FORM 10-K
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-14959
 
BRADY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
     
Wisconsin
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  39-0178960
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
6555 West Good Hope Road,
Milwaukee, WI 53223

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(414) 358-6600
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Nonvoting Common Stock, Par
Value $.01 per share
  New York Stock Exchange
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 þ     No o
     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o     No þ
     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 þ     No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or four such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o     No o
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the 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. þ
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ Accelerated filer o 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o     No þ
     The aggregate market value of the non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of January 30, 2009, was approximately $959,932,645 (based on closing sale price of $20.92 per share on that date as reported for the New York Stock Exchange). As of September 23, 2009, there were outstanding 48,800,759 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock (the “Class A Common Stock”), and 3,538,628 shares of Class B Common Stock. The Class B Common Stock, all of which is held by affiliates of the registrant, is the only voting stock.
 
 

 


 

INDEX
             
        Page
PART I
  Business     3  
 
  General Development of Business     3  
 
  Financial Information About Industry Segments     3  
 
  Narrative Description of Business     3  
 
      3  
 
 
Competitive Strengths
    4  
 
      5  
 
 
Products
    6  
 
      8  
 
 
Brands
    8  
 
 
Manufacturing Process and Raw Materials
    8  
 
 
Technology and Product Development
    9  
 
 
International Operations
    10  
 
 
Competition
    10  
 
 
Backlog
    10  
 
 
Environment
    10  
 
 
Employees
    10  
 
 
Acquisitions
    10  
 
  Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales     11  
 
  Information Available on the Internet     11  
  Risk Factors     11  
  Unresolved Staff Comments     16  
  Properties     16  
  Legal Proceedings     16  
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     16  
PART II
  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     17  
  Selected Financial Data     19  
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     20  
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk     30  
  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     32  
  Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     65  
  Controls and Procedures     65  
  Other Information     67  
PART III
  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant     68  
  Executive Compensation     72  
 
  Compensation Discussion and Analysis     72  
 
  Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation     78  
 
  Compensation Committee Report     78  
 
  Summary Compensation Table     78  
 
  Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2009     80  
 
  Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year End     81  
 
  Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2009     82  
 
  Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2009     82  
 
  Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control     83  
 
  Compensation of Directors     86  
 
  Director Compensation Table     86  
  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     88  
  Certain Relationships, Related Transactions, and Director Independence     90  
  Principal Accounting Fees and Services     90  
PART IV
  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules     91  
        95  
 Brady Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan
 Brady Corporation 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors
 Form of Non-Qualified Employee Stock Option Agreement and Employee Performance Stock Option Agreement under 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan
 Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors
 Subsidiaries of Brady Corporation
 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Frank M. Jaehnert
 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Thomas J. Felmer
 Section 1350 Certification of Frank M. Jaehnert
 Section 1350 Certification of Thomas J. Felmer

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PART I
     Brady Corporation and Subsidiaries are referred to herein as the “Company,” “Brady,” or “we”.
Item 1. Business
(a) General Development of Business
     The Company, a Wisconsin corporation founded in 1914, currently operates 59 manufacturing or distribution facilities in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company also sells through subsidiaries or sales offices in these countries, with additional sales through a dedicated team of international sales representatives in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Company further markets its products to parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia. The Company’s corporate headquarters are located at 6555 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223, and the telephone number is (414) 358-6600. The Company’s Internet address is http://www.bradycorp.com.
(b) Financial Information About Industry Segments
     The information required by this Item is provided in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
(c) Narrative Description of Business
Overview
     Brady Corporation is an international manufacturer and marketer of identification solutions and specialty products that identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady’s core capabilities in manufacturing, channel management, printing systems, precision engineering and materials expertise make it a leading supplier to customers in general manufacturing, maintenance and safety, process industries, construction, electrical, telecommunications, electronics, laboratory/healthcare, airline/transportation, security/brand education, governmental, public utility, and a variety of other industries. The Company’s ability to provide customers with a broad range of differentiated solutions both through the organic development of its existing business and the acquisition of complementary and adjacent businesses, its commitment to quality and service, its global footprint and its diversified sales channels have made it a world leader in its markets.
     Brady manufactures and markets a wide range of products for use in diverse applications. Major product lines include facility identification; safety and complementary products; wire and cable identification products; sorbent materials; people identification products; regulatory publishing; high-performance identification products for product identification and work-in-process identification; and bar-code labels and precision die-cut components for mobile telecommunications devices, hard disk drives, medical devices and supplies, and automotive and other electronics. Products are marketed through multiple channels, including distributors, resellers, business-to-business direct marketing and a direct sales force.
     The need for the Company’s products is driven, in part, by customer specifications, by regulatory compliance requirements imposed by agencies such as the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) and the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in the United States and similar regulatory agencies around the world, and by the need to identify and track assets or to identify, direct, warn, inform, train and protect people or products.
     The Company has a broad customer base, with its largest customer representing approximately 6% of net sales.

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Competitive Strengths
     The Company believes the following competitive strengths will allow it to achieve its strategy:
     Leader in Niche Markets. Brady competes in niche markets where it believes it is often the leading supplier with the manufacturing expertise, infrastructure, channels and sales resources necessary to provide the required product or comprehensive solution. For example, the Company believes it is the leading supplier of wire identification products to the North American MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) market and of precision die-cut components to the mobile telecommunications market. The Company believes its leadership positions make it a preferred supplier to many of its customers and enables it to be successful in its markets, which are generally fragmented and populated with smaller or regional competitors.
     Differentiated Solutions and Commitment to Innovation. The Company believes its sophisticated engineering and manufacturing capabilities, as well as its expertise in materials, give it a competitive advantage in supplying customized or high specification product solutions to meet individualized customer needs. The Company has been successful in identifying and incorporating innovative technologies to create integrated and precise solutions. Additionally, it is able to use its materials expertise and its investment in research and development to provide unique products to meet the demands of end-customers in new, faster growing markets adjacent to its traditional markets, such as laboratory identification, aerospace, defense, and mass transit.
     Operational Excellence. Brady continues to improve in operational productivity. It employs well-developed problem solving techniques and invests in state-of-the-art equipment to capture efficiencies. The Company is largely vertically integrated and designs, manufactures and markets a majority of the products it sells. The Company has invested heavily over the last several years to centralize its North American distribution process and to standardize its SAP software applications. It has consistently generated positive cash flow from operations by continually reducing costs and optimizing the efficiency of its manufacturing operations.
     Broad Customer Base and Geographic Diversity. Brady believes its global infrastructure and diverse market presence provide a solid platform for further expansion, and enable it to act as a primary supplier to many of its global customers. Sales from international operations increased from 44.4% of net sales in fiscal 2000 to 61.8% of net sales in fiscal 2009. The Company’s broad product offering and global presence benefit many of its customers who seek a single or primary supplier. Brady has over 500,000 end-customers that operate in multiple industries.
     Disciplined Acquisition and Integration Strategy. The Company has a dedicated team of experienced professionals that employ a disciplined acquisition strategy and process to acquire companies. It applies strict financial standards to evaluate all acquisitions using an expected return model based on a modified return on invested capital calculation. It also conducts disciplined integration reviews of acquired firms to track progress toward results expected at the time of acquisition. Since 1996, the Company has acquired and integrated 53 companies to increase market share in existing and new geographies, expand the product range it offers to both existing and new customers, as well as add new technological capabilities.
     Channel Diversity and Strength. Brady utilizes a wide range of channels to reach customers across a broad array of industries. It employs direct marketing expertise to meet its customers’ need for convenience. The Company also has long-standing relationships with, and is a preferred supplier to, many of its largest distributors. In addition, the Company employs a global sales team to support both distributors and customers and to serve their productivity, tracking and safety requirements. The Company believes its strong brands and reputation for quality, innovation and on-time delivery contribute to the popularity of its products with distributors, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), resellers and other customers.

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Deep and Talented Team. The Company believes that its team of employees has substantial depth in critical operational areas and has demonstrated success in reducing costs, integrating acquisitions and improving processes through economic cycles. The international experience of its management team and its commitment to developing strong management teams in each of the local operations is a competitive advantage. In addition, the Company believes it employs a world-class team of people and dedicates significant resources to recruiting people committed to excellence and investing in their potential. The depth and breadth of knowledge within the entire Brady organization strengthens relationships with its customers and suppliers and enables the Company to provide its customers with a high level of product and industry expertise.
Key Strategies
     The Company’s primary growth objectives are to build upon its leading market positions, to improve its performance and profitability and to expand its existing activities through a multi-pronged strategic approach that incorporates both organic growth and acquisitions. The Company’s key strategies include:
     Improve Profitability. The Company plans to continue its focus on improving operating efficiency, reducing costs, and improving productivity and return on invested capital. To this end, Brady is continuing to implement its Brady Business Performance System (“BBPS”) initiative and expanding it to most of its operations globally. This approach to improving profitability focuses on strategy deployment, operational efficiencies and lean manufacturing principles to drive cost-savings, enhance customer service and overall business performance. Productivity improvement investments made in 2009 include tools such as software systems that enhance efficiencies in the areas of accounts receivables, human resources and sales. In addition, each acquisition the Company makes provides additional opportunities to improve its own performance as well as the performance of the acquired company. The Company often continues to realize synergies with acquired companies several years after the acquisition date.
     New Product Development. Through product innovation and development activities, Brady seeks to introduce new technologies and differentiated products that leverage its capabilities in specialty materials, die-cutting, software and printing systems. The Company continues to invest in research and development activities, and employs approximately 235 R&D professionals in the United States, Europe and Asia. In 2009 the Company expanded its R&D operations in Singapore and Beijing, China. Amounts incurred for research and development activities were 2.8% and 2.7% of sales in fiscal 2009 and 2008, respectively.
     Capitalize on Growing Niche Markets. The Company seeks to leverage its premier reputation, global footprint and strength in manufacturing and materials expertise to capitalize on growth in existing niche markets. Growth prospects are driven primarily by the general expansion of regional economies, changes in legal and regulatory compliance requirements and the increased need of customers to identify and protect their assets and employees, as well as technological advances in markets such as mobile telecommunications and other electronic devices.
     Increase Market Share. Many Brady markets are fragmented and populated with smaller or regional competitors. The Company seeks to leverage its investment in new product development and its global sales, operations and distribution capabilities to increase market share, as well as expand its distribution channels to capture new customers. The Company employs a dedicated and experienced sales team that works closely with existing distributors and customers to identify and capture new opportunities. In addition, Brady plans to leverage the strength of its brands, the quality of its products and its long-standing relationships with key customers to build upon current market positions.
     Enter New Markets. The Company looks to leverage its quality products, global infrastructure, channel relationships and selling capabilities to effectively enter new markets, many of which are fragmented and populated with smaller competitors. The Company is also considering entering adjacent markets where its core competencies can be successfully leveraged. The Company reviews its product and market portfolio on a regular basis through its standardized review process in order to identify new opportunities.

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     Expand Geographically. Brady’s long-term strategy involves the pursuit of growth opportunities in a number of markets outside of the United States. The Company is committed to being in close proximity to its customers and to low-cost manufacturing. Brady currently operates in 34 countries and employs approximately 6,800 people. Of the approximately 6,800 global employees, Asia-Pacific accounts for 43%, with the Americas (including Corporate and R&D resources) and Europe employing 37%, and 20% of the workforce, respectively. Brady has made strategic acquisitions and has invested heavily in its global infrastructure and flexible manufacturing capacity in order to follow its customers into new geographies. Brady’s regional management structure is a key component in effectively entering and competing in new geographies.
     Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. The Company intends to continue to make complementary strategic acquisitions to further its goals of strengthening its market positions and entering new markets and geographies. In addition, the Company is developing strategies for acquiring companies in adjacent markets where Brady competencies can be applied and social, economic and cultural trends can be positively leveraged. Brady works to drive substantial value creation through capitalizing on its acquisition and integration acumen.
     Improve Working Capital. Brady continues to keep a strong focus on working capital management. The Company intends to drive increases in operating cash flow by heightened focus on inventory, accounts receivable, and accounts payable management. This focus is further evidenced by the incorporation of working capital targets in the majority of employee incentive plans.
Products
     The Company is largely vertically integrated by designing, developing, and producing most of its identification products and printing systems. Brady materials are developed internally and manufactured out of a variety of films, many of which are coated by Brady, for applications in the following markets: electronic, industrial, electrical, utility, laboratory, safety and security. Brady also manufactures specialty tapes and related products that are characterized by high-performance printable top coats and adhesives, most of which are formulated by the Company, to meet high-tolerance requirements of the industries in which they are used.
     The Company’s stock and custom products consist of over 500,000 stock-keeping units, including complete identification systems and other products used to create a safer work environment, improve operating efficiencies, and increase the utilization of assets through tracking and inventory process controls. Major product categories include: facility and safety signs, identification tags and markers, pipe and valve markers, asset identification labels, lockout/tagout products, security and traffic control products, printing systems and software for creating safety and regulatory labels and signs, spill control and clean up products, wire and cable markers, high-performance labels, laboratory identification labels and printing systems, stand-alone printing systems, bar-code and other software, automatic identification and data collection systems, personal identification products, and precision die-cut solutions.
     Some of the Company’s stock products were originally designed, developed and manufactured as custom products for a specific application. However, such products have frequently created wide industry acceptance and have become stock items offered by the Company through direct marketing and distributor sales. The Company’s most significant types of products are described below.
  Facility Identification
     Informational signs, tags and labels, and do-it-yourself printers for use in a broad range of industrial, utility, commercial, governmental and institutional applications. These products are either self-adhesive or mechanically mounted, designed for both indoor and outdoor use and are manufactured to meet standards issued by the National Safety Council, OSHA and a variety of industry associations in the United States and abroad. The Company’s sign products include admittance, directional and exit signs; electrical hazard warnings; energy conservation messages; fire protection and fire equipment signs; hazardous waste labels; hazardous and toxic material warning signs; transformers and power pole markers; personal hazard warnings; housekeeping and operational warnings; pictograms; radiation and laser signs; safety practices signs and regulatory markings; employment law posters; and photo luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) products.

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     Warehouse identification products including labels, tags, and printing systems used to locate and identify inventory in storage facilities such as warehouses, factories, stockrooms and other industrial facilities.
     Pipe markers and valve tags including plastic or metal, self-adhesive or mechanically applied, stock or custom-designed pieces for the identification of pipes and control valves in the mechanical contractor and process industry markets. These products are designed to help identify and provide information as to the contents, direction of flow and special hazardous properties of materials contained in piping systems, and to facilitate repair or maintenance of the systems.
     Asset-identification products that are an important part of an effective asset-management program in a wide variety of markets. These include self-adhesive or mechanically mounted labels or tags made of aluminum, brass, stainless steel, polycarbonate, vinyl, polyester, mylar and paper. These products are also offered in tamper-evident varieties, and can be custom designed to ensure brand protection from counterfeiting.
  Safety and Security Products
     Lockout/tagout products — under OSHA regulations, all energy sources must be “locked out” while machines are being serviced or maintained to prevent accidental engagement and injury. The Company’s products allow its customers to comply with these regulations and to ensure worker safety for a wide variety of energy- and fluid-transmission systems and operating machinery.
     Security and traffic control products including a variety of security seals, parking permits and wristbands designed for visitor control in financial, governmental, educational and commercial facilities including meeting and convention sites. The Company also offers a wide variety of traffic control devices including traffic signs, directional and warning signs, parking tags and permits, barriers, cones and other products including barricading, visual warning systems, floor-marking products, safety badges, and first aid cabinets/kits, among others.
     Spill control and clean-up products including natural and synthetic sorbent materials in a variety of shapes, sizes and configurations; spill kits, containment booms, industrial rugs, absorbing pillows and pads, barrier spill matting and granular absorbents; and other products for absorbing and controlling chemical, oil-based and water-based spills.
  Wire and Cable Identification
     Brady manufactures a broad range of wire and cable-marking products, including labels, sleeves, software that allows customers to create their own labels, and printers to print and apply them. These products mark and identify wires, cables and their termination points to facilitate manufacturing, construction, repair or maintenance of equipment, and data communication and electrical wiring systems used in virtually every industrial, power and communication market.
  People Identification
     Identification systems and products including photo ID card systems that combine biometrics, digital imaging and other technologies to positively identify people; self-expiring name tags that make use of migratory ink technology which, upon activation, starts a timed process resulting in an altered message, color or design to indicate expiration; software for visitor and employee identification; and identification accessories including lanyards, badge holders, badge reels and attachments, as well as photo identification kits.
  High Performance Identification
     Brady produces a complete line of label materials and printing systems to meet customers’ needs for identification requirements for product identification, work in process labeling and bar coding that perform under harsh or demanding conditions, such as extreme temperatures, or environmental or chemical exposure. Brady prints stock and custom labels and also sells unprinted materials to enable customers to print their own labels.

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  Precision Die-Cut Parts
     The Company manufactures customized precision die-cut products that are used to seal, insulate, protect, shield or provide other mechanical performance properties in the assembly of electronic, telecommunications and other equipment, including mobile phones, personal data assistants, computer hard disk drives, computers and other devices. Solutions not only include the materials and converting, but also automatic placement and other value-added services. The Company also provides converting services to the medical market for materials used in in-vitro diagnostic kits, patient monitoring, and bandaging applications.
  Other Products
     The Company also designs and produces software for bar-coding and inspection automation, industrial thermal-transfer printers and other electromechanical devices to serve the growing and specialized needs of customers in a wide variety of markets. Industrial labeling systems, software, tapes, ribbons and label stocks provide customers with the resources and flexibility to produce signs and labels on demand at their site. The Company also offers poster printers, cutting systems, laminators and supplies to education and training markets.
Marketing and Sales
     Brady seeks to offer high quality products with rapid response and superior service so that it can provide solutions to customers that are better, faster and more economical than those available from the Company’s competitors. The Company markets and sells its products domestically and internationally through multiple channels including distributors, direct sales, mail-order-catalog marketing, retail, and electronic access through the Internet. The Company has long-standing relationships with a broad range of electrical, safety, industrial and other domestic and international distributors. The Company’s sales force seeks to establish and foster ongoing relationships with the end-users and distributors by providing technical application and product expertise.
     The Company also direct markets certain products and those of other manufacturers by catalog sales, outbound telemarketing, and electronic access via the Internet in both domestic and international markets. Such products include industrial and facility identification products, safety and regulatory-compliance products and original equipment manufacturer component products, among others. Catalogs are distributed in the United States, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and include foreign-language catalogs.
Brands
     The Company’s products go to market under a variety of brand names. The Brady brand includes high-performance labels, wire identification products, printers, software, safety and facility identification products, lock-out/tag-out products, people identification products, precision die-cut parts and specialty materials. Other die-cut materials are marketed as Balkhausen products. Safety and facility identification products are also marketed under the Safety Signs Service brand, with some lockout/tagout products offered under the Prinzing and Scafftag brands. In addition, identification products for the utility industry are marketed under the Electromark brand and spill-control products are marketed under the SPC and D.A.W.G. brands; poster printers and cutting systems for education and government markets are offered under the Varitronics brand; wire identification products are marketed under the Modernotecnica brand and the Carroll brand; direct marketing safety and facility identification products are offered under the Seton, Emedco, Signals, Safetyshop, Clement and Personnel Concepts names; security and identification badges and systems are included in the Temtec, B.I.G., Identicard/Identicam, STOPware, J.A.M. Plastics, PromoVision, and Quo-Luck brands; hand-held regulatory documentation systems are available under the Tiscor name; automatic identification and bar-code software is offered under the Teklynx brand; and security sealing and transportation identification is offered under the Transposafe Systems name.
Manufacturing Process and Raw Materials
     The Company manufactures the majority of the products it sells, while purchasing certain items from other manufacturers. Products manufactured by the Company generally require a high degree of precision and the application of adhesives with chemical and physical properties suited for specific uses. The Company’s manufacturing processes include compounding, coating, converting, printing, melt-blown operations, software development and printer design and assembly. The compounding process involves the mixing of chemical batches

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for primers, top coatings and adhesives. The coatings and adhesives are applied to a wide variety of materials including polyester, polyimide, cloth, paper, metal and metal foil. The converting process may include embossing, perforating, laminating, die cutting, slitting, and printing or marking the materials as required.
     The Company produces the majority of its pressure sensitive materials through an integrated manufacturing process. These integrated manufacturing processes permit greater flexibility to meet customer needs in product design and manufacture, and an improved ability to provide specialized products designed to meet the needs of specific applications. Brady’s cellular manufacturing processes and just-in-time inventory control are designed to attain profitability in small orders by emphasizing flexibility and the optimal utilization of assets through quick turnaround and delivery, balanced with optimization of lot sizes. Many of the Company’s manufacturing facilities have received ISO 9001 or 9002 certification.
     The materials used in the products manufactured by the Company consist primarily of plastic sheets and films, paper, metal and metal foil, cloth, fiberglass, polypropylene, inks, dyes, adhesives, pigments, natural and synthetic rubber, organic chemicals, polymers, solvents and electronic components and subassemblies. In addition, the Company purchases finished products for resale. The Company purchases raw materials, components and finished products from many suppliers. Overall, the Company is not dependent upon any single supplier for its most critical base materials or components; however the Company has chosen in certain situations to sole source materials, components or finished items for design or cost reasons. As a result, disruptions in supply could have an impact on results for a period of time, but generally these disruptions would simply require qualification of new suppliers and the disruption would be modest. In certain instances, the qualification process could be more costly or take a longer period of time and in rare circumstances, such as a global shortage of a critical material or component, the financial impact could be significant.
Technology and Product Development
     The Company focuses its research and development efforts on material development, printing systems design and software development. Material development involves the application of surface chemistry concepts for top coatings and adhesives applied to a variety of base materials. Systems design integrates materials, embedded software and a variety of printing technologies to form a complete solution for customer applications or the Company’s own production requirements. The Company’s research and development team also supports production and marketing efforts by providing application and technical expertise.
     The Company possesses patents covering various aspects of adhesive chemistry, electronic circuitry, printing systems for wire markers, systems for aligning letters and patterns, and visually changing paper, although the Company believes that its patents are a significant factor in maintaining market position for certain products, technology in the areas covered by many of the patents is evolving rapidly and may limit the value of such patents. The Company’s business is not dependent on any single patent or group of patents.
     The Company conducts much of its research and development activities at the Frederic S. Tobey Research and Innovation Center (approximately 39,600 sq. ft.) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Additionally, the Company has expanded its focus on research and development activity at its R&D facilities in Singapore and Beijing, China. The Company spent approximately $34.2 million, $40.6 million, and $36.0 million during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, on its research and development activities. In fiscal 2009, approximately 235 employees were engaged in research and development activities for the Company. Additional research projects were conducted in Company facilities in other locations in the United States, Europe and Asia and under contract with universities, other institutions and consultants.
     The Company’s name and its registered trademarks are important to each of its business segments. In addition, the Company owns other important trademarks applicable to only certain of its products.

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International Operations
     In fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007, sales from international operations accounted for 61.8%, 62.9%, and 60.9%, respectively, of the Company’s sales. Its global infrastructure includes subsidiaries in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company also sells through subsidiaries or sales offices in these countries, with additional sales through a dedicated team of international sales representatives in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. The Company further markets its products to parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Russia.
Competition
     The markets for all of the Company’s products are competitive. Brady believes that it is one of the leading producers in its specific markets of wire markers, safety signs, pipe markers, label printing systems, and bar-code-label-generating software. Brady competes for business principally on the basis of production capabilities, engineering, and research and development capabilities, materials expertise, its global footprint, global account management where needed, customer service and price. Product quality is determined by factors such as suitability of component materials for various applications, adhesive properties, graphics quality, durability, product consistency and workmanship. Competition in many of its product markets is highly fragmented, ranging from smaller companies offering only one or a few types of products, to some of the world’s major adhesive and electrical product companies offering some competing products as part of their overall product lines. A number of Brady’s competitors are larger than the Company and have greater resources. Notwithstanding the resources of these competitors, management believes that Brady provides a broader range of identification solutions than any of them, and that its global infrastructure is a significant competitive advantage in serving large multi-national customers.
Backlog
     As of July 31, 2009, the amount of the Company’s backlog orders believed to be firm was $27.5 million. This compares with $32.0 million and $25.3 million of backlog orders as of July 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Average delivery time for the Company’s orders varies from same day delivery to one month, depending on the type of product, customer request or demand, and whether the product is stock or custom-designed and manufactured. The Company’s backlog does not provide much visibility for future business.
Environment
     The manufacturing processes for the Company’s adhesive-based products utilize certain evaporative solvents, which, unless controlled, would be vented into the atmosphere. Emissions of these substances are regulated at the federal, state and local levels. The Company has implemented a number of systems and procedures to reduce atmospheric emissions and/or to recover solvents. Management believes the Company is substantially in compliance with all environmental regulations.
Employees
     As of September 23, 2009, the Company employed approximately 6,800 individuals. Brady has never experienced a material work stoppage due to a labor dispute and considers its relations with employees to be good. The mix of employees is changing as the Company employs more people in developing countries where wage rates are lower and employee turnover tends to be higher than in developed countries.
Acquisitions
     Information about the Company’s acquisitions is provided in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

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(d) Financial Information About Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales
     The information required by this Item is provided in Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
(e) Information Available on the Internet
     The Company’s Corporate Internet address is http://www.bradycorp.com. The Company makes available, free of charge, on or through its Internet website copies of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports filed by the Company’s insiders, and amendments to all such reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
     Before making an investment decision with respect to the Company’s stock, you should carefully consider the risks set forth below and all other information contained in this report. If any of the events contemplated by the following risks actually occur, then the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, or liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
     The Company’s operating results, cash flows, and liquidity are susceptible to uncertainties arising from the length and severity of the current worldwide economic downturn, as well as the timing and strength of the subsequent recovery.
     The global economic downturn has negatively impacted the Company’s sales volumes and results of operations. All of the segments and most of the major product lines, channels, and markets served by the Company, have experienced significant declines in the current global economic downturn. As a result of the slowing economy, the credit market crisis, declining consumer and business confidence, increased unemployment, reduced levels of capital expenditures, fluctuating commodity prices, bankruptcies, and other challenges affecting the global economy, customers may experience deterioration of their businesses, cash flow shortages, and difficulty obtaining financing. As a result, customers already have reduced or canceled orders and may continue to delay, cancel or further reduce their orders. In addition customers’ ability to pay their invoices may be reduced resulting in increased past due receivables or bad debt. Further, the Company’s vendors may be experiencing similar conditions, which may impact their ability to fulfill their obligations leading to longer days sales outstanding. Although governments around the world are enacting various economic stimulus programs, there can be no assurance as to the timing or effectiveness of such programs. If the worldwide economic downturn continues for a significant period or there is further deterioration in the global economy, the Company’s results of operations, financial position, and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In response to the severe downturn, the Company has reduced its worldwide workforce by approximately 25%. This may cause disruptions in our operations, customer service, quality, and profitability.
     Market demand for the Company’s products may be susceptible to fluctuations in the economy that may cause volatility in its results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity.
     Sales of the Company’s products may be susceptible to changes in general economic conditions, namely general downturns in the regional economies in which the Company competes. The Company’s business in the facility & safety identification and wire identification product lines tend to vary with the nominal GDP of the local economies in which the Company manufactures and sells. As a result, in periods of economic contraction, the business is likely to decline. In the current economic downturn, the Company’s business has contracted severely, well in excess of GDP. In addition, the significant drop in non-residential construction has impacted the Company’s MRO business. In the precision die-cut and high performance label product lines, the Company may be adversely affected by reduced demand for products due to downturns in the global economy as this is a more volatile business. This can result in higher degrees of volatility in the Company’s net sales, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity. These more volatile markets include, but are not limited to, mobile telecommunication devices, hard disk drives and electronics in personal computers and other electronic devices.

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     Uncertainties in the global economy may put pressure on the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with its debt covenants.
     The Company’s debt and revolving loan agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants. The June 2004, February 2006, and March 2007 debt agreements require the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio). The October 2006 revolving loan agreement requires the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined by the debt agreement, of not more than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio. Additionally, the revolving loan agreement requires the trailing twelve months earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). The debt agreements also require the aggregate net book value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of by the Company and its subsidiaries in all dispositions, as defined in the agreement, in any fiscal year of the Company shall not exceed 15% of consolidated tangible net worth. Depending on the severity and duration of the current global economic crisis, uncertainties in the market may put pressure on the Company’s ability to maintain compliance with its covenants.
     The Company may experience unforeseen tax consequences.
     The Company periodically reviews the probability of the realization of its deferred tax assets based on forecasts of taxable income in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. As part of this review, the Company utilizes historical results, projected future operating results, eligible carry forward periods, tax planning opportunities, and other relevant considerations. Adverse changes in profitability and financial outlook in both the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, or changes in its geographic footprint may require changes in the valuation allowances to reduce its deferred tax assets or increase tax payments. Such changes could result in material non-cash expenses in the period in which the changes are made and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.
     Income tax regulations may change, thus negatively impacting the Company’s future operating results.
     The Company conducts business internationally. As a result, its financial results may be negatively impacted by changes in international taxation rules in the United States. If United States international tax law changes are enacted as currently outlined (for example, if the tax on deferred income generated outside the U.S. were enacted), it may have a significant negative impact on the Company’s reported financial results and cash flows from operations.
     The Company may be adversely impacted by an inability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions.
     A large part of the Company’s growth since fiscal 2003 has come through acquisitions and a key component of its growth strategy is based upon acquisitions. The Company may not be able to identify acquisition targets or successfully complete acquisitions in the future due to the absence of quality companies, economic conditions, or price expectations from sellers. If the Company is unable to complete additional acquisitions, its growth may be limited.
     Additionally, as the Company grows through acquisitions, it will continue to place significant demands on its management, operational and financial resources. Since the beginning of fiscal year 2004, the Company has acquired 28 companies. These recent and future acquisitions will require integration of sales and marketing, information technology, finance and administrative operations and information of the newly acquired business. The successful integration of acquisitions will require substantial attention from its management and the management of the acquired businesses, which could decrease the time management has to serve and attract customers. The Company cannot assure that it will be able to successfully integrate these recent or any future acquisitions, that these acquisitions will operate profitably or that it will be able to achieve the financial or operational success expected from the acquisitions. The Company’s financial condition, cash flows and operational results could be adversely affected if it does not successfully integrate the newly acquired businesses or if its other businesses suffer on account of the increased focus on the newly acquired businesses.

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     If the Company fails to develop new products or its customers do not accept the new products it develops, the Company’s business could be affected adversely.
     Development of proprietary products is key to the success of the Company’s core growth and high gross margins now and in the future. Therefore, the Company must continue to develop new and innovative products and acquire and retain the necessary intellectual property rights in these products on an ongoing basis. If it fails to make innovations, launches products with quality problems, or the market does not accept its new products, then the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity could be adversely affected. The Company continues to invest in the development and marketing of new products. These expenditures do not always result in products that will be accepted by the market. Failure to develop successful new products may also cause its customers to buy from a competitor or may cause the Company to lower its prices in order to compete. This could have an adverse impact on the Company’s profitability.
     The Company operates in competitive markets and may be forced to cut its prices or incur additional costs to remain competitive, which may have a negative impact on its profitability.
     The Company faces substantial competition throughout its entire business, but particularly in the precision die-cut business. Competition may force the Company to cut its prices or incur additional costs to remain competitive. The Company competes on the basis of production capabilities, engineering and R&D capabilities, materials expertise, its global footprint, customer service and price. Present or future competitors may have greater financial, technical or other resources, lower production costs or other pricing advantages, any of which could put the Company at a disadvantage in the affected business by threatening its market share in some markets or reducing its profit margins. Additionally, in some of its other businesses, the Company’s distributors/customers may seek lower cost sourcing opportunities, which could cause a loss of business that may adversely impact the Company’s revenues.
     Foreign currency fluctuations could adversely affect the Company’s sales, profits, and cash balances.
     More than 60 percent of the Company’s revenues are derived outside the United States. As such, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates can have an adverse impact on its sales and profits as amounts that are measured in foreign currency are translated back to U.S. dollars. Any increase in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the local currency will adversely affect operating results from the Company’s foreign operations when translated into U.S. dollars. Similarly, any decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of the local currency will increase operating results in the Company’s foreign operations when translated into U.S. dollars. During fiscal year 2009, the strengthening U.S. dollar versus the majority of other currencies decreased sales by approximately $73.2 million.
     As of July 31, 2009, approximately 79% of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were held outside the United States. As a result, fluctuations in foreign currency can have an adverse impact on the Company’s cash balances. Any increase in the value of the U.S. dollar in relation to the value of various foreign currencies will have a negative impact on cash balances when translated into U.S. dollars. Weakening of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies will have a positive impact on cash balances when foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars.
     The Company’s goodwill or other intangible assets may become impaired, which may negatively impact its results of operations.
     The Company has a substantial amount of goodwill and other intangible assets on its balance sheet as a result of its acquisitions. As of July 31, 2009, the Company had $751.2 million of goodwill on its balance sheet, representing the excess of the total purchase price for its acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets it acquired, and $115.8 million of other intangible assets, primarily representing the fair value of the customer relationships, patents and trademarks it acquired in its acquisitions. At July 31, 2009, goodwill and other intangible assets represented approximately 54.8% of its total assets. The Company evaluates goodwill at least annually for impairment based on the fair value of each operating segment. It assesses the impairment of other intangible assets at least annually based upon the expected future cash flows of the respective assets. These valuations include management’s estimates of sales, profitability, cash flow generation, capital structure, cost of debt, interest rates, capital expenditures, and other assumptions. A worldwide economic downturn, credit crisis, or uncertainty in the

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markets the Company serves can adversely impact the assumptions in these valuations. If the estimated fair values of the Company’s operating segments change in future periods, it may be required to record an impairment charge related to goodwill or other intangible assets, which would have the effect of decreasing its earnings in such period.
     The Company has a concentration of business with several large key customers and distributors and loss of one or more of these customers could significantly affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity.
     Several of the Company’s large key customers in the precision die-cut business together comprise a significant portion of its revenues. The Company’s largest customer represents approximately 6% of its net sales. Additionally, the Company does business with several large distribution companies. The Company’s dependence on these large customers makes its relationships with these customers important to its business. The Company cannot guarantee that it will be able to maintain these relationships and retain this business in the future. Because these large customers account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenues, they possess relatively greater capacity to negotiate a reduction in the prices the Company charges for its products. If the Company is unable to provide products to its customers at the quality and prices acceptable to them or adapt to technological changes, some of its customers may in the future elect to shift some or all of this business to competitors or to substitute other manufacturer’s products. If one of the Company’s key customers consolidates, is acquired by another company or loses market share, the result of that event may have an adverse impact on the Company’s business. The loss of or reduction of business from one or more of these large key customers could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity.
     The Company increasingly conducts a sizable amount of its manufacturing outside of the United States, which may present additional risks to its business.
     As a result of its strong growth in developing economies, particularly in Asia, a significant portion of the Company’s sales are attributable to products manufactured outside of the United States. More than half of the Company’s approximately 6,800 employees and more than half of its manufacturing locations are outside of the United States. The Company’s international operations are generally subject to various risks including political, economic and societal instability, the imposition of trade restrictions, local labor market conditions, the effects of income taxes, and differences in business practices. The Company may incur increased costs and experience delays or disruptions in product deliveries and payments in connection with international manufacturing and sales that could cause loss of revenue. Unfavorable changes in the political, regulatory and business climate in countries where the Company has operations could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
     The Company depends on its key personnel and the loss of these personnel could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations.
     The Company’s success depends to a large extent upon the continued services of its key executives, managers and other skilled personnel. The Company cannot ensure that it will be able to retain its key officers and employees. The departure of key personnel without adequate replacement could severely disrupt business operations. Additionally, the Company needs qualified managers and skilled employees with technical and manufacturing industry experience to operate its business successfully. If it is unable to attract and retain qualified individuals or the costs to do so increase significantly, the Company’s operations would be materially adversely affected. Due to the severe economic downturn, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 25%. While the Company believes it can adequately operate the business at current staffing levels, sudden changes in demand may be difficult to react to with a reduced workforce. Additionally, the potential impact of a serious virus such as H1N1 may affect the Company’s workforce and its ability to operate the business successfully.
     The Company may be unable to successfully implement anticipated changes to its information technology system.
     The Company is in the process of upgrading certain portions of its information technology. Part of this upgrade includes continued implementations of SAP and additional functionality for financial systems. The Company expects that these migrations will enable it to more effectively and efficiently manage its operations and further improve business processes. The Company is also in the process of upgrading its

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e-business and sales force applications in fiscal 2010. The Company expects these upgrades will enable improvements of its on-line business and increase productivity. The Company’s failure to successfully manage these improvements as scheduled could cause it to incur unexpected costs or to lose customers or sales, which could have a material adverse effect on its financial results.
     An increase in the Company’s level of indebtedness could adversely affect its financial health and make it vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.
     Any increase in the Company’s level of indebtedness, which historically has occurred to finance acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes, could have adverse consequences, such as:
    it may be difficult for the Company to fulfill its obligations under its credit or other debt agreements;
 
    it may be more challenging or costly to obtain additional financing to fund future growth;
 
    the Company may be more vulnerable to future interest rate fluctuations;
 
    the Company may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flows to service its debt, thereby reducing the amount of cash available to fund new product development, capital expenditures, working capital and other general corporate activities;
 
    it may place the Company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its competitors that have less debt; and
 
    it may limit the Company’s flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in its business.
     Environmental, health and safety laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s business.
     The Company’s facilities and operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations relating to air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling of hazardous materials and wastes, manufacturing and disposal of certain materials, and regulations otherwise relating to health, safety and the protection of the environment. The Company’s products may also be governed by regulations in the countries where they are sold. As a result, the Company may need to devote management time or expend significant resources on compliance, and has incurred and will continue to incur capital and other expenditures to comply with these regulations. Any significant costs may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Further, these laws and regulations are constantly evolving and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect they may have upon the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
     The Company’s businesses are subject to regulation; failure to comply with those regulations could adversely affect its financial condition, results of operations and reputation.
     In addition to the environmental regulations noted above, the Company’s businesses are subject to extensive regulation by U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and self-regulatory entities at the federal, state and local levels, including the following:
     The Company is required to comply with various import laws and export control and economic sanctions laws, which may affect its transactions with certain customers, business partners and other persons and dealings with or between its employees and subsidiaries. In certain circumstances, export control and economic sanctions regulations may prohibit the export of certain products, services and technologies, and in other circumstances the Company may be required to obtain an export license before exporting the controlled item.
     The Company also has agreements relating to the sale of products to government entities or supply products to companies who resell these products to government entities and are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government. The laws governing government contracts differ from the laws governing private contracts. The Company is also subject to investigation and audit for compliance with the requirements governing government contracts, including requirements related to procurement integrity, export

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control, employment practices, the accuracy of records and the recording of costs. A failure to comply with these requirements might result in suspension of these contracts and suspension or debarment from government contracting or subcontracting.
     The Company may be unable to successfully complete its restructuring plans to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in its businesses and, therefore, it may not achieve projected financial statement benefits.
     The Company continues to initiate several measures to address its cost structure and projected operational and market requirements. Successful implementation of such initiatives is critical to the Company’s future competitiveness and its ability to improve profitability. Further actions to reduce the Company’s cost structure and the charges related to these actions may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
     None.
Item 2. Properties
     The Company currently operates 59 manufacturing or distribution facilities in the following regions:
     Americas: Sixteen are located in the United States; three in Brazil, two in Mexico; and one in Canada.
     Europe: Four each located in the United Kingdom and Germany; three each located in Belgium and France; two each in Italy and the Netherlands; and one each in Norway, Poland, and Sweden.
     Asia-Pacific: Seven are located in China; three in Australia; and one each in Japan, Thailand, Singapore, India, South Korea, and Malaysia.
     The Company’s present operating facilities contain a total of approximately 3.5 million square feet of space, of which approximately 2.4 million square feet is leased. The Company believes that its equipment and facilities are modern, well maintained and adequate for present needs.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
     The Company is, and may in the future be, party to litigation arising in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings in which management believes the ultimate resolution would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.
     See Part II, Item 9B for a description of actions taken by unanimous written consent of the holders of the Company’s Class B Voting Common Stock on September 24, 2009.

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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Market Information
     Brady Corporation Class A Nonvoting Common Stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BRC. The quarterly stock price history on the New York Stock Exchange is as follows for each of the quarters in the fiscal years ended July 31:
                                                 
    2009   2008   2007
    High   Low   High   Low   High   Low
4th Quarter
  $ 29.41     $ 21.33     $ 39.04     $ 32.99     $ 37.73     $ 32.73  
3rd Quarter
  $ 23.08     $ 14.61     $ 34.00     $ 28.58     $ 38.37     $ 30.91  
2nd Quarter
  $ 31.07     $ 16.38     $ 40.03     $ 29.44     $ 40.52     $ 35.70  
1st Quarter
  $ 39.68     $ 25.18     $ 43.78     $ 34.04     $ 38.68     $ 33.16  
     There is no trading market for the Company’s Class B Voting Common Stock.
(b) Holders
     As of September 23, 2009, there were 715 Class A Common Stock shareholders of record and approximately 4,100 beneficial shareholders. There are three Class B Common Stock shareholders.
(c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
     No share repurchases were made in the quarter ended July 31, 2009.
(d) Dividends
     The Company has followed a practice of paying quarterly dividends on outstanding common stock. Before any dividend may be paid on the Class B Common Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive an annual, noncumulative cash dividend of $0.01665 per share (subject to adjustment in the event of future stock splits, stock dividends or similar events involving shares of Class A Common Stock). Thereafter, any further dividend in that fiscal year must be paid on all shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on an equal basis. The Company’s revolving credit agreement restricts the amount of certain types of payments, including dividends, that can be made annually to $50 million plus 75% of the consolidated net income excluding all extraordinary non-cash items for the prior fiscal year. The Company believes that based on its historic dividend practice, this restriction will not impede it in following a similar dividend practice in the future.
     During the two most recent fiscal years and for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company declared the following dividends per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock for the years ended July 31:
                                                                         
    2010   2009   2008
    1st Qtr   1st Qtr   2nd Qtr   3rd Qtr   4th Qtr   1st Qtr   2nd Qtr   3rd Qtr   4th Qtr
Class A
  $ 0.175     $ 0.17     $ 0.17     $ 0.17     $ 0.17     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15     $ 0.15  
Class B
    0.15835       0.15335       0.17       0.17       0.17       0.13335       0.15       0.15       0.15  

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(e) Common Stock Price Performance Graph
     The graph below shows a comparison of the cumulative return over the last five fiscal years had $100 been invested at the close of business on July 31, 2004, in each of Brady Corporation Class A Common Stock, The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 index, the Standard and Poor’s SmallCap 600 index, and the Russell 2000 index.
Comparison of 5 Year Cumulative Total Return*
Among Brady Corporation, The S&P 500 Index,
The S&P SmallCap 600 Index and The Russell 2000 Index
(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)
 
*   $100 invested on 7/31/04 in stock or index — including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ended July 31.
                                                 
    7/31/2004   7/31/2005   7/31/2006   7/31/2007   7/31/2008   7/31/2009
Brady Corporation
    100.00       153.59       153.94       162.08       172.85       142.48  
S&P 500 Index
    100.00       114.05       120.19       139.58       124.10       99.33  
S&P SmallCap 600 Index
    100.00       127.25       132.04       150.66       138.19       111.57  
Russell 2000 Index
    100.00       124.78       130.08       145.84       136.05       108.06  
Copyright (C) 2009, Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Years Ended July 31, 2005 through 2009
                                         
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Operating Data (1)
                                       
Net Sales
  $ 1,208,702     $ 1,523,016     $ 1,362,631     $ 1,018,436     $ 816,447  
Gross Margin
    577,583       744,195       657,044       525,755       433,276  
Operating Expenses:
                                       
Research and development
    34,181       40,607       35,954       30,443       25,078  
Selling, general and administrative
    397,180       495,904       449,103       338,796       285,746  
Restructuring charge (2)
    25,849                          
 
                             
Total operating expenses
    457,210       536,511       485,057       369,239       310,824  
 
                             
Operating Income
    120,373       207,684       171,987       156,516       122,452  
Other Income (Expense):
                                       
Investment and other income — net
    1,800       4,888       2,875       2,403       1,369  
Interest expense
    (24,901 )     (26,385 )     (22,934 )     (14,231 )     (8,403 )
 
                             
Net other expense
    (23,101 )     (21,497 )     (20,059 )     (11,828 )     (7,034 )
 
                             
Income before income taxes
    97,272       186,187       151,928       144,688       115,418  
Income Taxes (2)
    27,150       53,999       42,540       40,513       33,471  
 
                             
Net Income
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388     $ 104,175     $ 81,947  
 
                             
Net Income Per Common Share — (Diluted):
                                       
Class A nonvoting
  $ 1.33     $ 2.41     $ 2.00     $ 2.07     $ 1.64  
Class B voting
  $ 1.31     $ 2.39     $ 1.98     $ 2.05     $ 1.63  
Cash Dividends on:
                                       
Class A common stock
  $ 0.68     $ 0.60     $ 0.56     $ 0.52     $ 0.44  
Class B common stock
  $ 0.66     $ 0.58     $ 0.54     $ 0.50     $ 0.42  
Balance Sheet at July 31:
                                       
Working capital
  $ 286,955     $ 390,524     $ 303,359     $ 240,537     $ 141,560  
Total assets
    1,583,267       1,850,513       1,698,857       1,365,186       850,147  
Long-term obligations, less current maturities
    346,457       457,143       478,575       350,018       150,026  
Stockholders’ investment
    951,092       1,021,808       891,012       746,046       497,274  
Cash Flow Data:
                                       
Net cash provided by operating activities
    126,645       225,554       136,018       114,896       119,103  
Depreciation and amortization
    54,851       60,587       53,856       35,144       26,822  
Capital expenditures
    (24,027 )     (26,407 )     (51,940 )     (39,410 )     (21,920 )
 
(1)   Financial data has been impacted by the acquisitive nature of the Company as two, seven, eleven and four acquisitions were completed in fiscal years ended July 31, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. There were no acquisitions in fiscal 2009. See Note 2 in Item 8 for further information on the acquisitions that were completed in each of the years.
 
(2)   In fiscal 2009, in response to the global economic downturn, the Company initiated several measures to address its cost structure, including the reduction in its workforce and decreased discretionary spending. In addition to the restructuring charges, $1.6 million of income tax expense was incurred related to the anticipated repayment of certain tax holidays due to site consolidation actions.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
     In fiscal 2009, the Company posted sales of $1,208.7 million and net income of $70.1 million, a decrease of 20.6% and 47.0%, respectively, from fiscal 2008. Of the 20.6% decrease in sales, organic sales declined 16.4%, the effects of fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial results into the United States dollar reduced sales by 4.8%, partially offset by a 0.6% increase from acquisitions. Regionally, sales in the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific decreased 19.9%, 26.1%, and 14.5%, respectively.
     Net income for fiscal 2009 declined 47.0% to $70.1 million or $1.33 per diluted share of Class A Common Stock, compared to $132.2 million, or $2.41 per diluted share of Class A Common Stock in fiscal 2008. Fiscal 2009 net income before restructuring related expenses was $90.3 million, or $1.71 per diluted share of Class A Common Stock.
     In fiscal 2009, the Company generated $126.6 million of cash from operations, a decrease of $98.9 million from the prior fiscal year. The decrease was the result of decreased net income as discussed above and the increase in working capital. The increase in working capital was due to the decrease in other current liabilities resulting from the cash payment of the fiscal 2008 bonus and the elimination of the fiscal 2009 bonus accrual, offset by decreases in inventory and accounts receivable.
Results of Operations
Year Ended July 31, 2009, Compared to Year Ended July 31, 2008
     The comparability of the operating results for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009 to July 31, 2008, has been impacted by the annualized impact of the following acquisitions completed in fiscal 2008.
         
Acquisitions:   Segment   Date Completed
Transposafe Systems B.V. and Holland Mounting Systems B.V. (collectively “Transposafe”)
  Europe   November 2007
DAWG, Inc. (“DAWG”)
  Americas   March 2008
     Fiscal 2009 sales decreased $314.3 million, or 20.6% from fiscal 2008. Organic sales, defined as sales in the Company’s existing core businesses and regions (exclusive of acquisitions owned less than one year and foreign currency translation effects), were down 16.4% compared to fiscal 2008. The decrease in organic sales was primarily due to the effects of the economic downturn in fiscal 2009. The acquisitions listed above increased sales by $9.0 million or 0.6% in fiscal 2009. Fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial results into the United States Dollar decreased sales by $73.2 million or 4.8% for the year.
     The gross margin as a percentage of sales decreased to 47.8% in fiscal 2009 from 48.9% in fiscal 2008. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the sales decline, partially offset by the result of cost reduction actions taken during fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009.
     Research and development expenses decreased to $34.2 million in fiscal 2009 from $40.6 million in fiscal 2008, and increased slightly as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2009 to 2.8% compared to 2.7% in fiscal 2008, reflecting the reduced discretionary spending and the Company’s continued commitment to investing in new product development.
     Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses decreased to $397.2 million in fiscal 2009 as compared to $495.9 million in fiscal 2008. The decrease in SG&A expenses was primarily related to the savings resulting from restructuring activities that took place during fiscal 2009, a decline in discretionary spending, and reduced incentive compensation expense compared to the prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A increased to 32.9% in fiscal 2009 from 32.6% in fiscal 2008.
     Restructuring charges were $25.8 million during fiscal 2009. Additionally, $1.6 million of income tax expense was also incurred related to the anticipated repayment of certain tax holidays due to site consolidation actions. In response to the global economic downturn, the

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Company implemented a plan to reduce its cost structure. During fiscal 2009, the Company incurred costs related to the reduction of its workforce and facility consolidations. Restructuring costs related primarily to employee separation costs, consisting of severance pay, outplacement services, medical, and other related benefits for approximately 25 percent of the Company’s work force.
     Other income decreased $3.1 million in fiscal 2009 to $1.8 million from $4.9 million in the prior year. The income recorded in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was primarily due to interest income earned on cash and marketable securities investments. The $1.8 million of other income recorded in fiscal 2009 consisted of $2.5 million of interest income and $0.9 million in foreign exchange gains, partially offset by the $1.6 million loss of securities held in executive deferred compensation plans. The decrease in interest income in fiscal 2009 was the result of both lower interest rates and decreased cash generated from the operating activities and lower average cash balances.
     Interest expense decreased to $24.9 million from $26.4 million for fiscal 2009 as compared to fiscal 2008. In fiscal 2009, the Company repaid approximately $87.2 million of debt. As a result of the lower principle balance under the related debt agreement, the Company’s interest expense decreased as compared to the prior year.
     The Company’s effective tax rate was 27.9% for fiscal 2009 as compared to 29.0% for fiscal 2008. The decreased tax rate in fiscal 2009 was primarily due to decreased profits in higher tax countries.
     Net income for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, decreased 47% to $70.1 million, compared to $132.2 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, as a result of the factors noted above. Net income as a percentage of sales decreased to 5.8% from 8.7% for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 compared the same period in the prior year. Diluted net income per share decreased 44.8% to $1.33 per share for fiscal 2009 compared to $2.41 per share for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008. Fiscal 2009 net income before restructuring related expenses was $90.3 million, or $1.71 per diluted share of Class A Common Stock.
Year Ended July 31, 2008, Compared to Year Ended July 31, 2007
     The comparability of the operating results for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2008 to July 31, 2007, has been impacted by the following acquisitions completed in fiscal 2008, as well as the annualized impact of the acquisitions completed in fiscal 2007.
         
Acquisitions:   Segment   Date Completed
Transposafe Systems B.V. and Holland Mounting Systems B.V. (collectively “Transposafe”)
  Europe   November 2007
DAWG, Inc. (“DAWG”)
  Americas   March 2008
     Fiscal 2008 sales increased $160.4 million, or 11.8% from fiscal 2007. Organic sales, defined as sales in the Company’s existing core businesses and regions (exclusive of acquisitions owned less than one year and foreign currency effects), were flat compared to fiscal 2007. The acquisitions listed above and the annualized impact of the fiscal 2007 acquisitions increased sales by $78.7 million or 5.8% in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007. Fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial results into the United States dollar resulted in a sales increase of $81.7 million or 6.0% for the year.
     The gross margin as a percentage of sales increased to 48.9% in fiscal 2008 from 48.2% in fiscal 2007. The increase in gross margin as a percentage of sales was primarily the result of cost reduction actions taken during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008.
     Research and development expenses increased to $40.6 million in fiscal 2008 from $36.0 million in fiscal 2007, and increased slightly as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2008 to 2.7% compared to 2.6% in fiscal 2007, reflecting the Company’s continued commitment to investing in new product development.
     Selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased to $495.9 million in fiscal 2008 as compared to $449.1 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in SG&A expenses was primarily the result of the effect of currencies and acquisitions made during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008. As a percentage of sales, SG&A decreased to 32.6% in fiscal 2008 from 33.0% in fiscal 2007.

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     Investment and other income increased $2.0 million in fiscal 2008 to $4.9 million from $2.9 million in the prior year. The income recorded in fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 was primarily due to interest income earned on cash and marketable securities investments. The $4.9 million of investment and other income recorded in fiscal 2008 consisted of $5.9 million of interest income, partially offset by $1.0 million in foreign exchange losses. The increase in interest income in fiscal 2008 was the result of both increased net income and working capital initiatives that have increased cash balances.
     Interest expense increased to $26.4 million from $22.9 million for fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007. The increase in interest expense was mainly due to interest on the $150 million private placement of senior notes that the Company completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
     The Company’s effective tax rate was 29.0% for fiscal 2008 as compared to 28.0% for fiscal 2007. The increased tax rate in fiscal 2008 was primarily due to increased profits in higher tax countries.
     Net income for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, increased 20.8% to $132.2 million, compared to $109.4 million for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007, as a result of the factors noted above. Diluted net income per share increased 20.5% to $2.41 per share for fiscal 2008 compared to $2.00 per share for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007.
Business Segment Operating Results
     The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis by region. Each of these regions, Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, has a President that reports directly to the Company’s chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer. Each region has its own distinct operations, is managed locally by its own management team, maintains its own financial reports and is evaluated based on regional segment profit. In applying the criteria set forth in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 131 “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the Company has determined that these regions comprise its reportable segments based on the information used by the Chief Executive Officer to allocate resources and assess performance. Segment results are as follows:
                                                 
                    Asia-   Total   Corporate and   Total
(Dollars in thousands)   Americas   Europe   Pacific   Regions   Eliminations   Company
SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS
                                               
Years ended:
                                               
July 31, 2009
  $ 534,440     $ 367,156     $ 307,106     $ 1,208,702     $     $ 1,208,702  
July 31, 2008
    667,106       496,715       359,195       1,523,016             1,523,016  
July 31, 2007
    609,855       416,514       336,262       1,362,631             1,362,631  
SALES GROWTH INFORMATION
                                               
Year ended July 31, 2009:
                                               
Organic
    (18.5 )%     (18.1 )%     (10.3 )%     (16.4 )%           (16.4) %
Currency
    (1.7 )%     (9.4 )%     (4.2 )%     (4.8 )%           (4.8) %
Acquisitions
    0.3 %     1.4 %     0.0 %     0.6 %           (0.6) %
Total
    (19.9 )%     (26.1 )%     (14.5 )%     (20.6 )%           (20.6) %
Year ended July 31, 2008:
                                               
Organic
    0.9 %     (0.4 )%     (1.1 )%     0.0 %           0.0 %
Currency
    2.0 %     10.6 %     7.6 %     6.0 %           6.0 %
Acquisitions
    6.5 %     9.1 %     0.3 %     5.8 %           5.8 %
Total
    9.4 %     19.3 %     6.8 %     11.8 %           11.8 %

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                    Asia-     Total     Corporate and     Total  
(Dollars in thousands)   Americas     Europe     Pacific     Regions     Eliminations     Company  
SEGMENT PROFIT
                                               
Years ended:
                                               
July 31, 2009
  $ 114,404     $ 99,875     $ 42,575     $ 256,854     $  (7,952 )   $ 248,903  
July 31, 2008
    157,523       135,426       58,234       351,183       (9,048 )     342,135  
July 31, 2007
    144,583       107,552       57,236       309,371       (10,485 )     298,886  
NET INCOME RECONCILIATION
                         
    Years ended:  
    July 31,     July 31,     July 31,  
(Dollars in thousands)   2009     2008     2007  
Total profit for reportable segments
  $ 256,854     $ 351,183     $ 309,371  
Corporate and eliminations
    (7,952 )     (9,048 )     (10,485 )
Unallocated amounts:
                       
Administrative costs
    (102,680 )     (134,451 )     (126,899 )
Restructuring costs
    (25,849 )            
Investment and other income — net
    1,800       4,888       2,875  
Interest expense
    (24,901 )     (26,385 )     (22,934 )
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    97,272       186,187       151,928  
Income taxes (1)
    (27,150 )     (53,999 )     (42,540 )
 
                 
Net income
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388  
 
                 
 
(1)   In fiscal 2009, in response to the global economic downturn, the Company initiated several measures to address its cost structure, including the reduction in its workforce and decreased discretionary spending. In addition to the restructuring charges, $1.6 million of income tax expense was incurred related to the anticipated repayment of certain tax holidays due to site consolidation actions.
     The Company evaluates performance of the businesses using sales and segment profit. Segment profit or loss does not include certain administrative costs, such as the cost of finance, information technology and human resources, which are managed as global functions. Restructuring charges, stock options, interest, investment and other income and income taxes are also excluded when evaluating performance.
Americas
     Sales in the Americas region decreased 19.9% from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009, and increased 9.4% from fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2008. Organic sales declined 18.5% in 2009 and grew 0.9% in 2008. The segment experienced declines in organic sales in fiscal 2009 due to the global economic downturn. The decrease in sales also resulted from the declining volumes of the manufacturing and construction sectors, as well as the impact of declining inventories of the Company’s distribution partners and other customers. The organic growth in fiscal 2008 was due to strong performance in the education and OEM markets, offset partially by the softness in the manufacturing, construction, and utility markets. The acquisition of DAWG, Inc. (“DAWG”) in fiscal 2008 added 0.3% to fiscal 2009 sales. The acquisitions of Comprehensive Identification Products, Inc. (“CIPI”), Precision Converters L.P (“Precision Converters”), Scafftag Ltd., Safetrak, Ltd. And Scafftag Pty., Ltd (collectively “Scafftag”), Asterisco Artes Graficas Ltda. (“Asterisco”), Clement Communications, Inc. (“Clement”) and Sorbent Products Co., Inc. (“SPC) in fiscal 2007 and DAWG in fiscal 2008 added 6.5% to fiscal 2008 sales. Fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial results into U.S. dollars decreased sales in the segment by 1.7% in fiscal 2009 and increased sales by 2.0% in fiscal 2008, when compared to the prior fiscal years.
     In the Americas region, segment profit decreased 27.4% to $114.4 million in fiscal 2009 from $157.5 million in fiscal 2008. Segment profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 21.4% in 2009 from 23.6% in 2008. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in sales volume, impacting the segment’s ability to absorb fixed costs. Cost savings partially offset this decrease. Costs savings came from the restructuring activities in addition to reductions in discretionary spending. Comparing fiscal 2008 to 2007, segment profit as a percentage of sales decreased slightly to 23.6% in 2008 from 23.7% in 2007. This decrease was primarily due to the slowing growth in high margin organic sales during fiscal 2008, mostly offset by cost control efforts and improvements made in the prior year to lower performing businesses.

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Europe
     Sales in the European region decreased 26.1% in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008, and increased 19.3% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. Organic sales declined 18.1% in fiscal 2009 and 0.4% in fiscal 2008 as compared to prior years. The segment’s organic sales continued to be adversely impacted by the global economic downturn in fiscal 2009. Organic sales in the private sector to the automotive and electronics markets declined in the Europe segment, with sales to governments and public utilities partially offsetting these declines. The decline in organic sales in fiscal 2008 was primarily the result of a weakening European economy as well as tough comparables over the prior year due to the implementation of “No Smoking” legislation in the U.K. and France, as these sales did not recur in fiscal 2008. Sales were negatively affected by fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial results into the United States dollar, which decreased sales within the segment by 9.4% in fiscal 2009. Foreign currency translation increased the segment’s sales 10.6% in 2008. The acquisition of Transposafe Systems B.V. and Holland Mounting Systems B.V. (collectively “Transposafe”) in fiscal 2008 added 1.4% to the region’s sales in fiscal 2009 and the acquisitions of CIPI, Scafftag, Modernotecnica SpA (“Moderno”), and SPC in fiscal 2007 and Transposafe in fiscal 2008 added 9.1% to the region’s sales in fiscal 2008.
     In the Europe region, segment profit decreased 26.3% to $99.9 million in fiscal 2009 from $135.4 million in fiscal 2008. Segment profit as a percentage of sales decreased slightly to 27.2% in fiscal 2009 from 27.3% in fiscal 2008. The decline in segment profit in fiscal 2009 was attributable to the declining sales volumes and the impact of foreign currency translation. In response to the sales downturn, the segment implemented various cost saving measures during fiscal year 2009 that have generated savings to partially offset the impact of lower sales volumes. Comparing fiscal 2008 to 2007, segment profit as a percentage of sales increased to 27.3% in 2008 from 25.8% in 2007. The increase in segment profit in fiscal 2008 was driven by the sales increases noted above in addition to the realization of savings from cost reduction activities taken at the end of fiscal 2007.
Asia-Pacific
     Asia-Pacific sales decreased 14.5% in fiscal 2009, and increased 6.8% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007. Organic sales declined 10.3% in fiscal 2009 and declined 1.1% in fiscal 2008. The decline in organic sales in fiscal 2009 was primarily due to the overall decline in the electronics and mobile handset markets and aggressive pricing demands from customers, slightly offset by increased demand for MRO products to support infrastructure development sponsored by government stimulus spending in the region. The decline in organic sales in fiscal 2008 primarily resulted from a drop in sales to OEM customers in the mobile handset market, in addition to the competitive, less profitable business the Company chose to deemphasize. Declines in the mobile handset business were partially offset by solid growth in the smaller business lines of high performance labels, safety and facility identification, and hard disk drives during fiscal 2008. Foreign currency translation decreased the region’s sales by 4.2% from fiscal 2009 and increased the region’s sales by 7.6% in fiscal 2008, as compared to prior years.
     In the Asia-Pacific region, segment profit decreased 26.9% to $42.6 million in fiscal 2009 from $58.2 million in fiscal 2008. Segment profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 13.9% in fiscal 2009 from 16.2% in fiscal 2008. The decline in the profit in fiscal 2009 was primarily the result of decreased sales, offset by savings generated from restructuring activities, shortened work weeks, and reduced discretionary spending. Comparing fiscal 2008 to 2007, segment profit as a percentage of sales declined to 16.2% in 2008 from 17.0% in 2007. The decline in segment profit as a percentage of sales in fiscal 2008 was due to the industry mix shift from high-end, feature rich mobile phones to low-end basic mobile phones and continued pricing pressures within the mobile handset supply chain, partially offset by activities initiated in fiscal 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
     Cash and cash equivalents were $188.2 million at July 31, 2009, compared to $258.4 million at July 31, 2008. The decrease in the cash of $70.2 million was the result of cash provided by operations of $126.6 million, offset by cash used in investing activities of $19.0 million, cash used in financing activities of $160.3 million, including $87.2 million related to debt payments, $40.3 million related to the repurchase of treasury stock, and $35.8 million dividend payments, and the effects on the fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against other currencies, which negatively impacted cash in the amount of $17.5 million during fiscal 2009.

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     Accounts receivable balances decreased $71.3 million from July 31, 2008 to July 31, 2009. The decrease in accounts receivable was due primarily to the decline in sales volumes and the impact of foreign currency translation on the Company’s foreign accounts receivables. Inventories decreased $40.8 million from July 31, 2008 to July 31, 2009 due to reduced business activity, focused inventory reduction initiatives, and the impact of foreign currency translation. Current liabilities decreased $86.1 million over the same period primarily due to a reduction in wages payable resulting from reduced headcount, cancellation of incentive compensation plans for fiscal 2009, and reduction of accrued income taxes, offset by an increase in the Company’s current maturities on long term debt.
     The Company has maintained strong operating cash flow, which totaled $126.6 million for fiscal 2009, $225.6 million for fiscal 2008 and $136.0 million for fiscal 2007. The decrease in operating cash flow from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009 was the result of a decline in net income of $62.1 million and the changes in working capital discussed above.
     The Company did not complete any acquisitions during fiscal 2009, compared to $29.3 million and $159.5 million of cash used for acquisitions in fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company has reached a settlement with the former owners of Tradex related to the purchase price of the Tradex acquisition. The Company received approximately $3.5 million as the result of the settlement during fiscal 2009. Payments of $0.7 million and $0.7 million were made during fiscal 2009 to satisfy the earnout and holdback liabilities of the Transposafe and Asterisco acquisitions, respectively. Contingent consideration payments of $4.4 million, $1.2 million, and $0.2 million were made during fiscal 2008 to satisfy the earnout and holdback liabilities of the fiscal 2006 acquisitions of Daewon Industry Corporation and STOPware, Inc., and the fiscal 2007 acquisition of Asterisco, respectively.
     Capital expenditures were $24.0 million in fiscal 2009, $26.4 million in fiscal 2008 and $51.9 million in fiscal 2007. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2009 were similar to fiscal 2008 reflecting a normalized spend rate. The Company’s capital expenditures slowed in fiscal 2008, following two years of significant spending due to the global implementation of SAP in addition to the expansion of facilities in various countries. Fiscal 2007 capital expenditures included $9.8 million in spending on implementing SAP in 16 of Brady’s global operations and ultimately increasing the coverage of business units operating SAP to approximately 80% of total revenue in fiscal 2009. The remainder of the increase in capital expenditures in fiscal 2007 was due to expansions in China, Canada, India, Mexico, the Philippines, Slovakia and other locations.
     Financing activities used $160.3 million in fiscal 2009, used $76.9 million in fiscal 2008 and provided $129.4 million in fiscal 2007. Cash used for dividends to shareholders was $35.8 million in fiscal 2009, $32.5 million in fiscal 2008, and $30.1 million in fiscal 2007. Cash received from the exercise of stock options was $1.7 million in fiscal 2009, $14.5 million in fiscal 2008, and $6.8 million in fiscal 2007. The Company purchased treasury stock of $40.3 in fiscal 2009 and $42.2 million in fiscal 2008; however, it did not purchase treasury stock in fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2009, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized share repurchase plans for the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The share repurchase plans were implemented by purchasing shares in the open market, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. The Company reacquired approximately 1,345,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for $40.3 million in fiscal 2009 in connection with its stock repurchase plans. The Company reacquired approximately 1,349,000 shares of its Class A Common Stock for $42.2 million in fiscal 2008. As of July 31, 2009, the Company was authorized to purchase up to approximately 306,000 additional shares in connection with the share repurchase plans.
     On May 28, 2009, the Company commenced a cash tender offer to purchase up to $100 million aggregate principal amount of its outstanding Series 2004-A Senior Notes due 2014, Series 2006-A Senior Notes due 2016, and Series 2007-A Senior Notes due 2017. On June 29, 2009, the Company completed the purchase of approximately $65.8 million aggregate principal amount of its senior notes pursuant to this tender offer. The purchase price for the notes included the payment of the face value of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest from the last interest payment date to and including the date of close. The Company utilized cash on hand to fund the purchase of the notes.

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     On November 24, 2008, the Company filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which will allow the Company to issue and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, an indeterminate amount of Class A Non-Voting Common Stock and debt securities as it deems prudent or necessary to raise capital at a later date. The shelf registration statement became effective upon filing with the SEC. The Company plans to use the proceeds from any future offerings under the shelf registration for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions, capital expenditures, and refinancing of debt.
     On March 23, 2007, the Company completed the private placement of $150 million in ten-year fixed notes at 5.33% interest to institutional investors. The notes will be amortized in equal installments over seven years, beginning in 2011 with interest payable on the notes semiannually on September 23 and March 23, which began in September 2007. The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company’s U.S.- based subsidiaries. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to reduce outstanding indebtedness under the Company’s revolving loan agreement and fund its ongoing strategic growth plans. This private placement was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes were not registered for resale and may not be resold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to the maturity date. The penalties under the agreement have been waived for early prepayment. The agreement also requires the Company to maintain a financial covenant. On June 29, 2009, the Company purchased $35.4 million of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series 2007-A Senior Notes from certain note-holders.
     On October 5, 2006, the Company entered into a $200 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of five banks that replaced the Company’s previous credit agreement. At the Company’s option, and subject to certain standard conditions, the available amount under the new credit facility may be increased from $200 million up to $300 million. Under the credit agreement, the Company has the option to select either a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus one-half of 1% or the prime rate of Bank of America) or a Eurocurrency interest rate (at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio). A commitment fee is payable on the unused amount of the facility. The agreement restricts the amount of certain types of payments, including dividends, which can be made annually to $50 million plus an amount equal to 75% of consolidated net income excluding all extraordinary non-cash items for the prior fiscal year of the Company. The Company believes that based on historic dividend practice, this restriction would not impede the Company in following a similar dividend practice in the future. On March 18, 2008, the Company entered into an amendment to the revolving loan agreement which extended the maturity date from October 5, 2011 to March 18, 2013. All other terms of the revolving loan agreement remained the same. As of July 31, 2009, there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.
     On February 14, 2006, the Company completed the private placement of $200 million in ten-year fixed notes at 5.3% interest to institutional investors. The notes will be amortized in equal installments over seven years, beginning in 2010 with interest payable on the notes semiannually on August 14 and February 14, which began in August 2006. The notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company’s domestic subsidiaries. The Company used the net proceeds of the offering to finance acquisitions completed in fiscal 2006 and 2007 and for general corporate purposes. This private placement was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes were not registered for resale and may not be resold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to the maturity date. The penalties under the agreement have been waived for early prepayment. The agreement also requires the Company to maintain a financial covenant. On June 29, 2009, the Company purchased $17.0 million of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series 2006-A Senior Notes from certain note-holders.
     On June 30, 2004, the Company finalized a debt offering of $150 million of 5.14% unsecured senior notes due in 2014 in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The debt offering was in conjunction with the Company’s acquisition of EMED. The notes will be paid over seven years beginning in 2008, with interest payable on the notes being due semiannually on June 28 and December 28, which began in December 2004. The Company used the proceeds of the offering to reduce outstanding indebtedness under the Company’s revolving credit facilities used to initially fund the EMED acquisition. The debt has certain prepayment penalties for repaying the debt prior to its maturity date. Under the debt agreement, the Company paid equal

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installments of $21.4 million in June 2008 and June 2009. The penalties under the agreement have been waived for early prepayment. The agreement also requires the Company to maintain a financial covenant. On June 29, 2009, the Company purchased $13.4 million of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Series 2004-A Senior Notes from certain note-holders.
     The Company’s debt and revolving loan agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants. The Company’s June 2004, February 2006, and March 2007 debt agreements require the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio). The Company’s October 2006 revolving loan agreement requires the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined by the debt agreement, of not more than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio. As of July 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenant of these debt agreements, with the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreements, equal to 2.1 to 1.0. Additionally, the revolving loan agreement requires the Company’s trailing twelve months earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). As of July 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the revolving loan agreement, with the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined by the agreement, equal to 2.1 to 1.0 and the interest expense coverage ratio equal to 5.2 to 1.0.
     Long-term obligations as a percentage of long-term obligations plus stockholders’ investment were 26.7% at July 31, 2009, and 30.9% at July 31, 2008. Long-term obligations decreased by $110.7 million from July 31, 2008 to July 31, 2009 due to the debt repayments in fiscal 2009. The debt repayments consisted of the scheduled $21.4 million on the 2004 private placement in addition to the prepayment of $65.8 million. An additional $23.5 million was reclassified to current maturities on long-term obligations. Stockholders’ investment decreased $70.7 million during fiscal 2009 primarily due to dividends on Class A and Class B Common Stock of $33.5 million and $2.3 million, respectively, the repurchase of treasury shares of $40.3 million, and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income of $75.1 million, partially offset by net earnings of $70.1 million and the stock-based compensation expense of $8.1 million in additional paid in capital. The decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive income was primarily due to the foreign currency translation.
     The Company intends to fund its short-term and long-term operating cash requirements, including its fiscal 2010 dividend payments and 2010 debt payments, primarily through net cash provided by operating activities.
     While the Company strives to maximize investment income on its cash, preservation of principal is the first priority. Especially in volatile markets, as the Company has recently experienced, the Company’s investment policy is intended to preserve principal as its primary goal, resulting in investment yields lower than those historically achieved.
     The Company’s growth has historically been funded by a combination of cash provided by operating activities and debt financing. The Company believes that its cash from operations, in addition to its sources of borrowings, are sufficient to fund its anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures, restructuring activities, acquisitions, common stock repurchases, scheduled debt repayments, and dividend payments. As of the date of this Form 10-K, the credit and financial markets are in a period of substantial instability and uncertainty that is affecting the availability of credit to borrowers. The Company believes its current credit arrangements are sound and that the strength of its balance sheet will allow the Company the financial flexibility to respond to both internal growth opportunities and those available through acquisitions.
Subsequent Events Affecting Liquidity and Capital Resources
     The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued, September 28, 2009.
     On September 10, 2009, the Board of Directors announced an increase in the annual dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, from $0.68 to $0.70 per share. A quarterly dividend of $0.175 will be paid on October 30, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2009. This dividend represents an increase of 3% and is the 24th consecutive annual increase in dividends since the Company went public in 1984.

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     By unanimous written consent effective September 24, 2009, the holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock approved the Brady Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (the “2010 Omnibus Plan”) and the Brady Corporation 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (the “2010 Directors Plan”). Under the terms of the 2010 Omnibus Plan, pursuant to which 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, the Company may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units to eligible employees of the Company and its affiliates. The 2010 Omnibus Plan, which became effective upon shareholder approval, provides that after December 31, 2009, no further awards or grants shall be made under the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan. Under the terms of the 2010 Directors Plan, pursuant to which 200,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, each non-employee Director is granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock two weeks after first becoming a director and 8,400 shares of the Company’s common stock on an annual basis thereafter. The 2010 Directors Plan became effective upon shareholder approval.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     The Company does not have material off-balance sheet arrangements or related party transactions. The Company is not aware of factors that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity trends, other than the risks discussed in this filing and presented in other Company filings. However, the following additional information is provided to assist financial statement users.
     Operating Leases — These leases generally are entered into for investments in facilities such as manufacturing facilities, warehouses and office space, computer equipment and Company vehicles, when the economic profile is favorable.
     Purchase Commitments — The Company has purchase commitments for materials, supplies, services, and property, plant and equipment entered into in the ordinary course of business. Such commitments are not in excess of current market prices.
     Due to the proprietary nature of many of the Company’s materials and processes, certain supply contracts contain penalty provisions for early termination. The Company does not believe a material amount of penalties will be incurred under these contracts based upon historical experience and current expectations.
     Other Contractual Obligations — The Company does not have material financial guarantees or other contractual commitments that are reasonably likely to adversely affect liquidity other than those discussed below under “Payments Due Under Contractual Obligations.”
     Related Party Transactions — The Company does not have material related party transactions that affect the results of operations, cash flow or financial condition.
Payments Due Under Contractual Obligations
     The Company’s future commitments at July 31, 2009, for long-term debt, operating lease obligations, purchase obligations, interest obligations and other obligations are as follows (dollars in thousands):
                                                 
    Payments Due by Period  
            Less than     1-3     3-5     More than     Uncertain  
Contractual Obligations   Total     1 Year     Years     Years     5 Years     Timeframe  
Long-Term Debt Obligations
  $ 391,350     $ 44,893     $ 122,529     $ 122,528     $ 101,400     $  
Operating Lease Obligations
    67,172       22,613       29,865       11,468       3,226        
Purchase Obligations (1)
    55,879       29,864       11,640       14,375              
Interest Obligations
    83,926       21,469       33,331       20,444       8,682        
Tax Obligations
    19,462                               19,462  
Other Obligations (2)
    14,311       825       1,755       2,009       9,722        
 
                                   
Total
  $ 632,100     $ 119,664     $ 199,120     $ 170,824     $ 123,030     $ 19,462  
 
                                   
 
(1)   Purchase obligations include all open purchase orders as of July 31, 2009.

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(2)   Other obligations represent expected payments under the Company’s postretirement medical, dental, and vision plans as disclosed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, under Item 8 of this report.
Inflation and Changing Prices
     Essentially all of the Company’s revenue is derived from the sale of its products in competitive markets. Because prices are influenced by market conditions, it is not always possible to fully recover cost increases through pricing. Changes in product mix from year to year, timing differences in instituting price changes and the large amount of part numbers make it impracticable to accurately define the impact of inflation on profit margins.
Critical Accounting Estimates
     Income Taxes
     The Company’s effective tax rate is based on pre-tax income and the tax rates applicable to that income in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s effective income tax rate and in evaluating its tax positions. The Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) on August 1, 2007. The Company establishes FIN 48 liabilities when it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize the full tax benefit of the position. The Company adjusts these FIN 48 liabilities in light of changing facts and circumstances.
     Tax regulations may require items of income and expense to be included in a tax return in different periods than the items are reflected in the consolidated financial statements. As a result, the effective income tax rate reflected in the consolidated financial statements may be different than the tax rate reported in the income tax return. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible on the income tax return, and some are temporary differences, such as depreciation expense. Temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as tax deductions or credits in the tax return in future years for which the Company has already recorded the tax benefit in the consolidated financial statements. The Company establishes valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the amount of expected future taxable income will not support the use of the deduction or credit. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in the consolidated financial statements for which payment has been deferred or expense for which the Company has already taken a deduction on an income tax return, but has not yet recognized as expense in the consolidated financial statements.
     Goodwill and Intangible Assets
     The allocation of purchase price for business combinations requires management estimates and judgment as to expectations for future cash flows of the acquired business and the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable intangible assets in determining the estimated fair value for purchase price allocation purposes. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these estimates, the amounts recorded in the financial statements could result in a possible impairment of the intangible assets and goodwill or require acceleration of the amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets. In addition, SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” requires that goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets be tested at least annually for impairment. Changes in management’s estimates or judgments could result in an impairment charge, and such a charge could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. To aid in establishing the value of goodwill and other intangible assets at the time of acquisition, Company policy requires that all acquisitions with a purchase price above $5 million must be further evaluated in a more detailed review.
     The Company has identified five reporting units within its three reportable segments in accordance with SFAS No. 142. The Company’s methodologies for valuing goodwill are applied consistently on a year-over-year basis; the assumptions used in performing the 2009 impairment calculations were evaluated in light of market and business conditions. Brady continues to believe that the discounted cash flow model provides a reasonable and meaningful fair value estimate based upon the reporting units’ projections of future operating results and cash flows and replicates how market participants would value the Company’s reporting units.
     In performing the Company’s annual impairment assessment the Company performed a sensitivity analysis on the material assumptions used in the discounted cash flow valuation models for each of its reporting units. Based on the Company’s fiscal 2009 impairment testing and assuming a hypothetical 10% decrease in the estimated fair values of each of its reporting units, the hypothetical fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units would have been greater than the carrying value. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for further information about goodwill and intangible assets.

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     Reserves and Allowances
     The Company has recorded reserves or allowances for inventory obsolescence, uncollectible accounts receivable, credit memos, and income tax contingencies. These reserves require the use of estimates and judgment. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company believes that such estimates are made with consistent and appropriate methods. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
New Accounting Standards
     The information required by this Item is provided in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Forward-Looking Statements
     Brady believes that certain statements in this Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements related to future, not past, events included in this Form10-K, including, without limitation, statements regarding Brady’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. When used in this Form 10-K, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain and are subject to risks, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Brady’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For Brady, uncertainties arise from the length or severity of the current worldwide economic downturn or timing or strength of a subsequent recovery; future financial performance of major markets Brady serves, which include, without limitation, telecommunications, manufacturing, electrical, construction, laboratory, education, governmental, public utility, computer, transportation; difficulties in making and integrating acquisitions; risks associated with newly acquired businesses; Brady’s ability to retain significant contracts and customers; future competition; Brady’s ability to develop and successfully market new products; changes in the supply of, or price for, parts and components; increased price pressure from suppliers and customers; interruptions to sources of supply; environmental, health and safety compliance costs and liabilities; Brady’s ability to realize cost savings from operating initiatives; Brady’s ability to attract and retain key talent; difficulties associated with exports; risks associated with international operations; fluctuations in currency rates versus the US dollar; technology changes; potential write-offs of Brady’s substantial intangible assets; Brady’s ability to maintain its debt covenants; unforeseen tax consequences; risks associated with obtaining governmental approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance for new and existing products; business interruptions due to implementing business systems; and numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive and regulatory nature contained from time to time in Brady’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including, but not limited to, those factors listed in the “Risk Factors” section located in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K. These uncertainties may cause Brady’s actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in its forward-looking statements. Brady does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
Risk Factors
     Please see the information contained in Item 1A — Risk Factors.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     The Company’s business operations give rise to market risk exposure due to changes in foreign exchange rates. To manage that risk effectively, the Company enters into hedging transactions, according to established guidelines and policies, that enable it to mitigate the adverse effects of this financial market risk.
     The global nature of the Company’s business requires active participation in the foreign exchange markets. As a result of investments, production facilities and other operations on a global scale, the Company has assets, liabilities

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and cash flows in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign-currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements of foreign product imports. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Chinese Yuan currency. As of July 31, 2009, the amount of outstanding foreign exchange contracts was $30.9 million.
     The Company could be exposed to interest rate risk through its corporate borrowing activities. The objective of the Company’s interest rate risk management activities is to manage the levels of the Company’s fixed and floating interest rate exposure to be consistent with the Company’s preferred mix. The interest rate risk management program allows the Company to enter into approved interest rate derivatives if there is a desire to modify the Company’s exposure to interest rates. Such activities require Board approval. As of July 31, 2009, the Company had no interest rate derivatives.
     The Company is subject to the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to its operations in foreign countries. The Company has manufacturing facilities and sells and distributes its products throughout the world. As a result, the Company’s financial results could be significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which the Company manufactures, distributes and sells its products. The Company’s operating results are principally exposed to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the European currencies, primarily the euro, changes between the U.S. dollar and the Australian dollar, changes between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, changes between the U.S dollar and the Singapore dollar, and changes between the U.S. dollar and the Chinese Yuan. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries reporting in local currencies are generally reported as a component of shareholders’ equity. The Company’s unfavorable currency translation adjustment recorded in fiscal 2009 was $(75.5) million. The Company’s favorable currency translation adjustment recorded in fiscal 2008 was $46.8 million. As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries had net current assets (defined as current assets less current liabilities) subject to foreign currency translation risk of $242.9 million and $294.5 million, respectively. The potential decrease in the net current assets as of July 31, 2009 from a hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in quoted foreign currency exchange rates would be approximately $24.3 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel shift in all major foreign currency exchange rates versus the U.S. dollar. Exchange rates rarely move in the same direction relative to the U.S. dollar. This assumption may overstate the impact of changing exchange rates on individual assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
BRADY CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         
    Page
    33  
Financial Statements:
       
    34  
    35  
    36  
    37  
    38  

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Brady Corporation
Milwaukee, WI
     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of July 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ investment, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended July 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brady Corporation and subsidiaries at July 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended July 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such 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.
     We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated September 28, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, WI
September 28, 2009

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
July 31, 2009 and 2008
                 
    2009     2008  
    (In thousands)  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 188,156     $ 258,355  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for losses ($7,931 and $10,059, respectively)
    191,189       262,461  
Inventories:
               
Finished products
    53,244       75,665  
Work-in-process
    13,159       21,187  
Raw materials and supplies
    27,405       37,767  
 
           
Total inventories
    93,808       134,619  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    36,274       43,650  
 
           
Total current assets
    509,427       699,085  
 
           
Other assets:
               
Goodwill
    751,173       789,107  
Other intangibles assets
    115,754       144,791  
Deferred income taxes
    36,374       25,943  
Other non-current assets
    18,551       21,381  
Property, plant and equipment:
               
Cost:
               
Land
    6,335       6,490  
Buildings and improvements
    96,968       98,646  
Machinery and equipment
    283,301       282,232  
Construction in progress
    7,869       6,040  
 
           
 
    394,473       393,408  
Less accumulated depreciation
    242,485       223,202  
 
           
Property, plant and equipment — net
    151,988       170,206  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,583,267     $ 1,850,513  
 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 83,793     $ 118,209  
Wages and amounts withheld from employees
    36,313       82,354  
Taxes, other than income taxes
    6,262       10,234  
Accrued income taxes
    5,964       21,523  
Other current liabilities
    45,247       54,810  
Current maturities on long-term obligations
    44,893       21,431  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    222,472       308,561  
Long-term obligations, less current maturities
    346,457       457,143  
Other liabilities
    63,246       63,001  
 
           
Total liabilities
    632,175       828,705  
 
           
Commitments and contingencies (See Note 9)
               
Stockholders’ investment:
               
Common stock:
               
Class A Nonvoting — Issued 51,261,487and 51,261,487 shares, respectively; (aggregate liquidation preference of $42,803 and $42,628 at July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively)
    513       513  
Class B Voting — Issued and outstanding 3,538,628 shares
    35       35  
Additional paid-in capital
    298,466       292,769  
Earnings retained in the business
    673,342       639,059  
Treasury stock — 2,270,927 and 1,046,191 shares, respectively of Class A nonvoting common stock, at cost
    (69,823 )     (33,234 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    53,051       128,161  
Other
    (4,492 )     (5,495 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ investment
    951,092       1,021,808  
 
           
Total
  $ 1,583,267     $ 1,850,513  
 
           
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Years Ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Net sales
  $ 1,208,702     $ 1,523,016     $ 1,362,631  
Cost of products sold
    631,119       778,821       705,587  
 
                 
Gross margin
    577,583       744,195       657,044  
Operating expenses:
                       
Research and development
    34,181       40,607       35,954  
Selling, general and administrative
    397,180       495,904       449,103  
Restructuring charges
    25,849              
 
                 
Total operating expenses
    457,210       536,511       485,057  
 
                 
Operating income
    120,373       207,684       171,987  
Other income (expense):
                       
Investment and other income — net
    1,800       4,888       2,875  
Interest expense
    (24,901 )     (26,385 )     (22,934 )
 
                 
Net other expense
    (23,101 )     (21,497 )     (20,059 )
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    97,272       186,187       151,928  
Income taxes
    27,150       53,999       42,540  
 
                 
Net income
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388  
 
                 
Net income per common share:
                       
Class A Nonvoting:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.33     $ 2.45     $ 2.03  
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 1.33     $ 2.41     $ 2.00  
 
                 
Dividends
  $ 0.68     $ 0.60     $ 0.56  
 
                 
Class B Voting:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.32     $ 2.43     $ 2.01  
 
                 
Diluted
  $ 1.31     $ 2.39     $ 1.98  
 
                 
Dividends
  $ 0.66     $ 0.58     $ 0.54  
 
                 
Weighted average Class A and Class B common shares outstanding
                       
Basic
    52,559       54,168       53,907  
 
                 
Diluted
    52,866       54,873       54,741  
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
Years Ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
                                                         
                    Earnings             Accumulated                
            Additional     Retained             Other             Total  
    Common     Paid-In     in the     Treasury     Comprehensive             Comprehensive  
    Stock     Capital     Business     Stock     Income     Other     Income  
    (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Balances at July 31, 2006
  $ 540     $ 258,922     $ 460,991     $ (10,865 )   $ 35,696     $ 762          
 
                                           
Net income
                109,388                       $ 109,388  
Net currency translation adjustment and other
                            44,256             44,256  
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                                  $ 153,644  
 
                                                     
Issuance of 104,781 shares of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan
    1       (4,037 )           10,865                      
Other (Note 6)
          108                         (108 )        
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions
          4,303                                  
Stock-based compensation expense
          6,907                                  
Adjustment to adopt SFAS No. 158, net of tax of $1,551
                            3,424                
Cash dividends on Common Stock:
                                                       
Class A — $.56 per share
                (28,218 )                          
Class B — $.54 per share
                (1,923 )                          
 
                                           
Balances at July 31, 2007
  $ 541     $ 266,203     $ 540,238     $     $ 83,376     $ 654          
 
                                           
Net income
                132,188                       $ 132,188  
Net currency translation adjustment and other
                            44,785             44,785  
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                                  $ 176,973  
 
                                                     
Issuance of 464,963 shares of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan
    5       5,553             8,941                      
Other (Note 6)
    2       6,147                         (6,149 )        
Cumulative impact of adoption of FIN 48
                (903 )                          
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions
          4,638                                  
Stock-based compensation expense
          10,228                                  
Purchase of 1,349,136 shares of Class A Common Stock
                      (42,175 )                    
Cash dividends on Common Stock
                                                       
Class A — $.60 per share
                (30,400 )                          
Class B — $.58 per share
                (2,064 )                          
Balances at July 31, 2008
  $ 548     $ 292,769     $ 639,059     $ (33,234 )   $ 128,161     $ (5,495 )        
 
                                           
Net income
                70,122                       $ 70,122  
Net currency translation adjustment and other
                            (75,110 )           (75,110 )
 
                                                     
Total comprehensive income
                                                  $ (4,988 )
 
                                                     
Issuance of 138,934 shares of Class A Common Stock under stock option plan
          (1,995 )           3,678                      
Other (Note 6)
          (1,744 )                       1,003          
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions
          1,336                                  
Stock-based compensation expense (Note 1)
          8,099                                  
Purchase of 1,344,664 shares of Class A Common Stock
                      (40,267 )                    
Cash dividends on Common Stock
                                                       
Class A — $.68 per share
                (33,492 )                          
Class B — $.66 per share
                (2,347 )                          
Balances at July 31, 2009
  $ 548     $ 298,466     $ 673,342     $ (69,823 )   $ 53,051     $ (4,492 )        
 
                                           
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
                         
    2009     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    54,851       60,587       53,856  
Deferred income taxes
    (8,640 )     (2,759 )     70  
Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
    383       1,672       13  
Non-cash portion of stock-based compensation expense
    7,731       10,228       6,907  
Non-cash portion of restructuring
    2,469              
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (net of effects of business acquisitions):
                       
Accounts receivable
    53,389       (3,704 )     (17,021 )
Inventories
    34,749       16,224       (12,323 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (2,423 )     (629 )     (13,307 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (78,684 )     18,641       8,058  
Income taxes
    (9,673 )     (7,234 )     (6,821 )
Other liabilities
    2,371       340       7,198  
 
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    126,645       225,554       136,018  
 
                 
Investing activities:
                       
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired
          (29,346 )     (159,475 )
Purchase price adjustment
    3,514            
Payments of contingent consideration
    (1,405 )     (5,798 )     (10,906 )
Purchases of short-term investments
          (10,350 )     (68,100 )
Sales of short-term investments
          29,550       60,400  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (24,027 )     (26,407 )     (51,940 )
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    796       880       2,166  
Purchase price adjustment
    3,514              
Other
    2,078       2,263       (9,184 )
 
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (19,044 )     (39,208 )     (237,039 )
 
                 
Financing activities:
                       
Payment of dividends
    (35,839 )     (32,464 )     (30,141 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    1,683       14,500       6,829  
Principal payments on debt
    (87,224 )     (39,443 )     (110,870 )
Proceeds from issuance of debt
          18,000       259,300  
Purchase of treasury stock
    (40,267 )     (42,175 )      
Excess income tax benefit from the exercise of stock options and deferred compensation distributions
    1,336       4,638       4,303  
 
                 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (160,311 )     (76,944 )     129,421  
 
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (17,489 )     6,107       1,438  
 
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (70,199 )     115,509       29,838  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
    258,355       142,846       113,008  
 
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
  $ 188,156     $ 258,355     $ 142,846  
 
                 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                       
Cash paid during the year for:
                       
Interest, net of capitalized interest
  $ 26,047     $ 26,308     $ 19,842  
Income taxes, net of refunds
    48,766       51,834       49,233  
 
Acquisitions:
                       
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash
  $       21,508     $ 87,398  
Liabilities assumed
          (9,038 )     (33,248 )
Goodwill
          16,876       105,325  
 
                 
Net cash paid for acquisitions
  $     $ 29,346     $ 159,475  
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Years Ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
(In thousands except share and per share amounts)
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
     Nature of Operations — Brady Corporation (“Brady” or the “Company”) is an international manufacturer and marketer of identification solutions and specialty products which identify and protect premises, products and people. Brady’s core capabilities in manufacturing, printing systems, precision engineering and materials expertise make it a leading supplier to the Maintenance, Repair and Operations (“MRO”) market and to the Original Equipment Manufacturing (“OEM”) market.
     Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Brady Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), all of which are wholly-owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
     Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
     Subsequent Events — The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued, September 28, 2009.
     On September 10, 2009, the Board of Directors announced an increase in the annual dividend to shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, from $0.68 to $0.70 per share. A quarterly dividend will be paid on October 30, 2009, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2009. This dividend represents an increase of 3% and is the 24th consecutive annual increase in dividends since the Company went public in 1984.
     By unanimous written consent effective September 24, 2009, the holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock approved the Brady Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (the “2010 Omnibus Plan”) and the Brady Corporation 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (the “2010 Directors Plan”). Under the terms of the 2010 Omnibus Plan, pursuant to which 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, the Company may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units to eligible employees of the Company and its affiliates. The 2010 Omnibus Plan, which became effective upon shareholder approval, provides that after December 31, 2009, no further awards or grants shall be made under the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan. Under the terms of the 2010 Directors Plan, pursuant to which 200,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, each non-employee Director is granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock two weeks after first becoming a director and 8,400 shares of the Company’s common stock on an annual basis thereafter. The 2010 Directors Plan became effective upon shareholder approval.
     Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable) is a reasonable estimate of the fair value of these instruments due to their short-term nature. The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, on August 1, 2008 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. The impact of this adoption has not been material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”) will be effective for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities on August 1, 2009, the first day of the Company’s next fiscal year. See Note 5 for more information regarding the fair value of long-term debt and Note 10 for fair value measurements.
     Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when acquired to be cash equivalents, which are recorded at cost.

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     Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost has been determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for certain domestic inventories (approximately 19% of total inventories at July 31, 2009 and approximately 22% of total inventories at July 31, 2008) and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods for other inventories. Had all domestic inventories been accounted for on a FIFO basis instead of on a LIFO basis, the carrying value would have increased by $9,348 and $9,530 at July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
     Depreciation — The cost of buildings and improvements and machinery and equipment is being depreciated over their estimated useful lives using primarily the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes. The estimated useful lives range from 3 to 33 years as shown below.
 
Asset Category   Range of Useful Lives
Buildings and improvements   10 to 33 Years
Mainframe computing equipment   5 Years
Machinery and equipment   3 to 10 Years
     Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective asset.
     Goodwill and other Intangible Assets — The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed on a straight-line basis, over the estimated periods benefited. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and goodwill are not subjected to amortization. These assets are assessed for impairment annually and when deemed necessary.
     Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, are as follows:
                                 
                    Asia-        
    Americas     Europe     Pacific     Total  
Balance as of July 31, 2007
  $ 404,074     $ 163,699     $ 169,677     $ 737,450  
Goodwill acquired during the period
    3,615       13,261             16,876  
Adjustments for prior year acquisitions
    2,564       (2,928 )     3,902       3,538  
Translation adjustments
    2,724       15,618       12,901       31,243  
 
                       
Balance as of July 31, 2008
  $ 412,977     $ 189,650     $ 186,480     $ 789,107  
 
                       
Adjustments for prior year acquisitions
    275       (52 )     (2,713 )     (2,490 )
Translation adjustments and other
    (3,117 )     (23,347 )     (8,980 )     (35,444 )
 
                       
Balance as of July 31, 2009
  $ 410,135     $ 166,251     $ 174,787     $ 751,173  
 
                       
     In November 2008, the Company reached a settlement of the original purchase price with the former owners of Tradex Converting AB (“Tradex”), which the Company acquired in May 2006, resulting in a purchase price decrease of $3,514, which decreased goodwill in Europe and Asia Pacific, accordingly. Goodwill increased $1,024 during fiscal 2009 as a result of the $749 payment of an earnout to the former owners of Transposafe Systems B.V. and Holland Mounting Systems B.V. (collectively, “Transposafe”), and the $275 final tax adjustments for Sorbent Products Company (“SPC”). Goodwill decreased $35,444 during fiscal 2009 due to the effects of foreign currency translation.
     The following acquisitions completed in fiscal 2008 increased goodwill during the year ended July 31, 2008 by the following amounts:
                 
    Segment     Goodwill  
Transposafe Systems B.V. and Holland Mounting Systems B.V. (collectively “Transposafe”)
  Europe   $ 13,261  
DAWG, Inc. (“DAWG”)
  Americas     3,615  
 
             
Total
          $ 16,876  
 
             
     Goodwill also increased in fiscal 2008 as a result of adjustments to the preliminary allocation of purchase price for the acquisitions completed in fiscal 2007, of which the largest adjustment related to the final purchase price adjustments for Comprehensive Identification

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Products, Inc (“CIPI”), which added $3,948. Of the $3,948 increase in goodwill attributed to the allocation of the purchase price for CIPI, $1,246 related to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”), $1,250 related to an accrual for employee termination costs, $809 related to various exit costs associated with the closure of a facility, and the remaining $643 related to tax and other liabilities existing at the time of acquisition. As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, the remaining liability from these charges was approximately $612 and $769, respectively. Goodwill increased $1,467 related to the fiscal 2007 acquisition of Sorbent Products Co., Inc. (“SPC”), primarily due to an adjustment in income taxes. The increase in goodwill related to the acquisitions of CIPI and SPC was partially offset by a tax adjustment of $1,893 associated with the fiscal 2006 acquisition of Identicam Systems relating to a deferred tax asset existing at the time of acquisition. During fiscal year 2008, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation of the SPC acquisition between the segments, resulting in a transfer of goodwill from Europe to the Americas.
     The remaining $31,243 increase to goodwill during fiscal 2008 was attributable to the effects of foreign currency translation.
     Other intangible assets include patents, trademarks, customer relationships, purchased software, non-compete agreements and other intangible assets with finite lives being amortized in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The net book value of these assets was as follows:
                                                                 
    July 31, 2009     July 31, 2008  
    Weighted                             Weighted                    
    Average     Gross                     Average     Gross              
    Amortization     Carrying     Accumulated     Net Book     Amortization     Carrying     Accumulated     Net Book  
    Period (Years)     Amount     Amortization     Value     Period (Years)     Amount     Amortization     Value  
Amortized other intangible assets:
                                                               
Patents
    5     $ 8,976     $ (7,165 )   $ 1,811       5     $ 8,603     $ (6,592 )   $ 2,011  
Trademarks and other
    7       7,703       (5,121 )     2,582       7       8,079       (4,688 )     3,391  
Customer relationships
    7       144,625       (76,912 )     67,713       7       151,704       (59,101 )     92,603  
Non-compete agreements
    4       11,502       (9,656 )     1,846       4       12,222       (8,446 )     3,776  
Other
    4       3,311       (3,296 )     15       4       3,299       (3,294 )     5  
Unamortized other intangible assets:
                                                               
Trademarks
    N/A       41,787             41,787       N/A       43,005             43,005  
 
                                                   
Total
          $ 217,904     $ (102,150 )   $ 115,754             $ 226,912     $ (82,121 )   $ 144,791  
 
                                                   
     The value of other intangible assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at July 31, 2009, differs from the value assigned to them in the allocation of purchase price due to the effect of fluctuations in the exchange rates used to translate financial statements into the United States dollar between the date of acquisition and July 31, 2009.
     Amortization expense of intangible assets during fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $22,828, $25,422, and $21,882, respectively. The amortization over each of the next five fiscal years is projected to be $22,652, $19,087, $11,914, $8,616, and $4,038 for the years ending July 31, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
     Impairment of Long-Lived and Other Intangible Assets — The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived and other finite-lived intangible assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The measurement of possible impairment is based on fair value of the assets generally estimated by the ability to recover the balance of assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the fair value of the asset. Based on the assessments completed in fiscal 2009, there have been no indications of impairment in the Company’s long-lived and other intangible assets.
     Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets— The Company evaluates goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets under

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SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” which addresses the financial accounting and reporting standards for the acquisition of intangible assets outside of a business combination and for goodwill and other intangible assets subsequent to their acquisition. This accounting standard requires that goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets not be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment on at least an annual basis.
     During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company conducted a goodwill impairment assessment in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The assessment included comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, of each reporting unit to its respective fair value as of February 28, 2009, the date of the assessment. Fair value was determined using the weighted average of a discounted cash flow and market participant analysis for each reporting unit. Because the estimated fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded its carrying amount, management concluded that no impairment existed as of February 28, 2009. Due to the economic conditions during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company completed its assessment prior to the Company’s annual assessment date of May 1, 2009. The Company further conducted an assessment as of the annual assessment date and concluded that no impairment existed as of May 1, 2009. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2009.
     During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company conducted an indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment analysis in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” The assessment included comparing the carry amount of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the fair value of those assets as of May 1, 2009, the Company’s assessment date. Fair value was determined using the weighted average of a discounted revenue stream and market participant analysis for each indefinite-lived intangible. Because the estimated fair value of each of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangibles exceeded its carrying amount, management concluded that no impairment existed as of May 1, 2009. No indications of impairment have been identified between the date of the interim assessments and July 31, 2009.
     Catalog Costs and Related Amortization — The Company accumulates all direct costs incurred, net of vendor cooperative advertising payments, in the development, production, and circulation of its catalogs on its balance sheet until such time as the related catalog is mailed. The catalogs are subsequently amortized into selling, general, and administrative expense over the expected sales realization cycle, which is one year or less. Consequently, any difference between the estimated and actual revenue stream for a particular catalog and the related impact on amortization expense is neutralized within a period of one year or less. The estimate of the expected sales realization cycle for a particular catalog is based on the Company’s historical sales experience with identical or similar catalogs, an assessment of prevailing economic conditions and various competitive factors. The Company tracks subsequent sales realization, reassesses the marketplace, and compares its findings to the previous estimate, and adjusts the amortization of future catalogs, if necessary. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, $13,511 and $13,214, respectively, of prepaid catalog costs were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.
     Revenue Recognition — Revenue is recognized when it is both earned and realized or realizable. The Company’s policy is to recognize revenue when title to the product, ownership and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exits and collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured, all of which generally occur upon shipment of goods to customers. The majority of the Company’s revenue relates to the sale of inventory to customers, and revenue is recognized when title and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer. Given the nature of the Company’s business and the applicable rules guiding revenue recognition, the Company’s revenue recognition practices do not contain estimates that materially affect the results of operations, with the exception of estimated returns. The Company provides for an allowance for estimated product returns and credit memos which is recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of the sale.
     Sales Incentives — In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (“EITF”) No. 01-9, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer or a Reseller of the Vendor’s Product,” the Company accounts for cash consideration (such as sales incentives and cash discounts) given

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to its customers or resellers as a reduction of revenue rather than an operating expense.
     Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs — The Company accounts for shipping and handling fees and costs in accordance with EITF Issue No. 00-10, “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs.” Under EITF No. 00-10 amounts billed to a customer in a sale transaction related to shipping costs are reported as net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping are reported as cost of goods sold.
     Advertising Costs — Advertising costs are expensed as incurred, except catalog and mailer costs as outlined above. Advertising expense for the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 were $77,395, $85,908 and $75,452, respectively.
     Stock-Based Compensation — The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees. Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for non-employee directors under which stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock are available for grant. The options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under these plans, referred to herein as “service-based” options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also grants stock options to certain executives and key management employees that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions over the vesting schedule described above; these options are referred to herein as “performance-based” options. Performance-based options granted in fiscal 2006 expire five years from the grant date. All other performance-based options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Restricted shares have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. They vest at the end of a five-year period and upon meeting certain financial performance conditions; these shares are referred to herein as “performance-based restricted shares.”
     As of July 31, 2009, the Company has reserved 4,296,875 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and restricted shares and 660,330 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the various plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans.
     Effective August 1, 2005, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment.” In accordance with this standard, the Company recognizes the compensation cost of all share-based awards using the grant-date fair value of those awards (the “fair-value-based” method). The expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award. Total stock compensation expense recognized by the Company during the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $7,731 ($4,716 net of taxes), $10,228 ($6,239 net of taxes), and $6,907 ($4,213 net of taxes), respectively. As discussed in Note 11, an additional $368 ($224 net of taxes) of non-cash stock option expense was taken related to the restructuring in fiscal 2009. As of July 31, 2009, total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation awards was $11,757, net of estimated forfeitures, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
     The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) using the modified-prospective-transition method. Under that transition method, compensation cost recognized during fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 included: (a) compensation costs for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of August 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS No. 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to August 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R). Prior periods are not restated under this method of adoption.

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     The Company has estimated the fair value of its performance-based and service-based option awards granted after August 1, 2005 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes valuation model are reflected in the following table:
                                                 
    2009   2008   2007  
    Performance-           Performance-           Performance-    
    Based   Service-Based   Based   Service-Based   Based   Service-Based
Black-Scholes Option Valuation Assumptions   Options   Options   Options   Options   Options   Options
Expected term (in years)
    N/A       5.96       6.57       6.04       6.57       6.07  
Expected volatility
    N/A       36.07 %     33.68 %     32.05 %     34.66 %     33.99 %
Expected dividend yield
    N/A       2.03 %     1.58 %     1.62 %     1.51 %     1.46 %
Risk-free interest rate
    N/A       1.75 %     4.66 %     3.44 %     4.90 %     4.52 %
Weighted-average market value of underlying stock at grant date
    N/A     $ 21.26     $ 35.35     $ 38.22     $ 33.32     $ 38.17  
Weighted-average exercise price
    N/A     $ 21.26     $ 35.35     $ 38.22     $ 33.32     $ 38.17  
Weighted-average fair value of options granted
    N/A     $ 6.30     $ 12.83     $ 11.94     $ 12.57     $ 13.56  
     The Company uses historical data regarding stock option exercise behaviors to estimate the expected term of options granted based on the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s historical dividend payments and historical yield. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the grant date for the length of time corresponding to the expected term of the option. The market value is obtained by taking the average of the high and the low stock price on the date of grant.
     Effective March 4, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the granting agreement under which the Company issued performance-based stock options on August 2, 2004. Pursuant to the amendment, the exercise period for the performance-based stock options was extended to ten years from five years resulting in an incremental expense of $191 ($116 net of taxes) in fiscal 2009. Also, the amendment provided that during the extension period, executives may exercise the performance-based stock options following a termination only if the termination is as a result of the executive’s death or disability or qualifies as a retirement. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and two of its named executive officers currently have the following exercisable performance-based stock options affected by this amendment: Frank M. Jaehnert, 60,000 options; Thomas J. Felmer, 20,000 options; Peter C. Sephton, 30,000 options; and Matthew O. Williamson, 30,000 options.
     The Company granted 210,000 performance-based restricted shares during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2009, 210,000 performance-based shares were outstanding.
     Research and Development — Amounts expended for research and development are expensed as incurred.
     Other comprehensive income — Other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, net unrealized gains and losses from cash flow hedges and other investments, the unamortized gain on the post-retirement medical, dental and vision plan and their related tax effects. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income were as follows:
                 
    July 31, 2009     July 31, 2008  
Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges and securities in deferred compensation plans, net of tax of $17 and $263, respectively
  $ (53 )   $ (971 )
Unamortized gain on post-retirement medical, dental and vision plan, net of tax of $1,964 and $2,663, respectively
    1,942       2,493  
Cumulative translation adjustments
    51,162       126,639  
 
           
Accumulated other comprehensive income
  $ 53,051     $ 128,161  
 
           

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     Foreign Currency Translation — Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at end of period rates of exchange, and income and expense accounts are translated at the weighted average rates of exchange for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income.
     Income Taxes — The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable or refundable for the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and liabilities. Beginning August 1, 2007, the Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if sustaining those positions is more likely than not. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which a change in judgment occurs. Prior to August 1, 2007, the Company recognized the effect of income tax positions only if such positions were probable of being sustained.
     Risk Management Activities — The Company is exposed to market risk, such as changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.
     Currency Rate Hedging — The primary objectives of the foreign exchange risk management activities are to mitigate the impact of potential foreign exchange fluctuations on the Company’s financial results and its economic well-being. While the Company’s risk management objectives and strategies are driven from an economic perspective, the Company attempts, where possible and practical, to ensure that the hedging strategies it engages in can be treated as “hedges” from an accounting perspective or otherwise result in accounting treatment where the earnings effect of the hedging instrument provides substantial offset (in the same period) to the earnings effect of the hedged item. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from products purchased in a currency differing from the selling unit’s currency.
     The Company primarily utilizes forward exchange contracts with maturities of less than 12 months, which are designated as cash flow hedges. These are intended to offset the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on products purchased in a currency differing from the selling unit’s currency. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2009 and 2008 was $(248) and $(96), respectively. As of July 31, 2009, the notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts was $30.9 million. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.
     The Company accounts for its hedges in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, the Company records these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effective portion of the gain or loss on these derivatives is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.
     The Company also enters into cash flow hedge contracts to create economic hedges to manage foreign exchange risk exposure. The fair value of these instruments at July 31, 2009 was $130. The Company has not designated these derivative contracts as hedge transactions under SFAS No. 133, and accordingly, the mark-to-market impact of these derivatives is recorded each period in current earnings.
     Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings immediately as a component of investment and other income. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
     New Accounting Standards — The Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” on August 1, 2008 as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. The impact of this adoption was not material to the Company’s

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financial statements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company’s nonfinancial assets and liabilities on August 1, 2009, the first day of the Company’s next fiscal year. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, defines fair value based upon an exit price model, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the applicable disclosure requirements. SFAS No. 157 indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. See Note 10 for more information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements.
     Effective August 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of SFAS No. 115,” to allow companies to choose to elect, at specified dates, to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. At the date of adoption of SFAS No. 159, the Company did not elect the fair value option for any of its financial assets or financial liabilities.
     In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS No. 161 requires expanded quantitative, qualitative, and credit-risk disclosures about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. This statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company adopted SFAS No. 161 during fiscal 2009. See Note 12 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.
     In June 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position on EITF Issue 03-6 (“FSP 03-6”), “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities.” FSP 03-6 requires that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends be considered participating securities in undistributed earnings with common shareholders. This staff position will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting FSP 03-6 on the Company’s results of operations and financial disclosures when the standard is adopted during the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
     In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.” SFAS No. 141(R) requires acquiring entities to recognize all the assets and liabilities assumed in a transaction at fair values as of the acquisition date, but changes the accounting treatment for certain items, including:
  a)   Acquisition costs will generally be expensed as incurred;
 
  b)   Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries will be valued at fair value at the acquisition date and classified as a separate component of equity;
 
  c)   Liabilities related to contingent consideration will be re-measured at fair value in each subsequent reporting period;
 
  d)   Restructuring costs associated with a business combination will generally be expensed after the acquisition date; and
 
  e)   In-process research and development will be recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset at the acquisition date.
     SFAS No. 141(R) applies to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after August 1, 2009. The impact of SFAS No. 141(R) on the Company’s future consolidated financial statements will depend on the size and nature of future acquisitions.
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments.” FSP 107-1 amends FASB Statement No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” and Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. FSP 107-1 is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009. The Company expects to adopt this FSP for the interim period ending October 31, 2009. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that will result

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from adopting FSP No. 107-1 and APB 28-1 on the Company’s financial disclosures when such guidance is adopted.
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 141(R)-1, “Accounting for Assets and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise From Contingencies” (FSP FAS 141(R)-1). FSP FAS 141(R)-1 amends and clarifies SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” to address application issues raised by preparers, auditors, and members of the legal profession on initial recognition and measurement, subsequent measurement and accounting, and disclosure of assets and liabilities arising from contingencies in a business combination. This standard will be applied on a prospective basis for business combinations after July 31, 2009. The impact of SFAS No. 141(R)-1 on our future consolidated financial statements will depend on the size and nature of future acquisitions.
     In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events.” SFAS No. 165 defines subsequent events as events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued. It defines two types of subsequent events: recognized subsequent events, which provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the balance sheet date, and non-recognized subsequent events, which provide evidence about conditions that did not exist at the balance sheet date, but arose before the financial statements were issued. Recognized subsequent events are required to be recognized in the financial statements, and non-recognized subsequent events are required to be disclosed. The statement requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated, and the basis for that date. SFAS No. 165 is consistent with current practice and did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R).” SFAS 167 makes changes to the overall consolidation analysis. SFAS No. 167 is effective as of the beginning of fiscal years that begin after November 15, 2009. The Company expects to adopt this standard on August 1, 2010. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting SFAS No. 167 on the Company’s results of operations and financial disclosures when such statement is adopted.
     In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Policies.” SFAS No. 168 replaces SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Policies.” SFAS No. 168 outlines the reorganization of current GAAP into a topical format that eliminates the current GAAP hierarchy. SFAS No. 168 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company expects to adopt this standard during the first quarter of fiscal 2010. The Company is in the process of evaluating the impact that will result from adopting SFAS No. 168 on the Company’s financial disclosures when such statement is adopted.
2. Acquisitions of Businesses
     The Company did not complete any acquisitions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009; however, it completed two business acquisitions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008, and seven business acquisitions during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2007. All of these transactions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting; therefore, the results of operations are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements only since their acquisition dates.
     Fiscal 2008
     The Company acquired the following companies in fiscal 2008 for a total combined purchase price, net of cash acquired, of $29,346. A brief description of each company acquired during the year is included below:
    Tranposafe is headquartered near Amsterdam, the Netherlands with operations in Belgium, Germany, and Poland. Transposafe specializes in security sealing and identification solutions for protecting assets during transport. Transposafe was acquired in November 2007.
 
    DAWG is headquartered in Terryville, Connecticut. DAWG is an Internet marketer of sorbents, spill-containment products, safety-storage cabinets, first aid kits, and other products that help keep facilities safe and clean. DAWG was acquired in March 2008.

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     The purchase agreement for Transposafe included a provision for contingent payments based upon meeting certain performance conditions over a two-year period of time subsequent to the acquisition. The total maximum contingent payment of approximately $3,000 was placed in an escrow account for the acquisition of Transposafe. During fiscal 2009, $700 was paid out of the escrow account to satisfy the earnout and holdback liabilities of the Transposafe acquisition.
     The following table summarizes the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions.
         
Current assets net of cash
  $ 8,373  
Property, plant & equipment
    348  
Goodwill
    16,876  
Customer relationships
    10,008  
Trademarks
    2,341  
Other intangible assets
    438  
 
     
Total assets acquired net of cash
    38,384  
Liabilities assumed
    9,038  
 
     
Net assets acquired
  $ 29,346  
 
     
     Of the $16,876 allocated to goodwill, approximately $3,600 is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
     The fiscal 2008 acquisitions were determined to be immaterial individually and in the aggregate, so no pro-forma disclosures were required.
     Fiscal 2007
     The Company acquired the following companies in fiscal 2007 for a total combined purchase price, net of cash acquired, of $159,475. A brief description of each company acquired during the year is included below:
    CIPI, was formerly headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, with operations in Hong Kong, China and the Netherlands. CIPI is a market leader in badging accessories used to identify and track employees and visitors in a variety of settings including businesses, healthcare facilities, special events and government buildings. CIPI was acquired in August 2006.
 
    Precision Converters L.P (“Precision Converters”) is located in Dallas, Texas and is a supplier of die-cut products to the medical market with a specific focus on disposable, advanced wound-care products. Precision Converters was acquired in October 2006.
 
    Scafftag Ltd., Safetrak, Ltd. and Scafftag Pty., Ltd (collectively “Scafftag”) is located in Barry, Wales, U.K., with operations in Australia and in the United States and a sales office in the United Arab Emirates. Scafftag is an industry leader in safety identification and facility management products in the U.K., specializing in products that help companies meet legislative requirements for safety standards in the oil and gas, construction and scaffolding industries. Scafftag was acquired in December 2006.
 
    Asterisco Artes Graficas Ltda. (“Asterisco”) is located in Sao Paulo, Brazil and is a leading manufacturer of industrial high-performance labels in Brazil, specializing in custom labels printed on film materials for the electronics, automotive, pharmaceutical and other industries. Asterisco was acquired in December 2006.
 
    Modernotecnica SpA (“Moderno”) is located in Milan, Italy and is a wire-identification manufacturer serving the Maintenance, Repair and Operations market with products used primarily in the electrical industry. Moderno was acquired in December 2006.
 
    Clement Communications, Inc. (“Clement”) is located in Concordville, Pennsylvania and is a direct marketer of posters, newsletters, guides and handbooks that address safety, quality, teamwork, sales employment practices, customer service and OSHA regulations. Clement was acquired in February 2007.
 
    SPC is headquartered in Somerset, New Jersey, with operations in Belgium and Hong Kong. SPC is a leading manufacturer and marketer of synthetic sorbent materials used in a variety of industrial maintenance and environmental applications for spill clean-up, containment and control. SPC was acquired in April 2007.

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     The purchase agreements for Scafftag and Asterisco each included provisions for contingent payments based upon meeting certain performance conditions over a period of time subsequent to the acquisition. The total maximum contingent payments of $5,200 have not been accrued as liabilities on the accompanying consolidated financial statements as the payments are based on attaining certain financial results. Approximately $4,900 of the contingency related to the Asterisco acquisition had been placed in an escrow account in compliance with the terms of the purchase agreement. During fiscal 2008, the Company paid the former owners of Astersico $200 to satisfy the terms of the earnout agreement, while the remaining $4,700 was returned to Brady due to the acquired business not meeting certain performance criteria. The purchase agreement of Asterisco also included a holdback provision of approximately $2,300 that was recorded as a liability in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at July 31, 2008. A payment of $700 was paid during fiscal 2009 to satisfy the earnout and holdback liabilities of the Asterisco acquisition and the remaining liability was eliminated.
     The following table summarizes the combined estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the acquisitions.
         
Current assets
  $ 38,148  
Property, plant & equipment
    12,158  
Goodwill
    105,325  
Customer relationships
    23,897  
Trademarks
    11,232  
Non-compete agreements
    967  
Other intangible assets
    996  
 
     
Total assets acquired
    192,723  
Liabilities assumed
    33,248  
 
     
Net assets acquired
  $ 159,475  
 
     
     Of the $105,325 allocated to goodwill, approximately $72,134 was deductible for tax purposes.
     The fiscal 2007 acquisitions were determined to be immaterial individually and in the aggregate, so no pro-forma disclosures were required.
     The purchase agreements for Texit, a manufacturer and distributor of wire markers and cable-management products; QDP Thailand Co., Ltd. (“QDPT”), a designer and manufacturer of high-precision components for the electronic, medical and automotive industries, specializing in precision laminating, stamping and contract assembly; and STOPware, Inc. (“Stopware”), a manufacturer of visitor-badging and lobby-security software used to identify and track visitors each included provisions for contingent payments based upon meeting certain performance conditions over a period of time subsequent to the acquisition. In fiscal 2007, QDPT combined its operations with TPS in a facility in Klongluang, Pathumthani, Thailand In fiscal 2006 and 2007, $1,800 and $2,577, respectively, of the conditions were met and recorded in goodwill; payments of $3,377 were made during fiscal 2007 to satisfy the contingent payment requirements. The remaining $1,000 liability was paid in fiscal 2008 for the acquisition of Stopware. The holdback provision included in the purchase agreements of QDPT of $310 was paid in fiscal 2007. The holdback provisions included in the purchase agreements of Daewon Industry Corporation (“Daewon”) and Stopware of $200 and $4,350, respectively, were paid in fiscal 2008. Daewon is,a manufacturer and supplier of pressure sensitive, die-cut adhesive components for the mobile handset and electronics industry. As of July 31, 2009 all required payments have been made.
3. Employee Benefit Plans
     The Company provides postretirement medical, dental and vision benefits (the “Plan”) for eligible regular full and part-time domestic employees (including spouses) outlined by the plan. During fiscal 2008, the Plan was amended to include only employees hired prior to April 1, 2008. Postretirement benefits are provided only if the employee was hired prior to April 1, 2008, and retires on or after attainment of age 55 with 15 years of credited service. Credited service begins accruing at the later of age 40 or date of hire. All active employees first eligible to retire after July 31, 1992, are covered by an unfunded, contributory postretirement healthcare plan where employer

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contributions will not exceed a defined dollar benefit amount, regardless of the cost of the program. Employer contributions to the plan are based on the employee’s age and service at retirement. The Company funds benefit costs on a pay-as-you-go basis.
     In October 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans.” This statement requires full recognition of the funded status of defined benefit and other postretirement plans on the balance sheet as an asset or a liability. SFAS No. 158 also continues to require that unrecognized prior service costs/credits, gains/losses, and transition obligations/assets be recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, thus not changing the income statement recognition rules for such plans.
     The Plan is unfunded and recorded as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of July 31, 2009 and 2008. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the Plan’s accumulated benefit obligations during the years ended July 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Obligation at beginning of year
  $ 12,199     $ 11,705  
Service cost
    672       919  
Interest cost
    842       771  
Actuarial loss (gain)
    766       (96 )
Benefit payments
    (667 )     (687 )
Plan amendments
          (413 )
Separation benefits
    1,178        
Curtailments
    (679 )      
 
           
Obligation at end of fiscal year
  $ 14,311     $ 12,199  
 
           
     As discussed in Note 11, the fiscal 2009 restructuring charges included employee separation costs. Approximately, $1,178 of employee separation costs have been included in the separation benefits above as the costs directly relate to the postretirement medical, dental and vision benefits.
     In November 2008, the Company announced it would take several measures to address its cost structure. In addition to a reduction in its contract labor and decreased discretionary spending, the Company announced it would reduce its workforce. The reduction in workforce was accounted for as a partial plan curtailment and reduced the accumulated benefit obligation by $679 as of July 31, 2009.
     As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, amounts recognized as liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of:
                 
    2009     2008  
Current liability
  $ 825     $ 511  
Noncurrent liability
    13,486       11,688  
 
           
 
  $ 14,311     $ 12,199  
 
           
     As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets consist of:
                 
    2009     2008  
Net actuarial gain
  $ 3,425     $ 4,499  
Prior service credit
    481       657  
 
           
 
  $ 3,906     $ 5,156  
 
           
     Net periodic benefit cost for the Plan for fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 includes the following components:
                         
    Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following components:
                       
Service cost — benefits attributed to service during the period
  $ 672     $ 919     $ 967  
Prior service cost
    (70 )     (33 )     (33 )

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    Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
    842       771       797  
Amortization of unrecognized gain
    (308 )     (295 )     (119 )
Curtailment loss
    393              
 
                 
 
Periodic postretirement benefit cost
  $ 1,529     $ 1,362     $ 1,612  
 
                 
     The estimated actuarial gain and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost over the next fiscal year are $202 and $64, respectively. The reduction in workforce resulted in a one-time curtailment gain of $679 and the accelerated recognition of the previously unrecognized prior service cost of $106,offset by a one-time separation benefit charge of $1,178, resulting in a net curtailment loss of $393 as of July 31, 2009.
     The following assumptions were used in accounting for the Plan:
                         
    2009   2008   2007
Weighted average discount rate used in determining accumulated postretirement benefit obligation liability
    5.5 %     6.8 %     6.3 %
Weighted average discount rate used in determining net periodic benefit cost
    6.8 %     6.3 %     6.0 %
Assumed health care trend rate used to measure APBO at July 31
    8.0 %     8.0 %     9.0 %
Rate to which cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the ultimate trend rate)
    5.5 %     5.5 %     5.5 %
Fiscal year the ultimate trend rate is reached
    2015       2013       2011  
     The assumed health care cost trend rate has a significant effect on the amounts reported for the Plan. A one-percentage point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
                 
    One-Percentage   One-Percentage
    Point Increase   Point Decrease
Effect on future service and interest cost
  $ 73     $ (83 )
Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at July 31, 2009
    110       (119 )
     The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid during the years ending July 31:
         
2010
  $ 825  
2011
    840  
2012
    915  
2013
    978  
2014
    1,031  
2015 through 2019
    5,823  
     The Company has retirement and profit-sharing plans covering substantially all full-time domestic employees and certain of its foreign subsidiaries. Contributions to the plans are determined annually or quarterly, according to the respective plans, based on earnings of the respective companies and employee contributions. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, $5,512 and $6,633, respectively, of accrued profit-sharing contributions were included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
     The Company also has deferred compensation plans for directors, officers and key executives which are discussed below. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, $10,175 and $11,095, respectively, of deferred compensation was included in current and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
     During fiscal 1998, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan that invests solely in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. Participants in a predecessor phantom stock plan were allowed to convert their balances in the old plan to this new plan. The new plan was funded initially by the issuance of shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to a Rabbi Trust. All deferrals into the new plan result in purchases of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock by the Rabbi Trust. No deferrals are allowed into a predecessor plan. Shares held by the Rabbi Trust are distributed to participants upon separation from the Company as defined in the plan agreement.
     During fiscal 2002, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan that allows future contributions to be invested in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or in certain other investment vehicles.

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Prior deferred compensation deferrals must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. All participant deferrals into the new plan result in purchases of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or certain other investment vehicles by the Rabbi Trust. Balances held by the Rabbi Trust are distributed to participants upon separation from the Company as defined in the plan agreement. On May 1, 2006, the plan was amended to require that deferrals into the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and be distributed in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock.
     The amounts charged to expense for the retirement, profit sharing and deferred compensation plans described above were $11,765, $17,275, and $14,990 during the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
4. Income Taxes
Income (loss) before income taxes consists of the following:
                         
    Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
United States
  $ (383 )   $ 46,388     $ 58,538  
Other Nations
    97,655       139,799       93,390  
 
                 
Total
  $ 97,272     $ 186,187     $ 151,928  
 
                 
Income taxes consist of the following:
                         
    Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Current income tax expense:
                       
United States
  $ 3,486     $ 13,943     $ 5,439  
Other Nations
    31,223       41,794       34,835  
States (U.S.)
    1,081       1,021       2,336  
 
                 
 
    35,790       56,758       42,610  
 
                 
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense:
                       
United States
    (7,633 )     29       2,728  
Other Nations
    (1,693 )     (2,793 )     (4,151 )
States (U.S.)
    686       5       1,353  
 
                 
 
    (8,640 )     (2,759 )     (70 )
 
                 
Total
  $ 27,150     $ 53,999     $ 42,540  
 
                 
     Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences in the recognition of revenues and expenses for financial statement and income tax purposes.
     The approximate tax effects of temporary differences are as follows:
                         
    July 31, 2009  
    Assets     Liabilities     Total  
Inventories
  $ 7,229           $ 7,229  
Prepaid catalog costs
        $ (3,363 )     (3,363 )
Employee benefits
    1,682             1,682  
Accounts receivable
    1,924             1,924  
Other, net
    6,903       (1,821 )     5,082  
 
                 
Current
    17,738       (5,184 )     12,554  
 
                 
Fixed Assets
    1,901       (9,498 )     (7,597 )
Intangible Assets
    2,134       (21,026 )     (18,892 )
Capitalized R&D expenditures
    1,400             1,400  
Deferred compensation
    18,934             18,934  
Postretirement benefits
    7,202             7,202  
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses
    45,057             45,057  
Less valuation allowance
    (25,670 )           (25,670 )
Other, net
    250       (3,676 )     (3,426 )
 
                 
Noncurrent
    51,208       (34,200 )     17,008  
 
                 
Total
  $ 68,946     $ (39,384 )   $ 29,562  
 
                 

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    July 31, 2008  
    Assets     Liabilities     Total  
Inventories
  $ 7,594           $ 7,594  
Prepaid catalog costs
        $ (3,076 )     (3,076 )
Employee benefits
    3,546             3,546  
Accounts receivable
    2,197             2,197  
Other, net
    5,467       (45 )     5,422  
 
                 
Current
    18,804       (3,121 )     15,683  
 
                 
Fixed Assets
    434       (6,857 )     (6,423 )
Intangible Assets
    2,656       (18,292 )     (15,636 )
Capitalized R&D expenditures
    1,866             1,866  
Deferred compensation
    17,033             17,033  
Postretirement benefits
    7,017             7,017  
Tax credit carry-forwards and net operating losses
    26,630             26,630  
Less valuation allowance
    (25,494 )           (25,494 )
Other, net
    573       (2,308 )     (1,735 )
 
                 
Noncurrent
    30,715       (27,457 )     3,258  
 
                 
Total
  $ 49,519     $ (30,578 )   $ 18,941  
 
                 
Tax loss carry forwards at July 31, 2009 are comprised of:
    Foreign net operating loss carry-forwards of $73,450, of which $48,402 have no expiration date and the remainder of which expire within the next 5 years.
 
    State net operating loss carry-forwards of $60,717, which expire from 2014 to 2029.
 
    Foreign tax credit carry-forwards of $16,028, which expire from 2018 to 2019.
 
    R&D credit carry-forwards of $800, which expire in 2029.
 
    State credit carry-forwards of $1,670, which expire from 2017 to 2024.
Rate Reconciliation
     A reconciliation of the tax computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes to the total income tax expense is as follows:
                         
    Years Ended July 31,
    2009   2008   2007
Tax at statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
    1.6 %     0.2 %     1.6 %
International rate differential
    (8.6 )%     (5.9 )%     (3.3 )%
Rate variances arising from foreign subsidiary distributions
    (3.4 )%     (1.3 )%     (2.7 )%
Adjustments to tax accruals and reserves
    5.8 %     1.2 %     (2.0 )%
Research and development tax credits
    (1.5 )%     (0.2 )%     (0.5 )%
Other, net
    (1.0 )%           (0.1 )%
 
                       
Effective tax rate
    27.9 %     29.0 %     28.0 %
 
                       
     The valuation allowance increased by $176 and $5,807 during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. If realized or reversed in future periods, substantially all of the valuation allowance would impact the income tax rate.
     The international rate differential for the year ended July 31, 2009 includes the recognition of $1,611 of tax expense related to the repayment of tax holidays due to the restructuring and consolidation of certain Asian operations. Favorable geographic mix of pre-tax earnings more than offset the increase in income tax accruals and the tax holiday repayment, resulting in a decrease in the effective tax rate from 29.0% for the year ended July 31, 2008 to 27.9% for the year ended July 31, 2009.
     The Company is eligible for tax holidays on the earnings of certain subsidiaries in Asia, including China, India, Thailand, and the Philippines. The benefits realized as a result of these tax holidays reduced the consolidated effective tax rate by approximately 3.3%, 1.9%, and 1.5% during the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively. These tax holidays are in the process of expiring and are anticipated to be fully exhausted by December 31, 2012.

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Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”)
     The Company adopted FIN 48 on August 1, 2007. The adoption resulted in a $903 reduction to earnings retained in the business as of August 1, 2007. Upon adoption of FIN 48, the Company also reclassified $15,907 from accrued income taxes to other liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.
     A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) is as follows:
         
Balance at August 1, 2007 (date of adoption)
  $ 13,731  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year (1)
    3,003  
Additions for tax positions of prior years (1)
    580  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (579 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (1,435 )
Settlements and effective settlements with tax authorities
     
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other
    717  
Balance at July 31, 2008
  $ 16,017  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
    2,526  
Additions for tax positions of prior years (1)
    4,056  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
    (934 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (944 )
Settlements and effective settlements with tax authorities
    60  
Cumulative Translation Adjustments and other
    (1,319 )
Balance at July 31, 2009
  $ 19,462  
 
(1)   Includes acquisitions.
     Included in the balance of total unrecognized tax benefits (excluding interest and penalties) at July 31, 2009 and 2008 are potential benefits of approximately $19,117 and $10,952, respectively, that if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate. The increase in the unrecognized tax benefits that would reverse through the Company’s effective tax rate is due to the pending adoption of SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations.”
     The Company is currently in the early stages of being audited by several taxing authorities including the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2006 and 2007. Although the timing of resolution or closure of audits are uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could change in the next 12 months. Given the number of years remaining subject to examination throughout the globe, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.
     During all years presented, the Company recognized interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes on the consolidated statements of income. Therefore, no change was necessary upon adoption of FIN 48.
     Interest expense is recognized on the amount of potentially underpaid taxes associated with the Company’s tax positions, beginning in the first period in which interest starts accruing under the respective tax law and continuing until the tax positions are settled. During the years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company recognized $427 and $96 of interest expense, respectively, and $414 and $208 of penalties, respectively, related to the reserve for uncertain tax positions, net of amounts reversing due to statute of limitations and settlements. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $2,551 and $2,146, respectively, accrued for interest on unrecognized tax benefits. Penalties are accrued if the tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid the payment of a penalty. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company had $776 and $384, respectively, accrued for penalties on unrecognized tax benefits.

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     The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The following table summarizes the open tax years for the Company’s major jurisdictions:
     
Jurisdiction   Open Tax Years
United States — Federal
  F’06 — F’09
France
  F’06 — F’09
Germany
  F’06 — F’09
United Kingdom
  F’08 — F’09
Unremitted Earnings
     The Company’s policy is to remit earnings from foreign subsidiaries only to the extent any resultant foreign income taxes are creditable in the United States. Accordingly, the Company does not currently provide for the additional United States and foreign income taxes which would become payable upon remission of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The cumulative undistributed earnings of such subsidiaries at July 31, 2009 amounted to approximately $449,542.
5. Long-Term Obligations
     The Company has completed three private placements totaling $500 million in ten-year fixed notes with varying maturity dates to institutional investors at interest rates varying from 5.14% to 5.33%. The notes must be repaid equally over seven years, with initial payment due dates ranging from 2008 to 2011, with interest payable on the notes due semiannually on various dates throughout the year, which began in December 2004. The private placements were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The notes were not registered for resale and may not be resold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws. The notes have certain prepayment penalties for repaying them prior to the maturity date. Under the debt agreement, the Company paid equal installments of $21.4 million in June 2008 and June 2009. In June 2009, the Company completed a cash tender offer to purchase approximately $65.8 million of its outstanding notes.
     On October 5, 2006, the Company entered into a $200 million multi-currency revolving loan agreement with a group of five banks that replaced the Company’s previous credit agreement. At the Company’s option, and subject to certain standard conditions, the available amount under the credit facility may be increased from $200 million up to $300 million. Under the credit agreement, the Company has the option to select either a base interest rate (based upon the higher of the federal funds rate plus one-half of 1% or the prime rate of Bank of America) or a Eurocurrency interest rate (at the LIBOR rate plus a margin based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio). A commitment fee is payable on the unused amount of the facility. The agreement restricts the amount of certain types of payments, including dividends, which can be made annually to $50 million plus an amount equal to 75% of consolidated net income excluding all extraordinary non-cash items for the prior fiscal year of the Company. The Company believes that based on historic dividend practice, this restriction would not impede the Company in following a similar dividend practice in the future. On March 18, 2008, the Company entered into an amendment to the revolving loan agreement which extended the maturity date from October 5, 2011 to March 18, 2013. All other terms of the revolving loan agreement remained the same. As of July 31, 2009, there were no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.
     The Company’s debt and revolving loan agreements require it to maintain certain financial covenants. The Company’s June 2004, February 2006, and March 2007 debt agreements require the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to the trailing twelve months earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined in the debt agreements, of not more than a 3.5 to 1.0 ratio (leverage ratio). The Company’s October 2006 revolving loan agreement requires the Company to maintain a ratio of debt to trailing twelve months EBITDA, as defined by the debt agreement, of not more than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio. Additionally, the revolving loan agreement requires the Company’s trailing twelve months earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) to interest expense of not less than a 3.0 to 1.0 ratio (interest expense coverage). The debt agreements also require the aggregate net book value of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of by the Company and its subsidiaries in all dispositions, as defined in the agreements, in any fiscal year of the Company not exceed 15% of consolidated tangible net worth. As of July 31, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of its debt and revolving loan agreements.

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     Long-term obligations consist of the following as of July 31:
                 
    2009     2008  
Various bank loans
  $     $ 3  
Fixed debt
    391,350       478,571  
 
           
 
    391,350       478,574  
 
           
Less current maturities
  $ (44,893 )   $ (21,431 )
 
           
 
  $ 346,457     $ 457,143  
 
           
     The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations approximates $412,678 at July 31, 2009. The fair value of the Company’s long-term obligations is estimated based on quoted market prices for similar issue and on the current rates offered for debt of similar maturities.
     Maturities on long-term debt are as follows:
         
Years Ending July 31,        
2010
  $ 44,893  
2011
    61,264  
2012
    61,264  
2013
    61,264  
2014
    61,264  
Thereafter
    101,401  
 
     
Total
  $ 391,350  
 
     
     The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $1,674 and $1,959 at July 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
6. Stockholders’ Investment
     Information as to the Company’s capital stock at July 31, 2009 and 2008 is as follows:
                                                 
    July 31, 2009     July 31, 2008  
    Shares     Shares     (thousands)     Shares     Shares     (thousands)  
    Authorized     Issued     Amount     Authorized     Issued     Amount  
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value
    5,000,000                       5,000,000                  
Cumulative Preferred Stock:
                                               
6% Cumulative
    5,000                       5,000                  
1972 Series
    10,000                       10,000                  
1979 Series
    30,000                       30,000                  
Common Stock, $.01 par value:
                                               
Class A Nonvoting
    100,000,000       51,261,487     $ 513       100,000,000       51,261,487     $ 513  
Class B Voting
    10,000,000       3,538,628       35       10,000,000       3,538,628       35  
 
                                           
 
                  $ 548                     $ 548  
 
                                           
     Before any dividend may be paid on the Class B Common Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive an annual, noncumulative cash dividend of $.01665 per share. Thereafter, any further dividend in that fiscal year must be paid on each share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock on an equal basis.
     Other than as required by law, holders of the Class A Common Stock are not entitled to any vote on corporate matters, unless, in each of the three preceding fiscal years, the $.01665 preferential dividend described above has not been paid in full. Holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the entire fiscal year immediately following the third consecutive fiscal year in which the preferential dividend is not paid in full. Holders of Class B Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share for the election of directors and for all other purposes.
     Upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and after distribution of any amounts due to holders of Cumulative Preferred Stock, holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to receive the sum of $0.835 per share before any payment or distribution to holders of the Class B Common Stock. Thereafter, holders of the Class B Common Stock are entitled to receive a payment or distribution of $0.835 per share. Thereafter, holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock share equally in all payments or distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company.

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     The preferences in dividends and liquidation rights of the Class A Common Stock over the Class B Common Stock will terminate at any time that the voting rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock become equal.
     In March 2008, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase plan for up to one million shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The share repurchase plan was implemented by purchasing shares on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. As of July 31, 2008, there remained 650,864 shares to purchase in connection with this share repurchase plan. During the year ended July 31, 2009, the Company acquired 650,864 shares of its Class A Nonvoting Common Stock authorized for repurchase under this plan for $21,539. Share repurchases under this plan were completed in the quarter ended October 31, 2008.
     In September 2008, the Company announced that the Board of Directors of the Company authorized a share repurchase plan for up to one million additional shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. The share repurchase plan may be implemented by purchasing shares on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with repurchased shares available for use in connection with the Company’s stock-based plans and for other corporate purposes. During the 12 months ended July 31, 2009, the Company acquired 693,800 shares of its Class A Nonvoting Common Stock under this plan for $18,728. As of July 31, 2009, there remained 306,200 shares to purchase in connection with this share repurchase plan.
     The following is a summary of other activity in stockholders’ investment for the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
                                 
    Unearned             Shares Held        
    Restricted     Deferred     in Rabbi        
    Stock     Compensation     Trust, at cost     Total  
Balances at July 31, 2006
  $     $ 17,602     $ (16,840 )   $ 762  
 
                       
Shares at July 31, 2006
            1,012,914       1,012,914          
 
                           
Sale of shares at cost
          (5,242 )     5,134       (108 )
Purchase of shares at cost
          1,215       (1,215 )      
 
                       
Balances at July 31, 2007
  $     $ 13,575     $ (12,921 )   $ 654  
 
                       
Shares at July 31, 2007
            724,417       724,417          
 
                           
Sale of shares at cost
          (1,121 )     1,154       33  
Purchase of shares at cost
          1,189       (1,189 )      
Issuance of restricted stock
    (6,892 )                 (6,892 )
Amortization of restricted stock
    710                   710  
 
                       
Balances at July 31, 2008
  $ (6,182 )   $ 13,643     $ (12,956 )   $ (5,495 )
 
                       
Shares at July 31, 2008
            690,539       690,539          
 
                           
Sale of shares at cost
          (1,655 )     1,223       (432 )
Purchase of shares at cost
          1,294       (1,294 )      
Amortization of restricted stock
    1,435                   1,435  
 
                       
Balances at July 31, 2009
  $ (4,747 )   $ 13,282     $ (13,027 )   $ (4,492 )
 
                       
Shares at July 31, 2009
            671,650       671,650          
 
                           
     Prior to 2002, all Brady Corporation deferred compensation was invested in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. In 2002, the Company adopted a new deferred compensation plan which allowed investing in other investment funds in addition to the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. Under this plan, participants were allowed to transfer funds between the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and the other investment funds. On May 1, 2006 the plan was amended with the provision that deferrals into the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and be distributed in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock. At July 31, 2009, the deferred compensation balance in stockholders’ investment represents the investment at the original cost of shares held in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the deferred compensation plan prior to 2002 and the investment at the cost of shares held in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for the plan subsequent to 2002, adjusted for the plan amendment on May 1, 2006. The balance of shares held in the Rabbi Trust represents the investment in the

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Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the original cost of all the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock held in deferred compensation plans.
     The Company’s Employee Monthly Stock Investment Plan (“the Plan”) provides that eligible employees may authorize a fixed dollar amount between $20 and $500 per month to be deducted from their pay. The funds deducted are forwarded to the Plan administrator and are used to purchase the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock at the market price. As part of the Plan, Brady pays all brokerage fees for stock purchases and dividend reinvestments.
     The Company has an incentive stock plan under which the Board of Directors may grant nonqualified stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock or restricted shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to employees. Additionally, the Company has a nonqualified stock option plan for non-employee directors under which stock options to purchase shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock are available for grant. The options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant and generally vest ratably over a three-year period, with one-third becoming exercisable one year after the grant date and one-third additional in each of the succeeding two years. Options issued under these plans, referred to herein as “service-based” options, generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also grants stock options to certain executives and key management employees that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions over the vesting schedule described above. These options are referred to herein as “performance-based” options. Performance-based options granted in fiscal 2006 expire five years from the grant date. All other performance-based options expire 10 years from the date of grant. Restricted shares have an issuance price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock at the date of grant. They vest at the end of a five-year period and upon meeting certain financial performance conditions. These shares are referred to herein as “performance-based restricted shares.”
     As of July 31, 2009, the Company has reserved 4,296,875 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for outstanding stock options and restricted shares and 660,330 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock remain for future issuance of stock options and restricted shares under the various plans. The Company uses treasury stock or will issue new Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to deliver shares under these plans.
     Changes in the options are as follows:
                         
                    Weighted
                    Average
            Options   Exercise
    Option Price   Outstanding   Price
Balance, July 31, 2006
  $ 9.59 - $40.37       3,815,052     $ 23.27  
 
                       
Options granted
    32.93 - 38.19       908,000       36.74  
Options exercised
    9.59 - 28.84       (397,682 )     17.13  
Options cancelled
    16.00 - 40.37       (142,631 )     35.40  
 
                       
Balance, July 31, 2007
  $ 9.59 - $40.37       4,182,739     $ 26.36  
 
                       
Options granted
    35.10 - 38.31       977,500       37.41  
Options exercised
    9.59 - 38.19       (763,708 )     19.02  
Options cancelled
    14.16 - 30.37       (411,326 )     36.42  
 
                       
Balance, July 31, 2008
  $ 9.59 - $40.37       3,985,205     $ 29.43  
 
                       
Options granted
    17.23 - 35.42       614,000       21.26  
Options exercised
    9.59 - 38.19       (138,934 )     15.75  
Options cancelled
    20.95 - 38.31       (479,665 )     35.02  
 
                       
Balance, July 31, 2009
  $ 13.31 - $40.37       3,980,606     $ 27.96  
 
                       
     The total fair value of options vested during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $6,559, $8,626 and $4,687, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $2,156, $14,479, and $8,272, respectively.
     There were 2,831,311, 2,399,742, and 2,300,239 options exercisable with a weighted average exercise price of $27.46, $24.42 and $21.07 at July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The cash received from the exercise of options during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $1,683, $14,500, and $6,829, respectively. The cash received from the tax benefit on options exercised during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $779, $4,185, and $1,492, respectively.

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at July 31, 2009:
                                         
                            Options Outstanding and
    Options Outstanding   Exercisable
            Weighted Average   Weighted   Shares   Weighted
    Number of Shares   Remaining   Average   Exercisable   Average
Range of   Outstanding at   Contractual Life   Exercise   at July 31,   Exercise
Exercise Prices   July 31, 2009   (in years)   Price   2009   Price
Up to $14.99
    291,800       2.8     $ 13.58       291,800     $ 13.58  
$15.00 to $29.99
    1,875,469       5.8       21.26       1,285,469       21.43  
$30.00 and up
    1,813,337       6.4       37.20       1,254,042       36.87  
 
                                       
Total
    3,980,606       5.8       27.96       2,831,311       27.46  
 
                                       
     As of July 31, 2009, the aggregate intrinsic value of the number of options outstanding and the number of options outstanding and exercisable was $20,017 and $14,965, respectively. The Company granted 210,000 performance-based restricted shares during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2009, 210,000 performance-based restricted shares were outstanding.
7. Segment Information
     The Company evaluates short-term segment performance based on segment profit or loss and customer sales. Corporate long-term performance is evaluated based on shareholder value enhancement (“SVE”), which incorporates the cost of capital as a hurdle rate for capital expenditures, new product development, acquisitions, and long-term lines of business. Segment profit or loss does not include certain administrative costs, interest, foreign exchange gain or loss, other expenses not allocated to a segment, and income taxes. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
     The Company is organized and managed on a geographic basis by region. Each of these regions, Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, has a President that reports directly to the Company’s chief operating decision maker, its Chief Executive Officer. Each region has its own distinct operations, is managed locally by its own management team, maintains its own financial reports and is evaluated based on regional segment profit. In applying the criteria set forth in SFAS 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information”, the Company has determined that these regions comprise its reportable segments based on the information used by the Chief Executive Officer to allocate resources and assess performance.
     Subsequent to the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company made several reporting and organizational changes in which the leadership, operations, and administrative functions of the two businesses in the Americas region were consolidated. As a result of the changes, the Company changed the number of reporting segments from four to three during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008.

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     Intersegment sales and transfers are recorded at cost plus a standard percentage markup. Intercompany profit is eliminated in consolidation. It is not practicable to disclose enterprise-wide revenue from external customers on the basis of product or service.
                                                 
                                    Corporate    
                                    and    
    Americas   Europe   Asia-Pacific   Total Region   Eliminations   Total Company
Year ended July 31, 2009:
                                               
Revenues from external customers
  $ 534,440     $ 367,156     $ 307,106     $ 1,208,702           $ 1,208,702  
Intersegment revenues
    45,853       4,310       18,534       68,697     $ (68,697 )      
Depreciation and amortization expense
    22,022       8,467       15,957       46,446       8,405       54,851  
Segment profit
    114,404       99,875       42,575       256,854       (7,952 )     248,902  
Assets
    703,559       298,717       341,605       1,343,881       239,386       1,583,267  
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    8,422       3,326       5,848       17,596       6,431       24,027  
Year ended July 31, 2008:
                                               
Revenues from external customers
  $ 667,106     $ 496,715     $ 359,195     $ 1,523,016           $ 1,523,016  
Intersegment revenues
    54,677       8,511       25,995       89,183     $ (89,183 )      
Depreciation and amortization expense
    24,856       11,172       15,482       51,510       9,077       60,587  
Segment profit
    157,523       135,426       58,234       351,183       (9,048 )     342,135  
Assets
    755,770       396,058       397,531       1,549,359       301,154       1,850,513  
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    7,535       4,714       5,269       17,518       8,889       26,407  
Year ended July 31, 2007:
                                               
Revenues from external customers
  $ 609,855     $ 416,514     $ 336,262     $ 1,362,631           $ 1,362,631  
Intersegment revenues
    52,595       6,511       23,554       82,660     $ (82,660 )      
Depreciation and amortization expense
    23,643       8,363       16,913       48,919       4,937       53,856  
Segment profit
    144,583       107,552       57,236       309,371       (10,485 )     298,886  
Assets
    781,868       347,827       376,645       1,506,340       192,517       1,698,857  
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment
    19,834       5,849       15,301       40,984       10,956       51,940  
                         
    Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Net income reconciliation:
                       
Total profit for reportable segments
  $ 256,854     $ 351,183     $ 309,371  
Corporate and eliminations
    (7,952 )     (9,048 )     (10,485 )
Unallocated amounts:
                       
Administrative costs
    (102,680 )     (134,451 )     (126,899 )
Restructuring costs
    (25,849 )            
Investment and other income — net
    1,800       4,888       2,875  
Interest expense
    (24,901 )     (26,385 )     (22,934 )
 
                 
Income before income taxes
    97,272       186,187       151,928  
Income taxes
    (27,150 )     (53,999 )     (42,540 )
 
                 
Net income
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388  
 
                 
                                                 
    Revenues*     Long-Lived Assets**  
    Years Ended July 31,     As of Years Ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007     2009     2008     2007  
Geographic information:
                                               
United States
  $ 510,703     $ 622,618     $ 589,013     $ 519,932     $ 532,273     $ 537,182  
China
    199,893       192,048       184,413       123,078       131,810       121,181  
Other
    566,589       794,036       671,865       375,905       440,021       403,462  
Eliminations
    (68,483 )     (85,686 )     (82,660 )                  
 
                                   
Consolidated total
  $ 1,208,702     $ 1,523,016     $ 1,362,631     $ 1,018,915     $ 1,104,104     $ 1,061,825  
 
                                   
 
*   Revenues are attributed based on country of origin.
 
**   Long-lived assets consist of property, plant, and equipment, other intangible assets and goodwill.

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8. Net Income Per Common Share
     Net income per Common Share is computed by dividing net income (after deducting the applicable preferential Class A Common Stock dividends) by the weighted average Common Shares outstanding of 52,558,657 for 2009, 54,167,746 for 2008, and 53,906,769 for 2007. The preferential dividend on the Class A Common Stock of $.01665 per share has been added to the net income per Class A Common Share for all years presented.
     Reconciliations of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted per share computations for the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows:
                         
    Years ended July 31,  
    2009     2008     2007  
Numerator
                       
Net income (numerator for basic and diluted Class A net income per share)
  $ 70,122     $ 132,188     $ 109,388  
Less:
                       
Preferential dividends
    (823 )     (847 )     (836 )
Preferential dividends on dilutive stock options
    (11 )     (13 )     (15 )
 
                 
Numerator for basic and diluted Class B net income per share
  $ 69,288     $ 131,328     $ 108,537  
 
                 
Denominator:
                       
Denominator for basic net income per share for both Class A and B
    52,559       54,168       53,907  
Plus: effect of dilutive stock options
    307       705       834  
 
                 
Denominator for diluted net income per share for both Class A and B
    52,866       54,873       54,741  
 
                 
Class A common stock net income per share calculation:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.33     $ 2.45     $ 2.03  
Diluted
  $ 1.33     $ 2.41     $ 2.00  
Class B common stock net income per share calculation:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.32     $ 2.43     $ 2.01  
Diluted
  $ 1.31     $ 2.39     $ 1.98  
     Options to purchase 2,764,308, 1,599,792, and 1,132,750 shares of Class A common stock were excluded from the computations of diluted net income per share for years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively, because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be anti-dilutive.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
     The Company has entered into various non-cancellable operating lease agreements. Rental expense charged to operations on a straight-line basis was $25,971, $27,443 and $22,779 for the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Future minimum lease payments required under such leases in effect at July 31, 2009 are as follows, for the years ending July 31:
         
2010
  $ 22,613  
2011
    16,897  
2012
    12,968  
2013
    6,898  
2014
    4,570  
Thereafter
    3,226  
 
     
 
  $ 67,172  
 
     
     In the normal course of business, the Company is named as a defendant in various lawsuits in which claims are asserted against the Company. In the opinion of management, the liabilities, if any, which may ultimately result from lawsuits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

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10. Fair Value Measurements
As discussed in Note 1, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, on August 1, 2008. SFAS 157 indicates, among other things, that a fair value measurement assumes that a transaction to sell an asset or transfer a liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.
SFAS 157 establishes a fair market value hierarchy for the pricing inputs used to measure fair market value. The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair market value are classified in one of the following categories:
Level 1 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical instruments as of the reporting date. At July 31, 2009, $8,239 of the mutual funds held for the Company’s deferred compensation plans were valued using Level 1 pricing inputs. The Company’s deferred compensation investments are included in “Other assets” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Level 2 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models for which pricing inputs were either directly or indirectly observable. At July 31, 2009, $248 of the Company’s forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” were valued using Level 2 pricing inputs. These contracts are included in “Other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At July 31, 2009, $130 of the Company’s forward exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 were valued using Level 2 pricing inputs and are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets”, on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. See Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company’s hedging and derivatives activities.
Level 3 — Assets or liabilities for which fair value is based on valuation models with significant unobservable pricing inputs and which result in the use of management estimates. As of July 31, 2009, none of the Company’s assets or liabilities were valued using Level 3 pricing inputs.

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11. Restructuring
     In November 2008, in response to the global economic downturn, the Company announced it would take several measures to address its cost structure. In addition to a reduction in its contract labor and decreased discretionary spending, the Company announced it would reduce its workforce.
     The Company implemented a plan to reduce its workforce through voluntary and involuntary separation programs, voluntary retirement programs, and facility consolidations. As a result of these actions, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $25,849 during fiscal 2009. The year-to-date restructuring charges consisted of $20,911 of employee separation costs, $2,101 of non-cash fixed asset write-offs, $1,194 of other facility closure related costs, $1,275 of contract termination costs, and $368 of non-cash stock option expense. Of the $25,849 of restructuring charges recorded during the year ended July 31, 2009, $13,928 was incurred in the Americas, $7,730 was incurred in Europe, and $4,191 was incurred in Asia-Pacific. The charges for employee separation costs consisted of severance pay, outplacement services, medical and other related benefits. The costs related to these restructuring activities have been recorded on the consolidated statements of income as restructuring charges. An additional restructuring related expense of $1,611 is included in income tax expense as it relates to the repayment of a tax holiday in Asia resulting from plant consolidation.
     The Company expects the majority of the remaining cash payments to be made within the next 12 months.
     A reconciliation of the Company’s restructuring activity for fiscal 2009 is as follows:
                                 
    Employee     Asset              
    Related     Write-offs     Other     Total  
Beginning balance, July 31, 2008
  $     $     $     $  
Restructuring charge
    21,279       2,101       2,469       25,849  
Non-cash write-offs
    (368 )     (2,101 )             (2,469 )
Other separation benefits
    (1,178 )                     (1,178 )
Cash payments
    (15,288 )           (1,592 )     (16,880 )
 
                       
Ending balance, July 31, 2009
  $ 4,445     $     $ 877     $ 5,322  
 
                       
     The other separation benefits include charges of approximately $1,178 directly related to postretirement medical, dental and vision benefits which are included in the SFAS 106 liability. See Note 3 for discussion on employee benefits.
12. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
     The Company primarily utilizes forward foreign exchange currency contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 12 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management is to minimize the impact of currency movements on intercompany transactions and foreign raw-material imports. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts. As of July 31, 2009, the notional amount of outstanding forward exchange contracts was $30,929.
     Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Any ineffective portions are to be recognized in earnings immediately as a component of investment and other income. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the years ended July 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007.
     The Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange currency contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Korean

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Won and Chinese Yuan currency. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from intercompany sales and identified inventory or other asset purchases.
     The Company has designated a portion of its foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings. At July 31, 2009 and 2008, unrealized losses of $35 and $567 have been included in OCI, respectively. All balances are expected to be reclassified from OCI to earnings during the next 12 months when the hedged intercompany transactions impact earnings. At July 31, 2009 and at July 31, 2008, the Company included $248 and $96, respectively, of forward exchange contracts in “Other current liabilities” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. At July 31, 2009, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $21,793, including contracts to sell Euros, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars, British Pounds, Danish Krona, and U.S. Dollars.
     Additionally, during fiscal 2009, the Company entered into cash flow hedge contracts to create economic hedges to manage foreign exchange risk exposure. The Company has not designated these derivative contracts as hedge transactions under SFAS No. 133, and accordingly, the mark-to-market impact of these derivatives is recorded each period in current earnings. At July 31, 2009, $130 of the Company’s forward exchange contracts not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 were included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. At July 31, 2009, the U.S. dollar equivalent of these outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts totaled $9,136,consisted of contracts to buy Euros.
     Fair values of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
                                                                 
    Asset Derivatives     Liability Derivatives  
    July 31, 2009     July 31, 2008     July 31, 2009     July 31, 2008  
    Balance Sheet             Balance Sheet             Balance Sheet             Balance Sheet        
    Location     Fair Value     Location     Fair Value     Location     Fair Value     Location     Fair Value  
Foreign exchange contracts
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   $     Prepaid expenses and other current assets   $       Other current liabilities $ 248       Other current liabilities $ 96  
 
                                                       
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Statement 133
          $             $             $ 248             $ 96  
 
                                                       
Foreign exchange contracts
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets   $ 130     Prepaid expenses and other current assets   $     Other current liabilities   $     Other current liabilities   $  
 
                                                       
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under Statement 133
          $ 130             $             $             $  
 
                                                       
     The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133 on the Consolidated Statements of Income consisted of the following:

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Derivatives in
Statement 133 Cash
Flow Hedging
  Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
    Location of Gain or
(Loss) Reclassified
From Accumulated
OCI into Income
    Amount of Gain
or (Loss)
Reclassified From
Accumulated OCI
Into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
    Amount of Gain
or (Loss)
Recognized in
Income on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
 
Relationships   2009     2008     (Effective Portion)     2009     2008     (Ineffective Portion)     2009     2008  
Foreign exchange contracts
  $ 152     $ (325 )   Investment and other
income — net
  $ (815 )   $ 253     Investment and other
income — net
  $ 132     $  
 
                                                   
Total
  $ 152     $ (325 )           $ (815 )   $ 253             $ 132     $  
 
                                                   
 
                                       
     The pre-tax effects of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133 on the Consolidated Statements
of Income consisted of the following:
 
                                       
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging                   Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on     Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative  
Instruments Under Statement 133                   Derivative     2009     2008  
Foreign exchange contracts
                  Other income (expense)   $ 693     $  
 
                                   
Total
                          $ 693     $  
 
                                   
13. Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
                                         
    Quarters
    First   Second   Third   Fourth   Total
2009
                                       
Net Sales
  $ 378,317     $ 266,449     $ 276,733     $ 287,203     $ 1,208,702  
Gross Margin
    181,146       126,142       134,173       136,122       577,583  
Operating Income*
    56,194       4,618       29,272       30,289       120,373  
Net Income**
    37,110       (4,150 )     17,960       19,202       70,122  
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
                                       
Basic
    0.70       (0.08 )     0.34       0.37       1.33  
Diluted
    0.69       (0.08 )     0.34       0.37       1.33  
 
                                       
2008
                                       
Net Sales
  $ 380,134     $ 364,124     $ 381,909     $ 396,849     $ 1,523,016  
Gross Margin
    187,667       175,023       189,576       191,929       744,195  
Operating Income
    58,338       42,444       52,582       54,320       207,684  
Net Income
    36,370       26,690       34,353       34,775       132,188  
Net Income Per Class A Common Share:
                                       
Basic
    0.67       0.49       0.64       0.65       2.45  
Diluted
    0.66       0.48       0.63       0.64       2.41  
 
*   Fiscal 2009 had a net before tax restructuring charge by quarter of $1,639, $19,408, $2,229, and $2,573 for a total of $25,849.
 
**   Fiscal 2009 included a net after tax restructuring charge by quarter of $1,180, $13,974, $1,605, and $3,464 (including $1,611 income tax expense) for a total of $20,224.

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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
     None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures:
     The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of July 31, 2009.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:
     The management of Brady Corporation and its subsidiaries is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principals.
     With the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2009, based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of July 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as of July 31, 2009, has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
     Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:
     There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Brady Corporation
Milwaukee, WI
     We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Brady Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of July 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management report (Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
     We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
     A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
     Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
     In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of July 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
     We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended July 31, 2009, of the Company and our report dated September 28, 2009, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Milwaukee, WI
September 28, 2009

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Item 9B. Other Information
     By unanimous written consent effective September 24, 2009, the holders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock approved the Brady Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (the “2010 Omnibus Plan”) and the Brady Corporation 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors (the “2010 Directors Plan”). Under the terms of the 2010 Omnibus Plan, pursuant to which 3,000,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, the Company may grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units to eligible employees of the Company and its affiliates. The 2010 Omnibus Plan, which became effective upon shareholder approval, provides that after December 31, 2009, no further awards or grants shall be made under the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan. Under the terms of the 2010 Directors Plan, pursuant to which 200,000 shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock have been authorized for issuance, each non-employee Director is granted an option to purchase 10,000 shares of the Company’s common stock two weeks after first becoming a director and 8,400 shares of the Company’s common stock on an annual basis thereafter. The 2010 Directors Plan became effective upon shareholder approval. The foregoing descriptions of the 2010 Omnibus Plan and 2010 Directors Plan do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the 2010 Omnibus Plan and 2010 Directors Plan, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.28 and 10.29, respectively, to this Form 10-K and are incorporated herein by reference. Forms of granting agreements under the 2010 Omnibus Plan are filed as Exhibit 10.30 to this Form 10-K, and the form of granting agreement under the 2010 Directors Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.31 to this Form 10-K.

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PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
             
Name   Age   Title
Frank M. Jaehnert
    51     President, CEO and Director
Thomas J. Felmer
    47     Sr. V.P., CFO
Barbara Bolens
    48     V.P., Treasurer, Director of Investor Relations
Allan J. Klotsche
    44     President — Brady Asia-Pacific and V.P., Brady Corporation
Peter C. Sephton
    50     President — Brady Europe and V.P., Brady Corporation
Matthew O. Williamson
    53     President — Brady Americas and V.P., Brady Corporation
Robert L. Tatterson
    44     V.P. and Chief Technology Officer
Bentley N. Curran
    47     V.P. and Chief Information Officer
Kathleen M. Johnson
    55     V.P. and Chief Accounting Officer
Patrick S. Ference
    43     V.P. — Human Resources
Conrad G. Goodkind
    65     Director
Elizabeth Pungello
    42     Director
Robert C. Buchanan
    69     Director
Richard A. Bemis
    68     Director
Frank W. Harris
    67     Director
Gary E. Nei
    65     Director
Frank R. Jarc
    67     Director
Chan W. Galbato
    46     Director
Patrick W. Allender
    62     Director
Bradley C. Richardson
    51     Director
     Frank M. Jaehnert — Mr. Jaehnert joined the Company in 1995 as Finance Director of the Identification Solutions & Specialty Tapes Group. He served as Chief Financial Officer from November 1996 to January 2002. He served as Senior Vice President of the Company and President, Identification Solutions and Specialty Tapes Group from January 2002 to March 2003. In February 2003, he was appointed to his current position, effective April 1, 2003. He has served as a Director of the Company since April 2003. Before joining the Company, he held various financial and management positions for Robert Bosch GmbH from 1983 to 1995.
     Thomas J. Felmer — Mr. Felmer joined the Company in 1989 and has held several sales and marketing positions until being named Vice President and General Manager of Brady’s U.S. Signmark Division in 1994. In 1999, Mr. Felmer moved to Europe where he led the European Signmark business for two years, then gained additional responsibility for the combined European Seton and Signmark businesses, which he also led for two years. In 2003, Mr. Felmer returned to Milwaukee where he was responsible for Brady’s global sales and marketing processes, Brady Software businesses, and due diligence/integration of the EMED acquisition. In June 2004, he was appointed President-Direct Marketing Americas, and was named Chief Financial Officer in January 2008.
     Barbara Bolens — Ms. Bolens joined the Company in 1986 and has held a wide variety of positions beginning in customer service and customer service management and progressing through product management and new product development. For 10 years, she had been the Assistant Treasurer and has held several other positions on the Corporate Finance Team throughout that time. She was appointed to her present position in November 2004. Ms. Bolens also holds the position of Director of Investor Relations.
     Allan J. Klotsche — Mr. Klotsche joined the Company in 1988. He served in a variety of sales, marketing, technical, and management roles until 1998, when he was appointed V.P. and General Manager of the Precision Tapes Group. He was appointed to his current position as President — Brady Asia Pacific in April 2003. He is also responsible for Brady’s global die-cut business and strategic account management. He holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
     Peter C. Sephton — Mr. Sephton joined the Company in 1997 as Managing Director — Seton-U.K. From 2001 to 2003 he served as managing director for Brady’s Identification Solutions Business in Europe. In April 2003, he was appointed to his current position. Before joining Brady, he served in a variety of international managerial roles with Tate and Lyle Plc, Sutcliffe Speakman Plc and Morgan Crucible Plc. He is a graduate in accountancy and law from The University of Wales (UCC).

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     Matthew O. Williamson — Mr. Williamson joined the Company in 1979. From 1979 to 1994, he served in a variety of sales and marketing leadership roles. From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Williamson served as the V.P. and General Manager of Brady’s various specialty tape and identification solution businesses. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Williamson served as the V.P. and General Manager of the Identification Solutions and Specialty Tapes Division. From 1998 to 2001, he served as V.P. and General Manager of the Identification Solutions Division. From 2001 to 2003, he served as V.P. and General Manager of the Global High Performance Identification Business. In April 2003, he was appointed President of the Brady Americas business. In addition to his role as President of the Brady Americas business, in January of 2008, Mr. Williamson assumed responsibility for the Direct Marketing Americas, and is currently serving as President of the Americas segment.
     Robert L. Tatterson — Mr. Tatterson joined the Company in 2006 as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Before joining Brady, he held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility at GE since 1992. Most recently, Mr. Tatterson served as Technology General Manager for GE Plastics’ Display and Optical Film business in Mt. Vernon, Indiana. He is a 6 Sigma Master Blackbelt and holds a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
     Bentley N. Curran — Mr. Curran joined the Company in 1999 as global information technology director charged with building and deploying a common technology infrastructure. Prior to joining Brady, he held various management and consultant positions for Compucom and Speed Queen Company. He is a graduate of Marian University and holds a bachelor of business degree and an associate of science degree in electronics and engineering systems.
     Kathleen M. Johnson — Ms. Johnson joined the Company in 1989 as controller of a division of Brady and became group finance director in 1996. In 2000 she was appointed Vice President. In 2008 she was appointed Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining Brady, she spent six years with Kraft Food Service. She started her career as a CPA with Deloitte. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
     Patrick Ference — Mr. Ference joined the Company in 2008 as Vice President — Human Resources, responsible for Brady’s global human resources function. Prior to joining Brady, he was Vice President, Corporate Human Resources for Cooper Industries, Ltd., where he was employed since 1997. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Cooper’s Leadership Program sponsored through the Jones Graduate School of Management at Rice University.
     Conrad G. Goodkind — Mr. Goodkind served as Secretary of the Company from November 1999 until November 2007, and was elected to the Board of Directors in September 2007. He serves as a member of the Corporate Governance and Retirement Committees, and chairs the Finance Committee. He is an attorney in the law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP, which he joined in 1979. He served as a member of the Executive Committee of Quarles & Brady LLP from 1983 to 2005. Mr. Goodkind was a director of Cade Industries, Inc. from 1989 to 1999, and a director of Able Distributing Co., Inc., from 1994 to 2005.
     Elizabeth Pungello — Dr. Pungello has been a Director of the Company since November 2003. She is a member of the Company’s Finance, Corporate Governance and Technology Committees. Dr. Pungello is the great-granddaughter of Brady founder William H. Brady, Sr., and a developmental psychologist at the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has served as president of the Brady Education Foundation (formerly the W.H. Brady Foundation) since January 2001.
     Robert C. Buchanan — Mr. Buchanan has been a Director of the Company since November 1987. Mr. Buchanan is chair of the Corporate Governance Committee, and serves as a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. Mr. Buchanan is the retired Chairman of the Board of Fox Valley Corporation in Appleton, Wisconsin. He is also a trustee of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
     Richard A. Bemis — Mr. Bemis has been a Director of the Company since January 1990 and is a member of its Corporate Governance, Finance and Technology Committees. Mr. Bemis is Co-chairman of the Board of Directors of Bemis Manufacturing Company, a

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manufacturer of molded plastic products in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. He is also a director of Integrys Corporation, Chicago, Illinois.
     Frank W. Harris — Dr. Harris has been a Director of the Company since November 1991. Dr. Harris is a member of its Finance Committee, and chair of the Technology Committee. He is an Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Polymer Science at the University of Akron, and has been on its faculty since 1983. He is also President and CEO of Akron Polymer Systems, a company that develops and markets polymer films, coatings and resins for high-performance applications.
     Gary E. Nei — Mr. Nei has been a Director of the Company since November 1992. Mr. Nei is a member of the Company’s Finance and Corporate Governance Committees and Chair of its Compensation Committee. Mr. Nei is Chairman of Nei-Turner Media, a publishing company in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He also serves as Chairman of the Beverage Testing Institute, a publishing company in Chicago, Illinois.
     Frank R. Jarc — Mr. Jarc has been a Director of the Company since May 2000. Mr. Jarc is chair of Brady’s Retirement Committee and is a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. He is a consultant specializing in corporate development and international acquisitions. From April 1999 to March 2000 he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Office Depot, an operator of office supply superstores. Between June 1996 and March 1999, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Viking Office Products, a direct mail marketer of office products. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of R.R. Donnelley and Sons, a global printing company.
     Chan W. Galbato — Mr. Galbato was elected to the Board of Directors in November 2006, and serves as a member of the Audit and Technology Committees. Since 2007, he has provided strategy and operations consulting services for CWG Hillside Investments. Prior to his current position, he served as President and CEO of the controls division of Invensys plc from 2005 to 2007. Prior to his position with Invensys, he served as president of services at Home Depot; president and chief executive officer of Armstrong Floor Products; chief executive officer of Choice Parts; and chief executive officer of Coregis Insurance Company, a GE Capital company.
     Patrick W. Allender — Mr. Allender was elected to the Board of Directors in September 2007 and serves as a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees. He is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Danaher Corporation, which he joined in 1987 as CFO and secretary. Prior to joining Danaher, Mr. Allender was a partner with Arthur Andersen LLP. Mr. Allender is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Colfax Corporation, and a member of the Board of Visitors and Governors of Washington College.
     Bradley C. Richardson — Mr. Richardson was elected to the Board of Directors in November 2007 and serves as chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Finance Committee. He is Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer of Modine Manufacturing Company. Prior to his current position, he spent more than twenty years in a variety of financial and operational positions at BP Amoco including CFO and VP of performance management and control for their Worldwide Exploration and Production division based in London, president of their businesses in Venezuela and CFO for Amoco Energy Group North America. Mr. Richardson currently serves on the Board of Directors for Modine Manufacturing Company and Tronox Incorporated.
     All directors serve until their respective successors are elected at the next annual meeting of shareholders. Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. None of the Company’s directors or executive officers has any family relationship with any other director or executive officer.
     Audit Committee Financial Expert — The Company’s board of directors has determined that at least one audit committee financial expert is serving on its audit committee. Mr. Richardson, chair of the audit committee, and Mr. Allender, Mr. Jarc, and Mr. Galbato, members of the audit committee, are financial experts and are independent as that term is used in Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act.
     Director Independence — A majority of the directors must meet the criteria for independence established by the Board in accordance with the rules of the New York Stock Exchange. In determining the independence of a director, the Board must find that a director has no relationship that may interfere with the exercise of his or her independence from management and the Company. Based on these guidelines all directors, with the exception of Frank Jaehnert, President and CEO, are deemed independent.

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     Meetings of Non-management Directors — The non-management directors of the Board regularly meet alone without any members of management present. Mr. Buchanan, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee, is the presiding director at these sessions. In fiscal 2009, there were five executive sessions. Interested parties can raise concerns to be addressed at these meetings by calling the confidential Brady hotline at 1-800-368-3613.
     Audit Committee Members — The Audit Committee, which is a separately-designated standing committee of the Board of Directors, is composed of Mr. Richardson (Chairman), Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Galbato, Mr. Jarc and Mr. Allender. Each member of the Audit Committee has been determined by the Board to be independent under the rules of the SEC and NYSE. The charter for the Audit Committee is available on the Company’s corporate website at www.bradycorp.com.
     Code of Ethics — For a number of years, the Company has had a code of ethics for its employees. This code of ethics applies to all of the Company’s employees, officers and Directors. The code of ethics can be viewed at the Company’s corporate website, www.bradycorp.com, or may be obtained in print by any person, without charge, by contacting Brady Corporation, Investor Relations, P.O. Box 571, Milwaukee, WI 53201. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirements under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics by placing such information on its Internet website.
     Corporate Governance Guidelines — Brady’s Corporate Governance Principles, as well as the charters for the Audit Committee, Corporate Governance Committee, and Compensation Committee, are available on the Company’s Corporate website, www.bradycorp.com. Shareholders may request printed copies of these documents from Brady Corporation, Investor Relations, P.O. Box 571, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
     Certifications — We have attached the required certifications under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the quality of our public disclosures as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2 to this report. Additionally, on October 20, 2008, the Company filed with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) an annual certification regarding our compliance with the NYSE’s corporate governance listing standards as required by NYSE Rule 303A.12(a).
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
     Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
     To the Company’s knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10 percent beneficial owners were complied with.

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Item 11. Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
     The Compensation Discussion and Analysis explains the compensation philosophy, policies and practices of the Company with respect to its executives and management. The following information and analyses will focus primarily on the compensation provided to the Company’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and its other three most highly compensated executives, who are collectively referred to in this section as the “named executive officers.”
     For purposes of this section, named executive officers refers to Frank M. Jaehnert, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director; Thomas J. Felmer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Peter C. Sephton, President — Brady Europe and Vice President, Brady Corporation; Matthew O. Williamson, President — Brady Americas and Vice President, Brady Corporation; and Allan J. Klotsche, President — Brady Asia-Pacific and Vice President, Brady Corporation.
Executive Compensation Overview and Philosophy
     The goal of our executive compensation program is to build long-term value for our shareholders by aligning the financial interests of our management team with those of our shareholders. It is also intended to enable leadership to attract, motivate and retain a team of highly talented individuals to run a top-tier performance company and ensure that the Company’s executives are in possession of a meaningful amount of Company stock.
     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring and approving the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. In compliance with this responsibility, the Committee annually reviews the individual performance of these executives and approves any changes in their base salary, the payment of an annual cash incentive and grant of equity awards. The Committee periodically utilizes the services of an independent executive compensation consulting firm to assist with the review and evaluation of our compensation levels and policies, although no outside review occurred in fiscal 2009. Their expertise may also be utilized in modifying any existing or proposing any new compensation arrangements. In addition to this professional advice, the Committee relies upon its collective judgment and other available competitive information and data in making executive compensation decisions. The Committee has avoided strict adherence to rigid guidelines or formulas when determining or modifying executive compensation.
     In order to successfully achieve our Company objectives, a combination of short-term and long-term incentives has been developed. The Compensation Committee believes a proper balance between these elements is necessary and includes a combination of cash and equity, with fixed and variable components. These components are dependent upon Company financial performance. Our short-term incentive is in the form of cash, while the long-term incentive is equity based and includes performance-based and time-based stock options, along with performance-based restricted shares. We believe these programs are designed to specifically support the achievement of the Company’s profitability and sales goals. We also believe these programs further enhance the performance of the Company by providing effective tools to retain, attract and motivate a group of highly skilled executives. This results in strong financial and operational performance, which supports the preservation and enhancement of shareholder value over time, without incurring undue risk to our shareholders.
     Annually, senior management recommends a proposal to the Compensation Committee for compensation for each named executive officer, with the exception of Frank M. Jaehnert, President and Chief Executive Officer, with respect to whom the Compensation Committee determines compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews the proposal for each officer and ultimately approves a compensation arrangement for them. The resulting approved compensation levels, including the President and Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, are then reported by the Compensation Committee to the full Board of Directors.

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Elements of Executive Compensation for Fiscal 2009
     As noted above, it is the Compensation Committee’s philosophy that an executive compensation program should be used to promote both the short and long-term financial objectives of the Company, encourage the executives to act as owners of the Company and attract and retain people who are qualified, motivated and committed to excellence. The Compensation Committee believes this can be accomplished through compensation programs that provide a balanced mix of performance-based cash and equity compensation. The annual bonus and equity compensation provide incentives that reward superior performance and provide financial consequences for underperformance.
     The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing the overall level of compensation, as well as the various elements of compensation for each of the named executive officers. In addition to the specific process noted below for base salaries, annual cash incentives and long-term equity compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews individual comprehensive “tally sheets” which include the annual cash and equity grants, along with all other benefits over a trailing four-year period. Stock options exercised and the impact of the issuance of stock options on earnings per share dilution are monitored on a regular basis as well.
Base Salary
     Individual performance and competitiveness in the market are key components in determining base salary and any changes in base salary. Nationally recognized compensation surveys utilizing all companies and industries are obtained annually. A regression analysis is then performed by the Company’s Human Resources team based on the appropriate organization level (company, group, division) and sales volume of the appropriate Brady business. The base salary is designed to compensate executives for their level of responsibility and sustained individual performance. One consideration is the comparison of the individual base salaries to the median for like positions and responsibilities based on these nationally recognized compensation surveys. Further, the Compensation Committee has flexibility to increase base salaries above the median to retain or attract key employees whose performance merits higher base salaries, or to set base salary below the median where individuals are new to the job and performance is being evaluated. The Compensation Committee annually reviews base salaries to ensure, on the basis of responsibility and performance, that executive compensation is meeting the Compensation Committee’s principles.
     In addition to the nationally recognized compensation surveys, the Compensation Committee has historically used peer group data for similar positions nationally to test the reasonableness and competitiveness of several components of compensation, including base salaries, annual incentives, and long term incentives by position. Due to the global economic conditions and the related volatility in executive compensation practices, a formal compensation benchmarking review of peer companies for named executive officers was not undertaken in fiscal 2009. The Compensation Committee also uses judgment to determine the appropriate level of base salary, which we believe reflects individual performance and responsibilities, and calibrates with the most recently available market compensation data. The peer group utilized includes 29 companies that are in a similar industry with annual revenues up to approximately $5 billion: Actuant Corporation, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Alliant Techsystems Inc., AMETEK, Inc., Amphenol Corporation, Anixter International Inc., Barnes Group Inc., Bemis Company, Inc., Benchmark Electronics, Inc., Cooper Industries, Ltd., Donaldson Company, Inc., DRS Technologies, Inc., Energizer Holdings, Inc., Exide Technologies, Fastenal Company, Hubbell Incorporated, IDEX Corporation, Molex Incorporated, MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc., Nordson Corporation, Pentair, Inc., Rogers Corporation, Roper Industries, Inc., SPX Corporation, Teleflex Incorporated, Thomas & Betts Corporation, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., WESCO International, Inc., and Zebra Technologies Corporation. Included in this peer group is a smaller subset of 13 companies that have annual revenues of less than $2 billion to provide data for similar sized companies to Brady. This subset includes: Actuant Corporation, AMETEK, Inc., Barnes Group Inc., Donaldson Company, Inc., DRS Technologies, Inc., Fastenal Company, IDEX Corporation, MSC Industrial Direct Company, Inc., Nordson Corporation, Rogers Corporation, Roper Industries, Inc., Thomas & Betts Corporation, and Zebra Technologies Corporation. This list may vary in the future due to changes in our business or the business of the companies utilized as peers.

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     The determination of base salary also affects the annual bonus payout since an individual’s annual bonus target is expressed as a percentage of base salary. The Compensation Committee also periodically utilizes the services of an outside consultant to assist in understanding the compensation levels in the market, although no services were utilized in fiscal 2009.
     In fiscal 2009, several cost reduction initiatives were effected to counter the impact of the global economic downturn on the Company’s financial performance. As a direct result of cancelling merit-based salary increases for employees company-wide, none of the named executive officers received a merit-based base salary increase for fiscal 2009. Messrs. Felmer and Williamson received promotional increases in fiscal 2009 (for increased accountability and/or job changes effected during fiscal 2008) ranging between eight and ten percent.
Annual Cash Incentive Bonus
     All named executive officers participate in an annual cash incentive plan. This plan has a short-term focus (one year) and is mainly based on the fiscal year financial results. Corporate earnings per share growth is a major component in each individual bonus plan. Other components include consolidated net sales, segment sales, segment profit, and working capital; each component is based on the individual’s role at either the corporate or segment level.
     As part of the annual review of compensation, the Compensation Committee takes into account total annual cash compensation in the marketplace as reflected in nationally recognized compensation surveys. Salary combined with annual target bonus levels that have been established as a percentage of salary are intended to approximate the median of the market total annual cash compensation, as defined in nationally recognized compensation surveys, provided that Brady performs at a level to pay out at 100% of the targeted annual incentive award. Brady’s actual annual bonus payouts will vary above or below the targeted amount based on the actual performance of the Company during the fiscal year. The payouts for the Company’s named executives can range from 0% to 250% of the target. The Compensation Committee expects management to propose ambitious targets. Any bonus payment above 100% of the target requires superior performance by the Company. In order to be eligible to receive a bonus payout, an employee must hold a position within the Company on the last day of the fiscal year.
     The Compensation Committee annually reviews the components of these plans, the required performance levels at each target payout level and the calculation of the individual bonus awards. Sales and net income must exceed the prior year in order for these components of the bonus plan to pay out.
     The individual incentive target amounts are set at a percentage of base salary and the target amounts are larger for individuals with greater levels of responsibility. The target bonus percentage for Mr. Jaehnert is 100% of his base salary, and for Messrs. Felmer, Sephton, Williamson and Klotsche are 70% of their base salaries. The following table provides the components of the target bonus percentages.
                                                 
    Consolidated   Earnings   Working   Segment   Segment   Target
Name   Net Sales   Per Share   Capital   Sales (1)   Profit   Payout
Frank M. Jaehnert
    10.0 %     80.0 %     10.0 %   NA   NA     100.0 %
Thomas J. Felmer
    10.0 %     80.0 %     10.0 %   NA   NA     70.0 %
Peter C. Sephton
  NA     20.0 %     10.0 %     10.0 %     60.0 %     70.0 %
Matthew O. Williamson
  NA     20.0 %     10.0 %     10.0 %     60.0 %     70.0 %
Allan J. Klotsche
  NA     20.0 %     10.0 %     10.0 %     60.0 %     70.0 %
 
(1)   Segment sales for Messrs. Sephton, Williamson, and Klotsche are based on regional sales.
     For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009, the Company did not pay an annual cash incentive bonus to any of the named executive officers as the components of the bonus did not exceed the prior year actual results. The impact of the extended global economic downturn significantly impacted the income and revenue performance of the company. As a result, no bonuses were awarded to any of the named executive officers.

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Equity Incentives: Long-term Incentive Compensation
     The Company utilizes a combination of performance-based stock options, time-based stock options and performance-based restricted shares to attract, retain, and motivate key employees who directly impact the performance of the Company over a timeframe of greater than a year. The combination of performance-based stock options, time-based stock options and performance-based restricted shares is used to provide a balance between annual Company performance and the generation of long-term shareholder value. Stock option based plans are influenced by Brady’s stock price, which directly affects the amount of compensation the executive receives upon vesting and exercising the options. The size and type of equity awards is determined by the Compensation Committee with periodic input from its outside consultant.
Performance-based Stock Options:
     Prior to fiscal 2009, the Compensation Committee had established a minimum stock price ($46 per share) that must be achieved prior to the issuance of any additional performance-based stock options. As a result of not attaining a stock price at this level, no performance-based stock options were granted during fiscal 2009.
     On account of the effects of the global economic downturn on the Company’s stock price, which made the achievement of the minimum stock price unlikely in the near future, and the Compensation Committee’s belief that performance-based stock options still serve as an important motivator and required component of the Company’s overall compensation program, a new three-year performance-based stock option plan is being implemented in fiscal 2010. The performance criteria of this new plan establish minimum annual earnings per share growth targets as well as relative measure of the Company’s three year earning per share growth compared to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. These options have a ten year-life.
Time-based Stock Options:
     The timing of the grant of time-based stock options is determined at the mid-November Compensation Committee meeting each year. The grant date is established approximately two weeks following the release of the first quarter earnings in November. Time-based stock option grants in fiscal 2009 were reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee on November 20, 2008 with an effective grant date of December 4, 2008. The grant price is the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and is calculated by taking the average of the high and low stock price on that date. The time-based stock options generally vest one-third each year for the first three years and have a ten year life.
     In order to coordinate the evaluation of time-based stock options with the annual performance and compensation reviews, for fiscal 2010 the timing of the grant of time-based stock options were determined at the mid-September Compensation Committee meeting. The grant date will be approximately two weeks following the September Compensation Committee meeting. The grant price will be the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and will be calculated by taking the average of the high and low stock price on the date of grant. The time-based options will vest one-third each year for the first three years and have a ten-year life.
Performance-based Restricted Stock
     Periodically, the Company issues restricted stock grants to key executives as an additional retention element of their overall compensation. In January 2008, the Compensation Committee approved the issuance of performance restricted stock awards to six of Brady’s senior executives. A total of 210,000 restricted shares were issued and included both a performance vesting requirement (earnings per share) and a service vesting requirement (five years). No new shares were issued during fiscal 2009 as the Compensation Committee concluded that outstanding restricted shares served as a sufficient retention element.
Employment and Post-Employment Benefits
General Benefits:
     The named executive officers receive the same basic benefits that are offered by the Company to other employees, including medical, dental, disability and life insurance.

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Retirement Benefits:
     Most Brady employees in the United States and certain expatriate employees working for its international subsidiaries are eligible to participate in Brady Corporation’s Funded Retirement Plan (“Funded Retirement Plan”) and the Brady Corporation Matched 401(k) Plan (the “Employee 401(k) Plan”). Under these plans the Company agrees to contribute certain amounts to both Plans. Under the Funded Retirement Plan, the Company contributes 4% of the eligible earnings of each person covered by the Funded Retirement Plan. In addition, participants may elect to have their annual pay reduced by up to 5% and have the amount of this reduction contributed to the Employee 401(k) Plan and matched by an additional 4% contribution by the Company. Participants may also elect to have up to another 45% of their eligible earnings contributed to the Employee 401(k) Plan (without an additional matching contribution by the Company). The assets of the Employee 401(k) Plan and Funded Retirement Plan credited to each participant are invested by the trustee of the Plans as directed by each plan participant in several investment funds as permitted by the Employee 401(k) Plan and Funded Retirement Plan.
     Due to the IRS income limitations for participating in the Employee 401(k) Plan and the Funded Retirement Plan, the named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Brady Restoration Plan, which is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that allows an equivalent benefit to the Employee 401(k) Plan and the Funded Retirement Plan for the executives on their income above the IRS limits.
     Benefits are generally payable upon the death, disability, or retirement of the participant or upon termination of employment before retirement, although benefits may be withdrawn from the employee 401(k) Plan and paid to the participant if required for certain emergencies. Under certain specified circumstances, the employee 401(k) Plan allows loans to be drawn on a participant’s account. The participant is immediately fully vested with respect to the contributions attributable to reductions in pay; all other contributions become fully vested over a two-year period of continuous service for the employee 401(k) Plan and after six years of continuous service for the Funded Retirement Plan.
     Deferred Compensation Arrangements — During fiscal 2002, the Company adopted a deferred compensation plan titled the Brady Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“Executive Deferred Compensation Plan”), under which executive officers, corporate staff officers and certain key management employees of the Company are permitted to defer portions of their salary and bonus into a plan account, the value of which is measured by the fair value of the underlying investments. The assets of the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan are held in a Rabbi Trust and are invested by the trustee as directed by the participant in several investment funds as permitted by the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The investment funds available in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan include Brady Corporation Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and various mutual funds that are provided in the Employee 401(k) Plan. On May 1, 2006, the plan was amended to require that deferrals into the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock must remain in the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and be distributed in shares of the Company’s Class A Nonvoting Common Stock.
     At least one year prior to termination of employment, the executive must elect whether to receive their account balance following termination of employment in a single lump sum payment or by means of distribution under an Annual Installment Method. If the executive does not submit an election form or has not submitted one timely, then payment shall be made each year for a period of ten years. The first payment must be one-tenth of the balance held; the second one-ninth; and so on, with the balance held in the Rabbi Trust reduced by each payment.
     Effective January 1, 2008, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan was amended and restated to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code. Amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2005 (which were fully vested under the terms of the plan), including past and future earnings credited thereon, will remain subject to the terms in place prior to January 1, 2005.
Perquisites:
     Brady provides the named executive officers with the following perquisites that are not available to other non-executive employees:
    Annual allowance for financial and tax planning
 
    Eligibility for annual physical
 
    Company car
 
    Long-term care insurance
 
    Personal liability insurance

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Stock Ownership Guidelines
     In order to encourage our executive officers and directors to acquire and retain ownership of a significant number of shares of the Company’s stock, stock ownership guidelines have been established. This supports our belief that stock ownership better aligns the interests of our executives and directors with the Company’s shareholders.
     The Board of Directors has established the following stock ownership guidelines for our named executive officers:
Frank M. Jaehnert   100,000 shares
Thomas J. Felmer   30,000 shares
Peter C. Sephton   30,000 shares
Matt O. Williamson   30,000 shares
Allan J. Klotsche   30,000 shares
The stock ownership guideline for each director is 5,000 shares of Company stock.
     The Company’s CEO complied with these ownership levels in 2009. Named executive officers other than the Company’s CEO have until fiscal year 2013 to achieve these ownership levels. If an executive does not meet the above ownership level or certain interim levels, the executive’s after-tax payout on any incentive plans will be in Class A Nonvoting Common Stock to bring the executive up to the required level. The Compensation Committee reviews the actual stock ownership levels of each of the named executive officers on an annual basis to ensure the guidelines are met.
     For purposes of determining whether an executive meets the required ownership level, Company stock owned outright, Company stock held in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and Company stock owned in the Employee 401(k) Plan or pension plan is included. In addition, twenty percent of any vested stock options that are “in the money” are included.
Employment and Change of Control Agreements
     The Board of Directors of Brady Corporation approved change of control agreements for certain executive officers of the Company, including all the named executive officers. The agreements applicable to all of the named executive officers other than Mr. Jaehnert call for payment of an amount equal to two times their annual base salary and two times the average bonus payment received in the three years immediately prior to the date the change of control occurs in the event of termination or resignation upon a change of control. The agreements also call for reimbursement of any excise taxes imposed and up to $25,000 of attorney fees to enforce the executive’s rights under the agreement. Payments under the agreement will be spread over two years.
     In May 2003, the Board approved a Change of Control Agreement for Mr. Jaehnert, which was subsequently amended and restated in December 2008 to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. The agreement calls for payment of an amount equal to three times the annual salary and bonus for Mr. Jaehnert in the event of termination or resignation upon a change of control. The agreement also calls for reimbursement of any excise taxes imposed and up to $25,000 of attorney fees to enforce the executive’s rights under the agreement. Payments under the agreement will be spread over three years.
Compliance with Tax Regulations Regarding Executive Compensation
     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, added by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to the Company’s chief executive officer and the other named executive officers. Qualifying performance-based compensation will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. The Company’s executive compensation program, as currently constructed, is not likely to generate significant nondeductible compensation in excess of these limits. The Compensation Committee will continue to review these tax regulations as they apply to the Company’s

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executive compensation program. It is the Compensation Committee’s intent to preserve the deductibility of executive compensation to the extent reasonably practicable and to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
     During fiscal 2009, the Board’s Compensation Committee was composed of Messrs. Allender, Buchanan, Jarc and Nei. None of these persons has at any time been an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. There are no relationships among the Company’s executive officers, members of the Compensation Committee or entities whose executives serve on the Board that require disclosure under applicable SEC regulations.
Compensation Committee Report
     The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management; and based on the review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K.
Gary E. Nei, Chairman
Patrick W. Allender
Robert C. Buchanan
Frank R. Jarc
Summary Compensation Table
     The following table sets forth compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named executive officers, who served as executive officers during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009 for services rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries during the fiscal years ended July 31, 2009, July 31, 2008 and July 31, 2007.
                                                         
                                    Non-Equity        
                    Restricted   Option   Incentive Plan   All Other    
    Fiscal   Salary   Stock Awards   Awards   Compensation   Compensation   Total
Name And Principal Position   Year   ($)   ($)(1)   ($)(1)   ($)(2)   ($)(3)   ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    2009       750,000       328,300       577,097             176,519       1,846,339  
President & Chief Executive Officer
    2008       723,077       191,508       804,867       703,554       150,048       2,573,054  
 
    2007       638,987             860,224       430,677       153,510       2,083,398  
 
                                                       
T.J. Felmer
    2009       318,269       229,810       288,549             62,080       904,958  
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
    2008       293,269       134,056       402,433       98,128       60,689       988,575  
 
    2007       268,269             416,072       184,458       65,133       933,932  
 
                                                       
P.C. Sephton(4)
    2009       325,710       229,810       288,549             86,787       924,070  
President — Brady Europe
    2008       399,920       134,056       402,433       314,097       103,042       1,353,548  
 
    2007       352,970             418,232       326,886       95,539       1,193,627  
 
                                                       
M. O. Williamson
    2009       326,843       229,810       288,549             62,023       913,665  
President — Brady Americas
    2008       299,615       134,056       402,433       183,410       65,794       1,085,308  
 
    2007       279,340             418,232       234,939       61,322       993,833  
 
                                                       
A.J. Klotsche
    2009       290,000       229,810       288,549             61,320       875,256  
President — Brady Asia Pacific
    2008       285,962       134,056       402,433       128,411       52,487       1,003,349  
 
    2007       268,269             416,072       53,914       64,873       803,128  
 
(1)   Represents the amounts expensed in fiscal 2009 relating to grants of performance-based stock options, time-based stock options and restricted stock awards. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), which requires it to recognize compensation expense for stock options granted to employees and directors

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    based on the estimated fair value of the awards at the time of grant. The assumptions used to determine the value of the awards, including the use of the Black-Scholes method of valuation by the Company, are discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009.
 
    The actual value of a restricted stock award will depend on the market value of the Company’s common stock on the date the stock is sold.
 
    The actual value, if any, which an option holder will realize upon the exercise of an option will depend on the excess of the market value of the Company’s common stock over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised, which cannot be forecasted with any accuracy.
 
(2)   Reflects incentive plan compensation earned during the listed fiscal years, which was paid during the next fiscal year.
 
(3)   The amounts in this column for Messrs. Jaehnert, Felmer, Williamson, and Klotsche include: matching contributions to the Company’s Matched 401(k) Plan, Funded Retirement Plan and Restoration Plan, the costs of group term life insurance for each named executive officer, use of a Company car and associated expenses, the cost of long-term care insurance, the cost of personal liability insurance and other perquisites. The perquisites may include an annual allowance for financial and tax planning and the cost of an annual physical health exam.
 
    The amounts in this column for Mr. Sephton include: contributions for the Brady U.K. Pension Plan, the cost of group term life insurance, vehicle allowance and associated expenses and other perquisites as listed above.
                                                                 
            Retirement   Group Term           Long-term   Personal        
            Plan   Life   Company   Care   Liability        
    Fiscal   Contributions   Insurance   Car   Insurance   Insurance   Other   Total
Name   Year   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    2009       116,284       3,042       27,698       1,621       2,654       25,220       176,519  
 
    2008       93,254       3,042       26,129       1,683       1,520       24,420       150,048  
 
    2007       104,230       4,259       26,935       1,683       843       15,560       153,510  
T.J. Felmer
    2009       32,528       890       26,401       1,621             640       62,080  
 
    2008       37,434       572       20,380       1,683             620       60,689  
 
    2007       41,585       872       20,993       1,683                   65,133  
P.C. Sephton(4)
    2009       52,114       1,749       32,924                         86,787  
 
    2008       63,987       2,308       36,747                         103,042  
 
    2007       56,475       2,349       36,715                         95,539  
M. O. Williamson
    2009       40,038       919       18,309       1,621             1,136       62,023  
 
    2008       42,241       590       21,280       1,683                   65,794  
 
    2007       36,396       733       22,510       1,683                   61,322  
A. J. Klotsche
    2009       33,525       816       20,033       946             6,000       61,320  
 
    2008       26,798       761       24,519       409                   52,487  
 
    2007       41,163       563       22,166       982                   64,873  
(4)   The amounts in this table for Mr. Sephton, who works and lives in the United Kingdom, were paid to him in British Pounds. The amounts shown in U.S. dollars in the table above were converted from British Pounds at the average exchange rate for fiscal 2009: $1 = £0.6294, fiscal 2008: $1 = £0.5001, fiscal 2007: $1 = £0.5135.

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Grants of Plan-Based Awards for 2009
     The following table summarizes grants of plan-based awards made during fiscal 2009 to the named executive officers.
                                                                         
                                            All   All Other        
                                            Other   Option        
                                            Stock   Awards;        
                                            Awards;   Number   Exercise    
                                            Number   of   or Base   Grant
                                            of   Securities   Price of   Date Fair
            Compen-   Estimated Future Payouts Under   Shares   Under-   Stock or   Value of
            sation   Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards   of Stocks   lying   Option   Stock and
            Committee   (1)   or Units   Options   Awards   Option
    Grant   Approval   Threshold           Maximum   (#)(2)   (#)(3)   ($/Share)   Awards
Name   Date   Date   ($)   Target ($)   ($)   (#)   (#)   (4)   ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    8/1/2008       7/22/2008             750,000       1,947,115                                
 
    12/4/2008       11/20/2008                               50,000       20.9500       321,945  
 
    8/2/2004       3/4/2009                               60,000                       67,421  
T.J. Felmer
    8/1/2008       7/22/2008             227,788       826,923                                
 
    12/4/2008       11/20/2008                               25,000       20.9500       160,973  
 
    8/2/2004       3/4/2009                               20,000                       22,474  
P.C. Sephton
    8/1/2008       7/22/2008             227,997       814,275                                
 
    12/4/2008       11/20/2008                               25,000       20.9500       160,973  
 
    8/2/2004       3/4/2009                               30,000                       33,710  
M.O. Williamson
    8/1/2008       7/22/2008             228,790       849,308                                
 
    12/4/2008       11/20/2008                               25,000       20.9500       160,973  
 
    8/2/2004       3/4/2009                               30,000                       33,710  
A.J. Klotsche
    8/1/2008       7/22/2008             203,000       752,885                                
 
    12/4/2008       11/20/2008                               25,000       20.9500       160,973  
 
    8/2/2004       3/4/2009                               30,000                       33,710  
 
(1)   The awards were made under the Company’s annual cash incentive plan. The structure of the plan is described in Compensation Discussion and Analysis above. Award levels are set prior to the beginning of the fiscal year and payouts can range from 0% to 250% of the target. The impact of the extended global economic downturn significantly impacted the income and revenue performance of the Company. As a result, no bonuses under the cash incentive plan were awarded to any of the named executive officers.
 
(2)   Effective March 4, 2009, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the granting agreement under which the Company issued performance-based stock options on August 2, 2004. Pursuant to the amendment, the exercise period for the performance-based stock options was extended to ten years from five years. Also, the amendment provided that during the extension period, executives may exercise the performance-based stock options following a termination only if the termination is as a result of the executive’s death or disability or qualifies as a retirement. The modification value is the FAS 123R incremental fair value as of the modification date.
 
(3)   The options granted become exercisable as follows: one-third of the shares on December 4, 2009, one-third of the shares on December 4, 2010 and one-third of the shares on December 4, 2011. These options have a term of ten years and were calculated using FAS 123R grant date fair value.
 
(4)   The exercise price is the average of the high and low sale prices of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the date of the grant. The closing prices of the Company’s Class A Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the dates of the grants was $20.81 per share on December 4, 2008.

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Outstanding Equity Awards at 2009 Fiscal Year End
                                                         
            Option Awards (1)                   Stock Awards
                    Equity                   Equity Incentive    
                    Incentive Plan                   Plan Awards;   Equity Incentive
    Number of   Number of   Awards:                   Number of   Plan Awards:
    Securities   Securities   Number of                   Unearned   Market or Payout
    Underlying   Underlying   Securities                   Shares, Units or   Value of Unearned
    Unexercised   Unexercised   Underlying   Option           Other Rights   Shares, Units or
    Options   Options   Unexercised   Exercise           That Have Not   Other Rights That
    Exercisable   Unexercisable   Unearned   Price   Option   Vested   Have Not Vested
Name   (#)   (#)   Options (#)   ($)   Expiration Date   (#)   ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    60,000                       33.8900       8/1/2010                  
 
    20,000                       14.1575       10/24/2010                  
 
    26,000                       16.0000       10/16/2011                  
 
    30,000                       16.3875       11/14/2012                  
 
    200,000                       13.3100       2/24/2013                  
 
    72,000                       17.3250       11/20/2013                  
 
    60,000                       22.6325       8/2/2014                  
 
    60,000                       28.8425       11/18/2014                  
 
    50,000                       37.8300       11/30/2015                  
 
    33,334       16,666 (2)             38.1900       11/30/2016                  
 
    16,667       33,333 (3)             38.3100       12/4/2017                  
 
            50,000 (5)             20.9500       12/4/2018                  
 
                                            50,000 (4)     1,470,500  
T.J. Felmer
    30,000                       33.8900       8/1/2010                  
 
    8,000                       14.1575       10/24/2010                  
 
    8,000                       16.0000       10/16/2011                  
 
    10,000                       16.3875       11/14/2012                  
 
    10,000                       17.3250       11/20/2013                  
 
    20,000                       22.6325       8/2/2014                  
 
    30,000                       28.8425       11/18/2014                  
 
    25,000                       37.8300       11/30/2015                  
 
    16,667       8,333 (2)             38.1900       11/30/2016                  
 
    8,334       16,666 (3)             38.3100       12/4/2017                  
 
            25,000 (5)             20.9500       12/4/2018                  
 
                                            35,000 (4)     1,029,350  
P.C. Sephton
    30,000                       33.8900       8/1/2010                  
 
    14,000                       17.3250       11/20/2013                  
 
    30,000                       22.6325       8/2/2014                  
 
    30,000                       28.8425       11/18/2014                  
 
    25,000                       37.8300       11/30/2015                  
 
    16,667       8,333 (2)             38.1900       11/30/2016                  
 
    8,334       16,666 (3)             38.3100       12/4/2017                  
 
            25,000 (5)             20.9500       12/4/2018                  
 
                                            35,000 (4)     1,029,350  
M.O. Williamson
    30,000                       33.8900       8/1/2010                  
 
    5,500                       16.0000       10/16/2011                  
 
    10,000                       16.3875       11/14/2012                  
 
    14,000                       17.3250       11/20/2013                  
 
    30,000                       22.6325       8/2/2014                  
 
    30,000                       28.8425       11/18/2014                  
 
    25,000                       37.8300       11/30/2015                  
 
    16,667       8,333 (2)             38.1900       11/30/2016                  
 
    8,334       16,666 (3)             38.3100       12/4/2017                  
 
            25,000 (5)             20.9500       12/4/2018                  
 
                                            35,000 (4)     1,029,350  

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            Option Awards (1)                   Stock Awards
                    Equity                   Equity Incentive    
                    Incentive Plan                   Plan Awards;   Equity Incentive
    Number of   Number of   Awards:                   Number of   Plan Awards:
    Securities   Securities   Number of                   Unearned   Market or Payout
    Underlying   Underlying   Securities                   Shares, Units or   Value of Unearned
    Unexercised   Unexercised   Underlying   Option           Other Rights   Shares, Units or
    Options   Options   Unexercised   Exercise           That Have Not   Other Rights That
    Exercisable   Unexercisable   Unearned   Price   Option   Vested   Have Not Vested
Name   (#)   (#)   Options (#)   ($)   Expiration Date   (#)   ($)
A. J. Klotsche
    5,400                       14.16       10/24/2010                  
 
    30,000                       33.8900       8/1/2010                  
 
    5,400                       16.0000       10/16/2011                  
 
    10,000                       16.3875       11/14/2012                  
 
    10,000                       17.3250       11/20/2013                  
 
    30,000                       22.6325       8/2/2014                  
 
    30,000                       28.8425       11/18/2014                  
 
    25,000                       37.8300       11/30/2015                  
 
    16,667       8,333 (2)             38.1900       11/30/2016                  
 
    8,334       16,666 (3)             38.3100       12/4/2017                  
 
            25,000 (5)             20.9500       12/4/2018                  
 
                                            35,000 (4)     1,029,350  
 
(1)   Adjusted for a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend, effective December 31, 2004.
 
(2)   All vest on November 30, 2009.
 
(3)   One-third of the options vested on December 4, 2008, one-third of the options vest on December 4, 2009 and one-third of the options vest on December 4, 2010.
 
(4)   All vest on January 8, 2013, subject to meeting performance criteria.
 
(5)   One-third of the options vested on December 4, 2009, one-third of the options vest on December 4, 2010 and one-third of the options vest on December 4, 2011.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2009
     The following table summarizes option exercises completed during fiscal 2009 to the named executive officers.
                 
    Option Awards
    Number of Shares    
    Acquired on   Value Realized
Name   Exercise (#)   on Exercise ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    22,200       306,063  
T.J. Felmer
    18,000       226,425  
P.C. Sephton
  None   None
M.O. Williamson
  None   None
A.J. Klotsche
    34,734       616,156  
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal 2009
     The following table summarizes the activity within the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan and the Brady Restoration Plan during fiscal 2009 for the named executive officers.
                                         
    Executive   Registrant   Aggregate   Aggregate   Aggregate
    Contributions in   Contributions in   Earnings in   Withdrawals/   Balance at
    Last Fiscal Year   Last Fiscal Year   Last Fiscal Year   Distributions   Last Fiscal Year
Name   ($)   ($)   ($)   ($)   End ($)
F.M. Jaehnert
    554,586       97,284       (517,541 )           3,030,405  
T.J. Felmer
    122,909       13,758       (177,097 )           717,582  
P.C. Sephton
                             
M.O. Williamson
    56,373       21,041       (112,313 )           575,622  
A.J. Klotsche
    8,636       15,073       (70,083 )           326,767  
See discussion of the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The executive contribution amounts reported here are reported in the salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation columns of the Summary Compensation Table. The registrant contribution amounts reported here are reported in the all other compensation columns of the Summary Compensation Table.

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Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control
     As described in the Employment and Change of Control Agreements section of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis above, the Company has entered into change of control agreements with each of the named executive officers. The terms of the change of control agreement are triggered if within a 24 month period beginning with the date a change of control occurs, (i) the executive’s employment with the Company is involuntarily terminated other than by reason of death, disability or cause or (ii) the executive’s employment with the Company is voluntarily terminated by the executive subsequent to (a) any reduction in the total of the executive’s annual base salary, exclusive of fringe benefits, and the executive’s target bonus in comparison with the executive’s annual base salary and target bonus immediately prior to the date the change of control occurs, (b) a significant diminution in the responsibilities or authority of the executive in comparison with the executive’s responsibility and authority immediately prior to the date the change of control occurs, or (c) the imposition of a requirement by the Company that the executive relocate to a principal work location more than 50 miles from the executive’s principal work location immediately prior to the date the change of control occurs.
     Following termination due to a change in control, the executive shall be paid a multiplier of his annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the date the change of control occurs, plus a multiplier of his average bonus payment received over either a two or three-year period, depending on the terms of the agreement, prior to the date the change of control occurs. The Company will also reimburse the executive for any excise tax incurred by the executive as a result of Section 280(G) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company will also reimburse a maximum of $25,000 of legal fees incurred by the executive in order to enforce the change of control agreement, in which the executive prevails.
     The following information and tables set forth the amount of payments to each named executive officer in the event of termination of employment as a result of a change of control. No other employment agreements have been entered into between the Company and any of the named executive officers.
     Assumptions and General Principles. The following assumptions and general principles apply with respect to the tables that follow in this section.
    The amounts shown in the tables assume that each named executive officer terminated employment on July 31, 2009. Accordingly, the tables reflect amounts earned as of July 31, 2009 and include estimates of amounts that would be paid to the named executive officer upon the occurrence of a change in control. The actual amounts that would be paid to a named executive officer can only be determined at the time of termination.
 
    The tables below include amounts the Company is obligated to pay the named executive officer as a result of the executed change in control agreement. The tables do not include benefits that are paid generally to all salaried employees or a broad group of salaried employees. Therefore, the named executive officers would receive benefits in addition to those set forth in the tables.
 
    A named executive officer is entitled to receive base salary earned during his term of employment regardless of the manner in which the named executive officer’s employment is terminated. As such, this amount is not shown in the tables.

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     Frank M. Jaehnert
     The following table shows the amount payable assuming that the terms of the change of control agreement were triggered on July 31, 2009 and the named executive officer had to legally enforce the terms of the agreement.
                                                 
            Restricted Stock                   Legal Fee    
            Award   Stock Option   Excise Tax   Reimbursement    
    Bonus ($)   Acceleration Gain   Acceleration   Reimbursement   ($)    
Base Salary ($)(1)   (2)   $ (3)   Gain $ (4)   ($)   (5)   Total ($)
2,250,000
    1,996,539       1,470,500       423,000       949,997       25,000       7,115,036  
 
(1)   Represents three times the base salary in effect at July 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Represents three times the average bonus payment received in the last three fiscal years ended July 31.
 
(3)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on 50,000 unvested awards that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(4)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on 50,000 unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(5)   Represents the maximum reimbursement of legal fees allowed.
     Thomas J. Felmer
     The following table shows the amount payable assuming that the terms of the change of control agreement were triggered on July 31, 2009 and the named executive officer had to legally enforce the terms of the agreement.
                                                 
            Restricted Stock                   Legal Fee    
            Award   Stock Option   Excise Tax   Reimbursement    
            Acceleration Gain   Acceleration   Reimbursement   ($)    
Base Salary ($)(1)   Bonus ($) (2)   $ (3)   Gain $ (4)   ($)   (5)   Total ($)
650,000
    374,606       1,029,350       211,500       377,563       25,000       2,668,019  
 
(1)   Represents two times the base salary in effect at July 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Represents two times the average bonus payment received in the last three fiscal years ended July 31.
 
(3)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on 35,000 unvested awards that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(4)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on 25,000 unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(5)   Represents the maximum reimbursement of legal fees allowed.
     Peter C. Sephton
     The following table shows the amount payable assuming that the terms of the change of control agreement were triggered on July 31, 2009 and the named executive officer had to legally enforce the terms of the agreement.
                                                 
            Restricted Stock                   Legal Fee    
            Award   Stock Option   Excise Tax   Reimbursement    
            Acceleration Gain   Acceleration   Reimbursement   ($)    
Base Salary ($)(1)   Bonus ($) (2)   $ (3)   Gain $ (4)   ($)   (5)   Total ($)
684,905
    585,023       1,029,350       211,500       387,721       25,000       2,923,499  
 
(1)   Represents two times the base salary in effect at July 31, 2009. As Mr. Sephton works and lives in the United Kingdom, his base salary is paid to him in British Pounds. The amount shown in U.S. dollars was converted from British Pounds at the July month-end exchange rate: $1 = £0.5986.
 
(2)   Represents two times the average bonus payment received in the last three fiscal years ended July 31.
 
(3)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on 35,000 unvested awards that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(4)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on 25,000 unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(5)   Represents the maximum reimbursement of legal fees allowed.

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     Matthew O. Williamson
     The following table shows the amount payable assuming that the terms of the change of control agreement were triggered on July 31, 2009 and the named executive officer had to legally enforce the terms of the agreement.
                                                 
            Restricted Stock   Stock Option           Legal Fee    
Base Salary ($)           Award Acceleration   Acceleration Gain $   Excise Tax   Reimbursement ($)    
(1)   Bonus ($) (2)   Gain $ (3)   (4)   Reimbursement ($)   (5)   Total ($)
669,780
    458,581       1,029,350       211,500       407,326       25,000       2,801,537  
 
(1)   Represents two times the base salary in effect at July 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Represents two times the average bonus payment received in the last three fiscal years ended July 31.
 
(3)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on 35,000 unvested awards that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(4)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on 25,000 unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(5)   Represents the maximum reimbursement of legal fees allowed.
     Allan J. Klotsche
     The following table shows the amount payable assuming that the terms of the change of control agreement were triggered on July 31, 2009 and the named executive officer had to legally enforce the terms of the agreement.
                                                 
            Restricted Stock   Stock Option           Legal Fee    
Base Salary ($)           Award Acceleration   Acceleration Gain $   Excise Tax   Reimbursement ($)    
(1)   Bonus ($) (2)   Gain $ (3)   (4)   Reimbursement ($)   (5)   Total ($)
580,000
    277,848       1,029,350       211,500       391,443       25,000       2,515,141  
 
(1)   Represents two times the base salary in effect at July 31, 2009.
 
(2)   Represents two times the average bonus payment received in the last three fiscal years ended July 31.
 
(3)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on 35,000 unvested awards that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(4)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on 25,000 unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(5)   Represents the maximum reimbursement of legal fees allowed.
Potential Payments Upon Termination Due to Death or Disability
     In the event of termination due to death or disability, all unexercised, unexpired stock options would immediately vest and all restricted stock awards would immediately become unrestricted and fully vested. The following table shows the amount payable to the named executive officers should this event occur on July 31, 2009.
                                 
    Unvested Shares           Unvested Stock    
    of Restricted           Options    
    Stock   Restricted Stock   In-the   Stock Option
    as of   Award Acceleration   Money as of   Acceleration
Name   July 31, 2009   Gain $ (1)   July 31, 2009   Gain $ (2)
F.M. Jaehnert
    50,000       1,470,500       50,000       423,000  
T.J. Felmer
    35,000       1,029,350       25,000       211,500  
P.C. Sephton
    35,000       1,029,350       25,000       211,500  
M.O. Williamson
    35,000       1,029,350       25,000       211,500  
A.J. Klotsche
    35,000       1,029,350       25,000       211,500  
 
(1)   Represents the closing market price of $29.41 on unvested shares that would vest due to the change in control.
 
(2)   Represents the difference between the closing market price of $29.41 and the exercise price on unvested stock options in-the-money that would vest due to death or disability.

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Compensation of Directors
     To ensure competitive compensation for the directors, surveys prepared by various consulting firms and the National Association of Corporate Directors are reviewed by the Corporate Governance Committee in making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding director compensation. Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional compensation for service on the Board or on any committee of the Board. Directors who were not also employees of the Company received an annual retainer of $35,000 plus $6,000 for each committee they chair ($10,000 for the audit committee chair) and $1,500 plus expenses for each meeting of the Board or any committee thereof, which they attend and are a member or $1,000 for single issue telephonic committee meetings of the Board. Directors also receive $1,000 for each meeting they attend of any committee for which they are not a member and $500 for each telephonic committee meeting they attend of any committee for which they are not a member. Effective with the annual Board of Directors meeting to be held on November 19, 2009, the annual cash retainer paid to each non-management Director will increase from $35,000 to $45,000.
     Directors have historically been granted 6,000 time-based stock options in November/December of each year while they are serving on the Board. Upon election to the Board, a director is granted 10,000 time-based stock options. The grant price is the fair market value of the stock on the grant date and is calculated by taking the average of the high and low stock price on that date. The options vest one-third each year for the first three years and have a ten year life. Effective in fiscal 2010, the annual grant of stock options has been increased from 6,000 shares to 8,400 shares and will occur in late September to coincide with the annual grant of time-based stock options to employees of the Company.
     Directors are also eligible to defer portions of their fees into the Brady Corporation Director Deferred Compensation Plan (“Director Deferred Compensation Plan”), the value of which is measured by the fair value of the underlying investments. The assets of the Director Deferred Compensation Plan are held in a Rabbi Trust and are invested by the trustee as directed by the participant in several investment funds as permitted by the Director Deferred Compensation Plan. The investment funds available in the Director Deferred Compensation Plan include Brady Corporation Class A Nonvoting Common Stock and various mutual funds that are provided in the Employee 401(k) Plan.
     At least one year prior to termination from the Board, the director must elect whether to receive his/her account balance following termination in a single lump sum payment or by means of distribution under an Annual Installment Method. If the director does not submit an election form or has not submitted one timely, then payment shall be made each year for a period of ten years. The first payment must be one-tenth of the balance held; the second one-ninth; and so on, with the balance held in the Trust reduced by each payment.
     Director Compensation Table
                         
    Fees Earned        
    or Paid in   Option    
Name   Cash ($)   Awards ($) (1)   Total ($)
Elizabeth Pungello
    65,000       38,822       103,822  
Robert C. Buchanan
    79,500       38,822       118,322  
Richard A. Bemis
    69,000       38,822       107,822  
Frank W. Harris
    63,500       38,822       102,322  
Gary E. Nei
    68,000       38,822       106,822  
Frank R. Jarc
    76,500       38,822       115,322  
Chan W. Galbato
    74,500       114,548       189,048  
Patrick W. Allender
    76,000       84,159       160,159  
Conrad G. Goodkind
    82,500       84,159       166,659  
Bradley C. Richardson
    81,000       56,860       137,860  

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(1)   Represents the amounts expensed in fiscal 2009 relating to grants of stock options. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), which requires it to recognize compensation expense for stock options granted to employees and directors based on the estimated fair value of the awards at the time of grant. The assumptions used to determine the value of the awards, including the use of the Black-Scholes method of valuation by the Company, are discussed in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2009. The grant date fair value of options granted in fiscal 2009 for each director was $38,820 for Ms. Pungello, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Bemis, Mr. Harris, Mr. Nei, Mr. Jarc, Mr. Galbato, Mr. Allender, Mr. Goodkind, and for Mr. Richardson. The actual value, if any, which an option holder will realize upon the exercise of an option will depend on the excess of the market value of the Company’s common stock over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised, which cannot be forecasted with any accuracy.
 
(1)   Outstanding option awards at July 31, 2009 for each individual serving as a director on that date include the following: Ms. Pungello, 36,000 shares; Mr. Buchanan, 24,000 shares; Mr. Bemis, 45,000 shares; Mr. Harris, 45,000 shares; Mr. Nei, 39,000 shares; Mr. Jarc, 48,000 shares; Mr. Galbato, 22,000 shares; Mr. Allender, 22,000 shares; Mr. Richardson, 16,000 shares; and Mr. Goodkind, 22,000 shares.

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
(a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
     The following table sets forth the current beneficial ownership of shareholders who are known by the Company to own more than five percent (5%) of any class of the Company’s voting shares on August 15, 2009. As of that date, nearly all of the voting stock of the Company was held by two trusts controlled by direct descendants of the Company’s founder, William H. Brady, as follows:
                     
        Amount of        
        Beneficial     Percent of  
Title of Class   Name and Address of Beneficial Owner   Ownership     Ownership(2)  
Class B Common Stock
  Brady Corporation Class B Common Stock Trust(1)     1,769,304       50 %
 
  c/o Elizabeth P. Pungello                
 
  2002 S. Hawick Ct.                
 
  Chapel Hill, NC 27516                
 
                   
 
  William H. Brady III Revocable Trust of 2003(3)     1,769,304       50 %
 
  c/o William H. Brady III                
 
  249 Rosemont Ave.                
 
  Pasadena, CA 91103                
 
(1)   The trustee is Elizabeth P. Pungello, who has sole voting and dispositive power and who is the remainder beneficiary. Elizabeth Pungello is the great-granddaughter of William H. Brady and currently serves on the Company’s Board of Directors.
 
(2)   An additional 20 shares are owned by a third trust with different trustees.
 
(3)   William H. Brady III is special trustee of this trust and has sole voting and dispositive powers with respect to these shares. William H. Brady III is the grandson of William H. Brady.
(b) Security Ownership of Management
     The following table sets forth the current beneficial ownership of each class of equity securities of the Company by each Director or Nominee and by all Directors and Officers of the Company as a group as of July 31, 2009. Unless otherwise noted, the address for each of the listed persons is c/o Brady Corporation, 6555 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223. Except as otherwise indicated, all shares are owned directly.
                     
        Amount of    
        Beneficial   Percent of
Title of Class   Name of Beneficial Owner & Nature of Beneficial Ownership   Ownership(6)   Ownership
Class A Common Stock
  Elizabeth P. Pungello(1)     1,348,387       2.6 %
 
  Frank M. Jaehnert(2)     753,844       1.4  
 
  Allan J. Klotsche     188,803       0.4  
 
  Thomas J. Felmer     197,670       0.4  
 
  Matthew O. Williamson     191,582       0.4  
 
  Peter C. Sephton     189,401       0.4  
 
  Richard A. Bemis     99,652       0.2  
 
  Robert C. Buchanan(3)     85,031       0.2  
 
  Frank W. Harris     72,578       0.1  
 
  Gary E. Nei(4)     63,545       0.1  
 
  Conrad G. Goodkind     62,226       0.1  
 
  Frank R. Jarc     49,188       0.1  
 
  Chan W. Galbato     8,667       *  
 
  Patrick W. Allender     13,745       *  
 
  Bradley C. Richardson     4,531       *  
 
  All Officers and Directors as a Group (20 persons)(5)     3,497,019       6.7 %
Class B Common Stock
  Elizabeth P. Pungello(1)     1,769,304       50.0 %
 
*   Indicates less than one-tenth of one percent.

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(1)   Ms. Pungello’s holdings of Class A Common Stock include 445,506 shares held jointly with her spouse and 876,826 shares owned by trusts for which she is a trustee and has either sole or joint dispositive and voting authority. Ms. Pungello’s holdings of Class B Common Stock include 1,769,304 shares owned by a trust over which she has sole dispositive and voting authority.
 
(2)   Of the amount reported, Mr. Jaehnert’s spouse owns 5,446 shares of Class A Common Stock directly.
 
(3)   Of the amount reported, Mr. Buchanan owns 14,534 shares as co-trustee of three separate trusts.
 
(4)   Of the amount reported, Mr. Nei owns 14,085 shares of Class A Common Stock directly (with respect to which he shares voting and investment power with his spouse).
 
(5)   The amount shown for all officers and directors individually and as a group (20 persons) includes options to acquire a total of 1,673,310 shares of Class A Common Stock, which are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2009, including the following: Ms. Pungello, 24,000 shares; Mr. Jaehnert, 644,668 shares; Mr. Klotsche, 179,135 shares; Mr. Felmer, 174,335 shares; Mr. Williamson, 177,835 shares; Mr. Sephton, 154,001 shares; Mr. Bemis, 33,000 shares; Mr. Buchanan, 12,000 shares; Mr. Harris, 33,000 shares; Mr. Nei, 27,000 shares; Mr. Goodkind, 8,667 shares; Mr. Jarc, 36,000 shares; Ms. Bolens, 31,000 shares; Mr. Tatterson, 25,001 shares; Ms. Johnson, 47,000 shares; Mr. Curran, 46,000; Mr. Galbato, 8,667 shares; Mr. Allender, 8,667 shares; Mr. Richardson, 3,334 shares. It does not include other options for Class A Common Stock which have been granted at later dates and are not exercisable within 60 days of July 31, 2009.
 
(6)   The amount shown for all officers and directors individually and as a group (20 persons) includes Class A Common Stock owned in deferred compensation plans totaling 274,934 shares of Class A Common Stock, including the following: Ms. Pungello, 2,055 shares; Mr. Jaehnert, 79,858 shares; Mr. Klotsche, 7,316 shares; Mr. Felmer, 10,087 shares; Mr. Williamson, 13,747 shares; Mr. Sephton, 0 shares; Mr. Bemis, 48,652 shares; Mr. Buchanan, 56,798 shares; Mr. Harris, 80 shares; Mr. Nei, 22,460 shares; Mr. Goodkind, 6,022 shares; Mr. Jarc, 13,188 shares; Ms. Bolens, 2,752 shares; Mr. Tatterson, 0 shares; Ms. Johnson, 5,540; Mr. Curran, 99 shares; Mr. Galbato, 0 shares; Mr. Allender, 5,078 shares; Mr. Richardson, 1,197 shares.
(c) Changes in Control
     No arrangements are known to the Company, which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control of the Company.
(d) Equity Compensation Plan Information
                         
                    Number of securities  
                    remaining available for  
    Number of securities             future issuance under  
    to be issued upon     Weighted-average     equity compensation  
    exercise of     exercise price of     plans (excluding  
    outstanding options,     outstanding options,     securities reflected in  
    warrants and rights     warrants and rights     column (a))  
Plan Category   (a)     (b)     (c)  
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
    3,980,606     $ 27.96       660,330  
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
  None     None     None  
 
                 
Total
    3,980,606     $ 27.96       660,330  
 
                 
     The Company’s Nonqualified Stock Option Plans allow the granting of stock options to various officers, directors and other employees of the Company at prices equal to fair market value at the date of grant. The Company has reserved 300,000 and 2,000,000 shares of Class A Nonvoting Common Stock for issuance under the 2005 and

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2006 Plans, respectively. Generally, options will not be exercisable until one year after the date of grant, and will be exercisable thereafter, to the extent of one-third per year and have a maximum term of ten years. In August 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, certain executives and key management employees were issued stock options that vest upon meeting certain financial performance conditions in addition to the vesting schedule described above. Performance-based options granted in fiscal 2006 expire five years from the grant date. All other performance-based options expire 10 years from the date of grant. All grants under the Option Plans are at market price on the date of the grant. The Company granted 210,000 performance-based restricted shares during fiscal 2008, with a grant price and fair value of $32.83. As of July 31, 2009, 210,000 performance-based restricted shares were outstanding.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
     See Item 10 — Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant for a discussion of director independence.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
     The following table presents the aggregate fees incurred for professional services by Deloitte & Touche LLP and Deloitte Tax LLP during the years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008. Other than as set forth below, no professional services were rendered or fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP or Deloitte Tax LLP during the years ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.
                 
    2009     2008  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Audit, audit-related and tax compliance
               
Audit fees(1)
  $ 1,379     $ 1,663  
Audit-related fees(2)
          56  
Tax fees — compliance
    842       863  
 
           
Subtotal audit, audit-related and tax compliance fees
    2,221       2,582  
Non-audit related
               
Tax fees — planning and advice
    892       1,233  
Other fees (3)
    340       399  
 
           
Subtotal non-audit related fees
    1,232       1,632  
 
           
Total fees
  $ 3,453     $ 4,214  
 
           
 
(1)   Audit fees consist of professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements, attestation of management’s assessment of internal control, reviews of the quarterly financial statements and statutory reporting compliance.
 
(2)   Audit-related fees include fees related to due diligence and employee benefit plan audits.
 
(3)   All other fees relate to expatriate activities.
                 
    2009   2008
Ratio of Tax Planning and Advice Fees and All Other Fees to Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees and Tax Compliance Fees
    .6 to 1       .6 to 1  
     Pre-Approval Policy — The services performed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (“Independent Auditors”) in fiscal 2008 and 2009 were pre-approved in accordance with the pre-approval policy and procedures adopted by the Audit Committee at its November 19, 2003 meeting. The policy requires the Audit Committee to pre-approve the audit and non-audit services performed by the Independent Auditors in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. Unless a type of service to be performed by the Independent Auditors has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Item 15 (a) — The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1) & 2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule —
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted as they are not required, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
3) Exhibits — See Exhibit Index at page IV-2 of this Form 10-K.

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
  3.1    
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Brady Corporation (1)
       
 
  3.2    
By-laws of Brady Corporation, as amended (2)
       
 
  *10.1    
Form of Change of Control Agreement, amended as of December 23, 2008, entered into with Thomas J. Felmer, Allan J. Klotsche, Peter C. Sephton, Robert L. Tatterson, and Matthew O. Williamson (12)
       
 
  *10.2    
Brady Corporation BradyGold Plan, as amended (2)
       
 
  *10.3    
Executive Additional Compensation Plan, as amended (2)
       
 
  *10.4    
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended (16)
       
 
  *10.5    
Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended (16)
       
 
  *10.6    
Forms of Non-Qualified Employee Stock Option Agreement, Director Stock Option Agreement, and Employee Performance Stock Option Agreement under 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (17)
       
 
  *10.7    
Brady Corporation 2004 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (17)
       
 
  *10.8    
Form of Brady Corporation 2004 Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2004 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (13)
       
 
  10.9    
Brady Corporation Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan (4)
       
 
  *10.10    
Brady Corporation 2005 Nonqualified Plan for Non-employee Directors, as amended (3)
       
 
  *10.11    
Forms of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreements under 2005 Non-qualified Plan for Non-employee Directors, as amended (8)
       
 
  *10.12    
Brady Corporation 1997 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (17)
       
 
  *10.13    
Brady Corporation 1997 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended (17)
       
 
  10.14    
Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement (14)
       
 
  *10.15    
Brady Corporation 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (17)
       
 
  *10.16    
Brady Corporation Incentive Compensation Plan for Elected Corporate Officers (15)
       
 
  10.17    
First Amendment to Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement (6)
       
 
  *10.18    
Form of Amendment, dated March 4, 2009, to granting agreement for performance-based stock options issued on August 2, 2004 to Frank M. Jaehnert, Thomas J. Felmer, Peter C. Sephton, Matthew O. Williamson, and Allan J. Klotsche (12)
       
 
  *10.19    
Form of Performance-based Restricted Stock Agreement under Brady Corporation 2006 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan (7)
       
 
  *10.20    
Change of Control Agreement, amended as of December 23, 2008, entered into with Frank M. Jaehnert (12)
       
 
  *10.21    
Restated Brady Corporation Restoration Plan (5)
       
 
  *10.22    
Brady Corporation 2001 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (17)
       
 
  *10.23    
Brady Corporation 2003 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan, as amended (17)
       
 
  10.24    
Brady Note Purchase Agreement dated June 28, 2004 (11)
       
 
  10.25    
First Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement, dated February 14, 2006 (9)
       
 
  10.26    
Second Supplement to Note Purchase Agreement, dated March 23, 2007 (5)
       
 
  *10.27    
Form of Change of Control Agreement, amended as of December 23, 2008, entered into with Patrick S. Ference and Kathleen Johnson (12)
       
 
  *10.28    
Brady Corporation 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan

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Exhibit    
Number   Description
  *10.29    
Brady Corporation 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors
       
 
  *10.30    
Form of Non-Qualified Employee Stock Option Agreement and Employee Performance Stock Option Agreement under 2010 Omnibus Incentive Stock Plan
       
 
  *10.31    
Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under 2010 Nonqualified Stock Option Plan for Non-employee Directors
       
 
  21    
Subsidiaries of Brady Corporation
       
 
  23    
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
       
 
  31.1    
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Frank M. Jaehnert
       
 
  31.2    
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Thomas J. Felmer
       
 
  32.1    
Section 1350 Certification of Frank M. Jaehnert
       
 
  32.2    
Section 1350 Certification of Thomas J. Felmer
 
*   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
 
(1)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Registration Statement No. 333-04155 on Form S-3
 
(2)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 15, 2006
 
(3)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 25, 2008
 
(4)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1992
 
(5)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2008
 
(6)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 19, 2008
 
(7)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 9, 2008
 
(8)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 4, 2006
 
(9)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 17, 2006
 
(10)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2003
 
(11)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s 8-K/A filed August 3, 2004
 
(12)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2009
 
(13)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2005
 
(14)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2006
 
(15)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 20, 2006
 
(16)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 17, 2007
 
(17)   Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2008

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BRADY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                         
    Year ended July 31,  
Description   2009     2008     2007  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Valuation accounts deducted in balance sheet from assets to which they apply —
                       
Accounts receivable — allowance for losses:
                       
Balances at beginning of period
  $ 10,059     $ 9,109     $ 6,390  
Additions — Charged to expense
    1,278       2,480       3,287  
Due to acquired businesses
          34       660  
Deductions — Bad debts written off, net of recoveries
    (3,406 )     (1,564 )     (1,228 )
 
                 
Balances at end of period
  $ 7,931     $ 10,059     $ 9,109  
 
                 
Inventory — reserve for slow-moving inventory:
                       
Balances at beginning of period
  $ 22,148     $ 18,073     $ 13,555  
Net charged to expense
    140       3,822       2,542  
Due to acquired businesses
          253       1,976  
 
                   
Balances at end of period
  $ 22,288     $ 22,148     $ 18,073  
 
                 

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized this 28th day of September 2009.
         
  Brady Corporation
 
 
  By:   /s/ Thomas J. Felmer    
    Thomas J. Felmer   
    Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
/s/ F. M. Jaehnert
 
F. M. Jaehnert
  President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
  September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ K.M. Johnson
 
K.M. Johnson
  V.P. and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ B.C. Richardson
 
B.C. Richardson
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ R. A. Bemis
 
R. A. Bemis
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ F. W. Harris
 
F. W. Harris
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ R. C. Buchanan
 
R. C. Buchanan
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ G. E. Nei
 
G. E. Nei
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ F. R. Jarc
 
F. R. Jarc
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ E. P. Pungello
 
E. P. Pungello
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ C. W. Galbato
 
C. W. Galbato
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ C.G. Goodkind
 
C. G. Goodkind
  Director    September 28, 2009
 
       
/s/ P. W. Allender
 
P. W. Allender
  Director    September 28, 2009

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