Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

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, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-9511

 

 

THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   94-2490990

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

350 Woodview Avenue, Morgan Hill, California   95037
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(408) 782-6686

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

 

Common Stock, par value, $.001 per share

Preferred Share Purchase Rights, $0.001 per share

 

American Stock Exchange

American Stock Exchange

(Title of Class)   (Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    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.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

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

The aggregate market value of the outstanding shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of Registrant as of June 30, 2009, the last day of the second quarter of fiscal 2009, which was determined on the basis of the closing price of Registrant’s shares on that date, was approximately $8,862,000.

As of March 17, 2010, a total of 4,449,431 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Except as otherwise stated therein, Part III of the Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting which is expected to be filed on or before April 30, 2010.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page No.
Forward Looking Statements    1
Part I   

Item 1

   Business    1

Item 1A

   Risk Factors    6

Item 1B

   Unresolved Staff Comments    10

Item 2

   Properties    11

Item 3

   Legal Proceedings    11
   Executive Officers of the Registrant    12
Part II   

Item 5

  

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

   13

Item 6

  

Selected Financial Data

   15

Item 7

  

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

   16
  

Management Overview

   16
  

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

   18
  

Results of Operations

   21
  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

   24
  

Seasonality and Inflation

   26

Item 7A

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk    27

Item 8

  

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   28
  

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

   28
  

Report of Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   29
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009 and 2008

   30
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   31
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   32
  

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity the Years ended December  31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   33
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   34
  

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   46

Item 9

  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

   47

Item 9A (T)

  

Controls and Procedures

   47

Item 9B

  

Other Information

   48
Part III   

Item 10

  

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

   49

Item 11

  

Executive Compensation

   49

Item 12

  

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

   49

Item 13

  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

   49

Item 14

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

   49
Part IV   

Item 15

  

Exhibits and Financial Statements and Schedules

   50

Signatures

   S-1
Exhibit Index    E-1

Exhibit 21

  

Subsidiaries of Registrant

  

Exhibit 23.1

  

Consent of Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  

Exhibit 31.1

  

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

Exhibit 31.2

  

Certifications of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

Exhibit 32.1

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

Exhibit 32.1

  

Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  

 

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Annual Report that are not historical facts or that discuss our expectations, beliefs or views regarding our future operations or future financial performance, or financial or other trends in our business or markets, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. Often, they include the words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “project,” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may.” The expectations, beliefs or views regarding our future financial condition or financial performance or trends in our business or markets that are set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this Report are based on current information and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our financial condition or operating results in the future to differ, possibly significantly, from those expected at the current time. Those risks and uncertainties are described in Item 1A of Part I of this Report in the Section entitled “RISK FACTORS” and some of the factors and uncertainties that can affect our business, financial condition and results of operations also are set forth in Part II of this Report in the Section entitled “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS”. Readers of this Report are urged to read the cautionary statements contained in those Sections of this Report.

Due to these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Report, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

References in this Annual Report to “Coast,” “we,” “us,” or “our” or to the “Company” shall mean The Coast Distribution System, Inc and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Overview of Our Business

The Coast Distribution System, Inc. is, we believe, one of the largest wholesale suppliers of replacement parts, supplies and accessories for recreational vehicles (“RVs”), and boats in North America. We supply almost 12,000 products and serve more than 18,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada, from 13 regional distribution centers in the United States that are located in California, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New York, Georgia, Florida and Wisconsin and 4 regional distribution centers in Canada located, respectively, in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Our customers are comprised primarily of RV and boat dealers and RV and boating parts supply stores and service centers (“Aftermarket Customers”), which resell the products they purchase from us, at retail, to consumers that own or use RVs or boats. Reference is made to Note G to our Consolidated Financial Statements, contained in Item 8 of this Report, for certain information regarding the respective operating results of the Company’s operations in the United States and Canada.

We have introduced into the marketplace a number of products that have been designed specifically for us by independent product design firms or product manufacturers and are manufactured for us, generally on an exclusive basis, by a number of different independent manufacturers. We market these products (which are referred to in this Annual Report as either “proprietary products” or “Coast branded products”) under our own brand-names in competition with or, in some cases that are complementary to, products from traditional suppliers of RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories. Due to differences in costs, we generally are able to realize higher margins on sales of proprietary products than we are able to realize on sales of competing products. For additional information regarding our proprietary products, see “Products — Proprietary Products Strategy and Sales” below.

The Company was incorporated in California in June 1977, and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1998.

 

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The RV and Boating Parts, Supplies and Accessories Aftermarkets

Many manufacturers of RV and boating replacement parts, supplies and accessories rely on independent distributors, such as the Company, to market and distribute their products or to augment their own product distribution operations. Distributors relieve manufacturers of a portion of the costs associated with distribution of their products while providing geographically dispersed selling, order processing and delivery capabilities. At the same time, distributors offer retailers access to a broad line of products and the convenience of rapid delivery of orders which reduces the amount of product inventories that retailers must carry and, therefore, their costs of operations.

The market for RV parts, supplies and accessories distributed by the Company is comprised of RV dealers and RV supply stores and service centers. The RV products that we sell include optional equipment and accessories, such as trailer hitches, air conditioning units, water heaters and other accessories, and replacement and repair parts and maintenance supplies. The market for the boating parts, supplies and accessories that we sell is comprised primarily of independent boat dealers that sell boats and boating parts, supplies and accessories at retail. Independent boat dealers primarily purchase replacement parts, boating supplies and smaller accessories from us.

Products

General. We carry a full line of almost 12,000 RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories which we purchase from more than 400 manufacturers. The RV products that we distribute include antennae, vents, electrical items, towing equipment and hitches, appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, ranges and generators, LP gas equipment, portable toilets and plumbing parts, hardware and tools, specialized recreational vehicle housewares, chemicals and supplies, and various accessories, such as ladders, jacks, fans, load stabilizers, outdoor furniture, mirrors and compressors. Boating and marine products that we distribute include boat covers, stainless steel hardware, depth sounders, anchors, life jackets and other marine safety equipment and fishing equipment that are designed primarily for use on trailer-towable boats.

Proprietary Products Strategy and Sales. We have introduced into the RV and boating aftermarkets a growing number of proprietary products, which are products that are manufactured specifically for us, often on an exclusive basis, by a number of different independent manufacturers, based primarily, but not exclusively, in Asia. The proprietary products primarily include products that are needed or used by RV and boating customers on a regular or recurring basis, such as trailer hitches, plastic wastewater tanks, vent lids, stabilizing jacks and battery boxes. These products have been designed for us by independent professional product design firms or by the independent manufacturers that we have retained to manufacture the products for us. We market these proprietary products under our own brand-names in competition with brand name products from traditional suppliers, which usually sell their products to a number of different distributors and sometimes into other markets.

Generally, the costs to us of purchasing proprietary products are lower than the costs of purchasing competitive products from traditional suppliers based in the United States. As a result, our proprietary products strategy has enabled us, over the years, to offer our customers lower-priced products, without compromising quality, and at the same time has enabled us to increase our gross profit margins. We believe, moreover, that our Coast-branded proprietary products are gaining greater acceptance among users of RVs and boats. However, the costs of marketing our proprietary products generally are greater than for established brand-name products, which can offset some of the margin advantage we gain on sales of those products.

Expansion into New Markets. During the past several years we have begun to source from overseas manufacturers, and market and sell in the United States and Canada, products that have applications not only in the RV and boating markets, but also in other markets. We intend to continue our efforts to source additional products from independent manufacturers, primarily in Asia, that we can sell into multiple markets domestically, in order to increase our sales and gross margins and reduce our dependence on the RV and boating markets. It is too early to predict if this strategy will prove to be successful. Among other things, we have encountered stiff competition in those new markets from manufacturers and distributors of competing products. A number of those manufacturers and distributors are larger and have more marketing and capital resources than we do and are better known in those markets than we are. Additionally, we expect that it will be necessary for us to assume primary responsibility for marketing these foreign sourced products to consumers and, in some instances, for providing warranty service for such products, the costs of which could offset the margin advantage we enjoy on sales of these products.

 

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Marketing and Sales

Our Customers. Our customers include primarily (i) RV dealers, which purchase optional equipment and accessories for new recreational vehicles and replacement and repair parts for their service departments, (ii) independent RV supply stores and service centers that purchase parts, supplies and accessories for resale to owners of RVs and for their service centers, and (iii) independent boat dealers that purchase small accessories for new boats and replacement parts and boating supplies for resale to boat owners and operators. We are not dependent on any single customer for any material portion of our business and no single customer accounted for more than 2% of our sales in 2009, 2008 or 2007.

We have begun to market and sell portable and standby generators and certain other foreign-sourced products, including some of our proprietary products, to other distributors, national and regional home improvement and home accessories chains, catalogue stores, hardware stores and agricultural equipment outlets, which operate within the outdoor power equipment market. However, to date, our sales to those customers have not been material in relation to our sales of such products to RV and boating Aftermarket Customers and there is no assurance that we will be successful in penetrating the outdoor power equipment market.

Our Customer Service Center and Computerized Order Entry and Warehousing System. We have designed and implemented a computer-based order entry and warehousing system which enables our customers to transmit orders electronically to our central computers and also enables us, subject to product availability, to prepare and invoice most customer orders within 24 hours of receipt.

We also operate a national customer sales and service center through which our customers can obtain product information and place orders by telephone using our toll-free telephone numbers. Our customer sales and service center is staffed by sales personnel who are trained to promote the sale of our products and to handle customer service issues.

Orders transmitted by customers either electronically, or via telephone to the national customer sales and service center, are input into our computer system and then are electronically transmitted to the regional distribution center selected by the customer, where the products are picked, packed and shipped. At the time the order is received, the customer is informed, either by electronic confirmation or by the sales person handling the customer’s call at the customer service center, that the order has been accepted and whether any items are not currently in stock.

Distribution

General. Our regional distribution and warehouse centers in North America carry an inventory of up to approximately 12,000 RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories, although the nature and number of products at each distribution and warehouse center does vary, based primarily on the historical product sales of each distribution center to customers in their respective geographic regions. We rely primarily on independent freight companies to ship our products to our customers.

We have implemented an inventory management and deployment system that we designed to improve our ability to fill customer orders from the distribution centers closest to the customer and, thereby, improve our responsiveness to the customer and at the same time reduce our costs of service. We track product sales from each of our distribution and warehouse centers and stock at each such center only the products which are in relatively high demand from customers in the region serviced by that distribution center. At the same time we offer our customers a program by which we ship products that are not available at the Company’s distribution center closest to the customer from the next closest of the Company’s distribution centers which stocks those products. This program reduces back-orders that could adversely affect service levels to our customers and, at the same time, reduces our costs because it eliminates the need to stock duplicative products at all of our warehouses.

Arrangements with Manufacturers

General. The products which we distribute are purchased from more than 400 different manufacturers. As is typical in the industry, in most instances we acquire those products on a purchase order basis and we have no long term supply contracts or guaranteed price or delivery agreements with manufacturers, including the manufacturers that produce proprietary products for us. As a result, short-term inventory shortages can occur. We sometimes choose to carry only a single manufacturer’s products for certain of the brand-name product lines that we sell, although comparable products usually are available from multiple sources. In addition, we obtain each of our proprietary products from a single source manufacturer, although in many instances we own the tooling required for their manufacture.

 

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Dependence on a single manufacturer for any product or line of related products, however, presents some risks, including the risk that we will be unable to readily obtain products from alternative suppliers in the event that a single source supplier encounters production problems or decides either to enter into an exclusive supply arrangement or alliance with a competing distributor or to vertically integrate its operations to include the distribution of its products. Termination of a single source supply relationship could adversely affect our sales and operating income, possibly to a significant extent. See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I of this Report.

Our increased purchases of foreign sourced products subjects us to foreign currency risks that could reduce the margin advantage we would be able to realize on the sales of those products to our customers in North America. See “RISK FACTORS — Our financial performance can be adversely affected by currency fluctuations associated with our operations in Canada and our increased reliance on foreign product suppliers.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, none of our suppliers accounted for more than 5% of our product purchases, except Airexcel, Inc., which manufacturers and supplies us with Coleman® brand RV air conditioners, and Thule Towing Systems (formerly Valley Industries), which supplied us with towing products. The dollar volume of our purchases of air conditions from Airexcel and our purchases of towing products from Thule Towing Systems (“Thule”) accounted for 18% and 5%, respectively, of the total dollar volume of our product purchases in 2009. By comparison, product purchases from Airexcel accounted for 15% and 10% of the total dollar volume of our product purchases in 2008 and 2007, respectively, and product purchases from Thule accounted for 6% of the total dollar volume of our product purchases in each of 2008 and 2007. Purchases of portable and standby generators from Wuxi Kipor Power Co., Ltd. (“Kipor”), accounted for 6% of the total dollar volume of our product purchases in each of 2008 and 2007. No other product suppliers accounted for as much as 5% of our product purchases in 2008 or 2007.

During 2009, we reduced our purchases of generators from Kipor and have added an additional supplier of portable and standby generators, sales of which commenced in the first quarter of 2010. Additionally, we have arranged for a number of towing products of the types formerly supplied to us by Thule to be manufactured for us by a foreign source supplier. As a result, we expect our purchases of towing products from Thule to decline in 2010. We also have designed and arranged for the manufacture, by a foreign supplier, of and have begun selling a new line of hitch products and a new line of electric jacks, primarily for use on travel trailers. We believe that these products have offer advantages to consumers over competing hitch and electric jack products that are currently available in the market. Moreover, these new products will broaden the range of towing products that we are able to offer to our RV and boating customers and we believe will have applications in other markets, as well.

Product Warranties and Product Liability Insurance. We generally do not independently warrant the products that we distribute and sell. Instead, product manufacturers generally warrant the products they sell to us and allow us to return defective products for credit or replacement, including those that have been returned to us by our customers. However, we share the costs of providing warranty services for standby and portable generators that we sell with the manufacturers of those products. The warranty period is 24 months following the sale of a generator to a retail customer. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, we had established reserves of $358,000 and $418,000, respectively, for potential warranty claims with respect to those products. However, there is no assurance that warranty claims in the future will not exceed these amounts. In the future, we may enter into similar warranty cost sharing arrangements with respect to other products that are manufactured for us in Asia.

We also maintain insurance to protect us against product liability claims relating to all of the products we distribute and sell. Additionally, we often are able to obtain indemnification agreements from our product suppliers to protect us against product liability claims that may arise out of the use of the products they manufacture and supply to us for resale.

 

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Competition

We face significant competition. There are a number of national and regional distributors of RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories that compete with us. There also are mass merchandisers, web retailers, catalog houses and national and regional retail chains specializing in the sale of RV or boating parts, supplies and accessories that purchase such products directly from manufacturers. The mass merchandisers, web retailers, and national and regional chains compete directly with the RV and boating supply stores and service centers that purchase products from us. This competition affects both the volume of our sales and the prices we are able to charge our customers for those products. Additionally, there is no assurance that changes in supply relationships or new alliances within the RV or boating products industry will not occur that would further increase competition.

We compete on the basis of the quality, speed and reliability of our service, the breadth of our product lines and on price. We believe that we are highly competitive in each of those areas.

As discussed earlier in this Report, we sell portable generators and certain other products, not only in the RV and boating markets, but also in other markets, such as the outdoor power supply market, in which we have not previously sold products. We also intend to seek additional products that we can source from overseas suppliers for resale into other markets in the United States and Canada. We expect to encounter intensive competition from manufacturers and distributors of competing products in those other markets. Many of those companies are larger and have greater marketing and financial resources than we do and are better known than us in these markets. Therefore, there is no assurance that we will be successful in competing against those companies.

Seasonality

Sales of RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories are seasonal. Generally, we have significantly higher sales during the six-month period from March through August than we do during the remainder of the year when winter weather conditions result in reductions in the purchase and in the usage of RVs and boats and, therefore, also in the demand for our products, by consumers. Because a substantial portion of our expenses are fixed, operating income declines and we sometimes incurs losses and must rely more heavily on borrowings to fund our operations in the winter months when sales are lower.

Employees

At December 31, 2009, we had approximately 265 full-time employees, which include employees in Canada, as compared to 300 employees as of December 31, 2008. The workforce reduction during 2009 was implemented as part of a cost reduction program that we commenced in the third quarter of 2008 in response to the decline in our sales as a result of the economic recession and the credit crisis. See “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” in Item 7 of Part II of this Report.

During the peak summer months, we also employ part-time workers at our regional distribution and warehouse centers. None of our employees is represented by a labor union and we believe that relations with our employees are good.

Our Website

Our internet website address is www.coastdistribution.com. Our Annual Report to Stockholders and all of our SEC filings are available on our website, without charge. Copies of these filings also are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed or furnished these documents to the SEC at its website, which is www.sec.gov.

 

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Statements contained in this Annual Report that are not historical facts or that discuss our expectations, beliefs or views regarding our future operations or future financial performance or future financial condition or trends in our business or markets constitute “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements contain estimates or predictions about our future financial performance or future financial condition, or are statements about our views regarding financial or market trends that may affect our future results of operations. Such statements are based on current information available to us and our business is subject to a number of risks, market conditions and uncertainties that could cause our actual operating results or our financial performance or financial condition in future periods to differ, possibly significantly, from our current expectations and the estimates that are set forth in the forward looking statements contained in this Annual Report. Those risks and uncertainties include, although they are not limited to, the following:

Our business and financial performance are affected by economic conditions that affect consumers.

Our sales are affected directly by the level of purchases and the usage by consumers of RVs and boats which, in turn, is dependent on the ability and willingness of consumers to spend money to make purchases of and to use their RVs and boats. As a result, our sales are affected primarily by (i) the discretionary income that consumers have to spend, (ii) their confidence about economic conditions which determines their willingness to spend their discretionary income, (iii) the availability of and the interest rates payable on borrowings, including credit card debt, on which consumers generally rely to finance their purchases of and the costs of using RVs and boats, and (iv) the availability and prices of gasoline, which affect the ability and cost of operating and using their RVs and boats. As a result, our sales and earnings in the past have been, and our future sales and earnings can be, adversely affected by the following conditions:

 

   

Economic downturns and recessions and rising unemployment, which result in declines in discretionary income of and a loss of confidence among consumers about economic conditions and their own economic well-being and security, which cause them to reduce their purchases and usage of RVs and boats;

 

   

A tightening in the availability and increases in the costs of borrowings and consumer credit on which consumers rely to supplement their own funds when purchasing new and used RVs and boats and paying to maintain and purchase supplies and accessories for their RVs and boats; and

 

   

Increases in the prices and shortages in the supply of gasoline, which increase the costs and sometimes even the ability and, therefore, the willingness of consumers to purchase and use RVs and boats.

Our results of operations in 2009 and 2008 illustrate the impact that adverse economic and market conditions can have on our business and financial performance. The current economic recession, which is reported to have begun in late 2007, became quite severe during the second half of 2008 and continued during 2009 and has had wide-ranging consequences for the economy as a whole and has created serious and unprecedented difficulties for the RV and boating industries in particular. The recession began with dramatic declines in home prices and increases in mortgage loan delinquencies and home foreclosures that, in turn, led banks and other lending institutions to significantly curtail the availability of credit to both businesses and consumers. Those conditions resulted in a considerable decline in economic activity throughout the country and sharp and rapid drops in the prices of stocks and bonds, which led to rapid increases in unemployment and significant declines in the retirement savings of consumers that significantly reduced their discretionary income and caused them to lose confidence in the economy and in their own economic security. As a result, consumers significantly curtailed their purchases and usage of RVs and boats which, in turn, significantly reduced their need for and their purchases of the products we sell. Due to these conditions and circumstances, our sales declined by 22% during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, after declining by 19.5% in 2008. See “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” in Part II of this Report. These conditions also adversely impacted other companies in the RV and boating markets and led to the bankruptcies of well-known RV manufacturers, such as Fleetwood Enterprises and Monaco Coach, and the sale by Coachmen Industries of its RV manufacturing business, during the first quarter of 2009 and significant declines in sales of other RV and boating products companies such as Winnebago and West Marine.

There still are considerable uncertainties with respect to the ultimate duration and severity of the current economic recession and credit crisis. As a result, we expect that consumers will continue to be reluctant to increase their spending generally or their purchases and usage of RVs and boats, in particular, at least during the first half of

 

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2010. Consequently, we have focused our efforts on gaining market share, increasing our profit margins and reducing our costs in order to offset the effects that these economic and market conditions could have on our results of operations during 2010. However, due those uncertainties, it is not possible to predict, with any degree of accuracy, whether or not these programs will enable us to achieve improvements in our operating results in 2010, as compared to 2009 and we could incur losses in 2010.

For a more detailed discussion of how these economic conditions affected our results of operation and financial condition in 2009, see “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” below, in Part II of this Report.

The current economic recession and credit crisis could have longer term adverse consequences for our business and future financial performance.

The current economic recession and credit crisis have led to the closure or bankruptcies of many RV and boating dealers and a number of well-known RV manufacturers which could significantly reduce the size of the RV and boating markets and the number of our Aftermarket Customers and, therefore, adversely affect our business, sales, gross profit margins and future financial performance. In addition, the spending habits of consumers who purchase and use RVs and boats may change as a result of the current economic recession and credit crisis, because consumers may choose, even after the economy recovers, to reduce their spending and use of consumer credit, which could result in a decline in their purchases and usage of RVs and boats and, therefore, in their need for and purchases of the products we sell. Also, owners of RVs and boats may increasingly choose to purchase RV and boating parts, supplies and accessories from lower cost sellers, such as mass merchandisers and web-based retailers, instead of from independent dealers, supply stores and service centers that comprise our Aftermarket customers that purchase products from us, which could adversely affect our market share, pricing, and sales revenues and, as a result, our future financial performance.

Our business is seasonal and our financial performance can be adversely affected by unusual weather conditions.

Our business is seasonal, because consumers generally increase their purchases and usage of RVs and boats and, therefore, increase their purchases of the products we sell, primarily in the spring and summer months, which coincide with our second and third fiscal quarters; whereas, such purchases and usage declines in the late fall and in the winter months, which coincide with the fourth and first quarters of our fiscal year. As a result, as a general rule our sales are higher and our financial performance is better in our second and third fiscal quarters than in our fourth and first fiscal quarters, during which we often incur losses.

However, the occurrence of unusually severe or extended winter weather conditions can adversely affect our operating results in our second and third fiscal quarters, and can lead to more severe swings in our sales and financial performance, because such conditions can have the effect of reducing the usage of RV and boats for periods extending beyond the ordinary winter months or to regions that ordinarily encounter milder winter weather conditions. Additionally, extended periods of unusually severe weather conditions sometimes also occur during the winter months, which can cause year-over-year declines in our sales in the first or fourth quarters of the year.

We rely heavily on bank borrowings in the operation of our business, which makes us more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions.

We rely heavily on bank borrowings to fund our working capital requirements and capital expenditures. Our outstanding borrowings create additional risks for our business. Among other things, we may find it more difficult to obtain additional financing to fund expansion or take advantage of other business opportunities, and we use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay the principal of and interest on our debt. Our existing debt also makes us more vulnerable to general economic downturns and competitive pressures, which could cause us to fail to meet financial covenants in our bank loan agreement.

Risks of our reliance on sole sources of supply for certain of our products.

We sometimes choose to carry only a single manufacturer’s products for certain of the third party brand-name product lines that we sell. In addition, we obtain each of our proprietary products from a single source manufacturer, although in many instances we own the tooling required for their manufacture. Dependence on a single manufacturer

 

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for any product or line of related products, however, presents some risks, including the risk that we will be unable to readily obtain alternative product supply sources in the event that a single source supplier (i) encounters quality or other manufacturing problems, or (ii) decides to enter into an exclusive supply arrangement or alliance with a competing distributor, or to vertically integrate its operations to include not only manufacturing, but also distribution, of its products. If any of our single source suppliers were to encounter any manufacturing problems or disruptions or terminate our supply relationship, our sales and earnings could decline, possibly to a significant extent.

Our financial results can be and sometimes have been adversely affected by changes in supply relationships in our markets.

As is the customary practice in our markets, in most instances we do not have long term supply contracts with our product suppliers. As a result, product suppliers are free to change the terms on which they sell us products or to discontinue supplying us with products altogether, because they may choose to distribute their products directly to aftermarket dealers or retailers or because they might choose to establish exclusive supply relationships with other distributors. Additionally, manufacturers of new RVs and boats may choose to incorporate optional equipment on their RVs and boats at the time of manufacture that, historically, were provided to their dealers by distributors such as the Company. Any of these occurrences could result in increased competition in our markets or could reduce the number of products we are able to offer our customers, which could cause our sales to decline and could result in lower margins and in reduced earnings.

Our financial performance is subject to risks arising out of our proprietary products strategy.

In order to increase our sales and reduce our costs of sales and, thereby increase our profitability, we have introduced into the RV and boating markets a growing number of proprietary products, which are manufactured specifically for us, generally on an exclusive basis, by a number of different manufacturers, primarily based in Asia. More recently, we have begun sourcing and purchasing, from overseas suppliers, and marketing and selling a number of new products, such as portable and standby generators, into new markets. While we are gaining experience in marketing and selling such products, there is no assurance that these products will gain acceptance among customers in those markets. We also have encountered stiff competition from companies that manufacture or sell competing products in those same markets. Many of those companies are larger, more established and better known and have greater financial and marketing resources than we have. Also, we have greater responsibilities in marketing and providing warranty protection and service for these products, as compared to the products we source from traditional suppliers for resale in the RV or boating markets. There is no assurance that we will be successful in marketing and selling these products, and the costs we incur in doing so may reduce our earnings or possibly even cause us to incur losses and we could encounter liabilities for possible warranty claims related to the proprietary products we sell.

Our financial performance and cash flows can be adversely affected by currency fluctuations associated with our operations in Canada and our increased reliance on foreign product suppliers.

Currency Risks Associated with our Canadian Operations. Our wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary accounts for approximately 24% of our annual net sales. That subsidiary purchases a substantial portion of the products it sells from manufacturers in the United States and pays for those products in U.S. dollars, but sells those products to its customers in Canadian dollars. In the event the Canadian dollar weakens in relation to the U.S. dollar, the costs of those products to our Canadian subsidiary would increase, thereby reducing its gross margin, unless it is able to pass the higher costs on to its customers by raising its prices without adversely affecting its sales volume. If our Canadian subsidiary is unable to pass the higher costs on to its customers, our gross profits, operating income and cash flows would decline during any periods when there are declines in the value of the Canadian dollar in relation to the U.S. dollar.

Currency and other Risks Associated with our Purchases of Foreign Sourced Products. As we increase our reliance on foreign suppliers, we may become increasingly vulnerable to the effects of political instability and adverse economic conditions in the countries in which those suppliers are located. Additionally, purchases of products in foreign countries create currency risks for us. In those instances when we pay for foreign sourced products in U.S. dollars, a weakening U.S. dollar may lead foreign suppliers to increase the prices they charge us for their products in order to mitigate their currency exchange risks. In those countries where we buy products in the local currency, to the extent it becomes necessary for us to convert U.S. dollars into the local currency in order to pay for those products, a weakening dollar would make the local currency more expensive for us, thereby increasing the costs to us of purchasing

 

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those products. As a result, a weakening U.S. dollar will have the effect of reducing the margin advantage that we could otherwise realize on resales of foreign sourced products in North America, unless we are able to pass along the higher costs to our customers without adversely affecting our sales volume. If we are unable to pass such higher costs on to our customers, our gross profits and operating income and our cash flows would decline.

When appropriate, we may attempt to limit our exposure to exchange rate changes by entering into currency exchange contracts. There is no assurance that we will hedge or will be able to hedge such foreign currency exchange risk or that our hedges will be successful. Our currency exchange gains or losses (net of hedges) may materially and adversely impact our cash flows and earnings.

We are subject to product liability risks.

Although we do not manufacture any of the products we sell, it is not uncommon for us to be named as an additional defendant in product liability lawsuits brought against the manufacturers of the products we sell. To protect ourselves from liability, we have been able in many instances to obtain indemnification agreements from these manufacturers or to be named as additional insureds under their product liability insurance policies. Nevertheless, we also maintain our own product liability insurance. We also conduct quality control testing, at our own product testing laboratories in the United States, of proprietary products that we import from Asia. However, although we have never incurred any material product liabilities in excess of the insurance coverages that we have obtained under policies of insurance maintained either by product manufacturers or by us, there is no assurance that we will not incur, in the future, product liabilities in amounts that materially exceed the insurance coverage and indemnification protections that we have and which, as a result, could adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition. Moreover, the risks of incurring liabilities for product defects has increased as a result of our proprietary products strategy, because many of the suppliers of those products are located overseas, making us a more attractive target for product liability claims.

Risks of patent infringement claims.

We design, or have independent product design firms or manufacturers, design and engineer, a number of the proprietary products and other foreign sourced products that we introduce into the marketplace. From time to time manufacturers of competing products have threatened and on occasion suits have been brought against us claiming that some of our proprietary or foreign sourced products infringe their patents. We retain a patent law firm to review all new products that we plan to introduce into the market for potential patent infringements and that firm works in concert with our product design engineers and independent design firms or manufacturers to ensure that our products do not infringe on patents or other proprietary rights held by competitors. To date we have not incurred any material liability as a result of any patent infringement claims that have been threatened or asserted against us. However, there can be no assurance that we will not incur liability for patent infringement in the future. Additionally, the filing of a patent infringement suit may require us to halt sales or to redesign newly introduced products to avoid patent infringement liability, which could reduce our sales and increase our costs and, thereby, adversely affect our results of operations.

We face substantial competition that could lead to declines in net sales or reductions in our gross profits.

We face significant competition in each of our markets which can adversely affect our sales, profit margins and operating results. In our RV and boating products markets we face competition not only from other wholesale distributors, but also from mass merchandisers, web retailers, catalog houses and national and regional retail chains that sell RV or boating parts, supplies and accessories and, due to their size and financial resources, are able to purchase such products directly from manufacturers at prices comparable to the prices at which we are able to purchase such products from those same or competing manufacturers. The mass merchandisers, web retailers, and national and regional chains compete directly with the RV and boating dealers, supply stores and service centers that purchase products from us and, therefore, their pricing decisions and the breadth of the products they sell can affect both the volume of our sales and the prices we are able to charge our customers for the same or competing products. Moreover, price competition, particularly from such mass merchandisers and national chains, has been increasing as they seek to maintain and increase their market shares in the current difficult economy. As a result, in order to remain competitive it could become necessary for us to reduce our prices, including the prices at which we sell our proprietary and brand name products, in which event we could lose the price and margin advantages that we have gained from the sale of those products. On the other hand, if we match our competitors’ price reductions, our gross profits and gross margin could be adversely affected. Additionally, we face stiff competition in the sale of portable and standby power generators and other products in the outdoor power equipment market from manufacturers and suppliers of competing

 

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products, some of which are larger, have greater marketing and capital resources and are better-known in that market, which could force us to reduce our prices for or prevent us from increasing our sales of those products and could cause us to incur losses as a result of our efforts to sell products in markets other than the RV and boating markets.

Risk that our deferred tax asset may not be fully realized.

We have recorded, on our balance sheet, a “deferred tax asset” which consists of tax credit and tax loss carryforwards and tax deductions (“tax benefits”) that are available to reduce income taxes that we would otherwise have to pay on our taxable income that we generate in future periods. Under applicable federal and state income tax laws and regulations, such tax benefits will expire at various dates in the future if not used to offset taxes on taxable income by such dates. Accordingly, our ability to fully use this deferred tax asset to reduce our tax liabilities in the future depends on the amount of taxable income that we are able to generate prior to such expiration dates. If we determine that it is no longer more likely than not that we will be able to fully utilize the deferred tax asset, we would be required to establish a non-cash valuation allowance to reduce the recorded amount of the deferred tax asset to the amount of the tax benefits we believe we will be able to use prior to their expiration dates. Such an allowance is established by an operating charge which will have the effect of increasing our provision for income taxes or reducing any income tax benefit in the fiscal period in which that allowance is established. At December 31, 2009, we had a valuation allowance in the amount of nearly $1.2 million which has reduced the carrying value of our deferred tax asset to $2.8 million. There is no assurance, however, that we will be able to fully utilize this deferred tax asset as that will depend on our future operating results.

Moreover, if we are not able to generate taxable income in the future that will enable us to fully utilize this deferred tax asset, it could become necessary for us to increase the valuation allowance in future periods, which would have the effect of increasing our income tax provision or reducing any income tax benefit that we would record in our statements of operations.

Other risks and uncertainties.

Additional risks and uncertainties that could affect our future financial performance or future financial condition are discussed below in Part II of this Report in the section entitled “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” and you are urged to read that section as well.

Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this Report, which speak only as of the date of this Annual Report. We also disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking information contained in this Report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law or the rules of the American Stock Exchange.

 

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

 

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We operate 13 regional distribution centers in 12 states in the United States and 4 regional distribution centers, each located in a different Province in Canada. All of these facilities are leased under triple net leases which require us to pay, in addition to rent, real property taxes, insurance and maintenance costs. The following table sets forth certain information regarding those facilities.

 

Locations

   Square
Footage
   Lease
Expiration Dates

United States:

     

Wilsonville, Oregon

   57,000    December 31, 2011

Visalia, California

   230,300    December 31, 2016

Fort Worth, Texas

   58,700    October 31, 2011

San Antonio, Texas

   27,300    October 31, 2013

Denver, Colorado

   50,000    January 31, 2011

Elkhart, Indiana

   109,700    January 31, 2017

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

   54,900    December 31, 2011

Atlanta, Georgia

   65,800    August 31, 2014

Tampa, Florida

   38,000    June 30, 2013

Gilbert, Arizona

   34,700    March 31, 2012

Salt Lake City, Utah

   30,400    October 31, 2013

Johnstown, New York

   52,500    November 30, 2012

Eau Claire, Wisconsin

   36,000    January 31, 2012

Canada:

     

St. Bruno, Quebec

   59,600    January 31, 2021

Orillia, Ontario

   36,500    November 30, 2011

Calgary, Alberta

   41,200    January 31, 2016

Langley, British Columbia

   22,800    May 31, 2011

Our executive offices are located in Morgan Hill, California, a suburb of San Jose, where we lease 26,000 square feet of office space. Our address at that location is 350 Woodview Avenue, Morgan Hill, California 95037, where our telephone number is (408) 782-6686.

We lease 18,100 square feet of space in Elkhart, Indiana where we maintain a product testing facility. We also lease 2,000 square feet of office space in Seattle, Washington where we maintain a sales office.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we are named as a defendant, sometimes along with product manufacturers and others, in product liability and personal injury litigation. We believe that this type of litigation is incidental to our operations, and since we have insurance, and in many instances also indemnities from the manufacturers from which we obtain our products. On two occasions, we were named as a defendant in patent infringement litigation brought against manufacturers of certain of our proprietary products. To date we have not incurred any material liabilities in any product liability, personal injury or patent litigation and there is no legal action presently pending against us that we believe is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF REGISTRANT

 

Name

   Age         Positions with Company

Thomas R. McGuire

   66       Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors

James Musbach

   59       President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director

Sandra A. Knell

   52       Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

David A. Berger

   55       Executive Vice President — Operations

Dennis A. Castagnola

   62       Executive Vice President — Proprietary Products

Set forth below is certain information regarding the Company’s executive officers.

THOMAS R. MCGUIRE. Mr. McGuire is a founder of the Company and has been its Chairman of the Board since the Company’s inception in 1977. Mr. McGuire also served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer from 1997 until April 2008, when he relinquished that position upon Mr. Musbach’s promotion to Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McGuire retains the position of Executive Chairman of the Company and continues as Chairman of the Board of Directors.

JAMES MUSBACH. Mr. Musbach, who had served as President of Coast from 1994 to 1995, rejoined the Company in September 2006 as its President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Musbach was promoted to the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective April 7, 2008. Between 1995 and his return to Coast, Mr. Musbach held various management positions with Raytek Corporation, a manufacturer of infrared non-contact temperature measurement tools, sensors and systems, most recently serving as an Executive Vice President of Raytek and the General Manager of Raytek’s Portable Products Division.

SANDRA A. KNELL. Mrs. Knell has been the Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary since August 1985. From 1984 until she joined the Company, Mrs. Knell was an Audit Manager, and for the prior four years was a senior and staff accountant, with Grant Thornton LLP. Mrs. Knell is a Certified Public Accountant.

DAVID A. BERGER. Mr. Berger has served as an Executive Vice President of the Company since May 1988. From August 1986 to May 1988, Mr. Berger was Senior Vice President — Purchasing of the Company. For the prior 14 years he held various management positions with C/P Products Corp., a distributor of recreational vehicle parts and accessories that we acquired in 1985.

DENNIS A. CASTAGNOLA. Mr. Castagnola was appointed to his current position of Executive Vice President — Proprietary Products in August 2007. From November 2000 to August 2007, he served as Executive Vice President — Sales and, for the prior 25 years, he held various management positions with the Company, including Vice President/Division Manager of the Company’s Portland, Oregon distribution center.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCK HOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our shares of common stock are listed and trade on the American Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “CRV.”

The following table sets forth, for the calendar quarters indicated, (i) the range of the high and low per share sales prices of our common stock as reported by the American Stock Exchange and (ii) the cash dividends per share that we paid to our stockholders.

 

     Sales Prices Per Share    Cash Dividends
Per Share
     High    Low   

2009

        

First Quarter

   $ 1.63    $ 0.67    $ —  

Second Quarter

     3.27      0.87      —  

Third Quarter

     3.80      1.75      —  

Fourth Quarter

     4.57      2.89      —  

2008

        

First Quarter

   $ 6.20    $ 4.90    $ 0.07

Second Quarter

     5.90      2.85      0.03

Third Quarter

     4.09      2.60      0.03

Fourth Quarter

     3.05      0.75      —  

On March 17, 2010 the closing per share price of our common stock on the American Stock Exchange was $4.20 and there were approximately 700 holders of record of the Company’s shares.

Dividend Policy

In January 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a cash dividend policy that provided for the payment of quarterly cash dividends, each in the amount of $0.04 per common share. In January 2006, our Board of Directors increased the regular quarterly cash dividend to $0.05 per share and, in August 2006, our Board of Directors further increased that cash dividend to $0.07 per share per quarter.

In June 2008, our Board of Directors modified the dividend policy to reduce the quarterly cash dividends to $0.03 per share and, in November 2008, the Board decided to suspend the payment of cash dividends entirely in order to preserve cash for the Company’s operations in response to the economic recession and the credit crisis. In addition, the recent amendments to the terms of our revolving bank credit facility prohibit us from paying any cash dividends without the consent of the bank lender. As a result, we do not expect to pay cash dividends at least for the foreseeable future.

No cash dividends were paid in 2009. Cash dividends paid to our stockholders in 2008 and 2007 totaled $578,000 and $1,240,000, respectively.

Repurchases of Common Stock

During 2005, we publicly announced the authorization by our Board of Directors of a stock repurchase program authorized the Company to repurchase, in the aggregate, up to of $2,940,000 of shares of our common stock in open market or private transactions in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to that program we purchased a total of 248 shares of our common stock in 2008, and a total of 78,183 shares in 2007. We did not make any share repurchases during 2009 and we are prohibited by our revolving bank line of credit agreement from making any additional purchases of shares without the prior approval of the bank lender. As a result, we do not expect to make any share repurchases at least for the foreseeable future.

 

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Stock Price Performance Graph

The following graph presents a five-year comparison of cumulative total returns for (i) Coast, (ii) an index comprised of companies within the recreational products markets that were selected by us (the “Peer Group”), and (iii) the NYSE American Stock Exchange composite index (the “AMEX Composite”). The Peer Group consists of Brunswick Corporation, Thor Industries, and Winnebago Industries, Inc., which, during the past five years, were manufacturers of recreational vehicles or boats, TriMas Corporation, which manufactures RV and trailer products, and West Marine Inc. which sells boating parts, supplies and accessories both at wholesale and at retail. The data for the graph was obtained from Research Data Group, Inc. In 2008, the Peer Group included Coachmen Industries, Inc. and Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc. However, neither of those companies are included in the 2009 Peer Group, because in 2009 Coachmen ceased manufacturing recreational vehicles and Fleetwood Enterprises filed for bankruptcy protection under the Federal Bankruptcy Act. Those companies have been replaced by Thor Industries and TriMas Corporation, which were not part of the Peer Group in 2008.

The stock performance graph assumes that $100 was invested, at the end of fiscal 2004, in Coast’s shares and in the shares of the companies comprising the Peer Group Index and the Amex Composite Index and that any dividends issued for the indicated periods were reinvested. Stockholder returns shown in the performance graph are not necessarily indicative of future stock performance.

LOGO

 

     At December 31,
     2004    2005    2006    2007    2008    2009

Coast Distribution

   100.00    104.56    124.39    88.15    15.93    60.46

Peer Group Index

   100.00    88.50    83.62    58.10    18.21    47.22

Amex Composite Index

   100.00    125.35    149.75    177.79    106.78    147.27

Equity Compensation Plans

Certain information, as of December 31, 2009, with respect to our equity compensation plans is set forth in Item 12, in Part III, of this Report and is incorporated herein by this reference.

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected operating data set forth below for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and the selected balance sheet data at December 31, 2009 and 2008, are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report and should be read in conjunction with those financial statements and “MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” set forth in Item 7 of this Report. The selected operating data for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the selected balance sheet data at December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, are derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements which are not included in this Report.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Operating Data:

          

Net Sales

   $ 103,201      $ 132,237      $ 164,293      $ 179,103      $ 176,341   

Cost of sales (including distribution costs)(1)

     83,754        107,625        133,578        145,051        143,732   
                                        

Gross margin

     19,447        24,612        30,715        33,602        32,609   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     18,552        26,559        28,065        27,160        24,932   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     895        (1,947     2,650        6,442        7,677   

Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies

     201        147        179        147        90   

Other income (expense)

          

Interest expense

     (624     (1,409     (2,098     (1,617     (1,308

Other

     (268     (8     (156     (141     30   
                                        
     (892     (1,417     (2,254     (1,758     (1,278

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     204        (3,217     575        4,831        6,489   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     105        (1,378     360        1,858        2,732   
                                        

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 99      $ (1,839   $ 215      $ 2,973      $ 3,757   
                                        

Net earnings (loss) per diluted share(2)

   $ 0.02      $ (0.41   $ 0.05      $ 0.64      $ 0.79   
                                  

Shares used in computation of net earnings (loss) per share

     4,494        4,446        4,526        4,616        4,745   
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Balance Sheet Data:

          

Working Capital

   $ 34,524      $ 40,394      $ 52,575      $ 52,704      $ 46,888   

Total assets

     45,472        52,459        69,307        69,494        63,533   

Long-term obligations(3)

     9,637        17,078        24,665        24,350        19,746   

Stockholders’ equity

     29,632        28,220        32,491        31,847        30,421   

Book value per share

   $ 6.59      $ 6.35      $ 7.18      $ 6.90      $ 6.41   

Dividends per share

   $ —        $ 0.13      $ 0.28      $ 0.24      $ 0.16   

 

(1) Distribution costs consist primarily of warehouse rent, labor and supply costs and product shipping costs.
(2) See Note I to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) Exclusive of current portion. For additional information regarding long-term obligations, see Note D to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management Overview

We believe that Coast is one of the largest wholesale suppliers of replacement parts, supplies and accessories for recreational vehicles (“RVs”) and boats in North America. We supply more than 12,000 products and serve more than 18,000 customers throughout the United States and Canada, from 13 regional distribution centers in the United States and 4 regional distribution centers in Canada. Our sales are made to retail parts and supplies stores, service and repair establishments and new and used RV and boat dealers (collectively, “Aftermarket Customers”).

Factors Generally Affecting Sales of RV and Boating Products

Our sales are affected primarily by (i) the usage of RVs and boats by the consumers to whom our Aftermarket Customers sell our products, because such usage affects the consumers’ needs for and purchases of replacement parts, repair services and supplies, and (ii) sales of new and used RVs and boats, because consumers often “accessorize” their RVs and boats at or shortly after the time of purchase.

The usage and the purchase, by consumers, of RVs and boats depend, in large measure, upon the extent of discretionary income available to consumers, their confidence about economic conditions (which affects their willingness to use and purchase RVs and boats) and the availability and the costs of credit that our Aftermarket Customers rely upon to purchase products from us and which consumers often use to finance their purchases of RVs and boats. As a result, recessionary conditions and a tightening in the availability or increases in the costs of borrowings to consumers often lead to declines in the purchase and, to a lesser extent, in the usage, of RVs and boats. Additionally, increases in the prices and shortages in the supply of gasoline can lead to declines in the usage and purchases of RVs and boats, because these conditions increase the consumers’ costs and the difficulties of using their RVs and boats. Weather conditions also can affect our operating results, because unusually severe or extended winter weather conditions can reduce the usage of RVs and boats for periods extending beyond the ordinary winter months or to regions that ordinarily encounter milder winter weather conditions and can cause period-to-period fluctuations in our sales and financial performance. As a result, our sales and operating results can be, and in the past have been, affected by recessionary economic conditions, tightening in the availability and increases in the costs of consumer and business financing, shortages in the supply and increases in the prices of gasoline and unusually adverse weather conditions. See “RISK FACTORS” in Item IA, in Part I, of this Report.

Overview of Fiscal 2009 Operating Results

The following table provides information comparing our results of operations in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 to our results of operation in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007. Dollars are in thousands, except per share data.

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009
Amount
   2008
Amount
    2007
Amount
   Increase (Decrease)
2009 vs. 2008
    Increase (Decrease)
2008 vs. 2007
 
             Amount     Percent     Amount     Percent  

Net Sales

   $ 103,201    $ 132,237      $ 164,293    $ (29,036   (22.0 )%    $ (32,056   (19.5 )% 

Gross profits

     19,447      24,612        30,715      (5,165   (21.0 )%      (6,103   (19.9 )% 

SG&A expenses

     18,552      26,559        28,065      (8,007   (30.1 )%      (1,506   (5.4 )% 

Operating income (loss)

     895      (1,947     2,650      2,842      146.0     (4,597   (173.5 )% 

Interest expense

     624      1,409        2,098      (785   (55.7 )%      (689   (32.8 )% 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     204      (3,217     575      3,421      106.3     (3,792   (659.5 )% 

Income tax provision (benefit)

     105      (1,378     360      1,483      107.6     (1,738   (482.8 )% 

Net earnings (loss)

     99      (1,839     215      1,938      105.4     (2,054   (955.3 )% 

Net earnings (loss) per share-diluted

     0.02      (0.41     0.05      0.43      104.9     (0.46   (920.0 )% 

As indicated in the table above, our sales decreased in the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to 2008. That decrease was primarily attributable to the continuance of the economic recession and rising rates of unemployment, coupled with reductions in the availability of credit, in the United States and Canada during 2009, which caused a decline in consumer confidence and significant reductions in discretionary spending by consumers on which purchases and the usage of RVs and boats, and the demand for the products we sell, depend.

 

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Notwithstanding these economic and market conditions and their adverse impact on our sales, we were able to increase our operating income, pre-tax earnings and our net earnings during the year ended December 31, 2009 by $2.8 million, $3.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively, to $0.9 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively, from an operating loss of $1.9 million, a pre-tax loss of $3.2 million and a net loss of $1.8 million in 2008. These improvements in our operating results in 2009 were primarily attributable to (i) a modest increase in our gross margin and (ii) reductions in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and in our interest expense.

 

   

Gross Margin. We were able to achieve a modest increase our gross margin in 2009 to 18.8%, from 18.6% in 2008, despite the decline in net sales, primarily as a result of (i) a reduction in shipping costs due to decreases in the price of fuel; (ii) a reduction in cash discounts and rebates offered to our customers, (iii) a change in the mix of products sold to a greater proportion of higher-margin products sourced from Asia, and (iv) reductions in warehouse labor and other distribution costs.

 

   

Operating Expenses. We implemented a number of measures to reduce our SG&A expenses, beginning in the third quarter of 2008, when it became apparent that the economic recession had become more severe and would continue well into 2009. Among other things, we implemented staff reductions and a 10% across-the-board reduction in management compensation and employee wages. Our 2009 operating results reflect the first full year of the positive effects of the cost cutting measures implemented in 2008, by which we were able to reduce SG&A expenses by $8.0 million, or 30.2%, over 2008.

 

   

Interest Expense. We reduced our interest expense in the year ended December 31, 2009 by $0.8 million, or 55.7%, to $0.6 million, from $1.4 million in 2008, as a result of (i) reductions in inventory and in other working capital requirements that enabled us to reduce our reliance on bank borrowings, and (ii) lower market rates of interest which determine the rate of interest charged on our bank borrowings.

Outlook for 2010

The continuing concerns and uncertainties among businesses and consumers regarding the ultimate severity and duration of the economic recession, persistent high rates of unemployment and the limited availability of small business and consumer financing have continued into 2010. We expect these conditions to continue to adversely affect the purchase and usage by consumers of RVs and boats and, therefore, also the purchases, both by consumers and our Aftermarket Customers of the products that we sell, during 2010.

In addition, our bank loan agreement was amended during 2009, largely due to the tightening of available business credit and the impact of the economic recession on our operating results. That amendment reduced the maximum amount of borrowings we can obtain under our revolving bank credit line and increased the costs to us of such borrowings. These amendments also may adversely affect our net sales because we may not be able to purchase as much inventory of the products we sell, which could adversely affect our service levels to our customers, and we may have to tighten the credit that we can extend to our Aftermarket Customers in connection with their purchases of products from us.

Our strategic goals for 2010 are to capture additional market share in order to offset declines in net sales attributable to these difficult economic and market conditions, and to improve our gross margin, despite these conditions, primarily by continuing to increase our sales of higher-margin proprietary products and other foreign sourced products. In addition, in response to this difficult economic climate, we are continuing to monitor our SG&A expenses. As a result, we believe that we can achieve a modest improvement in our operating results in 2010, as compared to 2009, assuming that economic and market conditions in the United States and Canada stabilize and the availability of credit to businesses and consumers increases. On the other hand, if such conditions do not begin to improve in 2010, it may become necessary for us to implement additional cost-cutting measures, which could include the closing of one or more of our distribution centers.

Due to the risks in the economy and in our business and the uncertainties that exist regarding future economic and market conditions, it is not possible to predict with any degree of accuracy whether we will succeed in achieving our goals for 2010. See “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A of Part I of this Report for a discussion of some of those risks and uncertainties.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

General

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), we record most of our assets at the lower of cost or fair value. In the case of some of our assets, principally accounts receivable, inventories and deferred income taxes, we make adjustments to their cost or fair values to arrive at what we expect to be able to collect on outstanding accounts receivables, the amounts for which we expect to be able to sell our inventories and the amount of available tax loss and credit carryforwards and deductions that we will be able to use to reduce our future income tax liability. Those adjustments are made on the basis of a number of different factors, including judgments or assumptions we make regarding economic and market conditions and trends and their impact on our financial performance, and those judgments and assumptions are, in turn, based on current information available to us. If those conditions or trends were to change in ways that we did not expect, then based on our assessment of how those changes will affect the prospects for realizing the values at which we have recorded these assets, we may be required, pursuant to GAAP, to further adjust the carrying values at which we record these assets for financial reporting purposes. Any resulting downward adjustments are commonly referred to as “write-downs” of the assets affected by the changed conditions.

It is our practice to establish reserves or allowances against which we are able to charge any such downward adjustments or “write-downs” to these assets. Examples include an allowance established for uncollectible accounts receivable (sometimes referred to as “bad debt reserves”), an allowance for inventory obsolescence and a valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset to the extent necessary to reduce its carrying value to the amount of that asset that we believe we are likely to be able to use to reduce our income tax liability in future periods. The amounts at which those allowances are established and maintained are based on our historical experience and also on our assumptions and judgments about economic or market conditions or trends and any other factors that could affect the values at which we had recorded such assets. We periodically increase or replenish the allowances following write-downs of uncollectible accounts or to take account of increased risks due to changes in economic or market conditions or trends. Increases in the allowances are effectuated by charges to income or increases in expense in the periods when those allowances are increased. As a result, our judgments or assumptions about market and economic conditions or trends and about their effects on our financial performance can and will affect not only the amounts at which we record these assets on our balance sheet, but also our results of operations.

The decisions as to the timing of (i) adjustments or write-downs of this nature and (ii) the increases we make to our reserves, also require subjective evaluations or assessments about the effects and duration of changes in economic or market conditions or trends. For example, it is difficult to predict whether events or changes in economic or market conditions, such as increasing gasoline prices or interest rates or economic downturns, will be of short or long-term duration, and it is not uncommon for it to take some time after the onset of such changes for their full effects on our business to be recognized. Therefore, we make such estimates based upon the information available to us at that time and reevaluate and adjust the reserves and allowances for potential write-downs on a quarterly basis.

Under GAAP, most businesses also must make estimates or judgments regarding the periods during which sales are recorded and also the amounts at which they are recorded. Those estimates and judgments will depend on such factors as the steps or actions that a business must take to complete a sale of products to or to perform services for a customer and the circumstances under which a customer would be entitled to return the products or reject or adjust the payment for the services rendered to it. Additionally, in the case of a business that grants its customers contractual rights to return products sold to them, GAAP requires that a reserve or allowance be established for product returns by means of a reduction in the amount at which its sales are recorded, based primarily on the nature, extensiveness and duration of those rights and historical return experience.

In making our estimates and assumptions we follow GAAP and accounting practices applicable to our business that we believe will enable us to make fair and consistent estimates of the carrying value of those assets and to establish adequate reserves or allowances for downward adjustments in those values that we may have to make in future periods.

 

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Our Critical Accounting Policies

Set forth below is a summary of the accounting policies that we believe are material to an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations that are discussed below.

Revenue Recognition and the Allowance for Product Returns. We recognize revenue from the sale of a product upon its shipment to the customer. Shipping and handling costs that are billed to our customers are included in revenue and our shipping and handling costs are included in costs of sales. We provide our customers with limited rights to return products that we sell to them. We establish an allowance for potential returns that reduces the amounts of our reported sales. We estimate the allowance based on historical experience with returns of like products and current economic and market conditions and trends, which can affect the level at which customers submit product for return.

Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. In the normal course of our business we extend 30 day payment terms to our customers and, due to the seasonality of our business, during late fall and winter we sometimes grant payment terms of longer duration to those of our customers that have good credit records. We regularly review our customers’ accounts and estimate the amount of, and establish an allowance for, uncollectible accounts receivable in each reporting period. The amount of the allowance is based on several factors, including the age of unpaid amounts, a review of significant past due accounts and current economic and market trends that can affect the ability of customers to keep their accounts current. Estimates of uncollectible amounts are reviewed periodically to determine if the allowance should be increased, and any increases are recorded in the accounting period in which the events or circumstances that require such increases become known. For example, if the financial condition of some of our customers or economic or market conditions were to deteriorate, adversely affecting the ability of customers to make payments to us on a timely basis, it could become necessary for us to increase the allowance for uncollectible accounts. Since the allowance is increased or replenished by recording a charge which is included in, and has the effect of increasing, selling, general and administrative expenses, an increase in the allowance will reduce income in the period when the increase is recorded.

Inventory and Reserve for Excess, Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventory. We are a wholesale distributor and not a manufacturer of products and, therefore, all of our inventory consists of finished goods. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value and that value is reduced by an allowance for excess and slowing-moving or obsolete inventories. The amount of the allowance is determined on the basis of historical experience with different product lines and estimates or assumptions concerning future economic and market conditions and trends. If there is an economic downturn or a decline in sales, causing inventories of some product lines to accumulate, it may become necessary for us to increase the allowance. Other factors that can require increases in the allowance or inventory write downs are reductions in pricing or introduction of new or competitive products by manufacturers; however, due to the relative maturity of the markets in which we operate, usually these are not significant factors. Increases in this allowance also will cause a decline in operating results as such increases are effectuated by charges against income. Our reserves for excess and obsolete inventory were $1,796,000 at December 31, 2009, as compared to $2,341,000 at December 31, 2008.

Deferred Tax Asset and Valuation Allowance. We record as a “deferred tax asset” on our balance sheet an amount equal to the tax credit and tax loss carryforwards and tax deductions (“tax benefits”) that we believe will be available to us to offset or reduce the amounts of our income taxes in future periods. Under applicable federal and state income tax laws and regulations, such tax benefits will expire if not used within specified periods of time. Accordingly, the ability to fully use our deferred tax asset depends on the amount of taxable income that we generate during those time periods. At least once each year, we make estimates of future taxable income that we believe we are likely to generate during those future periods. If we conclude, on the basis of those estimates and the aggregate amount of the tax benefits available to us, that it is more likely than not that we will be able to fully utilize those tax benefits prior to their expiration, we recognize the deferred tax asset in full on our balance sheet. On the other hand, if we conclude on the basis of those estimates and the aggregate amount of the tax benefits available to us that it is more likely that than not that we will be unable to utilize those tax benefits in their entirety prior to their expiration, then, we would establish (or increase any existing) valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset on our balance sheet to the amount that we believe we will be able to utilize. That reduction is implemented by recognizing a non-cash charge that would have the effect of increasing the provision, or reducing any credit, for income taxes that would be recorded in our statement of operations. At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the aggregate amounts of our net deferred tax asset were approximately $2.8 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

 

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Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment at least annually or if and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of any of those assets may not be recoverable in full, by comparing the fair value of the long-lived asset to its carrying amount.

Foreign Currency Translation. The financial position and results of operations of our Canadian and other foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of each foreign subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange in effect at the end of each reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the reporting period. Foreign currency translation gains and losses not impacting cash flows are credited to or charged against other comprehensive earnings. Foreign currency translation gains and losses arising from cash transactions are credited to or charged against current earnings.

Stock Based Compensation. The Company accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation, which requires the recognition of the fair value of stock compensation as an expense in the calculation of net income (loss). The Company recognizes stock compensation expense in the period in which the employee is required to provide service, which is generally over the vesting period of the individual equity instruments. Stock options issued in lieu of cash to non-employees for services performed are recorded at the fair value of the options at the time they are issued and are expensed as service is provided. Stock based compensation expense in the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 totaled $230,000 and $231,000, respectively.

Warranty Costs. We generally do not independently warrant the products that we distribute. Instead, in almost all cases, the manufacturers of the products that we distribute warrant the products and allow us to return defective products, including those that have been returned to us by our customers. However, we sell a line of portable and standby generators under a product supply arrangement which obligates us to provide warranty services for these products and to share the costs of providing those services with the manufacturer. The duration of the warranty period for these products is 24 months following the sale of the product to a retail customer. We established warranty reserves for these products of $358,000 and $418,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Those amounts were determined on the basis of a number of factors, including our estimates of future sales of the products that we warrant and our historical and expected future warranty claims experience. In the event changes occur in the conditions or circumstances upon which those assumptions and estimates were made, it could become necessary for us to increase the reserve by means of a charge to our income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the year ended December 31, 2009, that we believe are of significance, or potential significance to the Company based upon current operations.

In June 2009, the FASB established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. It also explicitly recognizes rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under federal securities laws as authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. We adopted this Codification in the three months ended September 30, 2009. Adoption of this Codification has not had a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance that establishes new accounting and reporting standards with respect to an entity’s non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This guidance requires that a non-controlling minority interest in a subsidiary be reported by its parent entity as equity, rather than as a liability, on the parent entity’s balance sheet. Additionally, this guidance requires disclosure with respect to the consolidated net income attributable to the parent entity and to the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, respectively, to be set forth on the face of the parent entity’s income statement. The guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted the guidance effective as of January 1, 2009. That adoption has not had a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance which provides for the elimination of the concept of qualifying special purpose entities. It also replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has (i) the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity, (ii) the right to receive benefits from

 

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that entity and (iii) the obligation to absorb any losses incurred by such an entity. Additionally, the guidance requires an ongoing assessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

Effective April 1, 2009, we adopted the FASB’s guidance on subsequent events. That guidance is intended to establish general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of, material events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.

In October 2009, the FASB amended its rules regarding the accounting for multiple element revenue arrangements. The objective of the amendment is to allow vendors to account for revenue for different deliverables separately as opposed to part of a combined unit when those deliverables are provided at different times. Specifically, this amendment addresses how to separate deliverables and simplifies the process of allocating revenue to the different deliverables when more than one deliverable exists. The new rules are effective for us beginning January 1, 2011. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that this amendment will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2010, we adopted the applicable sections of the FASB’s guidance on earnings per share that addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. These sections conclude that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of basic earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We do not believe that the adoption of these applicable sections will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance for improving disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring the presentation, on a gross basis, of information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also clarifies existing disclosures regarding the level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and will be effective for the Company on March 31, 2010. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and will be effective for the Company on March 31, 2010.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain financial data, expressed as a percentage of net sales, derived from our statements of operations for the respective periods indicated below:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Net sales

   100.0   100.0   100.0

Cost of sales

   81.1      81.4      81.3   

Gross profit

   18.9      18.6      18.7   

SG&A expenses

   18.0      20.1      17.1   

Operating income (loss)

   0.9      (1.5   1.6   

Interest expense

   0.6      1.1      1.3   

Earnings (loss) before taxes

   0.2      (2.4   0.3   

Income tax provision (benefit)

   0.1      (1.0   0.2   

Net earnings (loss)

   0.1   (1.4 )%    0.1

Net Sales

Net sales consist of revenues from the sales of the products we supply or distribute, net of an allowance for product returns. The following table sets forth certain information regarding the decreases in our net sales in fiscal 2009 and 2008. Dollars in the table are in thousands.

 

        2009        

 

        2008        

 

Percent Change

    2009 vs. 2008    

 

        2007        

 

Percent Change

    2008 vs. 2007    

$ 103,201

  $132,237   (22.0)%   $164,293   (19.5)%

 

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The decreases in net sales in 2009 and 2008, in each case as compared to the immediately preceding year, were primarily attributable to declines in purchases and in the usage of RVs and boats. Those declines were primarily attributable to the economic recession, the resulting high levels of unemployment, and the credit crisis in the United States and Canada during 2008 and 2009. These conditions combined to reduce disposable income of and confidence among consumers about the future which, in turn, have caused consumers to reduce their purchases and their usage of RVs and boats and, as a result, their purchases of the products we sell.

Gross Margin

Gross profit is calculated by subtracting the costs of sales from net sales. Costs of sales consist primarily of the amounts paid to manufacturers and suppliers for the products that we purchase for resale, inbound freight charges, merchandise receiving, handling and storage costs, and out-bound freight charges. Gross margin is gross profits stated as a percentage of net sales.

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Gross profit

   $ 19,447      $ 24,612      $ 30,715   

Gross margin

     18.8     18.6     18.7

Due to decrease in our net sales in 2009, gross profits declined by nearly $5.2 million, or 21.0%, in 2009 as compared to 2008. Notwithstanding that decline, our gross margin improved to 18.8% in 2009 from 18.6% in 2008, due to a combination of factors, including (i) a reduction in shipping costs due to decreases in the price of fuel; (ii) a reduction in cash discounts and rebates offered to our customers, (iii) a change in the mix of products sold to a greater proportion of higher-margin products sourced from Asia, and (v) reductions in warehouse labor and other distribution costs.

The decline in gross profits in 2008 also was attributable to the decrease in net sales in that year as compared to 2007. However, despite that decline in the dollar amount of gross profits in 2008, our gross margin remained largely unchanged in 2008, as compared to 2007, due primarily to (i) price increases that we implemented on selected products; (ii) a change in the mix of products sold to a greater proportion of higher-margin products sourced from Asia and (iii) the strengthening of the Canadian dollar, which resulted in a reduction in the costs of products purchased by our Canadian subsidiary and, therefore, an increases in its gross margin.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses consist primarily of selling and marketing costs, and administrative labor and other administrative expenses, professional fees, insurance and the provision made for uncollectible accounts.

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

SG&A expenses

   $ 18,552      $ 26,559      $ 28,065   

As a percentage of net sales

     18.0     20.0     17.1

We reduced our SG&A expenses in absolute dollars, by $8,007,000 or 30.2% in 2009, as compared to 2008. In addition, despite the decline in net sales in 2009, our SG&A expenses also declined as a percentage of net sales in 2009. These reductions in SG&A expenses in 2009 reflect a full year of the positive effects of cost cutting measures that we implemented in the second half of 2008 in response to the worsening of the economic recession and the credit crisis, including (i) workforce reductions, (ii) reductions in management salaries and employee wages, and (iii) reductions in selling and marketing and other administrative expenses.

In 2008, we were able to reduce our SG&A expenses in absolute dollars by $1,506,000 or 5.4%, as compared to 2007, primarily as a result of the implementation of those same cost cutting measures, beginning in the third quarter of the year, in response to the worsening of the economic recession and credit crisis that resulted in the decline in our net sales in 2008. However, as a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses rose to 20.0% in 2008 as compared to 17.1% in 2007, because those cost cutting measures were not able to fully offset the decline in net sales in 2008.

 

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The majority of our corporate overhead costs are incurred in the United States. A portion of those costs are allocated to our foreign operations to the extent that they directly benefit from the expenses incurred.

Operating Income (loss)

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Operating income (loss)

   $ 895      $ (1,947   $ 2,650   

As a percentage of net sales

     0.9     (1.5 )%      1.6

We generated operating income of $0.9 million in 2009, an improvement of $2.8 million from the loss from operations of $1.9 million incurred in 2008. That improvement was the result of the increase in gross margin and the reduction in SG&A expenses, which more than offset the effects on our operating results of the decrease in net sales in 2009.

The loss from operations in 2008 was due primarily to the decreases in net sales and gross profits, which more than offset the reduction in SG&A expenses in 2008.

Other Expense

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Other expense

      

Interest expense

   $ 624      $ 1,409      $ 2,098   

Other expense

     268        8        156   
                        

Total

   $ 892      $ 1,417      $ 2,254   
                        
     0.9     1.1     1.3

The largest component of other expense is the interest expense that we incur on borrowings. The other component of other expense consists primarily of foreign currency gains or losses and gains or losses on disposal of assets. Interest expense decreased by $785,000, or 56%, in 2009, as compared to 2008 and by $689,000, or 33% in 2008, as compared to 2007. These decreases were primarily the result of reductions in our average outstanding borrowings and decreases in the average rate of interest charged on borrowings under our revolving bank line of credit. We were able to reduce our average outstanding borrowings in both 2009 and 2008, primarily as a result of reductions (i) in inventories due not only to the decrease in net sales, but also to efficiencies we achieved in our warehouse and distribution operations, and (ii) in accounts receivable due to the decline in net sales and our implementation of more stringent credit standards in response to the economic recession. The interest rate on our bank borrowings is tied to market rates of interest and the decrease in the rates of interest charged on our bank borrowings during 2009 and 2008 were primarily attributable to interest rate reductions implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in response to the economic recession, which led most banks (including our bank lender) to reduce their prime interest rates.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands)  

Income tax provision (benefit)

   $ 105      $ (1,378   $ 360   

As a percentage of net sales

     0.1     (1.0 )%      0.2

Effective tax rate

     51.5     42.8     62.6

Our effective income tax rate is affected primarily by the amount of our expenses that are not deductible for income tax purposes, such as stock based compensation expense, and by varying tax rates on income generated by our foreign subsidiaries, because tax rates in their respective countries vary, sometimes considerably, from income tax rates in the United States.

 

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Due to the pre-tax profits that we generated in 2009, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $105,000 for 2009, as compared to a tax benefit of nearly $1.4 million in 2008. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates — Our Accounting Policies — Deferred Tax Asset and Valuation Allowance.”

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Working Capital, Liquidity and Cash Flows

We finance our working capital requirements for our operations primarily with borrowings under a revolving bank line of credit and internally generated funds. See “Sources and Uses of Cash” below.

The bank line of credit provides that we may borrow up to the lesser of (i) $25,000,000, or (ii) an amount equal to 80% of eligible accounts receivable and 50% of eligible inventory. Interest on our borrowings under the revolving line of credit is payable at the bank’s prime rate plus 2.25% or, at our option (but subject to certain limitations), at LIBOR plus 4.00% per annum. The maturity date of the bank line of credit is July 10, 2011, which (as previously reported) was extended from May 10, 2010 pursuant to an amendment agreement entered into with the bank lender on November 30, 2009.

The revolving bank line of credit agreement contains a quarterly pre-tax income covenant through March 2010 and a fixed charge covenant beginning June 2010. At December 31, 2009 we were, and we expect that at March 31, 2010 we will be, in compliance with the quarterly pre-tax income covenant. The fixed charge coverage ratio will require us to achieve a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least (i) 1.10-to-1.0 for the six months ending June 30, 2010, (ii) 2.20-to-1.0 for the nine months ending September 30, 2010 and (iii) 1.05-to-1.0 for the year ending December 31, 2010 and for rolling 12 month periods ending on the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.

At March 18, 2010, outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility totaled $10,760,000. Our bank borrowings are secured by substantially all of our consolidated assets and rank senior in priority to any other indebtedness that the Company may incur.

Due to the nature of our business, our primary need for working capital is to finance our accounts receivable and our purchases of inventory. Typically we bill our customers on an open account basis with 1%, 10 day, net 30-day terms. During late fall and in winter, however, we sometimes provide our most creditworthy customers with payment terms of longer duration and, as a result, we generally use a greater proportion of our borrowing availability during the first and fourth quarters of each year than during other parts of the year.

Sources and Uses of Cash

We generally use cash for, rather than generate cash from, operations in the first half of the year, because we build inventories, and accounts receivables increase, as our customers begin increasing their product purchases prior to and in anticipation of the spring and summer selling seasons. See “Seasonality and Inflation” below.

Cash Provided by Operations in 2009. During 2009, our operations provided cash of $10.2 million, comprised of a $7.7 million reduction in inventory, a $1.6 million reduction in prepaid expenses, non-cash expenses of $1.1 million, a $0.5 million reduction in accounts receivable, and net earnings of $0.1 million, net of cash used to fund $0.6 million reduction in accounts payable and $0.3 million reduction in accrued liabilities.

Cash Used by Financing Activities in 2009. During 2009, we used nearly $7.5 million of cash for financing activities principally to fund the repayment of long term debt under our revolving bank line of credit.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities in 2009. We used $0.3 million of cash in investing activities in 2009, principally to fund capital expenditures, primarily for warehouse, testing and design, and computer equipment.

 

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Contractual Obligations

Lease Obligations. We lease our facilities and certain of our equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. In 2009, rent expense under all operating leases totaled approximately $4.5 million. The following table sets forth our future operating lease commitments (in thousands of dollars), as of December 31, 2009:

 

Year Ending December 31,

    

2010

   $ 4,564

2011

     3,853

2012

     2,675

2013

     2,380

2014

     2,050

Thereafter

     5,273
      
   $ 20,795
      

Total and Maturity of Contractual Obligations. The following table sets forth the total and the maturities of our contractual obligations, in thousands of dollars, at December 31, 2009:

 

     Maturities of Contractual Obligations

Contractual Obligations at December 31, 2009:

   Total of
Contractual
Obligations
   Less than
One Year
   More than One
and Less than
Four Years
   Four to
Five Years
   More than
Five Years

Long-term debt obligations(1)

   $ 9,637    $ —      $ 9,637    $ —      $ —  

Capital lease obligations

     112      112      —        —        —  

Operating lease obligations

     20,795      4,564      6,528      4,430      5,273
                                  

Totals

   $ 30,544    $ 4,676    $ 16,165    $ 4,430    $ 5,273
                                  

 

(1) Consists primarily of borrowings under our bank credit facility, which matures in July 2011.

Our long term debt obligations consist primarily of borrowings under our long term revolving bank credit facility. It is not possible to calculate future estimated interest payments on those borrowing predictably, because the amounts of such borrowings fluctuate throughout the year depending on our liquidity needs, which can vary widely primarily due to the seasonality of our business and the effects of prevailing economic conditions on the demand for and the purchases of our products by customers. Also, the interest rate on those borrowings is determined by reference to the bank’s prime rate or LIBOR, which also can and often do fluctuate during the year. Additionally, the formulas for determining the specific interest rate that will apply to such borrowings can change from year to year. Set forth above, under the caption “Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources” are the formulas for determining the interest rates that will apply to those borrowings during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2010.

Dividend Policy and Dividend Payments. In the first quarter of 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a dividend policy that provided for the payment of quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders in the amount of $0.04 per share. The amounts of the quarterly dividends were increased by our Board of Directors to $0.05 per share in 2006 and to $0.07 per share in 2007. In 2008, 2007 and 2006 we paid total cash dividends of $578,000, $1,241,000 and $1,064,000, respectively. In November 2008, our Board of Directors suspended the payment of cash dividends in order to preserve cash for operations in response to the worsening of the economic recession and the tightening of credit by banks and other lending institutions to businesses, as well as consumers. Additionally, our revolving bank line of credit agreement prohibits us from paying cash dividends without the prior approval of our bank lender. As a result, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends at least for the foreseeable future.

Share Repurchases. In 2005, our Board of Directors adopted a share repurchase programs authorizing us to repurchase up to an aggregate of $2,940,000 of our shares of common stock in open market or private transactions. We made no share repurchases pursuant to those programs during 2009. During 2008 and 2007, we made share repurchases totaling $1,000 and $485,000 respectively. Our revolving bank line of credit agreement prohibits us from repurchasing our shares without the prior approval of our bank lender. As a result, we do not anticipate resuming purchases of our shares at least for the foreseeable future.

 

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Expected Uses and Sources of Funds

We expect to make capital expenditures in 2010 that we estimate will range from $300,000 to $400,000. We expect that these expenditures will be of a recurring nature, for such purposes as the replacement and upgrading of warehouse or computer equipment in the ordinary course of our business.

We expect to be able to fund these expenditures and our working capital requirements with borrowings under our revolving bank line of credit and internally generated funds, assuming that there is not a further worsening of the economic recession in 2010. See Item 1A of PART I of this Report above, entitled “RISK FACTORS — Our business and financial performance are affected by economic conditions — We rely heavily on bank borrowings in the operation of our business, which makes us more vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions” in Part I of this Report.

We will continue to explore opportunities to increase our sales and our market share and to improve our profit margins by, among other things, establishing new product supply relationships that enable us to increase the products that we source from lower cost, but high quality, overseas suppliers, including product suppliers in Asia, and to invest in tooling needed for such products. We also may seek to take advantage of other growth opportunities if and when they may arise. As a result, we may have occasion in the future to use internally generated funds or bank borrowings for these purposes. There is no assurance, however, that, if required, we will be able to obtain bank borrowings for these purposes.

Seasonality and Inflation

Seasonality. We generate significantly higher sales during the six-month period from March through August, when usage of RVs and boats are at their peak, than we do during the remainder of the year when weather conditions are not optimal for outdoor activities. Because a substantial portion our expenses are fixed, operating income declines and we may incur losses, and must rely more heavily on borrowings to fund operating requirements, during the period from September through February when our sales are lower.

The following tables presents unaudited quarterly financial information for each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008. This information has been prepared by us on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Report. The information includes all necessary adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited quarterly operating results when read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report. These quarterly operating results are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected in future periods.

 

     March 31,
2009
    June 30,
2009
   September 30,
2009
    December 31
2009
 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 23,198      $ 33,138    $ 29,596      $ 17,269   

Gross profit

     4,323        6,628      6,132        2,364   

Net earnings (loss)

     (888     1,162      902        (1,077

Net earnings (loss) per share — diluted

     (0.20     0.26      0.20        (0.24
     March 31,
2008
    June 30,
2008
   September 30,
2008
    December 31
2008
 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 39,468      $ 41,217    $ 34,683      $ 16,869   

Gross profit

     7,912        8,826      6,197        1,677   

Net earnings (loss)

     (850     1,561      (290     (2,260

Net earnings (loss) per share — diluted

     (0.19     0.35      (0.07     (0.51

As the above table indicates, the economic recession and the tightening in the availability of business and consumer credit had a particularly adverse effect on our sales during 2009. We were able to offset the effect of this sales decline by increasing our gross margin and reducing our operating expenses.

Inflation. Generally, we have been able to pass inflationary price increases on to our customers. However, inflation also may cause or may be accompanied by increases in gasoline prices and interest rates. Such increases, or even the prospect of increases in the price or shortages in the supply of gasoline, can adversely affect the purchase and usage of RVs and boats, which can result in a decline in the demand for our products.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk with respect to financial instruments is primarily related to changes in interest rates with respect to borrowing activities, which may adversely affect our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. In seeking to minimize the risks from interest rate fluctuations, we manage exposures through our regular operating and financing activities. The fair value of borrowings under our revolving credit facility approximates the carrying value of such obligations. As of December 31, 2009, we had outstanding borrowings under our revolving bank line of credit of $9.6 million.

We have substantial sales operations in Canada and as a result, our earnings, cash flows and financial position can be affected by movements in the Canadian dollar exchange rate. Consequently, we are exposed to market risk from foreign currency fluctuations associated with our Canadian operations and our Canadian currency denominated debt. Therefore, from time to time, we may hedge the net investment of our foreign operations in Canada by purchasing foreign exchange derivatives, such as purchased put option contracts, to mitigate the risk of changes in value of our net investment in our Canadian subsidiary that can occur as a result of changes in currency exchange rates. As of December 31, 2009 we held no foreign currency derivatives. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page No.

Consolidated Financial Statements:

  

Report of Burr Pilger Mayer Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   29

Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 2009 and 2008

   30

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   31

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   32

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December  31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   33

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   34

Financial Statement Schedules:

  

Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended December  31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

   46

(Other Financial Statement Schedules are omitted as the information is not required, is not material or is otherwise furnished.)

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of The Coast Distribution System, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Coast Distribution System, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15(a) (2). These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of their operations and their cash flows in each of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the information set forth therein.

 

/s/    BURR PILGER MAYER, INC.

Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc.
San Francisco, California
March 29, 2010

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

 

     As of December 31,
     2009    2008
ASSETS      

Current Assets

     

Cash

   $ 5,561    $ 1,860

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $740 in 2009 and $1,399 in 2008)

     8,831      9,333

Inventories

     22,985      30,710

Prepaid expenses

     804      766

Deferred income taxes

     1,908      2,301

Income tax refunds receivable

     638      2,299

Derivative financial instrument

     —        286
             

Total current assets

     40,727      47,555

Property, Plant and Equipment

     2,192      2,785

Other Assets

     2,553      2,119
             
   $ 45,472    $ 52,459
             
LIABILITIES      

Current Liabilities

     

Accounts payable

   $ 2,942    $ 3,557

Accrued liabilities

     3,149      3,469

Current maturities of long-term obligations

     112      135
             

Total current liabilities

     6,203      7,161

Long-Term Obligations

     9,637      17,078

Commitments

     

Stockholders’ Equity

     

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized: 2,000,000 shares; none issued or outstanding:

     —        —  

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized: 10,000,0000 shares; 4,449,431 issued as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

     16,367      16,137

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings

     1,114      31

Retained earnings

     12,151      12,052
             

Total Stockholders Equity

     29,632      28,220
             
   $ 45,472    $ 52,459
             

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)  

Net sales

   $ 103,201      $ 132,237      $ 164,293   

Cost of products sold (including distribution costs)

     83,754        107,625        133,578   
                        

Gross margin

     19,447        24,612        30,715   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     18,552        26,559        28,065   
                        

Operating income (loss)

     895        (1,947     2,650   

Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies

     201        147        179   

Other expense

      

Interest expense

     (624     (1,409     (2,098

Other

     (268     (8     (156
                        

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     204        (3,217     575   

Income tax provision (benefit)

     105        (1,378     360   
                        

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 99      $ (1,839   $ 215   
                        

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.02      $ (0.41   $ 0.05   
                        

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.02      $ (0.41   $ 0.05   
                        

Dividends paid per share

   $ 0.00      $ 0.13      $ 0.28   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 99      $ (1,839   $ 215   

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities

      

Depreciation

     814        941        881   

Amortization

     36        22        42   

(Gain) Loss from sale of property and equipment

     15        82        (1

Equity in net earnings of affiliated companies, net of distributions

     (175     (102     (134

Stock based compensation expense

     230        231        214   

Deferred income taxes

     215        (865     (145

Change in assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     502        5,556        (696

Inventory

     7,725        14,317        1,615   

Prepaids and income tax refunds receivable

     1,627        (1,454     406   

Accounts payable

     (615     (4,915     (759

Accrued liabilities

     (320     45        (293
                        
     8,919        13,549        273   
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     10,153        12,019        1,345   

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

     4        1        13   

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (250     (118     69   

Capital expenditures

     (166     (428     (1,790

Tax benefit from settlement of derivative instrument

     117        —          —     

Cash paid for derivative instrument

     (44     (265     —     
                        

Net cash (used in) investing activities

     (339     (810     (1,708
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Borrowings under notes payable and line-of credit agreements

     102,150        164,273        209,049   

Repayments under notes payable and line-of credit agreements

     (109,479     (171,725     (208,609

Repayments of long-term debt

     (135     (125     (138

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase and stock option plans

     —          42        434   

Retirement of common stock

     —          (1     (485

Dividends paid

     —          (578     (1,241
                        

Net cash (used in) financing activities

     (7,464     (8,114     (990

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     1,351        (2,025     1,422   
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash

     3,701        1,070        69   

Cash beginning of year

     1,860        790        721   
                        

Cash end of year

   $ 5,561      $ 1,860      $ 790   
                        

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

      

Cash paid (refunded) during the year for:

      

Interest

   $ 637      $ 1,394      $ 2,063   

Income taxes

     (2,146     1,163        75   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands)

 

     Common Stock     Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Total  

Balance at January 1, 2007

   4,414,547      $ 15,702      $ 15,495      $ 650      $ 31,847   

Net earnings for the year

   —          —          215        —          215   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —          —          —          1,507        1,507   
                

Comprehensive earnings for the year

             1,722   
                

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase and option plans

   102,831        434        —          —          434   

Retirement of common stock

   (78,153     (485     —          —          (485

Dividends paid

   —          —          (1,241     —          (1,241

Stock Based Compensation

   —          214        —          —          214   
                                      

Balance at December 31, 2007

   4,439,225        15,865        14,469        2,157        32,491   

Net loss for the year

   —          —          (1,839     —          (1,839

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —          —          —          (2,147     (2,147

Derivative — change in fair value

           21        21   
                

Comprehensive earnings for the year

             (3,965

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase and option plans

   10,454        42        —          —          42   

Retirement of common stock

   (248     (1     —          —          (1

Dividends paid

   —          —          (578     —          (578

Stock Based Compensation

   —          231        —          —          231   
                                      

Balance at December 31, 2008

   4,449,431        16,137        12,052        31        28,220   

Net earnings for the year

   —            99        —          99   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   —          —          —          1,295        1,295   

Derivative — change in fair value, net of tax benefit

           (212     (212
                

Comprehensive earnings for the year

             1,182   
                

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase and option plans

   —          —          —          —          —     

Retirement of common stock

   —          —          —          —          —     

Dividends paid

   —          —          —          —          —     

Stock Based Compensation

   —          230        —          —          230   
                                      

Balance at December 31, 2009

   4,449,431      $ 16,367      $ 12,151      $ 1,114      $ 29,632   
                                      

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A summary of the significant accounting policies consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements follows:

1.    Principles of Consolidation. The Company consolidates the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, The Coast Distribution System (Canada) Inc. (“Coast Canada”) and Eur-Asia Recreational Vehicle Accessories Taiwan Company (“Coast Taiwan”). Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for by the equity method. All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

2.    Inventories. We are a wholesale distributor, and not a manufacturer or products and, therefore, all of our inventory consists of finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. We regularly assess the appropriateness of the inventory valuations with particular attention to obsolete, slow-moving and non-saleable inventory. Inventories consist primarily of replacement parts, supplies and accessories held for resale. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory was $1,796,000 and $2,341,000, respectively.

3.    Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided for in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, principally on a straight-line basis. The estimated lives used in determining depreciation and amortization are:

 

Buildings and improvements

  12 – 40 years

Warehouse and office equipment

  5 – 7 years

Automobiles

  3 – 5 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lives of the respective leases or the service lives of the improvements, whichever is shorter. Currently the amortization periods range from 5 to 15 years.

4.    Revenue Recognition. Revenue from sales of products is recognized upon shipment. Shipping and handling costs that are billed to our customers are included in revenue. We provide our customers with a limited right of return. We establish an allowance for potential returns which reduces the amounts of our reported sales. We estimate the allowance based on historical experience with returns of like products and current economic data, which can affect the level at which customers submit product returns.

5.    Segment Reporting. We have one operating segment, which is the distribution of recreational vehicle and boating replacement parts, supplies and accessories. We distribute our recreational vehicle and boating products from 17 distribution centers located throughout the United States and Canada. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our net sales in 2009, 2008 or 2007.

6.    Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for possible impairment at least annually or, more frequently, if and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of any of those assets may not be recoverable in full, by comparing the fair value of the long-lived asset to its carrying amount.

7.    Foreign Currency Translation. Exchange adjustments resulting from foreign currency transactions are generally recognized in net earnings, whereas adjustments resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The functional currency of our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar.

8.    Derivative Financial Instruments. We sometimes use derivatives to partially offset our exposure to fluctuations in certain foreign currencies. We do not enter into derivatives for speculative or trading purposes. Derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet and gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded based on the derivative’s hedge designation.

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Net Investment Hedges. As a part of our risk management policy, we hedge certain portions of our net investment in our foreign operations. We have elected to designate those hedges for special hedge accounting treatment as net investment hedges. The derivatives are held at fair value on the balance sheet, with the effective portion of the hedge, including the time value of holding the investment, accounted for as an offset to the foreign currency translation effects accounted for as adjustments to Accumulative Other Comprehensive Income. We recorded $(212,165) and $20,615 in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively as a result of the change in fair value of these instruments. We did not enter into any hedges prior to fiscal 2008. There were no material amounts of ineffectiveness recorded during either fiscal 2009 or fiscal 2008. No derivative contracts were in place at December 31, 2009. As of December 31, 2008 we held derivative contracts to buy Canadian Dollars at fixed strike prices with a notional value of $4,180,000 United States Dollars.

We have used foreign exchange put option contracts to hedge our net investment in our Canadian subsidiary from changes in Canadian Dollar exchange rate movements. These foreign exchange option contracts, carried at fair value, usually have a maturity of 12 months or less.

We documented all hedging relationships at the inception of the hedge and have ensured that hedges are highly effective in offsetting changes in the value of net investment of its foreign subsidiaries. We record all changes in the value of these net investment hedges in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income unless and until such time that there is a substantial liquidation of the subsidiary, when the amounts recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income would be recognized currently in income.

9.    Income Taxes. We provide a deferred tax expense or benefit equal to the net change in the deferred tax liability or asset during the year. Deferred income taxes represent tax deductions and tax loss carryforwards and future net tax effects resulting from temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets if and to the extent we determine that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized in full.

10.    Use of Estimates. In preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

11.    Earnings (loss) per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share for any period are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during that period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options (using the treasury stock method). Potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the computation if their effect is anti-dilutive.

Options to purchase 452,000 shares in 2009 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the respective exercise prices per share of those options were greater than the average market price of our shares of common stock during the year, or because by including the unvested compensation expense associated with the options, the calculation of common stock equivalents under the treasury method would be anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 597,333 shares in 2008 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the Company incurred a loss for 2008 and the inclusion of the shares would have been anti-dilutive. Options to purchase 278,000 shares in 2007 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the respective exercise prices per share of those options were greater than the average market price of our shares of common stock during that year.

12.    Fair Value Measurement of Financial Assets and Liabilities. We apply fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities that are required to be recorded at fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact and the market-based risk measurements or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and credit risk.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring the fair values of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. These tiers consist of:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data

The following table summarizes the fair value measurements (in thousands of dollars), of our financial assets (cash, cash equivalents and a derivative instrument that we purchased to hedge our foreign currency risk in Canada):

 

     At December 31, 2009
     Total    Quoted market prices
in active markets
(level 1)
   Significant other
observable inputs
(level 2)

Derivative Asset

   $ —      $ —      $ —  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 5,561    $ 5,561    $ —  
     At December 31, 2008
     Total    Quoted market prices
in active markets
(level 1)
   Significant other
observable inputs
(level 2)

Derivative Asset

   $ 286    $ —      $ 286

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 1,860    $ 1,860    $ —  

We use the income approach to value derivatives, using observable Level 2 market expectations at measurement date and standard valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single discounted present amount, assuming that participants are motivated but not compelled to transact. Level 2 inputs are limited to quoted prices that are observable for the asset and liabilities, which include interest rate and credit risk. We have used mid market pricing as a practical expedient for fair value measurements. Key inputs for currency derivatives are the spot rate, option strike, interest rates, volatilities, and credit derivative markets. The spot rate for each currency is the same spot rate used for all balance sheet translations at the measurement date and sourced from the Wall Street Journal. Six month credit default swap spreads identified per counterparty at month end in Bloomberg are used to discount derivative assets all of which have tenors less than 12 months. When applicable, we discount derivative liabilities to reflect the potential credit risk to counterparties and have used the spread over LIBOR on the most recent corporate borrowing rate.

13.    Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. The majority of our accounts receivable are due from RV and boat dealers, supply stores and service centers. Credit is extended to a customer based on evaluation of its financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required. We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses that would result from the inability of customers to make required payments on their accounts. We regularly evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate potential losses on our accounts receivable on the basis of the aging of accounts receivable balances, a review of significant past due accounts, and our historical write-off experience, net of recoveries. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, whether due to deteriorating economic conditions generally or otherwise, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, we would make additional provisions to increase the allowance for doubtful accounts.

14.    Stock Based Compensation. The Company accounts for stock based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation, which requires the recognition of the fair value of stock compensation as an expense in the calculation of net income (loss). The Company recognizes stock compensation expense in the period in which the employee is required to provide service, which is generally over the vesting period of the individual equity instruments. Stock options issued in lieu of cash to non-employees for services performed are recorded at the fair value of the options at the time they are issued and are expensed as service is provided.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

15.    Warranty Costs. We generally do not independently warrant the products that we distribute. Instead, the manufacturers of the products that we distribute warrant the products and allow us to return defective products, including those that have been returned to us by our customers. However, we sell a line of portable and standby generators under a product supply arrangement which obligates us to provide warranty services for these products and to share the costs of providing those services with the manufacturer. The warranty period is 24 months following the sale of the product to a retail customer. Accordingly, we maintained a warranty reserve for these products of $358,000 and $418,000 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The actual amounts that we may become obligated to pay with respect to warranty claims on these products may differ from the amounts that were set aside in those reserves, because the reserves have been established on the basis not only of experience, but also on estimates that we have made regarding expected warranty returns and costs in the future and actual warranty experience may differ from those estimates.

We do maintain insurance to protect us against product liability claims relating to all of the products we distribute and sell, including the generator products.

16.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements. With the exception of those discussed below, there have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the year ended December 31, 2009, that we believe are of significance, or potential significance to the Company based upon current operations.

In June 2009, the FASB established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. It also explicitly recognizes rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under federal securities laws as authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. We adopted this Codification in the three months ended September 30, 2009. Adoption of this Codification has not had a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash f lows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance that establishes new accounting and reporting standards with respect to an entity’s non-controlling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. This guidance requires that a non-controlling minority interest in a subsidiary be reported by its parent entity as equity, rather than as a liability, on the parent entity’s balance sheet. Additionally, this guidance requires disclosure with respect to the consolidated net income attributable to the parent entity and to the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, respectively, to be set forth on the face of the parent entity’s income statement. The guidance became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. We adopted the guidance effective as of January 1, 2009. That adoption has not had a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance which provides for the elimination of the concept of qualifying special purpose entities. It also replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has (i) the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity, (ii) the right to receive benefits from that entity and (iii) the obligation to absorb any losses incurred by such an entity. Additionally, the guidance requires an ongoing assessment of whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The guidance became effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. We do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows.

Effective April 1, 2009, we adopted the FASB’s guidance on subsequent events. That guidance is intended to establish general standards of accounting for, and disclosure of, material events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued.

In October 2009, the FASB amended its rules regarding the accounting for multiple element revenue arrangements. The objective of the amendment is to allow vendors to account for revenue for different deliverables separately as opposed to part of a combined unit when those deliverables are provided at different times. Specifically, this amendment addresses how to separate deliverables and simplifies the process of allocating revenue to the different deliverables when more than one deliverable exists. The new rules are effective for us beginning January 1, 2011. We are in the process of evaluating the impact that this amendment will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In January 2010, we adopted the applicable sections of the FASB’s guidance on earnings per share that addresses whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. These sections conclude that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of basic earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We do not believe that the adoption of these applicable sections will have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2010, the FASB issued new guidance for improving disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. This guidance requires new disclosures regarding transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring the presentation, on a gross basis, of information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in Level 3 fair value measurements. This guidance also clarifies existing disclosures regarding the level of disaggregation, inputs and valuation techniques. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and will be effective for the Company on March 31, 2010. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and will be effective for the Company on March 31, 2010.

NOTE B: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment consist of the following at December 31:

 

     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Warehouse equipment

   $ 5,530      $ 5,441   

Office equipment

     6,019        5,971   

Leasehold improvements

     1,657        1,570   

Automobiles

     252        209   
                
     13,458        13,191   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (11,266     (10,406
                
   $ 2,192      $ 2,785   
                

NOTE C: LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Long-term obligations consist of the following at December 31:

 

     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Secured notes payable to bank due July 10, 2011

   $ 9,637    $ 16,966

Capital lease obligations

     112      247
             
     9,749      17,213

Current portion

     112      135
             
   $ 9,637    $ 17,078
             

Secured Notes Payable to Bank

The secured notes payable to bank evidence borrowings under a revolving credit facility which are collateralized by substantially all of our assets. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility is July 10, 2011. The credit line agreement permits us to borrow up to the lesser of (i) $25,000,000, or (ii) an amount equal to 80% of the value of our eligible accounts receivable and 50% of the value of our eligible inventory. Interest is payable at the bank’s prime rate (3.25% at December 31, 2008) plus 2.25% or, at the Company’s option but subject to certain limitations, borrowings will bear interest at the bank’s LIBOR rate (.23125% at December 31, 2009) plus 4%.

The credit line agreement with the bank contains certain financial covenants, including a quarterly pre-tax income covenant through March 2010 and a fixed charges covenant beginning June 2010. That agreement also prohibits us from paying cash dividends or repurchasing our shares without the prior approval of the bank lender.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE D: COMMITMENTS

Operating Leases. We lease our corporate offices, warehouse facilities, and some of our office equipment. These leases are classified as operating leases as they do not meet the required capitalization criteria. The office and warehouse leases expire over the next twelve years.

Minimum future rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2009, in thousands of dollars, are as follows:

 

Year Ending December 31,

    

2010

   $ 4,564

2011

     3,853

2012

     2,675

2013

     2,380

2014

     2,050

Thereafter

     5,273
      
   $ 20,795
      

Rent expense charged to operations amounted to $4,519,000 in 2009, $4,492,000 in 2008, and $4,445,000 in 2007.

Legal Proceedings. The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, including product liability and personal injury and intellectual property litigation. While the outcome of currently pending litigation is not yet determinable, based on the information currently available to us, we do not expect that any liabilities or costs that might be incurred to resolve these matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE E: STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK PURCHASE PLANS

In August 2008, our shareholders approved the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which provides for the grant of equity incentives, consisting of options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units, to officers, other key employees, directors and consultants. The 2008 Plan initially set aside, for the grant of such equity incentives, 300,000 shares of our common stock, plus an additional 41,500 shares which was equal to the total of the shares that were then available for the grant of new options under our previously approved stock incentive plans. At the same time, those 41,500 shares ceased to be issuable under those plans. Options to purchase a total of 196,000 shares of our common stock granted under the 2008 plan were outstanding at December 31, 2009.

Options to purchase 511,667 shares of our common stock granted under previous plans were outstanding December 31, 2009. The 2008 Plan provides that if any of those options expire or are terminated, rather than being exercised, the shares that had been issuable under those options will thereupon become available for the grant of equity incentives under the 2008 Plan.

The fair value of each option was estimated as of the date of grant using a binomial model. This model incorporates certain assumptions including a risk-free market interest rate, expected dividend yield of the underlying common stock, expected option life and expected volatility in the market value of the underlying common stock.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

We used the following assumptions in estimating the fair value of the options issued in the periods indicated below:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Stock Option Plans:

      

Expected volatility

   57.0   42.0   46.0

Risk free interest rates

   1.76   2.6   4.5

Expected dividend yields

   N/A      5.4   3.6

Expected lives

   3 years      3 years      4 years   

Stock Purchase Plan(1)

      

Expected volatility

   N/A      N/A      40.0

Risk free interest rates

   N/A      N/A      4.9

Expected dividend yields

   N/A      N/A      3.6

Expected lives

   N/A      N/A      1 year   

 

(1) As noted above, the Stock Purchase Plan expired in 2007, and, therefore, no stock based compensation awards were granted under the Plan in 2008 or 2009.

Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The risk free interest rate is based upon market yields for United States Treasury debt securities. The expected dividend yield is based upon the Company’s dividend policy and the fair market value of the Company’s shares at the time of grant. Expected lives are based on several factors including the average holding period of outstanding options, their remaining terms and the cycle of our long range business plan.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Year Ended December 31, 2009
     Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   597,333      $ 6.26      

Granted

   193,000        1.14      

Exercised

   —          —        

Forfeited

   (82,666     5.13      

Outstanding at December 31, 2009

   707,667        4.99    4.0 years    $ 1,031,000

Exercisable at December 31, 2009

   339,167        6.08    3.7 years    $ 620,000
     Year Ended December 31, 2008
     Shares     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
   Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

Outstanding at December 31, 2007

   488,333      $ 6.51      

Granted

   113,000        5.05      

Exercised

   —          3.13      

Forfeited

   (4,000     —        

Outstanding at December 31, 2008

   597,333      $ 6.26    4.4 years    $ 800

Exercisable at December 31, 2008

   237,833      $ 5.27    4.2 years    $ 800

The aggregate intrinsic value in each of the tables above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate difference between the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock on December 31, 2009 or 2008, respectively, and the exercise price for in-the-money options that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on December 31, 2009 or 2008, respectively. There were no options exercised during 2009 or 2008.

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The weighted-average grant-date values of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 were $0.64 and $1.33, respectively.

A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested stock options as of December 31, 2007 and changes during the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 is presented below:

 

     Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2008

   359,500      $ 2.11

Granted

   193,000        0.63

Vested

   (159,650     2.02

Forfeited

   (24,350     1.99
        

Nonvested at December 31, 2009

   368,500        1.38
        
     Shares     Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Nonvested at December 31, 2007

   354,500      $ 2.44

Granted

   113,000        1.33

Vested

   (108,000     2.37

Forfeited

   —          —  
        

Nonvested at December 31, 2008

   359,500        2.11
        

As of December 31 2009 and 2008, there was $289,700 and $407,300, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested options granted under the Company’s option plans. At December 31, 2009 and 2008, those costs were expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years and 1.6 years, respectively.

A summary of the Company’s stock option plans is presented below:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
    Shares     Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 

Outstanding at beginning of year

     597,333      $ 6.26        488,333      $ 6.51        437,333      $ 5.16   

Granted

     193,000        1.14        113,000        5.05        158,000        8.16   

Exercised

     —          —          (4,000     (3.13     (93,000     (3.19

Forfeited

     (82,666   $ (5.13     —        $ —          (14,000   $ (5.06
                                                

Outstanding at end of year

     707,667      $ 4.99        597,333      $ 6.26        488,333      $ 6.51   
                                                

Exercisable at end of year

     339,167      $ 6.08        237,833      $ 5.27        133,833      $ 4.35   
                                                

Weighted average fair value per option granted

   $ 0.64        $ 1.33        $ 2.57     
                              

The following information applies to options outstanding at December 31, 2009:

 

Range

   Outstanding
Options
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (Years)
   Options
Exercisable
   Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

$0.63 – $3.50

   263,667    $ 1.56    3    75,667    $ 2.58

$4.75 – $9.80

   444,000    $ 7.03    4    263,500    $ 7.09
                  

$0.63 – $9.80

   707,667    $ 4.99    4    339,167    $ 6.08
                  

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2009, a total of 682,621 shares of our common stock were subject to outstanding stock options that were exercisable or were expected to become exercisable in the future.

NOTE F: EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

The Company has a profit sharing plan in which all full-time employees are eligible to participate beginning the first quarter following the completion of three months of employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. This plan allows participants to make pretax contributions and apply for and secure loans from their account. The plan permits the Company to make discretionary contributions to be determined annually by the Company’s Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The Company made no contributions to the plan in 2007, 2008 or 2009.

NOTE G: FOREIGN OPERATIONS

A summary of the Company’s operations by geographic area is presented below for the years ended December 31:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Sales to external customers

      

United States

   $ 78,345      $ 95,788      $ 121,889   

Canada

     24,856        36,449        42,404   

Other

     —          —          —     

Operating income

      

United States

   $ (198   $ (3,116   $ (366

Canada

     1,037        978        3,012   

Other

     56        191        4   

Identifiable assets

      

United States

   $ 33,163      $ 42,258      $ 54,993   

Canada

     11,403        9,784        13,463   

Other

     906        417        851   

NOTE H: INCOME TAXES

Pretax income for the years ending December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was taxed under the following jurisdictions:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Domestic

   $ (691   $ (4,222   $ (1,969

Foreign

     895        1,005        2,544   
                        
   $ 204      $ (3,217   $ 575   
                        

The provision for income taxes is summarized as follows for the year ended December 31:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2009     2008        2007     
     (In thousands)  

Current:

      

Federal

   $ (1   $ (726   $ (519

State

     85        (111     42   

Foreign

     317        318        980   
                        
     401        (519     503   

Deferred:

      

Federal

   $ (231   $ (517   $ (73

State

     (43     (422     13   

Foreign

     (22     80        (83
                        
   $ (296   $ (859   $ (143
                        
   $ 105      $ (1,378   $ 360   
                        

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following at December 31:

 

     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Deferred tax assets

    

Inventory

   $ 1,358      $ 1,507   

Bad debt provision

     208        402   

Property, plant and equipment

     54        50   

Deferred credits

     1,245        1,280   

Loss carryforwards

     908        729   

Rent

     176        179   

Other

     238        280   
                

Gross deferred tax assets

     4,187        4,427   

Less valuation allowance

     (1,161     (1,166
                
   $ 3,026      $ 3,261   
                

Deferred tax liabilities

    

Investment in affiliates

   $ (10   $ (20

Property, plant and equipment

     (139     (157

Unremitted earnings of foreign affiliates

     (78     (70
                

Gross deferred tax liabilities

     (227     (247
                

Net deferred tax assets(1)

   $ 2,799      $ 3,014   
                

 

(1) Of the total deferred tax assets, $1,908,000 and $2,301,000 in 2009 and 2008, respectively, is included in current assets and $891,000 and $713,000 in 2009 and 2008, respectively, of long term deferred income taxes is included in other long term assets.

A reconciliation between actual tax expense for the year and expected tax expense is as follows:

 

     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Earnings before income taxes

   $ 204      $ (3,217   $ 575   
                        

Expected income tax expense at 34%

   $ 69      $ (1,094   $ 196   

Difference in rates on earnings of foreign operations

     (19     63        55   

Stock based compensation and other nondeductible expenses

     95        173        172   

State taxes and credits (net of federal benefit)

     (5     (1,571     (41

Change in valuation allowance

     (5     1,100        —     

Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries

     8        (3     12   

Exclusion of earnings of foreign affiliates

     (58     (38     (49

Other

     20        (8     15   
                        

Income tax provision

   $ 105      $ (1,378   $ 360   
                        

Deferred income taxes have been provided on the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries where it is contemplated that earnings will not be reinvested.

The total of the operating loss carryforwards available for federal and state income tax purposes at December 31, 2009 were $1,605,000 and $4,625,000, respectively. The earliest carryforwards begin to expire in 2012. At December 31, 2009, foreign tax credit carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes totaled $66,000, which expire in 2015. State targeted tax area credit carryforwards of $1,245,000 are available with no expiration dates.

It is our policy to classify interest and penalties as a component of tax expense. At December, 31, 2009 we had $241,000 of unrecognized tax benefits of which $33,000 impacted the effective tax rate. Interest and penalties were $90,000 as of December 31, 2009, of which $75,000 was included in the balance sheet and $15,000 was included as an expense in the current year income statement as unrecognized tax benefits.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The Company or one of its subsidiaries files income tax returns in the US federal jurisdiction, various states, and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to tax examinations by taxing authorities for years before 2004. We do not anticipate total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly during the year ending December 31, 2010 due to the expiration of statutes of limitations.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Unrecognized Tax Benefits (in thousands):

   2009    2008

Balance as of January 1,

   $ 208    $ 179

Additions for tax positions related to the current year

     33      29

Additions for tax positions related to prior years

     —        —  

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

     —        —  

Settlements

     —        —  
             

Balance as of December 31,

   $ 241    $ 208
             

NOTE I: EARNINGS PER SHARE

We calculate basic earnings per share (EPS) of common stock by dividing the Company’s net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The calculation of diluted EPS assumes the issuance of common stock for all potentially dilutive share equivalents outstanding. Set forth below are the computations for basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

     Year Ended December 31,
     2009    2008     2007
     (In thousands)

Numerator:

       

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 99    $ (1,839   $ 215
                     

Denominator:

       

Weighted average shares outstanding

     4,449      4,446        4,429

Dilutive effect of stock options

     45      —          97
                     

Denominator for diluted earnings (loss) per share

     4,494      4,446        4,526
                     

NOTE J: ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consist of the following at December 31:

 

     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Payroll and related benefits

   $ 524    $ 704

Rent

     489      483

Income and other taxes

     707      373

Other

     1,429      1,909
             
   $ 3,149    $ 3,469
             

NOTE K: SIGNIFICANT CONCENTRATIONS

Our ability to satisfy demand for our products may be limited by the availability of those products from our suppliers. We purchase air conditioners from Airxcel, Inc. (“Airxcel”). Those purchases accounted for approximately 18%, 15%, and 10% of our total product purchases in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. We purchase towing products from Thule Towing Systems, LLC. (“Thule”), formerly known as Valley Industries, Inc. Those purchases amounted to 5%, 6% and 6% of our total product purchases in 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. We purchase generators from WUXI Kipor Power Co. Ltd. These purchases accounted for 6% of our total product purchases in each of 2008 and 2007.

Concentration of Credit Risk. We maintain bank accounts with high quality financial institutions to minimize credit risk. However, our deposit balances may periodically exceed federal deposit insurance limits.

 

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THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NOTE L: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

 

     Quarter Ended  
     March 31,
2009
    June 30,
2009
   September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2009
 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 23,198      $ 33,138    $ 29,596      $ 17,269   

Gross profit

     4,323        6,628      6,132        2,364   

Net earnings (loss)

     (888     1,162      902        (1,077

Net earnings (loss) per share — diluted

     (0.20     0.26      0.20        (0.24
     Quarter Ended  
     March 31,
2008
    June 30,
2008
   September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2008
 
     (Unaudited)  

Revenues

   $ 39,468      $ 41,217    $ 34,683      $ 16,869   

Gross profit

     7,912        8,826      6,197        1,677   

Net earnings (loss)

     (850     1,561      (290     (2,260

Net earnings (loss) per share — diluted

     (0.19     0.35      (0.07     (0.51

 

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SCHEDULE II

THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009

 

Description

   Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   Additions    Deductions    Balance at
End of Period

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

           

Year Ended December 31, 2007

   $ 1,376,000    $ 499,556    $ 371,556    $ 1,504,000

Year Ended December 31, 2008

   $ 1,504,000    $ 601,506    $ 706,506    $ 1,399,000

Year Ended December 31, 2009

   $ 1,399,000    $ —      $ 659,000    $ 740,000

Description

   Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   Additions    Deduction    Balance at
End of Period

Allowance for obsolete or slow-moving inventory:

           

Year Ended December 31, 2007

   $ 2,760,000    $ 236,000    $ 426,000    $ 2,570,000

Year Ended December 31, 2008

   $ 2,570,000    $ 130,000    $ 359,000    $ 2,341,000

Year Ended December 31, 2009

   $ 2,341,000    $ —      $ 545,000    $ 1,796,000

Description

   Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   Additions    Deductions(1)    Balance at
End of Period

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:

           

Year Ended December 31, 2007

   $ 66,000    $ —      $ —      $ 66,000

Year Ended December 31, 2008

   $ 66,000    $ 1,100,000    $ —      $ 1,166,000

Year Ended December 31, 2009

   $ 1,166,000    $ —      $ 5,000    $ 1,161,000

 

(1) Net operating loss carryforwards used or expired.

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

None.

 

ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedure

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

In accordance with SEC rules, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness, as of December 31, 2009, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of The Coast Distribution System, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes those written policies and procedures that:

 

   

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America;

 

   

provide reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorization of our management and board of directors; and

 

   

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified.

 

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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 the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management’s Assessment and Determination

Our management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of the design and the testing of the operational effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Based on this assessment, management determined that The Coast Distribution System, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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PART III

 

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Except for information concerning the Company’s executive officers which is included in Part I of this Report, the information required by Item 10 is incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the Commission on or before April 30, 2010 for the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by Item 11 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the Commission on or before April 30, 2010 for the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

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

Except for the information below regarding our equity compensation plans, the information required by Item 12 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the Commission on or before April 30, 2010 for the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

The following table provides information relating to our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2009:

 

     Column A    Column B    Column C
     Number of
Securities to be Issued
on Exercise of
Outstanding Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price

of Outstanding
Options
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column A

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

        

Stock option and incentive plans

   707,667    $ 4.99    223,166

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

   —        —      —  
                
   707,667    $ 4.99    223,166
            

 

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement expected to be filed with the Commission on or before on or before April 30, 2010 for the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission on or before April 30, 2010 for the Company’s 2010 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SCHEDULES

 

  (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

 

  (1) Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements of The Coast Distribution System, Inc. and Financial Statement Schedules: See Index to Financial Statements on Page 28 of this Report.

 

  (2) Financial Statement Schedules. Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is set forth at Page 46 of this Report. All other schedules are omitted as the information is not required, is not material or is otherwise furnished.

 

  (3) Exhibits. See Index to Exhibits, elsewhere in this Report, for a list and description of (i) exhibits previously filed by the Company with the Commission and (ii) the exhibits being filed with this Report.

 

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SIGNATURES

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

 

        THE COAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, INC.
Dated: March 31, 2010     By:  

/s/    JAMES MUSBACH        

      James Musbach
      President and Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature to this Report appears below hereby appoints Thomas R. McGuire, James Musbach and Sandra A. Knell, and each of them, individually, to act severally as attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each of them, to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in the capacities stated below, and to file any and all amendments to this Annual Report, which amendment or amendments may make changes and additions as such attorneys-in-fact may deem necessary or appropriate.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report on Form 10-K has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    JAMES MUSBACH        

James Musbach

  

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  March 31, 2010

/s/    THOMAS R. MCGUIRE        

Thomas R. Mcguire

   Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors   March 31, 2010

/s/    SANDRA A. KNELL        

Sandra A. Knell

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer)

  March 31, 2010

/s/    JOHN W. CASEY        

John W. Casey

   Director   March 31, 2010

/s/    LEONARD P. DANNA        

Leonard P. Danna

   Director   March 31, 2010

/s/    BEN A. FRYDMAN        

Ben A. Frydman

   Director   March 31, 2010

/s/    ROBERT S. THROOP        

Robert S. Throop

   Director   March 31, 2010

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibits

   3.1A

   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on July 1, 1997 and as in effect since that date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement dated and filed with the SEC on July 3, 1997).

3.3

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company effective as of December 19, 2007 (Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 19, 2007).

4.1

   Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, between the Company and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, which includes, as Exhibit A, a form of Certificate of Designation for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock; as Exhibit B, the Form of Rights Certificate and. As Exhibit C, a Summary of Rights. (Incorporated by reference from the same numbered Exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2006).

10.31

   1993 Stock Option and Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-64582) filed with the SEC on June 17, 1993).

10.34

   Distribution Agreement dated October 11, 1995 between the Company and Recreation Vehicle Products, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter ended September 30, 1995).

10.36

   1999 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

10.39

   Third Amended and Restated Loan & Security Agreement dated as of August 30, 2005 between Coast and certain of its Subsidiaries and Standard Federal Bank NA, LaSalle Business Credit, LLC, and LaSalle Business Credit, a Division of ABN AMRO BANK N.V., Canada Branch. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 30, 2005 and filed with the SEC on September 6, 2005).

10.40

   2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-136864 filed with the Commission on August 24, 2006).

10.41

   Sole Sales and Service Agreement, effective as of April 13, 2006, with Wuxi Kipor Power Co., Ltd., which appointed Coast Distribution as the sole distributor in the North America of Kipor’s line of portable and standby generators and certain other products. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 13, 2006.)

10.44

   The Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan approved by the Company’s stockholders (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on July 22, 2008).

10.45

   Fourth Amendment and Waiver, dated as of March 27, 2008, entered into by the Company and Bank of America, N. A., amending certain of the terms and provisions of the Loan and Security Agreement for the Company’s revolving bank credit line. (Incorporated by reference to the same numbered Exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Commission on March 31, 2009.)

10.46

   Fifth Amendment to Third Amended & Restated Loan and Security Agreement entered into November 30, 2009 by The Coast Distribution System, Inc. and Bank of America, N. A. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 30, 2009.)

21    

   Subsidiaries of Registrant

23.1  

   Consent of Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

24    

   Power of Attorney — Included on Signature Page.

31.1  

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

31.2  

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

32.1  

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.2  

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

E-1