SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.   20549


FORM 10-K

[x]

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20032004


or

[  ]

or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________________ to __________________


Commission file number 1-7283


REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Wisconsin

39-0875718

(State of Incorporation)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

200 State Street
Beloit, Wisconsin

53511-6254

Beloit, Wisconsin

53511-6254
(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (608) 364-8800


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

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (608) 364-8808

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


Title of Each Class

Name of Each Exchange on
Which Registered

Title of Each Class
Which Registered


Common Stock ($.01 Par Value)

AmericanNew York Stock Exchange

Rights to Purchase Common Stock

AmericanNew York Stock Exchange


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

None

(Title of Class)


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.

Yesx

Noo

Yes |X|       No [  ]

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes |X|       No [  ]

Yesx

Noo

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20032004 was approximately $466,000,000.$528,000,000.

On February 27, 2004,March 8, 2005, the registrant had outstanding 25,039,50629,034,238 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, which is registrant’s only class of common stock.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for 2003the 2005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (to be filed with the Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the registrant’s fiscal year and, upon such filing, to be incorporated by reference into Part III)



REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

Index to
Annual Report on Form 10-K


For the Year Ended December 31, 20032004

Page
PART I

Page


Item 1.

PART I

Business

Item 2.

Properties

Item 3.1.

Legal Proceedings

Business

4

Item 2.

Properties

12

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

12

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

13

PART II

Item 5.

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, and Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

10 

14

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

10 

14

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOperation

11 

15

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

15 

21

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

15 

21

Item 9.

Changes In Accountants and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

31 

39

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

31 

39

Item 9B.

Other Information

39

PART III

PART III

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

31 

40

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

31 

40

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

31 

40

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

32 

40

Item 14.

Principal AccountantAccounting Fees and Services

32 

40

PART IV

Item 15.

Financial Statements,

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-KSchedules

32 

41

Signatures

32 

Signatures

42

2


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

The following is a cautionary statement made under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:  With the exception of historical facts, the statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or incorporated by reference may be forward looking statements.  ActualForward-looking statements represent our management’s judgment regarding future events.  In many cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “plan,” “expect,” anticipate,” “estimate,” “believe,” “predict,” “intend,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other words of similar import, although some forward-looking statements are expressed differently.  We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the forward-looking statements, and you should be aware that results mayand events could differ materially and adversely from those contemplated. Forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following risks: 1) cyclical downturns affecting the markets for capital goods, 2) substantial increases in interest rates that impact the cost of the Company’s outstanding debt, 3) our success in increasing sales and maintaining or improving the operating margins of our businesses, 4) the availability of or material increasescontained in the costsforward-looking statements due to a number of select raw materialsfactors, including:

unexpected issues and costs arising from the integration of acquired companies and businesses, such as our recent acquisitions of the HVAC motors and capacitors businesses and the Commercial AC motors business from General Electric Company (“GE”);

marketplace acceptance of our recent acquisitions, including the loss of, or a decline in business from, any significant customers;

unanticipated fluctuations in commodity prices and raw material costs and issues affecting our ability to pass increased costs on to our customers;

cyclical downturns affecting the markets for capital goods;

substantial increases in interest rates that impact the cost of our outstanding debt;

the success of our management in increasing sales and maintaining or improving the operating margins of our businesses;

actions taken by our competitors;

difficulties in staffing and managing foreign operations;

our ability to satisfy various covenant requirements under our credit facility; and

other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in our reports filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are incorporated by reference.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or parts, 5) actions takento persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by our competitors,the applicable cautionary statements.  The forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K are made only as of their respective dates, and 6) our abilitywe undertake no obligation to satisfy various covenant requirements under our credit facility. Investors are directedupdate these statements to the Company’s documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

23



PART I

          Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Report to “we,” “us” or “our” refer collectively to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and its subsidiaries.

ITEM 1. Business

ITEM 1.

Business

Our Company

We are a leading manufacturerone of the largest global manufacturers of commercial and marketer of industrial electric motors, HVAC motors, electric power generation componentsgenerators and controls, and mechanical motion control products.  Many of our products and cutting tools, serving markets predominantly in the United States as well as throughout the world. Our products are usedhold leading market positions in a variety of essential commercial and industrial applications, and we believe we have one of the most comprehensive product lines in the markets we serve.  We sell our products to a diverse global customer base using more than 20 recognized brand names through a multi-channel distribution model which weto leading original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), distributors and end users across many markets.  We believe this strategy, coupled with a high level of customer service, provides us with a competitive selling advantage and allows us to more fully penetrate our target markets.

We manufacture and market electrical and mechanical products.  Our business is organized into two segments: our Electrical Group, which represented 71% of our 2003 net sales, and our Mechanical Group, which represented 29% of our 2003 net sales. Our Electrical Group manufactures and marketselectrical products include HVAC motors, a full line of alternating current (AC)AC and direct current (DC)DC commercial and industrial electric motors, electric power generation componentsgenerators and controls, capacitors and electrical connecting devices. Our Mechanical Group manufactures and markets a broad array of mechanical products includinginclude gears and gearboxes, marine transmissions, high-performance automotive transmissions and ring and pinions, manual valve actuators, and cutting tools.  Original equipment manufacturersOEMs and end users in a variety of motion control and other industrial applications increasingly combine the types of electrical and mechanical products we offer.  We seek to take advantage of this trend and to enhance our market penetration by leveraging cross-marketing and product line bundling opportunities between products in our Electricalelectrical and Mechanical Groups.mechanical products.

We sellmarket our products directly to original equipment manufacturers and distributors across many markets. Our two business segments are divided intothrough multiple business units, with each unit typically having its own branded product offering and sales organization.  These sales organizations consist of varying combinations of our own internal direct sales people as well as exclusive and non-exclusive manufacturers’ representative organizations. We manufacture the vast majority of the products that we sell, and we have manufacturing, sales, engineering and distribution facilities throughout the United States and Canada as well as in EuropeMexico, India, China and Asia.Europe.

We believe our competitive strengths include our:

leadership in our major market segments


comprehensive product offering and leading brands


leading product development and new ECM technology

multi-channel and multi-brand distribution model


rapid response capabilities


• product development focus


broad and diverse customer base


experienced management team


 

global infrastructure

rapid response capabilities

financial flexibility to pursue growth

Our business strategy includes growing revenues organically in excess of market rates, continuously lowering our manufacturing costs and pursuing strategic acquisitions.

Our specific revenue growth initiatives include:

introducing new products

capitalizing on new 13 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, requirements

leveraging cross-marketing and product line bundling opportunities


introducing new

utilizing our design and engineering expertise to provide leading-edge products


capturing custom product sales

increasing our global presence, especially in China and India

4


We have a culture that seeks out and eliminates unnecessary costs at all levels of the organization and drives continuous improvement in our manufacturing operations.  Major initiatives in process to lower our manufacturing costs include completing the integration of LEESON Electric Corporationutilizing our new low cost facilities and capitalizing on operating synergies from the acquisition;rationalizing manufacturing; further improving our operational efficiencies; plant consolidations; and focusing on sourcing, lean-Six Sigma and logistics opportunities. We will also seek to broaden our market coverage by acquiring businesses and product lines that provide a strategic fit with our existing businesses.

3


Electrical GroupProducts

Our Electrical Group manufactures and marketselectrical products include a full line of AC and DC commercial and industrial electric motors, HVAC motors, electric power generation componentsgenerators and controls, capacitors and electrical connecting devices.  We enteredOver the past eight years, we have focused on building our electrical product lines through a combination of strategic acquisitions and internal growth initiatives.  Our initial focus was to establish our Company as a significant manufacturer of industrial electric motormotors, since our mechanical products businesses serve similar markets and electric power generation marketstheir products are often used in March 1997combination with a motor.  With our acquisitionacquisitions of Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation. Subsequent acquisitions ofCorporation in 1997, the Lincoln Motors business of Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. in 1999 Thomson Technology, Inc. in 2000 and LEESON Electric Corporation in 2000, we have been integrated with Marathon Electricbecome one of the two largest producers of industrial electric motors serving the North American market and are able to formoffer our current Electrical Group. Our expansion into thecustomers both electrical and mechanical products.  Additionally, these acquisitions have brought products that are complementary to our core electric motor lines in such areas as electric generators and electric power generation markets in 1997 was partgenerator controls, motor controls, and electrical connecting devices.  The integration of these acquisitions provides significant cost savings and synergies that further strengthen the competitive position of our strategyelectrical products businesses.

During 2004, we separately acquired two electric motor businesses from GE which were natural extensions to leverage our core competencieselectric motor lines.  In August 2004, we acquired GE’s commercial AC motors business, which manufactures a full line of alternating current motors for pump, compressor and commercial heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications.  In December 2004, we acquired GE’s HVAC motors and capacitors businesses, which produce a full line of electric motors for use principally in industrial manufacturingresidential HVAC systems, as well as capacitors for HVAC systems, high intensity lighting and toother applications.  The acquisitions of these motor businesses complement our existing mechanical businesses. electrical products businesses, providing us with:

a leading market position and brand name in the HVAC motor market;

diversification of our served markets and a broad base of leading HVAC customers;

patented electronically commutated motor, or ECM, technology, which represents a growing portion of our motor sales because of the technology’s unique capabilities;

a strong management team and infrastructure in place to support growth; and

significant scale and low cost manufacturing capabilities in Mexico and India.

After giving effect to these acquisitions, our proforma 2004 revenues were approximately $1.3 billion.

We estimate that a substantial portion of the mechanical motion control products that we manufacture are powered by an electric motor.

Our Electrical Group manufactures and marketsmarket AC and DC commercial and industrial electric motors ranging in size primarily from sub-fractional to largesmall integral horsepowershorsepowers. We also manufacture larger commercial and industrial AC electric motors from 50 through 800 horsepower in AC and DC electric motors from sub-fractional through small integral horsepowers in DC.horsepowers. We offer over 5,500thousands of stock models of electric motors in addition to the motors we produce to specific customer specifications. We also produce and market precision servo motors, electric generators ranging in size from five kilowatts through four megawatts, automatic transfer switches and paralleling switchgear to interconnect and control electric power generation equipment and electrical connecting devices such as terminal blocks, fuse holders and power blocks. Additionally, our Electrical Groupsegment markets a line of AC and DC adjustable speed drives.  We manufacture capacitors for use in HVAC systems, high intensity lighting and other applications.  We sell our Electrical Groupsegment’s products to distributors, original equipment manufacturers and end users across many markets.

Within the Electrical Group, our Motor Technologies Group continues to work to fully leverage potential efficiencies across our electric motor operations. Our Motor Technologies Group manages the manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, accounting, information technology and quality control activities of our Marathon, Lincoln and LEESON electric motor brands. Furthermore, the Motor Technologies Group is specifically fostering the sharing of best practices across our motor and generator businesses and creating focused centers of excellence in each of our motor and generator manufacturing functions.

Our power generation business, which includes electric generators and power generation components and controls, represents a significant portion of our Electrical Groupsegment’s net sales.  We expect theThe market for electric power generation components and controls to growhas grown in recent years as a result of a desire on the part of end users to reduce losses due to power disturbances.  Our generators are used in industrial, agricultural, marine, military, transportation and other applications.

We intend to continue to seek ways to take advantageleverage efficiencies across our electric motor operations.  We centralize and manage the manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, accounting, information technology and quality control activities of growth in the market for prime and standby power generation in the United States and overseas by expanding our line of generators to meet higher and more sophisticated power generation requirements. With our June 2000 acquisition of Thomson Technology,electric motor businesses.  Furthermore, we specifically targetedfoster the emerging power generation controls marketsharing of best practices across each of the Electrical product businesses and now offer automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and controls, and systems controls. When these control products are bundled withcreate focused centers of excellence in each of our Marathon generators, we are able to provide critical components of a system solution to power generation markets throughout the world.

manufacturing functions.  The following is a description of our major Electrical Groupproduct businesses and the primary products that they manufacture and market:

          Commercial AC Motors. Manufactures a full line of AC motors up to 5 horsepower for pump, compressor, and commercial HVAC applications.

5


          HVAC/Refrigeration Motors and Capacitors. Manufactures a full line of HVAC motors for use in residential and commercial HVAC systems.  Manufactures capacitors for use in HVAC systems, high intensity lighting and other applications.

LEESON Electric. Manufactures AC motors up to 800 horsepower and DC motors up to five horsepower, gear reducers, gearmotors and markets drives primarily for the power transmission, pump, food processing, fitness equipment and industrial machinery markets.

Lincoln Motors. Manufactures AC motors from ¼1/4 horsepower to 800 horsepower primarily for industrial and commercial pumps, compressors, elevator and machine tools, and specialty products.

Marathon Electric. Manufactures AC motors up to 800 horsepower primarily for HVAC, pumps, power transmissions, fans and blowers, compressors, agriculture products, processing and industrial manufacturing equipment.

Marathon Generators.GeneratorsManufactures AC generators from five kilowatts to four megawatts that primarily serve the standby power, prime power, refrigeration, industrial and irrigation and construction markets.

Marathon Special Products.Products. Manufactures fuse holders, terminal blocks, and power blocks primarily for the HVAC, telecommunications, electric control panel, utilities and transportation markets.

Thomson Technology.Technology. Manufactures automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and controls, and systems controls primarily for the electric power generation market.

4


Mechanical GroupProducts

Our Mechanical Group manufactures and marketsmechanical products include a broad array of mechanical motion control products and cutting tools.  Our products include: standard and custom worm gear, bevel gear, helical gear and concentric shaft gearboxes; marine transmissions; high-performance after-market automotive transmissions and ring and pinions and differential locking devices;pinions; custom gearing; gearmotors; manual valve actuators and cutting tools. Our gear and transmission related products primarily control motion by transmitting power from a source, such as a motor or engine, to an end use, such as a conveyor belt, usually reducing speed and increasing torque in the process. Our valve actuators are used primarily in oil and gas, water distribution and treatment and chemical processing applications. Our high-speed steel and carbide rotary perishable cutting tools are used in metalworking applications. Mechanical Group products are sold to original equipment manufacturers, distributors and end users across many industry segments.

The following is a description of our major Mechanical Groupmechanical product businesses and the primary products they manufacture and market:

CML (Costruzioni Meccaniche LegnanesiLegananesi S.r.L.). Manufactures bevel gear valve actuators primarily for the oil, gas, wastewater and water distribution markets.

Cutting Tools. Manufactures a full line of industrial quality high-speed steel and carbide rotary cutting tools primarily for the aerospace, agriculture, automotive, railroad and general industrial markets. These cutting tools are marketed under three brand names: National Twist Drill, New York Twist Drill and Regal Cutting Tools.

Durst. Manufactures standard and specialized industrial transmissions and hydraulic pump drives primarily for the construction, agriculture, energy, material handling, forestry, lawn and garden and railroad maintenance and off-road vehicle markets.

Electra-Gear. Manufactures specialized aluminum gear reducers and gearmotors primarily for the food processing, medical equipment, car wash, boat liftmaterial handling and packaging markets.

Foote-Jones/Illinois Gear. Manufactures large-scale parallel shaft and right-angle gear drives and custom gears up to 100 inches in diameter primarily for the mining, oil, pulp and paper, forestry, aggregate, construction and steel power generationmarkets.  (Note: On March 9, 2005, we announced the sale of the Illinois Gear open gearing business.  The sale, which is expected to close in the second quarter, will reduce annual sales by $7 million and large public works markets.have a negligible impact on earnings.)

Grove Gear. Manufactures standard and custom industrial gear reducers and gearmotors primarily for the material handling, food processing, robotics, healthcare and power transmission markets.

Hub City. Manufactures gear drives, sub-fractional horsepower gearmotors, mounted bearings and accessories primarily for the packaging, construction, material handling, healthcare and food processing markets.

Mastergear.          Mastergear. Manufactures manual valve actuators for liquid and gas flow control primarily for the petrochemical processing, fire protection and wastewater markets.

6


          New York Twist Drill. Manufactures a full line of industrial quality cutting tools in high speed steel and carbide primarily for the aerospace, automotive, railroad and general manufacturing markets.

          Ohio Gear. Manufactures gear reducers and gearmotors primarily for the material handling, lawn and garden vehicle and food processing markets.

Opperman Mastergear, Ltd. Manufactures valve actuators and industrial gear drives primarily for the material handling, agriculture, mining and liquid and gas flow control markets.

          Regal Cutting Tools. Manufactures high-speed steel and carbide rotary cutting tools primarily for the aerospace, agriculture, automotive and general industrial markets.

Richmond Gear.Gear. Manufactures ring and pinions and transmissions primarily for the high-performance automotive aftermarketaftermarket.

          Velvet Drive Transmissions. Manufactures marine and industrial transmissions primarily for the pleasure boat, off-road vehicle and forestry markets.

The Building of Our Business

Our growth from our founding as a producer of high-speed cutting tools in 1955 to our current size and status has largely been the result of the acquisition and integration of 3840 businesses to build a strong multi-product offering. Our senior management has substantial experience in the acquisition and integration of businesses, aggressive cost management, and efficient manufacturing techniques, all of which represent activities that are critical to our long-term growth strategy. Since 1979, our current management team has completed and successfully integrated 2325 acquisitions. We have a proven track record of acquiring complementary businesses and product lines, integrating their activities into our organization and aggressively managing their cost structures to reduce waste and unnecessary expenditures. The history of our Electrical and Mechanical Groupfollowing table summarizes select acquisitions since 1990 is outlined following.1990.

Product Line

 

Year
Acquired

 

Annual Revenues
at Acquisition

 

Product Listing at Acquisition

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

Electrical Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GE Commercial AC Motors business

 

 

2004

 

$

144

 

 

AC motors for pump, compressor, equipment and commercial HVAC

 

GE HVAC Motors and Capacitors businesses

 

 

2004

 

 

442

 

 

Full line of motors and capacitors for residential and commercial HVAC systems

 

LEESON Electric Corporation

 

 

2000

 

 

175

 

 

AC motors (to 350 horsepower) gear reducers, gearmotors and drives

 

Thomson Technology, Inc.

 

 

2000

 

 

14

 

 

Automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and controls and controls systems

 

Lincoln Motors

 

 

1999

 

 

50

 

 

AC motors (1/4 to 800 horsepower)

 

Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation

 

 

1997

 

 

245

 

 

AC motors (to 500 horsepower), AC generators (5 kilowatt to 2.5 megawatt), fuse holders, terminal blocks and power blocks

 

Mechanical Products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Powertrax  assets of Vehicular Technologies

 

 

2002

 

 

3

 

 

Differential locking devices for high performance automotive applications

 

Spiral bevel gear product line of Philadelphia Gear

 

 

2001

 

 

4

 

 

Spiral bevel gears

 

Velvet Drive Transmissions

 

 

1995

 

 

27

 

 

Marine and industrial transmissions

 

Hub City, Inc.

 

 

1992

 

 

44

 

 

Gear drives, sub-fractional horsepower gearmotors, mounted bearings and accessories

 

Opperman Mastergear, Ltd. (U.K., U.S. and Germany)

 

 

1991

 

 

20

 

 

Manual valves actuators and industrial gear drives

 

57


Business/Product LineYear
Acquired
Annual Revenues
at Acquisition
(in millions)
Product Listing at Acquisition
Electrical Group
LEESON Electric Corporation2000$175 AC motors (to 350 horsepower) and DC motors (to 3 horsepower) gear reducers, gearmotors and drives
Thomson Technology, Inc.2000$14 Automatic transfer switches, paralleling switchgear and controls, and systems controls
Lincoln Motors1999$50 AC motors (1/4 to 800 horsepower)
Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation1997$245 AC motors (to 500 horsepower), AC generators (5 kilowatt to 2.5 megawatt), fuse holders, terminal blocks and power blocks
Mechanical Group
Powertrax® product line2002$3 Differential locking devices for high-performance automotive and 4-wheel drive aftermarket
Spiral bevel gear product line of Philadelphia Gear2001$4 Spiral bevel gears
Velvet Drive Transmissions1995$27 Marine and industrial transmissions
Hub City, Inc.1992$44 Gear drives, sub-fractional horsepower gearmotors, mounted bearings and accessories
Opperman Mastergear, Ltd. (U.K., U.S. and Germany)1991$20 Manual valve actuators for liquid and gas flow control and industrial gear drives

Sales, Marketing and Distribution

We sell our products directly to original equipment manufacturers, distributors and distributorsend-users across many markets.  Our two business segments are divided intoWe have multiple business units, with each unit typically having its own branded product offering and sales organization. These sales organizations consist of varying combinations of our own internal direct sales people as well as exclusive and non-exclusive manufacturers’ representative organizations. On a combined basis, our individual business units’ sales organizations consist of more than 125 direct sales employees and 500 exclusive and non-exclusive manufacturers’ representatives from 190 organizations as of January 2005. In 2004, across all of our business units, we sold products to a very broad base of original equipment manufacturers and distributors, each numbering in the thousands.

With our 2004 electric motor acquisitions, we have added leading HVAC OEMs to our customer base.  These motors are vital components of an HVAC system and are used to move air into and away from furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, ventilators, fan filter boxes and humidifiers. We believe that our effective use of information technology significantly enhances our ability to provide customer focused quality and further differentiates us from manya majority of our competitors. Our website allows customers easy access toHVAC motors are used in applications that replace existing equipment, with the remainder used in new equipment applications. The business enjoys a large installed base of equipment and product information, and contains the latest product introductions, distributor information, installation manuals, technical bulletins and customer service. For example, through our Electrical Group websites, we have an e-commerce portal that provides our independent manufacturers’ representatives, distributors and employeeslong-term relationships with constant access to real-time information such as account status, order status, engineering and competitive information, stock product availability, pricing and order entry. In addition, customers are able to search our stock catalogs for motor, gearmotor, drive, part or catalog number.its major customers.

Markets and Competitors

The worldwide market for electric motors is estimated in excess of $24$25 billion. The overall domestic market for electric motors is estimated at $9 billion annually, although we believe thatestimate the sectors in which we primarily compete, primarily in thecommercial and industrial sector of the domestic electric motor market, estimatedmotors and HVAC/refrigeration motors, to be approximately a $2.3$5.0 billion segment of the overall domestic market. We believe approximately 60% of all electricity generated in the U.S. runs through electric motors. With the acquisitions of Marathon Electric in 1997, Lincoln Motors in 1999 and LEESON Electric in 2000, we believe we have becomebecame one of the largest producers of industrial electric motors in the United StatesStates. With our 2004 acquisitions of GE’s commercial AC and hold a market position in this segment close to Baldor Electric Company,HVAC motors businesses, we believe we are among the current market leader.largest producers of commercial and industrial motors and the largest producer of HVAC motors.  In addition, we believe that we are the largest electric generator manufacturer in the United States that is not affiliated with a diesel engine manufacturer. Major domestic competitors for the Electrical Group other thanour electrical products include Baldor Electric, include U.S. ElectricalElectric Motors (a division of Emerson Electric Co.), Reliance Electric Company (a division of Rockwell International), A. O. Smith Corporation, General Electric Company and Newage (a division of Cummins, Inc).  Major foreign competitors include Siemens AG, Toshiba Corporation, Weg S.A., Leroy-Somer, Inc. and ABB Ltd.

Our Mechanical Group servesWe serve various mechanical product markets and competescompete with a number of different companies depending on the particular product offering. We believe that we are thea leading manufacturer of several mechanical products offered by our Mechanical Group and that we are the leading manufacturer in the United States of worm gear drives and bevel gear drives. Our competitors in these markets include Boston Gear (a division of Colfax Corporation)Altra Industrial Motion, Inc.), Dodge (a division of Rockwell International), Emerson Electric Co. and Winsmith (a division of Peerless-Winsmith, Inc.). Major foreign competitors include SEW Eurodrive GmbH & Co., Flender GmbH, Nord, Sumitomo Corporation and Zahnrad Fabrik GmbH & Co.

6


During the past several years, niche product market opportunities have become more prevalent due to changing market conditions. Our markets have also been impacted by decisions by larger manufacturers not to compete in lower volume or specialized markets. Other manufacturers, which historically may have made component products for inclusion in their finished goods, have chosen to outsource their requirements to specialized manufacturers like us because we can make these products more cost effectively. In addition, we have capitalized on this competitive climate by making acquisitions and increasing our manufacturing efficiencies. Some of these acquisitions have created new opportunities by allowing us to enter new markets in which we had not been involved. In practice, our operating units have sought out specific niche markets concentrating on a wide diversity of customers and applications. We believe that we compete primarily on the basis of quality, price, service and our promptness of delivery.

Product Development and Engineering

Each of our business units has its own product development and design teams that continuously enhance our existing products and develop new products for our growing base of customers that require custom and standard solutions.  We have one of the electric motor industry’s most sophisticated product development and testing laboratories. We believe these capabilities provide a significant competitive advantage in the development of high quality motors and electric generators incorporating leading design characteristics such as low vibration, low noise, improved safety, reliability and enhanced energy efficiency.

8


We are continuing to expand our business by developing new, differentiated products in each of our business segments, both Mechanical and Electrical.segments. We work closely with our customers to develop new products or enhancements to existing products that improve performance and meet their needs.  Examples of our research2004 new product introductions include:

          Magna-Smart Generator.  Our new Magna-Smart generator product line provides customers a variable speed generator, resulting in a lighter, smaller and development successesmore efficient product.  We are selling these new products to the recreational vehicle, emergency vehicle, marine and refrigeration markets.

          Magna-Lite Generator.  Our new, patented Magna-Lite generator allows our customers to eliminate ballasts from their portable light towers.  Magna-Lite allows the customer to produce a lighter, smaller and more reliable portable light tower.

          Series 2400 Switchgear.  We recently introduced our Thomson Technology Series 2400 Switchgear with a PGC 4000 power generation controller.  We believe that the integrated process control design provides our customers with the most comprehensive paralleling switchgear system in the last twomarket today.  This product also helps our customers lower engineering and production costs, increase output, shorten lead times and improve flexibility for future growth.

          Velvet Drive Wakeboard Transmission.  In 2004, we introduced the Velvet Drive Wakeboard Transmission to address the niche, growing wakeboard ski boat market.  Velvet Drive has been a leader in the marine industry for over 50 years, include our Globetrotter™ IEC Motor line; a full line of premium efficiency motors; threeand this new product linesis the leading product currently manufactured that allows no power loss during tight turns.

As part of highour 2004 GE HVAC motors and capacitors acquisition, we acquired new ECM motor technology.  An ECM motor is a brushless electric motor with integrated speed control made possible through sophisticated electronic and sensing technology. ECM motors operate at variable speeds with attractive performance characteristics versus competitive variable speed solutions in comfort, energy efficiency, mechanical speed reducers; a linemotor life and noise.  GE developed the first generation ECM motors over 15 years ago.  ECM technology is protected by over 125 patents, and we have acquired from GE intellectual property and usage rights relating to ECM technology.   ECM motors offer significantly greater temperature and air quality control as well as increased energy efficiency.   Because of induction generators; new co-generation switchgears; a complete arraythe energy efficiency of food solution products including stainless steel and aluminum motors, reducers and electronic devices; andthese systems, we believe that ECM enabled continuous air flow systems will be an important element of our award winning microMAX™ inverter duty motor line.customers’ strategies to meet the January 2006 increased energy efficiency standards for residential air conditioners, to 13 SEER from the current standard of 10 SEER.

Manufacturing and Operations

We have developed and acquired global operations in lower cost locations such as Mexico, India, and China that compliment our flexible, rapid response operations in the United States, Canada and Europe.  Our vertically integrated manufacturing operations, including our own cast iron foundry and aluminum die casting and steel stamping operations are an important element of our rapid response capabilities.  In addition, we have an extensive internal logistics operation that consists of approximately 5048 semi-tractors and 100110 customized semi-trailers and a network of distribution facilities with the capability to modify stock products to quickly meet specific custom requirements in many instances.  This gives us a competitive advantage, as we are able to deliver a customer’s product when they want it, where they want it and in the condition they want it.

We manufacture a majority of the products that we sell but also strategically outsource components and finished goods to an established global network of suppliers.  Although we have aggressively pursued global sourcing to reduce our overall costs, we still maintain a dual sourcing capability in our existing domestic facilities to ensure a reliable supply source for our customers.  Most of our operating units conduct their manufacturing operations independently in one or more facilities. Our Electrical Group manufacturing, other than Marathon Special Products and Thomson Technology, is performed by our Motor Technologies Group, which also has responsibility for all power generation operations, including sales and marketing. We regularly invest in machinery and equipment and other improvements to, and maintenance of, our facilities. Additionally, we have typically obtained significant amounts of quality capital equipment as part of our acquisitions, often increasing overall capacity and capability.

The manufacturing operations of both our Electrical Group and Mechanical Groupbusinesses are highly integrated.  Although raw materials and selected parts such as bearings and seals are purchased, this vertical integration permits us to produce most of our required component parts when needed.  We believe that this results in lower production costs, greater manufacturing flexibility and higher product quality, as well as reducing our reliance on outside suppliers.  Base materials for our products consist primarily of: steel in various types and sizes, including bearings and weldments; copper magnet wire; and ferrous and non-ferrous castings.  We purchase our raw materials from many suppliers and, with few exceptions, do not rely on any single supplier for any of our base materials.

We have also continued to upgrade our manufacturing equipment and processes, including increasing our use of computer aided manufacturing systems, developing our own testing systems, redesigning plant layout and redesigning products to take full advantage of our more productive equipment and to improve product flow.  We believe that our continued product redesign and efficient plant layoutslayout often provide us with a competitive cost advantage in our manufacturing operation.  Our goal is to be a low cost producer in our core product areas.

79



To continue to beFacilities

We have manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada and in Europe and Asia.  Our Electrical segment currently operates 46 manufacturing and service and distribution facilities.  The Electrical segment’s present operating facilities contain a low cost producer,total of approximately 3,609,000 square feet of space of which approximately 894,000 square feet are leased.  Our Mechanical segment currently operates 19 manufacturing and service and distribution facilities.  The Mechanical segment’s present operating facilities contain a total of approximately 1,570,000 square feet of space of which approximately 47,000 square feet are leased.  Our principal executive offices are located in Beloit, Wisconsin in an owned approximately 24,000 square foot office building.  We believe our strategy in this increasingly global economic environment is to expandequipment and facilities are well maintained and adequate for our foreign manufacture of select products. We increased our sourcing of both components and finished products from outside the U.S. in the past two years. In January 2003 we acquired a 50% ownership in a current supplier to us of smaller industrial electric motors. This joint venture is our second in China along with our 8-year-old 55%-owned joint venture to manufacture smaller generators. Both support our low cost production efforts.present needs.

Backlog

Our business units have historically shipped the majority of their products in the month the order is received.  Since total backlog is less than 12%14% of our annual sales, we believe that backlog is not a reliable indicator of our future sales.  As of December 31, 2003,2004, our backlog was $73.2$104.4 million, as compared to $68.1$73.2 million on December 31, 2002.2003.  We believe that virtually all of our backlog is shippable in 2004.2005.

Patents, Trademarks and Licenses

We own a number of United States patents and foreign patents relating to our businesses.  While we believe that our patents provide certain competitive advantages, we do not consider any one patent or group of patents essential to our business.  We also use various registered and unregistered trademarks, and we believe these trademarks are significant in the marketing of most of our products.  However, we believe the successful manufacture and sale of our products generally depends more upon our technological, manufacturing and marketing skills.

Employees

As of the close of business on December 31, 2003,2004, the Company employed approximately 4,850 persons,5,700 worldwide employees, excluding the employees who are part of whichthe GE HVAC acquisition.  As a result of the acquisition of the GE HVAC business at 11:59 pm on December 31, 2004, approximately 20%5,000 employees, including about 1,100 temporary employees in foreign operations, were covered by collective bargaining agreements.added to the Company. We consider our employee relations to be very good.

Environmental Matters

We are subjectIn March 2004, the Company received notice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) that it was identified as one of three potentially responsible parties regarding an environmental site in Illinois.  The Company had previously reached a settlement in 1999 with the U.S. EPA regarding the same site.  Management provided its expert’s assessment of this site to Federal, State and local environmental regulations. the U.S. EPA, which has not proceeded with any enforcement action.  Based on the facts, the Company believes that there will be no further assessments related to this site.  As of December 31, 2004, no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s financial statements related to this contingency.

We are currently involved with environmental proceedings related to certain other of our facilities.  Based on available information, we believe that the outcome of these proceedings and future known environmental compliance costs will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Executive Officers

The names, ages, and positions of the executive officers of the Company as of December 31, 2003,March 1, 2005, are listed below along with their business experience during the past five years.  Officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors at the Meeting of Directors immediately following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in April.  There are no family relationships among these officers, nor any arrangements of understanding between any officer and any other persons pursuant to which the officer was selected.

10


Name

NameAge

Position

Age

PositionBusiness Experience and Principal Occupation




James L. Packard

61

62

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Elected Chairman in 1986; Chief Executive Officer since 1984; served as President from 1980 to April, 2002; joined the Company in 1979. As previously announced, following our annual meeting of shareholders in April, 2005, Mr. Knueppel will be elected as President and Chief Executive Officer since 1984; President 1980 until April 2002.and Mr. Packard will remain an active executive of the Company as Executive Chairman.

Henry W. Knueppel

55

56

President and Chief Operating Officer

Elected Executive Vice President in 1987; from September, 1997 until December, 1999, he also served as President of Marathon Electric.

Elected President and Chief Operating Officer in April, 2002.2002; served as Executive Vice President from 1987 to April, 2002; from September, 1997 until December 1999. As previously announced, following our annual meeting of shareholders in April, 2005, Mr. Knueppel will be elected as President and Chief Executive Officer.

Kenneth F. Kaplan

58

David A. Barta

43

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

Joined the Company in 1996;June 2004 and was elected Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in 1996July 2004. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Barta served in several financial management positions for Newell Rubbermaid Inc. from 1995 – June 2004, serving most recently as Chief Financial Officer Levelor/Kirsch Division.  His prior positions during this time included Vice President – Group Controller Corporate Key Accounts, Vice President – Group Controller Rubbermaid Group, Vice President Investor Relations, and Secretary in 1997.Chief Financial Officer Newell Window Furnishings/Kirsch.

David L. Eisenreich

60

Mark Gliebe

44

Vice President and President Motor Technologiesof the Electric Motors Group

Joined the Company in January, 2005, following our acquisition of the HVAC motors and capacitors businesses from GE; previously employed by GE as the General Manager of GE Motors & Controls in the GE Consumer & Industrial business unit from June, 2000 to December, 2004 and General Manager of GE Industrial Motors from January, 1999 to June, 2000.

Kenneth F. Kaplan

59

Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary

Joined the Company in September, 1996 and served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary until July, 2004; has served in his current position since July, 2004.

David L. Eisenreich

61

Vice President and President, Mechanical Components & Power Generation

Elected Vice President and named President of Motor Technologies Group in 2001; Senior Vice President of Operations at Marathon Electric from 1997 until 2001.

Fritz Hollenbach

49

50

Vice President, Administration and Human Resources

Elected Vice President, Administration and Human Resources in 2001; Vice President, Human Resources in Mechanical Group from 1994 until 2001.

Christopher L. Mapes42Vice President and President, Motor Sales and MarketingJoined Company in 2003; elected Vice President in 2003; President of the Global OEM Business Group of Superior Telecom from 1999 to 2002.

8


Website Disclosure

The Company’s Internet address is www.regal-beloit.com.  We make available free of charge (other than an investor’s own Internet access charges) through our Internet website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  We are not including the information contained on or available through our website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics and a code of conduct that apply to our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as well as to all our directors, officers and employees. These codes are available on our website, along with our current Corporate Governance Guidelines, atwww.regal-beloit.com. We intend to disclose through our website any amendments to, or waivers from, the provisions of these codes that apply to our principal executive officer or principal financial officer.11


ITEM 2. Properties

Properties

We have manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout the United States and Canada and in Mexico, Europe, China and Asia.India.  Our Electrical Groupsegment currently operates 38includes 46 manufacturing, and service and distribution facilities, of which 19 are principal manufacturing facilities.  The Electrical Group’ssegment’s present operating facilities contain a total of approximately 2,205,5103,609,000 square feet of space of which approximately 660,000894,000 square feet are leased.  Our Mechanical Groupsegment currently operates 16includes 19 manufacturing, and service and distribution facilities, of which 13 are principal manufacturing facilities.  The Mechanical Group’ssegment’s present operating facilities contain a total of approximately 1,347,0001,570,000 square feet of space of which approximately 89,00047,000 square feet are leased.  Our principal executive offices are located in Beloit, Wisconsin in an owned approximately 24,000 square foot office building.  We believe our equipment and facilities are well maintained and adequate for our present needs.

The following table provides information regarding our principal facilities.

Location(1)

Square Footage

Status

Description of Use





Electrical Segment

Wausau, WI

498,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Juarez, Mexico

335,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Reynosa, Mexico

320,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Springfield, MO

290,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Grafton, WI

230,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Indianapolis, IN

221,000

Leased

Warehouse

Faridabad, India

220,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Lebanon, MO

187,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Lincoln, MO

120,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Fort Wayne, IN

110,700

Leased

Office/Lab

Lima, OH

107,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Blytheville, TX

107,000

Leased

Manufacturing

West Plains, MO

106,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Black River Falls, WI

103,000

Owned

Manufacturing

All Other (32)

654,449

(1)

(1)

Mechanical Segment

Chicago, IL

283,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Liberty, SC

174,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Aberdeen, SD

165,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Shopiere, WI

132,000

Owned

Manufacturing

Union Grove, WI

122,000

Owned

Manufacturing

New Bedford, MA

116,000

Owned

Manufacturing

All Other (13)

578,000

(1)

(1)



(1)

Less significant manufacturing, service and distribution and engineering facilities located in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia: Electrical leased square footage 455,139, Mechanical leased 46,692.


ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

ITEM 3. Legal ProceedingsAn action was filed on June 4, 2004 and amended in September 2004, against one of the Company’s subsidiaries, Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation (“Marathon”), by Enron Wind Energy Systems, LLC, Enron Wind Contractors, LLC and Zond Minnesota Construction Company, LLC (collectively, “Enron Wind”).  The action was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York where each of the Enron Wind entities has consolidated its Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition as part of the Enron Corporation bankruptcy proceedings.  In the action against Marathon, Enron Wind has asserted various claims relating to the alleged failures and/or degradations of performance of about 564 generators sold by Marathon to Enron Wind from 1997 to 1999.  In January 2001, Enron Wind and Marathon entered into a “Generator Warranty and Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims” (“Warranty Agreement”).  This Warranty Agreement resolved various issues related to past performance of the generators, provided a limited warranty related to the generators going forward, and contained a release by all parties of any claims related to the generators other than those arising out of the obligations contained in the Warranty Agreement.

Enron Wind is seeking to recover the purchase price of the generators and transportation costs totaling about $21 million.  In addition, although the Warranty Agreement contains a waiver of consequential, incidental, and punitive damages, Enron Wind claims that this limitation is unenforceable and seeks recovery of consequential and incidental damages incurred by it and by its customers, as well as punitive damages, related to the Marathon generators.  Enron Wind has asserted claims of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory fraud, and intentional interference with contractual relations.  Marathon has filed a motion with the court seeking to have many of Enron Wind’s claims dismissed.  The court has not yet ruled on this motion.

12


The Company believes that this action is without merit and that it has meritorious defenses to the action.  The Company intends to defend vigorously all of the asserted claims.  The litigation is in an early discovery phase and it is difficult for the Company to predict the impact the litigation may ultimately have on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition, including the expenses the Company may incur to defend against the action.  As of December 31, 2004, no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s financial statements related to this contingency.

In March 2004, the Company received notice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) that it was identified as one of three potentially responsible parties regarding an environmental site in Illinois.  The Company had previously reached a settlement in 1999 with the U.S. EPA regarding the same site.  Management provided its expert’s assessment of this site to the U.S. EPA, which has not proceeded with any enforcement action.  Based on the facts, the Company believes that there will be no further assessments related to this site.  As of December 31, 2004, no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s financial statements related to this contingency.

From time to time, the Company, in the normal course of business, is involved in various claims and legal actions arising out of its operations.  The Company does not believe that the ultimate disposition of any currently pending claims or actions would have a material adverse effect on the Company or its financial condition.

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

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.2004.

913



Part II

ITEM 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

The Company’s Common Stock, $.01 par value (“Common Stock”), is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “RBC.” The Company submitted its Section 303A.12(a) CEO Certification to the NYSE on January 10, 2005.   Prior to January 21, 2005, the Company’s stock was traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol “RBC.”  The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing sales prices for the Common Stock for the period from January 1, 20022003 through December 31, 2003.2004.

2003
2002

 

2004

 

2003

 

Price Range
Price Range

 


 


 

High
Low
Dividends
Paid

High
Low
Dividends
Paid

 

Price Range

 

 

 

Price Range

 

 

 

1st Quarter$21.75 $14.96 $.12 $26.85 $20.60 $.12 
2nd Quarter21.64 15.05 .12 29.31 21.35 .12 
3rd Quarter24.45 18.48 .12 24.21 16.00 .12 
4th Quarter23.07 19.20 .12 21.12 15.75 .12 

 


 

Dividends

 


 

Dividends

 

 

High

 

Low

 

Paid

 

High

 

Low

 

Paid

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

1st Quarter

 

$

23.20

 

$

19.41

 

$

.12

 

$

21.75

 

$

14.96

 

$

.12

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

22.22

 

19.14

 

.12

 

21.64

 

15.05

 

.12

 

3rd Quarter

 

 

24.33

 

20.40

 

.12

 

24.45

 

18.48

 

.12

 

4th Quarter

 

 

29.38

 

23.13

 

.12

 

23.07

 

19.20

 

.12

 

The Company has paid 174178 consecutive quarterly dividends through January 2004.2005.  The number of registered holders of Common Stock as of December 31, 20032004 was 841.792.

Equity Compensation Plan InformationThe Board of Directors approved, in 2000, a repurchase program of up to 2,000,000 common shares of Company stock. Management was authorized to effect purchases from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. In April 2004, in association with the Company’s convertible subordinated debt offering, the Company repurchased 614,200 shares of its stock at a price of $20.35.  Through December 31, 2004, the Company has repurchased 774,100 shares at an average purchase price of $19.67 per share under this program.

Plan CategoryNumber of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))




(a)
(b)
(c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders1,282,618$21.221,586,100
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Total1,282,618$21.221,586,100

As part of the consideration for the acquisition of General Electric Company’s HVAC motors and capacitors businesses, the Company issued 4,559,048 shares of common stock to GE in a transaction exempt from registration inder Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  The Company and GE entered into a Shareholder Agreement as part of the transaction.  This agreement was filed on Form 8-K on January 6, 2005.

Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain information relating to the Company’s equity compensation plans

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data

Selected Financial Data

The selected statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 20032004 and 20022003 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to, the audited financial statements of the Company included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The selected statement of income data for the years ended December 31, 20002001 and 19992000 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 2002, 2001 2000 and 19992000 are derived from audited financial statements not included herein.

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
Year Ended December 31

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 


 

Year Ended December 31

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2001

 

2000

 

2003
2002*
2001
2000
1999

 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Sales$619,098 $605,292 $663,571 $598,203 $550,661 

 

$

756,557

 

$

619,098

 

$

605,292

 

$

663,571

 

$

598,203

 

Income from Operations47,226 47,227 56,060 71,608 72,440 

 

 

55,162

 

47,226

 

47,227

 

56,060

 

71,608

 

Net Income25,206 24,518 19,590 33,771 38,067 

 

 

30,435

 

25,206

 

24,518

 

19,590

 

33,771

 

Total Assets734,445 733,988 746,599 792,407 508,165 

 

 

1,352,052

 

734,445

 

733,988

 

746,599

 

792,407

 

Long-term Debt195,677 222,812 345,667 393,510 148,166 

 

 

547,350

 

195,677

 

222,812

 

345,667

 

393,510

 

Shareholders’ Investment398,704 381,423 280,150 273,889 252,626 

 

 

538,179

 

398,704

 

381,423

 

280,150

 

273,889

 

Per Share of Common Stock:Per Share of Common Stock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share1.01 1.01 .94 1.61 1.82 

 

1.24

 

1.01

 

1.01

 

.94

 

1.61

 

Earnings Per Share - Assuming Dilution1.00 1.01 .93 1.61 1.80 

Earnings Per Share – Assuming Dilution

 

1.22

 

1.00

 

1.01

 

.93

 

1.61

 

Cash Dividends Declared.48 .48 

 

.48

 

.48

 

.48

 

.48

 

.48

 

Shareholders’ Investment15.93 15.24 13.42 13.10 12.04 

 

21.87

 

15.93

 

15.24

 

13.42

 

13.10

 

Average Number of Shares Outstanding25,030 24,187 20,869 20,984 20,959 
Average Number of Shares - Assuming Dilution25,246 24,310 21,124 20,996 21,170 

Basic Average Shares Outstanding

 

 

24,603

 

25,030

 

24,187

 

20,869

 

20,984

 

Diluted Average Shares Outstanding

 

 

24,904

 

25,246

 

24,310

 

21,124

 

20,996

 

*Amortization of goodwill ceased as of January 1, 2002 (see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statement).14

10



ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Statements

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

Unless the context requires otherwise, references below to “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer collectively to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and its subsidiaries.

Overview

Our business is cyclical and dependent on industrial and consumer spending and is therefore impacted by the strength of the economy generally, and other factors such as interest rates and commodity prices. The economic slowdown, which began in mid-2000, became an economic recession in 2001, and was characterized by weak industrial markets throughout 2002 and 2003, was2003.  The industrial economy began to strengthen in early 2004 in our served markets.  Net sales in 2004 increased, including the impact of the GE Commercial AC motor acquisition in August 2004, 22.2% to $756.6 million.  Net income rose 20.7% to $30.4 million.

Rising material costs, particularly copper, steel and aluminum, presented the most significant factornegative impact to our profitability in 2004.  By the fourth quarter, spot prices for steel and copper were approximately double the level from the prior year.  We implemented various price increases three times during the year, with the last taking effect in December.  The price increases only partially offset the material cost increases.

We made two significant acquisitions during the year.  On August 30, we completed the acquisition of General Electric’s Commercial AC motor business for $72.0 million in cash.  The Commercial AC motors business, which is projected to add approximately $140 million in annual sales, manufactures a full line of AC motors for pump, compressor, equipment and commercial HVAC applications.  On December 31, 2004, we completed the acquisition of General Electric’s HVAC motors and capacitors businesses (“HVAC business”) for $270 million in cash and 4,559,048 shares of our common stock.  The HVAC business is projected to add approximately $500 million in annual sales and manufactures a full line of electric motors for use principally in residential HVAC systems and capacitors for HVAC systems, high intensity lighting and other applications.

We enter 2005 encouraged about the prospects for our legacy businesses as well as the newly acquired businesses.  The overall market conditions continue to be positive, driven by consumer and business spending. Raw material prices continue to have a negative impact on margins even after the price increases were put into effect in 2004.  We plan to continue to address the margin pressures through price increases and productivity improvements in 2005.

Results of Operations

2004 versus 2003

Our net sales were $756.6 million in 2004, a 22.2% increase from $619.1 million in 2003.  Excluding the sales impact from the acquisition of the CAC business, sales increased 13.5%. The increase in sales was driven by strong demand in the majority of our markets.  Sales in the Electrical segment increased 27.1% to $557.0 million.  Excluding the sales from the CAC business, sales in the Electrical segment were $503.3 million, an increase of 14.8% over 2003. Sales for the joint ventures that the Company owned for the entire year, which are included in the Electrical segment, increased $10.7 million, or 53% over 2003.   Sales in our performanceMechanical segment were $199.6 million, which was an increase of 10.4% over 2003.  Sales in both segments were positively impacted by improved consumer and business spending and the price increases implemented by the Company during 2004.

Our gross profit was $167.1 million, an increase of 13.8% over the $146.8 million reported in 2003.  As a percent of sales, gross profit was 22.1% as compared to 23.7% in 2003.  The increase in raw material costs drove this decrease, as price increases and our implemented productivity actions only partially offset the increased costs.

Our operating expenses in 2004 were $111.9 million, 12.4% above $99.5 million in 2003.   The increase was primarily driven by the sales and distribution costs driven by the sales volume increase. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 14.8% in 2004 from 16.1% in 2003, reflecting fixed cost leverage and productivity.

Income from operations was $55.2 million, an increase of 16.8% over the $47.2 million reported in 2003. Income from operations as ita percentage of sales (“operating income margin”) was 7.3% in 2002. While our net sales2004 versus 7.6% in 2003. Electrical segment income from operations increased 16.4% in 2004 to $39.4 million from $33.9 million in 2003, and operating income margin decreased to 7.1% in 2004 from 7.7% in 2003. The impact of the raw material cost increases coupled with an increase in healthcare costs for employees were the primary drivers of this decrease.  These factors were partially offset by price increases, favorable volume impacts, and the operating expense fixed cost leveraging and productivity.  Mechanical segment income from operations increased 2.3%17.8% to $619.1$15.7 million in 2004 from $13.3 million in 2003.  The Mechanical segment operating income margin for 2004 improved to 7.9% from 7.4% in 2003.   The results of the Mechanical segment reflect the positive impacts of increased volume, price increases, and the 3rd quarter gain on the sale of property located in the U.K. ($1.5 million pretax), partially offset by raw material cost increases.

15


Our net interest expense in 2004 was $6.6 million, which was an increase of 3.5% over the $6.4 million in 2003. This increase was due to a slightly increased  balance  of average debt outstanding.  The average interest rate we paid on outstanding debt in 2004 was 2.7% which was unchanged from the 2.7% average in 2003.

Our effective tax rate on income rose 2.8%before taxes decreased to $25.2 million,31.9% in 2004 from 36.2% in 2003, including tax effects of the minority interest. This decrease was best characterized as lacking a meaningful trend, either up or down,due primarily to the impact of the favorable resolution of several tax matters recorded in our markets.

By the endfourth quarter ($1.4 million) and the favorable tax treatment of the third quarter gain on the sale of 2003 we had completed, for the most part, the three plant closings/consolidations we announcedproperty located in the fourth quarterU.K ($.5 million).

Our 2004 net income of 2002. Both$30.4 million improved 20.7% from the $25.2 million in the facilities being closed and2003. Net income as a percentage of sales was 4.0% versus 4.1% in the facilities into which production2003.  Basic earnings per share was moved, our productivity during 2003$1.24 in 2004, a 22.8% increase from $1.01 in 2003.  Fully diluted earnings per share was negatively impacted to varying degrees, accounting for$1.22, a portion of our decreased operating income margin. While these moves took longer than we had expected, we believe they will result22.0% increase from $1.00 in improved productivity and profitability in future quarters.2003.

We again strengthened our balance sheet in 2003 by reducing our outstanding debt by $27.2 million to $195.8 million at December 31, 2003. We increased our investment in our facilities by spending $18.0 million for capital equipment during the year.

We enter 2004 with increased optimism that orders and sales will, for the first time in several years, show a meaningful upward trend. We base this optimism on the macro economic forecasts being published, the comments and attitudes of many of our customers and increased quoting activity in many of our markets. While significant commodity cost pressures exist currently, particularly with copper and steel, two of our largest raw materials, we cannot predict where these costs will be for all of 2004. For the first time since the economic slowdown began in 2000, we have been able to institute price increases with most of our products and many of our customers. The market appears to have accepted our price increases and we believe we can offset the higher current costs of our purchased materials and parts.

Results of Operations

2003 versus 2002

Our net sales were $619.1 million in 2003, a 2.3% increase from $605.3 million in 2002. The higher sales were attributable to our Electrical Group,segment, whose 2003 net sales of $438.4 million were 4.7% improved from 2002’s $418.6 million. This sales increase was due primarily to strength in our power generator and related controls products, including our generator joint venture in China, particularly in the second half of 2003. The increase in the generator and control sales was due primarily to an overall improvement in market demand as 2003 progressed, in part aided by the impact of the Northeast power outage, Hurricane Isabel and Middle East rebuilding projects. Sales of our electric motor products were virtually unchanged in 2003 from 2002. Mechanical Groupsegment 2003 net sales of $180.7 million were 3.2% below $186.7 million in 2002 and were basically flat throughout 2003, reflecting broad-based weakness in our markets.

Our gross profit rose 2.6% in 2003 to $146.8 million from $143.1 million the previous year. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales (“gross profit margin”) in 2003 of 23.7% was virtually unchanged from 2002, although increasing to 24.1% in the fourth quarter of 2003 above the 23.6% average margin of the first nine months of 2003. The fourth quarter 2003 gross profit margin increase above the rest of 2003 was due primarily to improved manufacturing productivity and the completion of moving production from three of our factories, which are for the most part now closed, into several of our other facilities.

Our operating expenses in 2003 were $99.5 million, 3.8% above $95.9 million in 2002. Of the $3.6 million increase, approximately $1.2 million, or 33%, was due to the operating expenses of our consolidated Jinling joint venture which began January 1, 2003. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 16.1% in 2003 from 15.8% in 2002.

Income from operations of $47.2 million was virtually unchanged from 2002. Income from operations as a percentage of sales (“operating income margin”) was 7.6% in 2003 versus 7.8% in 2002. Electrical Groupsegment income from operations decreased 4.5% in 2003 to $33.9 million from $35.5 million in 2002, and operating income margin to 7.7% in 2003 from 8.5% in 2002. In addition to the impact of our joint venture discussed above, the impact on 2003 productivity of the plant consolidation programs also discussed above, as well as continued pricing pressures, higher utility and other factory costs and lower overhead absorption in order to reduce inventories were also factors in the reduced Electrical Groupsegment operating income margin. Mechanical Groupsegment income from operations increased 13.7% to $13.3 million in 2003 from $11.7 million in 2002 and operating income margin to 7.4% from 6.3% for 2003 and 2002, respectively. Excluding the $1.2 million pre-tax fourth quarter 2002 charge relating to a plant closing/consolidation completed in 2003’s first quarter, the Mechanical Group’ssegment’s 7.4% operating income margin would still be .5% higher in 2003 than in 2002, primarily due to improved productivity and to favorable mix of products sold. (See also Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

11


Our interest expense in 2003 decreased 31.2% following a 57.7% decrease in 2002, to $6.5 million from $9.4 million in 2002, due primarily to a combination of lower average interest rates in the United States in 2003 than in 2002 and to our lower average debt outstanding. The average interest rate we paid on outstanding debt in 2003 was 2.7%, following a 3.5% average in 2002. Our effective tax rate on income before taxes increased to 36.2% in 2003 from 34.7% in 2002. This increase was due primarily to the impact of one-time tax refunds we received in 2002.

Our 2003 net income of $25.2 million was 2.8% improved from $24.5 million in 2002. Net income as a percentage of sales of 4.1% in 2003 was virtually unchanged from 2002.  Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) was $1.01 in 2003 and 2002, while diluted EPSearnings per share was $1.00 compared to $1.01 a year earlier.

2002 versus 2001

Our net sales in 2002 decreased 8.8% to $605.3 million from 2001 net sales of $663.6 million. The decrease in net sales was attributable to both of our two segments. Electrical Group net sales decreased 8.4% from $457.0 million in 2001 to $418.6 million in 2002, while Mechanical Group net sales of $186.7 million in 2002 were 9.6% lower than 2001 net sales of $206.6 million. The reduced sales were primarily due to continued weakness in industrial manufacturing markets.

Our gross profit decreased 13.7% to $143.1 million in 2002 from $165.9 million in 2001. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales (“gross profit margin”) was 23.6% in 2002, down from 25.0% in 2001. The reduction in gross profit margin was due primarily to lower overhead absorption resulting from reduced production volumes and to lower average prices to customers. Also contributing to the reduced margin was a $1.2 million pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter of 2002 for plant closings and consolidations in our Mechanical Group.

Operating expenses decreased 12.7% to $95.9 million in 2002 from $109.8 million in 2001. No longer amortizing goodwill in 2002 accounted for $8.4 million of this decrease, while the remaining $5.5 million reduction was due to reduced spending and headcount in selling and administrative expenses. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses declined to 15.8% in 2002 from 16.5% in 2001. Our income from operations of $47.2 million in 2002 was 15.9% below $56.1 million in 2001. This decline occurred in both of our segments, Electrical Group income from operations being down 11.7% to $35.5 million in 2002 (down 27.0% adjusting 2001 for not amortizing goodwill), and the Mechanical Group being down 26.4% to $11.7 million in 2002. (See also Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) Income from operations as a percentage of net sales (“operating income margin”) for the Company decreased to 7.8% in 2002 from 8.4% in 2001. This decrease in operating income margin was due primarily to the reduction in gross profit margin, partly offset by the lower operating expenses as a percentage of sales.

Interest expense decreased 57.7% to $9.4 million in 2002 from $22.2 million in 2001, due to a combination of lower debt outstanding, lower interest rates in the United States and a reduced mark-up over LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) we paid to our lenders. The lower debt resulted from repaying $90 million of our loans in March 2002 following our public stock offering and further loan repayments from operating cash flow during the year. The average rate of interest we paid on outstanding debt in 2002 was 3.5%, following a 5.9% average in 2001. Our effective tax rate on income before taxes decreased to 34.7% in 2002 from 42.5% in 2001. The primary factors in the decrease were the impact of non-deductible goodwill amortization in 2001 and one-time tax refunds we received in 2002.

Our net income increased 25.0% to $24.5 million in 2002 from $19.6 million in 2001. As a percentage of net sales, net income increased to 4.1% in 2002 from 3.0% in 2001. Basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) were each $1.01 in 2002, as compared to $.94 basic EPS and $.93 diluted EPS in 2001, increases of 7.4% and 8.6%, respectively. Average number of shares outstanding assuming dilution increased 15.1% in 2002 to 24.3 million from 21.1 million in 2001 as a result of our March 2002 public stock offering. The 2002 net income and EPS numbers are after a fourth quarter after-tax charge of $725,000, or $.03 per share, for plant closings and consolidations in our Mechanical Group. (See also Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

12


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our working capital was $160.1$279.7 million at December 31, 2003,2004, an increase of 1.7%76.9% from $157.4$158.1 million a year previously.at December 31, 2003. The increase was due primarily to a $7.9$237.5 million increase in current assets partly offset by a $5.2$115.9 million increase in current liabilities.  Accounts receivable increased $6.4$91.5 million during 2003 due primarily to our2004, of which $64.1 million resulted from the acquisitions of businesses from

16


GE and the remainder from the increased net sales.sales volume. Accounts payable increased $4.1$70.2 million in 2003 primarily2004, with $59.1 resulting from the acquisitions and a general increase in accounts payable due to improved business activity at the end of 2004 versus at the end of 2003. Other accrued expenses increased $31.8 million in 2004 as a result of improved business activity as we entered 2004 from when we entered 2003 a year ago. Other accrued expenses decreased $5.3 million in 2003 due primarily to non-recurring charges against liabilities accrued on December 31, 2002 associated with plant closings/consolidations. Federal and state income tax accruals increased $6.2 million during 2003 as a result of timing changes in estimated tax payments.the acquisitions due.  Our current ratio at December 31, 20032004 decreased slightly to 3.1:2.4:1 from 3.2:3.0:1 at year-end 2002.2003.

Cash flow from operations was $38.2 million in 2004, a 35.3% decrease from $59.0 million in 2003, an 8.5% increase from $54.4 million2003. Increases in 2002. Reduced inventories and higher current liabilities,receivables resulting from the increased sales volumes, in part offset by higher receivables,payables, account for the increase.decrease. Cash flow used in investing activities totaled $338.5 million versus $16.6 million versus $11.9in 2003.  Capital spending decreased by $1.7 million in 2002. Increased capital spending accountedto $16.3 million. The net cash paid for the higher investment spending due to an increase inacquisitions of the numberCAC and HVAC businesses totaled $327.9 million.  Offsetting these investments were the proceeds from the sale of capital projects in 2003, including three facility expansionsfacilities and a computer system conversion, and to a general increase in spending after unusually low capital spending in 2002.equipment, which totaled $5.9 million. Our commitments for property, plant and equipment as of December 31, 20032004 were approximately $2.1$2.3 million. We believe that our present facilities, augmented by planned capital expenditures, are sufficient to provide adequate capacity for our operations in 2004.2005.

Cash flow used inprovided by financing activities in 2003 was $39.0$322.4 million, after $43.6 million in 2002. We reducedas funds were obtained to finance our outstandingacquisitions.  The addition to long-term debt $27.1of $115 million represents the gross proceeds of the convertible senior subordinated debt offering we completed in 2003April 2004.  We repurchased $12.5 million of our common stock simultaneously with the closing of the debt offering. The aggregate financing fees of $5.9 million were associated with the debt offering and our amended and restated credit agreement on December 30, 2004.  The net borrowings of long-term debt of $236.8 million reflects using the $99.3 million net proceeds of the debt offering to $195.7repay loans under our credit facility, the borrowing of approximately $342 million at December 31, 2003 from $222.8under our credit facility to fund the cash portions of our two acquisitions and $5.9 million at year-end 2002.net repayments of long-term debt provided by our 2004 business operations.  We paid $12.0$11.9 million in dividends during 2003.2004.

Our primary financing source is our $275$475 million long-term unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) that expires on December 31, 2005, which we reduced $25May 5, 2009. The Facility was increased by $250 million in March 2003December 2004 from $300the previous $225 million. The Facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and to satisfy certain financial condition tests, with which wetests. We were in compliance with all of these ratios and tests as of December 31, 2003.2004. Those tests consist of a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.0, a maximum funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 4.00 to 1.0, a maximum senior funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.00 to 1, and a minimum net worth consisting of the sum of $435.0 million plus 50% of net income for each quarter ending after March 31, 2005 plus 75% of the net proceeds of all issuances of equity securities by the Company.    At year-end 2003,2004, we had $8.0$46.8 million of available borrowing capacity. Although the Facility provides up to $275 million of credit, availability under the Facility may be limited by the funded debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) ratio covenant, which was the case at December 31, 2003.  We believe we will satisfy the financial ratios and tests specified in the Facility for the foreseeable future. We also believe that the combination of our operating cash flow, which has averaged over $60$50 million per year over the last three years and we believe is indicative of what we might achieve in 2004,2005, and borrowing availability under the Facility will provide sufficient cash flow to finance our existing operations for the foreseeable future. (See also Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

As a result of our capital structure, we are exposed to interest rate risk.  VirtuallyExcept for the $115 million of convertible senior subordinated debt, virtually all our debt is under a credit facilitythe Facility with a variable interest rate based on a margin above LIBOR.  As a result, interest rate changes impact our future earnings and cash flows assuming other factors are constant.  A hypothetical 10% change in our weighted average borrowingthe LIBOR rate on ourthe Facility debt outstanding debt at December 31, 2003,2004 would result in aan annual after-tax change in after-tax annual earningsnet income of approximately $155,000.$645,000.  We had no material foreign currency rate risk or material derivative instruments at December 31, 2003.2004.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following is a summary of the Company’s contractual obligations and payments due by period as of December 31, 20032004 (in thousands):

Payments due by Period
Long-Term Debt
Operating Leases
Purchase Obligations
Total Contractual
Obligations

Less than 1 Year$       125 $  4,725 $39,782 $  44,632 
1 – 3 Years191,424 3,056 — 194,480 
3 – 5 Years731 2,388 — 3,119 
More than 5 Years3,522 6,604 — 10,126 
Total$195,802 $16,773 $39,782 $252,357 

13

Payments due by Period

 

Long-Term Debt
Including Estimated*
Interest Payments

 

Operating Leases

 

Purchase
Obligations

 

Total Contractual
Obligations**

 


 


 


 


 


 

Less than 1 Year

 

$

20,310

 

$

3,894

 

$

47,631

 

$

71,835

 

1 – 3 Years

 

 

41,174

 

 

6,280

 

 

—  

 

 

47,454

 

3 – 5 Years

 

 

458,543

 

 

2,367

 

 

—  

 

 

460,910

 

More than 5 Years

 

 

121,163

 

 

2,070

 

 

—  

 

 

123,233

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

641,190

 

$

14,611

 

$

47,631

 

$

703,432

 



*Variable rate debt based on December 31, 2004 rates.  **Excludes funding of pension or other retirement benefits.

We utilize blanket purchase orders (“blankets”) to communicate expected annual requirements to many of our suppliers. Requirements under blankets generally do not become “firm” until a varying number of weeks before our scheduled production. The purchase obligations shown in the above table represent the value we consider “firm”.

At December 31, 2003,2004, the Company had outstanding standby letters of credit totalling $7,005,000, alltotaling $5,066,000, $3,000,000 of which would expireexpires in 2004.2007, the balance expires in 2005. We had no other material commercial commitments.

17


The Company did not have any variable interest entities as of December 31, 2003.2004.  Other than disclosed in the table above and the previous paragraph, the Company had no other material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of our financial statements and the amounts of our revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe the following are our critical accounting policies which could have the most significant effect on our reported results and require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments.

Revenue Recognition

Sales and related cost
The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of sales are recognizedtitle, which generally occurs upon shipment of products as this is when title and risk of ownership transferthe product to the customer.  The pricing of our products sold is generally supported by customer purchase orders, and accounts receivable collection is reasonably assured at the time of shipment.  AnyEstimated discounts from our standard pricesand rebates are recognizedrecorded as a reduction of sales andin the related customer receivable at the time of sale.same period revenue is recognized. Product returns and credits are estimated and recorded at the time of shipment based upon historical experience.  Estimated customer rebates are accruedShipping and recognized as a reduction of sales in a systematic manner throughout the year.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record allowances for doubtful accounts after customer-specific analysis and general analysis of past due balances, economic conditions and historical experience. Allowance levels change as customer-specific circumstances and the general analysis areas above change.

Excess and Obsolete Inventory Reserves

Our systems track the frequency of usage of inventory by part number and reports are generated monthly. Based on these analyses of historical usage and management’s evaluation of estimated future demand, market conditions and alternative uses for possible excess or obsolete parts, reserveshandling costs are recorded as revenue when billed to the customers.

Goodwill and changed. ExcessOther Intangibles
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and obsolete inventoryOther Intangible Assets,” goodwill is periodically disposednot amortized; however it is tested for impairment at least annually and with any resulting adjustment charged to the results of through saleoperations.  Amortization continues to third parties, scrapping or other means, and the reserves appropriately reduced.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We review long-lived assets, which include property, plant and equipment, andbe recorded for other intangible assets with definitive lives such as patentsdefinite lives.  (See Note 3, “Goodwill and trademarks, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amountOther Intangibles” of an asset in our accounting records may not be fully recoverable. Additionally, we evaluate the recoverability of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives at least annually, independent of specific events. We assess these assets for impairment based on estimated future cash flows from these assets, which estimates require usNotes to make assumptions about future demand for the Company’s products and services, future market conditions, future growth rates and the discount rate, among others. Changes to these assumptions could result in an impairment charge in future periods.

Product Warranty ReservesConsolidated Financial Statements.)

We maintain reserves for product warranty to cover the stated warranty periods for our products. We establish or change such reserves based on our evaluation of historical warranty experience and specific significant warranty matters when they become known and can reasonably be estimated.

Retirement Plans


Approximately half of our employees are covered by defined benefit pension plans with the remaining employees covered by defined contribution plans.  Our obligations under the defined benefit plans are determined with the assistance of actuarial firms.  The actuaries make certain assumptions regarding such factors as withdrawal rates and mortality rates.  The actuaries also provide us with information and recommendations from which management makes further assumptions on such factors as the long-term expected rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate on benefit obligations and where applicable, the rate of annual compensation increases.  Based upon the assumptions

14


made, the investments made by the plans, overall conditions and movement in financial markets, particularly the stock market and how actual withdrawal rates, life-spans of benefit recipients and other factors differ from assumptions, annual expenses and recorded assets or liabilities of these defined benefit plans may change significantly from year to year.

The valuation date for our defined benefit plans was changed in 2003 to December 31 from September 30.  Based on our annual review of actuarial assumptions as well as historical rates of return on plan assets and existing long-term bond rates, we set the long-term rate of return on plan assets at 8.75% and the discount rate at 6.25%5.75% for our defined benefit plans. Primarilyplans as a result of the change in the discount rate, we expect pension expense to increase approximately $1.7 million in 2004 versus 2003.December 31, 2004.  (See also Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

Self-Insurance LiabilitiesStatements).

Our insurance programs include health care, workers’ compensationFurther discussion of the Company’s accounting policies is contained in Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the use of estimates and product liability. We self-insure fromassumptions that affect the first dollarreported amounts of loss upassets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to various specified retention levels per occurrence. Eligible losses in excessbe reasonable under the circumstances, the results of self-insurance retention levels and up to stated liability limits are covered by policies we purchase from insurance companies, as are eligible losses when and if we purchase aggregate stop-loss policies. We estimatewhich form the annual costsbasis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities of our self-insurance programs using our Company’s claims experience and risk exposure levels for the periods being valued. Differences in actual costs of claims from estimated costs will likely result in adjustments to expenses and liabilities.

Litigation and Claims

We record expenses and liabilities when we believe that an obligation of the Company on a specific matter is probable and we have a basis to reasonably estimate the value of the obligation. This methodology is used for environmental matters and legal claims that are filed against the Companynot readily apparent from time to time. The uncertainty that is associated with such matters frequently requires adjustments to the liabilities previously recorded.other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

New Accounting Pronouncements


In May 2003,December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 150,123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards.  This Statement is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (SFAS 150)Stock-Based Compensation”.  This Statement prescribes how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments.supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”.  SFAS 150 wasNo. 123R(R) is effective forbeginning the Company on July 1, 2003. There was noCompany’s third quarter of 2005.  Management is currently assessing the impact to the Company fromof adopting SFAS 150.No. 123(R). 

In November 2002,2004, the FASB issued InterpretationSFAS No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting151, “Inventory Costs,” an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.  The amendments made by SFAS No. 151 clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guaranteeswasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges and require the allocation of Indebtedness of Others. Adoption of this interpretation on January 1, 2003 did not have a material impactfixed production overheads to inventory based on the consolidated financial statements.

Innormal capacity of the production facilities. The  pronouncement is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 2002, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 146 (SFAS 146), Accounting15, 2005.  Earlier application is permitted for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after November 23, 2004.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

18


MANAGEMENT’S ANNUAL REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

          The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

          Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

          The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  As permitted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board auditing standards, the acquisitions of the two General Electric businesses acquired by the Company in 2004 (which represented 21% of total assets at December 31, 2004 and 7% of 2004 revenues) were excluded from the scope of management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004.  Based on this assessment, the Company’s management believes that, as of December 31, 2004, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

          The Company’s auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, have issued an attestation report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  That attestation report follows.

19


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION:

We have audited management’s assessment, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, that REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the “Company”) maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  As described in Management’s Annual Report Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from their assessment the internal control over financial reporting at the CAC and HVAC businesses which were acquired on August 30, 2004 and December 31, 2004, respectively, and whose financial statements reflect total assets and revenues constituting 21% and 7%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement on January 1, 2003amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004.  Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at the CAC or HVAC businesses.  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on management’s assessment and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material impacteffect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected in a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control as of December 31, 2004, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004 of the Company and our report dated March 8, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

March 8, 2005

20


ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information required by Item 305 of Regulation S-K is contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on page 1317 of this report.

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
1st Qtr.
2nd Qtr.
3rd Qtr.
4th Qtr.
2003
2002
2003
2002
2003
2002
2003
2002
Net Sales$153,324 $150,380 $154,645 $154,907 $159,031 $153,997 $152,098 $146,008 
Gross Profit36,233 36,326 37,384 37,984 36,432 36,577 36,706 32,256 
Income from Operations11,505 12,639 12,342 13,323 11,996 12,663 11,383 8,602 
Net Income6,068 5,788 6,483 7,037 6,510 7,111 6,145 4,582 
Earnings Per Share.24 .27 .26 .28 .26 .28 .25 .18 
Earnings Per Share – Assuming Dilution.24 .27 .26 .28 .26 .28 .24 .18 
Average Number of Shares Outstanding25,025 21,663 25,031 25,009 25,032 25,013 25,032 25,016 
Average Number of Shares – Assuming Dilution25,204 21,759 25,227 25,245 25,285 25,121 25,268 25,116 

15


 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 


 

 

 

1st Qtr.

 

2nd Qtr.

 

3rd Qtr.

 

4th Qtr.

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Sales

 

$

163,084

 

$

153,324

 

$

177,652

 

$

154,645

 

$

193,888

 

$

159,031

 

$

221,933

 

$

152,098

 

Gross Profit

 

 

38,187

 

 

36,233

 

 

40,841

 

 

37,384

 

 

42,944

 

 

36,432

 

 

45,088

 

 

36,706

 

Income from Operations

 

 

12,444

 

 

11,505

 

 

14,174

 

 

12,342

 

 

15,591

 

 

11,996

 

 

12,953

 

 

11,383

 

Net Income

 

 

6,860

 

 

6,068

 

 

7,629

 

 

6,483

 

 

8,927

 

 

6,510

 

 

7,019

 

 

6,145

 

Earnings Per Share

 

 

.27

 

 

.24

 

 

.31

 

 

.26

 

 

.37

 

 

.26

 

 

.29

 

 

.25

 

Earnings Per Share – Assuming Dilution

 

 

.27

 

 

.24

 

 

.31

 

 

.26

 

 

.36

 

 

.26

 

 

.28

 

 

.24

 

Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

 

25,042

 

 

25,025

 

 

24,450

 

 

25,031

 

 

24,456

 

 

25,032

 

 

24,463

 

 

25,032

 

Average Number of Shares – Assuming Dilution

 

 

25,278

 

 

25,204

 

 

24,677

 

 

25,227

 

 

24,725

 

 

25,285

 

 

24,937

 

 

25,268

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORTREGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheetsheets of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20032004 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ investment and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2001 and for the year then ended were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations. Those auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements in their report dated January 28, 2002.

     We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     In our opinion, such 2003, and 2002 consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

     As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, as of January 1, 2002 the Company changed its method of accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets to conform to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles” (Statement No. 142).

     As discussed above, the financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 2001 and for the year then ended were audited by other auditors who have ceased operations. As described in Note 3, these financial statements have been revised to include the transition disclosures required by Statement No. 142. Our audit procedures with respect to the disclosures in Note 3 for 2001 included (i) agreeing previously reported net income to previously issued financial statements; (ii) agreeing the adjustment to reported net income to the Company’s underlying records obtained from management; and (iii) testing the mathematical accuracy of the information included in Note 3. In our opinion, the disclosures for 2001 in Note 3 are appropriate and have been properly applied. However, we were not engaged to audit, review, or apply any procedures to the 2001 financial statements of the Company other than with respect to such disclosures and, accordingly, we do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on the 2001 financial statements taken as a whole.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 25, 2004

16


The following report is a copy of a report previously issued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001. This opinion has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with this Form 10-K.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To the Shareholders of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION (a Wisconsin Corporation), and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders’ investment and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001.2004.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditingthe standards generally accepted inof the United States.Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, thesuch consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and subsidiaries as of December 31, 20012004 and 2000,2003, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2001,2004 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 8, 2005 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 28, 2002


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

March 8, 2005

21


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

REGAL-BELOIT

In Thousands of Dollars, Except Share Information

REGAL-BELOIT

Assets

December 31
2003
2002
Current Assets:       
      Cash and cash equivalents  $9,100 $5,591 
      Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,432 in 2003 and $1,465 in 2002   85,468  79,099 
      Income tax receivable   223  184 
      Future income tax benefits   5,104  6,208 
      Inventories   131,121  134,037 
      Prepaid expenses   6,411  4,413 
 
 
 
            Total Current Assets   237,427  229,532 
Property, Plant and Equipment:  
      Land and improvements   12,290  12,214 
      Buildings and improvements   88,812  85,901 
      Machinery and equipment   260,634  248,678 
 
 
 
            Property, Plant and Equipment, at cost   361,736  346,793 
      Less: Accumulated depreciation   (192,638) (173,053)
 
 
 
            Net Property, Plant and Equipment   169,098  173,740 
Goodwill   311,216  313,265 
Other Noncurrent Assets   16,704  17,451 
 
 
 
Total Assets  $734,445 $733,988 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment  
Current Liabilities:  
      Accounts payable  $36,179 $32,038 
      Dividends payable   3,004  3,002 
      Accrued compensation and employee benefits   18,151  18,004 
      Other accrued expenses   12,321  17,604 
      Federal and state income taxes   7,546  1,324 
      Current maturities of long-term debt   125  155 
 
 
 
          Total Current Liabilities   77,326  72,127 

Long-term Debt
   195,677  222,812 
Deferred Income Taxes   46,186  44,913 
Other Noncurrent Liabilities   11,658  10,661 

Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
   4,894  2,052 

Shareholders’ Investment:
  
    Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 25,031,756 issued and outstanding in 2003 and
    25,020,070 issued and outstanding in 2002
   250  250 
    Additional paid-in capital   132,313  132,167 
    Less: Treasury Stock, at cost, 159,900 shares in 2003 and 2002   (2,727) (2,727)
    Retained earnings   270,760  257,570 
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,892) (5,837)
 
 
 
          Total Shareholders’ Investment   398,704  381,423 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment  $734,445 $733,988 
 
 
 

 

 

December 31

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

$

31,275

 

$

9,100

 

Receivables, Less Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of $2,376 in 2004 and $1,432 in 2003

 

 

176,941

 

 

85,468

 

Income Tax Receivable

 

 

242

 

 

223

 

Future Income Tax Benefits

 

 

6,493

 

 

5,104

 

Inventories

 

 

246,816

 

 

131,121

 

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

 

13,152

 

 

6,411

 

 

 



 



 

Total Current Assets

 

 

474,919

 

 

237,427

 

Property, Plant and Equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land and Improvements

 

 

19,026

 

 

12,290

 

Buildings and Improvements

 

 

104,460

 

 

88,812

 

Machinery and Equipment

 

 

335,307

 

 

260,634

 

 

 



 



 

Property, Plant and Equipment, at Cost

 

 

458,793

 

 

361,736

 

Less: Accumulated Depreciation

 

 

(205,120

)

 

(192,638

)

 

 



 



 

Net Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

253,673

 

 

169,098

 

Goodwill

 

 

544,440

 

 

311,216

 

Purchased Intangible Assets, net of Amortization

 

 

52,058

 

 

—  

 

Other Noncurrent Assets

 

 

26,962

 

 

16,704

 

 

 



 



 

Total Assets

 

$

1,352,052

 

$

734,445

 

 

 



 



 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts Payable

 

$

106,374

 

$

36,179

 

Dividends Payable

 

 

3,483

 

 

3,004

 

Accrued Compensation and Employee Benefits

 

 

30,256

 

 

18,151

 

Other Accrued Expenses

 

 

44,094

 

 

12,321

 

Income Taxes Payable

 

 

10,731

 

 

9,543

 

Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt

 

 

271

 

 

125

 

 

 



 



 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

195,209

 

 

79,323

 

Long-Term Debt

 

 

547,350

 

 

195,677

 

Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

48,663

 

 

46,186

 

Other Noncurrent Liabilities

 

 

17,359

 

 

11,658

 

Minority Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries

 

 

5,292

 

 

2,897

 

Shareholders’ Investment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value, 50,000,000 Shares Authorized, 29,798,188 Issued in 2004 and 25,191,656 Issued in 2003

 

 

298

 

 

250

 

Additional Paid-in Capital

 

 

263,790

 

 

132,313

 

Less: Treasury Stock, at Cost, 774,100 Shares in 2004 and 159,900 Shares in 2003

 

 

(15,228

)

 

(2,727

)

Retained Earnings

 

 

288,837

 

 

270,760

 

Unearned Compensation

 

 

(224

)

 

—  

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

 

706

 

 

(1,892

)

 

 



 



 

Total Shareholders’ Investment

 

 

538,179

 

 

398,704

 

 

 



 



 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Investment

 

$

1,352,052

 

$

734,445

 

 

 



 



 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

22


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

REGAL-BELOIT

In Thousands of Dollars, Except Shares Outstanding and Per Share Data

REGAL-BELOIT

For the Year Ended December 31,
2003
2002
2001
Net Sales  $619,098 $605,292 $663,571 
Cost of Sales   472,343  462,149  497,694 



      Gross Profit   146,755  143,143  165,877 
Operating Expenses   99,529  95,916  109,817 



      Income from Operations   47,226  47,227  56,060 
Interest Expense   6,462  9,399  22,239 
Interest Income   79  149  221 



      Income before Income Taxes and Minority Interest   40,843  37,977  34,042 
Provision for Income Taxes   14,792  13,182  14,452 



      Income before Minority Interest   26,051  24,795  19,590 
Minority Interest in Income, Net of Tax   845  277   



      Net Income  $25,206 $24,518 $19,590 



Earnings Per Share  $1.01 $1.01 $.94 



Earnings Per Share - Assuming Dilution  $1.00 $1.01 $.93 



Average Number of Shares Outstanding   25,029,942  24,186,839  20,868,896 



Average Number of Shares - Assuming Dilution   25,246,088  24,310,165  21,124,204 



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data
REGAL-BELOIT
Compre-
hensive
Income
Common
Stock $.01
Par Value
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total







Balance, December 31, 2000     $210 $41,779  (1,685)$234,992 $(1,407)$273,889 
   Net Income  $19,590       $19,590   $19,590 
   Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)            (10,018)   (10,018)
   Translation Adjustments   (928)         (928) (928)
   Additional Pension Liability   (1,529)         (1,529) (1,529)
 
 
   Comprehensive Income  $17,133 
 
 
   Common Stock Repurchased          (1,042)     (1,042)
   Stock Options Exercised        188        188 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2001      210  41,967  (2,727) 244,564  (3,864) 280,150 
   Net Income  $24,518        24,518    24,518 
   Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)            (11,512)   (11,512)
   Translation Adjustments   1,607          1,607  1,607 
   Additional Pension Liability, Net of Tax   (3,580)         (3,580) (3,580)
 
 
   Comprehensive Income  $22,545 
 
 
   Stock Options Exercised        278        278 
   Stock Offering      40  89,922        89,962 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2002      250  132,167  (2,727) 257,570  (5,837) 381,423 
   Net Income  $25,206        25,206    25,206 
   Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)            (12,016)   (12,016)
   Translation Adjustments   4,111          4,111  4,111 
   Hedging Activities, Net of Tax   160          160  160 
   Additional Pension Liability, Net of Tax   (326)         (326) (326)
 
 
   Comprehensive Income  $29,151 
 
 
   Stock Options Exercised        146        146 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2003     $250 $132,313 $(2,727)$270,760 $(1,892)$398,704 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
In Thousands of Dollars
REGAL-BELOIT
For the Year Ended December 31,
2003
2002
2001
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:          
   Net income  $25,206 $24,518 $19,590 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:  
        Depreciation   21,014  22,134  22,294 
        Amortization   1,058  1,040  9,504 
        Provision for deferred income taxes   2,377  4,103  3,014 
        Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:  
           Receivables   (4,582) 1,289  16,673 
           Inventories   6,483  (311) 17,014 
           Income tax receivable   (38) (3) 3,887 
           Current liabilities and other   7,447  1,639  (10,207)



   Net cash provided from operating activities   58,965  54,409  81,769 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
  
   Additions to property, plant and equipment   (17,965) (10,754) (15,426)
   Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (717) (1,939) (3,629)
   Sale of property, plant and equipment   259  205  650 
   Other   1,833  539  159 



   Net cash used in investing activities   (16,590) (11,949) (18,246)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
  
   Proceeds from stock offering     89,962   
   Additions to long-term debt     1,290  2,000 
   Repayment of long-term debt   (27,165) (124,110) (50,598)
   Repurchase of common stock       (1,042)
   Stock issued under option plans   146  278  188 
   Dividends paid to shareholders   (12,014) (11,015) (10,022)



   Net cash used in financing activities   (39,033) (43,595) (59,474)

Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash:
   167  97  (32)



   Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   3,509  (1,038) 4,017 
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   5,591  6,629  2,612 



   Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $9,100 $5,591 $6,629 



Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:  
   Cash paid during the year for:  
       Interest  $6,355 $9,656 $22,607 
       Income Taxes  $3,585 $7,075 $7,265 

 

 

For the Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 

Net Sales

 

$

756,557

 

$

619,098

 

$

605,292

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

589,497

 

 

472,343

 

 

462,149

 

 

 



 



 



 

Gross Profit

 

 

167,060

 

 

146,755

 

 

143,143

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

111,898

 

 

99,529

 

 

95,916

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income from Operations

 

 

55,162

 

 

47,226

 

 

47,227

 

Interest Expense

 

 

6,787

 

 

6,462

 

 

9,399

 

Interest Income

 

 

183

 

 

79

 

 

149

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income before Income Taxes and Minority Interest

 

 

48,558

 

 

40,843

 

 

37,977

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

15,728

 

 

14,792

 

 

13,182

 

 

 



 



 



 

Income before Minority Interest

 

 

32,830

 

 

26,051

 

 

24,795

 

Minority Interest in Income, Net of Tax

 

 

2,395

 

 

845

 

 

277

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net Income

 

$

30,435

 

$

25,206

 

$

24,518

 

 

 



 



 



 

Earnings Per Share

 

$

1.24

 

$

1.01

 

$

1.01

 

Earnings Per Share - Assuming Dilution

 

$

1.22

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.01

 

Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

 

24,602,868

 

 

25,029,942

 

 

24,186,839

 

Average Number of Shares - Assuming Dilution

 

 

24,904,287

 

 

25,246,088

 

 

24,310,165

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2123



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT

REGAL-BELOIT

In Thousands of Dollars, Except Per Share Data


 

 

Compre-
hensive
Income

 

Common
Stock $.01
Par Value

 

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

 

Treasury
Stock

 

Unearned
Compensation

 

Retained
Earnings

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

 

Total

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2001

 

 

 

 

$

210

 

$

41,967

 

$

(2,727

)

$

—  

 

$

244,564

 

$

(3,864

)

$

280,150

 

Net Income

 

$

24,518

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

24,518

 

 

—  

 

 

24,518

 

Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

 

 

 

(11,512

)

 

—  

 

 

(11,512

)

Translation Adjustments

 

 

1,607

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

1,607

 

 

1,607

 

Additional Pension Liability, Net of Tax

 

 

(3,580

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(3,580

)

 

(3,580

)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

$

22,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

278

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

278

 

Stock Offering

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

 

89,922

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

89,962

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, December 31, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

250

 

 

132,167

 

 

(2,727

)

 

—  

 

 

257,570

 

 

(5,837

)

 

381,423

 

Net Income

 

$

25,206

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

25,206

 

 

—  

 

 

25,206

 

Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(12,016

)

 

—  

 

 

(12,016

)

Translation Adjustments

 

 

4,111

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

4,111

 

 

4,111

 

Change in Fair Value of Hedging Activities, Net of Tax

 

 

160

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

160

 

 

160

 

Hedging Activities Reclassified into Earnings from Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Additional Pension Liability, Net of Tax

 

 

(326

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(326

)

 

(326

)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

$

29,151

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock Options Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

146

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

146

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, December 31, 2003

 

 

 

 

 

250

 

 

132,313

 

 

(2,727

)

 

—  

 

 

270,760

 

 

(1,892

)

 

398,704

 

Net Income

 

$

30,435

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

30,435

 

 

—  

 

 

30,435

 

Dividends Declared ($.48 per share)

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(12,358

)

 

—  

 

 

(12,358

)

Translation Adjustments

 

 

2,903

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

2,903

 

 

2,903

 

Change in Fair Value of Hedging Activities, Net of Tax

 

 

864

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

864

 

 

864

 

Hedging Activities Reclassified into Earnings from Other Comprehensive Income

 

 

(511

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(511

)

 

(511

)

Additional Pension Liability, Net of Tax

 

 

(658

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(658

)

 

(658

)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

 

$

33,033

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unearned Compensation, Net of Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

288

 

 

—  

 

 

(224

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

64

 

Stock Issued for Acquisition

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

130,343

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

130,389

 

Common Stock Repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(12,501

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

(12,501

)

Stock Options Exercised

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

846

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

848

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

 

 

 

$

298

 

$

263,790

 

$

(15,228

)

$

(224

)

$

288,837

 

$

706

 

$

538,179

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 



 



 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

24


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

REGAL-BELOIT

In Thousands of Dollars


 

 

For the Year Ended December 31

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

30,435

 

$

25,206

 

$

24,518

 

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provided from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

21,061

 

 

21,014

 

 

22,134

 

Amortization

 

 

552

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Provision for Deferred Income Taxes

 

 

1,089

 

 

2,377

 

 

4,103

 

Minority Interest in Earnings of Subsidiaries

 

 

2,395

 

 

845

 

 

277

 

Gain on Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment

 

 

(2,380

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Change in Assets and Liabilities, Net of Acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

 

(28,813

)

 

(4,582

)

 

1,289

 

Inventories

 

 

(16,481

)

 

6,483

 

 

(311

)

Accounts Payable

 

 

14,483

 

 

2,915

 

 

3,334

 

Current Liabilities and Other

 

 

15,823

 

 

4,707

 

 

(935

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net Cash Provided from Operating Activities

 

 

38,164

 

 

58,965

 

 

54,409

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

(16,281

)

 

(17,965

)

 

(10,754

)

Business Acquisitions, Net of Cash Acquired

 

 

(327,851

)

 

(717

)

 

(1,939

)

Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment

 

 

5,929

 

 

259

 

 

205

 

Other

 

 

(306

)

 

1,833

 

 

539

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

 

 

(338,509

)

 

(16,590

)

 

(11,949

)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from Stock Offering

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

89,962

 

Additions to Long-Term Debt

 

 

115,000

 

 

—  

 

 

1,290

 

Net Borrowings (Repayments)  Under Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

236,819

 

 

(27,165

)

 

(124,110

)

Repurchase of Common Stock

 

 

(12,501

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Stock Issued Under Option Plans

 

 

848

 

 

146

 

 

278

 

Financing Fees Paid

 

 

(5,851

)

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Dividends Paid to Shareholders

 

 

(11,879

)

 

(12,014

)

 

(11,015

)

 

 



 



 



 

Net Cash Provided from (Used in) Financing Activities

 

 

322,436

 

 

(39,033

)

 

(43,595

)

Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash:

 

 

84

 

 

167

 

 

97

 

 

 



 



 



 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

22,175

 

 

3,509

 

 

(1,038

)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

 

 

9,100

 

 

5,591

 

 

6,629

 

 

 



 



 



 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

 

$

31,275

 

$

9,100

 

$

5,591

 

 

 



 



 



 

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Paid During the Year for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

5,981

 

$

6,355

 

$

9,656

 

Income Taxes

 

$

8,847

 

$

3,585

 

$

7,075

 

Non-Cash Investing: Issuance of Common Stock in Connection with Acquisition

 

$

130,389

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

25


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For The Three Years Ended December 31, 20032004

(1)  Nature of Operations

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION (the Company) is a United States-based multinational corporation. The Company is organized intoreports in two operating groups,segments, the Mechanical Group,segment, with its principal line of business in mechanical products which control motion and torque, and the Electrical Group,segment, with its principal line of business in electric motors and power generation products. The principal markets for the Company’s products and technologies are within the United States.

(2)  Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries where the Company owns at least 50% of the subsidiary’s equity.  Those subsidiaries include: Shanghai Marathon GeXin Electric Co. Ltd. of 55%, Shanghai Regal-Beloit & Jinling Co. Ltd of 50% and GE Holmes Industries Far East Ltd. of 50%. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The minority interest

Use of Estimates
Management’s best estimates of certain amounts are required in preparation of the income of majority-owned consolidated subsidiaries was not materialfinancial statements in 2001.accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

     Sales and related cost
The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of sales are recognizedtitle, which generally occurs upon shipment of products as this is when title and risk of ownership transferthe product to the customer.  The pricing of products sold is generally supported by customer purchase orders, and accounts receivable collection is reasonably assured at the time of shipment.  AnyEstimated discounts from the Company’s standard pricesand rebates are recognizedrecorded as a reduction of sales andin the related customer receivable at the time of sale.same period revenue is recognized. Product returns and credits are estimated and recorded at the time of shipment based upon historical experience.  EstimatedShipping and handling costs are recorded as revenue when billed to the customers.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments which are readily convertible to cash, present insignificant risk of changes in value due to interest rate fluctuations and have original or purchased maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable are stated at estimated net realizable value.  Accounts receivable comprise balances due from customers net of estimated allowances for uncollectible accounts.  In determining collectibility, historical trends are evaluated and specific customer rebatesissues are accruedreviewed to arrive at appropriate allowances.

Inventories
The approximate percentage distribution between major classes of inventory is as follows:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 

Raw Material

 

 

13

%

 

11

%

Work In Process

 

 

25

%

 

20

%

Finished Goods and Purchased Parts

 

 

62

%

 

69

%

Inventories are stated at cost, which is not in excess of market. Cost for approximately 87% of the Company’s inventory at December 31, 2004 and recognized82% in 2003, was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If all inventories were valued on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, they would have increased by $13,922,000 and $3,555,000 as a reduction of sales in a systematic manner throughout the year.

Use of Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally acceptedDecember 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Material, labor and factory overhead costs are included in the U.S.inventories.

26


The Company reviews it inventories for excess and obsolete products or components.  Based on an analysis of historical usage and management’s evaluation of estimated future demand, market conditions and alternative uses for possible excess or obsolete parts, reserves are recorded or changed.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation of plant and equipment is provided principally on a straight line basis over the estimated useful lives of 10 to 45 years for buildings and improvements, 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment.  Accelerated methods are used for income tax purposes.  The Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles
In accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” goodwill is not amortized; however it is tested for impairment at least annually with any resulting adjustment charged to the results of operations.  Amortization continues to be recorded for other intangible assets with definite lives. 

Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation plans under the intrinsic value method in accordance with the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and related Interpretations. No stock-based compensation cost is reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying stock.  Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with FASB Statement No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, the Company’s net income and earnings per share (“GAAP”EPS”) requires managementwould have been reduced to make estimates and assumptions, in certain circumstances, that affect the reported amountsfollowing pro-forma amounts:

 

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 

Net Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Reported

 

$

30,435

 

$

25,206

 

$

24,518

 

 

Add: Total stock-based employee compensation expense included in net income, net of related tax effects

 

 

117

 

 

69

 

 

52

 

 

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense, net of related tax effects

 

 

(839

)

 

(497

)

 

(578

)

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

Pro Forma

 

$

29,713

 

$

24,778

 

$

23,992

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

Earnings Per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Reported

 

$

1.24

 

$

1.01

 

$

1.01

 

 

Pro Forma

 

$

1.21

 

$

.99

 

$

.99

 

Earnings Per Share - Assuming Dilution:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As Reported

 

$

1.22

 

$

1.00

 

$

1.01

 

 

Pro Forma

 

$

1.19

 

$

.98

 

$

.99

 

The fair value of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities ateach option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the financial statementsBlack-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 4.0%, 3.5% and 4.5%; expected dividend yield of 2.25%, 2.5% and 2.5%; expected option lives of 7.0 for all years; expected volatility of 35%, 37% and 32%.

Under the reported amounts2003 Equity Incentive Plan, the Company may issue grants of revenuerestricted stock.  The value of the grant is amortized as compensation expense over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.  The unamortized balance is reflected as a component of shareholders’ investment. 

Earnings per Share (EPS)
Basic and expensediluted earnings per share are computed and disclosed under SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”.  Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon earnings applicable to common shares divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Actual results could differperiod adjusted for the effect of other dilutive securities.

27


Options for common shares where the exercise price was above the market price at December 31 have been excluded from those estimates.the calculation of effect of dilutive securities shown below.  The amount of these shares was 62,850, 714,650 and 749,650 for 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively.  The following table reconciles the basic and diluted shares used in the per share calculations:

 

 

December 31

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 


 


 


 

Denominator for basic EPS

 

 

24,602,868

 

 

25,029,942

 

 

24,186,839

 

Effect of dilutive securities

 

 

301,419

 

 

216,146

 

 

123,326

 

 

 



 



 



 

Denominator for diluted EPS

 

 

24,904,287

 

 

25,246,088

 

 

24,310,165

 

 

 



 



 



 

Foreign Currency Translation

     Net assets of non-U.S. subsidiaries, whose
For those operations using a functional currencies arecurrency other than the U.S. dollar, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at the rates ofweighted-average exchange in effect as of year-end. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the year.rates.  The resulting translation adjustments relating to net assets are recorded directly intoas a separate component of shareholders’ investment.  TransactionGains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in net earnings, which were immaterial in all years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Amortizable Intangible Assets
Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  The Company assesses these assets for impairment based on estimated future cash flows from these assets.  Such analyses necessarily involve significant judgment.

Product Warranty Reserves
The Company maintains reserves for product warranty to cover the stated warranty periods for its products. Such reserves are established based on an evaluation of historical warranty experience and specific significant warranty matters when they become known and can reasonably be estimated.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments and minimum pension liability adjustments are reportedincluded in shareholder’s investment under accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The components of the ending balances of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 


 

Additional pension liability, net of tax

 

$

(6,093

)

$

(5,435

)

Translation adjustments

 

 

6,286

 

 

3,383

 

Hedging activities, net of tax

 

 

513

 

 

160

 

 

 



 



 

Total

 

$

706

 

$

(1,892

)

 

 



 



 

Derivative Instruments
SFAS No. 133, as amended, requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of the hedging relationships.  Any fair value changes are recorded in net income.

Cash and Cash Equivalentsearnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). 

     Cash andThe Company has entered into certain commodity forward contracts in connection with the management of its exposure to fluctuations in certain raw material commodity pricing.  These derivative instruments have been designated as cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at date of acquisition.flow hedges.  The carryingentire value of cash equivalents closely approximates their fair market value.theses hedges at December 31, 2004, which are shown above  in “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss),” is expected to be realized in 2005.

Legal and Environmental Claims
The Company records expenses and liabilities when the Company believes that an obligation of the Company on a specific matter is probable and there is a basis to reasonably estimate the value of the obligation. This methodology is used for environmental matters and legal claims that are filed against the Company from time to time. The uncertainty that is associated with such matters frequently requires adjustments to the liabilities previously recorded.

Life Insurance Policies


The Company maintains life insurance policies on certain officers and management which name the Company as beneficiary. The total face value of these policies was $11,008,000 at December 31, 2004 and $11,756,000 at December 31, 2003 and $11,577,000 at December 31, 2002.2003. The cash surrender value, net of policy loans, is $806,000$3,315,000 and $2,284,000$806,000 at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively, and is included as a component of Other Noncurrent Assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

     Prior to January 1, 2002, the cost of goodwill and other intangibles was amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated periods benefited ranging from 5 to 40 years.28

Effective January 1, 2002, upon the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles (SFAS 142), goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite useful lives are no longer amortized but instead are reviewed annually for impairment and any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged to the results of operations. Identifiable intangibles with a finite useful life are amortized over their useful lives. (See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

22



Impairment of Long-Lived AssetsReclassifications

     The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. The Company assesses these assets for impairment based on estimated future cash flows from these assets.

Inventories

     The approximate percentage distribution between major classes of inventory is as follows:

December 31,
       2003
2002
Raw Material   11% 11%
Work In Process   20% 19%
Finished Goods and Purchased Parts   69% 70%

Inventories are stated at cost, which is not in excess of market. Cost for approximately 82% of the Company’s inventory at December 31, 2003 and 86% in 2002, was determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. If all inventories were valued on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, they would have increased by $3,555,000 and $3,818,000 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Material, labor and factory overhead costs are included in the inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment

     Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred and major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

     The cost of property, plant and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of is removed from the accounts, the accumulated depreciation is removed from related reserves, and the net gain or loss is reflected in income.

     The provisions for depreciation are based on the estimated useful lives of plant and equipment from the dates of acquisition and are calculated primarily using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The estimated useful lives are:

Description
Life
Buildings and Improvements     10 to 45 years
Machinery and Equipment       3 to 15 years

Shipping and Handling Revenues and Costs

     Shipping and handling costs are recorded as costs of sales and the related billings are recorded as sales.

Stock-Based Compensation

     The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. Stock options are granted at prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant dates; therefore, no compensation expense is recognized in connection with stock options granted to employees.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that are not included in net income but rather are recorded directly into shareholders’ investment. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows at December 31:

2003
2002
Additional pension liability, net of tax  $(5,435)$(5,109)
Translation adjustments   3,383  (728)
Hedging activities, net of tax   160   


Total  $(1,892)$(5,837)

23


Earnings per Share (EPS)

     The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable solely to the incremental shares to be issued under the Company’s stock option plans. The following table reconciles the basic and diluted shares used in the per share calculations:

December 31
2003
2002
2001
Denominator for basic EPS   25,029,942  24,186,839  20,868,896 
Effect of dilutive stock options   216,146  123,326  255,308 



Denominator for diluted EPS   25,246,088  24,310,165  21,124,204 



Derivative Instruments

     The Company entered into certain commodity forward contracts in 2003 in connection with the management of its exposure to fluctuations in certain raw material commodity pricing. These financial exposures are managed in accordance with corporate policies and procedures. These derivative instruments have been designated as cash flow hedges. Thus, as changes in the fair value of the derivatives occur, they are recorded as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheet and in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI). Such amounts are reclassified out of AOCI when the underlying hedged item impacts earnings. As of December 31, 2003, the Company had recorded $160,000, net of tax, in AOCI related to these commodity forward contracts.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to the 2003 and 2002 financial statements to conform to the 20032004 presentation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment”, which requires companies to expense the value of employee stock options and similar awards.  This Statement is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”.  This Statement supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”.  SFAS No. 123R(R) is effective beginning the Company’s third quarter of 2005.  Management is currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No. 123(R). 

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs,” an amendment of ARB No. 43.  The amendments made by SFAS No. 151 clarify that abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted materials (spoilage) should be recognized as current-period charges and require the allocation of fixed production overheads to inventory based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The  pronouncement is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.  Earlier application is permitted for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after November 23, 2004.  The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 

(3)  Goodwill and Other Intangibles

     On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.Assets,This statement addressesestablishes financial accounting and reporting for acquired goodwill and other intangible assets.  The following table reconciles the reported net income and earnings per share to that which would have resulted for 2001 if SFAS 142 had been adopted effective January 1, 2001 (in thousands of dollars, except per share data):

Year Ended December 31,
2003
2002
2001
Net Income (as reported)  $25,206 $24,518 $19,590 
Adjustments:  
  Goodwill amortization, net of taxes       6,700 



Pro-forma Net Income  $25,206 $24,518 $26,290 
Pro-forma earnings per share:  
  Basic  $1.01 $1.01 $1.26 
  Diluted  $1.00 $1.01 $1.25 

     During the first quarter of 2002, the Company completed the first step of the transitional goodwill impairment test based on amounts as of January 1, 2002. Based on this review, the Company concluded that there were no impairment losses for goodwill due to the initial application of SFAS 142. The Company hasreports in two reporting units which are the same as its reportable segments, the Electrical Groupsegment and the Mechanical Group. As permitted by SFAS 142, thesegment. The Company has elected to perform its annual test for impairment during the fourth quarter. The Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. The Company performed its most recent analysis as of November 30, 2003,2004, and based upon reasonable assumptions of cash flows and cost of capital, concluded that there continues to be no impairment of goodwill. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, none of the Company’s other intangible assets were determined to have indefinite lives and acquired intangibles with definite lives were not material.

The following information presents changes to goodwill during the periods indicated:

Electrical
Group

Mechanical
Group

Total
Company

 

Electrical
Segment

 

Mechanical
Segment

 

Total
Company

 

Balance, December 31, 2001  $312,735 $ $312,735 
Powertrax® Acquisition    530  530 



 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2002  312,735  530  313,265 

 

$

312,735

 

$

530

 

 

313,265

 

Adjustments  (2,049)   (2,049)

 

 

(2,049

)

 

—  

 

(2,049

)




 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2003 $310,686 $530 $311,216 

 

 

310,686

 

530

 

311,216

 

Acquisitions

 

 

233,224

 

—  

 

233,224

 




 


 


 


 

Balance, December 31, 2004

 

$

543,910

 

$

530

 

$

544,440

 

 


 


 


 

24Preliminary appraisals have been made of the tangible and intangible assets purchased with the GE HVAC motors and capacitors businesses and the GE Commercial AC motor business in 2004. (See Note 10, “Acquisitions” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)  These preliminary appraisals are reflected in the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2004.  These appraisals may be updated when finalized.  A preliminary total of $52.6 million of intangible assets with finite lives has been determined, as of the dates of the acquisitions.  At December 31, 2004, the value of such intangible assets was $52.0 million, net of the $552,000 amortization recorded in 2004.  There were no such assets at December 31, 2003. There are no intangible assets with indefinite lives.


Summary of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Asset Description

 

Gross
Value
($ thousands)

 

Accumulated
Amortization
($ thousands)

 

Useful Life

 


 


 


 


 

Non-Compete Agreements

 

$

2,500

 

$

33

 

 

5 Years

 

Trademarks

 

 

4,900

 

 

386

 

 

3-5 Years

 

Patents

 

 

15,400

 

 

23

 

 

10 Years

 

Engineering Drawings

 

 

1,200

 

 

7

 

 

10 Years

 

Customer Relationships

 

 

28,600

 

 

103

 

 

10 Years

 

Estimated future amortization

2005

 

2006

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

Thereafter

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

$

6,384,000

 

$

6,384,000

 

$

6,380,000

 

$

5,238,000

 

$

5,205,000

 

$

22,467,000

 

29


(4)  Leases and Rental Commitments

Rental expenses charged to operations amounted to $6,568,000 in 2004, $7,097,000 in 2003, and $6,928,000 in 2002, and $7,314,000 in 2001.2002. The Company has future minimum rental commitments under operating leases as shown in the following table:

Year
 (In Thousands of Dollars)
2004   $4,725 
2005   $3,056 
2006   $2,388 
2007   $2,212 
2008   $1,396 
Thereafter   $2,996 

Year

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 


 


 

2005

 

$

3,894

 

2006

 

$

3,350

 

2007

 

$

2,930

 

2008

 

$

1,439

 

2009

 

$

928

 

Thereafter

 

$

2,070

 

(5)   Long-Term Debt and Bank Credit Facilities

Long-term debt consists of the following:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)
December 31,

 

 


 

(In Thousands of Dollars)
December 31,

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003
2002

 



 



 

Revolving Credit Facility  $191,000 $218,000 

 

$

426,500

 

$

191,000

 

Convertible Senior Subordinated Debt

 

 

115,000

 

—  

 

Other  4,802  4,967 

 

 

6,121

 

4,802

 



 


 


 

  195,802  222,967 

 

 

547,621

 

195,802

 

Less: Current maturities  125  155 

 

 

271

 

125

 



 


 


 

Noncurrent portion $195,677 $222,812 

 

$

547,350

 

$

195,677

 



 


 


 

On December 30, 2004, the Company and its lenders entered into the First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 5, 2004.  The First Amendment increased the facility commitment amount from $225,000,000 to $475,000,000 and changed other terms and conditions to provide to the Company the $270,000,000 cash portion of the purchase price of the Company’s December 31, 2004 acquisition from General Electric Co. (See Note 10, “Acquisitions,” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

The Company maintained at December 31, 2003, a $275,000,0002004, this amended $475,000,000 unsecured revolving credit facility which expires December 31, 2005May 5, 2009 (the “Facility”).  The Facility permits the Company to borrow at interest rates based upon a margin above LIBOR, which margin varies with the ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). These interest rates also vary with LIBOR.  The Company also pays a commitment fee on the unused amount of the $275,000,000$475,000,000 maximum credit limit, which fee rate also varies with the debt to EBITDA ratio.  The Facility includes various financial covenants regarding minimum net worth, permitted debt levels and minimum interest coverage.   Those tests consist of a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.0, a maximum funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 4.00 to 1.0, a maximum senior funded debt to EBITDA ratio of 3.00 to 1, and a minimum net worth of consisting of the sum of $435.0 million plus 50% of net income for each quarter ending after March 31, 2005 plus 75% of the net proceeds of all issuances of equity securities by the Company.  The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 31, 2003.2004.

The average balance outstanding under the Facility in 2004 was $150,596,000 and in 2003 was $217,236,000 and in 2002 was $253,625,000.$217,236,000.  The average interest rate paid under the Facility in 2003 was 2.7% in both 2004 and 3.5% in 2002.2003.  At December 31, 2003,2004, the interest rate paid on the outstanding balance of the Facility was 2.7%3.9%.  The Company also paid an unused commitment fee under the facility which was .30% of the unused balance of $83,789,000$48,500,000 at December 31, 2003.2004.  The Company had $8,030,000$46,808,000 of available borrowing capacity under the Facility at December 31, 2003,2004, after deducting $211,000$92,000 for outstanding Facility-issuedFacility - issued standby letters of credit. The available capacity was less than the unused balance of the Facility due to limits established by the debt to EBITDA covenant.credit and $1,600,000 outstanding Swingline.

The Company, also has other loans with a total balance outstanding of $4,802,000 at December 31, 2003.2004, also had $115,000,000 of convertible senior subordinated notes outstanding, which were issued on April 5, 2004.  The largestnotes, which are unsecured and due in 2024, bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.75% for five years, and may increase thereafter at .25% of the average trading price of a note if certain conditions are met after five years.  The Company may not call the notes for five years, and the note holders may only put the notes back to the Company at approximately the 5th, 10th and 15th year anniversaries of the issuance of the notes.  In October 2004, the Company amended the indenture to eliminate its option to issue stock upon a conversion request, and require the Company to pay only cash, up to the $115,000,000 par value of the notes.  The Company retained the option to either pay cash, issue its stock or a combination thereof, for value above par, which is a $2,000,000 industrial development bond issue completed on September 6, 2001.above the $25.56 stock conversion price.  With the change to the indenture, the Company qualifies for the Treasury Stock method of accounting for this convertible debt in accordance with EITF 04-8.

30


Based on the borrowing rates currently available to the Company for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities,for convertible senior subordinated debt, the fair market value of the long-term debt is not materially different from the carrying value.

Maturities of long-term debt are as follows:

Year
 (In Thousands of Dollars)

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 


 

2005  191,424 

 

$

271

 

2006  731 

 

 

880

 

2007  368 

 

 

216

 

2008  154 

 

 

154

 

2009

 

 

428,100

 

Thereafter  3,000 

 

 

118,000

 


 


 

Total $195,802 

 

$

547,621

 


 


 

25


(6)   Contingencies and Commitments

An action was filed on June 4, 2004 and amended in September 2004, against one of the Company’s subsidiaries, Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation (“Marathon”), by Enron Wind Energy Systems, LLC, Enron Wind Contractors, LLC and Zond Minnesota Construction Company, LLC (collectively, “Enron Wind”).  The action was filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York where each of the Enron Wind entities has consolidated its Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition as part of the Enron Corporation bankruptcy proceedings.  In the action against Marathon, Enron Wind has asserted various claims relating to the alleged failures and/or degradations of performance of about 564 generators sold by Marathon to Enron Wind from 1997 to 1999.  In January 2001, Enron Wind and Marathon entered into a “Generator Warranty and Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims” (“Warranty Agreement”).  This Warranty Agreement resolved various issues related to past performance of the generators, provided a limited warranty related to the generators going forward, and contained a release by all parties of any claims related to the generators other than those arising out of the obligations contained in the Warranty Agreement.

Enron Wind is seeking to recover the purchase price of the generators and transportation costs totaling about $21 million.  In addition, although the Warranty Agreement contains a waiver of consequential, incidental, and punitive damages, Enron Wind claims that this limitation is unenforceable and seeks recovery of consequential and incidental damages incurred by it and by its customers, as well as punitive damages, related to the Marathon generators.  Enron Wind has asserted claims of breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory fraud, and intentional interference with contractual relations.  Marathon has filed a motion with the court seeking to have many of Enron Wind’s claims dismissed.  The court has not yet ruled on this motion.

The Company believes that this action is without merit and that it has meritorious defenses to the action.  The Company intends to defend vigorously all of the asserted claims.  The litigation is in an early discovery phase and it is difficult for the Company to predict the impact the litigation may ultimately have on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition, including the expenses the Company may incur to defend against the action.  As of December 31, 2004, no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s financial statements related to this contingency.

In March 2004, the Company received notice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) that it was identified as one of three potentially responsible parties regarding an environmental site in Illinois.  The Company had previously reached a settlement in 1999 with the U.S. EPA regarding the same site.  Management provided its expert’s assessment of this site to the U.S. EPA, which has not proceeded with any enforcement action.  Based on the facts, the Company believes that there will be no further assessments related to this site.  As of December 31, 2004, no amounts have been recorded in the Company’s financial statements related to this contingency.

The Company is, from time to time, party to lawsuits arising from its normal business operations. It is believed that the outcome of these lawsuits will have no material effect on the Company’s financial position or its results of operations.

31


The Company recognizes the cost associated with its standard warranty on its products at the time of sale. The amount recognized is based on historical experience. The following is a reconciliation of the changes in accrued warranty costs for 20032004 and 2002:2003:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 


 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003
2002

 



 



 

Balance, beginning of year  $(3,431)$(3,652)

 

$

(2,953

)

$

(3,431

)

Payments  5,915  6,605 

 

 

5,325

 

5,915

 

Provision  (5,437) (6,384)

 

 

(5,545

)

 

(5,437

)

Additions from acquisitions

 

 

(1,834

)

 

—  

 



 


 


 

Balance, end of year $(2,953)$(3,431)

 

$

(5,007

)

$

(2,953

)



 


 


 

Provision for virtually all warranties is made in the year of issuance.

(7)   Retirement Plans

The Company has a number of retirement plans that cover most of its employees. The plans include defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans. The defined contribution plans provide for Company contributions based, depending on the plan, upon one or more of participant contributions, service and profits. Company contributions to defined contribution plans totaled $1,941,000,$4,455,000, $2,283,000, and $2,299,000 in 2004, 2003 and $3,329,000 in 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

Benefits provided under defined benefit plans are based, depending on the plan, on employees’ average earnings and years of credited service, or a benefit multiplier times years of service. Funding of these qualified defined benefit plans is in accordance with federal laws and regulations.

The Company’s defined benefit pension assets are invested in equity securities and fixed income investments based on the Company’s overall strategic investment direction as follows:

 

Target

 

 


 

Target

 

Allocation

 

Return

 

Allocation
Return

 



 



 

Equity investments   70%  9-10% 

 

 

70

%

 

9-10

%

Fixed income  30%  6-7% 

 

 

30

%

 

6-7

%



 


 


 

Total  100%  8.75% 

 

 

100

%

 

8.75

%



 


 


 

The Company’s investment strategy for its defined benefit plans is to achieve moderately aggressive growth, earning a long-term rate of return sufficient to at least maintain the plans in a fully funded status. Accordingly, allocation targets have been established to fit this strategy, with a heavier long-term weighting of investments in equity securities. The long-term rate of return assumption considers historic returns adjusted for changes in overall economic conditions that may affect future returns and a weighting of each investment class.

The defined benefit pension plan assets were invested as follows as of December 31 of each year:

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003
2002

 



 



 

Equity investments   74%  61% 

 

 

73

%

 

74

%

Fixed income  26%  39% 

 

 

27

%

 

26

%



 


 


 

Total  100%  100% 

 

 

100

%

 

100

%



 


 


 

In 2003, the Company changed for financial reporting purposes the actuarial valuation measurement date for its pension plans from September 30 to December 31. Management believes that a measurement date of December 31 is preferable because it better reflects the actual balances of the plans as of the Company’s balance sheet date. This change did not have a significant effect on 2003 or prior years’ pension expense.

2632



The actuarial computations utilized the following assumptions:

Benefit Obligation
2003
2002
Discount rate  6.25%7.0%
Rates of increase in compensation level  0-2.5%0-3.0%

Benefit Obligation

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 


 



 



 

  

 

Discount rate

 

 

5.75

%

 

6.25

%

 

 

 

Rates of increase in compensation level

 

 

0-2.75

%

 

0-2.5

%

 

 

 


Net Periodic Pension Cost

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 


 



 



 



 

Discount rate

 

 

6.25

%

 

7.0

%

 

7.5

%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

 

8.75

%

 

8.75

%

 

9.0

%

Rates of increase in compensation levels

 

 

0-2.5

%

 

0-3.0

%

 

0-3.75

%

Net Periodic Pension Cost
2003
2002
2001
Discount rate   7.0%  7.5%  7.5% 
Expected long-term rate of return on assets   8.75%  9.0%  9.0% 
Rates of increase in compensation levels   0-3.0%  0-3.75%  0-4.5% 

Net periodic pension benefit costs for the defined benefit plans were as follows:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 


 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003
2002
2001

 



 



 



 

Service cost  $1,389 $1,336 $1,330 

 

$

1,462

 

$

1,389

 

$

1,336

 

Interest cost  3,346  3,233  3,078 

 

 

3,609

 

3,346

 

3,233

 

Expected return on plan assets  (4,717) (5,438) (5,410)

 

 

(4,295

)

 

(4,717

)

 

(5,438

)

Net amortization and deferral  172  (157) (355)

 

 

1,063

 

172

 

(157

)




 


 


 


 

Net periodic expense (income) $190 $(1,026)$(1,357)

 

$

1,839

 

$

190

 

$

(1,026

)




 


 


 


 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the funded status of the defined benefit plans:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 


 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003
2002

 



 



 

Change in projected benefit obligation:        

 

 

 

 

 

 

Obligation at beginning of period $48,184 $43,108 

 

$

57,751

 

$

48,184

 

Service cost  1,389  1,336 

 

 

1,462

 

1,389

 

Interest cost  3,346  3,233 

 

 

3,609

 

3,346

 

Change in assumptions  7,245  2,600 

Actuarial loss

 

 

628

 

7,245

 

Plan amendments    26 

 

 

310

 

—  

 

Benefits paid  (2,413) (2,119)

 

 

(2,089

)

 

(2,413

)



 


 


 

Obligation at end of period  57,751  48,184 

 

$

61,671

 

57,751

 



 


 


 

Change in fair value of plan assets: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period  40,958  47,681 

 

 

49,616

 

40,958

 

Actual gain (loss) on plan assets  10,688  (4,900)

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

4,799

 

10,688

 

Employer contributions  383  296 

 

 

1,317

 

383

 

Benefits paid  (2,413) (2,119)

 

 

(2,089

)

 

(2,413

)



 


 


 

Fair value of plan assets at end of period  49,616  40,958 

 

 

53,643

 

49,616

 



 


 


 

Funded status  (8,135) (7,226)

 

 

(8,028

)

 

(8,135

)


Unrecognized net actuarial loss
  17,657  16,450 

 

 

16,728

 

17,657

 

Unrecognized prior service costs  1,069  1,174 

 

 

1,278

 

1,069

 



 


 


 

Net amount recognized $10,591 $10,398 

 

$

9,978

 

$

10,591

 



 


 


 

Amounts recognized in balance sheets 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid benefit cost $9,012 $8,703 

 

$

8,399

 

$

9,012

 

Accrued benefit liability  (8,060) (7,509)

 

 

(9,312

)

 

(8,060

)

Intangible asset  1,005  1,096 

 

 

1,221

 

1,005

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss  8,634  8,108 

 

 

9,670

 

8,634

 



 


 


 

Net amount recognized $10,591 $10,398 

 

$

9,978

 

$

10,591

 



 


 


 

The projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the defined benefit plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were $28,366,000, $28,287,000 and $18,975,000 respectively, as of December 31, 2004, and $25,317,000, $25,301,000 and $17,241,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2003, and $22,070,000, $22,051,000 and $14,542,000, respectively, as of December 31, 2002.2003. Total accumulated benefit obligations for all defined benefit plans totaled $55,320,000$57,819,000, and $44,690,000

33


$55,320,000 at December 31, 20032004 and 2002,2003, respectively. The Company estimates that, based on current legislation, in 20042005, it will make contributions in the amount of $1,472,000$628,000 to fund its defined benefit plans.  This estimate does not include contributions yet to be calculated, if any, that may be made in 2005 relating to new participants in the Company’s defined benefit pension plans as a result of the Company’s acquisitions from General Electric Co. in 2004.  (See Note 10, “Acquisitions,” of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

27


(8)   Shareholders’ Investment

The Company has two stock option plans available for new grants to officers, directors and key employees, the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan and the 1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended. Additionally, the Company’s 1991 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan and the 1987 Stock Option Plan, which have expired as to new grants, have shares previously granted remaining outstanding. Options under all the plans were granted at prices that equalledequaled the market value on the date of the grant and with a maximum term of 10 years from the date of grant. Options vest over various periods up to 10 years.

Grants of restricted stock, which vest three years from the grant date given continuous employment over the three years is attained, have been awarded to certain officers under the 2003 Equity Incentive Plan.  There were 14,175 shares of restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2004.  Unamortized deferred compensation expense with respect to the restricted stock grants amounted to $224,000 at December 31, 2004 and is being amortized over a three year vesting period.  Deferred compensation expense aggregated $64,000 in 2004.

A summary of restricted stock granted during 2004 is as follows:

Shares Granted

 

 

14,175

 

Weighted-Average Fair Value of Restricted Shares granted during year

 

$

20.30

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option plans follows:

At December 31, 2003
1987 Plan
1991 Plan
1998 Plan
2003 Plan
Total Plan shares450,0001,000,0001,000,0001,500,000
Options granted449,850762,882913,900
Options outstanding16,550358,468907,600
Options available for grant86,1001,500,000

 

 

At December 31, 2004

 

 

 


 

 

 

1987 Plan

 

1991 Plan

 

1998 Plan

 

2003 Plan

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total Plan shares

 

 

450,000

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

1,500,000

 

Options granted

 

 

449,850

 

 

762,882

 

 

946,900

 

 

290,750

 

Restricted stock granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,175

 

Options outstanding

 

 

4,550

 

 

324,184

 

 

936,100

 

 

290,750

 

Restricted stock outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,175

 

Options available for grant

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

53,100

 

 

1,195,075

 

A summary of the status of the Company’s three stock option plans as of December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, and changes during the years then ended is presented below:

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 


 


 


 

2003
2002
2001

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 

Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Shares
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

 



 



 



 



 



 



 

Outstanding at beginning of year  1,125,754 $21.98  1,460,124 $18.49  1,477,718 $18.01 

 

 

1,282,618

 

$

21.22

 

1,125,754

 

$

21.98

 

1,460,124

 

$

18.49

 

Granted  233,750  17.70  38,250  19.97  41,850  18.71 

 

 

382,500

 

20.77

 

233,750

 

17.70

 

38,250

 

19.97

 

Exercised  (11,586) 12.59  (357,370  7.77  (26,194) 7.52 

 

 

(51,034

)

 

16.56

 

(11,586

)

 

12.59

 

(357,370

)

 

7.77

 

Forfeited  (65,300) 19.58  (15,250  21.43  (33,250) 21.28 

 

 

(58,500

)

 

20.03

 

(65,300

)

 

19.58

 

(15,250

)

 

21.43

 







 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Outstanding at end of year  1,282,618 $21.22  1,125,754 $21.98  1,460,124 $18.49 

 

 

1,555,584

 

$

21.53

 

1,282,618

 

$

21.22

 

1,125,754

 

$

21.98

 


Options exercisable at year-end
   823,168    710,904    889,824   

 

 

919,534

 

 

 

823,168

 

 

 

710,904

 

 

 


Weighted-average fair value of
options granted during the year
  $5.55    $6.52    $6.19   

 

$

6.96

 

 

 

$

5.55

 

 

 

$

6.52

 

 

 

34


The following table provides information on the three Plans at various exercise price ranges:

Range of Exercise Prices
$12.50-$18.75
$18.76-$28.14
$28.15-$32.44
Total
Options outstanding at 12/31/03311,768907,50063,3501,282,618
Options exercisable at 12/31/03127,068632,75063,350823,168

 

 

Range of Exercise Prices

 

 

 


 

 

 

$12.50-$18.75

 

$18.76-$28.14

 

$28.15-$32.44

 

Total

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Options outstanding at 12/31/04

 

 

266,684

 

 

1,226,050

 

 

62,850

 

 

1,555,584

 

Options exercisable at 12/31/04

 

 

162,634

 

 

694,050

 

 

62,850

 

 

919,534

 

     The Company accounts for its stock option plans under APB Opinion No. 25. Accordingly, no compensation cost for option plans has been recognized in the statements of income. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined consistent with FASB Statement No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, the Company’s net income and earnings per share (“EPS”) would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts:

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
2003
2002
2001
Net Income:           
                 As Reported  $25,206 $24,518 $19,590 
                 Deduct: Compensation Adjustment  $(428)$(526)$(704)



                 Pro Forma  $24,778 $23,992 $18,886 
Earnings Per Share:  
                 As Reported  $1.01 $1.01 $.94 
                 Pro Forma  $.99 $.99 $.91 
Earnings Per Share - Assuming Dilution:  
                 As Reported  $1.00 $1.01 $.93 
                 Pro Forma  $.98 $.99 $.89 

28


The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions used for grants in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively: risk-free interest rates of 3.5%, 4.5% and 5.1%; expected dividend yield of 2.5% for all years; expected option lives of 7.0 for all years; expected volatility of 37% in 2003, 32% in 2002 and 33% in 2001.

On January 28, 2000, the Board of Directors approved a Shareholder Rights Plan (the “Plan”). Pursuant to this Plan, one common share purchase right is included with each outstanding share of common stock. In the event the rights become exercisable, each right will initially entitle its holder to buy one-half of one share of the Company’s common stock at a price of $60 per share (equivalent to $30 per one-half share), subject to adjustment. The rights will become exercisable if a person or group acquires, or announces an offer for, 15% or more of the Company’s common stock. The Company amended its Shareholder Rights Plan in December 2004 to raise to 20% the limit for General Electric Co., to whom the Company issued 4,559,048 shares on December 31, 2004 as part of the purchase price of acquiring GE’s HVAC motors and capacitors business. The 4,559,048 shares owed by GE at December 31, 2004 represented 15.7% of the Company’s outstanding shares.   In thisthe event the 15% limitation is exceeded, or 20% if by GE, each right will thereafter entitle the holder to purchase, at the right’s then-current exercise price, common stock of the Company or, depending on the circumstances, common stock of the acquiring corporation having a market value of twice the full share exercise price. The rights may be redeemed by the Company at a price of one-tenth of one cent per right at any time prior to the time a person or group acquires 15% or more, or 20% or more if by GE, of the Company’s common stock.   The rights expire on January 28, 2010, unless otherwise extended.

The Board of Directors approved in 2000 a repurchase program of up to 2,000,000 common shares of Company stock. Management was authorized to effect purchases from time to time in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. In April 2004, in association with the Company’s convertible subordinated debt offering, the Company repurchased 614,200 shares of its stock at a price of $20.35.  Through December 31, 2003,2004, the Company has repurchased 159,900774,100 shares at an average purchase price of $17.06$19.67 per share.

(9)   Income Taxes

(In Thousands of Dollars)
Year Ended December 31

2003
2002
2001
United States  $36,076 $35,354 $30,213 
Foreign   4,767  2,623  3,829 



Total  $40,843 $37,977 $34,042 



Income before income taxes and minority interest consisted of the following:

 

 

(In Thousands of Dollars )

 

 

 


 

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

 

 



 



 



 

United States

 

$

36,689

 

$

36,076

 

$

35,354

 

Foreign

 

 

11,869

 

 

4,767

 

 

2,623

 

 

 



 



 



 

Total

 

$

48,558

 

$

40,843

 

$

37,977

 

 

 



 



 



 

The provision for income taxes is summarized as follows:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 


 

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 



 



 



 

Current   2003  2002  2001 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




Federal $9,990 $7,321 $9,155 

 

$

9,565

 

$

9,990

 

$

7,321

 

State  1,009  1,017  1,186 

 

1,181

 

1,009

 

1,017

 

Foreign  1,416  741  1,097 

 

3,893

 

1,416

 

741

 




 


 


 


 

  12,415  9,079  11,438 

 

 

14,639

 

12,415

 

9,079

 

Deferred  2,377  4,103  3,014 

 

 

1,089

 

2,377

 

4,103

 




 


 


 


 

Total $14,792 $13,182 $14,452 

 

$

15,728

 

$

14,792

 

$

13,182

 




 


 


 


 

35


A reconciliation of the statutory Federal income tax rate and the effective tax rate reflected in the statements of income follows:

 

2004

 

2003

 

2002

 

2003
2002
2001

 



 



 



 

Federal statutory tax rate   35.0% 35.0% 35.0%

 

 

35.0

%

 

35.0

%

 

35.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit  1.6  1.7  2.3 

 

 

1.6

 

1.6

 

1.7

 

Nondeductible goodwill amortization      4.0 

Resolution of tax matters

 

 

(4.7

)

 

—  

 

—  

 

Prior period tax refund    (1.3)  

 

 

—  

 

—  

 

(1.3

)

Impact of UK Property Sale

 

 

(1.0

)

 

—  

 

—  

 

Other, net  (0.4) (0.7) 1.2 

 

 

1.0

 

(0.4

)

 

(0.7

)




 


 


 


 

Effective tax rate  36.2% 34.7% 42.5%

 

 

31.9

%

 

36.2

%

 

34.7

%




 


 


 


 

29The favorable impact from the resolution of tax matters resulted from the 4th quarter 2004 resolution of a state tax nexus issue and the completion of several federal and state tax audits. 


Deferred taxes arise primarily from differences in amounts reported for tax and financial statement purposes. The Company’s net deferred tax liability as of December 31, 20032004 of $41,082,000$42,170,000 is classified on the consolidated balance sheet as a current income tax benefit of $6,493,000 and a long-term deferred income tax liability of $48,663,000. The December 31, 2003 net deferred tax liability was $41,082,000, consisting of a current income tax benefit of $5,104,000 and a long-term deferred income tax liability of $46,186,000. The December 31, 2002 net deferred tax liability was $38,705,000, consisting of a current income tax benefit of $6,208,000 and a long-term deferred income tax liability of $44,913,000. The components of this net deferred tax liability are as follows:

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)
December 31

 

 


 

(In Thousands of Dollars)
December 31

 

2004

 

2003

 

2003
2002

 



 



 

Federal operating loss carry forward  $28 $152 

 

$

—  

 

$

28

 

Accrued employee benefits  3,243  3,642 

 

 

6,850

 

3,243

 

Bad debt reserve  463  532 

 

 

380

 

463

 

Warranty reserve  809  964 

 

 

810

 

809

 

Other  67  360 

 

 

629

 

1503

 



 


 


 

Deferred tax assets  4,610  5,650 

 

 

8,669

 

6,046

 


Property related
  (26,031) (29,407)

 

 

(26,464

)

 

(26,031

)

Intangible items

 

 

(19,655

)

 

(15,616

)

Inventory  (5,481) (5,755)

 

 

(4,720

)

 

(5,481

)

Other  (14,180) (9,193)


 


 


 

Deferred tax liabilities  (45,692) (44,355)

 

 

(50,839

)

 

(47,128

)



 


 


 

Net deferred tax liability $(41,082)$(38,705)

 

$

(42,170

)

$

(41,082

)



 


 


 

     No valuation allowances are recorded at December 31, 20032004 and 2002.2003.

(10)   Acquisitions

On August 30, 2004, the Company acquired the Commercial AC motors (“CAC”) business from the General Electric Company.  The business combination expands the Company’s product offering through extensions of existing product lines and new product applications into existing and new market segments.  The customer base also expands the Company’s OEM and distributor relationships.  In addition to the acquisition of the CAC assets, the Company also assumed certain liabilities, including but not limited to accounts payable, certain accrued compensation and benefits and certain other accrued expenses.  The purchase price paid for CAC was approximately $72.0 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment upon final completion of the closing balance sheet.  The final working capital adjustment may impact the dollar amount of tangible assets, liabilities, or goodwill. On a preliminary basis, approximately $45.5 million of the purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired, $8.3 million was allocated to intangible assets with definite lives and the remaining $18.2 million was recorded as goodwill.  The value assigned to intangible assets is based on a preliminary valuation and the potential exists for revisions as the valuation is finalized.

36


CAC is a leading manufacturer and marketer of a full line of fractional and subfractional AC electric motors for pump, compressor, equipment and commercial HVAC applications, with expected annual sales on a normalized basis of approximately $130 million.  Included in the acquisition were motor manufacturing facilities in Juarez, Mexico and technology resources in Hyderbad, India. CAC financial results for four months ending December 31, 2004 are included in the Company’s 2004 financial statements in the Electrical segment. 

At 11:59 p.m. on December 31, 2004, the Company acquired the HVAC motors and capacitors businesses from  General Electric Company.  The business combination provides the Company a leading market position for electric motors used in central heating and air conditioning and expansion of the Company’s customer base to include major HVAC original equipment manufacturers.  In addition, the acquisition expands the Company’s global manufacturing and technology capabilities, including the patented ECM technology. In addition to the HVAC assets, the Company also assumed certain liabilities, including but not limited to accounts payable, certain accrued compensation and benefits and certain other accrued expenses.  The purchase price paid for HVAC was approximately $400.0 million, subject to a working capital adjustment upon final completion of the closing balance sheet.  The final working capital adjustment may impact the dollar amount of tangible assets, liabilities, or goodwill. The purchase price consisted of approximately $270.0 million in cash and 4,559,048 shares of common stock of the Company which was valued at approximately $130.0 million. On a preliminary basis, approximately $140.8 million of the purchase price was allocated to the net assets acquired, $44.3 million was allocated to intangible assets with definite lives and the remaining $215.0 million was recorded as goodwill.  The value assigned to intangible assets is based on a preliminary valuation and the potential exists for revisions as the valuation is finalized.

The HVAC motor business, which represents approximately 90% of the revenues of the acquired businesses, produces a full line of electric motors for use in residential and commercial HVAC systems.  The capacitors business represents the balance of the revenues and produces a line of capacitors used in HVAC applications, high intensity lighting and other applications.  In total, the business had sales of $442.0 million in 2004.  Results for the HVAC business will be included in the Electrical segment.  Included in the acquisition were motor manufacturing facilities in Faridabad, India; Reynosa, Mexico; and Springfield, Missouri; and a capacitor manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico.  The acquired businesses also maintain technology development, administrative and sales support teams in Fort Wayne, Indiana and electric motor engineering resources located in Hyderbad, India. 

 GE entered into a shareholder agreement with Regal-Beloit related to the Company’s common stock issued to GE in the transaction.   The shareholder agreement, among other things, includes provisions, subject to limitations and a sharing formula, for sharing of gains or losses resulting from GE’s liquidation of the Company’s stock.  Any such gains or losses will be recorded directly to shareholders’ investment consistent with EITF 97-15 “Accounting for Contingency Arrangements Based on Security Prices in a Purchase Business Combination.”   In addition, the Company and GE have entered into several transition service agreements.  These agreements are related to transition support in areas such as warehousing, computer systems, and accounting services.  The duration of the various agreements ranges from six months to three years, depending on the specific agreement.  The amount paid to GE under these agreements in 2004 was $1.0 million.

Proforma results for 2004 and 2003, assuming these acquisitions were completed on January 1, 2003 (excluding any synergies, cost reductions, additional sales opportunities, or future tax benefits) and a summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including the detail of intangible assets acquired, are as follows:

REGAL-BELOIT Proforma Including HVAC and CAC (unaudited)

 

 

2004

 

2003

 

 

 



 



 

Sales

 

$

1,295,228

 

$

1,145,872

 

Cost of Sales

 

 

1,007,404

 

 

888,129

 

 

 



 



 

Gross Profit

 

 

287,824

 

 

263,743

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

167,872

 

 

159,624

 

 

 



 



 

Income from Operations

 

 

119,952

 

 

104,119

 

Interest Expense

 

 

16,467

 

 

16,360

 

Interest Income

 

 

347

 

 

79

 

 

 



 



 

Income Before Taxes and Minority Interest

 

 

103,832

 

 

87,838

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

 

36,455

 

 

30,722

 

 

 



 



 

Income Before Minority Interest

 

 

67,377

 

 

57,116

 

Minority Interest in Income, Net of Tax

 

 

3,055

 

 

1,564

 
 

 



 



 

Net Income

 

$

64,322

 

$

55,252

 

 

 



 



 

Earnings per Share

 

$

2.21

 

$

1.87

 

Earnings per Share - Assuming Dilution

 

$

2.18

 

$

1.85

 

37


Opening Balance Sheet Summary (Preliminary)
($ thousands)

 

 

At
August 30,
2004
CAC

 

At
December 31,
2004
HVAC

 

 

 


 


 

Cash

 

$

—  

 

$

13,689

 

Accounts Receivable

 

 

16,199

 

 

45,517

 

Inventory

 

 

25,100

 

 

73,150

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

 

1,254

 

 

278

 

 

 



 



 

Total Current Assets

 

 

42,553

 

 

132,634

 

Net Property, Plant, & Equipment

 

 

22,975

 

 

74,592

 

Goodwill (100% of which is expected to be deductible for tax purposes)

 

 

18,204

 

 

215,020

 

Purchased Intangible Assets

 

 

8,300

 

 

44,310

 

Other Non-Current Assets

 

 

—  

 

 

4,100

 

Total Assets

 

$

92,032

 

$

470,656

 

 

 



 



 

Accounts Payable

 

$

10,228

 

$

45,211

 

Other Liabilities

 

 

10,018

 

 

25,302

 

Shareholders Equity

 

 

71,786

 

 

400,143

 

 

 



 



 

Total Liabilities & Equity

 

$

92,032

 

$

470,656

 

 

 



 



 

Preliminary Summary of Intangible Assets with Definite Lives
($ millions)

Asset Description

 

 

CAC

 

 

HVAC

 

 

Total

 

 

Useful Life

 


 



 



 



 



 

Non-Compete Agreements

 

$

0.5

 

$

2.0

 

$

2.5

 

 

5 Years

 

Trademarks

 

 

3.8

 

 

1.1

 

 

4.9

 

 

3-5 Years

 

Patents

 

 

0.7

 

 

14.7

 

 

15.4

 

 

10 Years

 

Engineering Drawings

 

 

0.2

 

 

1.0

 

 

1.2

 

 

10 Years

 

Customer Relationships

 

 

3.1

 

 

25.5

 

 

28.6

 

 

10 Years

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

8.3

 

$

44.3

 

$

52.6

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



 



 

 

 

 


Included in accounts payable on December 31, 2004 was $38.4 million consisting of amounts payable to GE related to trade payables, transition services fees payable, and other payables of the acquired businesses.

On September 16, 2002, the Company purchased, for cash, select assets of the Powertrax® product line of Vehicular Technologies. The purchased assets included inventory and certain intangible assets. The operating results and purchased assets are not material to the performance or financial position of the Company. In November 2002, the Company entered into an agreement to form a joint venture effective January 1, 2003, with Shanghai Jinling Co., Ltd. The Company acquired, for a combination of cash and investment of machinery and technology, a 50% ownership in Shanghai Micro Motor, Shanghai Jinling’s sub-fractional and fractional motor company, which was already a supplier to the Company. The purchased assets are not material to the financial position of the Company.

     On January 16, 2001, the Company acquired, for cash, selected assets of Philadelphia Gear Company, which now comprise the Company’s spiral bevel gear product line. The purchased assets included inventory and selected machinery, equipment and tooling. The operating results and assets purchased are not material to the performance or financial position of the Company.

(11)   Industry Segment Information

The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services. The Company has two such reportable segments: Mechanical Group and Electrical Group.Electrical. The Mechanical Groupsegment principally produces mechanical speed reducersproducts that control motion and related productstorque for sale to original equipment manufacturers and distributors. The Electrical Groupsegment principally produces electric motors and power generation equipment and related products for sale to original equipment manufacturers and distributors.

The Company evaluates performance based on the segments’segment’s income from operations. Corporate costs have been allocated to each Groupsegment based primarily on the net sales of each Group.segment. The reported net sales of each segment are solely from external customers. No single customer accounts for 10% or more of the Company’s net sales. The Company’s products manufactured and sold outside the United States were approximately 12%14%, 9%12% and 8%9% of net sales in 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively. Export sales from U.S. operations were approximately 5%7%, 5% and 6%5% in 2004, 2003 2002 and 2001,2002, respectively.

3038



Pertinent data for each industryreportable segment in which the Company operated for the three years ended December 31, 20032004 is as follows:

(In Thousands of Dollars)
Net
Sales

Income From
Operations

Identifiable
Assets

Capital
Expenditures

Depreciation
and
Amortization

                  
2003
Mechanical Group
  $180,741 $13,349 $121,976 $6,229 $7,373 
Electrical Group   438,357  33,877  612,469  11,736  14,699 





Total REGAL-BELOIT  $619,098 $47,226 $734,445 $17,965 $22,072 





2002
Mechanical Group
  $186,716 $11,678 $124,053 $3,522 $8,410 
Electrical Group   418,576  35,549  609,935  7,232  14,764 





Total REGAL-BELOIT  $605,292 $47,227 $733,988 $10,754 $23,174 





2001
Mechanical Group
  $206,615 $15,872 $125,201 $5,110 $8,824 
Electrical Group   456,956  40,188  621,398  10,316  22,974 





Total REGAL-BELOIT  $663,571 $56,060 $746,599 $15,426 $31,798 





 

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

 

 


 

 

 

Net
Sales

 

Income From
Operations

 

Identifiable
Assets

 

Capital
Expenditures

 

Depreciation
and
Amortization

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

2004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mechanical

 

$

199,590

 

$

15,720

 

$

140,163

 

$

7,408

 

$

7,790

 

Electrical

 

 

556,967

 

 

39,442

 

 

1,211,889

 

 

8,873

 

 

15,490

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total REGAL-BELOIT

 

$

756,557

 

$

55,162

 

$

1,352,052

 

$

16,281

 

$

23,280

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mechanical

 

$

180,741

 

$

13,349

 

$

121,976

 

$

6,229

 

$

7,373

 

Electrical

 

 

438,357

 

 

33,877

 

 

612,469

 

 

11,736

 

 

14,699

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total REGAL-BELOIT

 

$

619,098

 

$

47,226

 

$

734,445

 

$

17,965

 

$

22,072

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mechanical

 

$

186,716

 

$

11,678

 

$

124,053

 

$

3,522

 

$

8,410

 

Electrical

 

 

418,576

 

 

35,549

 

 

609,935

 

 

7,232

 

 

14,764

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Total REGAL-BELOIT

 

$

605,292

 

$

47,227

 

$

733,988

 

$

10,754

 

$

23,174

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



 


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

The Company had no disagreements with its independent auditors subject to disclosure by Item 304 of Regulation S-K.

ITEM 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None

ITEM 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Procedures.An evaluation was carried out by the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of December 31, 2003.2004.  Based upon thaton this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the design and operation of theseCompany’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. No

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  The report of management required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”

Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The attestation report required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

Changes in Internal Controls. There were no changes were made in the Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting that occurred during the yearquarter ended December 31, 20032004 that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control andover financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.

Other Information

None.

39


PART III

ITEM 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

Information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is included under the captions “Election of Directors,” “2003“2004 Committees of the Board” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2004,2005, a copy of which has beenwill be filed within 120 days following the close of the fiscal year, and such information is incorporated herein by reference.  Information with respect to the executive officers of the Company appears in Part I pages 8 and 9 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company has adopted a code of ethics and a code of conduct that apply to all our directors, officers and employees.  These codes are available on our website, along with our current Corporate Governance Guidelines, at www .regal-beloit.com.  We intend to disclose through our website any amendments to, or waivers from, the provisions of these codes.

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

ITEM 11. Executive Compensation

Information required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K is included on pages 7 and 10-13 ofin the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2004,2005, a copy of which has beenwill be filed within 120 days following the close of the fiscal year, and such information is incorporated herein by reference;provided,,however,, that the subsection entitled “Report of Compensation and Human Resources Committee on Annual Compensation” shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

Information required pursuant to ItemsItem 403 and 201(d) of Regulation S-K is included under the captionscaption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information”, respectively, of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2004,2005, a copy of which has beenwill be filed within 120 days following the close of the fiscal year, and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

31Equity Compensation Plan Information


Plan Category

 

Number of securities to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
(a)

 

Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
(b)

 

Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)

 


 


 


 


 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

 

 

1,555,584

 

$

21.53

 

 

1,262,350

 

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

 

—  

 

Total

 

 

1,555,584

 

$

21.53

 

 

1,262,350

 


ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Information required pursuant to Item 404 of Regulation S-K is included under the caption “Other Information About the Board - Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” of the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2004,2005, a copy of which has beenwill be filed within 120 days following the close of the fiscal year, and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from the caption “Audit Committee Report” set forth inof the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 22, 2004.2005, a copy of which will be filed within 120 days following the close of the fiscal year, and such information is incorporated herein by reference.

40


PART IV

ITEM 15. Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedule, Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)

ITEM 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules


(a)

1.

Financial statements - The financial statements listed in the accompanying index to financial statements and financial statement schedule are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


2.

Financial statement schedule - The financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index to financial statements and financial statement schedule are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


3.

3.

Exhibits - The exhibits listed in the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form10-K.

(b)

Exhibits- see the Index to Exhibits on Pages 46-48

(c)

See (a) 2. above

41


(b)

Reports on Form 8-K


         On October 22, 2003, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K containing the Company’s third quarter 2003 earnings news release.


SIGNATURES

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

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

By:

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

By: /s/ Kenneth F. Kaplan
Kenneth F. Kaplan/s/ DAVID A. BARTA


David A. Barta
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

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

/s/ JamesJAMES L. PackardPACKARD

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

March 12, 200411, 2005


and Director

James L. Packard

and Director

/s/ Kenneth F. KaplanDAVID A. BARTA

Vice President, Chief Financial

March 12, 200411, 2005

Kenneth F. Kaplan

Officer and Secretary

David A. Barta

(Principal Accounting & Financial Officer)

/s/ HenryHENRY W. KnueppelKNUEPPEL

President, Chief Operating Officer

March 12, 200411, 2005


and Director

Henry W. Knueppel

and Director

/s/ J. Reed ColemanREED COLEMAN

Director

Director

March 12, 200411, 2005


J. Reed Coleman

/s/ Frank E. BauchieroTHOMAS J. FISCHER

Director

Director

March 12, 200411, 2005

Frank E. Bauchiero

Thomas J. Fischer

/s/ STEPHEN N. GRAFF

Director

March 11, 2005


Stephen N. Graff

Director

March 12, 2004

Stephen N. Graff

3242



REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

Index to Financial Statements
And Financial Statement Schedule

Page(s) In
Form 10-K


(1)Financial Statements:

Report


(1)

Financial Statements:

Reports of Independent Registered Public AccountantsAccounting Firm

16-17

20-21

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 20032004 and 20022003

18

22

Consolidated Statements of Income for the three years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

23

     December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

19
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Investment for the three

years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 2002 and 20012002

20

24

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended
December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002

25

     December 31, 2003, 2002 and 200121

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

22-31

 

26-39

Page(s) In
Form 10-K


(2)

Financial Statement Schedule:


Reports

Report of Independent Auditors/IndependentRegistered Public Accountants

Accounting Firm
on Financial Statement Schedule

34

44

For the three years ended December 31, 2003,2004, Schedule II - Valuation


And Qualifying Accounts

35

45

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

43


33


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORTREGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and SubsidiariesCORPORATION:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and 2002,for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2004, management’s assessment of the effectivenss of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, and for the years then endedeffectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, and have issued our reportreports thereon dated February 25, 2004 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes explanatory paragraphs relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” and related disclosures); such report is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.March 8, 2005.  Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule of the Company forlisted in the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.accompanying index at item 15.  This consolidated financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.  In our opinion, the 2003 and 2002such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to 2003 and 2002the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth herein. The financial statement schedule for year ended December 31, 2001 was audited by other auditors who have ceased operations. Those auditors expressed an opinion, in their report dated January 28, 2002, that such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the 2001 basic financial statements taken as a whole, presented fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 25, 2004March 8, 2005

The report set forth below is a copy of a previously issued audit report by Arthur Andersen LLP. This report has not been reissued by Arthur Andersen LLP in connection with its inclusion in this Form 10-K.44


We will not be able to obtain the written consent of Arthur Andersen LLP as required by Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933 for our registration statements on Form S-8. Accordingly, investors will not be able to sue Arthur Andersen LLP pursuant to Section 11(a)(4) of the Securities Act with respect to any such registration statements, and therefore ultimate recovery on a successful claim may be limited. The ability of investors to recover from Arthur Andersen LLP may also be limited as a result of Arthur Andersen LLP’s financial condition or other matters resulting from the various civil and criminal lawsuits against that firm.


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We have audited, in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States, the financial statements of Regal-Beloit Corporation in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated January 28, 2002. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on those statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index to financial statements is the responsibility of the Company’s management and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
January 28, 2002

34


SCHEDULE II

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

(In Thousands of Dollars)

 

Balance
Beginning
of Year
Provision
For Losses
Write-offs,
Net of
Recoveries
Additions,
Related to
Acquisition
Balance
End
of Year

 


 






 

Balance
Beginning
of Year

 

Provision
For Losses

 

Write-offs,
Net of
Recoveries

 

Additions,
Related to
Acquisitions

 

Balance
End
of Year

 

 



 



 



 



 



 

Year Ended December 31, 2004

 

$

1,432

 

$

428

 

$

(641

)

$

1,157

 

$

2,376

 

Year Ended December 31, 2003  $1,465 $608 $(641)$-0- $1,432 

 

$

1,465

 

$

608

 

$

(641

)

$

-0-

 

$

1,432

 

Year Ended December 31, 2002 $2,233 $590 $(1,358)$-0- $1,465 

 

$

2,233

 

$

590

 

$

(1,358

)

$

-0-

 

$

1,465

 

Year Ended December 31, 2001 $2,031 $912 $(710)$-0- $2,233 

3545



Exhibits Index

Exhibit
NumberExhibit Description

2.1

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description



2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Registrant, Regal-Beloit Acquisition Corp., and Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation dated as of February 26, 1997, as amended and restated March 17, 1997 and March 26, 1997. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 10, 1997]1997 (File No. 001-07283)]]


2.2

2.2

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 7, 2000, as amended by First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2000, among REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION, LEC Acquisition Corp., LeesonLEESON Electric Corporation (“Leeson”LEESON”) and Leeson’sLEESON’s Shareholders. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 13, 2000]2000 (File No. 001-07283)]


3.1

2.3

Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and General Electric Company. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

2.4

Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and General Electric Company. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

2.5

Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and General Electric Company. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

2.6

Amendment to Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and General Electric Company. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

3.1

Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders]Shareholders  (File No. 001-07283)]


3.2

3.2

Bylaws of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the 1994 Annual Meeting of Shareholders]Shareholders (File No. 001-07283)]


4.1

4.1

Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Registrant [Incorporated by reference to Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto]

4.2

Indenture, dated April 5, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on June 21, 2004 (File No. 333-116706)]

4.3

First Supplemental Indenture, dated December 9, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

4.4

Form of 2.75% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2024 (included in Exhibit 4.2).

46


4.2

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description



4.5

Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 5, 2004, among REGAL-BELOIT Corporation, Banc of America Securities LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed on June 21, 2004 (File No. 333-116706)]

4.6

Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2000, between REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and BankBoston, N.A. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Registration Statement on Form 8-A (Registration No. 1-7283) filed January 31, 2000]


4.3

Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2000, among REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION, M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, as Administrative Agent, and Swing Line Bank, Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation and Syndication Agent, Banc of America Securities LLC, Lead Arranger and Book Manager and each of the Banks Party to the Credit Agreement [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 13, 2000]


4.4

4.7

First Amendment, dated as of June 29, 2001, among the Company, the financial institutions listed on the signature pages thereof, Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation and Syndication Agent, and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, as Administrative Agent [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2001].


4.5

Second Amendment and Waiver, dated as of January 31, 2002, among the Company, the financial institutions listed on the signature pages thereof, Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation and Syndication Agent, and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank, as Administrative Agent [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 2002]


4.6

Amendment effective as of June 11, 2002, to the Rights Agreement, dated as of January 28, 2000, between REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATIONCorporation and BankBoston, N.A. originally filed as Exhibit 4.1 and incorporated on REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’SCorporation’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (file no. 1-7283)(File No. 001-07283) and on REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’SCorporation’s current report on Form 8-K dated January 31, 2000. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’SCorporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.2002]

4.8

Second Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of November 12, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Report on Form 8-A/A filed on November 18, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]


36


Exhibits Index

Exhibit
NumberExhibit Description

4.7

4.9

Third Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2002,December 31, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Report on Form 8-A/A filed on January 6, 2005 (File No. 001-07283)]

4.10

Shareholder Agreement, dated as of December 31, 2004, between REGAL-BELOIT Corporation and General Electric Company. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to REGAL-BELOIT Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2005 (File No. 001-07283)]

4.11

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5, 2004, among the Company, theREGAL-BELOIT Corporation, various financial institutions, listed on the signature pages thereof, Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation and Syndication Agent, and M&I Marshall & Ilsley Bank as Administrative Agent and Swing Line Bank, and Bank of America, N.A. as Syndication Agent. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.710.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S AnnualCorporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-K10-Q for the year-endedquarter ended June 29, 2004 (File No. 001-07283)]

4.12

First Amendment, dated December 31, 2002.


4.8

Fourth Amendment,30, 2004, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 4, 2003,May 5, 2004, among the Company, theREGAL-BELOIT Corporation, various financial institutions, listed on the signature pages thereof, Bank of America, N.A., as Documentation and Syndication Agent, and M&I Marshall &and Ilsley Bank, as Administrative Agent. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S QuarterlyCorporation’s Current Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.8-K filed on January 5, 2005 (File No. 001-07283)]


10.1*

10.1*

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION Stock Option Deferral Policies and Procedures

10.2*

1987 Stock Option Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-25363) dated November 4, 1988]1988 (File No. 001-07283)]


10.2*

10.3*

1991 Flexible Stock Incentive Plan [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992]1992 (File No. 001-07283)]

47


10.3*

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description



10.4*

1998 Stock Option Plan, as amended [Incorporated by reference to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-84779)]


10.4*

10.5*

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION Retirement Plans specifically incorporating: LEESON Electric 401(k) Plan [Incorporated by reference to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-108092)].


10.5*

10.6*

2003 Equity Incentive Plan [Incorporated by reference to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-110061)].


10.6*

10.7*

Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2001, between James L. Packard and REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001.2001 (File No. 001-07283)].


10.7*

10.8*

Form of Key Executive Employment and Severance Agreement between REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION and each of Henry W. Knueppel and Kenneth F. Kaplan.  [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.2002 (File No. 001-07283)].


18

Letter regarding change in accounting principle, filed herein.


21

Subsidiaries of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION, filed herein.


23

23

Consent of Independent Auditors, filed herein.


31.1

31.1

Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herein.


31.2

31.2

Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herein.


37

Exhibits Index

Exhibit
NumberExhibit Description

32

32

Section 1350 Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herein.


99.1

REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION Letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding representations from Arthur Andersen LLP [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION’S Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002].


99.2

Proxy Statement of REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION for the 20042005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders [The

[The Proxy Statement for the 20042005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.  Except to the extent specifically incorporated by reference, the Proxy Statement for the 20042005 Annual Meeting of Shareholders shall not be deemed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.]



*

A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

______________________________
* A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.48

38