Table of Contents

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008

 

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 1-1361

 

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Virginia

 

22-1318955

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois  60629

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number:  (773) 838-3400

 

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

 

 

Title of each class

 

 

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

 

Common Stock — Par Value $.69-4/9 Per Share

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

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

Class B Common Stock — Par Value $.69-4/9 Per Share

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  o    No  x

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  o   No  x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                 Yes  x   No  o

 

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

 

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer x

 

Accelerated Filer  o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated Filer  o

 

Smaller Reporting Company  o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x

 

As of February 19, 2009, there were outstanding 35,661,148 shares of Common Stock par value $.69-4/9 per share, and 19,353,668 shares of Class B Common Stock par value $.69-4/9 per share.

 

As of June 30, 2008, the aggregate market value of the Common Stock (based upon the closing price of the stock on the New York Stock Exchange on such date) held by non-affiliates was approximately $503,692,000.  Class B Common Stock is not traded on any exchange, is restricted as to transfer or other disposition, but is convertible into Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.  Upon such conversion, the resulting shares of Common Stock are freely transferable and publicly traded.  Assuming all 19,356,871 shares of outstanding Class B Common Stock were converted into Common Stock, the aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2008 (based upon the closing price of the stock on the New York Stock Exchange on such date) would have been approximately $592,646,000.  Determination of stock ownership by non-affiliates was made solely for the purpose of this requirement, and the Registrant is not bound by these determinations for any other purpose.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

1.             Portions of the Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Report”) are incorporated by reference in Parts I and II of this report and filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

2.             Portions of the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “2009 Proxy Statement”) scheduled to be held on May 4, 2009 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this report.

 

 

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEM 1.

Business

1

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

3

 

 

 

ITEM 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

6

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

Properties

6

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

7

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

7

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

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

8

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

Selected Financial Data

8

 

 

 

ITEM 7.

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

8

 

 

 

ITEM 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

9

 

 

 

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

9

 

 

 

ITEM 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Auditors on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

9

 

 

 

ITEM 9A.

Controls and Procedures

9

 

 

 

ITEM 9B.

Other Information

10

 

 

 

ITEM 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

10

 

 

 

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

11

 

 

 

ITEM 12.

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

11

 

 

 

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

11

 

 

 

ITEM 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

12

 

 

 

ITEM 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedules

12

 

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Forward-Looking Information

 

From time to time, in the Company’s statements and written reports, including this report, the Company discusses its expectations regarding future performance by making certain “forward-looking statements.”  Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipated,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance and are subject to certain factors, risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events.  Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied herein.  Consequently, the Company wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  In connection with the “safe harbor provisions” of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, factors, among others, which could cause future results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, expectations and assumptions expressed or implied herein include those set forth in the subsection entitled “Risk Factors” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Pages 11 through 13 of the 2008 Report, which subsection is incorporated herein by reference and filed as an exhibit to this report. In addition, the Company’s results may be affected by general factors, such as economic conditions, political developments, currency exchange rates, interest and inflation rates, accounting standards, taxes, and laws and regulations affecting the Company in markets where it competes and those factors described in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1.                                                     Business.

 

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been engaged in the manufacture and sale of confectionery products for over 100 years.  This is the only industry segment in which the Company operates and is its only line of business.  The majority of the Company’s products are sold under the registered trademarks TOOTSIE ROLL, TOOTSIE ROLL POPS, CHILD’S PLAY, CARAMEL APPLE POPS, CHARMS, BLOW-POP, BLUE RAZZ, ZIP-A-DEE POPS, CELLA’S, MASON DOTS, MASON CROWS, JUNIOR MINT, CHARLESTON CHEW, SUGAR DADDY, SUGAR BABIES, ANDES, FLUFFY STUFF, DUBBLE BUBBLE, RAZZLES, CRY BABY and NIK-L-NIP.

 

The Company’s products are marketed in a variety of packages designed to be suitable for display and sale in different types of retail outlets.  They are distributed through approximately 100 candy and grocery brokers and by the Company itself to approximately 15,000 customers throughout the United States.  These customers include wholesale distributors of candy and groceries, supermarkets, variety stores, dollar stores, chain grocers, drug chains,  discount chains, cooperative grocery associations, warehouse and membership club stores, vending machine operators, the U. S. military and fund-raising charitable organizations.

 



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The Company’s principal markets are in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  The majority of production from the Company’s Canadian plants is sold in the United States. The majority of production from the Company’s Mexican plant is sold in Mexico.

 

The domestic confectionery business is highly competitive.  The Company competes primarily with other manufacturers of bar candy, bagged candy and bubble gum of the type sold in the above mentioned stores.  Although accurate statistics are not available, the Company believes it is among the ten largest domestic manufacturers in this field.  In the markets in which the Company competes, the main forms of competition comprise brand recognition as well as a fair price for our products at various retail price points.

 

The Company did not have a material backlog of firm orders at the end of the calendar years 2008 or 2007.

 

Packaging materials and ingredients used by the Company are readily obtainable from a number of suppliers at competitive prices.  Prices for refined corn products including corn syrup and dextrose were higher as significant amounts of corn and corn refining capacity have been redirected to ethanol production.  The prices of sugar, vegetable oil and chocolate, which are significant ingredients in the Company’s products, were higher in 2008 than in 2007 due to higher commodity costs.  Energy costs, including fuel surcharges, were higher in 2008 as well.  Milk prices, as well as packaging material costs, including films, cartons, and waxed paper, declined somewhat in 2008.  The Company continues to seek competitive bids to leverage the high volume of annual purchases it makes of many items and to lower per unit costs.

 

The Company has historically hedged certain of its future sugar, corn syrup and soybean oil needs with derivatives at such times that it believes that the forward markets are favorable. The Company’s decision to hedge its major ingredient requirements is dependent on our evaluation of forward commodities’ markets and comparison to vender quotations, if available, and/or historical costs. The Company has historically hedged with derivatives these major commodities and ingredients before the commencement of the next calendar year to better ascertain the need for product pricing changes or product weight decline (indirect price change) adjustments to its product sales portfolio and better manage ingredient costs. The Company will generally purchase forward derivative contracts (i.e. “long” position) in selected future months that correspond to the Company’s estimated procurement and usage needs of the respective commodity in the respective forward period(s).

 

From time to time, the Company also changes the size of certain of its products, which are usually sold at standard prices, to reflect significant changes in raw material costs.

 

The Company does not hold any material patents, licenses, franchises or concessions.  The Company’s major trademarks are registered in the United States and in many other countries.  Continued trademark protection is of material importance to the Company’s business as a whole.

 

Although the Company does develop new products, including product line extensions for existing brands, the Company does not expend material amounts of money on research or development activities.

 

 

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The Company’s compliance with Federal, State and local regulations which have been enacted or adopted regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, or otherwise relating to the protection of the environment, has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position of the Company nor does the Company anticipate any such material effects from presently enacted or adopted regulations.

 

The Company employs approximately 2,200 persons.

 

The Company has found that its sales normally maintain a consistent level throughout the year except for a substantial upsurge in the third quarter which reflects sales associated with Halloween.  In anticipation of this high sales period, the Company generally begins its Halloween inventory build-up in the second quarter of each year.  The Company historically offers extended credit terms for sales made under Halloween sales programs.  Each year, after Halloween receivables have been collected, the Company invests such funds in various marketable securities.

 

Revenues from Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. aggregated approximately 23.5%, 22.4% and 23.7% of net product sales during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006,  respectively. Although no other customer other than Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. accounted for more than 10% of net sales, the loss of one or more significant customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business

 

For a summary of sales and long-lived assets of the Company by geographic area and additional information regarding the foreign subsidiaries of the Company, see Note 9 of the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” on Page 24 of the 2008 Report and on Page 4 of the 2008 Report under the section entitled “International.”  Note 9 and the aforesaid section are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Information regarding the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, upon written request to Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention:  Barry Bowen, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary.  The Company does not make such reports available on its website at www.tootsie.com because it believes that they are readily available from the Securities Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov, and because the Company provides them free of charge upon request. Interested parties, including shareholders, may communicate to the Board of Directors or any individual director in writing, by regular mail, addressed to the Board of Directors or an individual director, in care of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc., 7401 South Cicero Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60629, Attention: Ellen R. Gordon, President.  If an interested party wishes to communicate directly with the Company’s non-employee directors, that should be noted on the cover of the communication.

 

ITEM 1A.                                           Risk Factors.

 

Significant factors that could impact the Company’s financial condition or results of operations include, without limitation, the following:

 

 

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·

 

Risk of changes in the price and availability of raw materials -  The packaging materials and several of the principal ingredients used by the Company are subject to price volatility.  Although the Company engages in commodity hedging transactions and seeks to leverage the high volume of its annual purchases, the Company may experience price increases in these raw materials that it may not be able to offset, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.  In addition, although the Company has historically been able to procure sufficient supplies of raw materials, market conditions could change such that adequate supplies might not be available.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of changes in product performance and competition - The Company competes with other well-established manufacturers of confectionery products.  A failure of new or existing products to be favorably received, a failure to retain preferred shelf space at retail or a failure to sufficiently counter aggressive competitive actions could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of discounting and other competitive actions - Discounting and other competitive actions may make it more difficult for the Company to maintain its operating margins.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of dependence on large customers — The Company’s largest customer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., accounted for approximately 23.5% of  net product sales in 2008, and other large, national chains are also material to the Company’s sales.  The loss of Wal-Mart or one or more other large customers, or a material decrease in purchases by one or more large customers, could result in decreased sales and adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of changes in consumer preferences and tastes - Failure to adequately anticipate and react to changing demographics, consumer trends, consumer health concerns and product preferences could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of economic conditions on consumer purchases — The Company’s sales are impacted by consumer spending levels and impulse purchases which are affected by general macroeconomic conditions, consumer confidence, employment levels, availability of consumer credit and interest rates on that credit, consumer debt levels, energy costs and other factors. Continued volatility in food and energy costs, a sustained global recession, rising unemployment, and continued declines in personal spending could adversely impact the Company’s revenues, profitability and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of economic conditions on customers and suppliers - Short and long-term lenders have reportedly become increasingly cautious in providing financing to companies.  As a result, our customers and our suppliers could face difficulty in securing debt financing. This could result in reduced liquidity for our customers and our suppliers. If current credit market conditions continue, the Company could experience an increase in bad debt expense resulting in reduced cash flows.

 

 

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·

 

Risk of new governmental laws and regulations - Governmental laws and regulations, including food and drug laws, laws related to advertising and marketing practices, accounting standards, taxation requirements, competition laws, employment laws and environmental laws, both in and outside the U.S are subject to change over time, which could adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and ability to compete in domestic or foreign marketplaces.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of labor stoppages - To the extent the Company experiences any material labor stoppages, such disputes or strikes could negatively affect shipments from suppliers or shipments of finished product.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of impairment of reporting units or indefinite-lived assets   The Company has a significant amount of intangible assets, such as goodwill and trademarks, and has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”  The Company has also adopted SFAS No. 144 with respect to evaluating potential impairment of other long-lived assets.  Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to an impairment evaluation annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of some triggering event, and under SFAS No. 144 other long-lived assets are likewise tested for impairment upon the occurrence of some triggering event.  A write-down of any of the Company’s intangible or other indefinite-lived assets could materially and adversely impact its results of operations.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of the cost of energy increasing - Energy costs could continue to rise, which would result in higher distribution, freight and other operating costs. The Company may not be able to offset these cost increases, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of a product recall - Issues related to the quality and safety of the Company’s products could result in a voluntary or involuntary large-scale product recall. Negative publicity associated with this type of situation, including a product recall relating to product contamination or product tampering, whether valid or not, could negatively impact demand for our products. Costs associated with these potential actions, including a product recall and related litigation or fines, and marketing costs relating to the re-launch of such products or brands, could negatively affect our operating results.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of operational interruptions relating to computer software failures, including the implementation of new enterprise resource planning and supply chain systems - The Company is reliant on computer software programs to operate its business and is currently in the process of implementing new business software systems to improve its operational efficiency. In addition to the underlying risk posed by any software corruption, implementation of these new computer software systems adds further risk,

 

 

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including the potential disruption of supply chain planning and activities relating to sales demand forecasts, materials procurement, production planning, and customer shipments, all of which could negatively impact sales and profits.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk of production interruptions — The majority of the Company’s products are manufactured in a single production facility on specialized equipment.  In the event of a disaster at a specific plant location it would be difficult to transfer production to other facilities in a timely manner, which could result in loss of market share for  the affected products.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk related to international operations - To the extent there is political or social unrest, civil war, terrorism or significant economic instability in the countries in which the Company operates, the results of the Company’s business in such countries could be adversely impacted.  Currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies could have an adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

·

 

Risk related to investments in marketable securities — The Company invests its surplus cash in a diversified portfolio of highly rated marketable securities, generally with maturities of generally up to three years.  Changes in the financial markets can affect the carrying value of such instruments, and in 2008 the Company recorded a $5,140,000 pre-tax impairment against an auction rate security which the Company determined had become impaired. 

 

The factors identified above are believed to be significant factors, but not necessarily all of the significant factors, that could impact our business.  Unpredictable or unknown factors could also have material effects on the Company.

 

Additional significant factors that may affect the Company’s operations, performance and business results include the risks and uncertainties listed from time to time in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the risk factors or uncertainties listed herein or listed in any document incorporated by reference herein.

 

ITEM 1B.                                             Unresolved Staff Comments.

 

None.

 

ITEM 2.                                                     Properties.

 

The Company owns its principal plant and offices which are located in Chicago, Illinois in a building consisting of approximately 2,225,000 square feet which is utilized for offices, manufacturing and warehousing. In addition to owning the principal plant and warehousing facilities mentioned above, the Company leases manufacturing and warehousing facilities at a second location in Chicago which comprises 138,000 square feet.  The lease is renewable by the Company every five years through June, 2011.  The Company also periodically leases additional warehousing space at this second location as needed on a month to month basis.

 

 

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The Company’s other principal manufacturing facilities, all of which are owned, are:

 

Location

 

Square Feet (a)

 

 

 

 

 

Covington, Tennessee

 

685,000

 

Cambridge, Massachusetts

 

142,000

 

Delevan, Wisconsin

 

162,000

 

Concord, Ontario, Canada

 

280,500

(b)

Hazelton , Pennsylvania

 

240,000

(c)

Mexico City, Mexico

 

90,000

 


(a)                      Square footage is approximate and includes production, warehousing and office space.

 

(b)                     Two facilities; a third owned facility, comprising 225,000 square feet of warehousing space, and which is excluded from the reported totals above, is leased to a third party.

 

(c)                      Warehousing only.

 

The Company owns substantially all of the production machinery and equipment located in its plants.  The Company also holds four commercial real estate properties for investment which were acquired with the proceeds from a sale of surplus real estate in 2005.

 

ITEM 3.                                                     Legal Proceedings.

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings known to the Company to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their property is the subject, and no penalties have been imposed by the Internal Revenue Service on the Company.

 

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

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company’s shareholders through the solicitation of proxies or otherwise during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

ADDITIONAL ITEM.                            Executive Officers of the Registrant.

 

See the information on Executive Officers set forth in the table in Part III, Item 10, Page 10 of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

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PART II

 

 

ITEM 5.                                                     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

 

The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  The Company’s Class B Common Stock is subject to restrictions on transferability and no market exists for such shares of Class B Common Stock.  The Class B Common Stock is convertible at the option of the holder into shares of Common Stock on a share-for-share basis.  As of February 25, 2009, there were approximately 4,100 and 1,500 registered holders of record of Common and Class B Common Stock, respectively.  In addition, the Company estimates that as of February 25, 2009 there were 18,000 and 5,000 beneficial holders of Common and Class B Common Stock, respectively.  For information on the market price of, and dividends paid with respect to, the Company’s Common Stock, see the section entitled “2008-2007 Quarterly Summary of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. Stock Price and Dividends Per Share” which appears on Page 28 of the 2008 Report.  This section is incorporated herein by reference and filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

The following table sets forth information about the shares of Common Stock the Company repurchased on the open market during the quarter ended December 31, 2008:

 

Period

 

Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

Average
Price
Paid per
Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

 

Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares that May Yet
be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs

 

Oct 1 to Oct 31

 

50,000

 

$

23.45

 

Not Applicable

 

Not Applicable

 

Nov 1 to Nov 30

 

 

 

Not Applicable

 

Not Applicable

 

Dec 1 to Dec 31

 

 

 

Not Applicable

 

Not Applicable

 

Total

 

50,000

 

$

23.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

While the Company does not have a formal or publicly announced stock repurchase program, the Company’s Board of Directors periodically authorizes a dollar amount for share repurchases.  The treasurer executes share repurchase transactions according to these guidelines.

 

ITEM 6.                                                     Selected Financial Data.

 

See the section entitled “Five Year Summary of Earnings and Financial Highlights” which appears on Page 29 of the 2008 Report.  This section is incorporated herein by reference and filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

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

 

 

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See the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Pages 5-13 of the 2008 Report.  This section is incorporated herein by reference and filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

ITEM 7A.                                           Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

See the section entitled “Market Risks” in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Pages 11-13 of the 2008 Report.  This section is incorporated herein by reference and filed as an exhibit to this report.

 

See also Note 1 of the “Notes of Consolidated Financial Statements” commencing on Page 19 of the 2008 Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 8.                                                     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

 

The financial statements, together with the report thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP dated February 27, 2009, appearing on Pages 15-25 and 26 of the 2008 Report and the “Quarterly Financial Data” on Page 28 of the 2008 Report are incorporated by reference in this report.  With the exception of the aforementioned information and the information incorporated in Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 7A, and 9A, the 2008 Report is not to be deemed filed as part of this report.

 

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

 

None.

 

ITEM 9A.                                           Controls And Procedures.

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) ) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i)  recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

(a) See Page 14 of the 2008 Report for “Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

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(b) See Page 26 of the 2008 Report for the attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

(c)  There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B.                                             Other Information.

 

None

 

PART III

 

ITEM 10.                                               Directors,  Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

 

See the information with respect to the Directors of the Company which is set forth in the section entitled “Election of Directors” of the 2009 Proxy Statement, which  section of the 2009 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.  See the information in the section entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The following table sets forth the information with respect to the executive officers of the Company:

 

Name

 

Position (1)

 

Age

 

 

 

 

 

Melvin J. Gordon*

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (2)

 

89

 

 

 

 

 

Ellen R. Gordon*

 

President and Chief Operating Officer (2)

 

77

 

 

 

 

 

G. Howard Ember Jr.

 

Vice President/Finance

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

John W. Newlin Jr.

 

Vice President/Manufacturing

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas E. Corr

 

Vice President/Marketing and Sales

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

John P. Majors

 

Vice President/Distribution

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

Barry P. Bowen

 

Treasurer

 

53


*                             A member of the Board of Directors of the Company

 

 

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(1)                      All of the above named officers other than Mr. Majors have served in the positions set forth in the table as their principal occupations for more than the past ten years.  From January, 2000 until joining the Company in October, 2004 Mr. Majors was employed by The Pepsi Bottling Group in various senior logistics management positions.  Mr. and Mrs. Gordon also serve as President and Vice President, respectively of HDI Investment Corp., a family investment company.

 

(2)                      Melvin J. Gordon and Ellen R. Gordon are husband and wife.

 

Code of Ethics

 

The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, which applies to all of the Company’s directors and employees, and which meets the Securities Exchange Commission criteria for a “code of ethics.”  The Code of Ethics is available on the Company’s website, located at www.tootsie.com, and the information in such Code of Conduct is available in print to any shareholder who requests a copy.

 

ITEM 11.                                               Executive Compensation.

 

See the information set forth in the sections entitled “Executive Compensation”  and “Director Compensation” of the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

For information with respect to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by the beneficial owners of more than 5% of said shares and by the management of the Company, see the sections entitled “Ownership of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by Certain Beneficial Owners” and “Ownership of Common Stock and Class B Common Stock by Management” of the 2009 Proxy Statement.  These sections of the 2009 Proxy Statement are incorporated herein by reference.  The Company does not have any compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.

 

ITEM 13.                                               Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

See the section entitled “Related Person Transactions” of the 2009 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Our board of directors has determined that our non-management directors, Messrs. Seibert and Bergeman and Ms. Lewis-Brent, are independent under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards because they have no direct or indirect relationship with the Company other than through their service on the Board of Directors

 

 

11



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ITEM 14.                                               Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

See the section entitled “Independent Auditor Fees and Services” of the 2009 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 15.                                               Exhibits and Financial Statements Schedule.

 

(a)                                  Financial Statements.

 

The following financial statements and schedule are filed as part of this report:

 

(1)                                  Financial Statements (filed herewith as part of Exhibit 13):

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Comprehensive Earnings and Retained Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 2008

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at December 31, 2008 and 2007

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2008

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

(2)                                  Financial Statement Schedule:

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Financial Statement Schedule

 

For the three years ended December 31, 2008 — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

(3)                                  Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

See Index to Exhibits which appears following Financial Schedule II.

 

 

12



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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

Melvin J. Gordon

 

 

 

 

Melvin J. Gordon, Chairman

 

 

 

 

of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

February 27, 2009

 

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.

 

Melvin J. Gordon

 

Chairman of the Board

 

Melvin J. Gordon

 

of Directors and Chief

 

 

 

Executive Officer

 

 

 

(principal executive officer)

February 27, 2009

 

 

 

 

Ellen R. Gordon

 

Director, President

 

Ellen R. Gordon

 

and Chief Operating Officer

February 27, 2009

 

 

 

 

Barre A. Seibert

 

Director

 

Barre A. Seibert

 

 

February 27, 2009

 

 

 

 

Lana Jane Lewis-Brent

 

Director

 

Lana Jane Lewis-Brent

 

 

February 27, 2009

 

 

 

 

Richard P. Bergeman

 

Director

 

Richard P. Bergeman

 

 

February 27, 2009

 

 

 

 

G. Howard Ember, Jr.

 

Vice President, Finance

 

G. Howard Ember, Jr.

 

(principal financial

 

 

 

officer and principal

 

 

 

accounting officer)

February 27, 2009

 

13



Table of Contents

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

 

To the Board of Directors of

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.:

 

                              Our audits of the consolidated financial statements and of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting referred to in our report dated February 27, 2009 appearing in the 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a)(2) of this Form 10-K.  In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Chicago, Illinois

February 27, 2009

 



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TOOTSIE ROLL INDUSTRIES, INC.
AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

 

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (in thousands)

 

DECEMBER 31, 2008, 2007 AND 2006

 

Description

 

Balance at
beginning
of year

 

Additions (reductions)
charged (credited) to
expense

 

Deductions (1)

 

Balance at
End of
Year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for bad debts

 

$

1,727

 

$

(237

)

$

132

 

$

1,358

 

Reserve for cash discounts

 

560

 

10,233

 

10,228

 

565

 

Deferred tax asset valuation

 

7,556

 

950

 

 

8,506

 

 

 

$

9,843

 

$

10,946

 

$

10,360

 

$

10,429

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for bad debts

 

$

1,741

 

$

104

 

$

118

 

$

1,727

 

Reserve for cash discounts

 

581

 

10,093

 

10,114

 

560

 

Deferred tax asset valuation

 

4,329

 

3,227

 

 

7,556

 

 

 

$

6,651

 

$

13,424

 

$

10,232

 

$

9,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reserve for bad debts

 

$

1,703

 

$

288

 

$

250

 

$

1,741

 

Reserve for cash discounts

 

552

 

10,199

 

10,170

 

581

 

Deferred tax asset valuation

 

1,464

 

2,865

 

 

4,329

 

 

 

$

3,719

 

$

13,352

 

$

10,420

 

$

6,651

 

 


(1)           Deductions against reserve for bad debts consist of accounts receivable written off net of recoveries and exchange rate movements.  Deductions against reserve for cash discounts consist of allowances to customers.

 



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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

 

The Company hereby agrees to provide the Commission, upon request, copies of any omitted exhibits or schedules required by Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K

 

 

 

3.1

 

Restated Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997.

 

 

 

3.2

 

Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

 

 

3.3

 

Amended and Restated By-Laws . Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

 

 

 

4.1

 

Specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated February 29, 1988.

 

 

 

10.8.1*

 

Excess Benefit Plan. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

 

 

 

10.8.2*

 

Amended and Restated Career Achievement Plan of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8.2 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

 

 

10.8.3*

 

Amendment to the Amended and Restated Career Achievement Plan of the Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8.3 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

 

 

10.12*

 

Restatement of Split Dollar Agreement (Special Trust) between the Company and the trustee of the Gordon Family 1993 Special Trust dated January 31, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

 

 

 

10.21*

 

Executive Split Dollar Insurance and Collateral Assignment Agreement between the Company and G. Howard Ember Jr. dated July 30, 1994. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

 

 

 

10.22*

 

Executive Split Dollar Insurance and Collateral Assignment Agreement between the Company and John W. Newlin dated July 30, 1994. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

 

 

 

10.23*

 

Executive Split Dollar Insurance and Collateral Assignment Agreement between the Company and Thomas E. Corr dated July 30, 1994. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

 



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10.25*

 

Form of Change In Control Agreement dated August, 1997 between the Company and certain executive officers. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

 

 

10.26*

 

Executive Split Dollar Insurance and Collateral Assignment Agreement between the Company and Barry Bowen dated April 1, 1997. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

 

 

 

10.27*

 

Amendment to Split Dollar Agreement (Special Trust) dated April 2, 1998 between the Company and the trustee of the Gordon Family 1993 Special Trust, together with related Collateral Assignments. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

 

 

10.28*

 

Form of amendment to Change in Control Agreement between the Company and certain executive officers.

 

 

 

10.29*

 

Post 2004 Supplemental Savings Plan of the Company.

 

 

 

10.30*

 

Post 2004 Excess Benefit Plan of the Company.

 

 

 

10.31*

 

Amended and Restated Career Achievement Plan of the Company.

 

 

 

13

 

The following items incorporated by reference herein from the Company’s 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 (the “2008 Report”), are filed as Exhibits to this report:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

Information under the section entitled “International” set forth on Page 4 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Information under the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” set forth on Pages 5-13 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position at December 31, 2008 and 2007 set forth on Pages 15-16 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Consolidated Statement of Earnings, Comprehensive Earnings and Retained Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 2008 set forth on Page 17 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2008 set forth on Page 18 of the 2008 Report;

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

(vi)

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth on Pages 19-25 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vii)

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting set forth on Page 14 of the 2008 Report,

 

 

 

 

 

 

(viii)

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm set forth on Page 26 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ix)

Quarterly Financial Data set forth on Page 28 of the 2008 Report;

 

 

 

 

 

 

(x)

Information under the section entitled “2008-2007 Quarterly Summary of Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. Stock Price and Dividends per Share” set forth on Page 28 of the 2008 Report; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

(xi)

Information under the section entitled “Five Year Summary of Earnings and Financial Highlights” set forth on Page 29 of the 2008 Report.

 

 

 

 

21

 

List of Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 


*Management compensation plan or arrangement.