eps3351.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
 

Commission File Number 1-4773
 

AMERICAN BILTRITE INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware
04-1701350
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
 (IRS Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
 
 
57 River Street
Wellesley Hills, MA  02481-2097
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(781) 237-6655
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


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

 
Name of Exchange on
Title of Each Class
Which Registered
   
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value
NYSE Amex


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




 
 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  YES [  ]   NO [X]

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  YES [  ]   NO [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  YES [X]    NO [  ]

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

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [  ]  Accelerated filer [  ]  Non-accelerated filer [  ] Smaller reporting company [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   YES [  ]  NO [X]

The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2008 was $7.4 million.

The number of shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding as of March 16, 2009 was 3,441,551.

Documents Incorporated by Reference – Portions of the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 12, 2009, which will be filed by the registrant within 120 days after December 31, 2008, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Factors That May Affect Future ResultsSome of the information presented in or incorporated by reference in this report constitutes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  These forward-looking statements are based on the registrant's expectations, as of the date of this report, of future events.  Except as required by applicable law, the registrant undertakes no obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements.  Although the registrant believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, within the bounds of its knowledge of its business and operations, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from its expectations.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to the registrant's actual results differing from its expectations include those factors discussed elsewhere in this report, including in Item 1A (Risk Factors).

 
 

 

PART I

ITEM 1.
BUSINESS

General Development of Business

American Biltrite Inc. (together with, unless the context otherwise indicates, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and K&M Associates L.P., "ABI" or the "Company") was organized in 1908 and is a Delaware corporation.  ABI's major operations include its Tape Division, a controlling interest in K&M Associates L.P., a Rhode Island limited partnership ("K&M"), and ownership of a Canadian subsidiary, American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd. ("AB Canada").  ABI also presently owns 55.4% of the outstanding common stock of Congoleum Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Congoleum").  Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the “Bankruptcy Court”) (Case No. 03-51524) seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in 2003.  ABI expects its ownership interest in Congoleum to be eliminated pursuant to the terms of the plan of reorganization for Congoleum pending in the Bankruptcy Court or any future plan or outcome in those proceedings.

The Tape Division produces adhesive-coated, pressure-sensitive papers and films used to protect material during handling or storage or to serve as a carrier for transferring decals or die-cut lettering.  The Tape Division also produces pressure sensitive tapes and adhesive products used for applications in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), footwear, automotive, electrical and electronic industries.

In 1995, ABI acquired a controlling interest in K&M, a designer, supplier, distributor and servicer of a wide variety of adult, children's and specialty items of fashion jewelry and related accessories throughout the U.S. and Canada.  ABI, through wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns an aggregate 94.5% interest (7% as sole general partner and 87.5% in limited partner interests) in K&M.  K&M wholesales its products to mass merchandisers, specialty stores and department stores.

Congoleum is a leading manufacturer of resilient sheet and tile flooring.  In 1993, ABI acquired an ownership position in Congoleum in exchange for its U.S. tile business (the "Tile Division").  In 1995, ABI acquired voting control of Congoleum when Congoleum sold a new issue of shares of its Class A common stock to the public which had one vote per share and used the proceeds to redeem most of the two-vote-per-share Class B shares held by the then majority shareholder.  ABI's interest has increased further since then as a result of Congoleum's repurchases of its common stock combined with open market purchases of Congoleum common stock by ABI.  As of December 31, 2008, ABI's ownership of 151,100 shares of Congoleum's Class A common stock and 4,395,605 shares of Congoleum's Class B common stock represented 69.4% of the outstanding equity voting interests of Congoleum.

 
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Congoleum is a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related lawsuits.  On December 31, 2003, Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code as a means to resolve claims asserted against it related to the use of asbestos in its products decades ago.  During 2003, Congoleum had obtained the requisite votes of asbestos personal injury claimants necessary to seek approval of a proposed, pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.  In January 2004, Congoleum filed its proposed plan of reorganization and disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court.  From that filing through 2007, several subsequent plans were negotiated with representatives of the Asbestos Claimants’ Committee (the “ACC”), the Future Claimants’ Representative (the “FCR”) and other asbestos claimant representatives.  In addition, an insurance company, Continental Casualty Company, and its affiliate, Continental Insurance Company (collectively, “CNA”), filed a plan of reorganization and the Official Committee of Bondholders (the “Bondholders’ Committee”) (representing holders of Congoleum’s 8 5/8% Senior Notes due August 1, 2008 (the “Senior Notes”)) also filed a plan of reorganization.  In May 2006, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the principal parties in interest in Congoleum’s reorganization proceedings to participate in reorganization plan mediation discussions.  Several mediation sessions took place during 2006, culminating in two competing plans, one which Congoleum filed jointly with the ACC in September 2006 (the “Tenth Plan”) and the other filed by CNA, both of which the Bankruptcy Court subsequently ruled were not confirmable as a matter of law.  In March 2007, Congoleum resumed global plan mediation discussions with the various parties seeking to resolve the issues raised in the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling with respect to the Tenth Plan.  In July 2007, the FCR filed a plan of reorganization and proposed disclosure statement.  After extensive further mediation sessions, on February 5, 2008, the FCR, the ACC, the Bondholders’ Committee and Congoleum jointly filed a plan of reorganization (the “Joint Plan”).  The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure statement for the Joint Plan in February 2008, and the Joint Plan was solicited in accordance with court-approved voting procedures.  Various objections to the Joint Plan were filed, and on May 12, 2008 the Bankruptcy Court heard oral argument on summary judgment motions relating to certain of those objections.  On June 6, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued a ruling that the Joint Plan was not legally confirmable, and issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be converted or dismissed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1112.  Following a further hearing on June 26, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion that vacated the Order to Show Cause and instructed the parties to submit a confirmable plan by the end of calendar year 2008.  Following further negotiations, the Bondholders’ Committee, the ACC, the FCR, representatives of holders of pre-petition settlements and Congoleum reached an agreement in principle which the Company understands that Congoleum believe addressed the issues raised by the Bankruptcy Court in the ruling on the Joint Plan and in the court's prior decisions.  A term sheet describing the proposed material terms of a contemplated new plan of reorganization and a settlement of avoidance litigation with respect to pre-petition claim settlements (the “Litigation Settlement”) was entered into by those parties and was filed with the Bankruptcy Court on August 14, 2008.  Certain insurers and a large bondholder have filed objections to the Litigation Settlement and/or reserved their rights to object to confirmation of the contemplated new plan of reorganization.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the Litigation Settlement following a hearing on October 20, 2008, but the court reserved certain issues, including whether any plan of reorganization embodying the settlement meets the standards required for confirmation of a plan of reorganization.  On November 14, 2008, Congoleum, the ACC and the Bondholders’ Committee filed an amended joint plan of reorganization for Congoleum, et al. with the Bankruptcy Court (the “Amended Joint Plan”).  In January 2009, an insurer filed a motion for summary judgment seeking denial of confirmation of the Amended

 
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Joint Plan, and a hearing was held on February 5, 2009.  On February 26, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court rendered an opinion denying confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan.  Pursuant to the opinion, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order dismissing Congoleum’s bankruptcy case (the “Order of Dismissal”).  On February 27, 2009, Congoleum and the Bondholders’ Committee appealed the Order of Dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  On March 3, 2009, an order was entered by the Bankruptcy Court granting a stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal.  See Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Outside the United States, the Tape Division operates production facilities in Belgium, Italy and Singapore, where bulk tape products are converted into various sizes.  Sales offices at the Singapore and Italy locations and sales representative offices in Shanghai, China, Bangkok Thailand and Seoul, South Korea enable quicker response to customer demands in the European and Asian markets.  The Company’s wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd., produces resilient floor tile, rubber tiles and rolled rubber flooring and industrial products (including conveyor belting, truck and trailer splash guards and sheet rubber material) and imports certain rubber and tile products from China for resale.  K&M maintains a purchasing office in China, from which it sources the majority of the products it sells.

ABI owns 50% of Compania Hulera Sula, S.A. de C.V. ("Hulera Sula"), a Honduran corporation, which produces soles, heels, sandals and other footwear products under license from ABI.  Hulera Sula in turn owns 100% of Hulera Sacatepequez, S.A., a Guatemalan corporation which manufactures products in Guatemala similar to those of Hulera Sula.  Hulera Sula also owns 60% of Fomtex, S.A., a Guatemalan corporation, which manufactures foam mattresses, beds and other foam products.  During 2008, the Company wrote off its investment of $850 thousand in Hulera Sula as a result of Hulera Sula’s recent operating results and the uncertainty in the Company’s ability to recover its investment.

In October 2003, ABI discontinued the operations of its wholly owned subsidiary Janus Flooring Corporation (“Janus Flooring”), which manufactured pre-finished hardwood flooring in Canada.  Results from Janus Flooring, including charges resulting from the shutdown, are reported as a discontinued operation in the Company's consolidated financial statement set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  During 2006, the remaining assets of Janus Flooring were sold, and the discontinued operation was effectively dissolved.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company merged Janus Flooring with and into American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd.  During 2008, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $1.0 million on the sale of land and building owned by Janus Flooring.  The sale of the property occurred in 2006, but the gain was deferred until 2008 upon the final resolution of an environmental matter and receipt of payment on a note receivable from the buyer of the property.

For financial reporting purposes, ABI operates in four industry segments:  flooring products (Congoleum), the Tape Division, jewelry (K&M) and the Canadian division, which produces flooring and rubber products.  See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 
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Narrative Description of Business

Marketing, Distribution and Sales  The Tape Division's protective papers and films are sold domestically and throughout the world, principally through distributors, but also directly to certain manufacturers.  Other tape products are marketed through the Tape Division's own sales force and by third-party sales representatives and distributors throughout the world.  ABI's Belgian, Italian and Singapore facilities sell these products throughout Europe and the Far East.

The products of K&M are sold domestically and in Canada through its own direct sales force and through third-party sales representatives.  K&M's business and operations experience seasonal variations.  In general, fashion jewelry supply, distribution and service businesses respond to the seasonal demands of mass merchandisers and other major retailers, which typically peak in preparation for end-of-year holiday shopping.  Accordingly, K&M's working capital needs tend to be greatest in the second and third fiscal quarters as it increases inventories in advance of its peak selling season, while its revenues tend to be greater toward the end of each fiscal year, especially in the latter part of the third quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter.

AB Canada's floor tile, rubber products and industrial products are marketed principally through distributors.  Seasonal variations in the sales and working capital requirements of this division are not significant.

Congoleum currently sells its products through approximately 13 distributors providing approximately 43 distribution points in the United States and Canada, as well as directly to a limited number of mass market retailers.  Congoleum considers its distribution network to be very important to maintaining a competitive position.  Although Congoleum has more than one distributor in some of its distribution territories and actively manages its credit exposure to its customers, the loss of a major customer could have a materially adverse impact on Congoleum's business, results of operations and financial condition, at least until a suitable replacement is in place.  The sales pattern for Congoleum's products is seasonal, with peaks in retail sales typically occurring during March/April/May and September/October.  Orders are generally shipped as soon as a truckload quantity has been accumulated, and backorders can be canceled without penalty.

Hulera Sula's footwear and foam products are marketed and distributed in certain Central American countries.

Financial information about products that contributed more than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue during the last two fiscal years is included in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 
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Working Capital and Cash Flow  In general, ABI's working capital requirements are not affected by accelerated delivery requirements of major customers or by obtaining a continuous allotment of raw material from suppliers.  ABI does not provide special rights for customers to return merchandise and does not provide special seasonal or extended terms to its customers.  K&M does provide pre-approved allowances in the form of markdowns and return authorizations as required.

Congoleum produces goods for inventory and sells on credit to customers.  Generally, Congoleum's distributors carry inventory as needed to meet local or rapid delivery requirements.  Congoleum’s typical credit terms generally require payment on invoices within 31 days, with a discount available for earlier payment.  These practices are typical within the industry.

During 2008, Congoleum paid $15.9 million in fees and expenses (net of recoveries) related to implementation of its planned reorganization under Chapter 11 and litigation with certain insurance companies. Congoleum expects to spend an additional $20.3 million in 2009 on these matters. At December 31, 2008, Congoleum had incurred but not paid approximately $7.4 million in additional fees and expenses for services rendered through that date with respect to these matters.  Congoleum anticipates that its debtor-in-possession financing facility (including anticipated extensions thereof), together with cash from operations, will provide it with sufficient liquidity to operate during 2009 while under Chapter 11 protection.  There can be no assurances that Congoleum will continue to be in compliance with the required covenants under this facility or that the debtor-in-possession facility (as extended) will be renewed prior to its expiration if a plan of reorganization is not confirmed before that time.  For a plan of reorganization to be confirmed, Congoleum will need to obtain and demonstrate the sufficiency of financing needed to effectuate the plan and emerge from its Chapter 11 case.  Congoleum cannot presently determine the terms of any such financing it might obtain, nor can there be any assurances of its success obtaining it.  As noted elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Bankruptcy Court recently issued an opinion denying confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan and ordering Congoleum’s bankruptcy case be dismissed.  That order is being appealed and the Bankruptcy Court has granted a stay of its dismissal order pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the dismissal order.

In connection with Congoleum’s plan of reorganization, ABI expects to spend $300 thousand in 2009, which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on ABI’s working capital or cash flow.  ABI and Congoleum have separate credit facilities which are governed by independent credit agreements, and ABI is generally not otherwise liable for the separate obligations of Congoleum.

See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Congoleum” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Raw Materials  ABI generally designs and engineers its own products.  Most of the raw materials required by ABI for its manufacturing operations are available from multiple sources; however, ABI does purchase some of its raw materials from a single source or supplier.  Any significant delay in or disruption of the supply of raw materials could substantially increase ABI's cost of materials, require product reformulation or require qualification of new suppliers, any one or more of which could materially adversely affect the business, operations or financial condition of ABI.  
 
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Congoleum does not have readily available alternative sources of supply for specific designs of transfer print film, which are produced utilizing print cylinders engraved to Congoleum's specifications.  Although no loss of this source of supply is anticipated, replacement could take a considerable period of time and interrupt production of certain products.  Congoleum maintains a raw material inventory and has an ongoing program to develop new sources, which is designed to provide continuity of supply for its raw material requirements.  Although the Company and Congoleum have generally not had difficulty in obtaining their requirements for these materials, they have occasionally experienced significant price increases for some of these materials.  Although the Company and Congoleum have been able to obtain sufficient supplies of specialty resin and other raw materials, there can be no assurances that they may not experience difficulty obtaining supplies and raw materials in the future, particularly if global supply conditions deteriorate, which could have a material adverse effect on profit margins.

Competition  All businesses in which ABI is engaged are highly competitive, principally based upon pricing of the product, the quality of the product and service to the customer.  ABI’s tape products compete with products of some of the largest fully integrated rubber and plastic companies, as well as those of smaller producers.  Included among its competitors are 3M, Nitto Permacel, Ivex/Novasol and R-Tape.  AB Canada's flooring products compete with those of other manufacturers of rubber and resilient floor tiles and with all other types of floor covering.  AB Canada also competes with Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Flexco/Roppe, Nora and Mondo and with other manufacturers of alternate floor covering products.  In the rubber products category, AB Canada has several competitors, principally among them being GRT Division of Enpro and WARCO/Biltrite.

The market for Congoleum's products is highly competitive.  Resilient sheet and tile compete for both residential and commercial customers primarily with carpeting, hardwood, melamine laminate and ceramic tile.  In residential applications, both tile and sheet products are used primarily in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and foyers and, to a lesser extent, in playrooms and basements.  Ceramic tile is used primarily in kitchens, bathrooms and foyers.  Carpeting is used primarily in bedrooms, family rooms and living rooms.  Hardwood flooring and melamine laminate are used primarily in family rooms, foyers and kitchens.  Commercial grade resilient flooring faces substantial competition from carpeting, ceramic tile, rubber tile, hardwood flooring and stone in commercial applications.  Congoleum believes, based upon its market research, that purchase decisions are influenced primarily by fashion elements such as design, color and style, durability, ease of maintenance, price and ease of installation.  Both tile and sheet resilient flooring are easy to replace for repair and redecoration and, in Congoleum's view, have advantages over other floor covering products in terms of both price and ease of installation and maintenance.

Congoleum encounters competition from three other manufacturers in North America and, to a lesser extent, foreign manufacturers.  In the resilient category, Armstrong World Industries, Inc. has the largest market share.  Some of Congoleum's competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources and access to capital than Congoleum.


 
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K&M competes with other companies that sell similar products on the basis of product pricing and the effectiveness of merchandising services offered.  In assessing K&M’s products and services, K&M's customers tend to focus on margin dollars realized from the customers’ sales of product and return on inventory investment needed to be made by the customer in order to generate sales.  In its business of supplying and servicing fashion jewelry and accessory products, K&M competes with a variety of competitors, among them are Liz Claiborne Inc., Jones Apparel Group and a number of other companies offering similar products and/or services.  K&M also competes with numerous importers and overseas suppliers of similar items.

Patents and Trademarks  ABI and its subsidiaries own many trademarks, including the Congoleum brand name, the AB® logo, TransferRite®, ProtecRite®, Autowrap®, Ideal Seal®, Therm-X®, and Ideal® at the Tape Division, Estrie®, AB Colors Plus® Dura-Shield® and Transseal® at AB Canada, and Amtico®, which is used solely in the Canadian  market.  These trademarks are important for the Company in maintaining a competitive position.  K&M also licenses the Panama Jack®, Guess?®, Rocawear®, Its Happy Bunny®, and Peanuts® trademarks as well as certain others for use with its jewelry products.  The licensing agreements are subject to expiration dates and other termination provisions, and the licensor or the Company may choose not to extend or renew certain agreements.  The Company has an ongoing program seeking additional or replacement licenses.  The Company also believes that patents and know-how play an important role in maintaining competitive position.

Research and Development  Research and development efforts at the Company concentrate on new product development, increasing efficiencies of the various manufacturing processes, and improving the features and performance of existing products.  Expenditures for research and development were $6.0 million and $6.2 million, on a consolidated basis, for 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Key Customers  For the year ended December 31, 2008, two customers of Congoleum accounted for over 10% of ABI's consolidated net sales.  The two customers together accounted for 63% of Congoleum’s net sales of $172.6 million.  These customers are Congoleum’s distributor to the manufactured housing market, LaSalle-Bristol, and its largest retail distributor, Mohawk Industries, Inc.  No other customer accounted for more than 10% of ABI’s consolidated sales.  The loss of one or both of these customers would have a material adverse effect on Congoleum’s business, results of operations and financial condition and would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

K&M’s top three customers in terms of net sales in 2008 together accounted for 54% of K&M’s net sales.  The loss of the largest of these customers would have a material adverse effect on K&M’s business, results of operations and financial condition and would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Sales to five unaffiliated customers of the Tape Division together constitute approximately 20% of the net sales for the Tape Division.  The loss of the largest of these unaffiliated customers and/or two or more of the other four unaffiliated customers could have a material adverse effect on the Tape Division's business, results of operations and financial condition.


 
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Sales to five unaffiliated customers of AB Canada together constitute approximately 22% of the net sales for AB Canada.  The loss of the largest of these unaffiliated customers and/or two or more of the other four unaffiliated customers could have a material adverse effect on AB Canada's business, results of operations and financial condition.

AB Canada’s sales to Congoleum accounted for approximately 6% of AB Canada’s net sales in 2008.  The loss of Congoleum’s business would have a significant, adverse effect on AB Canada’s revenue.  These intercompany sales are eliminated from the Company’s consolidated financial statements, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  See Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Backlog  The dollar amount of backlog of orders believed to be firm as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $15.8 million and $16.3 million, respectively.  It is anticipated that all of the backlog as of December 31, 2008 will be filled within the current fiscal year.  There are no seasonal or other significant aspects of the backlog.  In the opinion of management, backlog is not significant to the business of ABI.

Environmental Compliance  Because of the nature of the operations conducted by ABI and Congoleum, each company’s facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign legal and regulatory provisions relating to the environment, including those regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous substances and wastes, and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at owned or leased facilities and off-site disposal locations.

ABI and its subsidiaries, including Congoleum, have historically expended substantial amounts for compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations, including those matters described in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) and Note 8 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  ABI and Congoleum will continue to be required to expend amounts in the future, due to the nature of past activities at their facilities, to comply with existing environmental laws, and those amounts may be substantial.  Because environmental requirements have grown increasingly strict, however, ABI is unable to determine the ultimate cost of compliance with environmental laws and enforcement policies.  The Company has established accruals for matters for which management considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable.  ABI and Congoleum believe that compliance with existing federal, state, local and foreign provisions will not have a material adverse effect upon their financial positions nor do ABI and Congoleum expect to incur material recurring costs or capital expenditures relating to environmental matters, except as disclosed in Item 3 (Legal Proceedings) and Note 8 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  However, there can be no assurances that the ultimate liability concerning these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

Employees  As of December 31, 2008, ABI and its subsidiaries employed approximately 1,300 people.  Substantially all of ABI’s and its subsidiaries’ employees are employed on a full time basis.

 
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Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations and Export Sales

Financial information concerning foreign and domestic operations is in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The Company’s consolidated export sales from the United States were $28.5 million in 2008 and $28.8 million in 2007.

Available Information

The Company is subject to the reporting and other information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and files annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to those requirements.  The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission at the Securities and Exchange Commission's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549.  The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Also, the Securities and Exchange Commission maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The public can obtain any documents that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov.

Congoleum is also subject to the reporting and other information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to those requirements.  Such reports, proxy statements and other information filed by or in connection with Congoleum with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Congoleum Reports") are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission in a similar manner as are the reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company is providing this information regarding the availability of Congoleum Reports for informational purposes only.  The Congoleum Reports are expressly not incorporated into or made a part of this report or any other reports, statements or other information filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise made available by the Company.  The Company expressly disclaims any liability for information disclosed or omitted in the Congoleum Reports and, except as required by the federal securities laws, expressly disclaims any obligation to update or correct any information included in the Congoleum Reports.



 
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Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS

The Company’s independent registered public accountant has included a going concern paragraph in its opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s independent registered public accountant has issued an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements that states that the consolidated financial statements were prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and further states that the Company’s need to refinance its credit facility raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  The Company’s existing principal credit facility expires on September 30, 2009.  As noted elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company is negotiating with its current lenders to obtain an amendment or waiver to address certain financial covenants under the Company’s existing principal credit agreement which the Company expects it would not comply with for the period ended March 31, 2009 and subsequent periods and is negotiating to obtain alternative financing to replace its existing credit agreement, including the term loan and credit facility included as part of its credit agreement.  If the Company is unable to obtain such an amendment or waiver or to obtain alternative financing on satisfactory terms, the Company may not be able to continue as a going concern.

The Company will have to amend its existing principal credit agreement, or obtain a waiver from its lenders, to cure defaults under that agreement, or obtain sufficient alternative financing.

The Company has had to amend its principal credit agreement several times in the past in order to avoid being in default of that agreement as a result of failing to satisfy certain financial covenants contained in that agreement.  The Company currently expects that it would fail to comply with certain financial covenants under the credit agreement for the period ended March 31, 2009 and subsequent periods.  As a result, the Company is currently negotiating with its lenders to amend the credit agreement to address, or obtain a waiver for, any such breaches.  If an event of default were to occur, the lenders could cease to make borrowings available under the credit facility and require the Company to repay all amounts outstanding under the credit agreement.  If the Company were unable to repay those amounts due, the lenders could have their rights over the collateral (most of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ (excluding Congoleum) assets, as applicable) exercised, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.  Although the Company currently anticipates that it will be able to obtain a waiver or enter an amendment to address these matters, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in this regard.  Further, any waiver or amendment the Company may obtain is expected to be limited in scope and duration such that the Company would likely need to obtain further amendments or waivers in the future or obtain alternative financing.


 
10

 

The Company relies on its revolving credit facility to fund its business, operations and working capital needs.  That revolving credit facility expires on September 30, 2009 and the Company may not be able to renew or replace that facility on satisfactory terms.

The Company relies on borrowings under its $30 million revolving credit facility which is governed by its principal credit agreement to fund its business and operations.  If the Company is not able to generate sufficient cash flows from its operations as a result of the current recession in the United States or otherwise, it may have greater reliance on the availability of borrowings under its credit facility.  The Company's credit facility is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2009.  As noted in the risk factor above “The Company will have to amend its existing principal credit agreement, or obtain a waiver from its lenders, to cure defaults under that agreement, or obtain sufficient alternative financing”, the Company needs to obtain an amendment to the credit agreement, or a waiver from its lenders, to address financial covenants under that agreement which the Company expects it would not comply with for the period ended March 31, 2009 and subsequent periods.  In addition, the Company will need to extend, refinance or replace the credit facility under the credit agreement by the expiration date or any earlier time required by any waiver or amendment it may enter into to address the expected covenant breaches.  The Company is currently negotiating for alternative financing to replace its credit agreement.  There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to obtain alternative financing on satisfactory terms.  The global credit markets have recently been experiencing substantial disruption, and as a result, credit has become more expensive and difficult to obtain.  In addition, creditors have generally been imposing more stringent restrictions on the terms of credit.  If these conditions continue to exist, the Company may be unable to obtain adequate alternative financing and any alternative financing the Company may obtain may be significantly more expensive and restrictive than the terms under the existing credit agreement.  If the terms of any alternative financing that the Company may obtain were significantly more expensive or restrictive or failed to provide the Company with sufficient funds for operations or otherwise, the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition would be materially adversely affected.  In addition, if a lender under the existing or any future credit facility the Company may obtain fails to fund a request by the Company to borrow money under that credit facility, the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

In addition, similar to the terms of the Company’s existing principal credit agreement, any alternative financing the Company may obtain is expected to limit the Company's ability to obtain additional debt financing.  Moreover, since the Company and most of its subsidiaries are expected to grant security interests in most of their assets as collateral for borrowings under any alternative financing the Company may obtain, the Company's ability to obtain any additional debt financing beyond that alternative financing will be limited.


 
11

 

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum have significant asbestos liability and funding exposure, and the Company's and Congoleum's strategies for resolving this exposure may not be successful.  Any plan of reorganization for Congoleum is expected to result in elimination of the interests of Congoleum's equity holders, including the Company.

As more fully set forth in Notes 1, 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company and Congoleum have significant liability and funding exposure for asbestos personal injury claims.  On December 31, 2003, Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code as a means to resolve claims asserted against it related to the use of asbestos in its products decades ago.  An amended joint plan of reorganization for Congoleum proposed by the ACC, the Bondholders’ Committee and Congoleum was filed in the Bankruptcy Court, which plan is referred to elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the "Amended Joint Plan."  While Congoleum believed that the Amended Joint Plan had sufficient creditor support to be confirmed, the Bankruptcy Court recently issued an opinion denying confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan and ordering Congoleum’s bankruptcy case be dismissed (which is referred to elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as the "Order of Dismissal").  That order is being appealed with the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the Bankruptcy Court has granted a stay of its Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal.  There can be no assurance that the appeal of the Order of Dismissal will be granted by the District Court or any other court which may be appealed to or that the Bankruptcy Court will not subsequently vacate its grant of a stay of its Order of Dismissal.  If the appeal were denied, Congoleum’s bankruptcy case could be dismissed, resulting in Congoleum no longer benefiting from the protection from creditor claims currently afforded to it by the chapter 11 case and the Bankruptcy Code.  Further, as indicated in the Order of Dismissal, Congoleum’s ability to refile another bankruptcy petition may be limited, which could result in Congoleum having to attempt to conduct its business and operations outside of the protections of the Bankruptcy Code, including attempting to defend against, satisfy or defray its creditor claims, such as its substantial asbestos liabilities and its Senior Notes, and continued litigation against its insurers to attempt to obtain insurance coverage for Congoleum’s asbestos liabilities.  It is unclear what effect the Order of Dismissal, the stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal and the continued litigation may have on Congoleum’s business and operations, including with regard to its relationships with its vendors, suppliers, customers, lenders and other constituencies.

Under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, ABI's ownership interest in Congoleum would be eliminated.  ABI expects that its ownership interest in Congoleum would be eliminated under any alternate plan or outcome in Congoleum’s Chapter 11 case.

ABI has certain intercompany claims against and arrangements with Congoleum.  The Amended Joint Plan would govern an intercompany settlement and ongoing intercompany arrangements among ABI and its subsidiaries and reorganized Congoleum, which would be effective when the Amended Joint Plan took effect and would have a term of two years.  Those intercompany arrangements include the provision of management services by ABI to reorganized Congoleum and other business relationships substantially consistent with their traditional relationships.  The Amended Joint Plan provides that the final terms of the intercompany arrangements among ABI

 
12

 

and its subsidiaries and reorganized Congoleum would be memorialized in a new agreement to be entered into by reorganized Congoleum and American Biltrite in form and substance mutually agreeable to the Bondholders’ Committee, the official asbestos claimants' committee and ABI.  The existing arrangements currently in effect among ABI and its non-debtor subsidiaries and Congoleum expire on June 30, 2009, unless renewed.  In addition, under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, ABI’s rights and claims to indemnification from Congoleum under the existing joint venture agreement between ABI and Congoleum that relate to ABI's contribution to Congoleum in 1993 of ABI's tile division, and the joint venture agreement itself, would have been deemed rejected and disallowed upon the effective date of the Amended Joint Plan, and therefore eliminated.  The Amended Joint Plan's rejection and disallowance of the joint venture agreement and ABI’s claims thereunder included any unfunded indemnification claims ABI may have had prepetition and during the pendency of Congoleum's Chapter 11 case as well as any such claims ABI might otherwise have been entitled to assert after the Amended Joint Plan became effective.  If the appeal of the Order of Dismissal were denied, it is uncertain what would become of ABI’s and its nondebtor subsidiaries’ claims against and relationships with Congoleum, although ABI expects that those claims and relationships could be adversely affected and could even be rendered worthless.  In addition, there can be no assurance that ABI, Congoleum and other applicable Congoleum constituencies will be able to reach agreement on the terms of any management services proposed to be provided by ABI to reorganized Congoleum or any other proposed business relationships among ABI and its affiliates and reorganized Congoleum.  Any plan of reorganization for Congoleum that may be confirmed may have terms that differ significantly from the terms contemplated by the Amended Joint Plan, including with respect to any management services that may be provided by ABI to reorganized Congoleum and ABI's claims and interests and other business relationships with reorganized Congoleum.

In addition, in view of ABI’s relationships with Congoleum, ABI will be affected by Congoleum's negotiations regarding, and its pursuit of, any plan of reorganization, and there can be no assurance as to what that impact, positive or negative, might be.  In any event, the failure of Congoleum to obtain confirmation and consummation of a Chapter 11 plan of reorganization would have a material adverse effect on Congoleum's business, results of operations or financial condition and could have a material adverse effect on ABI’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Any plan of reorganization for Congoleum, if proposed, will be subject to numerous conditions, approvals and other requirements, including the receipt of necessary creditor, claimant and court approvals.  Certain insurers have contested the reorganization plans previously filed by Congoleum in the Bankruptcy Court and Congoleum is involved in ongoing litigation against its insurers in a state court coverage action.  If the insurers are successful in contesting the appeal of the Order of Dismissal, any future reorganization plan or in denying coverage under the insurance policies, such reorganization plan may not become effective.  Further, even if the insurers are not successful in contesting the appeal of the Order of Dismissal, any future plan that may be proposed or in denying coverage under the insurance policies, Congoleum may be required to incur significant time and expense litigating against the insurers, which could further delay any confirmation or effectiveness of any reorganization plan.  In order to obtain confirmation of any reorganization plan, Congoleum will need sufficient funds to pay for the


 
13

 

continued litigation with these insurers as well as the bankruptcy proceedings generally.  In addition, for a plan of reorganization to be confirmed, Congoleum will need to obtain and demonstrate the sufficiency of exit financing.  Congoleum cannot presently determine the terms of such financing, nor can there be any assurances of its success obtaining it, particularly in light of the recent substantial disruption in the global credit markets which has resulted in credit becoming more expensive and difficult to obtain.  Moreover, the failure of any lender under any credit facility Congoleum may have or obtain to fund requests for borrowings by Congoleum could negatively impact Congoleum's business, results of operations or financial condition and its chances of obtaining confirmation of any plan of reorganization.

The Company has its own direct asbestos liability as well.  The Company's strategy remains to vigorously defend against and strategically settle its asbestos claims on a case-by-case basis.  To date, the Company's insurers have funded substantially all of the Company's liabilities and expenses related to its asbestos liability under the Company's applicable insurance policies.  The Company expects its insurance carriers will continue to defend and indemnify it for a substantial amount of its asbestos liabilities for the foreseeable future pursuant to an umbrella/first-layer excess policies arrangement between the Company and the applicable insurance carriers.  It is possible that asbestos claims may be asserted against the Company alleging exposure allocable solely to years in which the Company’s insurance policies excluded coverage for asbestos, that the policies providing coverage under the umbrella/first-layer excess policies arrangement will exhaust, or that the carriers responsible for such policies may at some future date be unwilling or unable to meet their obligations under the policies or that arrangement.  If ABI were to incur significant additional asbestos liabilities for which it did not have insurance coverage or was not able to receive recoveries under its insurance policies due to the carriers which underwrote those policies being insolvent or otherwise, ABI may have to fund such liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on ABI's business, results of operations or financial condition.

As a result of Congoleum's significant liability and funding exposure for asbestos claims, there can be no assurance that if Congoleum were to incur any unforecasted or unexpected liability or disruption to its business or operations it would be able to withstand that liability or disruption and continue as an operating company.  Any significant increase of the Company's asbestos liability and funding exposure would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operations and financial condition and possibly its ability to continue as a going concern.

In the past, federal legislation has been proposed which would establish a national trust to provide compensation to victims of asbestos-related injuries and channel all current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims to that trust.  In light of the numerous uncertainties surrounding this and other possible asbestos legislation in the United States, ABI does not know what effects any such legislation, if adopted, may have upon its or Congoleum's businesses, results of operations or financial conditions, or upon any plan of reorganization for Congoleum.

For further information regarding the Company's and Congoleum's asbestos liability, insurance coverage and strategies to resolve that asbestos liability, please see Notes 1, 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," which are included in Part II, Item 8 and Part II, Item 9, respectively, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


 
14

 

Elimination of the Company’s equity interests in Congoleum could have a material adverse impact on the business relationships between ABI and Congoleum and ABI’s business, operations and financial condition.

ABI expects that its ownership interest in Congoleum will be eliminated under any plan or outcome in Congoleum’s Chapter 11 case.  There can be no assurances as to the ownership structure under the terms of any new reorganization plan for Congoleum that may be proposed or how such structure and any other change in ownership and control may affect reorganized Congoleum’s business, operations and financial condition, or its future relationships with ABI.

ABI provides management services to Congoleum, sells and purchases products to and from Congoleum, and receives royalties from Congoleum.  Agreements for these current intercompany arrangements expire on June 30, 2009, or upon the effectiveness of a plan of reorganization for Congoleum, whichever comes first.  It is not known whether ABI, Congoleum and the other parties in interest will agree to extend the term of these arrangements, and if so, for how long any extension would last or what the terms of any such extension and related intercompany arrangements would be.  The terms of the Amended Joint Plan provided for certain intercompany arrangements continuing for a two year period ending on the second anniversary of the effective date of the Amended Joint Plan pursuant to a new agreement to be entered into by ABI and reorganized Congoleum on the effective date of the Amended Joint Plan.  The Amended Joint Plan provided that the new agreement would be in form and substance mutually agreeable to the Bondholders' Committee, the ACC and ABI.  Pursuant to that new agreement, ABI's current chief executive officer would serve as a director and the chief executive officer of reorganized Congoleum and ABI would have to make available to reorganized Congoleum substantially all of his time during normal working hours on an annual basis, ABI would have to make available to reorganized Congoleum approximately 25% of the time of ABI's current president and chief operating officer during normal working hours and on an annual basis, and ABI's current chief financial officer would serve as the chief financial officer of reorganized Congoleum and ABI would have to make available to reorganized Congoleum approximately 50% of his time during normal working hours and on an annual basis.  Expiration or termination of such intercompany arrangements, failure to reach definitive agreement on final terms of future arrangements between ABI and reorganized Congoleum, or failure to consummate such arrangements in connection with the effectiveness of a plan of reorganization for Congoleum or otherwise could have a material adverse impact on the business relationships between ABI and Congoleum, and ABI’s business, operations and financial condition.


 
15

 

The Company and Congoleum sell their products on credit and their customers may fail to pay, or they may extend the payment period, for products sold to them on credit.

The Company and Congoleum sell their products on credit.  Customers purchasing goods on credit from the Company or Congoleum may default on their obligations to pay, or they may extend the payment period, for products sold to them on credit, which may result in an increased investment in accounts receivable by the Company or Congoleum.  In light of the current recession in the United States, the risk that the Company and Congoleum may realize an increased investment in accounts receivable may be greater.  To the extent the Company and Congoleum are unable to collect receivables owed to them in a timely fashion, increased demands may be placed on their respective working capital, which could have a material adverse effect on their respective businesses, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum may incur substantial liability for environmental claims and compliance matters.

Due to the nature of the Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's businesses and certain of the substances which are or have been used, produced or discharged by them, the Company's and Congoleum's operations and facilities are subject to a broad range of federal, state, local and foreign legal and regulatory provisions relating to the environment, including those regulating the discharge of materials into the environment, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous substances and wastes and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances at Company and Congoleum facilities and off-site disposal locations.  The Company and Congoleum have historically expended substantial amounts for compliance with existing environmental laws or regulations, including environmental remediation costs at both third-party sites and Company and Congoleum-owned sites.  The Company and Congoleum will continue to be required to expend amounts in the future because of the nature of their prior activities at their facilities, in order to comply with existing environmental laws, and those amounts may be substantial.  Although the Company and Congoleum believe that those amounts should not have a material adverse effect on their respective financial positions, there is no certainty that these amounts will not have a material adverse effect on their respective financial positions because, as a result of environmental requirements becoming increasingly strict, neither the Company nor Congoleum is able to determine the ultimate cost of compliance with environmental laws and enforcement policies.

Moreover, in addition to potentially having to pay substantial amounts for compliance, future environmental laws or regulations may require or cause the Company or Congoleum to modify or curtail their operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.


 
16

 

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum, may incur substantial liability for other product and general liability claims.

In the ordinary course of their businesses, the Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum become involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, product liability claims and other matters.  In some of these proceedings, plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts and the matters may remain unresolved for several years.  These matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition if the Company or Congoleum, as applicable, is unable to successfully defend against or settle these matters, and its insurance coverage is insufficient to satisfy any judgments against it or settlements relating to these matters, or the Company or Congoleum, as applicable, is unable to collect insurance proceeds relating to these matters.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum are dependent upon a continuous supply of raw materials from third party suppliers and would be harmed if there were a significant, prolonged disruption in supply or increase in its raw material costs.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum generally design and engineer their own products.  Most of the raw materials required by the Company for its manufacturing operations are available from multiple sources; however, the Company does purchase some of its raw materials from a single source or supplier.  Any significant delay in or disruption of the supply of raw materials could substantially increase the Company's cost of materials, require product reformulation or require qualification of new suppliers, any one or more of which could materially adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.  The Company's majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum does not have readily available alternative sources of supply for specific designs of transfer print paper, which are produced utilizing print cylinders engraved to Congoleum's specifications.  Although Congoleum does not anticipate any loss of this source of supply, replacement could take a considerable period of time and interrupt production of certain products, which could have a material adverse affect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.  The Company and Congoleum have occasionally experienced significant price increases for some of its raw materials.  Although the Company has been able to obtain sufficient supplies of raw materials, there can be no assurances that it may not experience difficulty in the future, particularly if global supply conditions deteriorate, which could have a material adverse effect on profit margins.  In addition, raw material and energy costs increased sharply over the past year, particularly during the first half of 2008, which has negatively impacted the Company's and Congoleum's businesses and operating results.  Although raw material and energy costs have recently declined, it is not known whether raw material and energy prices will remain lower or will revert to increasing price levels.  In light of the current and forecasted economic conditions in the United States and the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business, the Company and Congoleum may be unable to pass increased raw material and energy costs on to their respective customers.


 
17

 

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum operate in highly competitive markets and some of their competitors have greater resources, and in order to be successful, the Company and Congoleum must keep pace with and anticipate changing customer preferences.

The market for the Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's products and services is highly competitive.  Some of their respective competitors have greater financial and other resources and access to capital. Furthermore, to the extent any of the Company's or Congoleum's competitors make a filing under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and emerge from bankruptcy as continuing operating companies that have shed much of their pre-filing liabilities, those competitors could have a cost competitive advantage over Congoleum.  In addition, in order to maintain their competitive positions, the Company and Congoleum may need to make substantial investments in their businesses, including, as applicable, product development, manufacturing facilities, distribution network and sales and marketing activities. Competitive pressures may also result in decreased demand for their products and in the loss of market share for their products. Moreover, due to the competitive nature of their industries, they may be commercially restricted from raising or even maintaining the sales prices of their products, which could result in the incurrence of significant operating losses if their expenses were to increase or otherwise represent an increased percentage of sales.

The markets in which the Company and Congoleum compete are characterized by frequent new product introductions and changing customer preferences. There can be no assurance that the Company's and Congoleum's existing products and services will be properly positioned in the market or that the Company and Congoleum will be able to introduce new or enhanced products or services into their respective markets on a timely basis, or at all, or that those new or enhanced products or services will receive customer acceptance. The Company's and Congoleum's failure to introduce new or enhanced products or services on a timely basis, keep pace with industry or market changes or effectively manage the transitions to new products, technologies or services could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum are subject to general economic conditions and conditions specific to their respective industries.

Global and financial markets have recently been experiencing substantial disruption.  Economic conditions in the United States have been challenging, including in the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business.  The downturn in the housing industry has resulted in reduced demand for the Company's and Congoleum's products.  The slowdown in manufacturing, including in the automotive and industrial sectors, has resulted in reduced demand for the Tape division's products.  In addition, the decline in consumer and retailer, especially mid-tier retailer, spending has resulted in reduced demand for K&M's products.  There is presently an economic recession in the United States, affecting the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business.  The Company expects the current and forecasted economic conditions to continue to negatively impact the Company's and Congoleum's businesses and operations and that the extent of that impact will depend on the duration and depth of the economic recession.


 
18

 

In addition, raw material and energy costs increased sharply over the past year, particularly during the first half of 2008, which has negatively impacted the Company's and Congoleum's businesses and operating results.  Although raw material and energy costs have recently declined, it is not known whether raw material and energy prices will remain lower or will revert to increasing price levels.  In light of the current and forecasted economic conditions in the United States and the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business, the Company and Congoleum may be unable to pass increased raw material and energy costs on to their respective customers.

Although the Company and Congoleum intend to implement reductions in their expenses, there can be no assurance that they will be able to reduce their respective expenses, that any reductions they may implement will have any meaningful positive impact on their businesses, results of operations or financial condition, or that they will be able to sustain any expense reductions that they may implement.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum could realize shipment delays, depletion of inventory and increased production costs resulting from unexpected disruptions of operations at any of the Company's or Congoleum's facilities.

The Company's and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum's businesses depend upon their ability to timely manufacture and deliver products that meet the needs of their customers and the end users of their products.  If the Company or Congoleum were to realize an unexpected, significant and prolonged disruption of its operations at any of its facilities, including disruptions in its manufacturing operations, it could result in shipment delays of its products, depletion of its inventory as a result of reduced production and increased production costs as a result of taking actions in an attempt to cure the disruption or carry on its business while the disruption remains.  Any resulting delay, depletion or increased production cost could result in increased costs, lower revenues and damaged customer and product end user relations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum offer limited warranties on their products which could result in the Company or Congoleum incurring significant costs as a result of warranty claims.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum offer a limited warranty on many of their products against manufacturing defects.  In addition, as a part of its efforts to differentiate mid- and high-end products through color, design and other attributes, Congoleum offers enhanced warranties with respect to wear, moisture discoloration and other performance characteristics which generally increase with the price of such products.  If the Company or Congoleum were to incur a significant number of warranty claims, the resulting warranty costs could be substantial.


 
19

 

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum rely on a small number of customers and distributors for a significant portion of their sales or to sell their products.

The Company's Tape Division principally sells its products through distributors.  Sales to five unaffiliated customers accounted for approximately 20% of the Company's Tape Division's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The loss of the largest unaffiliated customer and/or two or more of the other four unaffiliated customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company's Canadian Division sells its products through distributors and a direct sales force.  Sales to five unaffiliated customers accounted for approximately 22% of the Canadian Division's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The loss of the largest unaffiliated customer and/or two or more of the other four unaffiliated customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company's majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum principally sells its products through distributors.  Although Congoleum has more than one distributor in some of its distribution territories and actively manages its credit exposure to its distributors, the loss of a major distributor could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, results of operations, or financial condition.  Congoleum derives a significant percentage of its sales from two of its distributors.  These two distributors accounted for approximately 63% of Congoleum's net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008.

The Company's subsidiary K&M sells its products through its own direct sales force and, indirectly, through a wholly owned subsidiary and through third-party sales representatives.  Three of K&M's customers accounted for approximately 54% of its net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008. The loss of the largest of these customers would have a material adverse effect on K&M’s business, results of operations and financial condition and would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum depend on key executives to run their businesses, and the loss of any of these executives would likely harm the Company's business.

The Company and its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum depend on key executives to run their businesses.  In particular, three of the persons that serve as key executives at the Company also serve as key executives at Congoleum.  The Company's future success will depend largely upon the continued service of these key executives, all of whom have no employment contract with the Company or Congoleum, as applicable, and may terminate their employment at any time without notice.  Although certain key executives of the Company and Congoleum are, directly or indirectly, large shareholders of the Company or Congoleum, and thus are less likely to terminate their employment, the loss of any key executive, or the failure by the key executive to perform in his current position, could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Not applicable.

 
20

 

ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES

At December 31, 2008, ABI and its subsidiaries owned ten manufacturing plants and a jewelry distribution center (located in Providence, Rhode Island) and leased office and warehousing space as follows:

Location
Square Feet
Owned
Or
Leased
Industry Segment
For Which
Properties Used
       
Trenton, NJ
1,050,000
Owned
Flooring products
       
Marcus Hook, PA
1,000,000
Owned
Flooring products
       
Trenton, NJ
282,000
Owned
Flooring products
       
Finksburg, MD
107,000
Owned
Flooring products
       
Mercerville, NJ
56,000
Leased
Flooring products
       
Sherbrooke, Quebec
379,000
Owned
Canadian division
       
Moorestown, NJ
226,000
Owned
Tape products
       
Lowell, MA
57,000
Owned
Tape products
       
Billerica, MA
30,000
Leased
Tape products
       
Renaix, Belgium
84,000
Owned
Tape products
       
Singapore
32,000
Owned
Tape products
       
Providence, RI
103,000
Owned
Jewelry products
       
New York, NY, Qingdao, China, and Orlando, FL
26,000
Leased
Jewelry products

ABI knows of no material defect in the titles to any such properties or material encumbrances thereon other than a mortgage on a property in Singapore securing outstanding debt in an amount equal to approximately 44% of the original cost of the property and under the terms of the Company's principal debt agreement, pursuant to which the Company has granted a security interest in the properties in Moorestown, NJ, Lowell, MA and Providence, RI.  ABI believes that all of its and its subsidiaries' properties are in good condition and have been well maintained and that these properties are suitable and adequate for the Company’s present purposes.

It is estimated that during 2008, ABI's and its subsidiaries' plants for the manufacture of floor covering products operated at approximately 52% of aggregate capacity, its plants for the manufacture of tape products operated at approximately 58% of aggregate capacity and the Canadian division operated at approximately 59% of aggregate capacity.  All estimates of aggregate capacity have been made on the basis of a five-day, three-shift operation.

 
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ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

ABI has been named by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) within the meaning of the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, as to six sites in five separate states.    In addition, ABI has been named a PRP by the State of Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection with regard to two sites in Maine.  See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about these and related matters.

In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, ABI has recorded a reserve of approximately $3.2 million, which represents a probable and reasonably estimable amount to cover the anticipated remediation costs at all sites, net of recoveries, based on facts and circumstances known to the Company at the present time.

ABI is a co-defendant with many other manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products in approximately 1,269 pending claims involving approximately 1,824 individuals as of December 31, 2008.  These claims relate to products of the Company’s former Tile Division, which ABI contributed to Congoleum.  The claimants allege personal injury from exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products.  The Company utilizes an actuarial study to assist it in developing estimates of the Company’s potential liability for resolving present and possible future asbestos claims.  Projecting future asbestos claims costs requires estimating numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict, including the incidence of claims, the disease that may be alleged by future claimants, future settlement and trial results, future court dismissal rates for claims, and possible asbestos legislation developments.  Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens.  In light of these inherent uncertainties, the Company believes that six years is the most reasonable period over which to include future claims that may be brought against the Company for recognizing a reserve for future costs.  The Company believes that costs for claims that might be brought after that period are not reasonably estimable.

The estimated range of liability for settlement of current claims pending and claims anticipated to be filed through 2014 was $13.6 million to $44.0 million as of December 31, 2008.  The Company believes no amount within this range is more likely than any other and, accordingly, has recorded a liability of $13.6 million in its financial statements, which represents the minimum probable and reasonably estimable amount for the future liability at the present time. The Company also believes that based on this liability estimate, the corresponding amount of insurance probable of recovery is $13.5 million at December 31, 2008, which has been included in other assets.  The estimated amount of insurance that is probable of recovery depends on the liability estimate as well as a number of additional factors, including the financial viability of some of the insurance companies, the method in which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how legal and other loss handling costs will be covered by the insurance policies, and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships.  The recorded liability and related insurance asset do not include any related defense costs.  Defense costs are typically paid in addition to the indemnity limits under the primary layer insurance policies, while certain excess layer policies pay them within policy limits and other excess layer policies pay them in addition to policy limits.  Defense costs historically paid by ABI’s carriers have been approximately 150% of the related indemnity costs on average.

 
22

 

The recorded amounts were based on facts currently known by ABI and a number of assumptions.  However, projecting future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of each such claim, the allocation of claims to specific insurance policies, and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos legislation in the United States, could cause the actual liability and insurance recoveries for the Company to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded.

There can be no assurance that the Company’s actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs will not exceed its accrued asbestos liabilities, or that it will receive the insurance recoveries which it has accrued.  It is reasonably possible that the Company will incur charges for resolution of asbestos claims in the future, which could exceed the Company’s existing reserves.  The Company’s strategy remains to vigorously defend against and strategically settle its asbestos claims on a case-by-case basis.  The Company believes it has substantial insurance coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.

See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about these claims.

Congoleum is a defendant in a large number of asbestos-related lawsuits.  On December 31, 2003, Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code as a means to resolve claims asserted against it related to the use of asbestos in its products decades ago.  During 2003, Congoleum had obtained the requisite votes of asbestos personal injury claimants necessary to seek approval of a proposed, pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.  In January 2004, Congoleum filed its proposed plan of reorganization and disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court.  From that filing through 2007, several subsequent plans were negotiated with representatives of the ACC, the FCR and other asbestos claimant representatives.  In addition, an insurance company, CNA, filed a plan of reorganization and the Bondholders’ Committee also filed a plan of reorganization.  In May 2006, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the principal parties in interest in Congoleum’s reorganization proceedings to participate in reorganization plan mediation discussions.  Several mediation sessions took place during 2006, culminating in two competing plans, one which Congoleum filed jointly with the ACC in September 2006 and the other filed by CNA, both of which the Bankruptcy Court subsequently ruled were not confirmable as a matter of law.    In March 2007, Congoleum resumed global plan mediation discussions with the various parties seeking to resolve the issues raised in the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling with respect to the Tenth Plan.  In July 2007, the FCR filed a plan of reorganization and proposed disclosure statement.   After extensive further mediation sessions, on February 5, 2008, the FCR, the ACC, the Bondholders’ Committee and Congoleum jointly filed the Joint Plan.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure statement for the Joint Plan in February 2008, and the Joint Plan was solicited in accordance with court-approved voting procedures.  Various objections to the Joint Plan were filed, and on May 12, 2008 the Bankruptcy Court heard oral argument on summary judgment motions relating to certain of those objections.  On June 6, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued a ruling that the Joint Plan was not legally confirmable, and issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be converted or dismissed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1112.


 
23

 

Following a further hearing on June 26, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion that vacated the Order to Show Cause and instructed the parties to submit a confirmable plan by the end of calendar year 2008.  Following further negotiations, the Bondholders’ Committee, the ACC, the FCR, representatives of holders of pre-petition settlements and Congoleum reached an agreement in principle which the Company understands that Congoleum believed addressed the issues raised by the Bankruptcy Court in the ruling on the Joint Plan and in the court's prior decisions.  A term sheet describing the proposed material terms of the Amended Joint Plan and the Litigation Settlement was entered into by those parties and was filed with the Bankruptcy Court on August 14, 2008.  Certain insurers and a large bondholder have filed objections to the Litigation Settlement and/or reserved their rights to object to confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the Litigation Settlement following a hearing on October 20, 2008, but the court reserved certain issues, including whether any plan of reorganization embodying the settlement meets the standards required for confirmation of a plan of reorganization.  On November 14, 2008, Congoleum, the ACC and the Bondholders’ Committee filed an amended joint plan of reorganization for Congoleum, et al. with the Bankruptcy Court (the “Amended Joint Plan”).  In January 2009, an insurer filed a motion for summary judgment seeking denial of confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan, and a hearing was held on February 5, 2009.  On February 26, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court rendered an opinion denying confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan.  Pursuant to the opinion, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Order of Dismissal dismissing Congoleum’s bankruptcy case.  On February 27, 2009, Congoleum and the Bondholders’ Committee appealed the Order of Dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  On March 3, 2009, an order was entered by the Bankruptcy Court granting a stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal.  See Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

There can be no assurance that the appeal of the Order of Dismissal will be granted by the District Court or any other court which may be appealed to or that the Bankruptcy Court will not subsequently vacate its grant of a stay of its Order of Dismissal.  If the appeal were denied, Congoleum’s bankruptcy case could be dismissed, resulting in Congoleum no longer benefiting from the protection from creditor claims currently afforded to it by the chapter 11 case and the Bankruptcy Code.  Further, as indicated in the Order of Dismissal, Congoleum’s ability to refile another bankruptcy petition may be limited, which could result in Congoleum having to attempt to conduct its business and operations outside of the protections of the Bankruptcy Code, including attempting to defend against, satisfy or defray its creditor claims, such as its substantial asbestos liabilities and its Senior Notes, and continued litigation against its insurers to attempt to obtain insurance coverage for Congoleum’s asbestos liabilities.  It is unclear what effect the Order of Dismissal, the stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal and the continued litigation may have on Congoleum’s business and operations, including with regard to its relationships with its vendors, suppliers, customers, lenders and other constituencies.


 
24

 

Even if the appeal of the Order of Dismissal is successful for Congoleum, there can be no assurance that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will receive the acceptances necessary for confirmation, that the Amended Joint Plan will not be modified further, that the conditions to the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will be satisfied or waived, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will timely receive necessary court approvals from the Bankruptcy Court and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will be confirmed, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan, if confirmed, will become effective, or that Congoleum will have sufficient funds to pay for continued litigation over any plan of reorganization and the state court insurance coverage litigation.  Any other plan of reorganization that may be proposed for Congoleum may contain terms substantially different from those contained in the Amended Joint Plan.

Congoleum, pursuant to administrative consent orders signed in 1986 and in connection with a prior restructuring, is in the process of implementing cleanup measures at its Trenton sheet facility.  ABI had also signed a similar consent order with regard to its former Trenton tile facility.  Congoleum agreed to be financially responsible for the clean-up of the Trenton tile facility as part of ABI’s contribution to Congoleum of ABI’s former Tile Division.  See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about these matters.

Together with a large number (in most cases, hundreds) of other companies, Congoleum is named as a PRP in pending proceedings under CERCLA and similar state laws.  See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information about these matters.

Congoleum also accrues remediation costs for certain of its owned facilities on an undiscounted basis.  Estimated total cleanup costs, including capital outlays and future maintenance costs for soil and groundwater remediation are primarily based on engineering studies.  In the ordinary course of its business, ABI and its consolidated entities become involved in lawsuits, administrative proceedings, product liability and other matters.  In some of these proceedings, plaintiffs may seek to recover large and sometimes unspecified amounts and the matters may remain unresolved for several years.

Notes 1, 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to the extent addressing matters reportable under this Item 3, are incorporated by reference herein.


ITEM 4.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

Not applicable.


 
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PART II

ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER MATTERS

American Biltrite Inc.'s Common Stock is traded on the NYSE Amex (ticker symbol: ABL).  At the close of business on March 16, 2009, the closing price of ABI's Common Stock was $0.66 per share and the approximate number of record holders was 259. High and low sales prices for ABI’s Common Stock for each quarter over the last two years were:

 
Sale Prices of Common Shares
 
2008
2007
Quarter Ended
High
Low
High
Low
         
March 31
$7.50 
$4.25 
$9.75 
$7.98 
June 30
7.65
4.23
9.89
8.07
September 30
5.59
4.00
8.82
5.75
December 31
4.80
1.38
7.25
4.05

No dividends on the Common Stock were declared during 2008 or 2007.  The Company’s debt agreement restricts the ability of the Company to declare and pay dividends.  See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries” set forth in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 
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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information regarding the Company's equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2008.

Plan Category
 
Number of Securities to Be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights
 
Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excluding securities reflected in Column a))
     
(a)
     
(b)
     
(c)
 
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders
   
535,500
     
$  8.39
     
347,520
 
                         
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
                         
Total
   
535,500
     
8.39
     
347,520(1)
 

(1)
Includes 287,020 shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Company's 1993 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, as amended and restated as of March 4, 1997 and further amended on May 6, 2008.  In addition to stock options, awards under that plan, may take the form of stock appreciation rights (SARs), limited SARs, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock awards specified in the plan.  If such awards are granted, they will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance pursuant to future stock option awards under that plan.

At the annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders held on May 6, 2008, the Company's stockholders approved the American Biltrite Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, under which non-employee directors may be granted non-qualified options to purchase shares of Common Stock.  Prior to this approval, the Company granted such options to its non-employee directors pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended, which had not been approved by the Company’s stockholders.

Congoleum maintains separate equity compensation plans.

 
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ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not applicable.


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

As noted elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and “Liquidity and Capital Resources – ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries” in this Item 7, the Company is negotiating with its current lenders to obtain an amendment or waiver to address certain financial covenants under its existing principal credit agreement which the Company expects it would not comply with for the period ended March 31, 2009 and subsequent periods.  The Company is negotiating to obtain alternative financing to replace that credit agreement, including the term loan and credit facility included as part of that credit agreement.  The credit facility under that credit agreement expires on September 30, 2009.  The Company’s independent registered public accountant has issued an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements that states that the consolidated financial statements were prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern and further states that the Company’s need to refinance its credit facility raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.  If the Company is unable to obtain such an amendment or waiver or to obtain alternative financing on satisfactory terms, the Company may not be able to continue as a going concern.

Global and financial markets have recently been experiencing substantial disruption.  Economic conditions in the United States have been challenging, including in the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business.  The downturn in the housing industry has resulted in reduced demand for the Company's and Congoleum's products.  The slowdown in manufacturing, including in the automotive and industrial sectors, has resulted in reduced demand for the Tape division's products.  In addition, the decline in consumer and retailer, especially mid-tier retailer, spending has resulted in reduced demand for K&M's products.  Forecasts generally call for a slowing economy and an economic recession in the United States, including in the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business.  The Company expects the current and forecasted economic conditions to continue to negatively impact the Company's and Congoleum's businesses and operations and that the extent of that impact will depend on the duration and depth of the economic slowdown or recession.

In addition, raw material and energy costs increased sharply over the past year, particularly during the first half of 2008, which has negatively impacted the Company's and Congoleum's businesses and operating results.  Although raw material and energy costs have recently declined, it is not known whether raw material and energy prices will remain lower or will revert to increasing price levels.  In light of the current and forecasted economic conditions in the United States and the industries in which the Company and Congoleum conduct business, the Company and Congoleum may be unable to pass increased raw material and energy costs on to their respective customers.


 
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Although the Company and Congoleum intend to implement reductions in their expenses, there can be no assurance that they will be able to reduce their respective expenses, that any reductions they may implement will have any meaningful positive impact on their businesses, results of operations or financial condition, or that they will be able to sustain any expense reductions that they may implement.

American Biltrite’s consolidated financial statements include its majority-owned subsidiary, Congoleum.  However, under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, ABI’s ownership interest in Congoleum would be eliminated.  ABI expects its ownership interest in Congoleum to be eliminated under any alternate plan or outcome in Congoleum’s Chapter 11 case.  On December 31, 2003, Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the Bankruptcy Court seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code as a means to resolve claims asserted against it related to the use of asbestos in its products decades ago.  During 2003, Congoleum had obtained the requisite votes of asbestos personal injury claimants necessary to seek approval of a proposed, pre-packaged Chapter 11 plan of reorganization.  In January 2004, Congoleum filed its proposed joint plan of reorganization and disclosure statement with the Bankruptcy Court.  From that filing through 2007, several subsequent plans were negotiated with representatives of the ACC, the FCR and other asbestos claimant representatives.  In addition, an insurance company, CNA, filed a plan of reorganization and the Bondholders’ Committee also filed a plan of reorganization.  In May 2006, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the principal parties in interest in Congoleum’s reorganization proceedings to participate in reorganization plan mediation discussions.  Several mediation sessions took place during 2006, culminating in two competing plans, one which Congoleum filed jointly with the ACC in September 2006 and the other filed by CNA, both of which the Bankruptcy Court subsequently ruled were not confirmable as a matter of law.  In March 2007, Congoleum resumed global plan mediation discussions with the various parties seeking to resolve the issues raised in the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling with respect to the Tenth Plan.  In July 2007, the FCR filed a plan of reorganization and proposed disclosure statement.  After extensive further mediation sessions, on February 5, 2008, the FCR, the ACC, the Bondholders’ Committee and Congoleum jointly filed the Joint Plan.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the disclosure statement for the Joint Plan in February 2008, and the Joint Plan was solicited in accordance with court-approved voting procedures.  Various objections to the Joint Plan were filed, and on May 12, 2008 the Bankruptcy Court heard oral argument on summary judgment motions relating to certain of those objections.  On June 6, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued a ruling that the Joint Plan was not legally confirmable, and issued an Order to Show Cause why the case should not be converted or dismissed pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 1112.  Following a further hearing on June 26, 2008, the Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion that vacated the Order to Show Cause and instructed the parties to submit a confirmable plan by the end of calendar year 2008.  Following further negotiations, the Bondholders’ Committee, the ACC, the FCR, representatives of holders of pre-petition settlements and Congoleum reached an agreement in principle which the Company understands that Congoleum believed addressed the issues raised by the Bankruptcy Court in the ruling on the Joint Plan and in the court's prior decisions.  A term sheet describing the proposed material terms of the Amended Joint Plan and the Litigation Settlement was entered into by those parties and was filed with the Bankruptcy Court on August 14, 2008.  Certain insurers and a large bondholder have filed objections to the Litigation Settlement and/or reserved their rights to object to confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan.  The Bankruptcy Court approved the Litigation Settlement following a hearing on October 20, 2008, but the court reserved certain issues, including whether any plan of reorganization embodying the settlement meets the standards required for confirmation of a plan of

 
29

 

reorganization.  On November 14, 2008, Congoleum, the ACC and the Bondholders’ Committee filed an amended joint plan of reorganization for Congoleum, et al. with the Bankruptcy Court (the “Amended Joint Plan”).  In January 2009, an insurer filed a motion for summary judgment seeking denial of confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan, and a hearing was held on February 5, 2009.  On February 26, 2009, the Bankruptcy Court rendered an opinion denying confirmation of the Amended Joint Plan.  Pursuant to the opinion, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Order of Dismissal dismissing Congoleum’s bankruptcy case.  On February 27, 2009, Congoleum and the Bondholders’ Committee appealed the Order of Dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  On March 3, 2009, an order was entered by the Bankruptcy Court granting a stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal.

There can be no assurance that the appeal of the Order of Dismissal will be granted by the District Court or any other court which may be appealed to or that the Bankruptcy Court will not subsequently vacate its grant of a stay of its Order of Dismissal.  If the appeal were denied, Congoleum’s bankruptcy case could be dismissed, resulting in Congoleum no longer benefiting from the protection from creditor claims currently afforded to it by the chapter 11 case and the Bankruptcy Code.  Further, as indicated in the Order of Dismissal, Congoleum’s ability to refile another bankruptcy petition may be limited, which could result in Congoleum having to attempt to conduct its business and operations outside of the protections of the Bankruptcy Code, including attempting to defend against, satisfy or defray its creditor claims, such as its substantial asbestos liabilities and its Senior Notes, and continued litigation against its insurers to attempt to obtain insurance coverage for Congoleum’s asbestos liabilities.  It is unclear what effect the Order of Dismissal, the stay of the Bankruptcy Court’s Order of Dismissal pending a final non-appealable decision affirming the Order of Dismissal and the continued litigation may have on Congoleum’s business and operations, including with regard to its relationships with its vendors, suppliers, customers, lenders and other constituencies.

Even if the appeal of the Order of Dismissal is successful for Congoleum, there can be no assurance that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will receive the acceptances necessary for confirmation, that the Amended Joint Plan will not be modified further, that the conditions to the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will be satisfied or waived, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will timely receive necessary court approvals from the Bankruptcy Court and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan will be confirmed, that the Amended Joint Plan or any other plan, if confirmed, will become effective, or that Congoleum will have sufficient funds to pay for completion of the appellate process with respect to the Amended Joint Plan, continued litigation over any plan of reorganization and the state court coverage litigation.  Any other plan of reorganization that may be proposed for Congoleum may contain terms substantially different from those contained in the Amended Joint Plan.

ABI estimates that it will spend an additional $300 thousand for legal fees in 2009, which it has accrued, in connection with Congoleum’s reorganization plan.  Actual costs for pursuing and implementing the Amended Joint Plan or any plan of reorganization could be materially higher, and Congoleum and the Company may record significant additional charges should the minimum estimated cost increase.


 
30

 

In addition, ABI is also a defendant in a number of asbestos-related lawsuits in addition to those brought against Congoleum.  See Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated herein by reference.  These matters could have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations.

During 2003, the Company decided to discontinue the operations of its Janus Flooring Corporation subsidiary, a manufacturer of pre-finished hardwood flooring, and sell the related assets.  Results of Janus Flooring, including charges resulting from the shutdown, are being reported as a discontinued operation.  During 2006, the remaining assets of Janus Flooring were sold, and the discontinued operation was effectively dissolved.  As of December 31, 2006, the Company merged Janus Flooring with and into American Biltrite (Canada) Ltd.

Due to Congoleum’s reorganization and separate capital structure, as well as the anticipated elimination of ABI’s ownership interest in Congoleum, the Company believes that presenting the results of operations of ABI and its non-debtor subsidiaries separately from those of Congoleum is the most meaningful way to discuss and analyze its financial condition and results of operations.


Results of Operations

ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries

   
2008
         
2007
       
   
(In thousands of dollars)
 
                         
Net sales
  $ 202,449           $ 216,463        
Cost of sales
    151,814             160,034        
Gross profit
    50,635     25.0%       56,429     26.1%  
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    53,316     26.3%       57,820     26.7%  
Impairment charges
    12,899             -        
Loss from operations
    (15,580 )           (1,391 )      
                             
Interest expense, net
    (1,612 )           (2,297 )      
Other income, net
    869             1,380        
Loss before taxes and other items
    (16,323 )           (2,308 )      
                             
Benefit from income taxes
    (677 )           (1,033 )      
Noncontrolling interests
    157             (57 )      
                             
Loss from continuing operations
  $ (15,489 )         $ (1,332 )      

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $202.4 million, a decrease of $14.0 million from sales of $216.5 million in 2007.  Tape segment sales decreased $7.8 million or 7.9% due to lower sales volume of transfer paper, protective films and HVAC products, partly offset by $2.5 million in selling price increases.  Canadian segment sales increased $0.6 million or 1.0% due to improved industrial product sales.  Jewelry segment sales decreased $7.7 million or 12.2% due to lower shipments to mass merchandiser and mid-tier retailers, reflecting the weak retail environment.


 
31

 

Gross profit was 25.0% of net sales in 2008 compared to 26.1% in 2007.  Tape segment gross margins declined by 0.9 percentage points of net sales primarily due to significant inflation on raw materials, particularly during the first half of 2008, and the impact of lower production volumes, partly offset by price increases.  Canadian division gross margins improved by 4.5 percentage points of net sales due to improved margins on industrial products resulting from price increases, a more profitable sales mix of flooring products, and the effect of the weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar in the fourth quarter of 2008.  Jewelry segment margins decreased by 5.9 percentage points of net sales due to increases in landed costs, higher selling allowances and higher royalty costs (resulting from more licensed products in the sales mix).

The Company includes the cost of purchasing and finished goods inspection in selling, general and administrative expenses.  Some companies also record such costs in operating expenses while others record them in cost of goods sold.  Consequently, the Company’s gross profit margins may not be comparable to other companies.  Had the Company recorded these expenses in cost of sales, the gross profit margins for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 would have been 23.9% and 25.6%, respectively.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2008 were $53.3 million, down from $57.8 million in 2007.  Tape division selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.8 million due to lower sales related expenses and savings from headcount reductions, partly offset by severance costs and the impact of currency translation.  Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.6 million at Canadian division mainly due to higher salaries and travel expenses related to personnel changes.  Jewelry segment selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.7 million from 2007 to 2008 primarily due to headcount reduction programs and other expense cuts.  In addition, corporate expenses not allocated to operations were significantly lower in 2008 than 2007 due to lower net provisions for environmental and other contingent liabilities.

During 2008, the Company evaluated the recovery of goodwill and certain other capitalized intangibles related to the Jewelry segment in light of that segment’s recent operating performance, the economic environment, and market value conditions for similar businesses.  Based on that evaluation, a non-cash impairment charge of $12.0 million was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008 which wrote off all goodwill and capitalized intangibles of the Company.  The Company also evaluated the recovery of its investment in Hulera Sula in light of Hulera Sula’s operating losses for 2008 and 2007.  A non-cash impairment charge of $850 thousand was recorded to write off the Company’s investment in Hulera Sula.

Net interest expense of $1.6 million for 2008 was down $0.7 million as a result of lower debt levels as well as lower interest rates.

Other income decreased from $1.4 million in 2007 to $0.9 million in 2008 as a result of expenses related to certain interest rate swap agreements, including costs to terminate those agreements in 2008.


 
32

 

The effective tax rates for 2008 and 2007 were 4.1% and 44.8%, respectively.  The lower 2008 effective tax rate is due primarily to the increase in valuation allowance against net operating loss carry forwards and other deferred tax assets, which may not be recovered by ABI in future periods due to the uncertainty in ABI’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income.

The Company incurred a loss of $15.5 million from continuing operations for 2008 compared with a loss of $1.3 million in 2007 as a result of the $12.9 million non-cash impairment charge in 2008 coupled with weaker operating results at two of the three divisions.

Congoleum

   
2008
         
2007
       
   
(In thousands of dollars)
       
                         
Net sales
  $ 172,644           $ 204,262        
Cost of sales
    142,032             153,809        
Gross profit
    30,612     17.7%       50,453     24.7%  
                             
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    35,397     20.5%       37,469     18.3%  
Asbestos-related reorganization expenses
    11,491             41,315        
Loss from operations
    (16,276 )           (28,331 )      
                             
Bond interest reversal
    -             29,603        
Interest income, net
    857             197        
Other expense, net
    (970 )           (447 )      
(Loss) income before taxes
    (16,389 )           1,022        
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (1,768 )           1,713        
                             
Net loss
  $ (14,621 )         $ (691 )      

Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2008 totaled $172.6 million as compared to $204.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $31.7 million or 15.5%.  The decrease in sales resulted primarily from lower sales to the manufactured housing industry coupled with continued demand weakness in the new construction and remodeling markets, partially offset by price increases instituted during 2008 (4.7%).

Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2008 totaled $30.6 million, or 17.7% of net sales, compared to $50.5 million or 24.7% of net sales for the year ended December 31, 2007.  Sharp increases in raw material costs during the year (3.7% of net sales), coupled with the negative impact of lower production volumes over which to spread fixed manufacturing overhead (6.5% of net sales) accounted for the decline in gross margin dollars and percentage, partially offset by cost reduction programs implemented during the year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $35.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared to $37.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $2.1 million.  The decrease was primarily driven by lower wages and benefits expense (down $2.0 million), reflecting workforce reductions instituted in 2008, coupled with reductions in other selling, general and administrative expenses.


 
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Based on the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, in the third quarter of 2008 Congoleum recorded an additional $11.5 million provision for estimated costs for the reorganization proceedings.  In the fourth quarter of 2007 Congoleum recorded an additional $41.3 million charge.  Of this charge, $14.9 million related to the write-off of certain insurance litigation costs receivable that would not have been collected under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan and $26.4 million was an additional provision for estimated costs for the reorganization proceedings and the Coverage Action.

Loss from operations, excluding the special charges above, was $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to operating income of $12.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007, a decrease of $17.7 million.  This change in operating income was a result of lower sales, coupled with the unfavorable impact of raw material costs and lower production volumes on gross profit, partially offset by lower operating expenses.

Interest income was $1.3 million and $1.2 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Interest expense, excluding interest on the Senior Notes, for 2008, was $0.4 million as compared to interest expense of $1.0 million for 2007.  Bond interest reversal on the Senior Notes in 2007 was $29.6 million.

Benefit for income taxes was $1.8 million in 2008 and a provision of $1.7 million in 2007, reflecting an increase in non-deductible expenses for tax purposes in 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources – ABI and Non-Debtor Subsidiaries

Cash and cash equivalents, including short term investments, decreased by $863 thousand to $3.0 million at December 31, 2008 as compared to December 31, 2007.  Total debt at December 31, 2008 was $25.5 million, down $3.4 million from December 31, 2007.  Working capital at December 31, 2008 was $24.8 million, compared with $32.5 million at December 31, 2007.  The ratio of current assets to current liabilities at December 31, 2008 was 1.51 compared to 1.64 at December 31, 2007. The decreases in working capital and ratio of current assets to current liabilities is due in part to the classification of ABI’s Term Loan ($5.5 million) entirely as a current liability as of December 31, 2008. See below for further discussion of the Company’s financing.

Net cash used by operating activities of continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1.6 million compared with cash provided of $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2007.  This decrease was primarily due to a $3.6 million increase in inventory during 2008 compared with a decrease in inventory of $5.9 million in 2007, as well as more cash used to settle payables and accrued liabilities in 2008 versus 2007, partly offset by reductions in accounts receivable levels.

Capital expenditures for 2008 were $1.5 million compared to $1.7 million for 2007.


 
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The Company has recorded provisions which it believes are adequate for environmental remediation, including provisions for testing and potential remediation of conditions at its own facilities, and non-asbestos product-related liabilities.  While the Company believes its estimate of the future amount of these liabilities is reasonable, that most of such amounts will be paid over a period of one to ten years and that the Company expects to have sufficient resources to fund such amounts, the actual timing and amount of such payments may differ significantly from the Company's assumptions.  Although the effect of future government regulation could have a significant effect on the Company's costs, the Company is not aware of any pending legislation or regulation relating to these matters that would have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.  There can be no assurances that any such costs could be passed along to its customers.

American Biltrite Inc.’s primary source of borrowings are the revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) and the term loan (“Term Loan”) it has with Bank of America, National Association (“BofA”) and BofA acting through its Canada branch (the “Canadian Lender”) pursuant to an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”).  The Credit Agreement provides American Biltrite Inc. and its subsidiary K&M with (i) a $30.0 million commitment under the Revolver with a $12.0 million borrowing sublimit (the “Canadian Revolver”) for American Biltrite Inc.’s subsidiary AB Canada and (ii) a $10.0 million Term Loan.  The Credit Agreement also provides for domestic and Canadian letter of credit facilities with availability of up to $5.0 million and $1.0 million, respectively, subject to availability under the Revolver and the Canadian Revolver, respectively.

In September 2006, American Biltrite Inc. entered into an amendment and restatement to the Credit Agreement with BofA and the Canadian Lender.  Pursuant to the amendment and restatement, the Term Loan was added to the Credit Agreement and the amount of the Revolver was increased by $10.0 million to its current $30.0 million amount.  In addition, the availability for domestic letters of credit issued under the Credit Agreement was increased from $4.0 million to $5.0 million.  In connection with that amendment and restatement, American Biltrite Inc. used approximately $17.0 million of new borrowings from the proceeds of the Term Loan, which was fully drawn, and under the Revolver to fully prepay $16.0 million of aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Company’s senior notes, all of which were held by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, together with approximately $1.0 million in interest and yield maintenance fees in connection with those notes and prepayment.  A charge of approximately $860 thousand for early extinguishment of debt was recorded in connection with this prepayment, which is included in other expense.

The amount of borrowings available from time to time for American Biltrite Inc. and K&M under the Revolver may not exceed the lesser of (a) $30.0 million less the then outstanding amount of borrowings by AB Canada under the Canadian Revolver less any outstanding borrowings under the domestic letter of credit facility and (b) the applicable borrowing base.  The formula used for determining the domestic borrowing base is based upon inventory, receivables and fixed assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (not including, among others, AB Canada and Congoleum), reduced by amounts outstanding under the Term Loan.


 
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The amount of borrowings available from time to time for AB Canada under the Canadian Revolver is limited to the lesser of (a) $12 million less any outstanding borrowings under the Canadian letter of credit facility, (b) AB Canada's borrowing base amount, which is based upon AB Canada's accounts receivable, inventory and fixed assets, and (c) $30.0 million less the amount of domestic borrowings outstanding under the Revolver on behalf of the Company and K&M.  AB Canada may borrow amounts under the Canadian Revolver in United States or Canadian dollar denominations; however, solely for purposes of determining amounts outstanding and borrowing availability under the Revolver, all Canadian dollar denominated amounts will be converted into United States dollars in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

Interest is payable quarterly on the Term Loan and Revolver borrowings by American Biltrite Inc. and K&M under the Credit Agreement at rates which vary depending on the applicable interest rate in effect and are generally determined based upon: (a) if a LIBOR based rate is in effect, at a rate between a LIBOR based rate plus 1.0% to a LIBOR based rate plus 2.75%, depending on the Company's leverage ratio, as determined under the Credit Agreement, (b) if a fixed rate is in effect, at a rate between the fixed rate plus 1.0% to a fixed rate plus 2.75%, depending on the Company's leverage ratio, as determined under the Credit Agreement, and (c) for loans not based on a LIBOR or fixed rate, the higher of (i) BofA's applicable prime rate and (ii) 0.50% plus the federal funds rate, as determined under the Credit Agreement.  Under the Credit Agreement, American Biltrite Inc. and K&M may generally determine whether interest on domestic revolving loans will be calculated based on a LIBOR based rate, and if BofA elects to make a fixed rate option available, whether interest on revolving loans will be calculated based on a fixed rate.

Interest is payable quarterly on revolving loans under the Canadian Revolver at rates which vary depending on the applicable interest rate in effect and are generally determined based upon: (a) if a LIBOR based rate is in effect, at a rate between a LIBOR based rate plus 1.0% to a LIBOR based rate plus 2.75%, depending on the Company's leverage ratio, as determined under the Credit Agreement, and (b) if a LIBOR based rate is not in effect, for outstanding revolving loans denominated in Canadian dollars, the higher of (i) 0.50% plus the applicable 30-day average bankers' acceptance rate as quoted on Reuters CDOR page and (ii) the Canadian Lender's applicable prime rate for loans made in Canadian dollars to Canadian customers, and for outstanding revolving loans denominated in United States dollars, the higher of (i) 0.50% plus the federal funds rate as calculated under the Credit Agreement and (ii) the applicable rate announced by the Canadian Lender as its reference rate for commercial loans denominated in United States dollars made to a person in Canada.  Under the Credit Agreement, AB Canada may generally determine whether interest on Canadian revolving loans will be calculated based on a LIBOR based rate.

The Term Loan principal is payable in 20 quarterly installments of $500 thousand beginning December 31, 2006 and ending on September 30, 2011.  All indebtedness under the Credit Agreement, other than the Term Loan, is due on September 30, 2009.


 
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The Credit Agreement contains certain covenants that the Company must satisfy.  The covenants included in the Credit Agreement include certain financial tests, restrictions on the ability of the Company to incur additional indebtedness or to grant liens on its assets and restrictions on the ability of the Company to pay dividends on its capital stock.  The financial tests are required to be calculated based on the Company accounting for its majority-owned subsidiary Congoleum on the equity method and include a maximum ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth, a minimum ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) less certain cash payments for taxes, debt service, and dividends to interest expense, a minimum level of tangible net worth, and a maximum level of capital spending.  Pursuant to the amendment and restatement to the Credit Agreement entered into on September 25, 2006, certain of the financial covenants under the Credit Agreement were amended to, among other things, (i) increase the permitted ratio of the Company's consolidated total liabilities to consolidated tangible net worth to 200%, (ii) to provide for a higher threshold for satisfying the consolidated tangible net worth test and (iii) to provide a higher permitted aggregate amount for capital expenditures in any fiscal year.  The Credit Agreement also requires, for each fiscal quarter ending on and after September 30, 2006, the Company's consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending to exceed 100% of the Company's consolidated fixed charges for the 12-month period ending on such date, as determined under the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries previously granted BofA and the Canadian Lender a security interest in most of the Company's and its subsidiaries' assets.  The security interest granted does not include shares of capital stock of Congoleum or the assets of Congoleum.  In addition, pursuant to the Credit Agreement, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have agreed to guarantee the Company's obligations (excluding AB Canada's obligations) under the Credit Agreement.

In the past, the Company has had to amend its debt agreements in order to avoid being in default of those agreements as a result of failing to satisfy certain financial covenants contained in those agreements. At March 31, 2007, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant under the Credit Agreement that there be no consecutive quarterly net losses from continuing operations.  On May 14, 2007, American Biltrite Inc. and its subsidiaries, K&M and AB Canada, entered into an amendment, effective as of March 31, 2007, to the Credit Agreement with BofA and BofA acting through its Canada branch, each in their respective capacities as lenders and administrative agents under the Credit Agreement. The amendment revised that financial covenant to provide that for each of the two consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2007, the Company may not have a quarterly net loss from continuing operations in excess of $400 thousand. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of its debt agreements at June 30 and September 30, 2007.  At December 31, 2007, the Company was not in compliance with the financial covenant under the Credit Agreement that requires a ratio of Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Interest Expense (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreement) to exceed 1.0 and that there be no consecutive quarterly net losses from continuing operations.  On March 12, 2008, American Biltrite Inc. and its subsidiaries, K&M and AB Canada, entered into an amendment, effective as of December 31, 2007, to the Credit Agreement with BofA and BofA acting through its Canada branch, each in their respective capacities as lenders and administrative agents under the Credit Agreement.  The amendment removed the financial covenant that required the Company not to have any consecutive quarterly net


 
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losses from continuing operations.  In addition, for purposes of determining the Company's compliance with the financial covenant requiring its Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to exceed 100% of the Company's Consolidated Fixed Charges (in each case, as determined under the Credit Agreement), the amendment permits the Company to add certain amounts to its Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to the extent those amounts are deducted in determining the Company's Consolidated Net Income (as determined under the Credit Agreement).  Further, under that amendment, the lenders waived defaults that may have otherwise existed as of December 31, 2007 with respect to the financial covenants that were amended by the amendment.  As of December 31, 2007, American Biltrite was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Credit Agreement as amended by the May 14, 2007 amendment.  ABI paid BofA a fee of $50 thousand in connection with this amendment.

The Company does not anticipate it will meet the covenant with respect to the ratio of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges for the period ended March 31, 2009 and subsequent periods.  As a result, the Company is currently negotiating with its lenders to amend the Credit Agreement to address, or obtain a waiver for, any such breaches.  The credit facility under the Credit Agreement expires September 30, 2009 and will have to be extended, refinanced or replaced by that expiration date or any earlier time required by any waiver or amendment the Company may obtain or enter into to address the expected covenant breaches under the Credit Agreement.  Although the Company currently anticipates that it will be able to obtain a waiver or enter an amendment to address these matters, there can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in this regard.  Further, any waiver or amendment the Company may obtain is expected to be limited in scope and duration such that the Company would likely need to obtain further amendments or waivers in the future or obtain alternative financing. Based on the Company’s anticipated covenant breaches, the Company has classified the entire outstanding balance of the Term Loan ($5.5 million) as a current liability at December 31, 2008.

The Company is also currently negotiating for alternative financing to replace the Credit Agreement, including the Term Loan and the Revolver. The Company believes it will be successful in obtaining alternative financing during the second quarter of 2009, and that the replacement facility contemplated would provide the Company with sufficient financing on commercially reasonable terms for an extended period of time. It is possible, however, that the Company may not be successful in obtaining the alternative financing it is currently seeking and it may not be able to obtain financing from other alternative sources or under a different arrangement with its existing lenders.  Failure to obtain adequate financing on commercially reasonable terms would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

Any required amendments or replacement financing, if obtained, could result in significant cost to the Company.  If an event of default under the Credit Agreement were to occur, the lenders could cease to make borrowings available under the Revolver and require the Company to repay all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.  If the Company were unable to repay those amounts due, the lenders could have their rights over the collateral (most of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ (excluding Congoleum) assets, as applicable) exercised, which would likely have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.


 
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Under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, ABI’s ownership interest in Congoleum would be eliminated.  ABI expects that its ownership interest in Congoleum would be eliminated under any alternate plan or outcome in Congoleum’s Chapter 11 case.  While the Company does not believe the loss of the value of its equity interest in Congoleum would have a direct material adverse effect on ABI’s liquidity, the loss of a controlling interest could have a material adverse impact on the business relationships between ABI and Congoleum, which in turn could have a material adverse impact on ABI’s business, operations and financial condition.  In connection with Congoleum’s plan of reorganization, ABI expects to spend $300 thousand in 2009, which is not expected to have a material adverse effect on ABI’s working capital or cash flow.

The Company has not declared a dividend subsequent to the third quarter of 2003.  Future dividends, if any, will be determined by the Company's Board of Directors based upon the financial performance and capital requirements of the Company, among other considerations.  Under the Credit Agreement, aggregate dividend payments (since June 30, 2003) are generally limited to 50% of cumulative consolidated net income (computed treating Congoleum under the equity method of accounting), as determined under the Credit Agreement, earned from June 30, 2003.

Liquidity and Capital Resources – Congoleum

The consolidated financial statements of Congoleum, which are reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been prepared on a going concern basis.  A going concern basis contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.  Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements of Congoleum do not include any adjustments that might be necessary should Congoleum be unable to continue as a going concern.  As described more fully in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, there is substantial doubt about Congoleum's ability to continue as a going concern unless it obtains relief from its substantial asbestos liabilities through a successful reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code.

On December 31, 2003, Congoleum filed a voluntary petition with the Bankruptcy Court (Case No. 03-51524) seeking relief under the Bankruptcy Code.  See elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including Notes 1 and 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which are set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a discussion of Congoleum’s bankruptcy proceedings.  These matters continue to have a material adverse impact on liquidity and capital resources.  During 2008, Congoleum paid $15.9 million in fees and expenses related to reorganization proceedings under the Bankruptcy Code and the New Jersey state court insurance coverage action Congoleum is litigating against certain of its insurers (the “Coverage Action”).  Furthermore, at December 31, 2008, Congoleum had incurred but not paid approximately $7.4 million in additional fees and expenses for services rendered through that date.


 
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Based on its reorganization plans, Congoleum has made provision in its financial statements for the minimum estimated cost to effect its plan to settle asbestos liabilities through confirmation of a plan that complies with section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Congoleum recorded charges aggregating approximately $51.3 million in years prior to 2007.  Based on the terms of the Joint Plan, in the fourth quarter of 2007 Congoleum recorded an additional $41.3 million charge.  Of this charge, $14.9 million related to the write-off of certain insurance litigation costs receivable that would not have been collected under the terms of the Joint Plan and are not expected to be collected under any future plan, including the Amended Joint plan, and $26.4 million was an additional provision for estimated costs for the reorganization proceedings and the Coverage Action.  In the fourth quarter of 2007 Congoleum also recorded a $41.0 million interest expense credit to reverse post-petition interest accrued on its Senior Notes.  Terms of previous reorganization plans had provided, among other things, for the payment of post-petition interest on the Senior Notes and therefore Congoleum had continued to accrue such interest.  Under the terms of the Amended Joint Plan, and the expected terms of any future plan, including the Amended Joint Plan, the Senior Note holders would not have received any post-petition interest. Following the ruling that the Amended Joint Plan was unconfirmable and based on the anticipated terms and timing of effectiveness of any plan of reorganization for Congoleum, Congoleum recorded an additional charge of $11.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 for costs to effect its reorganization.

In February 2006, the Bankruptcy Court ordered Congoleum’s former counsel, Gilbert, Heintz & Randolph LLP (currently known as Gilbert Oshinsky LLP) (“GHR”) to disgorge all fees and certain expenses it was paid by Congoleum.  In October 2006, Congoleum and GHR entered into a settlement agreement under which GHR was to pay Congoleum approximately $9.2 million plus accrued interest in full satisfaction of the disgorgement order.  The obligation was secured by assets of GHR and was to be made over time according to a formula based on GHR’s earnings.  The Bankruptcy Court approved that settlement agreement in April 2007.  Congoleum received $9.2 million plus $1.0 million of accrued interest in full satisfaction of that settlement agreement in March 2008.

Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments at December 31, 2008, were $15.1 million, a decrease of $11.3 million from December 31, 2007.  Under the terms of its revolving credit agreement, payments on Congoleum’s accounts receivable are deposited in an account assigned by Congoleum to its lender and the funds in that account are used by the lender to pay down any loan balance.  There were no funds deposited in this account at December 31, 2008 and December 31, 2007.  Additionally, $6.5 million remaining from a $14.5 million settlement received in August 2004 from an insurance carrier, which is subject to a court order, is included as restricted cash at December 31, 2008.  In the second quarter of 2008 Congoleum received an additional $22.7 million from other insurance carriers which is also included in restricted cash.  Congoleum expects to contribute these funds, less any amounts withheld pursuant to reimbursement arrangements, to the plan trust that would be established upon effectiveness of the plan of reorganization should the Bankruptcy Court confirm such a plan pursuant to section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code (the “Plan Trust”).  Net working capital was a negative $1.6 million at December 31, 2008, down from $9.4 million at December 31, 2007.  The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.0 to 1.0 at December 31, 2008 and 1.1 to 1.0 at December 31, 2007.  Net cash used in operations during for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $10.1 million, as compared to net cash provided by operations of $11.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2007.

 
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Capital expenditures in 2008 totaled $4.6 million.  Congoleum is currently planning capital expenditures of approximately $3.5 million in 2009 and between $3.0 million and $5.0 million in 2010, primarily for maintenance and improvement of plants and equipment, which Congoleum expects to fund with cash from operations and credit facilities.

In January 2004, the Bankruptcy Court authorized entry of a final order approving Congoleum’s debtor-in-possession financing, which replaced its pre-petition credit facility on substantially similar terms. The debtor-in-possession financing agreement (as amended and approved by the Bankruptcy Court to date) provides a revolving credit facility expiring on the earlier of (i) June 30, 2009 and (ii) the date the plan of reorganization in Congoleum's bankruptcy cases as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court becomes effective.  Total borrowing under the facility may not exceed $30.0 million.  Interest is based on 0.25% above the prime rate.  This financing agreement contains certain covenants, which include the maintenance of minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”).  In connection with the amendment and extension of the agreement during 2008, the minimum level of EBITDA that Congoleum must maintain was reduced for quarters ending after June 30, 2008.  Congoleum paid a fee of $25 thousand for such amendment, plus an amendment fee in the amount of $15 thousand per month.  The financing agreement also includes restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt and limitations on capital expenditures. The covenants and conditions under this financing agreement must be met in order for Congoleum to borrow from the facility. Congoleum was not in compliance with the minimum EBITDA covenant under its credit facility for the period ended December 31, 2008, and obtained a waiver of that covenant as well as an amendment of the covenant levels for the remaining term of the facility to make them less restrictive.  The interest rate was increased to 1.75% above the prime rate.  A fee of $30 thousand was paid in connection with the waiver and amendment.  Borrowings under this facility are collateralized by inventory and receivables.  At December 31, 2008, based on the level of receivables and inventory, $17.4 million was available under the facility, of which $2.0 million was utilized for outstanding letters of credit and $14.0 million was utilized by the revolving loan.  Congoleum anticipates that its debtor-in-possession financing facility (including anticipated extensions beyond June 30, 2009) together with cash from operations will provide it with sufficient liquidity to operate during 2009 while under Chapter 11 protection.  There can be no assurances that Congoleum will continue to be in compliance with the required covenants under this facility or that the debtor-in-possession facility (as extended) will be renewed prior to its expiration if a plan of reorganization is not confirmed before that time.  For a plan of reorganization to be confirmed, Congoleum will need to obtain and demonstrate the sufficiency of exit financing.  Congoleum cannot presently determine the terms of such financing, nor can there be any assurances of its success obtaining it.

In addition to the provision for asbestos litigation discussed previously, Congoleum has also recorded what it believes are adequate provisions for environmental remediation and product-related liabilities (other than asbestos-related claims), including provisions for testing for potential remediation of conditions at its own facilities. Congoleum is subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations and certain legal and administrative claims are pending or have been asserted against Congoleum.  Among these claims, Congoleum is a named party in several actions associated with waste disposal sites (more fully discussed in Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K). These actions include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on the environment of wastes deposited at various sites, including Superfund sites and certain of Congoleum’s

 
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owned and previously owned facilities.  The contingencies also include claims for personal injury and/or property damage.  The exact amount of such future cost and timing of payments are indeterminable due to such unknown factors as the magnitude of cleanup costs, the timing and extent of the remedial actions that may be required, the determination of Congoleum’s liability in proportion to other potentially responsible parties, and the extent to which costs may be recoverable from insurance.  Congoleum has recorded provisions in its financial statements for the estimated probable loss associated with all known general and environmental contingencies. While Congoleum believes its estimate of the future amount of these liabilities is reasonable, and that they will be paid over a period of five to ten years, the timing and amount of such payments may differ significantly from Congoleum’s assumptions.  Although the effect of future government regulation could have a significant effect on Congoleum’s costs, Congoleum is not aware of any pending legislation which would reasonably have such an effect.  There can be no assurances that the costs of any future government regulations could be passed along to its customers.  Estimated insurance recoveries related to these liabilities are reflected in other non-current assets.

The outcome of these environmental matters could result in significant expenses incurred by or judgments assessed against Congoleum.

Congoleum's principal sources of capital are net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under its financing agreement. Congoleum believes that its existing cash (including restricted cash), cash generated from operations, and debtor-in-possession credit arrangements should be sufficient to provide adequate working capital for operations during 2009.  Congoleum’s ability to emerge from Chapter 11 will depend on obtaining sufficient exit financing to settle administrative expenses of the reorganization and any other related obligations, and to provide adequate future liquidity.

As noted elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Bankruptcy Court has issued an Order of Dismissal and the appeal of that order that is currently being pursued may not be successful.  There can be no assurance that Congoleum’s bankruptcy case will not be dismissed or converted or that a plan of reorganization for Congoleum will be approved, confirmed and become effective on terms consistent with the Amended Joint Plan or otherwise.

Contingencies

ABI has recorded what it believes are adequate provisions for environmental remediation and product-related liabilities, including provisions for testing for potential remediation of conditions at its own facilities.  While ABI believes its estimate of the future amount of these liabilities is reasonable and that they will be paid for the most part over a period of one to ten years, the timing and amount of such payments may differ significantly from ABI's assumptions.  Although the effect of future government regulation could have a significant effect on ABI's costs, ABI is not aware of any pending legislation which could significantly affect the liabilities ABI has established for these matters.  There can be no assurances that the costs of any future government regulations could be passed along by ABI to its customers.


 
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Certain legal and administrative claims are pending or have been asserted against ABI.  Among these claims, ABI is a named party in several actions associated with waste disposal sites and asbestos-related claims.  These actions include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on the environment of wastes deposited at various sites, including Superfund sites.  The exact amount of such future costs to ABI is indeterminable due to such unknown factors as the magnitude of cleanup costs, the timing and extent of the remedial actions that may be required, the determination of ABI's liability in proportion to other potentially responsible parties and the extent to which costs may be recoverable from insurance.  ABI has recorded provisions in its consolidated financial statements for the estimated probable loss associated with all known environmental and asbestos-related contingencies.  The contingencies also include claims for personal injury and/or property damage.  (See Notes 1, 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.)

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these financial statements requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 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 and conditions may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant judgments and uncertainties, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.  The Company believes that its most critical accounting policies upon which its financial condition depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments, are those described below.  For a discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Asbestos Liabilities – As discussed previously, the Company is party to a significant number of lawsuits stemming from their previous manufacture of asbestos-containing products.  ABI has recorded in its consolidated balance sheet a liability and corresponding insurance receivable based on its estimates of the future costs and related insurance recoveries to settle asbestos litigation.  These estimates are based on a number of subjective assumptions, including the anticipated costs to settle claims, the claims dismissal rate, the cost to litigate claims, the number of claims expected to be received, and the applicability and allocation of insurance coverage to these costs.  Additionally, due to the numerous uncertainties related to future asbestos litigation trends and costs, the Company does not believe reasonable estimates can be developed for claim developments beyond a six year horizon.  Accordingly, the Company’s estimated liability is based on claims currently filed as well as claims anticipated to be filed over the next six years.  A change in assumptions could have a material effect on the Company’s estimated liability.  For example, it is estimated that a 1 percentage point increase in the Company’s acceptance rate of mesothelioma claims results in a 21% increase in mesothelioma liability assuming all other variables remained constant.


 
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Due to the highly subjective nature of these assumptions, the Company has estimated a wide range of potential future costs and insurance recoveries and, because management believes that no amount within the range is more likely than any other, has recorded a liability and insurance receivable based on the low end of the range in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  As such, the selection of a different amount within the range could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as could future developments, which may differ from those assumed in developing the Company's estimates.  The same factors that affect developing forecasts of potential indemnity costs for asbestos-related liabilities also affect estimates of the total amount of insurance that is probable of recovery, as do a number of additional factors.  These additional factors include the financial viability of some of the insurance companies, the method in which losses will be allocated to the various insurance policies and the years covered by those policies, how legal and other loss handling costs will be covered by the insurance policies, and interpretation of the effect on coverage of various policy terms and limits and their interrelationships.  The Company analyzes these estimates on an annual basis and reassesses the assumptions used as additional information becomes available over the course of time.

Congoleum is a party to a significant number of lawsuits stemming from its manufacture of asbestos-containing products.  During 2008, Congoleum paid $15.9 million (net of recoveries) in fees and expenses related to implementation of its planned reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and litigation with certain insurance companies.  Given the terms of the proposed Amended Joint Plan, Congoleum has made provision in its financial statements for the minimum estimated cost to effect its plan to settle asbestos liabilities through confirmation of a plan that complies with section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code.

In anticipation of Congoleum's commencement of the Chapter 11 cases, Congoleum entered into a Claimant Agreement, which provides for settlement of certain prepetition asbestos claims against Congoleum and provides for an aggregate settlement value of at least $466 million as well as an additional number of individually negotiated trial listed settlements with an aggregate value of approximately $25 million, for total settlements in excess of $491 million.  Participants in the Claimant Agreement signed releases limiting their recourse against Congoleum to what they would receive from the Plan Trust and Congoleum has therefore estimated its liability under the Claimant Agreement as the cost of effecting the settlement through confirmation of a plan of reorganization.  In addition, as a result of tabulating ballots on a previous plan, Congoleum is also aware of claims by claimants whose claims were not determined under the Claimant Agreement but who have submitted claims with a value of approximately $512 million based on the settlement values applicable in a previous plan.  It is also likely that additional new claims may be asserted in connection with solicitation of acceptances of any future plan.  Congoleum does not believe it can reasonably estimate the liability associated with claims that may be pending.

ABI understands that Congoleum expects that insurance will provide the substantial majority of the recovery available to claimants, due to the amount of insurance coverage it purchased and the comparatively limited resources and value of Congoleum itself.  Congoleum believes it has insufficient/limited financial resources to litigate and/or settle asbestos claims in the ordinary course of business.


 
44

 

While Congoleum has provided for the anticipated costs to effect the Amended Joint Plan, costs for pursuing and implementing the Amended Joint Plan and any plan of reorganization could be materially higher than recorded amounts and previous estimates.

Congoleum will update its estimates, if appropriate, as additional information becomes available during the reorganization process, which could result in potentially material adjustments to Congoleum’s earnings in future periods.

Consolidation of Congoleum – The Company's subsidiary Congoleum filed for bankruptcy protection on December 31, 2003.   The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results for Congoleum for all periods presented.  ABI expects to continue to own a majority of the voting stock of Congoleum until Congoleum’s reorganization proceedings are concluded.  Upon effectiveness of any plan of reorganization for Congoleum, ABI expects that the plan will provide that ABI’s shares of Congoleum will be cancelled.  The Company has elected to continue to consolidate the financial statements of Congoleum in its consolidated results because it believes that is the appropriate presentation given its current voting control of Congoleum.  However, the accompanying financial statements also present the details of consolidation to separately show the financial condition, operating results and cash flows of ABI (including its non-debtor subsidiaries) and Congoleum, which may be more meaningful for certain analyses.  ABI’s reported consolidated financial condition, operating results and cash flows results would be materially different if they did not include Congoleum.  The Company anticipates its equity interest in Congoleum will be eliminated in connection with the effectiveness of any future Congoleum plan of reorganization, at which time it will no longer include Congoleum in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Environmental Contingencies – As discussed previously, the Company has incurred liabilities related to environmental remediation costs at both third party sites and Company owned sites.  The Company accrues for its estimate of future remediation activities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.  The most likely cost to be incurred is accrued based on an evaluation of currently available facts with respect to each individual site, including the extent of clean-up activities to be performed, the methods employed in the clean-up activities, the Company's relative share in costs at sites where other parties are involved, existing technology, current laws and regulations and prior remediation experience.  Where no amount within a range of estimates is more likely to occur than another, the minimum is accrued.  For sites with multiple potentially responsible parties, the Company considers its likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation costs and the ability of the other parties to fulfill their obligations in establishing a provision for those costs.  When future liabilities are determined to be reimbursable by insurance coverage or payment from third parties, an accrual is recorded for the potential liability and a receivable is recorded related to the expected recovery.  A receivable reserve is recorded when recoveries are disputed or are not highly probable.  These estimates are based on certain assumptions such as the Company's relative share in costs at sites where other parties are involved, and the ultimate insurance coverage available.  These projects tend to be long-term in nature, and assumptions are subject to refinement as facts change.  As such, it is possible that the Company may need to revise its recorded liabilities and receivables for environmental costs in future periods resulting in potentially material adjustments to the Company's earnings in future periods.  The Company closely monitors existing and potential environmental matters to consider the reasonableness of its estimates and assumptions.


 
45

 

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets – The Company provides for valuation reserves against its deferred tax assets in accordance with the requirements of SFAS 109.  In evaluating the recovery of deferred tax assets, the Company makes certain assumptions as to the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years, the feasibility of tax planning strategies, and estimated future taxable income.  The valuation allowance can be affected by changes to tax laws, changes to statutory tax rates and changes to future taxable income estimates.  It is possible that the facts underlying these assumptions may not materialize as anticipated in future periods, which may require the Company to record additional deferred tax valuation allowances, or to reduce previously recorded valuation allowances.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits – The Company sponsors several noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering most of the Company’s employees.  The Company also maintains health and life insurance programs for retirees.  Benefits under the plans are based on years of service and employee compensation.  The costs and obligations associated with these plans are dependent upon various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts.  These assumptions include the long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rates and other factors.  These assumptions are evaluated and updated annually by management.  Other assumptions used include employee demographic factors such as retirement patterns, mortality, turnover and the rate of compensation increases.

To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considers the current and expected asset allocation, as well as historical and expected returns on each plan asset class.  In 2008 and 2007, the Company assumed that the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets will be 7.0% - 7.5%.  The assumed long-term rate of return on assets is applied to a calculated value of plan assets, which recognizes changes in the fair value of plan assets in a systematic manner over four years.  This produces the expected return on plan assets that is included in pension expense.  The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred.  The net deferral of past actuarial gains or losses affects the calculated value of plan assets and, ultimately, future pension expense.

At the end of each year, the Company determines the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of plan liabilities.  The discount rate is used to determine expected future benefit payments as a present value on the measurement date, reflecting the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled.  In estimating this rate, the Company looks to rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments that receive one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized ratings agency.  At December 31, 2008, the Company determined this rate to be 5.75% - 7.50%.


 
46

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on a variety of factors that affect the potential collectibility of the related receivables, including the length of time receivables are past due, customer credit ratings, financial stability of customers, specific one-time events and past customer history.  In addition, in circumstances where the Company is made aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, a specific allowance is established.  The majority of accounts are individually evaluated on a regular basis and appropriate reserves are established as deemed appropriate based on the criteria previously noted.  The remainder of the reserve is based on management’s estimates and takes into consideration historical trends, market conditions and the composition of the Company’s customer base.  The risk associated with this estimate is that the Company would not become aware of potential collectibility issues related to specific accounts and thereby become exposed to potential unreserved losses.  Historically, the Company’s estimates and assumptions around the allowance have been reasonably accurate and the Company has processes and controls in place to closely monitor customers and potential credit issues.

Inventory Allowances – The Company maintains obsolescence and slow-moving allowances for inventory.  Products and materials that are specifically identified as obsolete are fully reserved.  The remainder of the allowance is based on management’s estimates and fluctuates with market conditions, design cycles and other economic factors.  Risks associated with this allowance include unforeseen changes in business cycles that could affect the marketability of certain products and an unforecasted decline in current production.  Management closely monitors the market place and related inventory levels and has historically maintained reasonably accurate allowance levels.  In addition, the Company values certain inventories using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method.  Accordingly, a LIFO valuation reserve is maintained to properly value these inventories.

 
47

 

ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets with Consolidating Details – Assets
(In thousands of dollars)

   
December 31
   
Eliminations
   
Congoleum
   
American Biltrite
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Assets
                                               
Current assets:
                                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 18,072     $ 30,185                 $ 15,077     $ 26,327     $ 2,995     $ 3,858  
Restricted cash
    29,680       6,501                   29,680       6,501                  
Accounts and notes receivable, less allowances for doubtful accounts and discounts of $2,720 in 2008 and $2,917 in 2007
    36,627       41,345     $ (367 )   $ (316 )     13,789       14,162       23,205       27,499  
Inventories
    79,082       78,401       (89 )     (125 )     35,814       35,182       43,357       43,344  
Taxes receivable
    1,334       468                                       1,334       468  
Deferred income taxes
    -       961                                       -       961  
Prepaid expenses & other current assets
    6,406       20,001                       3,922       13,138       2,484       6,863  
Total current assets
    171,201       177,862       (456 )     (441 )     98,282       95,310       73,375       82,993  
                                                                 
Property, plant & equipment, net
    88,466       99,153                       56,520       61,993       31,946       37,160  
                                                                 
Other assets:
                                                               
Insurance for asbestos-related liabilities
    13,509       11,140                                       13,509       11,140  
Goodwill, net
          11,605                                             11,605  
Other assets
    21,825       22,507       (117 )     (126 )     17,065       15,402       4,877       7,231  
      35,334       45,252       (117 )     (126 )     17,065       15,402       18,386       29,976  
                                                                 
Total assets
  $ 295,001     $ 322,267     $ (573 )   $ (567 )   $ 171,867     $ 172,705     $ 123,707     $ 150,129  

See accompanying notes.

 
48

 

American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets with Consolidating Details – Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

   
December 31
   
Eliminations
   
Congoleum
   
American Biltrite
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Liabilities
                                               
Current liabilities:
                                               
Accounts payable
  $ 16,298     $ 22,570     $ (366 )   $ (316 )   $ 7,472     $ 10,715     $ 9,192     $ 12,171  
Accrued expenses
    31,880       36,913                       16,897       20,742       14,983       16,171  
Asbestos-related liabilities
    50,022       31,207                       50,022       31,207                  
Deferred income taxes
    6,533       7,725                       6,533       7,725                  
Notes payable
    32,747       30,309                       13,994       10,551       18,753       19,758  
Current portion of long-term debt
    5,611       2,376                                       5,611       2,376  
Liabilities subject to compromise
    4,997       4,997                       4,997       4,997                  
Total current liabilities
    148,088       136,097       (366 )     (316 )     99,915       85,937       48,539       50,476  
                                                                 
Long-term debt, less current portion
    1,112       6,725                                       1,112       6,725  
Asbestos-related liabilities
    13,563       12,600                                       13,563       12,600  
Other liabilities
    16,801       12,785                                       16,801       12,785  
Noncontrolling interests
    835       1,093                                       835       1,093  
Liabilities subject to compromise
    161,386       133,098       (117 )     (126 )     161,503       133,224                  
Total liabilities
    341,785       302,398       (483 )     (442 )     261,418       219,161       80,850       83,679  
                                                                 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
                                                               
Common stock, par value $.01, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued 4,607,902 shares
    46       46       (93 )     (93 )     93       93       46       46  
Additional paid-in capital
    19,749       19,607       (49,386 )     (49,368 )     49,386       49,368       19,749       19,607  
Retained earnings (deficit)
    1,803       30,835       35,466       35,413       (80,038 )     (65,417 )     46,375       60,839  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (53,250 )     (15,487 )     6,110       6,110       (51,179 )     (22,687 )     (8,181 )     1,090  
Less cost of 1,166,351 shares of common stock in treasury
    (15,132 )     (15,132 )     7,813       7,813       (7,813 )     (7,813 )     (15,132 )     (15,132 )
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
    (46,784 )     19,869       (90 )     (125 )     (89,551 )     (46,456 )     42,857       66,450  
                                                                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
  $ 295,001     $ 322,267     $ (573 )   $ (567 )   $ 171,867     $ 172,705     $ 123,707     $ 150,129  

See accompanying notes.

 
49

 

American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations with Consolidating Details
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

   
Years Ended December 31
   
Eliminations
   
Congoleum
   
American Biltrite
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                                 
Net sales
  $ 375,093     $ 420,725                 $ 172,644     $ 204,262     $ 202,449     $ 216,463  
                                                             
Cost of products sold
    292,501       312,814     $ (1,345 )   $ (1,029 )     142,032       153,809       151,814       160,034  
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    88,713       95,289                       35,397       37,469       53,316       57,820  
Impairment charges
    12,899       -                                       12,899       -  
Asbestos-related reorganization charges
    11,491       41,315                       11,491       41,315                  
Loss from operations
    (30,511 )     (28,693 )     1,345       1,029       (16,276 )     (28,331 )     (15,580 )     (1,391 )
Other income (expense)
                                                               
Interest income
    1,317       1,338                       1,261       1,224       56       114  
Bond interest reversal
    -       29,603                       -       29,603                  
Other interest expense
    (2,072 )     (3,438 )                     (404 )     (1,027 )     (1,668 )     (2,411 )
Other (expense) income, net
    (1,411 )     (78 )     (1,310 )     (1,011 )     (970 )     (447 )     869       1,380  
      (2,166 )     27,425       (1,310 )     (1,011 )     (113 )     29,353       (743 )     (917 )
(Loss) income before taxes and other items
    (32,677 )     (1,268 )     35       18       (16,389 )     1,022       (16,323 )     (2,308 )
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes
    (2,445 )     680                       (1,768 )     1,713       (677 )     (1,033 )
Noncontrolling interests
    157       (57 )                                     157       (57 )
                                                                 
Net loss from continuing operations
    (30,075 )     (2,005 )     35       18       (14,621 )     (691 )     (15,489 )     (1,332 )
Discontinued operation
    1,025       -                                       1,025       -  
                                                                 
Net loss
  $ (29,050 )   $ (2,005 )   $ 35     $ 18     $ (14,621 )   $ (691 )   $ (14,464 )   $ (1,332 )

   
2008
   
2007
   
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted:
             
Continuing operations
  $ (8.74 )   $ (0.58 )  
Discontinued operation
    0.30       -    
                   
Net loss per common share
  $ (8.44 )   $ (0.58 )  
Weighted average number of common and
equivalent shares outstanding
    3,441,551       3,441,551    

See accompanying notes.

 
50

 

American Biltrite Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows with Consolidating Details – Operating Activities
(In thousands of dollars)


   
Years Ended December 31
   
Eliminations
   
Congoleum
   
American Biltrite
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
                                                 
Operating activities
                                               
Net loss
  $ (29,050 )   $ (2,005 )   $ 35     $ 18     $ (14,621 )   $ (691 )   $ (14,464 )   $ (1,332 )
Net income from discontinued operation
    (1,025 )     -                                       (1,025 )     -  
Net loss from continuing operations
    (30,075 )     (2,005 )     35       18       (14,621 )     (691 )     (15,489 )     (1,332 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
                                                               
Depreciation and amortization
    15,138       16,185                       10,238       10,690       4,900       5,495  
Provision for doubtful accounts and discounts
    3,802       2,826                                       3,802       2,826  
Deferred income taxes
    (1,969 )     (1,576 )                     (1,721 )     325       (248 )     (1,901 )
Asbestos-related charge
    11,491       41,315                       11,491       41,315                  
Bond interest (reversal) expense
    -       (29,603 )                     -       (29,603 )                
Impairment charges
    12,899       -                                       12,899       -  
Stock compensation charge
    160       35                       18       19       142       16  
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
                                                               
Accounts and notes receivable
    (80 )     (2,068 )     41       216       373       3,436       (494 )     (5,720 )
Inventories