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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the year ended December 31, 2006
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___ to ___
Commission File Number: 0-2816
A.   Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
Methode Electronics, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
B.   Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
Methode Electronics, Inc.
7401 West Wilson Avenue
Chicago, IL 60706-4548
 
 

 


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Financial Statements and
supplemental schedule
Methode Electronics, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan
Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005

 


 

Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Financial Statements and
Supplemental Schedule
Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
Contents
         
    1  
 
       
Financial Statements
       
 
       
    2  
    3  
    4  
 
       
Supplemental Schedule
       
 
       
    9  
 Consent

 


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Administration Committee
Methode Electronics, Inc.
     401(k) Savings Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of Methode Electronics, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan as of December 31, 2006, and 2005, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2006, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedure applied in our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ Frank L. Sassetti & Co.
June 27, 2007
Oak Park, Illinois

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
                 
    December 31,
    2006   2005
       
Assets
               
Cash
  $ 99,429     $ 8,791  
 
               
Investments, at fair value:
               
Group annuity contract
    3,010,143       3,834,000  
Mutual funds
    34,800,774       29,548,106  
Common stock
    3,088,764       3,008,886  
Participant loans
    1,573,766       1,367,493  
       
Total investments
    42,473,447       37,758,485  
 
               
Receivables:
               
Unsettled investment sales
    20,189       10,617  
Accrued interest / dividends
    32,093       22,183  
       
Total receivables
    52,282       32,800  
       
Total assets
    42,625,158       37,800,076  
 
               
Liabilities
               
Unsettled investment purchases
    98,048       14,414  
     
Total liabilities
    98,048       14,414  
 
               
Net assets available for benefits, at fair value
    42,527,110       37,785,662  
 
               
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    209,365       196,007  
       
Net assets available for benefits
  $ 42,736,475     $ 37,981,669  
       
See accompanying notes.

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
                 
    Years Ended December 31,
    2006   2005
       
Additions
               
Participant contributions
  $ 2,533,716     $ 2,518,327  
Company contributions
    1,797,390       1,870,426  
Rollovers
    134,146       563,547  
Interest and dividends
    2,336,283       1,663,560  
       
Total additions
    6,801,535       6,615,860  
 
               
Deductions
               
Benefits paid to participants
    4,093,228       3,571,239  
       
Total deductions
    4,093,228       3,571,239  
Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments
    2,046,499       (363,245 )
       
Net increase
    4,754,806       2,681,376  
Net assets available for benefits:
               
Beginning of year
    37,981,669       35,300,293  
       
End of year
  $ 42,736,475     $ 37,981,669  
       
See accompanying notes.

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2006 and 2005
1. Description of the Plan
The following description of the Methode Electronics, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD) for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions. Copies of the SPD are available from Methode Electronics, Inc.
General
The Plan is a defined-contribution plan established to provide additional retirement and other benefits for eligible employees, to enable eligible employees, through systematic savings, to accumulate funds on a tax-advantageous basis, and to provide a vehicle through which the plan sponsor, Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company), can attract and retain qualified employees.
Participation
Employees who are employed by the Company for three full calendar months are eligible to participate in the Plan on the first day of the following calendar month.
Contributions
Participants may elect to contribute a minimum of 2% of their pretax annual compensation (as defined in the Plan), up to the maximum annual dollar limit allowable by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The Company contributes to the Plan, on behalf of each participant, 3% of each participant’s eligible compensation (as defined by the Plan), subject to the IRS maximum amount, for the portion of the Plan year in which the employee was a participant in the Plan.
Participants may direct contributions into various investment options offered by the Plan.
Participant Withdrawals
Withdrawals are permitted in the event of termination of employment, disability, death, retirement, attainment of age 59 1/2, or financial hardship. A financial hardship withdrawal is currently permitted by the IRS for certain authorized purposes. Such withdrawals must be approved by the 401(k) Hardship Committee. Withdrawals prior to the attainment of age 59 1/2 may be subject to an additional 10% tax penalty.
Vesting
Participants are immediately vested in Company contributions, their contributions, and actual earnings (losses) thereon.

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Loans
Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their account balance. Loan terms range from 1 to 5 years or up to 15 years for the purchase of a primary residence. The loans are secured by the balance in the participant’s account and bear interest at the prime rate plus 1%. Principal and interest are paid ratably through payroll deductions.
Participant Accounts
Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions and allocations of Company contributions and Plan earnings (losses). Allocations are based on participant earnings or account balances as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s account.
Plan Termination
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.
Valuation of Investments
The group annuity contract fair value and contract value are estimated by Hartford Life Insurance Company. Contract value represents contributions made, plus interest at the contract rate, less funds used to pay participants’ benefits. The Plan does not allow for new investment in this contract. There are significant penalties if the entire contract were prematurely terminated.
The group annuity contract had an average yield of 3.36% and 3.37% (annualized) for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The crediting interest rate was 3.14% and 3.0% at December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The crediting interest rate is set at the beginning of the calendar year and is periodically reviewed for adjustment.
The shares of mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset values of shares on the last business day of the Plan year. The fair value of common stock is determined by quoted market prices. Participant loans are valued at their outstanding balances, which approximate fair value

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
Purchases and sales are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Change in accounting principle
In December, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a Staff Position (“FSP”), Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plans. This FSP amends the guidance in AICPA Statement of Position 94-4, Reporting of Investment Contracts Held by Health and Welfare Benefit Plans and Defined-Contribution Pension Plans, with respect to the definition of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts and the presentation and disclosure of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts in plan financial statements. The FSP requires that investments in common/collective trusts that include benefit-responsive investment contracts be presented at fair value in the statement of net assets available for benefits and that the amount representing the difference between fair value and contract value of these investments also be presented on the face of the statement of net assets available for benefits. The FSP is effective for financial statements for annual periods ending after December 15, 2006 and must be applied retroactively to all prior periods presented. Accordingly, the Plan has adopted the financial statement presentation and disclosure requirements effective December 31, 2006, and has restated the 2005 Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits to present all investments at fair value, with the adjustment to contract value separately disclosed. The effect of adopting the FSP had no impact on the Plan’s net assets available for benefits or changes in net assets available for benefits, as such investments have historically been presented at contract value.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.
Administrative Expenses
Generally, expenses of the Plan are paid by the Company.

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. Investments
The Plan’s investments (including investments purchased, sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated / depreciated in fair value as determined by quoted market prices as follows:
                 
    Years Ended December 31
    2006   2005
       
Mutual funds
  $ 1,683,610     $ 429,189  
Common stock
    362,889       (792,434 )
       
 
  $ 2,046,499     $ (363,245 )
       
Investments that represent 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets are as follows:
                 
    December 31,
    2006   2005
     
Hartford Life Insurance Company Group Annuity Contract
  $ 3,010,143     $ 3,834,000  
Lincoln Stable Value Fund
    2,366,967        
 
               
American Funds
               
American Balanced Fund
    9,479,482       10,184,920  
American Mutual Fund
    4,841,719       3,771,106  
American Growth Fund of America
    6,051,266       6,167,503  
Euro Pacific Fund
    3,100,188        
 
               
Davis NY Venture Fund
    4,502,554        
Methode Electronics, Inc. Common Stock Fund
    2,932,212       2,846,315  

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
4. Income Tax Status
The Plan has received a determination letter from the IRS dated September 11, 2002, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified and the related trust is tax-exempt.
5. Subsequent Event
Effective January 12, 2007, Stratos International, Inc. common stock was no longer a Methode Electronics, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan Investment Option.
6. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
The following is a reconciliation of investments at fair value per the financial statements to the Form 5500 at December 31,
                 
    2006     2005  
Investments, at fair value, per the financial statements
  $ 42,473,447     $ 37,758,485  
 
               
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for investments in fully benefit-responsive insurance contracts
    209,365       196,007  
 
               
Investments, per Form 5500
  $ 42,682,812     $ 37,954,492  
 
           

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Methode Electronics, Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets
(Held at End of Year)
EIN #36-2090085   Plan #002
December 31, 2006
                             
        Shares                
    Description of   or             Current  
Identity of Issue   Investment   Units     Cost     Value  
         
Annuity contract
                           
Hartford Life Insurance Company
  Group Annuity Contract     3,219,508       * *   $ 3,010,143  
 
                           
Mutual funds
                           
Lincoln Financial Group
  Lincoln Stable Value Fund     2,366,967       * *     2,366,967  
 
                           
The American Funds Group
  American Balanced Fund     498,395       * *     9,479,482  
 
  American Mutual Fund     165,756       * *     4,841,719  
 
  Europacific Growth Fund     66,585       * *     3,100,188  
 
  Growth Fund of America     184,097       * *     6,051,266  
 
  New Economy Fund     59,855       * *     1,598,128  
 
                           
Delaware Investments
  Delaware Diversified Income     127,193       * *     1,114,207  
 
  Delaware Select Growth     32,571       * *     873,889  
 
                           
AIM Investments
  Aim Capital Development     47,360       * *     872,374  
 
                           
Davis Funds
  Davis NY Venture     4,289,915       * *     4,502,554  
 
                         
 
                        34,800,774  
 
                           
Common stock
                           
Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
  Stratos Lightwave, Inc. Common Stock     20,599       * *     156,552  
Methode Electronics, Inc.*
  Methode Electronics, Inc. Common Stock     270,749       * *     2,932,212  
 
                         
 
                        3,088,764  
 
                         
 
                           
Total investments at fair value
                        40,899,681  
 
                           
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully responsive investment contracts
            209,365  
 
                         
 
                           
Total investments, as adjusted
                        41,109,046  
 
                           
Participant loans
  Interest rates range from                        
 
  5.0% to 10.5%             * *     1,573,766  
 
                         
 
                      $ 42,682,812  
 
                         
 
*   Party in interest.
 
**   Cost information is not required for participant directed investments and participant loans and therefore, is not included

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan Administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
     
Date: June 29, 2007  By:   /s/ Douglas A. Koman    
    Douglas A. Koman   
    Chief Financial Officer
         (Principal Financial Officer)