UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549

Form 10-Q

x
Quarterly report under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For The Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2013

Commission File No. 0-9115

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter)

PENNSYLVANIA
 
25-0644320
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)

TWO NORTHSHORE CENTER, PITTSBURGH, PA
 
15212-5851
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
     
     
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
 
(412) 442-8200

NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 website, 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 x
No o
 

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

Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o

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

 
Yes o
No x
 

As of July 31, 2013, shares of common stock outstanding were:

  Class A Common Stock 27,434,613 shares

 
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
June 30, 2013
   
September 30, 2012
 
             
ASSETS
                       
Current assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
        $ 54,861           $ 58,259  
Accounts receivable, net
          183,437             174,632  
Inventories
          131,839             130,690  
Deferred income taxes
          1,648             1,694  
Other current assets
          20,399             19,950  
                             
Total current assets
          392,184             385,225  
                             
Investments
          19,709             18,842  
Property, plant and equipment: Cost
  $ 382,338             $ 350,521          
Less accumulated depreciation
    (214,807 )             (206,472 )        
              167,531               144,049  
Deferred income taxes
            29,669               32,647  
Other assets
            15,375               12,083  
Goodwill
            532,926               476,181  
Other intangible assets, net
            53,166               59,015  
                                 
Total assets
          $ 1,210,560             $ 1,128,042  
                                 
LIABILITIES
                               
Current liabilities:
                               
Long-term debt, current maturities
          $ 17,520             $ 21,566  
Accounts payable
            41,644               44,294  
Accrued compensation
            36,985               30,222  
Accrued income taxes
            11,284               7,632  
Customer prepayments
            12,409               15,883  
Contingent Consideration
            8,559               13,298  
Other current liabilities
            48,854               47,978  
                                 
Total current liabilities
            177,255               180,873  
                                 
Long-term debt
            359,561               298,148  
Accrued pension
            87,028               78,563  
Postretirement benefits
            28,633               27,725  
Deferred income taxes
            19,431               18,624  
Other liabilities
            28,536               33,194  
Total liabilities
            700,444               637,127  
                                 
Arrangement with noncontrolling interest
            -               10,481  
                                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
                               
Shareholders' equity-Matthews:
                               
Common stock
  $ 36,334             $ 36,334          
Additional paid-in capital
    45,805               47,893          
Retained earnings
    764,294               727,176          
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (64,603 )             (65,083 )        
Treasury stock, at cost
    (274,831 )             (268,499 )        
Total shareholders’ equity-Matthews
            506,999               477,821  
Noncontrolling interests
            3,117               2,613  
Total shareholders’ equity
            510,116               480,434  
                                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
          $ 1,210,560             $ 1,128,042  


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

 
2

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
                         
                         
Sales
  $ 250,652     $ 227,478     $ 732,651     $ 670,236  
Cost of sales
    (159,261 )     (139,769 )     (466,420 )     (419,825 )
                                 
Gross profit
    91,391       87,709       266,231       250,411  
                                 
Selling and administrative expenses
    (60,631 )     (60,196 )     (193,902 )     (178,686 )
                                 
Operating profit
    30,760       27,513       72,329       71,725  
                                 
Investment income
    634       176       1,474       3,020  
Interest expense
    (3,486 )     (2,881 )     (9,784 )     (8,165 )
Other income (deductions), net
    (986 )     (602 )     (3,158 )     (1,755 )
                                 
Income before income taxes
    26,922       24,206       60,861       64,825  
                                 
Income taxes
    (9,024 )     (7,821 )     (20,905 )     (21,828 )
                                 
Net income
    17,898       16,385       39,956       42,997  
 
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
    93       (60 )     482       (129 )
                                 
Net income attributable to  Matthews shareholders
  $ 17,991     $ 16,325     $ 40,438     $ 42,868  
                                 
Earnings per share attributable to Matthews shareholders:
                               
Basic
    $0.65       $0.58       $1.47       $1.51  
                                 
Diluted
    $0.65       $0.58       $1.46       $1.51  




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






 
3

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)


   
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Matthews
   
Noncontrolling Interest
   
Total
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                                     
Net income (loss):
  $ 17,991     $ 16,325     $ (93 )   $ 60     $ 17,898     $ 16,385  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                               
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (1,653 )     (11,441 )     44       (33 )     (1,609 )     (11,474 )
  Pension plans and other postretirement
     benefits
    1,073       1,023       -       -       1,073       1,023  
  Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
                                               
     Net change from periodic revaluation
    2,463       (1,407 )     -       -       2,463       (1,407 )
     Net amount reclassified to earnings
    649       542       -       -       649       542  
       Net change in unrecognized gain (loss)
                                               
         on derivatives
    3,112       (865 )     -       -       3,112       (865 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    2,532       (11,283 )     44       (33 )     2,576       (11,316 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 20,523     $ 5,042     $ (49 )   $ 27     $ 20,474     $ 5,069  


   
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Matthews
   
Noncontrolling Interest
   
Total
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                                     
Net income (loss):
  $ 40,438     $ 42,868     $ (482 )   $ 129     $ 39,956     $ 42,997  
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
                                               
  Foreign currency translation adjustment
    (7,587 )     (8,239 )     99       (101 )     (7,488 )     (8,340 )
  Pension plans and other postretirement
     benefits
    3,220       3,068       -       -       3,220       3,068  
  Unrecognized gain (loss) on derivatives:
                                               
     Net change from periodic revaluation
    2,960       (2,068 )     -       -       2,960       (2,068 )
     Net amount reclassified to earnings
    1,887       1,408       -       -       1,887       1,408  
       Net change in unrecognized gain (loss)
                                               
         on derivatives
    4,847       (660 )     -       -       4,847       (660 )
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
    480       (5,831 )     99       (101 )     579       (5,932 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 40,918     $ 37,037     $ (383 )   $ 28     $ 40,535     $ 37,065  


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




 
4

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
Shareholders’ Equity
 
                     
Accumulated
                   
         
Additional
         
Other
         
Non-
       
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
controlling
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Stock
   
interests
   
Total
 
Balance,
   September 30, 2011
  $ 36,334     $ 48,554     $ 681,658     $ (58,658   $ (243,246   $ 3,451     $ 468,093  
Net income
    -       -       42,868       -       -       129       42,997  
Minimum pension liability
    -       -       -       3,068       -       -       3,068  
Translation adjustment
    -       -       -       (8,239     -       (101     (8,340
Fair value of derivatives
    -       -       -       (660     -       -       (660
Total comprehensive income
                                                    37,065  
Stock-based compensation
    -       4,097       -       -       -       -       4,097  
Purchase of 618,366
   shares of treasury stock
    -       -       -       -       (18,908     -       (18,908
Issuance of  184,806
   shares of treasury stock
    -       (6,149     -       -       6,022       -       (127
Dividends, $.27 per share
    -       -       (7,597     -       -       -       (7,597
Distributions to
   noncontrolling interests
    -       -       -       -       -       (170     (170
Balance, June 30, 2012
  $ 36,334     $ 46,502     $ 716,929     $ (64,489   $ (256,132   $ 3,309     $ 482,453  


   
Shareholders’ Equity
 
                     
Accumulated
                   
         
Additional
         
Other
         
Non-
       
   
Common
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury
   
controlling
       
   
Stock
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Stock
   
interests
   
Total
 
Balance,
   September 30, 2012
  $ 36,334     $ 47,893     $ 727,176     $ (65,083   $ (268,499 )   $ 2,613     $ 480,434  
Net income
    -       -       40,438       -       -       (482     39,956  
Minimum pension liability
    -       -       -       3,220       -       -       3,220  
Translation adjustment
    -       -       -       (7,587     -       99       (7,488
Fair value of derivatives
    -       -       -       4,847       -       -       4,847  
Total comprehensive income
                                                    40,535  
Stock-based compensation
    -       4,153       -       -       -       -       4,153  
Purchase of 405,116 shares of treasury stock
    -       -       -       -       (13,529 )     -       (13,529 )
Issuance of 250,472 shares of treasury stock
    -       (6,241     -       -       7,197       -       956  
Dividends, $.30 per share
    -       -       (8,300     -       -       -       (8,300 )
Arrangement with noncontrolling interests
                    4,980       -       -       1,653       6,633  
Distributions to
   noncontrolling interests
    -       -       -       -       -       (766     (766 )
Balance, June 30, 2013
  $ 36,334     $ 45,805     $ 764,294     $ (64,603   $ (274,831 )   $ 3,117     $ 510,116  



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


 
5

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
             
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 39,956     $ 42,997  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    26,481       21,858  
Stock-based compensation expense
    4,153       4,097  
Gain on sale of assets
    (1,582 )     (4,633 )
Change in deferred taxes
    137       (2,711 )
Changes in working capital items
    (5,827 )     (15,749 )
Decrease in other assets
    370       3,586  
Decrease in other liabilities
    2,864       (2,575 )
Increase in pension and postretirement benefits
    10,043       9,479  
Other, net
    (3,657 )     (1,088 )
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    72,938       55,261  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (17,268 )     (24,641 )
Proceeds from sale of assets
    251       1,229  
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
    (67,587 )     (12,541 )
Purchases of investments
    -       (950 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (84,604 )     (36,903 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from long-term debt
    113,906       21,000  
Payments on long-term debt
    (74,122 )     (19,051 )
Payment on contingent consideration
    (9,542 )     -  
Proceeds from the sale of treasury stock
    956       267  
Purchases of treasury stock
    (13,529 )     (18,908 )
Dividends
    (8,300 )     (7,597 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
    (766 )     (170 )
                 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    8,603       (24,459 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (335 )     (869 )
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (3,398 )   $ (6,970 )
                 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Acquisition of equipment under capital lease
  $ -     $ 420  

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

 
6

 

MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2013
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 1.   Nature of Operations

Matthews International Corporation ("Matthews" or the “Company”), founded in 1850 and incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1902, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer principally of memorialization products and brand solutions.  Memorialization products consist primarily of bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, caskets and cremation equipment for the cemetery and funeral home industries.  Brand solutions include graphics imaging products and services, marking and fulfillment systems and merchandising solutions.  The Company's products and operations are comprised of six business segments:  Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation, Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems and Merchandising Solutions.  The Cemetery Products segment is a leading manufacturer of cast bronze and granite memorials and other memorialization products, cast and etched architectural products and is a leading builder of mausoleums in the United States.  The Funeral Home Products segment is a leading casket manufacturer and distributor in North America and produces a wide variety of wood, metal and cremation caskets.  The Cremation segment is a leading designer and manufacturer of cremation equipment in North America and Europe. The Graphics Imaging segment manufactures and provides brand management, printing plates, gravure cylinders, pre-press services and imaging services for the primary packaging and corrugated industries.  The Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of marking and coding equipment and consumables, industrial automation products and order fulfillment systems for identifying, tracking, picking and conveying consumer and industrial products.  The Merchandising Solutions segment designs and manufactures merchandising displays and systems and provides creative merchandising and marketing solutions services.

The Company has manufacturing and marketing facilities in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Note 2.   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information for commercial and industrial companies and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.  The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control.  All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

A reclassification has been made in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012 to conform to the current period presentation.  The reclassification adjusted the effect of exchange rate changes on cash with a corresponding change in net cash flows from operating activities.

 
7

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 3.   Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  A three level fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs used in valuations, as defined below:

Level 1:                      Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2:                      Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3:                      Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:

   
June 30, 2013
   
September 30, 2012
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
                                               
Derivatives (1)
    -     $ 3,745       -     $ 3,745       -       -       -       -  
Trading
  securities
  $ 17,215       -       -       17,215     $ 16,265       -       -     $ 16,265  
Total assets at
  fair value
  $ 17,215     $ 3,745       -     $ 20,960     $ 16,265       -       -     $ 16,265  
                                                                 
Liabilities:
                                                               
Derivatives (1)
    -     $ 4,932       -     $ 4,932       -     $ 9,133       -     $ 9,133  
Total liabilities
  at fair value
    -     $ 4,932       -     $ 4,932       -     $ 9,133       -     $ 9,133  
                                                                 
(1) Interest rate swaps are valued based on observable market swap rates.
 

Note 4.   Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

   
June 30, 2013
   
September 30, 2012
 
             
Raw materials
  $ 40,898     $ 41,003  
Work in process
    25,804       22,772  
Finished goods
    65,137       66,915  
    $ 131,839     $ 130,690  


 
8

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 5.   Debt

The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions.  In July 2013, the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility was increased to $500,000 and borrowings under the new facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from .75% to 1.25% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The facility’s maturity is July 2018.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .15% to .25% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $30,000) is available for the issuance of trade and standby letters of credit. Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $307,500 and $281,323, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings on this facility at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.05% and 3.15%, respectively.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date
Amount
Fixed Interest Rate
Interest Rate Spread at June 30, 2013
 
Maturity Date
May 2011
$25,000
1.37%
1.50%
May 2014
October 2011
  25,000
1.67%
1.50%
October 2015
November 2011
  25,000
2.13%
1.50%
November 2014
March 2012
  25,000
2.44%
1.50%
March 2015
June 2012
  40,000
1.88%
1.50%
June 2022
August 2012
  35,000
1.74%
1.50%
June 2022
September 2012
  25,000
3.03%
1.50%
December 2015
September 2012
  25,000
1.24%
1.50%
March 2017
November 2012
  25,000
1.33%
1.50%
November 2015

The Company enters into interest rate swaps in order to achieve a mix of fixed and variable rate debt that it deems appropriate. The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all of the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized net loss of $1,187 ($724 after tax) and $8,244 ($5,029 after tax) at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”).  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at June 30, 2013, approximately $1,273 of the $724 net unrealized loss included in AOCL is expected to be recognized in earnings as an adjustment to interest expense over the next twelve months.


 
9

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 5.  Debt (continued)

At June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected as net asset and net liability on the balance sheets.  The following derivatives are designated as hedging instruments:

Liability Derivatives
     
Balance Sheet Location:
 
June 30, 2013
   
September 30, 2012
 
Current assets
           
Other current assets
  $ 416     $ -  
Long-term assets
               
Other assets
    3,329       -  
Current liabilities:
               
Other current liabilities
    2,503       2,851  
Long-term liabilities
               
Other liabilities
    2,429       6,282  
Total derivatives
  $ 1,187     $ 9,133  

The loss recognized on derivatives was as follows:

 
Location of
           
Derivatives in
Loss
 
Amount of
   
Amount of
 
Cash Flow
Recognized in
 
Loss Recognized
   
Loss Recognized
 
Hedging
Income on
 
in Income
   
in Income
 
Relationships
Derivative
 
on Derivatives
   
on Derivatives
 
     
Three Months ended June 30,
   
Nine Months ended June 30,
 
     
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                           
Interest rate swaps
Interest expense
    $(1,065)       $(888)       $(3,094)       $(2,308)  
                                   

The Company recognized the following losses in AOCL:

               
       
Location of
     
       
Gain or
     
       
(Loss)
 
Amount of Loss
 
       
Reclassified
 
Reclassified from
 
   
Amount of Gain or (Loss)
 
From
 
AOCL into
 
Derivatives in
 
Recognized in
 
AOCL into
 
Income
 
Cash Flow
 
AOCL on Derivatives
 
Income
 
(Effective Portion*)
 
Hedging Relationships
 
June 30,
2013
   
June 30,
2012
 
(Effective
Portion*)
 
June 30,     2013
   
June 30,
2012
 
                           
Interest rate swaps
    $2,960       $(2,068)  
Interest expense
    $(1,887)       $(1,408)  
                                   
*There is no ineffective portion or amount excluded from effectiveness testing.
 


 
10

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 5.  Debt (continued)


In March 2013, the Company, through certain of its European subsidiaries, entered into a credit facility with a European bank.  The maximum amount of borrowing available under this facility is 25.0 million Euros ($32,525).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 25.0 million Euros ($32,525) at June 30, 2013. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at June 30, 2013 was 1.37%.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 2.9 million Euros ($3,725) and 8.2 million Euros ($10,514) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.92% and 6.11%, respectively.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Wetzel GmbH (“Wetzel”), acquired in November 2012, has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 8.0 million Euros ($10,353) at June 30, 2013.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Wetzel at June 30, 2013 was 7.26%.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 4.1 million Euros ($5,351) and 6.3 million Euros ($8,080) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has four lines of credit totaling 11.4 million Euros ($14,792) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 5.7 million Euros ($7,375) and 3.4 million Euros ($4,322) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.17% and 3.09%, respectively.

As of June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, including current maturities, which is classified as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy, approximated the carrying value included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Note 6.   Share-Based Payments

The Company maintains an equity incentive plan (the “2007 Equity Incentive Plan”) that provides for grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards.  The Company also maintains a stock incentive plan (the “1992 Incentive Stock Plan”) that previously provided for grants of stock options, restricted shares and certain other types of stock-based awards.  In February 2013, the Company’s shareholders approved the adoption of a new plan, the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), that provides for grants of stock options, restricted shares, stock-based performance units and certain other types of stock-based awards.  Under the 2012 Plan, which has a ten-year term, the maximum number of shares available for grants or awards is an aggregate of 2,500,000.  There will be no further grants under the 2007 Equity Incentive Plan or the 1992 Incentive Stock Plan.  At June 30, 2013, there were 2,500,000 shares reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Plan. All plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

 
11

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 6.   Share-Based Payments (continued)

The option price for each stock option granted under any of the plans may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  Outstanding stock options are generally exercisable in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  In addition, options generally vest in one-third increments after three, four and five years, respectively, from the grant date (but, in any event, not until the attainment of the market value thresholds).  The options expire on the earlier of ten years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company generally settles employee stock option exercises with treasury shares.  With respect to outstanding restricted share grants, for grants made prior to fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, with the remaining one-half of the shares vesting in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  For grants made in fiscal 2013, generally one-half of the shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant, one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon the attainment of pre-defined levels of adjusted earnings per share, and the remaining one-quarter of the shares vest in one-third increments upon attainment of pre-defined levels of appreciation in the market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.  Additionally, restricted shares cannot vest until the first anniversary of the grant date.  Unvested restricted shares generally expire on the earlier of five years from the date of grant, upon employment termination, or within specified time limits following voluntary employment termination (with the consent of the Company), retirement or death.  The Company issues restricted shares from treasury shares.

For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $1,396 and $1,366, respectively.  For the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, total stock-based compensation cost totaled $4,153 and $4,097, respectively.  The associated future income tax benefit recognized was $545 and $533 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $1,620 and $1,598 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2013, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $432.  For the three-month period ended June 30, 2012, no stock options were exercised.  For the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $956 and $265, respectively. In connection with these exercises, the tax benefits realized by the Company were $32 for the three-month period ended June 30, 2013, and $98 and $19 for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The transactions for restricted stock for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:

         
Weighted-
 
         
average
 
         
grant-date
 
   
Shares
   
fair value
 
Non-vested at September 30, 2012
    551,389       $32.56  
Granted
    236,500       25.22  
Vested
    (99,226     35.95  
Expired or forfeited
    (44,006     30.83  
Non-vested at June 30, 2013
    644,657       29.46  


 
12

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 6.   Share-Based Payments (continued)

As of June 30, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $5,274 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.

The transactions for shares underlying options for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:

               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
average
   
Aggregate
 
         
average
   
remaining
   
intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
exercise price
   
contractual term
   
value
 
Outstanding, September 30, 2012
    840,282       $37.15              
Granted
    -       -              
Exercised
    (37,874 )     25.44              
Expired or forfeited
    (56,067 )     37.10              
Outstanding, June 30, 2013
    746,341       37.75       2.4         $ -  
Exercisable, June 30, 2013
    414,170       36.93       2.2       $ -  

No shares were earned during the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The intrinsic value of options (which is the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the options on the date of exercise) exercised during the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was $291 and $57, respectively.

The transactions for non-vested options for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were as follows:

         
Weighted-average
 
         
grant-date
 
   
Shares
   
fair value
 
Non-vested at September 30, 2012
    355,872       $11.35  
Granted
    -       -  
Vested
    -       -  
Expired or forfeited
    (23,701 )     12.16  
Non-vested at June 30, 2013
    332,171       11.29  

The fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial lattice valuation model.  The following table indicates the assumptions used in estimating fair value of restricted stock for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

   
Nine Months Ended June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Expected volatility
    29.5 %     30.4 %
Dividend yield
    1.2 %     1.0 %
Average risk free interest rate
    0.6 %     0.9 %
Average expected term (years)
    2.0       2.0  

The risk free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields at the date of grant. The dividend yield is based on the most recent dividend payment and average stock price over the 12 months prior to the grant date.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price.  The expected term represents an estimate of the average period of time for restricted shares to vest.  The option characteristics for each grant are considered separately for valuation purposes.

 
13

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 6.   Share-Based Payments (continued)

Under the Company’s Director Fee Plan, directors (except for the Chairman of the Board) who are not also officers of the Company each receive, as an annual retainer fee, either cash or shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock with a value equal to $60.  The annual retainer fee paid to a non-employee Chairman of the Board is $130.  Where the annual retainer fee is provided in shares, each director may elect to be paid these shares on a current basis or have such shares credited to a deferred stock account as phantom stock, with such shares to be paid to the director subsequent to leaving the Board.  The value of deferred shares is recorded in other liabilities.  A total of 17,005 shares had been deferred under the Director Fee Plan at June 30, 2013.  Additionally, directors who are not also officers of the Company each receive an annual stock-based grant (non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights and/or restricted shares) with a value of $100.  A total of 22,300 stock options have been granted under the plan.  At June 30, 2013, 11,800 options were outstanding and vested. Additionally, 103,150 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the plan, 38,227 of which were unvested at June 30, 2013.  A total of 300,000 shares have been authorized to be issued under the Director Fee Plan.


Note 7.   Earnings Per Share Attributable to Matthews’ Shareholders

The information used to compute earnings per share attributable to Matthews’ common shareholders was as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Net income attributable to Matthews shareholders
  $ 17,991     $ 16,325     $ 40,438     $ 42,868  
Less: dividends and undistributed earnings
allocated to participating securities
    178       235       438       677  
Net income available to Matthews shareholders
  $ 17,813     $ 16,090     $ 40,000     $ 42,191  
                                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding (in thousands):
                               
Basic shares
    27,299       27,749       27,303       27,865  
Effect of dilutive securities
    161       37       116       83  
Diluted shares
    27,460       27,786       27,419       27,948  
                                 
Options to purchase 550,366 and 563,022 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.  Options to purchase 783,092 and 785,475 shares of common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and nine months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, because the inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive.

 
14

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 8.   Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
 
The Company provides defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans to certain employees. Net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost for the plans included the following:

 
   
Three months ended June 30,
 
   
Pension
   
Other Postretirement
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 1,685     $ 1,424     $ 199     $ 182  
Interest cost
    1,913       1,950       282       321  
Expected return on plan assets
    (2,243 )     (1,953 )     -       -  
Amortization:
                               
   Prior service cost
    (52 )     (11 )     (68 )     (113 )
   Net actuarial loss
    1,806       1,680       110       134  
                                 
Net benefit cost
  $ 3,109     $ 3,090     $ 523     $ 524  

   
Nine months ended June 30,
 
   
Pension
   
Other Postretirement
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Service cost
  $ 5,055     $ 4,272     $ 597     $ 546  
Interest cost
    5,739       5,850       846       963  
Expected return on plan assets
    (6,729 )     (5,859 )     -       -  
Amortization:
                               
   Prior service cost
    (156 )     (33 )     (204 )     (339 )
   Net actuarial loss
    5,418       5,040       330       402  
                                 
 Net benefit cost
  $ 9,327     $ 9,270     $ 1,569     $ 1,572  

Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the postretirement benefit plan are made from the Company’s operating funds.  Under IRS regulations, the Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal year 2013.

Contributions made and anticipated for fiscal year 2013 are as follows:

Contributions
 
Pension
   
Other Postretirement
 
             
Contributions during the nine months ended June 30, 2013:
           
   Supplemental retirement plan
  $ 543     $ -  
   Other postretirement plan
    -       594  
                 
Additional contributions expected in fiscal 2013:
               
   Supplemental retirement plan
    177       -  
   Other postretirement plan
    -       300  


 
15

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 9.   Income Taxes

Income tax provisions for the Company’s interim periods are based on the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was 34.3%, compared to 33.7% for the nine months ended June 30, 2012. The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset by lower foreign income taxes.

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) of $3,197 and $2,708 on June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively, all of which, if recorded, would impact the 2013 annual effective tax rate.  The Company does not expect any of the unrecognized tax benefits to be recognized in the next 12 months.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company included $434 in interest and penalties in the provision for income taxes for the first nine months of fiscal 2013. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,305 and $1,871 at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.  These accruals may potentially be applicable in the event of an unfavorable outcome of uncertain tax positions.

The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitations expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of June 30, 2013, the tax years that remain subject to examination, by major jurisdiction, generally are:

United States – Federal
2010 and forward
United States – State
2009 and forward
Canada
2008 and forward
Europe
2004 and forward
United Kingdom
2010 and forward
Australia
2009 and forward
Asia
2008 and forward



 
16

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 10.   Segment Information

The Company's products and operations consist of two principal businesses that are comprised of three operating segments each, as described under Nature of Operations (Note 1):  Memorialization (Cemetery Products, Funeral Home Products, Cremation) and Brand Solutions (Graphics Imaging, Marking and Fulfillment Systems, Merchandising Solutions).  Management evaluates segment performance based on operating profit (before income taxes) and does not allocate non-operating items such as investment income, interest expense, other income (deductions), net and minority interests.

Information about the Company's segments follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Sales to external customers:
                       
Memorialization:
                       
Cemetery Products
  $ 60,913     $ 58,423     $ 169,427     $ 157,148  
Funeral Home Products
    58,523       56,115       187,276       176,453  
Cremation
    11,408       12,342       34,830       32,874  
      130,844       126,880       391,533       366,475  
Brand Solutions:
                               
Graphics Imaging
    78,505       62,429       219,459       197,711  
Marking and Fulfillment Systems
    23,653       19,310       63,918       53,449  
Merchandising Solutions
    17,650       18,859       57,741       52,601  
      119,808       100,598       341,118       303,761  
                                 
    $ 250,652     $ 227,478     $ 732,651     $ 670,236  


   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Operating profit:
                       
Memorialization:
                       
Cemetery Products
  $ 11,709     $ 12,591     $ 23,932     $ 27,291  
Funeral Home Products
    12,089       6,936       29,533       20,751  
Cremation
    (67 )     1,314       1,405       3,303  
      23,731       20,841       54,870       51,345  
Brand Solutions:
                               
Graphics Imaging
    4,204       2,588       10,006       11,300  
Marking and Fulfillment Systems
    2,527       2,862       5,310       6,275  
Merchandising Solutions
    298       1,222       2,143       2,805  
      7,029       6,672       17,459       20,380  
                                 
    $ 30,760     $ 27,513     $ 72,329     $ 71,725  


 
17

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

Note 11.   Acquisitions

In April 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Tact Group Limited (“Tact”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in Tact in July 2009.

In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 38.5% interest in Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. (“Kroma”), completing the option arrangement in connection with the July 2011 acquisition of a 61.5% interest in Kroma.

In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited (“FCC”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in FCC in March 2010.

In December 2012, the Company acquired Pyramid Controls, Inc. and its affiliate, Pyramid Control Systems (collectively, “Pyramid”).  Pyramid is a provider of warehouse control systems and conveyor control solutions for distribution centers.  The acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' fulfillment products and services in the warehouse management market.   The initial purchase price for the transaction was $24,532, plus potential additional consideration up to $3,700 based on future operating results. 

In November 2012, the Company acquired Wetzel Holding AG, Wetzel GmbH and certain related affiliates (collectively “Wetzel”).  Wetzel is a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, with manufacturing operations in Germany and Poland.  Wetzel’s products and services are sold primary within Europe, and the acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' products and services in the global graphics imaging market.  The purchase price for Wetzel was 42.6 million Euros ($54,748) on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

The allocation of purchase price for the Wetzel and Pyramid acquisitions are preliminary.  The Company has allocated the additional purchase price to goodwill.  Adjustments are expected to other intangibles, property, plant and equipment once the valuations are finalized.


 
18

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 12.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill related to business combinations is not amortized but is subject to annual review for impairment. In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized. For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives unless such lives are considered to be indefinite. A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets.  The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second fiscal quarter and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying value of goodwill were necessary.

A summary of the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to each segment as well as the changes in such amounts are as follows:

   
Cemetery
   
Funeral Home
         
Graphics
   
Marking and Fulfillment
   
Merchandising
       
   
Products
   
Products
   
Cremation
   
Imaging
   
Products
   
Solutions
   
Consolidated
 
                                           
Goodwill
  $ 97,783     $ 162,876     $ 17,558     $ 167,262     $ 30,816     $ 9,138     $ 485,433  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (412 )     -       (5,000 )     (3,840 )     -       -       (9,252 )
Balance at September 30, 2012
    97,371       162,876       12,558       163,422       30,816       9,138       476,181  
                                                         
Additions during period
    914       199       269       31,249       24,961       -       57,592  
Translation and other  adjustments
    (44 )     133       (342 )     (672 )     78       -       (847 )
Goodwill
    98,653       163,208       17,485       197,839       55,855       9,138       542,178  
Accumulated impairment losses
    (412 )     -       (5,000 )     (3,840 )     -       -       (9,252 )
Balance at June  30, 2013
  $ 98,241     $ 163,208     $ 12,485     $ 193,999     $ 55,855     $ 9,138     $ 532,926  

The addition to Graphics Imaging goodwill reflects the acquisition of Wetzel and the remaining 20% interest in Tact; the addition to Marking and Fulfillment Systems goodwill reflects the acquisition of Pyramid; the addition to Cemetery Products goodwill reflects the acquisition of a small bronze manufacturer in Europe; the addition to Cremation goodwill reflects the acquisition of the remaining 20% interest in FCC; and the addition to Funeral Home Products primarily represents the effect of an adjustment to the purchase price for a small casket distributor.


 
19

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited), Continued
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)


Note 12.   Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)

The following tables summarize the carrying amounts and related accumulated amortization for intangible assets as of June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

   
Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Impairment
       
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Loss
   
Net
 
June 30, 2013:
                       
Trade names
  $ 24,122     $ - *   $ (1,521 )   $ 22,601  
Trade names
    2,170       (1,885 )     -       285  
Customer relationships
    47,418       (17,566 )     -       29,852  
Copyrights/patents/other
    9,777       (9,349 )     -       428  
    $ 83,487     $ (28,800 )   $ (1,521 )   $ 53,166  
                                 
September 30, 2012:
                               
Trade names
  $ 24,488     $ - *   $ -     $ 24,488  
Trade names
    2,182       (1,571 )     -       611  
Customer relationships
    47,654       (15,689 )     -       31,965  
Copyrights/patents/other
    9,920       (7,969 )     -       1,951  
    $ 84,244     $ (25,229 )   $ -     $ 59,015  
* Not subject to amortization
                         

The net change in intangible assets during the nine months ended June 30, 2013 included the impact of an impairment loss in the Graphic Imaging segment (recorded in the second fiscal quarter), foreign currency fluctuations during the period and additional amortization.

Amortization expense on intangible assets was $1,169 and $970 for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  For the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, amortization expense was $3,048 and $2,953, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $794 for the remainder of 2013, $3,316 in 2014, $3,058 in 2015, $2,768 in 2016 and $2,568 in 2017.



 
20

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Cautionary Statement:

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Matthews International Corporation (“Matthews” or the “Company”) and related notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.  Any forward-looking statements contained herein are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from management's expectations.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove correct.  Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements principally include changes in domestic or international economic conditions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in the cost of materials used in the manufacture of the Company’s products, changes in death rates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of consolidation in the industries in which the Company operates, changes in product demand or pricing as a result of domestic or international competitive pressures, unknown risks in connection with the Company's acquisitions, and technological factors beyond the Company's control.  In addition, although the Company does not have any customers that would be considered individually significant to consolidated sales, changes in the distribution of the Company’s products or the potential loss of one or more of the Company’s larger customers are also considered risk factors.


Results of Operations:

The following table sets forth sales and operating profit for the Company’s Memorialization and Brand Solutions businesses for the periods indicated.

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
June 30,
   
June 30,
 
 
 
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Sales:
                       
Memorialization
  $ 130,844     $ 126,880     $ 391,533     $ 366,475  
Brand Solutions
    119,808       100,598       341,118       303,761  
    $ 250,652     $ 227,478     $ 732,651     $ 670,236  
                                 
Operating Profit:
                               
Memorialization
  $ 23,731     $ 20,841     $ 54,870     $ 51,345  
Brand Solutions
    7,029       6,672       17,459       20,380  
    $ 30,760     $ 27,513     $ 72,329     $ 71,725  


Sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were $732.7 million, compared to $670.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  The increase in sales principally reflected the impact of recent acquisitions and higher sales in the Funeral Home Products segment.

In the Memorialization businesses, Cemetery Products segment sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were $169.4 million, compared to $157.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012.  The increase resulted primarily from the acquisition of Everlasting Granite in May 2012.  Sales for the Funeral Home Products segment were $187.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 compared to $176.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2012.  The increase resulted principally from higher unit volume and an improvement in product mix.  Sales for the Cremation segment were $34.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 compared to $32.9 million for the same period a year ago. The increase principally reflected higher sales of cremation equipment in the U.S. and the benefit of a small U.K. acquisition completed in fiscal 2012, partially offset by lower international sales.

 
21

 
In the Brand Solutions businesses, sales for the Graphics Imaging segment in the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were $219.5 million, compared to $197.7 million for the same period a year ago.  The increase resulted principally from the acquisition of Wetzel Holding AG and certain of its subsidiaries (collectively “Wetzel”) in November 2012, partially offset by lower sales volume in the segment’s principal markets due to soft economic conditions, particularly in Europe.  In addition, changes in foreign currency values (principally the Euro) had an unfavorable impact on sales, compared to a year ago.  Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were $63.9 million, compared to $53.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012.  The increase resulted principally from the acquisition of Pyramid Controls, Inc. (“Pyramid”) in December 2012 and higher sales in the U.S. market.  Sales for the Merchandising Solutions segment were $57.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013, compared to $52.6 million for the same period a year ago.  The increase principally reflected higher sales volume.  However, sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 declined from the same period a year ago, as several projects were delayed or postponed by customers.

Consolidated gross profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $266.2 million, compared to $250.4 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  Consolidated gross profit as a percent of sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 decreased to 36.3% from 37.4% for the first nine months of fiscal 2012. The increase in consolidated gross profit primarily reflected the impact of recent acquisitions and higher sales in the Funeral Home Products segment.  The decrease in consolidated gross profit as a percentage of sales primarily reflected lower margins in the Cremation and Graphics Imaging segments.

Selling and administrative expenses for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 were $193.9 million, compared to $178.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012.  Consolidated selling and administrative expenses as a percent of sales were 26.4% for the nine months ended June 30, 2013, compared to 26.7% for the same period last year.  The increase in selling and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to the impacts of recent acquisitions and unusual charges in fiscal 2013, compared to fiscal 2012, partially offset by the benefit of an adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration (in connection with a Funeral Home Products segment acquisition) in the fiscal 2013 third quarter.  The decrease in selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales primarily reflects the adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration.

Operating profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $72.3 million, compared to $71.7 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  Unusual items totaled $6.9 million for the current period, primarily reflecting charges in connection with the Company’s strategic cost-structure initiatives and other charges, acquisition-related activities and an impairment of a trade name.  These charges were partially offset by an adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration and a gain on the settlement of the purchase of the remaining ownership interest in one of the Company’s Graphics Imaging segment subsidiaries.  Unusual charges last year primarily reflected ERP implementation and acquisition-related costs.  Excluding unusual items from both years, fiscal 2013 operating profit increased from a year ago, primarily reflecting higher sales in the Funeral Home Products segment and the impact of recent acquisitions.  Cemetery Products segment operating profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $23.9 million, compared to $27.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  The decrease primarily reflected unusual charges of approximately $4.3 million associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the segment’s ERP implementation.  In addition, fiscal 2012 included a favorable settlement on a claim related to the Company’s granite business.  Funeral Home Products segment operating profit was $29.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $20.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2012.  The increase primarily reflected the impact of higher sales, the benefit of improved production and distribution efficiencies and the benefit of an adjustment to the liability for contingent consideration. Cremation segment operating profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $1.4 million, compared to $3.3 million for the same period in the prior year.  The decrease principally reflected lower margins on several European-based projects, higher material costs and charges in connection with strategic initiatives.  Graphics Imaging segment operating profit for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $10.0 million, compared to $11.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2012.  The decrease resulted mainly from lower sales (excluding the Wetzel acquisition) and the unfavorable impact of unusual items of approximately $2.4 million.   The segment’s unusual items included charges related to acquisition activities and strategic initiatives, and an impairment charge related to the
 
 
 
22

 
carrying value of a trade name.  These charges were partially offset by a gain on the final settlement of the purchase of the remaining ownership interest in one of the Company’s subsidiaries.  Operating profit for the Marking and Fulfillment Systems segment for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $5.3 million, compared to $6.3 million for the same period a year ago.  The decrease primarily resulted from an unfavorable change in product mix, higher research and development expenses and charges related to strategic initiatives.  Merchandising Solutions segment operating profit was $2.1 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013, compared to $2.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2012, primarily reflecting the decline in sales in the fiscal 2013 third quarter, severance costs and charges related to strategic initiatives.

Investment income was $1.5 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $3.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  The decrease reflected lower rates of return on investments held in trust for certain of the Company’s benefit plans.  Interest expense was approximately $9.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2013, compared to $8.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012. The increase primarily reflected higher debt levels compared to a year ago, which was primarily due to borrowings for acquisitions in fiscal 2013.  Other income (deductions), net for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 represented a decrease in pre-tax income of $3.2 million, compared to $1.8 million for the same period last year.  Other income and deductions generally include banking-related fees and the impact of currency gains and losses on certain intercompany debt.

The Company's effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was 34.3%, compared to 33.7% for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 and 34.2% for the fiscal 2012 full year.  The fiscal 2012 full year effective tax rate included the favorable impact of adjustments totaling $528,000 in income tax expense, primarily related to changes in the estimated tax accruals for open tax periods.  Excluding those adjustments, the Company’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 was 34.8%.  The difference between the Company's effective tax rate and the Federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily reflected the impact of state taxes, offset by lower foreign income taxes.

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was $482,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 compared to net income of $129,000 for the same period a year ago.  The change related principally to net losses recorded by the Company’s Italian cremation operation and Turkish graphics business in fiscal 2013.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill related to business combinations is not amortized, but is subject to annual review for impairment.  In general, when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  For purposes of testing for impairment, the Company uses a discounted cash flow technique.  The Company performed its annual impairment review in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 and determined that no additional adjustments to the carrying values of goodwill were necessary at March 31, 2013.  As discussed under “Results of Operations”, recent economic conditions in Europe have unfavorably impacted the operating results of the Graphics Imaging segment.  Consequently, the Graphics Imaging reporting unit’s implied fair value is approaching the unit’s carrying value.  If the segment’s operating results deteriorate further, an impairment charge could be required in future periods.

The Company also performed its annual impairment review of other intangible assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2013.  Based on this assessment, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1.6 million related to the carrying value of a trade name of one of its European Graphics businesses.  The impairment was determined based upon a comparison of the carrying value of the trade name to its implied fair market value.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:

Net cash provided by operating activities was $72.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $55.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012. Operating cash flow for both periods reflected net income adjusted for depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation expense and pension expense, partially offset by decreases in deferred taxes. The increase in operating cash flows primarily reflected higher depreciation and amortization and a reduction in cash used to fund working capital items.

 
23

 
Cash used in investing activities was $84.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013, compared to $36.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2012.  Investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 primarily reflected capital expenditures of $17.3 million and payments (net of cash acquired) of $67.6 million for acquisitions (primarily Wetzel and Pyramid).  Investing activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 reflected capital expenditures of $24.6 million and payments (net of cash acquired) of $12.5 million for acquisitions.
 
 
Capital expenditures reflected reinvestment in the Company's business segments and were made primarily for the purchase of new manufacturing machinery, equipment and facilities designed to improve product quality, increase manufacturing efficiency, lower production costs and meet regulatory requirements.  Capital expenditures for the last three fiscal years were primarily financed through operating cash.  Capital spending for property, plant and equipment has averaged $25.7 million for the last three fiscal years.  Capital spending for fiscal 2013 is currently expected to be in the range of $25.0 million to $30.0 million.  The Company expects to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund all anticipated capital spending projects.

Cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2013 was $8.6 million, primarily reflecting long-term debt proceeds, net of repayments, of $39.8 million, contingent consideration payments of $9.5 million in connection with acquisitions, treasury stock purchases of $13.5 million and dividends of $8.3 million to the Company's shareholders.  Cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 was $24.5 million, primarily reflecting long-term debt proceeds, net of repayments, of $1.9 million, treasury stock purchases of $18.9 million and dividends of $7.6 million to the Company's shareholders.

The Company has a domestic Revolving Credit Facility with a syndicate of financial institutions. In July 2013, the maximum amount of borrowings available under the facility was increased to $500.0 million and borrowings under the new facility bear interest at LIBOR plus a factor ranging from 0.75% to 1.25% based on the Company’s leverage ratio.  The facility’s maturity is July 2018.  The leverage ratio is defined as net indebtedness divided by EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).  The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee ranging from .15% to .25% (based on the Company’s leverage ratio) of the unused portion of the facility.  The Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain certain leverage and interest coverage ratios.  A portion of the facility (not to exceed $30.0 million) is available for the issuance of commercial and standby letters of credit.  Outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility as of June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 were $307.5 million and $281.3 million, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility was 3.05% and 3.15% at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Effective Date
Amount
Fixed Interest Rate
Interest Rate Spread at June 30, 2013
 
Maturity Date
May 2011
$25,000
1.37%
1.50%
May 2014
October 2011
  25,000
1.67%
1.50%
October 2015
November 2011
  25,000
2.13%
1.50%
November 2014
March 2012
  25,000
2.44%
1.50%
March 2015
June 2012
  40,000
1.88%
1.50%
June 2022
August 2012
  35,000
1.74%
1.50%
June 2022
September 2012
  25,000
3.03%
1.50%
December 2015
September 2012
  25,000
1.24%
1.50%
March 2017
November 2012
  25,000
1.33%
1.50%
November 2015

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected a net unrealized loss of $1.2 million ($724,000 after tax) at June 30, 2013 that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at June 30, 2013, approximately $1.3 million of the $724,000 net unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss is expected to be recognized in earnings as interest expense over the next twelve months.

 
24

 
In March 2013, the Company, through certain of its European subsidiaries, entered into a credit facility with a European bank.  The maximum amount of borrowings available under this facility is 25.0 million Euros ($32.5 million).  Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility totaled 25.0 million Euros ($32.5 million) at June 30, 2013.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under this facility at June 30, 2013 was 1.37%.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Saueressig GmbH & Co. KG (“Saueressig”), has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 2.9 million Euros ($3.7 million) and 8.2 million Euros ($10.5 million) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Saueressig at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.92% and 6.11%, respectively.

The Company, through its German subsidiary, Wetzel, has several loans with various European banks.  Outstanding borrowings under these loans totaled 8.0 million Euros ($10.4 million) at June 30, 2013.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings of Wetzel at June 30, 2013 was 7.26%.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A., has several loans with various Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these loans totaled 4.1 million Euros ($5.4 million) and 6.3 million Euros ($8.1 million) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.  Matthews International S.p.A. also has four lines of credit totaling 11.4 million Euros ($14.8 million) with the same Italian banks.  Outstanding borrowings on these lines were 5.7 million Euros ($7.4 million) and 3.4 million Euros ($4.3 million) at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.  The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding Matthews International S.p.A. borrowings at June 30, 2013 and 2012 was 3.17% and 3.09%, respectively.

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  Under the current authorization, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,409,535 shares remain available for repurchase as of June 30, 2013.  The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share.  Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.

Consolidated working capital of the Company was $214.9 million at June 30, 2013, compared to $204.4 million at September 30, 2012.  Cash and cash equivalents were $54.9 million at June 30, 2013, compared to $58.3 million at September 30, 2012. The Company's current ratio was 2.2 and 2.1 at June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.

Environmental Matters:

The Company's operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment.  These laws and regulations impose limitations on the discharge of materials into the environment and require the Company to obtain and operate in compliance with conditions of permits and other government authorizations.  As such, the Company has developed environmental, health, and safety policies and procedures that include the proper handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.

The Company is party to various environmental matters.  These include obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal of certain materials at various operating and non-operating sites.  The Company is currently performing environmental assessments and remediation at these sites, as appropriate.  In addition, prior to its acquisition, The York Group, Inc. (“York”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was identified, along with others, by the Environmental Protection Agency as a potentially responsible party for remediation of a landfill site in York, Pennsylvania.  At this time, the Company has not been joined in any lawsuit or administrative order related to the site or its clean-up.

At June 30, 2013, an accrual of approximately $5.7 million had been recorded for environmental remediation (of which $1.2 million was classified in other current liabilities), representing management's best estimate of the probable and reasonably estimable costs of the Company's known remediation obligations.  The accrual, which reflects previously established reserves assumed with the acquisition of York and additional reserves recorded as a purchase accounting adjustment, does not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.  Changes in the accrued environmental remediation obligation from the prior fiscal year reflect payments charged against the accrual.

 
25

 
While final resolution of these contingencies could result in costs different than current accruals, management believes the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position.

Acquisitions:

In April 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Tact Group Limited (“Tact”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in Tact in July 2009.

In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 38.5% interest in Kroma Pre-Press Preparation Systems Industry & Trade, Inc. (“Kroma”), completing the option arrangement in connection with the July 2011 acquisition of a 61.5% interest in Kroma.

In March 2013, the Company completed the purchase of the remaining 20% interest in Furnace Construction Cremators Limited (“FCC”).  The Company had acquired an 80% interest in FCC in March 2010.

In December 2012, the Company acquired Pyramid, a provider of warehouse control systems and conveyor control solutions for distribution centers.  The acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' fulfillment products and services in the warehouse management market.   The initial purchase price for the transaction was $24.5 million, plus potential additional consideration up to $3.7 million based on future operating results. 

In November 2012, the Company completed the acquisition of Wetzel, a leading European provider of pre-press services and gravure printing forms, with manufacturing operations in Germany and Poland.  Wetzel’s products and services are sold primary within Europe, and the acquisition is designed to expand Matthews' products and services in the global graphics imaging market.  The purchase price for Wetzel was 42.6 million Euros ($54.7 million) on a cash-free, debt-free basis.

Forward-Looking Information:

Matthews has a three-pronged strategy to attain annual growth in earnings per share. This strategy consists of the following:  internal growth (which includes organic growth, cost structure and productivity improvements, new product development and the expansion into new markets with existing products), acquisitions and share repurchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program (see "Liquidity and Capital Resources").

The Company’s results for the first nine months of fiscal 2013 were impacted by several significant factors, including:
·  
Funeral Home Products segment reported higher sales due mainly to increased unit volume of caskets, and generated improved operating margins;
·  
recent acquisitions contributed to the Company’s growth for the third quarter;
·  
market conditions in Europe continued to unfavorably impact several of our businesses, particularly the Graphics Imaging segment;
·  
strategic initiatives are being implemented which are affecting all of the Company’s businesses (these initiatives are ongoing and will result in additional unusual charges); and
·  
several non-operating items (such as investment income and interest expense) affected the comparability of the Company’s year-over-year earnings per share.

Based on the Company’s year-to-date operating results and current forecasts, excluding unusual costs, the Company is projecting growth in fiscal 2013 earnings per share over fiscal 2012.


 
26

 

Critical Accounting Policies:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Therefore, the determination of estimates requires the exercise of judgment based on various assumptions and other factors such as historical experience, economic conditions, and in some cases, actuarial techniques.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.  A discussion of market risks affecting the Company can be found in "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

A summary of the Company's significant accounting policies are included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in the critical accounting policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2012.  Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables the Company to provide useful and reliable financial information about the company's operating results and financial condition.

LONG-TERM CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS:

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at June 30, 2013, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in future periods.

   
Payments due in fiscal year:
 
         
2013
               
After
 
   
Total
   
Remainder
   
2014 to 2015
   
2016 to 2017
   
2017
 
Contractual Cash Obligations:
 
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Revolving credit facilities
  $ 340,025     $ -     $ 32,525     $ 307,500     $ -  
Notes payable to banks
    21,268       5,696       11,069       4,178       325  
Short-term borrowings
    7,375       7,375       -       -       -  
Capital lease obligations
    10,224       1,073       2,815       1,429       4,907  
Non-cancelable operating leases
    24,081       2,993       14,122       4,738       2,228  
                                         
Total contractual cash obligations
  $ 402,973     $ 17,137     $ 60,531     $ 317,845     $ 7,460  


A significant portion of the loans included in the table above bear interest at variable rates.  At June 30, 2013, the weighted-average interest rate was 3.05% on the Company’s domestic Revolving Credit Facility, 1.37% on the credit facility through the Company’s European subsidiaries 3.92% on bank loans to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Saueressig, 7.26% on bank loans to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wetzel, and 3.17% on bank loans to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Matthews International S.p.A.

Benefit payments under the Company’s principal retirement plan are made from plan assets, while benefit payments under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement benefit plan are funded from the Company’s operating cash.  The Company is not required to make any significant contributions to its principal retirement plan in fiscal 2013.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2013, contributions of $543,000 and $594,000 were made under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement plan, respectively.  The Company currently anticipates contributing an additional $177,000 and $300,000 under the supplemental retirement plan and postretirement plan, respectively, for the remainder of fiscal 2013.

Unrecognized tax benefits are positions taken, or expected to be taken, on an income tax return that may result in additional payments to tax authorities.  If a tax authority agrees with the tax position taken, or expected to be taken, or the applicable statute of limitations expires, then additional payments will not be necessary.  As of June 30, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits, excluding penalties and interest, of approximately $3.2 million.  The timing of potential future payments related to the unrecognized tax benefits is not presently determinable. The Company believes that its current liquidity sources, combined with its operating cash flow and borrowing capacity, will be sufficient to meet its capital needs for the foreseeable future.

 
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Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The following discussion about the Company's market risk involves forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The Company has market risk related to changes in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company does not generally use derivative financial instruments in connection with these market risks, except as noted below.

Interest Rates - The Company’s most significant long-term debt instrument is the domestic Revolving Credit Facility which bears interest at variable rates based on LIBOR.

The Company has entered into interest rate swaps as listed under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”.

The interest rate swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges of the future variable interest payments under the Revolving Credit Facility which are considered probable of occurring.  Based on the Company’s assessment, all the critical terms of each of the hedges matched the underlying terms of the hedged debt and related forecasted interest payments, and as such, these hedges were considered highly effective.

The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected a net unrealized loss of $1.2 million ($724,000 after tax) at June 30, 2013 that is included in shareholders’ equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss.  A decrease of 10% in market interest rates (e.g. a decrease from 5.0% to 4.5%) would result in an increase of approximately $127,000 in the fair value liability of the interest rate swaps.

Commodity Price Risks - In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to commodity price fluctuations related to the purchases of certain materials and supplies (such as bronze ingot, steel, fuel and wood) used in its manufacturing operations.

The Company obtains competitive prices for materials and supplies when available. In addition, based on competitive market conditions and to the extent that the Company has established pricing terms with customers through contracts or similar arrangements, the Company’s ability to immediately increase the price of its products to offset the increased costs may be limited.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates - The Company is subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily the Euro, in the conversion from local currencies to the U.S. dollar of the reported financial position and operating results of its non-U.S. based subsidiaries.  A strengthening of the U. S. dollar of 10% would have resulted in a decrease in reported sales of $28.4 million and a decrease in reported operating income of $2.2 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2013.

Actuarial Assumptions – The most significant actuarial assumptions affecting pension expense and pension obligations include the valuation of retirement plan assets, the discount rate and the estimated return on plan assets.  The estimated return on plan assets is currently based upon projections provided by the Company’s independent investment advisor, considering the investment policy of the plan and the plan’s asset allocation.  The fair value of plan assets and discount rate are “point-in-time” measures, and the recent volatility of the debt and equity markets makes estimating future changes in fair value of plan assets and discount rates more challenging.


 
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The following table summarizes the impact on the September 30, 2012 actuarial valuations of changes in the primary assumptions affecting the Company’s principal retirement plan and supplemental retirement plan.

   
Impact of Changes in Actuarial Assumptions
 
   
Change in Discount Rate
   
Change in Expected Return
   
Change in Market Value of Assets
 
      +1%       -1%       +1%       -1%       +5%       -5%  
   
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Increase (decrease) in net benefit cost
      $  (2,747)       $   3,339       $(1,056)       $1,056       $   (965)       $    965  
                                                 
Increase (decrease) in projected benefit obligation
        (24,551)          30,652       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Increase (decrease) in funded status
       24,551         (30,652)       -       -         5,438          (5,438)  

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures:

The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under that Act (the “Exchange Act”), such as this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These disclosure controls and procedures also are designed to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures in effect as of June 30, 2013. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2013, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and that such information is recorded, summarized and properly reported within the appropriate time period, relating to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, required to be included in the Exchange Act reports, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.


 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
 

Item 1.                      Legal Proceedings

Matthews is subject to various legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business.  Management does not expect that the results of any of these legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on Matthews’ financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 2.                      Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock Repurchase Plan

The Company has a stock repurchase program.  The buy-back program is designed to increase shareholder value, enlarge the Company's holdings of its common stock, and add to earnings per share.  Repurchased shares may be retained in treasury, utilized for acquisitions, or reissued to employees or other purchasers, subject to the restrictions of the Company’s Restated Articles of Incorporation.  Under the current authorization, the Company's Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of a total of 2,500,000 shares of Matthews’ common stock under the program, of which 1,409,535 shares remain available for repurchase as of June 30, 2013.

The following table shows the monthly fiscal 2013 stock repurchase activity:

Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
   
Weighted-average price paid per share
   
Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced plan
   
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased
 under the plan
 
                         
October 2012
    123,000       $29.12       123,000       1,691,651  
November 2012
    31,732       28.91       31,732       1,659,919  
December 2012
    1,000       30.72       1,000       1,658,919  
January 2013
    -       -       -       1,658,919  
February 2013
    41,200       32.67       41,200       1,617,719  
March 2013
    40,200       34.41       40,200       1,577,519  
April 2013
    16,691       33.85       16,691       1,560,828  
May 2013
    31,745       38.32       31,745       1,529,083  
June 2013
    119,548       37.54       119,548       1,409,535  
    Total
    405,116       $33.39       405,116          


 
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Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
 

(a)
Exhibits
 
     
 
Exhibit
 
 
No.
Description
     
 
31.1
Certification of Principal Executive Officer for Joseph C. Bartolacci
 
31.2
Certification of Principal Financial Officer for Steven F. Nicola
 
32.1
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Joseph C. Bartolacci
 
32.2
Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Steven F. Nicola
   
   
(b)
Reports on Form 8-K
     
 
On April 19, 2013, Matthews filed a Current Report on Form 8-K under Item 2.02 in connection with a press release announcing its earnings for the second quarter of 2013.
 


 
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SIGNATURES



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



   
MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
   
(Registrant)
 
     
     
     
Date:  August  5, 2013
 
/s/ Joseph C. Bartolacci
   
Joseph C. Bartolacci, President
   
and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     
     
Date:  August  5, 2013
 
/s/ Steven F. Nicola
 
 
Steven F. Nicola, Chief Financial Officer,
 
 
Secretary and Treasurer
     



 
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