acquisition of Schleicher & Company, International AG in Germany and the Company’s business relationships in Asia have increased our exposure to these foreign operating risks, which could have an adverse impact on international income and worldwide profitability.




The Company could be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates and/or the value of the United States dollar.




The Company is exposed to risks related to the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the value of the United States dollar. Changes in currency exchange rates and the value of the United States dollar can have a significant impact on earnings from international operations. While the Company carefully watches fluctuations in currency exchange rates, these types of changes can have material adverse effects on business, results of operations and financial condition.


10


Failure to improve and maintain the quality of internal controls over financial reporting could materially and adversely affect the ability to provide timely and accurate financial information, which could harm the Company’s reputation and share price.




Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial reporting for the Company to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Management cannot be certain that weaknesses and deficiencies in internal controls will not arise or be identified or that the Company will be able to correct and maintain adequate controls over financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain adequate controls or to adequately implement required new or improved controls could harm operating results or cause failure to meet reporting obligations in a timely and accurate manner. Ineffective internal controls over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in reported financial information, which could adversely affect the trading price of the Company’s common stock.




Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. However, management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that disclosure controls and procedures will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.




Failure to effectively implement the global integrated information system (“SURGE”) could cause incorrect information or delays in getting information which could adversely affect the performance of the Company.




The Company began an integrated information systems evaluation process in the fourth quarter of 2007 which resulted in the selection of Oracle as its vendor. In 2008, the Company spent $6.6 million establishing the foundation and network for a system wide-roll out. The project experienced some delays and the system went live in the North American Office Products and one business entity within Sporting Goods in the beginning of 2009. In 2009, the Company has spent additional $0.8 million dollars. The Company is currently re-evaluating the global integrated information system to compare costs to fully implement and maintain this system with purchase and implementation costs and on-going maintenance fees of other integrated information systems. Should the Company decide to abandon the Oracle system, the remaining book value of the Oracle system of approximately $5.9 million ($3.9 million, net of tax) would be expensed over the estimated remaining economic life of the system. A decision regarding full implementation options has not been made. There can be no assurance the Company will have the necessary funds (estimated to be in excess of $2.0 million) or the staff to fully avail itself of the control features inherent in the system design. Without such utility, the Company management is faced with cumbersome and time consuming efforts to manually consolidate its financial information. Such inefficiencies and delays could cause sales and profit to decline and/or could affect relationships with key customers and/or suppliers.




The preparation of financial statements requires the use of estimates that may vary from actual results.




The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and the other countries in which the Company does business requires management to make significant estimates that may affect financial statements. Due to the inherent nature of making estimates, actual results may vary substantially from such estimates, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. For more information on our critical accounting estimates, please see the Critical Accounting Estimates section on page 23 of this Form 10-K.


11


Changes in accounting standards could impact reported earnings and financial condition.




The accounting standard setters, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the International Accounting Standards Board, the Securities & Exchange Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, periodically change the financial accounting and reporting standards that govern the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. These changes can be hard to predict and apply and can materially affect how the Company records and reports its financial condition and results of operations. In some cases, the Company could be required to apply a new or revised standard retrospectively, which may result in the restatement of prior period financial statements.


Effective tax rate may fluctuate.




We are a multi-national, multi-channel provider of sporting goods and office products. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate is derived from a combination of applicable tax rates in the various countries, states and other jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The effective tax rate may be lower or higher than our tax rates have been in the past due to numerous factors, including the sources of income, any agreement with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, the tax filing positions taken in various jurisdictions and changes in the political environment in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. We base estimates of an effective tax rate at any given point in time upon a calculated mix of the tax rates applicable to the Company and to estimates of the amount of business likely to be done in any given jurisdiction. The loss of one or more agreements with taxing jurisdictions, a change in the mix of business from year to year and from country to country, changes in rules related to accounting for income taxes, changes in tax laws and any of the multiple jurisdictions in which the Company operates, or adverse outcomes from tax audits that the Company may be subject to in any of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, could result in an unfavorable change in the effective tax rate which could have an adverse effect on business and results of our operations.




The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile as the stock market in general can be highly volatile.




The public trading of our common stock is based on many factors, which could cause fluctuation in the Company’s stock price. These factors may include, among other things:




●
General economic and market conditions;●
Actual or anticipated variations in quarterly operating results;●
Lack of research coverage by securities analysts;●
If securities analysts provide coverage, our inability to meet or exceed securities analysts’ estimates or expectations;●
Conditions or trends in our industries;●
Changes in the market valuations of other companies in our industries;●
Announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, divestitures, joint ventures or other strategic initiatives;●
Capital commitments;●
Additional or departures of key personnel;●
Sales and repurchases of our common stock; and●
The ability to maintain listing of the Company’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market.


Many of these factors are beyond the Company’s control. These factors may cause the market price of the Company’s common stock to decline, regardless of operating performance.


12
 Information security may be compromised.




Through sales and marketing activities, the Company collects and stores certain information that customers provide to purchase products or services or otherwise communicate and interact with the Company. Despite instituted safeguards for the protection of such information, we cannot be certain that all of the systems are entirely free from vulnerability to attack. Computer hackers may attempt to penetrate the network security and, if successful, misappropriate confidential customer or business information. In addition, an employee, a contractor or other third party with whom we do business may attempt to circumvent the Company’s security measures in order to obtain such information or inadvertently cause a breach involving such information. Loss of customer or business information could disrupt operations, damage the Company’s reputation, and expose the Company to claims from customers, financial institutions, payment card associations and other persons, any of which could have an adverse effect on business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, compliance with tougher privacy and information security laws and standards may result in significant expense due to increased investment in technology and the development of new operational processes.


Terrorist attacks or acts of war may seriously harm business.
  Among the chief uncertainties facing the nation and the world and, as a result, the business, is the instability and conflict in the Middle East. Obviously, no one can predict with certainty what the overall economic impact will be as a result of these circumstances. Terrorist attacks may cause damage or disruption to the Company, employees, facilities and customers, which could significantly impact net sales, costs and expenses and financial condition. The potential for future terrorist attacks, the national and international responses to terrorist attacks, and other acts of war and hostility may cause greater uncertainty and cause business to suffer in ways the Company currently cannot predict.




These risks are not exhaustive.




Other sections of this Form 10-K may include additional factors which could adversely impact business and financial performance. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all risk factors, nor can the Company assess the impact of all factors on business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.




ITEM 1B — UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS




None.


13


ITEM 2 — PROPERTIES




At December 26, 2009, the Company operated from the following locations:




Location

Square Footage

Owned or Leased

UseSporting GoodsEvansville, Indiana, USA

359,000


Owned

Distribution; sales and marketing; administrationOlney, Illinois, USA

108,500


Leased

Manufacturing and distributionGainesville, Florida, USA

154,200


Owned

Manufacturing and distributionRosarito, Mexico

66,500


Owned

Manufacturing and distributionRosarito, Mexico

108,200


Leased

ManufacturingReynosa, Mexico

126,800


Owned

IdleRaleigh, N. Carolina, USA

69,800


Leased

Manufacturing and distributionJacksonville, Florida, USA

18,000


Leased

Sales and marketingShanghai, China

650


Leased

Sales and sourcingOffice ProductsWabash, Indiana, USA

141,000


Owned

Manufacturing and distribution; sales and marketing; administrationSanford, N. Carolina, USA

2,100


Leased

Sales and marketingMarkdorf, Germany

70,300


Owned

Manufacturing and distribution; sales and marketing; administrationParis, France

1,335


Leased

Distribution; sales and marketingCrawley, UK

8,300


Leased

Sales and marketingBarcelona, Spain

8,600


Leased

Distribution; sales and marketingJohannesburg, South Africa

4,800


Leased

Distribution; sales and marketingSollentuna, Sweden

1,400


Leased

Sales officeBeijing, China

1,400


Leased

Sales office




At the end of 2009, the Company has one idle facility. The Company completed the consolidation of the Mexican production facilities into the Rosarito, Mexico location in February 2009. The Reynosa facility is on the market to be sold; however, it has been classified as held for use in the Company’s financial statements. The Company believes that its facilities are in satisfactory and suitable condition for their respective operations. The Company also believes that it is in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations and is not subject to any proceeding by any federal, state or local authorities regarding such matters. The Company provides regular maintenance and service on its plants and machinery as required.




ITEM 3 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of its business, but the Company does not believe that the disposition or ultimate resolution of such claims or lawsuits will have a material adverse affect on the business or financial condition of the Company.




The Company is not aware of any probable or levied penalties against the Company relating to the American Jobs Creation Act.




ITEM 4 — [RESERVED]


14


Part II




ITEM 5 — MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER REPURCHASES OF SECURITIES




The Company’s common stock is traded under the symbol “ESCA” on the NASDAQ Global Market. The following table sets forth, for the calendar periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as reported by the NASDAQ Global Market:




Prices

High


Low2009Fourth quarter ended December 26, 2009

$
3.07


$
1.96Third quarter ended October 3, 2009


3.44



0.72Second quarter ended July 11, 2009


1.48



0.43First quarter ended March 21, 2009


1.15



0.302008Fourth quarter ended December 27, 2008

$
2.54


$
0.48Third quarter ended October 4, 2008


5.40



2.51Second quarter ended July 12, 2008


9.14



4.80First quarter ended March 22, 2008


9.39



8.002007Fourth quarter ended December 29, 2007

$
9.90


$
8.78Third quarter ended October 6, 2007


9.95



8.06Second quarter ended July 14, 2007


10.01



8.85First quarter ended March 24, 2007


10.78



8.98




The closing market price on February 11, 2010 was $2.70 per share.




Depending on profitability and cash flows from operations, the Board of Directors issues annual dividends. Based on the Company’s 2008 and 2009 performance, the Board did not declare a dividend in 2009 and does not expect to declare a dividend in 2010. Dividends issued/declared during 2008 and 2007 are as follows:




Record Date

Payment Date

Amount per Common ShareMarch 9, 2007

March 16, 2007

$
0.22March 14, 2008

March 21, 2008

$
0.25




There were approximately 198 holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock at February 11, 2010. The approximate number of stockholders, including those held by depository companies for certain beneficial owners, was 937.


15


SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH




Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s common stock with that of the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ US Stock Market Index and the NASDAQ Non-Financial Stocks Index for the five year period ended December 26, 2009. The following information is based on an investment of $100, on January 1, 2004, in the Company’s common stock, the NASDAQ US Stock Market Index and the NASDAQ Non-Financial Stocks Index, with dividends reinvested.




COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN









2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009Escalade Common Stock

100


89


83


72


6


20NASDAQ US Stock Index

100


102


112


122


59


84NASDAQ Non-Financial Stock Index

100


102


112


127


58


88




The above performance graph does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates the performance graph by reference therein.


16


ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES




Period


(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased


(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)


(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs


(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or ProgramsShares purchases prior to 10/03/2009 under the current repurchase program.


982,916


$
8.84



982,916


$
2,273,939Fourth quarter purchases:10/04/2009 – 10/31/2009

None


None


None


No Change11/01/2009 – 11/28/2009

None


None


None


No Change11/29/2009 – 12/26/2009

None


None


None


No ChangeTotal share purchases under the current program


982,916


$
8.84



982,916


$
2,273,939




The Company has one stock repurchase program which was established in February 2003 by the Board of Directors and which initially authorized management to expend up to $3,000,000 to repurchase shares on the open market as well as in private negotiated transactions. In each of February 2005 and 2006, August 2007 and February 2008 the Board of Directors increased the remaining balance on this plan to its original level of $3,000,000. The repurchase plan has no termination date and there have been no share repurchases that were not part of a publicly announced program.


17


ITEM 6 — SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


(In thousands, except per share data)




At and For Years Ended

December 26, 2009


December 27, 2008


December 29, 2007


December 30, 2006


December 31, 2005Income Statement DataNet salesSporting goods

$
76,807


$
98,039


$
129,788


$
136,733


$
120,996Office products


39,192



50,647



55,788



54,732



62,319Total net sales


115,999



148,686



185,576



191,465



183,315Net income (loss)


1,657



(7,496
)


9,255



8,495



12,916Weighted-average shares


12,632



12,684



12,901



13,012



13,055Per Share DataBasic earnings (loss) per share

$
0.13


$
(0.59
)

$
0.72


$
0.65


$
0.99Cash dividends

$
—


$
0.25


$
0.22


$
0.20


$
0.15Balance Sheet DataWorking capital


9,688



4,842



31,442



33,125



42,350Total assets


127,238



147,701



152,016



150,715



124,860Short-term bank debt


27,644



46,525



13,033



10,336



1,066Long-term bank debt


—



—



19,135



22,609



18,487Total stockholders’ equity


82,764



78,790



91,742



85,715



76,623




Fiscal year 2009 was positively impacted by significant cost reductions and consolidation of certain manufacturing and distributions facilities.




Fiscal year 2008 was negatively impacted by loss of sales to Sears, a major sporting goods retailer, impairment of certain long-lived assets and a general economic downturn.




Fiscal year 2007 was positively impacted by the sale of rights to license potential future intellectual property.




Fiscal year 2006 was adversely impacted by the completion of a plan to rationalize certain products in the Office Products business.




Fiscal year 2005 the rationalization of certain products lowered sales in the Office Products business.




ITEM 7 — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIALCONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS




The following section should be read in conjunction with Item 1: Business; Item 1A: Risk Factors; Item 6: Selected Financial Data; and Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.




Forward-Looking Statements




This report contains forward-looking statements relating to present or future trends or factors that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These risks include, but are not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, the continuation and development of key customer and supplier relationships, Escalade’s ability to control costs, general economic conditions, fluctuation in operating results, changes in the securities market, Escalade’s ability to obtain financing and to maintain compliance with the terms of such financing and other risks detailed from time to time in Escalade’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Escalade’s future financial performance could differ materially from the expectations of management contained herein. Escalade undertakes no obligation to release revisions to these forward-looking statements after the date of this report.


18


Overview




Escalade, Incorporated (“Escalade” or “Company”) manufactures and distributes products for two industries: Sporting Goods and Office Products. Within these industries the Company has successfully built a market presence in niche markets. This strategy is heavily dependent on expanding the customer base, barriers to entry, brand recognition and excellent customer service. A key strategic advantage is the Company’s established relationships with major customers that allow the Company to bring new products to the market in a cost effective manner while maintaining a diversified product line and wide customer base. In addition to strategic customer relations, the Company has substantial manufacturing and import experience that enable it to be a low cost supplier.




A majority of the Company’s products are in markets that are currently experiencing low growth rates. Where the Company enjoys a commanding market position, such as table tennis tables in the Sporting Goods segment and paper folding machines in the Office Products segment, revenue growth is expected to be roughly equal to general growth/decline in the economy. However, in markets that are fragmented and where the Company is not the dominant leader, such as archery in the Sporting Goods segment and data security shredders in the Office Products segment, the Company anticipates growth. To enhance internal growth, the Company has a strategy of acquiring companies or product lines that complement or expand the Company’s product lines. A key objective is the acquisition of product lines with barriers to entry that the Company can take to market through its established distribution channels or through new market channels. Significant synergies are achieved through assimilation of acquired product lines into the existing company structure. Management believes that key indicators in measuring the success of this strategy are revenue growth, earnings growth and the expansion of channels of distribution. The following table sets forth the annual percentage change in revenues and net income (loss) over the past three years:




2009


2008


2007Net revenueSporting Goods


-21.7
%


-24.5
%


-5.1
%Office Products


-22.6
%


-9.2
%


1.9
%Total


-22.0
%


-19.9
%


-3.1
%Net Income


122.1
%


-181.0
%


9.0
%




Results of Operations




The following schedule sets forth certain consolidated statement of income data as a percentage of net revenue for the periods indicated:




2009


2008


2007Net revenue


100.0
%


100.0
%


100.0
%Cost of products sold


70.9
%


75.4
%


70.8
%Gross margin


29.1
%


24.6
%


29.2
%Selling, administrative and general expenses


25.4
%


26.8
%


20.8
%Impairment of assets


0.0
%


1.8
%


0.0
%Amortization


2.0
%


1.5
%


1.4
%Operating income (loss)


1.7
%


-5.5
%


7.0
%




Consolidated Revenue and Gross Margin




Continued sales declines to mass market retail customers in the Sporting Goods business resulted in an overall decline of 21.7% in consolidated net revenues for 2009 compared to 2008. Declines in the specialty retail and dealer channels were similar to declines in the mass market retail customers. Revenues from the Office Products business decreased 22.6% in 2009 compared to 2008. Approximately 1% of the decline is due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The remaining decline is a result of general economic conditions and tightening of credit availability which has slowed customer spending.


19


The overall gross margin in 2009 increased in the Sporting Goods business in comparison to 2008 due to a combination of factors. Gross margin percentage for 2009 was 22.9% compared to 14.6% for 2008. The Company initiated various cost reduction measures in 2008 including the consolidation of the Company’s Mexican operations into one facility. This consolidation was completed in February 2009 and resulted in a reduction of the unfavorable manufacturing variances experienced in 2008. The overall gross margin in 2009 decreased in the Office Products business in comparison to 2008 to 41.3% compared to 43.8% in 2008 as a result of lower sales volume which generated under absorbed factory variances.




Consolidated Selling, General and Administrative Expenses




Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $29.5 million in 2009 compared to $39.9 million in 2008, a decrease of $10.4 million or 26%. In 2008 and 2009, the Company implemented many costs saving initiatives including the reduction of staff by approximately 20%, the voluntary reduction of officer and director salaries by 10% and other cost saving initiatives from which the effect was realized in 2009.




Other Income




Other income increased in 2009 compared to 2008. In 2008, the Company realized a loss on the sale of third-party equity securities and recognized impairment on remaining securities which combined totaled approximately $1.4 million. In 2009, the Company sold its remaining equity securities and recognized approximately $0.4 million gain; a partial recovery of the previously recorded impairment. Income from equity investments increased approximately $0.5 to $1.6 million in 2009 compared with 2008.




Provision for Income Taxes




The effective income tax rate in 2009 was lower relative to 2008 primarily due to a reduced tax benefit in 2008 resulting from state net operating losses generated in 2008 for which the Company does not expect to be able to utilize. . The effective tax rate for 2009 was 36.4% compared to (26.4%) and 34.9% in 2008 and 2007 respectively. The Company expects its future effective tax rates to approximate the effective tax rate achieved in 2009.




Sporting Goods




Net sales, operating income (loss), and net income (loss) for the Sporting Goods business segment for the three years ended December 26, 2009 were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Net Revenue

$
76,807


$
98,039


$
129,788Operating income (loss)


4,610



(6,250
)


7,745Net income (loss)


1,273



(5,428
)


5,341




Net revenue declined 21.7% in 2009 compared to 2008. Sales to the Company’s mass market retail customers declined roughly 22% in 2009 compared to 2008 and reflect the same two factors as in the previous year; a general slowdown in the US economy which is adversely affecting mass retailers in general and a continued industry wide decline in consumer demand for game tables. The Company continues to aggressively pursue opportunities with its mass market retail customers, but 2010 sales to this channel are expected to be comparable to 2009. To improve this trend, the Company continues to pursue a strategy of expanding certain product offerings and distribution through specialty retailers and dealers. Sales to these channels now comprise 46% of total revenues compared to 45% and 38% for 2008 and 2007, respectively. Anticipated sales in the specialty retail and distributor channels are expected to remain relatively stable in 2010. Consequently, the Company anticipates total 2010 sales for the Sporting Goods segment to be comparable to 2009.


20


Sales in 2008 were lower than 2007 due primarily to a reduction in sales to the Sears.




The gross margin ratio in 2009 increased 56.9% compared to 2008 due to aggressive cost reduction measures and facility consolidation. As a result, operating income as a percentage of net revenue increased to 6.0% in 2009 compared to a loss of 6.4% in 2008. Management anticipates operating income to slightly increase in 2010 as 2009 personnel reductions and facility consolidations are fully realized.




Net income for 2009 increased from 2008 due primarily to realization of cost cutting measures and improved gross margins and the nonrecurring impact of the Company’s long-lived asset impairment adjustments in 2008.




Office Products




Net sales, operating income, and net income for the Office Products business segment for the three years ended December 26, 2009 were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Net Sales

$
39,192


$
50,647


$
55,788Operating income


1,780



3,930



8,809Net income


1,077



1,835



5,617




Sales in the Office Products business decreased 22.6% in 2009 compared to 2008 primarily due to the worsening of the U.S. economy and economic problems in Southern Europe and Russian countries. Management anticipates a return of revenues from office product retailers as the economy stabilizes. The Company has widened its product range and offered new product launches to improve its opportunities.




Excluding the effect of changing foreign exchange rates, 2008 sales were down 9.2% from 2007.




Profitability in the Office Products segment decreased in 2009 as evidenced by the ratio of operating income to net sales which decreased to 4.6% in 2009 compared with 7.8% in 2008. The primary reasons for this decline in profitability are under absorbed factory variances due to low sales and changes in product mix, an increasingly competitive environment, and foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Management anticipates operating income to increase in 2010 due to a broadening of the product portfolio and full year realization of 2009 personnel reductions and cost cutting measures.




Financial Condition and Liquidity




The current ratio, a basic measure of liquidity (current assets divided by current liabilities), increased to 1.2 times in 2009 from 1.1 times in 2008. Total accounts receivable at the end of 2009 are down as a direct result of lower sales volume. Inventories are down at the end of 2009 as a result of a lower sales volume, but more directly due to increased inventory management efforts.




The Company’s generation of cash was principally a result of increased profits resulting from cost reduction measures implemented by management, a reduction in accounts receivable and inventory and realization of income tax receivables generated by 2008 loss carrybacks. The Company paid no dividend in 2009. The Company also received $1.6 million in net proceeds from the sale of third-party equity securities. The result of these factors allowed the Company to reduce borrowings at year end by $18.9 million which lowered total bank debt as a percent of stockholders equity from 59% in 2008 to 33% in 2009.




In 2010, the Company expects capital expenditures to be approximately $2.0 million unless the Company resumes implementation of an integrated information system, which would require additional capital expenditures. The costs and timing of resuming this project is currently being evaluated. Should the Company decide to abandon the Oracle system, the remaining book value of the Oracle system of approximately $5.9 million ($3.9 million, net of tax) would be expensed over the estimated remaining economic life of the system.


21


The Company’s working capital requirements are primarily funded through cash flows from operations and revolving credit agreements with its bank. During 2009, the Company’s maximum borrowings under its primary revolving credit lines totaled $48.8 compared to $54.8 million in 2008. Notes payable as of the end of fiscal 2009 was at $27.6 million compared with $46.5 million at the end of fiscal 2008. The overall effective interest rate in 2009 was 4.4% which was slightly higher than the effective rate of 4.1% in 2008. As discussed in Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors, the Company’s Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. matures as of May 31, 2010 and the Company has begun discussion with its lender to extend this Agreement.




The Company has a long standing relationship with its lender and has met all financial covenants under the new agreement which was effective April 30, 2009. The Company has taken significant actions to preserve cash, increase liquidity and position it to operate in very difficult economic conditions. Specifically, the Company has consolidated three manufacturing plants into one thus eliminating the burdens of excess capacity that negatively affected 2008. It has increased prices, reduced head counts, reduced officer and director salaries, and implemented other overall expense savings. As a result, the Company lowered its bank debt in 2009 by approximately $19 million. The Company operates in an industry which has been adversely affected by the current economic conditions.




The Company expects its sales levels for fiscal year 2010 to be similar to or slightly above those experienced in 2009. The Company believes that cash generated from its projected 2010 operations, the potential sale of its Reynosa facility, additional income tax refunds and the commitment of borrowings from its primary lender will provide it with sufficient cash flows for its operations.




It is possible that if the current economic conditions continue to deteriorate, this could have further adverse effects on the Company’s ability to operate profitably during fiscal year 2010. To the extent that occurs, management intends to continue to make cost reductions and to continue realigning its infrastructure in an effort to match the Company’s overhead and cost structure with the sales level dictated by current market conditions. Although not currently planned, realization of assets in other than the ordinary course of business in order to meet liquidity needs could incur losses not reflected in these financial statements.




New Accounting Pronouncements




Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements under the sub-heading “New Accounting Pronouncements” beginning on page 42.




Off Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements




The Company has no financing arrangements that are not recorded on the Company’s balance sheet.




Contractual Obligations




The following schedule summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 26, 2009:




Amounts in thousands

Payments Due by PeriodContractual Obligations

Total


Less than 1 year


1 – 3 years


3 – 5 years


More than 5 yearsDebt

$
27,644


$
27,644


$
—


$
—


$
—Future interest payments (1)


1,839



1,839



—



—



—Operating Leases


1,851



1,068



711



72



—Minimum payments under royalty and license agreements


1,875



350



800



725



—Total

$
33,274


$
30,966


$
1,511


$
797


$
—




Notes:


(1) Assumes that the Company will not increase borrowings under its long-term credit agreements and that the effective interest rate experienced in 2009 of 4.4% will continue for the life of the agreements.


22


Critical Accounting Estimates




The methods, estimates and judgments used in applying the Company’s accounting policies have a significant impact on the results reported in its financial statements. Some of these accounting policies require difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The most critical accounting estimates are described below and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.




Product Warranty


The Company provides limited warranties on certain of its products, for varying periods. Generally, the warranty periods range from 90 days to one year. However, some products carry extended warranties of seven-year, ten-year, and lifetime warranties. The Company records an accrued liability and expense for estimated future warranty claims based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of the level of future claims. Changes in the estimated amounts recognized in prior years are recorded as an adjustment to the accrued liability and expensed in the current year. To the extent there are product defects in current products that are unknown to management and do not fall within historical defect rates, the product warranty reserve could be understated and the Company could be required to accrue additional product warranty costs thus negatively affecting gross margin.




Inventory Valuation Reserves


The Company evaluates inventory for obsolescence and excess quantities based on demand forecasts over specified time frames, usually one year. The demand forecast is based on historical usage, sales forecasts and current as well as anticipated market conditions. All amounts in excess of the demand forecast are deemed to be potentially excess or obsolete and a reserve is established based on the anticipated net realizable value. To the extent that demand forecasts are greater than actual demand and the Company fails to reduce manufacturing output accordingly, the Company could be required to record additional inventory reserves which would have a negative impact on gross margin.




Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. Accounts receivable are ordinarily due between 30 and 60 days after the issuance of the invoice. Accounts are considered delinquent when more than 90 days past due. Delinquent receivables are reserved or written off based on individual credit evaluation and specific circumstances of the customer. To the extent that actual bad debt losses exceed the allowance recorded by the Company, additional reserves would be required which would increase selling, general and administrative costs.




Advertising Subsidies


The Company enters agreements with certain retailers to pay for direct advertising programs and/or provide in-store display units. These agreements are not based on retailer purchase volumes and do not obligate the retailer to continue carrying the Company’s products in future years. The Company determines the value of the advertising services based on its own research and history of providing such services. The Company expenses these costs in the period in which they are incurred as a selling expense.




CO-OP Advertising


The Company offers co-operative advertising allowances to certain retailers to encourage product promotions. These agreements are typically based on a percentage of retailer purchases up to a maximum allowance and the Company is never directly involved with the media provider. The Company accrues the estimated cost of these programs based on the sales volume of the retailer and historical trends. As costs are accrued they are recorded as a reduction in sales. To the extent that actual co-operative advertising costs exceed the Company’s estimates, additional co-operative advertising allowances would be required which would reduce net revenues.


23


Volume Rebates


The Company has various rebate programs with certain retailers that are based on purchase volume. Typically these programs are based on achieving specified sales volumes and the rebate is calculated as a percentage of purchases. Based on the terms of the agreement, purchase levels and historical trends the Company accrues the estimated cost of these programs and records the same as a reduction in sales. To the extent that actual rebate program costs exceed the Company’s estimates, additional rebate program allowances would be required which would reduce net revenues.




Catalog Allowances


A number of large office supply dealers operate through catalogs distributed to businesses globally. Product content is decided by the dealer each time a new catalog is issued; typically once a year. Catalog allowances are required by the dealer as an inducement to include the Company’s products. The allowance is based on a fixed cost per page and/or a percentage of purchases by the dealer. The fixed portion of the allowance is often paid when the catalog is distributed and is recognized when incurred and the variable portion is accrued based on dealer purchases and historical trends. Catalog allowances are recorded as a reduction in sales. To the extent that actual catalog costs exceed the estimated costs associated with variable agreement provisions, additional catalog allowances would be required which would negatively impact net revenues.




Impairment of Goodwill


The Company annually tests as of the last day of its fiscal year for impairment of goodwill in accordance with guidance in FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. With the assistance of an external valuation specialist, management determined the assumptions and inputs utilized in the evaluation of the fair value of the Company’s three separate reporting units, discussed below. The first phase of the goodwill impairment test requires that the fair value of the applicable reporting unit be compared with its recorded value. The Company establishes fair value by using a combination of a market approach and an income approach. The market approach uses the guideline-companies method to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit based on reported sales of publicly-held entities engaged in the same or a similar business as the reporting unit. The income approach uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit by calculating the present value of the expected future cash flows of the reporting unit. The discount rate is based on a weighted average cost of capital determined using publicly-available interest rate information on the valuation date and data regarding equity, size and country-specific risk premiums/decrements compiled and published by a commercial source. The Company uses assumptions about expected future operating performance in determining estimates of those cash flows, which may differ from actual cash flows. The market approach is weighted 25% and the income approach is weighted 75% to arrive at the final fair value determination. The methodology used in 2009 is consistent with that used previously.




If the recorded value of net assets of a reporting unit is less than the determined fair value, management performs a phase-two analysis that allocates the fair value of the reporting unit calculated in phase one to the specific tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of the reporting unit and results in an implied fair value of goodwill. Goodwill is reduced by any shortfall of implied goodwill to its current carrying value.




The Company has three reporting units that require separate goodwill impairment analysis. Those reporting units are Escalade Sports, Martin Yale North America and Martin Yale Europe. Significant assumptions and inputs used in each of the reporting units goodwill impairment testing are as follows:




Escalade Sports – The discount rate used in the 2009 discounted cash flow calculation was 13.0% compared to 11.5% for 2008. Projected revenues and costs for 2010 and beyond reflected the Company’s best view of the current global economic situation, demand for existing products, the status of new products and product improvements, and the projected cost of raw materials and manufacturing that are deemed material in projecting future outcomes.


24


Martin Yale North America – The discount rate used in the 2009 discounted cash flow calculation was 12% compared to 10% for 2008. Projected revenues and costs for 2010 and beyond reflected the Company’s best view of the current global economic situation, demand for existing products, the status of new products and product improvements, and the projected cost of raw materials and manufacturing that are deemed material in projecting future outcomes.




Martin Yale Europe – The discount rate used in the 2009 discounted cash flow calculation was 11% compared to 10% for 2008. Projected revenues and costs for 2010 and beyond reflected the Company’s best view of the current global economic situation, demand for existing products, the status of new products and product improvements, and the projected cost of raw materials and manufacturing that are deemed material in projecting future outcomes.




The Company’s testing determined that goodwill of each reporting unit was not impaired. Of the total recorded goodwill of $26,215 at December 26, 2009, $12,017 was allocated to the Escalade Sports reporting unit; $4,888 was allocated to the Martin Yale North America reporting unit; and $9,310 was allocated to the Martin Yale Europe reporting unit. Based on the results of the impairment tests, the fair value of reporting unit invested capital exceeded the carrying value of reporting unit invested capital by approximately 150%, 22%, and 14% for the Escalade Sports, Martin Yale North America and Martin Yale Europe reporting units, respectively, as of December 26, 2009. Continued protracted declines in future cash flows as well as adverse economic conditions could have a negative effect on fair value of each reporting unit.




At December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, the market capitalization of the Company was approximately 35% and 9% of the carrying amount of its equity, respectively. Management believes that the market capitalization is not a good approximation of the fair value of the Company because (1) the stock is thinly traded, (2) almost half of the outstanding stock is held by officers, directors, and their affiliates and experiences very little trading activity, and (3) the stocks of companies in the industries in which the Company operates have been priced at highly depressed levels for more than two years as a result of the prolonged economic downturn.




Long Lived Assets


The company evaluates the recoverability of certain long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimates of future cash flows used to test recoverability of long-lived assets include separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows expected to arise from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Where estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, impairment losses are recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value of certain assets was determined based on the “held for use” classification at year end. The Company may incur additional impairment charges or losses on divestitures of these assets being classified as “held for use.”




During 2008, the Company made the decision to consolidate Mexican operations into its Rosarito, Mexico facility. Production at the Reynosa, Mexico facility ceased at the end of February 2009. During 2008, the Company’s Sporting Goods segment recognized an impairment loss of $2.6 million and classified this asset as “held for sale.” Since the Company was unable to execute a sale of this facility within twelve months, as of December 26, 2009, the cost of the facility has been re-classified as “held for use” and the Company has resumed depreciating the facility costs although the Reynosa facility is currently on the market to be sold.




Equity Method Investments


The Company has minority equity positions in companies strategically related to the Company’s business, but does not have control over these companies. The accounting method employed is dependent on the level of ownership and degree of influence the Company can exert on operations. Where the equity interest is less than 20% and the degree of influence is not significant, the cost method of accounting is employed. Where the equity interest is greater than 20% but not more than 50%, the equity method of accounting is utilized. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportionate share of net income (loss) is recorded in other income on the consolidated statements of operations. The proportionate share of net income was $1,598 thousand, $1,054 thousand and $1,354 thousand in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total cash dividends received from these equity investments amounted to $32 thousand, $49 thousand, and $39 thousand in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company considers whether the fair values of any of its equity investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the Company considers any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities and overall health of the investments’ industry), a write-down is recorded to estimated fair value. The Company believes that there were no adverse events or changes in circumstances that would indicate a decline in carrying value; therefore, the Company determined that no impairment was indicated for the year ended December 26, 2009.


25


Effect of Inflation




The Company cannot accurately determine the precise effects of inflation. The Company attempts to pass on increased costs and expenses through price increases when necessary. The Company is working on reducing expenses; improving manufacturing technologies; and redesigning products to keep these costs under control.




Capital Expenditures




As of December 26, 2009, the Company had no material commitments for capital expenditures. However, in the first quarter of 2008, the Company initiated a project to implement a global integrated information system. In 2008, the Company spent $6.6 million related to this project. The Company went live with the install at its North American Office Products business entity and one division of the Sporting Goods business entity. During 2009, the Company spent an additional $0.8 million relative to the install at each of these entities. At this point, the Company has suspended further implementation until it has had sufficient time to evaluate the results of what has been installed. If the decision is made to recommence the install schedule, the Company believes it will need to spend an additional $2.0 million to complete the hardware and software system integration. Should the Company decide to abandon the Oracle system, the remaining book value of the Oracle system of approximately $5.9 million ($3.9 million, net of tax) would be expensed over the estimated remaining economic life of the system.




ITEM 7A — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK




The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates, interest rates and marketable equity security prices. The Company attempts to minimize these risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when considered appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. During fiscal 2009, there were no derivates in use. The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.




Interest Rates


The Company’s exposure to market-rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to its revolving variable rate bank debt which is based on both LIBOR and EURIBOR interest rates. A hypothetical 1% or 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a significant effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operation.




Foreign Currency


The Company conducts business in various countries around the world and is therefore subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. Approximately 18% of consolidated revenue is derived from sales outside of the U.S. This revenue is generated from the operations of the Company’s subsidiaries in their respective countries and surrounding geographic areas and is primarily denominated in each subsidiary’s local functional currency. These subsidiaries incur most of their expenses (other than inter-company expenses) in their local functional currency and include the Euro, Great Britain Pound Sterling, South Africa Rand, Swedish Krona, Mexican Peso and Chinese Yuan.




The geographic areas outside the United States in which the Company operates are generally not considered to be highly inflationary. Nonetheless, the Company’s foreign operations are sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates arising from, among other things, certain inter-company transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the respective functional currency. Operating results as well as assets and liabilities are also subject to the effect of foreign currency translation when the operating results, assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in our consolidated financial statements. The unrealized effect of foreign currency translation in 2009 resulted in a $1.6 million gain that was recorded in stockholders’ equity as other comprehensive income, compared to a $2.3 million loss that was recorded in stockholders’ equity as other comprehensive income (loss) in 2008 and a $2.3 million gain in 2007. At December 26, 2009, a hypothetical change of 10% in foreign currency exchange rates would cause a $3.2 million change to stockholders’ equity on our consolidated balance sheet and a $60,000 change to net income in our consolidated statement of operations.






26


ITEM 8 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA




The financial statements and supplementary data required by Item 8 are set forth in Part IV, Item 15.




ITEM 9 — CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE





None.




ITEM 9A(T)  — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES




Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures




Escalade maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based closely on the definition of “disclosure controls and procedures” in Rule 13a-14(c). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Also, the Company has investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As the Company does not control or manage these entities, its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily substantially more limited than those it maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.




The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the foregoing, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.




Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting




Escalade’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Escalade’s internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting of the Company includes those policies and procedures that:




(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions of the Company;




(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and




(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.


27


All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error or circumvention through collusion or improper overriding of controls. Therefore, even those internal control systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control may vary over time.




The management of Escalade assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 26, 2009. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control – Integrated Framework and implemented a process to monitor and assess both the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls. Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 26, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.




This annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report regarding internal control over financial reporting was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report on Form 10-K. In addition, this report by management regarding internal control over financial reporting is specifically not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K or into any other filing by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.




/s/ Robert J. Keller, Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Deborah J. Meinert, Chief Financial Officer





Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting




Management of the Company has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2009. In connection with such evaluation, there have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred since the beginning of the Company’s fourth quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.




ITEM 9B — OTHER INFORMATION





None.


28


Part III




ITEM 10 — DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE




Information required under this item with respect to Directors and Executive Officers is contained in the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 under the captions “Certain Beneficial Owners,” “Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers of the Registrant,” “Board of Directors, Its Committees, Meetings and Functions,” and “Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and is incorporated herein by reference.




ITEM 11 — EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION




Information required under this item is contained in the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Compensation Committee Report” and “Executive Compensation” and is incorporated herein by reference, except that the information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K which appears under the caption “Report of Compensation Committee” is specifically not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K or into any other filing by the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.




ITEM 12 — SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS




Except for the information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, which is included below, information required by this item is contained in the registrant’s proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 under the captions “Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Election of Directors” and is incorporated herein by reference.




Equity Compensation Plan Information




Plan Category

Number of

Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights


Weighted-Average Exercise Priceof Outstanding Options, Warrantsand Rights


Number of

Securities Remaining

Available for Future IssuanceEquity compensation plans approved by security holders (1)


842,600


$
3.45



1,123,034Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders


—



—



—Total


842,600







1,123,034




(1) These plans include the Company’s 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 1997 Director Stock Option Plan, the Escalade, Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan and a special grant of 10,000 options to Directors approved at the 2006 annual shareholders meeting.




ITEM 13 — CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS




The information required by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is contained in the registrant’s proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders to be held on April 30, 2010 under the captions “Election of Directors” and “Board of Directors, Its Committees, Meetings and Functions” and is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K is: None.


29


ITEM 14 — PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES




The information required by this item is contained in the registrant’s proxy statement relating to its annual meeting of stockholders scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 under the caption “Principal Accounting Firm Fees” and is incorporated herein by reference.




Part IV




ITEM 15 — EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES




(A)
Documents filed as a part of this report:  (1)
Financial StatementsReport of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmConsolidated financial statements of Escalade, Incorporated and subsidiaries:Consolidated balance sheets—December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008Consolidated statements of operations—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008, and December 29, 2007Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008, and December 29, 2007Consolidated statements of cash flows—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009,  December 27, 2008, and December 29, 2007Notes to consolidated financial statementsAll other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is given in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.




(3)
Exhibits3.1
Articles of incorporation of Escalade, Incorporated (a)3.2
By-Laws of Escalade, Incorporated (a)4.1
Form of Escalade, Incorporated’s common stock certificate (a)10.1
Licensing agreement between Sweden Table Tennis AB and Indian Industries, Inc. dated January 1, 1995 (c)10.2
Credit Agreement dated as of April 30, 2009 among Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (without exhibits and schedules, which Escalade has determined are not material) (j)10.3
Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 30, 2009 by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (without exhibits and schedules, which Escalade has determined are not material) (j)10.4
Form of Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 30, 2009 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (j) (k)10.5
Form of Unlimited Continuing Guaranty dated as of April 30, 2009 in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (j) (k)10.6
First Amendment dated as of July 29, 2009 to Credit Agreement by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (l)10.7
Second Amendment dated as of September 30, 2009 to Credit Agreement by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (m)10.8
Third Amendment dated as of October 30, 2009 to Credit Agreement by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (n)10.9
Loan Agreement dated September 1, 1998 between Martin Yale Industries, Inc. and City of Wabash, Indiana (e)10.10
Trust Indenture between the City of Wabash, Indiana and Bank One Trust Company, NA as Trustee dated September 1, 1998 relating to the Adjustable Rate Economic Development Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1998 (Martin Yale Industries, Inc. Project) (e)10.11
Fourth Amendment dated as of March 1, 2010 to Credit Agreement by and between Escalade, Incorporated and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (o)




30





(4)
Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements10.12
The Harvard Sports/Indian Industries, Inc. 401(k) Plan as amended and merged in 1993 (b)10.13
Martin Yale Industries, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan as amended in 1993 (b)10.14
Incentive Compensation Plan for Escalade, Incorporated and its subsidiaries (a)10.15
Example of contributory deferred compensation agreement between Escalade, Incorporated and certain management employees allowing for deferral of compensation (a)10.16
1997 Director Stock Compensation and Option Plan (d)10.17
1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan (d)10.18
1997 Director Stock Compensation and Option Plan Certificate (f)10.19
1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan Certificate (f)10.20
Escalade, Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference herein from Annex 1 to the Registrant’s 2007 Definitive Proxy Statement. (g)10.21
Employment offer letter dated July 23, 2007 between Robert Keller and Escalade, Inc. (h)10.22
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement utilized in Restricted Stock Unit grants pursuant to the Escalade Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan. (i)10.23
Escalade, Incorporated schedule of Directors Compensation*10.24
Escalade, Incorporated schedule of Executive Officers Compensation*10.25
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement utilized in Stock Option grants to employees pursuant to the Escalade, Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan*10.26
Form of Stock Option Award Agreement utilized in Stock Option grants to Directors pursuant to the Escalade, Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan*21
Subsidiaries of the Registrant*23.1
Consent of BKD, LLP23.2
Consent of FALK GmbH & Co KG31.1
Chief Executive Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification31.2
Chief Financial Officer Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification32.1
Chief Executive Officer Section 1350 Certification32.2
Chief Financial Officer Section 1350 Certification  *
Filed with the Original Filing of the Company’s Form 10-K on March 5, 2010.(a)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2007 First Quarter Report on Form 10-Q(b)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K(c)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 1995 Annual Report on Form 10-K(d)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 1997 Proxy Statement(e)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 1998 Third Quarter Report on Form 10-Q(f)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K(g)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2007 Second Quarter Report on Form 10-Q(h)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2007 Third Quarter Report on Form 10-Q(i)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on February 29, 2008(j)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2009(k)
Each of Escalade’s eleven domestic subsidiaries has entered into the identical form of Pledge and Security Agreement and form of Unlimited Continuing Guaranty. Those eleven domestic subsidiaries are: Indian Industries, Inc.; Harvard Sports, Inc.; Martin Yale Industries, Inc.; U.S. Weight, Inc.; Bear Archery, Inc.; Escalade Sports Playground, Inc.; Schleicher & Co. America, Inc.; Olympia Business Systems, Inc.; EIM Company, Inc.; SOP Services, Inc.; and Escalade Insurance, Inc.(l)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2009(m)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2009(n)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s 2009 Third Quarter Report on Form 10-Q(o)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed on March 2, 2010




31


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries




Index to Financial Statements




The following consolidated financial statements of the Registrant and its subsidiaries and Independent Accountants’ Reports are submitted herewith:




PageReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

33Consolidated financial statements of Escalade, Incorporated and subsidiaries:Consolidated balance sheets—December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008

35Consolidated statements of operations—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007

36Consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007

37Consolidated statements of cash flows—fiscal years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007

38Notes to consolidated financial statements

39




32







Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms





Audit Committee, Board of Directors and Stockholders
 Escalade, Incorporated
 Evansville, Indiana
 
 We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Escalade, Incorporated (Company) as of December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2009. The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We did not audit the 2009, 2008 and 2007 financial statements (consisting of the balance sheet and related statement of operations) of Martin Yale International, GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary, which statements were presented on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in Germany and reflect total assets of $17,061, $20,347 and $22,944 and net sales of $20,532, $26,991 and $30,943 (dollars in thousands) for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, included in the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008, and December 29, 2007. Those balance sheets and statements of operations were audited by other accountants, whose reports have been furnished to us and our opinion, insofar as it relates to the amounts included in the consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations for Martin Yale International, GmbH, is based solely on the reports of the other accountants.
 
 Our audits also included auditing the adjustments to convert the balance sheets and statements of operations of Martin Yale International, GmbH into accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for purposes of consolidation. Our audits also included auditing the amounts included in the consolidated statements of cash flows and stockholders’ equity for Martin Yale International, GmbH.
 
 We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting for 2009 and 2008. Our 2009 and 2008 audits of the consolidated financial statements included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing auditing procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits also included 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 and the reports of the other accountants provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
 In our opinion, based on our audits and the reports of the other accountants, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 26, 2009, and December 27, 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 26, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
 Evansville, Indiana
 March 5, 2010


33


FALK & Co





Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms




To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of


Martin Yale International GmbH,


Markdorf/Germany




We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Martin Yale International GmbH, Markdorf/Germany (the Company) as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the related statement of income for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009. The financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.




We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether 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, based on our audit, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and the result of its operations for each of the three years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Germany.




/s/ FALK GmbH & Co KGWirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaftSteuerberatungsgesellschaftHeidelberg/Germany,March 5, 2010




34


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Balance Sheets




All Amounts in Thousands Except Share Information

December 26, 2009


December 27, 2008AssetsCurrent assetsCash and cash equivalents

$
3,039


$
3,617Time deposits


750



—Receivables, less allowances of $1,485 and $1,114


23,488



27,178Inventories


20,905



29,860Prepaid expenses


1,617



1,254Assets held for sale


—



3,325Deferred income tax benefit


1,999



2,015Prepaid income tax


1,138



5,327Total current assets


52,936



72,576Property, plant and equipment, net


21,493



20,209Intangible assets


17,181



19,153Goodwill


26,215



25,811Investments


9,156



8,129Deferred income tax benefit


—



723Other assets


257



1,100Total assets

$
127,238


$
147,701Liabilities and Stockholders’ EquityCurrent liabilitiesNotes payable—bank

$
27,644


$
46,525Trade accounts payable


1,578



3,272Accrued liabilities


12,738



16,698Deferred compensation


1,288



—Income tax payable


—



1,239Total current liabilities


43,248



67,734Deferred income tax liability


1,226



—Deferred compensation


—



1,177Total liabilities


44,474



68,911Commitments and contingencies


—



—Stockholders’ equityPreferred stockAuthorized: 1,000,000 shares, no par value, none issuedCommon stockAuthorized: 30,000,000 shares, no par value Issued and outstanding:
2009 —12,656,737 shares, 2008 —12,616,042 shares


12,657



12,616Retained earnings


65,341



63,050Accumulated other comprehensive income


4,766



3,124Total stockholders’ equity


82,764



78,790Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$
127,238


$
147,701




See notes to consolidated financial statements.


35


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Operations





Years EndedAll Amounts in Thousands Except Per Share Data

December 26, 2009


December 27, 2008


December 29, 2007Net Sales

$
115,999


$
148,686


$
185,576Costs, Expenses and Other IncomeCost of products sold


82,250



112,138



131,389Selling, administrative and general expenses


29,484



39,883



38,462Long-lived asset impairment charges


—



2,623



—Amortization


2,265



2,163



2,657Operating Income (Loss)


2,000



(8,121
)


13,068Interest expense


(1,665
)


(2,025
)


(2,837
)Other income (expense)


2,270



(34
)


3,991Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Benefit)


2,605



(10,180
)


14,222Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes


948



(2,684
)


4,967Net Income (Loss)

$
1,657


$
(7,496
)

$
9,255Earnings (Loss) Per Share DataBasic earnings (loss) per share

$
0.13


$
(0.59
)

$
0.72Diluted earnings (loss) per share

$
0.13


$
(0.59
)

$
0.72




See notes to consolidated financial statements.


36


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity




AccumulatedOtherCommon Stock


Retained


ComprehensiveAll Amounts in Thousands

Shares


Amount


Earnings


Income


TotalBalances at December 30, 2006


13,039


$
13,039


$
69,194


$
3,482


$
85,715Comprehensive incomeNet income










9,255







9,255Unrealized gain on securities, net of tax














128



128Foreign currency translation adjustment














2,333



2,333Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreement, net of tax














(120
)


(120
)Total comprehensive income


















11,596Adjustment to initially apply FASB ASC 740 interpretation










(265
)






(265
)Expense of stock options










680







680Exercise of stock options


18



18



122







140Dividend paid










(2,866
)






(2,866
)Stock issued under the director stock option plan


15



15



128







143Purchase of stock


(399
)


(399
)


(3,002
)






(3,401
)Balances at December 29, 2007


12,673



12,673



73,246



5,823



91,742Comprehensive income (loss)Net income (loss)










(7,496
)






(7,496
)Foreign currency translation adjustment














(2,344
)


(2,344
)Unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreement, net of tax














(35
)


(35
)Realization of previously unrealized gains and losses on securities, net of tax














(320
)


(320
)Total comprehensive income (loss)


















(10,195
)Expense of stock options










910







910Exercise of stock options


45



45



268







313Dividend paid










(3,174
)






(3,174
)Stock issued to directors as compensation


10



10



104







114Purchase of stock


(112
)


(112
)


(808
)






(920
)Balances at December 27, 2008


12,616



12,616



63,050



3,124



78,790Comprehensive incomeNet income










1,657







1,657Foreign currency translation adjustment














1,642



1,642Total comprehensive income


















3,299Expense of stock options










588







588Settlement of restricted stock units


7



7



(7
)






—Stock issued to directors as compensation


34



34



53







87Balances at December 26, 2009


12,657


$
12,657


$
65,341


$
4,766


$
82,764





See notes to consolidated financial statements.


37


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows





Years EndedAll Amounts in Thousands

December 26, 2009


December 27, 2008


December 29, 2007Operating ActivitiesNet income (loss)

$
1,657


$
(7,496
)

$
9,255Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activitiesDepreciation and amortization


5,965



5,539



6,044Long-lived asset impairment charges


—



2,623



—Available for sale securities impairment charges


—



884



—Provision for doubtful accounts


362



525



509Stock option expense


641



910



680Deferred income taxes


2,175



(1,488
)


284Provision for deferred compensation


110



101



92Deferred compensation paid


—



—



(62
)(Gain) loss on disposals of assets


(408
)


731



(57
)Changes inAccounts receivable


3,661



3,028



3,258Inventories


9,059



2,639



1,091Prepaids


210



(1,715
)


(1,207
)Other assets


(2,101
)


2,450



(1,036
)Income tax payable


2,739



(4,225
)


1,106Accounts payable and accrued expenses


(5,757
)


(6,418
)


(5,646
)Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities


18,313



(1,912
)


14,311Investing ActivitiesChange in cash surrender value, net of loans and premiums


—



—



12Purchase of property and equipment


(1,894
)


(9,484
)


(2,387
)Purchase of short-term time deposits


(750
)


—



—Acquisitions, net of cash acquired


—



(467
)


(4,177
)Proceeds from sale of property and equipment


269-



33



200Retirement of life insurance policies


—



—



294Proceeds from sale of investments


1,645



1,501



—Net cash used in investing activities


(730
)


(8,417
)


(6,058
)Financing ActivitiesNet increase (decrease) in notes payable—bank


(18,880
)


33,491



(777
)Proceeds from exercise of stock options


—



313



140Reduction of long-term debt


—



(19,135
)


—Purchase of stock


—



(920
)


(3,401
)Cash dividend paid


—



(3,174
)


(2,866
)Directors compensation


33



114



143Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities


(18,847
)


10,689



(6,761
)Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents


686



449



(2,513
)Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents


(578
)


809



(1,021
)Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year


3,617



2,808



3,829Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year

$
3,039


$
3,617


$
2,808Supplemental Cash Flows InformationInterest paid

$
1,802


$
2,024


$
2,831Income taxes paid

$
184


$
2,167


$
3,324




See notes to consolidated financial statements.


38


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Note 1 — Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies




Nature of Operations


Escalade, Incorporated and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) are engaged in the manufacture and sale of sporting goods and office products. The Company is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana and has manufacturing facilities in the United States of America, Mexico and Germany. The Company sells products to customers throughout the world.




Principles of Consolidation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Escalade, Incorporated and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated.




Basis of Presentation


The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The books and records of Subsidiaries located in foreign countries are maintained according to generally accepted accounting principles in those countries. Upon consolidation the Company evaluates the differences in accounting principles and determines whether adjustments are necessary to convert the foreign financial statements to the accounting principles upon which the consolidated financial statements are based. As a result of this evaluation no material adjustments were identified.




Fiscal Year End


The Company’s fiscal year is a 52 or 53 week period ending on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 were 52 weeks long ending on December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008 and December 29, 2007 respectively.




Cash and Cash Equivalents


Highly liquid financial instruments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents.




Accounts Receivable


Revenue from the sale of the Company’s products is recognized as products are shipped to customers and accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to customers. Interest and late charges billed to customers are not material and because collection is uncertain, are not recognized until collected and are therefore not included in accounts receivable. The Company does not offer the right of return on any of its sales and the Company does not engage in consignment or contingency sales. The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts which is described in Note 2 – Certain Significant Estimates.




Inventories


Inventory cost is computed on a currently adjusted standard cost basis (which approximates actual cost on a current average or first-in, first-out basis). Work in process and finished goods inventory are determined to be saleable based on a demand forecast within a specific time horizon, generally one year or less. Inventory in excess of saleable amounts is reserved, and the remaining inventory is valued at the lower cost or market. This inventory valuation reserve totaled $3.2 million and $3.9 million at fiscal year-end 2009 and 2008, respectively. Inventories, net of the valuation reserve, at fiscal year-ends were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008Raw materials

$
6,357


$
9,540Work in process


1,142



4,506Finished goods


13,406



15,814$
20,905


$
29,860




39


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Property, Plant and Equipment


Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed for financial reporting purposes principally using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, 20-30 years; leasehold improvements, term of the lease; machinery and equipment, 5-15 years; and tooling, dies and molds, 2-4 years. Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:




In Thousands

2009


2008Land

$
2,485


$
2,457Buildings and leasehold improvements


20,446



15,635Machinery and equipment


31,057



38,882Total cost


53,988



56,974Accumulated depreciation and amortization


(32,495
)


(36,765
)$
21,493


$
20,209




The Company evaluates the recoverability of certain long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Estimates of future cash flows used to test recoverability of long-lived assets include separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows expected to arise from the use and eventual disposition of the assets. Where estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, impairment losses are recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets. The fair value of the assets was determined based on the “held for use” classification. During 2008, the Company’s Sporting Goods segment recognized an impairment loss of $2.6 million related to the Reynosa, Mexico facility and equipment. This loss is included in the long lived asset impairment charges line of the statement of operations for that year.




Investments


Investments are composed of the following:




In Thousands

2009


2008Marketable equity securities available for sale

$
—


$
1,209Non-marketable equity investments (equity method)


9,156



6,920$
9,156


$
8,129




Marketable Equity Securities Available for Sale. This consists of marketable equity securities recorded at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. When the fair value of an available for sale security is less than its amortized cost for an extended period, the Company considers whether there is an other-than-temporary impairment in the value of the security. If based on that analysis, an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the cost basis of the security is written down to the then current fair value, and the unrealized loss is transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss as an immediate reduction in current earnings (as if the loss had been realized in the period of other-than-temporary impairment). During the 2008 fiscal year, the Company recognized an other-than-temporary-impairment loss in the amount of $884 thousand on its available for sale securities. This loss is included as a component of Other Income (Expense).




Summarized financial data for these securities at fiscal year-end were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008Cost basis

$
—


$
1,209Unrealized gain


—



—Approximate fair market value

$
—


$
1,209




40


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Non-Marketable Equity Investments


TheCompany has minority equity positions in companies strategically related to the Company’s business, but does not have control over these companies. The accounting method employed is dependent on the level of ownership and degree of influence the Company can exert on operations. Where the equity interest is less than 20% and the degree of influence is not significant, the cost method of accounting is employed. Where the equity interest is greater than 20% but not more than 50%, the equity method of accounting is utilized. Under the equity method, the Company’s proportionate share of net income (loss) is recorded in other income on the consolidated statement of income. The proportionate share of net income was $1,598 thousand, $1,054 thousand and $1,354 thousand in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Total cash dividends received from these equity investments amounted to $32 thousand, $49 thousand, and $39 thousand in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company considers whether the fair value of any of its equity investments have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the Company considered any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities and overall health of the investments’ industry), a write-down is recorded to estimated fair value. There was no impairment loss recognized on equity method investments in 2009, 2008 or 2007.




Goodwill and Intangible Assets


Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets consist of patents, consulting agreements, non-compete agreements, customer lists, and trademarks. Goodwill and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite lives and are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing annually in accordance with guidance included in FASB ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. Other intangible assets compute amortization using the straight-line method over the following lives: consulting agreements, the life of the agreement; non-compete agreements, the lesser of the term or 5 years; and patents, the lesser of the remaining life or 5 to 8 years. No impairment has been recognized on goodwill or intangible assets in 2009, 2008 or 2007.




Employee Incentive Plan


During 2007, the Company replaced two stock-based compensation plans with a new incentive plan more fully explained in Note 10. The Company accounts for this plan under the recognition and measurement principles of FASB ASC 505, Equity Based Payments.




Foreign Currency Translation


The functional currency for the foreign operations of Escalade is the local currency. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the year. The gains or losses resulting from the translation are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Incomein the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and are excluded from net income (loss). Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and were insignificant in fiscal years 2009, 2008, and 2007.




Cost of Products Sold


Cost of products sold are comprised of those costs directly associated with or allocated to the products sold and include materials, labor and factory overhead.


41


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Other Income (Expense)


The components of Other Income (Expense) are as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Income from non-marketable equity investments accounted for on the equity method

$
1,598


$
1,054


$
1,354Dividend and interest income from marketable equity securities available for sale


48



264



390Gain (loss) on sale of marketable equity securities available for sale


432



(505
)


—Royalty income from patents


50



127



639Gain on sale of rights to license future potential intellectual property


—



—



1,500Impairment write-down on marketable securities available for sale


—



(884
)


—Other


142



(90
)


108$
2,270


$
(34
)

$
3,991




Income Taxes


Income tax in the consolidated statement of operations includes deferred income tax provisions or benefits for all significant temporary differences in recognizing income and expenses for financial reporting and income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.




Research and Development


Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development costs incurred during 2009, 2008 and 2007 were approximately $2,047 thousand, $2,324 thousand, and $2,330 thousand, respectively.




Reclassifications


Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year financial statements to conform to the current year financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.




New Accounting Pronouncements


In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations, which changes the requirements for an acquirer’s recognition and measurement of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in a business combination. FASB ASC 805 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and should be applied prospectively for all business combinations entered into after the date of adoption. The adoption of the provisions of FASB ASC 805 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.




In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC 810, Consolidation, which requires (i) that noncontrolling (minority) interests be reported as a component of shareholders’ equity, (ii) that net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest be separately identified in the consolidated statement of operations, (iii) that changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest be accounted for as equity transactions, (iv) that any retained noncontrolling equity investment upon the deconsolidation of a subsidiary be initially measured at fair value, and (v) that sufficient disclosures are provided that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. FASB ASC 810 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2008 and should be applied prospectively. However, the presentation and disclosure requirements of the statement shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. The adoption of the provisions of FASB ASC 810 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.


42
 Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The standard requires fair value disclosures of financial instruments on a quarterly basis, as well as new disclosures regarding the methodology and significant assumptions underlying the fair value measures and any changes to the methodology and assumptions during the reporting period. The Company has applied the disclosure provisions as appropriate.




In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance now codified as FASB ASC 320, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, which amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt and equity securities. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operation.




In December 2009, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises with Variable Interest Entities to incorporate the changes made by FASB Statement No. 167 into the FASB Codification The guidance in this update is effective for periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and thus is effective for the Company’s first quarter reporting in 2010. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.




In December 2009, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2010-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) – Accounting and Reporting for Decreases in Ownership of a Subsidiary – A Scope Clarification, which expands the disclosure requirements about deconsolidation of a subsidiary or derecognition of a group of assets. The guidance in this update is effective for periods beginning in the first interim or annual reporting period ending on or after December 15, 2009 and thus is effective for the Company’s first quarter reporting in 2010. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.




Note 2 —  Certain Significant Estimates




The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements; and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and judgments are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on experience; current and expected future conditions; third party evaluations; and various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and liabilities. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the financial statements and related notes.




Listed below are certain significant estimates and assumptions related to the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:




Product Warranty


The Company provides limited warranties on certain of its products, for varying periods. Generally, the warranty periods range from 90 days to one year. However, some products carry extended warranties of seven-year, ten-year, and lifetime warranties. The Company records an accrued liability and reduction in sales for estimated future warranty claims based upon historical experience and management’s estimate of the level of future claims. Changes in the estimated amounts recognized in prior years are recorded as an adjustment to the accrued liability and sales in the current year. A reconciliation of the liability is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
896


$
1,208


$
1,141Additions


232



113



621Deductions


(391
)


(425
)


(554
)Ending balance

$
737


$
896


$
1,208





43
 Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Inventory Valuation Reserves


The Company evaluates inventory for obsolescence and excess quantities based on demand forecasts based on specified time frames; usually one year. The demand forecast is based on historical usage, sales forecasts and current as well as anticipated market conditions. All amounts in excess of the demand forecast are deemed to be excess or obsolete and a reserve is established based on the anticipated net realizable value. A reconciliation of the reserve is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
3,943


$
3,573


$
2,668Additions


1,042



1,786



1,418Deductions


(1,833
)


(1,416
)


(513
)Ending balance

$
3,152


$
3,943


$
3,573




Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


The Company provides an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. Accounts receivable are ordinarily due between 30 and 60 days after the issuance of the invoice. Accounts are considered delinquent when more than 90 days past due. Delinquent receivables are reserved or written off based on individual credit evaluation and specific circumstances of the customer. A reconciliation of the allowance is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
1,114


$
1,087


$
1,559Additions


1,224



525



509Deductions


(853
)


(498
)


(981
)Ending balance

$
1,485


$
1,114


$
1,087




Advertising Subsidies


The Company enters agreements with certain retailers to pay for direct advertising programs and/or provide in-store display units. These agreements are not based on retailer purchase volumes and do not obligate the retailer to continue carrying the Company’s products. The Company determines the value of the advertising services based on its own research and history of providing such services. The Company expenses these costs in the period in which they are incurred as a reduction of sales. A reconciliation of the liability is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
504


$
1,508


$
1,246Additions


170



498



1,458Deductions


(536
)


(1,502
)


(1,196
)Ending balance

$
138


$
504


$
1,508




44


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


CO-OP Advertising


The Company offers co-operative advertising allowances to certain retailers to encourage product promotions. These agreements are typically based on a percentage of retailer purchases up to a maximum allowance and the Company is never directly involved with the media provider. The Company accrues the estimated cost of these programs based on the sales volume of the retailer and historical trends. As costs are accrued they are recorded as a reduction in sales. A reconciliation of the liability is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
2,648


$
3,323


$
3,622Additions


1,816



2,999



4,070Deductions


(3,142
)


(3,674
)


(4,369
)Ending balance

$
1,322


$
2,648


$
3,323





Volume Rebates


The Company has various rebate programs with its retailers that are based on purchase volume. Typically these programs are based on achieving specified sales volumes and the rebate is calculated as a percentage of purchases. Based on the terms of the agreement, purchase levels and historical trends the Company accrues the cost of these programs and records the same as a reduction in sales. A reconciliation of the liability is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
939


$
862


$
1,612Additions


1,582



1,673



1,913Deductions


(1,595
)


(1,596
)


(2,663
)Ending balance

$
926


$
939


$
862




Catalog Allowances


A number of large office supply dealers operate through catalogs distributed to businesses globally. Product content is decided by the dealer each time a new catalog is issued, typically once a year. Catalog allowances are required by the dealer as an inducement to include the Company’s products. The allowance is based on a fixed cost per page and/or a percentage of purchases by the dealer. The fixed portion of the allowance is often paid when the catalog is distributed and is recognized in the period incurred and the variable portion is accrued based on dealer purchases and historical trends. Catalog allowances are recorded as a reduction in sales. A reconciliation of the liability is as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Beginning balance

$
532


$
449


$
697Additions


2,010



1,274



1,427Deductions


(2,179
)


(1,191
)


(1,675
)Ending balance

$
363


$
532


$
449


45
 Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Note 3 —  Accrued Liabilities




Accrued liabilities consist of the following:




In Thousands

2009


2008Employee compensation

$
3,419


$
4,587Customer related allowances and accruals


4,867



6,807Other accrued items


4,452



5,304$
12,738


$
16,698




Note 4 — Operating Leases




The Company leases warehouse and office space under non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates through 2014. Terms of the leases, including renewals, taxes, utilities, and maintenance, vary by lease. Total rental expense included in the results of operations relating to all leases was $1,716 thousand, $1,735 thousand, and $1,817 thousand in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.




At December 26, 2009, minimum rental payments under non-cancelable leases with terms of more than one year were as follows:




In Thousands

Amount2010


1,1182011


6772012


1182013


402014


32$
1,985




Note 5 —  Acquired Intangible Assets and Goodwill




The carrying basis and accumulated amortization of recognized intangible assets are summarized in the following table:




2009


2008In Thousands

GrossCarrying

Amount


Accumulated

Amortization


GrossCarrying

Amount


Accumulated

AmortizationPatents

$
22,369


$
10,978


$
22,369


$
9,230Consulting agreements


976



976



976



976Non-compete agreements


2,197



2,015



2,197



1,938Customer list


1,971



1,465



1,931



1,231Trademarks


5,224



122



5,177



122$
32,737


$
15,556


$
32,650


$
13,497




Amortization expense was $2,265 thousand, $2,163 thousand and $2,657 thousand for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.


46


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Estimated future amortization expense for each reporting segment is summarized in the following table:




In Thousands

2010


2011


2012


2013


2014


ThereafterSporting Goods

$
1,771


$
1,729


$
1,713


$
1,688


$
1,552


$
3,185Office Products


196



143



81



20



—



—$
1,967


$
1,872


$
1,794


$
1,708


$
1,552


$
3,185




The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were:




In Thousands

Sporting Goods


Office Products


TotalBalance at December 29, 2007

$
12,017


$
13,786


$
25,803Acquisitions


—



374



374Foreign currency translation adjustment


—



(366
)


(366
)Balance at December 27, 2008


12,017



13,794



25,811Purchase price adjustment


—



191



191Foreign currency translation adjustment


—



213



213Balance at December 26, 2009

$
12,017


$
14,198


$
26,215




Note 6 — Equity Interest Investments




The Company has a 50% interest in two joint ventures, Stiga Sports AB (Stiga) and Escalade International, Ltd. These 50% owned joint ventures are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Stiga Sports AB, located in Sweden, is a global sporting goods company producing table tennis equipment and game products. Escalade International Ltd., located in the United Kingdom, is a sporting goods wholesaler, specializing in table tennis, game tables and archery products. Financial information for these two entities reflected in the table below has been translated from local currency to U.S. dollar using exchange rates in effect at the respective year-end for balance sheet amounts and using average exchange rates for income statement amounts . Certain differences exist between U.S. GAAP and local GAAP in Sweden and the United Kingdom, and the impact of these differences is not reflected in the summarized information reflected in the table below. The most significant difference relates to the accounting for goodwill for Stiga which is amortized over eight years in Sweden but is not amortized for U.S. GAAP reporting purposes. The effect on Stiga’s net assets resulting from the amortization of goodwill for the years ended 2009 and 2008 are addbacks of $5.6 million and $3.7 million, respectively. These net differences are comprised of cumulative goodwill adjustments of $7.9 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $2.2 million as of December 26, 2009 and cumulative goodwill adjustments of $5.2 million offset by the related cumulative tax effect of $1.5 million as of December 27, 2008. The income statement impact of these goodwill and tax adjustments and other individually insignificant U.S. GAAP adjustments for the years ended December 26, 2009, December 27, 2008, and December 28, 2007 are to increase net income by approximately $1.3 million, $1.8 million, and $2.6 million, respectively. In addition, the Company has a 49.9% interest in a joint venture in Taiwan which is reporting no income and for which its assets have no material impact on the Company’s financial reporting. Information regarding this entity is considered immaterial and has not been included in the combined totals listed below.


47


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Summarized financial information for combined Stiga Sports AB and Escalade International, Ltd. balance sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:




In Thousands




2009


2008Current assets




$
19,113


$
18,243Non-current assets





11,939



11,567Total assets





31,052



29,810Current liabilities





9,296



11,310Non-current liabilities





10,104



9,556Total liabilities





19,400



20,866Net assets




$
11,652


$
8,9442009


2008


2007Net sales

$
33,769


$
37,320


$
35,636Gross profit


14,538



13,830



12,818Net income


1,861



361



131




Note 7 — Borrowings




On April 30, 2009 the Company signed a loan agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Chase) for a senior secured revolving credit facility in the maximum amount up to $50,000,000 and through Chase London Branch, as senior secured revolving credit facility in the maximum amount of 3,000,000 Euro upon certain terms and conditions. The credit facilities have a maturity date of May 31, 2010. A portion of the credit facility not in excess of $3,500,000 is available for the issuance of commercial or standby letters of credit to be issued by Chase. The senior secured revolving credit facility replaces the revolving line of credit and revolving long-term debt held as of the prior year.




Short-Term Debt


Short-term debt at fiscal year-ends was as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008Senior secured revolving credit facility of $50,000, with a maturity of May 31, 2010. The loan bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus 4.5%. Secured by substantially all assets of the Company.

$
22,067


$
—Senior secured revolving credit facility of Euro 3,000 (approximately $4,316 US Dollars), the balance is due May 31, 2010 and bears an interest rate of EURIBOR plus 4.5%, or 5.215% at December 26, 2009. Secured by substantially all assets of the Company.


2,877



—Revolving line of credit


—



12,618Short-term Debt


2,700



33,907$
27,644


$
46,525




48


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Long-Term Debt


Long-term debt at fiscal year-ends was as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008Revolving term loan of $30,000, the amount available under this revolving term loan is reduced by $5,000 annually starting May 31, 2009, with the balance due May 31, 2012. The loan bears an interest rate of prime minus .375%, or 2.50%, at December 27, 2008, unsecured. Refinanced in 2009.

$
—


$
28,397Revolving term loan of Euro 3,000 (approximately $4,216 US Dollars), the balance is due May 31, 2012 and bears an interest rate of EURIBOR plus 1.50%, or 4.90% at December 27, 2008, unsecured. Refinanced in 2009.


—



2,810Mortgage payable (Wabash, Indiana Adjustable Rate Economic Development Revenue Refunding Bonds), annual installments are optional, interest varies with short-term rates and is adjustable weekly based on market conditions, maximum rate is 10.00%, rate at December 26, 2009 is 1.4%, due September 2028, secured by plant facility, machinery and equipment, and a stand-by letter of credit


2,700



2,7002,700



33,907Portion classified as short-term debt


(2,700
)


(33,907
)$
—


$
—




Interest Rate Swap Agreement


In May 2003, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement having a notional amount of $10 million and a maturity date of May 19, 2008. This swap agreement was designated as a cash flow hedge, and effectively converted a portion of the Company’s variable rate debt to fixed rate debt with a weighted average interest rate of 5.08%. During 2008, the Company recorded an after tax loss of $35 thousand in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) relating to this interest rate swap agreement. There was no impact on net income due to ineffectiveness. The interest rate swap agreement, which matured May 19, 2008, was not renewed.




Note 8 —  Earnings Per Share




The shares used in the computation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per common share are as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Weighted average common shares outstanding.


12,632



12,637



12,901Dilutive effect of stock options


239



47



14Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution


12,871



12,684



12,915Number of anti-dilutive stock options


30



391



395




49


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, includes the incremental shares that would be issued upon the assumed exercise of stock options outstanding.




Note 9 — Employee Benefit Plans




The Company has an employee profit-sharing salary reduction plan, pursuant to the provisions of Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, for non-union employees. The Company’s contribution is a matching percentage of the employee contribution as determined by the Board of Directors annually. The Company’s expense for the plan was $132 thousand, $542 thousand and $527 thousand for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.




Note 10 — Deferred Compensation Plan




In October 1985, the Board of Directors approved the adoption of a Contributory Deferred Compensation Plan pursuant to which some recipients of incentive compensation could elect to defer receipt thereof. For each dollar of deferred compensation, the Company provided a 75% matching amount. All deferrals allowed under this plan have been made and amounts deferred earn interest at the rate of 9%. Mr. Robert Griffin, Chairman of the Board, is the only remaining participant in the Plan. Plan balances are not intended to be recognized for tax purposes until receipt. Participants have no secured rights in deferred amounts credited to their accounts and are general creditors of the Company until such amounts are actually paid. Mr. Griffin has expressed an intention to retire from employment with Escalade, Incorporated in 2010. The Board approved that, upon his retirement, the deferred compensation balance owed to him will be paid out in cash.




Note 11 — Stock Compensation Plans


In April 2007, Shareholders approved the Escalade, Incorporated 2007 Incentive Plan (“2007 Incentive Plan”), which is an incentive plan for key employees, directors and consultants with various equity-based incentives as described in the plan document. The 2007 Incentive Plan is a replacement for the 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan and the 1997 Director Stock Compensation and Option Plan which expired at the end of April 2007. All options issued and outstanding under the expired plans will remain in effect until exercised, expired or forfeited.
  The 2007 Incentive Plan is administered by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, which is authorized to determine, among other things, the key employees, directors or consultants who will receive awards under the plan, the amount and type of award, exercise prices or performance criteria, if applicable, and vesting schedules. Subject to various restrictions contained in the plan document, the total number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to awards under the Plan may not exceed 1,282,415 shares.
  Restricted Stock Units
 In 2009, 2008, and 2007, the Company granted restricted stock units to certain officers and directors of the Company at fair market value on the date of grant. The restricted stock units granted to employees of the Company vest over three to four years and are dependent on certain market criteria. The restricted stock units granted to directors vest immediately or within two years. All restricted stock units are payable in shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting, subject to the deferral election arrangement, and are subject to forfeiture if on the vesting date the employee is not employed or the director no longer holds a position with the Company.


50
 Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 The Company issued no restricted stock units to employees in 2009 and 138,500 restricted stock units to employees in 2008 and 54,103 and 34,206 restricted stock units to directors in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The following table presents a summary of non-vested restricted stock units granted to employees and directors as of December 26, 2009, and changes during the year ended December 26, 2009:


Number of Shares


Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair ValueNon-vested restricted stock units as of December 27, 2008


241,125


$
5.76Granted


54,103


$
0.82Vested


(61,603
)

$
1.42Forfeited


(48,375
)

$
5.76Non-vested restricted stock units as of December 26, 2009


185,250


$
5.76Vested but unsettled


85,751Outstanding restricted stock units as of December 26, 2009


271,001


When vesting is dependent on certain market criteria, the fair value of restricted stock units is determined by the use of Monte Carlo techniques. The market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date is used to value restricted stock units where vesting is not contingent on market criteria. In 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized $504 and $496 thousand, respectively in compensation expense related to restricted stock units and as of December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008, there was $354 and $814 thousand, respectively of unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted stock units.
  Stock Options


Total compensation expense recorded in the statement of operations for 2009, 2008 and 2007 relating to stock options was $84, $414 and $480 thousand, respectively. The recognized tax benefit related thereto was $0, $0 and $31 thousand for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.




At the February 23, 2010 meeting of the Board of Directors, the Board voted to approve director stock options of 30,000, and employee incentive stock options of 300,000. The director and employee options have a one year vesting and four year-tiered vesting, respectively, and all options expire in five years.




The following table summarizes option activity for each of the three years ended 2009:




Incentive Stock Options

Director Stock OptionsGranted

Outstanding

Granted

Outstanding2009

682,000


791,000


30,000


51,6002008

—


366,500


—


24,3672007

—


417,850


6,524


28,493




The fair value of each option grant award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model using the following assumptions:




2009


2008


2007Risk-free interest rates

1.15% to 1.38%


—


4.35%Dividend yields

0%


—


2.26%Volatility factors of expected market price of common stock

81.34% to 94.93%


—


42.6%Weighted average expected life of the options

1-3 years


—


3 years




51


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements




The following table summarizes stock option transactions for the three years ended 2009:




2009


2008


2007Shares


Option

Price


Shares


Option

Price


Shares


Option

PriceOutstanding at beginning of year


390,867


$
6.99 to 19.21



446,343


$
6.99 to 19.21



544,586


$
6.99 to 19.21Issued during year


712,000


$
0.64 to $0.89



—



—



6,524


$
9.35Canceled or expired


(260,267
)






(10,726
)






(86,422
)Exercised during year


—







(44,750
)

$
6.99 to 9.03



(18,345
)

$
6.99 to 9.03Outstanding at end of year


842,600


$
0.64 to 13.40



390,867


$
6.99 to 19.21



446,343


$
6.99 to 19.21Exercisable at end of year


191,850







314,117







307,694Weighted-average fair value of options granted during the year

$
0.38






$
—






$
2.70




The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 26, 2009:




Options Outstanding


Options ExercisableRange of

Exercise Prices


Number of

Shares

Weighted-Average

Remaining

Contractual Life

Weighted-Average

Exercise Price


Number of

Shares


Weighted-Average

Exercise Price$0.64 - $0.89



637,000

4.3 years

$
0.66



—



—$9.35 - $11.26



110,600

1.2 years

$
11.00



96,850


$
10.99$13.40



95,000

0.2 years

$
13.40



95,000


$
13.40842,600








191,850




Note 12 — Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)




The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Change in net unrealized value of available-for-sale investments net of tax of $0, $0, and $(85), in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively

$
—


$
—


$
128Realization of previously unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments net of tax of $0, $210, and $0 in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively


—



(320
)


—Change in foreign currency translation adjustment


1,642



(2,344
)


2,333Change in unrealized loss on interest rate swap agreement net of tax of $0, $23, and $78, in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively


—



(35
)


(120
)$
1,642


$
(2,699
)

$
2,341




52


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





The components of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Accumulated gain on available for sale investments

$
—


$
—


$
320Foreign currency translation adjustment


4,766



3,124



5,468Unrealized gain on interest rate swap agreement


—



—



35$
4,766


$
3,124


$
5,823




Note 13 — Provision for Taxes




Income before taxes and the provision for taxes consisted of the following:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Income (loss) before taxes:United States of America (USA)

$
3,359


$
(10,106
)

$
10,482Non USA


(754
)


(74
)


3,740$
2,605


$
(10,180
)

$
14,222Provision for taxes:CurrentFederal

$
(906
)

$
(2,575
)

$
3,745State


(685
)


804



428International


364



575



510(1,227
)


(1,196
)


4,683DeferredFederal


1,686



(774
)


112State


964



(714
)


30International


(475
)


—



1422,175



(1,488
)


284$
948


$
(2,684
)

$
4,967




The Company has not provided for USA deferred taxes or foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings for non-USA subsidiaries where the Company intends to reinvest these earnings indefinitely in operations outside the USA.





The provision for income taxes was computed based on financial statement income. A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amount computed using the statutory rate follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007Income tax at statutory rate

$
886


$
(3,461
)

$
4,835Increase (decrease) in income tax resulting fromPermanent differences (investment income, dividends, and captive insurance earnings)


(162
)


117



(79
)State tax expense, net of federal effect


184



(125
)


302Effect of foreign tax rates


(188
)


391



(620
)Research credit


—



—



(60
)Foreign income repatriation (Section 956 inclusion)


—



—



1,035Other


228



394



(446
)Recorded provision for income taxes

$
948


$
(2,684
)

$
4,967




53





Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements







In Thousands

2009


2008Balance, beginning of year

$
954


$
118Additions for current year tax positions


—



863Additions for prior year tax positions


—



—Settlements


—



—Reductions Settlements


—



—Reductions for prior year tax positions


(418
)


(27
)Balance, end of year

$
536


$
954




Interest costs and penalties related to income taxes are classified as interest expense and selling, general and administrative costs, respectively in the Company’s financial statements. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to future examinations by federal tax authorities for all years after 2006 and state and other tax authorities for all years after 2005.




The components of the net deferred tax assets are as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008AssetsEmployee benefits

$
29


$
99Valuation allowances


2,034



2,261Deferred compensation


507



464Property and equipment


24



1,559Stock based compensation


469



274Federal and state credits


507



—Net operating loss carry forward


6,914



1,446Total assets


10,484



6,103LiabilitiesUnrealized equity investment income


(1,225
)


(902
)Goodwill and intangible assets


(1,631
)


(1,162
)Total liabilities


(2,856
)


(2,064
)Valuation AllowanceBeginning balance


(1,301
)


(1,114
)Increase during period


(5,554
)


(187
)Ending balance


(6,855
)


(1,301
)$
773


$
2,738




Deferred tax assets are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008Deferred income tax asset - current

$
1,999


$
2,015Deferred income tax asset (liability) – long-term


(1,226
)


723$
773


$
2,738




The Company has a US federal unused net operating loss carry-forward of approximately $270 thousand and state unused net operating losses of approximately $10.1 million of which an estimated $7.2 million has been reserved as the Company does not expect to be able to utilize these. All operating loss carry-forwards expire in various amounts through 2022. In addition, the Company has foreign unused net operating loss carry-forwards of approximately $19.8 million of which an estimated $18.3 million has been reserved.


54


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





Note 14 — Operating Segment and Geographic Information




The following table presents certain operating segment information.




In Thousands


2009


2008


2007Sporting GoodsNet revenue


76,807



98,039



129,788Operating income (loss)


4,610



(6,250
)


7,745Interest expense


2,673



1,568



1,355Provision (benefit) for taxes


715



(3,054
)


3,005Net income (loss)


1,273



(5,428
)


5,341Identifiable assets


67,528



78,593



87,634Non-marketable equity investments (equity method)


—



—



—Depreciation & amortization


3,217



3,784



4,264Capital expenditures


792



2,261



1,325Office ProductsNet revenue


39,192



50,647



55,788Operating income


1,780



3,930



8,809Interest expense


(208
)


(256
)


185Provision for taxes


988



2,037



2,810Net income


1,077



1,835



5,617Identifiable assets


40,105



44,306



47,623Non-marketable equity investments (equity method)


341



336



772Depreciation & amortization


1,576



1,755



1,780Capital expenditures


640



582



1,062All OtherNet revenue


—



—



—Operating income (loss)


(4,390
)


(5,801
)


(3,486
)Interest expense


(800
)


713



1,297Provision (benefit) for taxes


(755
)


(1,667
)


(848
)Net income (loss)


(693
)


(3,903
)


(1,703
)Identifiable assets


19,605



24,802



16,759Non-marketable equity investments (equity method)


8,815



6,584



7,205Depreciation & amortization


1,172



—



—Capital expenditures


462



6,641



—TotalNet Revenue


115,999



148,686



185,576Operating income (loss)


2,000



(8,121
)


13,068Interest expense


1,665



2,025



2,837Provision (benefit) for taxes


948



(2,684
)


4,967Net income (loss)


1,657



(7,496
)


9,255Identifiable assets


127,238



147,701



152,016Non-marketable equity investments (equity method)


9,156



6,920



7,977Depreciation & amortization


5,965



5,539



6,044Capital expenditures


1,894



9,484



2,387




Each operating segment is individually managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by the Company’s management. Each segment contains closely related products that are unique to the particular segment. There were no changes to the composition of segments in 2009. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.


55


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





The sporting goods segment consists of home entertainment products such as table tennis tables and accessories; basketball goals; pool tables and accessories; outdoor playsets; soccer and hockey tables; archery equipment and accessories; basketball goals; and fitness, arcade and darting products. Customers include retailers, dealers and wholesalers located throughout the United States and Europe.




The office products segment consists of office machinery used in the office and graphic arts environment. Products include data shredders; folding machines; and paper trimmers and cutters. Customers include large office product retailers, office machine dealers, and office supply catalogs.




The all other segment consists of general and administrative expenses not specifically related to the operating business segments and includes investment income from equity investments.




Interest expense is allocated to operating segments based on working capital usage and the provision for taxes is allocated based on a combined federal and state statutory rate of 36% adjusted for actual taxes on foreign income. Permanent tax adjustments and timing differences are included in the all other segment.




Identifiable assets are principally those assets used in each segment. The assets in the all other segment are principally cash and cash equivalents; deferred tax assets; and investments.




The Company has one customer in 2009 in the sporting goods segment who accounted for 15% of consolidated total revenues and one customer in 2008 and 2007 who accounted for 6% and 18% of consolidated total revenues, respectively. No other customers accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues. Within the sporting goods segment these customers accounted for 22%, 9% and 26% of total revenues in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.




As of December 26, 2009, approximately 15 employees of the Company’s labor force were covered by a collective bargaining agreement that expires April 30, 2012.




Raw materials for Escalade’s various product lines consist of wood, particleboard, slate, standard grades of steel, steel tubing, plastic, vinyl, steel cables, fiberglass and packaging. Escalade relies upon suppliers in Europe and Brazil for its requirement of billiard balls and slate utilized in the production of home pool tables and upon various Asian manufacturers for certain of its table tennis needs and other items. Escalade sources some of its game table product line in China.




Revenues by geographic region/country were as follows:





In Thousands

2009


2008


2007North America

$
95,723


$
122,530


$
157,148Europe


13,033



19,566



22,540Other


7,243



6,590



5,888$
115,999


$
148,686


$
185,576




Revenues are attributed to country based on location of customer and are for continuing operations.




Identified assets by geographic region/country were as follows:




In Thousands

2009


2008


2007North America

$
100,643


$
119,417


$
121,791Europe


26,595



28,284



30,225$
127,238


$
147,701


$
152,016




56


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





Note 15 — Summary of Quarterly Results




In thousands, except per share data (unaudited)

March 21


July 11


October 3


December 262009Net sales

$
24,958


$
35,641


$
26,358


$
29,042Operating income (loss)


(628
)


1,374



612



642Net income (loss)


(439
)


366



618



1,112Basic earnings per share

$
(0.03
)

$
0.03


$
0.05


$
0.08In thousands, except per share data (unaudited)

March 22


July 12


October 4


December 272008Net sales

$
29,166


$
45,796


$
40,797


$
32,927Operating income (loss)


(1,056
)


(789
)


82



(6,358
)Net loss


(848
)


(704
)


(1,365
)


(4,579
)Basic earnings per share

$
(0.07
)

$
(0.06
)

$
( 0.11
)

$
(0.35
)




Note 16 — Acquisitions




All of the Company’s acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.




2008




In March 2008, the Company acquired the remaining 50% stock shares of Action Group, which is a dealer of office supplies in South Africa. The total price of $125 thousand was paid in cash using the Company’s revolving credit lines and was composed of customer lists and goodwill.




In June 2008, the Company acquired 100% of the stock shares of Safe Tech Sweden AB, which is a distributor of office supplies. The total price of $342 thousand was paid in cash using the Company’s revolving credit lines and was composed of customer lists, goodwill and other assets.




2007




In February 2007, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Trophy Ridge, LLC, which manufactures and sells premium archery accessories under the Trophy Ridge brand name. The Trophy Ridge brand name has significant appeal in the sports enthusiast market place and will be used to further expand distribution of the Company’s archery accessory products. The Trophy Ridge operation has been relocated and consolidated into the Company’s existing archery operations in the Gainesville, Florida plant. The operating results of Trophy Ridge are included in the Sporting Goods segment results from the date of acquisition. The purchase price of $3.8 million was paid in cash. The estimated fair market value of the assets acquired as of the date of acquisition is as follows:




(Amounts in thousands)

AmountCurrent assets

$
1,083Property, plant & equipment


170Other assets


125Patents & Trademarks


2,419Net assets acquired

$
3,797




57


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





In December 2007, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of Piston Point, Inc. which distributed a unique broadhead arrow point. The piston point arrow head will be sold through the Company’s Sporting Goods business. The total price of $512 thousand was paid in cash using the Company’s revolving credit lines and was primarily composed of patents related to the piston point arrow head.




Note 17 —  Commitments and Contingencies




The Company has obtained a letter of credit for the benefit of a certain mortgage holder. At December 26, 2009, the balance of the letter of credit was $2,734 thousand. It is to be used in the event of a default in either interest or principal payments.




The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of its business. The Company does not believe that the disposition or ultimate resolution of existing claims or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company.




The Company has entered into various agreements whereby it is required to make royalty and license payments. At December 26, 2009, the Company had future estimated minimum non-cancelable royalty and license payments as follows:





In Thousands

Amount2010

$
3502011


3502012


4502013


3502014


375$
1,875




Note 18 — Fair Values of Financial Instruments




The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of all financial instruments recognized in the accompanying balance sheets at amounts other than fair values.




Cash and Cash Equivalents and Time Deposits




Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and time deposits approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity.




Notes Payable and Long-term Debt




As of December 26, 2009, the Company does not have debt classified as long-term. The Company believes the carrying value of short-term debt adequately reflects the fair value of these instruments.


58


Escalade, Incorporated and Subsidiaries
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements





The following table presents estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments in accordance with FASB ASC 480 at December 26, 2009 and December 27, 2008.




In Thousands

2009


2008Carrying Amount


Fair Value


Carrying Amount


Fair ValueFinancial assetsCash and cash equivalents

$
3,039


$
3,039


$
3,617


$
3,617Time deposits

$
750


$
750


$
—


$
—Available-for-sale securities

$
—


$
—


$
1,209


$
1,209Financial liabilitiesNote payable and Short-term debt

$
27,644


$
27,644


$
46,525


$
46,525




Note 19 — Management’s Plan With Respect to Current Economic Conditions




The Company operates in an industry which has been adversely affected by the current economic conditions. As a result of the external economic conditions, the Company experienced significant declines in sales revenues for fiscal year 2009 and expects sales levels for fiscal year 2010 to be similar to 2009. In response to the challenging economic environment, management began implementing a series of cost reduction measures during fiscal year 2008 which have continued into 2009 and 2010. The Company has consolidated three of its Sporting Goods production facilities into one location, reducing its personnel costs by eliminating positions and reducing certain salaries and benefits and freezing all wages and the hiring of additional personnel. The Company will continue to evaluate its product mix and pricing structure and will make adjustments as necessary to reduce or eliminate low margin products.






The Company believes that cash generated from its projected 2010 operations, the potential sale of its Reynosa facility, income tax refunds and the continued availability of borrowings from its primary lender will provide it with sufficient cash flows for its operations.


59


Signatures




Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.




ESCALADE, INCORPORATEDBy:
/s/ Robert. Keller


February 22, 2011Robert J. KellerPresident and Chief Executive Officer




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.




/s/ Robert E. Griffin

Chairman and Director

February 22, 2011Robert E. Griffin/s/ Edward E. Williams

Director

February 22, 2011Edward E. Williams/s/ Richard D. White

Director

February 22, 2011Richard D. White/s/ George Savitsky

Director

February 22, 2011George Savitsky/s/
Richard Baalmann, Jr.

Director

February 22, 2011Richard
Baalmann, Jr./s/ Patrick Griffin

Director and President Martin Yale Global

February 22, 2011Patrick Griffin/s/ Robert J. Keller

President and Chief Executive Officer

February 22, 2011Robert J. Keller

(Principal Executive Officer)/s/ Deborah J. Meinert

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

February 22, 2011Deborah J. Meinert

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)




60