form10q.htm
 
 



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X]
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

Or

[  ]
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ___________ to _________

Commission File Number:
0-10436

L. B. Foster Company
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
25-1324733
(State of Incorporation)
(I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)

415 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
15220
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

(412) 928-3417
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).*
Yes [ ]
No [ ]

* The registrant has not yet been phased into the interactive data requirements.

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.  (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [ ]
Accelerated filer [X]
Non-accelerated filer [ ]
Smaller reporting company [ ]
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 

Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ]
No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class
Outstanding at October 21, 2009
Common Stock, Par Value $.01
10,163,964 Shares




 
 


L.B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I. Financial Information
Page
   
 
Item 1. Financial Statements:
   
   
3
         
     
4
         
     
5
         
     
6
         
 
18
     
 
33
     
 
33
     
PART II. Other Information
 
     
     
33
         
     
33
         
   
33
         
     
33
         
     
34
         
     
37
         

2




 
ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           
L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In Thousands)
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 122,018     $ 115,074  
Accounts and notes receivable:
               
Trade
    51,450       63,271  
Other
    318       1,042  
      51,768       64,313  
Inventories
    96,986       102,916  
Current deferred tax assets
    2,911       2,931  
Prepaid income taxes
    247       -  
Other current assets
    1,422       1,221  
Total Current Assets
    275,352       286,455  
                 
Property, Plant & Equipment - At Cost
    101,253       97,439  
Less Accumulated Depreciation
    (62,925 )     (57,450 )
      38,328       39,989  
                 
Other Assets:
               
Goodwill
    350       350  
Other intangibles - net
    28       37  
Investments
    2,985       2,856  
Deferred tax assets
    2,032       2,026  
Other assets
    367       407  
Total Other Assets
    5,762       5,676  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 319,442     $ 332,120  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
  $ 5,360     $ 5,777  
Accounts payable - trade
    47,972       62,612  
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    5,612       8,000  
Other accrued liabilities
    7,085       7,802  
Total Current Liabilities
    66,029       84,191  
                 
Long-Term Debt, Term Loan
    11,190       13,333  
Other Long-Term Debt
    5,463       8,401  
Deferred Tax Liabilities
    1,963       2,046  
Other Long-Term Liabilities
    6,454       6,587  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Common stock
    111       111  
Paid-in capital
    47,744       47,585  
Retained earnings
    208,875       197,060  
Treasury stock - at cost
    (27,574 )     (26,482 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (813 )     (712 )
Total Stockholders' Equity
    228,343       217,562  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 319,442     $ 332,120  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               

3




 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 
   
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended
   
Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Net Sales
  $ 92,413     $ 145,550     $ 283,928     $ 368,824  
Cost of Goods Sold
    74,655       122,843       239,656       308,611  
Gross Profit
    17,758       22,707       44,272       60,213  
                                 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
    9,068       10,092       26,707       29,417  
Interest Expense
    328       500       989       1,543  
Gain on Sale of DM&E Investment
    -       -       -       (2,022 )
Gain on Sale of Houston, TX Property
    -       -       -       (1,486 )
Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities
    (1,194 )     -       (1,194 )     -  
Interest Income
    (169 )     (617 )     (676 )     (2,018 )
Other (Income) Expense
    (116 )     48       (445 )     64  
      7,917       10,023       25,381       25,498  
                                 
Income Before Income Taxes
    9,841       12,684       18,891       34,715  
                                 
Income Tax Expense
    3,697       4,558       7,076       12,626  
                                 
Net Income
  $ 6,144     $ 8,126     $ 11,815     $ 22,089  
                                 
Basic Earnings Per Common Share
  $ 0.60     $ 0.77     $ 1.16     $ 2.04  
                                 
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share
  $ 0.60     $ 0.76     $ 1.15     $ 2.01  
                                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
                         

4



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(In Thousands)
 
   
   
Nine Months
 
   
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
             
Net income
  $ 11,815     $ 22,089  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
 
Deferred income taxes
    (4 )     39  
Depreciation and amortization
    6,466       6,699  
Gain on sale of DM&E investment
    -       (2,022 )
Gain on sale of marketable securities
    (1,194 )     -  
Loss (gain) on sale of property, plant and equipment
    14       (1,473 )
Deferred gain amortization on sale-leaseback
    (161 )     (125 )
Stock-based compensation
    737       799  
Unrealized loss on derivative mark-to-market
    32       76  
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
    (128 )     (877 )
                 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    12,545       (15,822 )
Inventories
    5,930       (17,889 )
Other current assets
    (201 )     (173 )
Prepaid income tax
    (119 )     -  
Other noncurrent assets
    4       9  
Accounts payable - trade
    (14,640 )     23,175  
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
    (2,388 )     (3,754 )
Other current liabilities
    (717 )     (825 )
Other liabilities
    28       (486 )
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    18,019       9,440  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
    1       6,611  
Proceeds from sale of DM&E investment
    -       2,022  
Capital contributions to equity method investment
    (1,250 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    2,115       -  
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment
    (4,773 )     (4,010 )
Net Cash (Used) Provided by Investing Activities
    (3,907 )     4,623  
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Proceeds from revolving credit agreement
    -       238  
Repayments of long-term debt, term loan
    (2,143 )     (2,380 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and stock awards
    65       507  
Tax benefit related to stock options exercised
    128       877  
Treasury stock acquisitions
    (1,863 )     (19,830 )
Repayments of other long-term debt
    (3,355 )     (2,817 )
Net Cash Used by Financing Activities
    (7,168 )     (23,405 )
                 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    6,944       (9,342 )
                 
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period
    115,074       121,097  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 122,018     $ 111,755  
                 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:
               
Interest Paid
  $ 871     $ 1,456  
Income Taxes Paid
  $ 9,624     $ 13,328  
                 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
               
 
 

5



L. B. FOSTER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all estimates and adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  However, actual results could differ from those estimates.  The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2009.  Amounts included in the balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 were derived from our audited balance sheet.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.  We have evaluated all subsequent events through November 6, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (SFAS) No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.”  This statement modifies the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) hierarchy by establishing only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative accounting literature.  Effective July 2009, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) is considered the single source of authoritative U.S. accounting and reporting standards, except for additional authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the SEC.  The codification was developed to organize GAAP pronouncements by topic so that users can more easily access authoritative accounting guidance.  This statement applies beginning in the 2009 third quarter.  All accounting references have been updated and, therefore, SFAS references have been replaced with ASC references.

The Company adopted changes issued by the FASB to accounting for business combinations beginning on January 1, 2009.  FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in the purchase accounting.  It also changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value, and requires the expensing of acquisition-related costs as incurred.  Topic 805 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008.
 
 
The Company adopted changes issued by the FASB to accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued, otherwise known as subsequent events, on June 30, 2009.  FASB ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued.

In June 2009, the FASB issued changes to the consolidation guidance applicable to a variable interest entity (VIE).  FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” amends the guidance governing the determination of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, and is, therefore, required to consolidate an entity, by requiring a qualitative analysis rather than a quantitative analysis.  The qualitative analysis will include, among other things, consideration of who has the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  This standard also requires continuous reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  Previously, FIN 46R required reconsideration of whether an enterprise was the primary beneficiary of a VIE only when specific events had occurred.  Qualifying special-purpose entities, which were previously exempt from the application of this standard, will be subject to the provisions of this standard when it becomes effective.  FASB ASC 810 also requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE.  Topic 810 is effective as of the beginning of interim and annual reporting periods that begin after November 15, 2009.

6



3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  ASC 820 does not require any new fair value measurements, but it does apply to existing accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  The Company applies the provisions of Topic 820 to all its assets and liabilities that are being measured and reported on a fair value basis.

ASC 820 discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow) and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost).  Topic 820 enables readers of financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements by establishing a hierarchy, which prioritizes those inputs used, for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair values.  The standard requires that each asset and liability carried at fair value be classified into one of the following categories:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company has an established process for determining fair value for its financial assets and liabilities, principally cash and cash equivalents, available-for-sale securities and foreign exchange contracts.  Fair value is based on quoted market prices, where available.  If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on assumptions that use as inputs market-based parameters.  The following sections describe the valuation methodologies used by the Company to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each instrument is generally classified.  Where appropriate the description includes details of the key inputs to the valuations and any significant assumptions.

Cash and cash equivalents.    Included within “Cash and cash equivalents” are principally investments in tax-free and taxable money market funds with municipal bond issuances as the underlying securities as well as government agency obligations and corporate bonds, all of which maintain AAA credit ratings.  Also included within cash and cash equivalents are our investments in bank certificates of deposit.  The Company uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of these investments and they are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.

Available-for-sale equity securities.  The Company uses quoted market prices to determine the fair value of its available-for-sale securities.  These instruments consist of exchange-traded equity securities, are included within “Investments” and are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  Unrealized gains and temporary unrealized losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, respectively.

Derivative contracts.  The Company uses significant other observable inputs that are readily available in public markets or can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets to determine the fair value of its derivative contracts.  These instruments consist of foreign exchange contracts, are included within “Other accrued liabilities,” and are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and reclassified into earnings as the underlying hedged items affect earnings.  No such instruments were outstanding at September 30, 2009.

7



The following assets and liabilities were measured at fair value on a recurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of ASC Topic 820 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

         
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
         
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
       
         
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
 
         
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
September 30,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets
                       
Money market funds
  $ 106,144     $ 106,144     $ -     $ -  
Bank certificates of deposit
    15,054       15,054       -       -  
Cash equivalents at fair value
    121,198       121,198       -       -  
                                 
Available-for-sale equity securities
    1,735       1,735       -       -  
                                 
    $ 122,933     $ 122,933     $ -     $ -  
                                 
           
Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
 
           
Quoted Prices in
   
Significant
         
           
Active Markets
   
Other
   
Significant
 
           
for Identical
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
 
   
December 31,
   
Assets
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
(in thousands)
    2008    
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
 
Assets
                               
Money market funds
  $ 104,257     $ 104,257     $ -     $ -  
Bank certificates of deposit
    10,158       10,158       -       -  
Cash equivalents at fair value
    114,415       114,415       -       -  
                                 
Available-for-sale equity securities
    2,856       2,856       -       -  
                                 
    $ 117,271     $ 117,271     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Liabilities
                               
Derivatives
  $ (54 )   $ -     $ (54 )   $ -  
Total other accrued liabilities
    (54 )     -       (54 )     -  
                                 
    $ (54 )   $ -     $ (54 )   $ -  
 
 
 
4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
Credit is extended based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition and, generally, collateral is not required.  Credit terms are consistent with industry standards and practices.  Trade accounts receivable at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 have been reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts of ($1,094,000) and ($2,637,000), respectively.  The decrease in the allowance for doubtful accounts was due to the write-off of previously reserved trade accounts receivable and collection of previously reserved receivables.

8



5. INVENTORIES

Inventories of the Company at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are summarized in the following table:

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Finished goods
  $ 88,990     $ 89,935  
Work-in-process
    6,965       13,275  
Raw materials
    21,278       25,198  
                 
Total inventories at current costs
    117,233       128,408  
Less:
               
LIFO reserve
    (14,641 )     (21,316 )
Inventory valuation reserve
    (5,606 )     (4,176 )
    $ 96,986     $ 102,916  

Inventories of the Company are generally valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market.  Other inventories of the Company are valued at average cost or market, whichever is lower.  An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method is made at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time.  Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end levels and costs.

6. INVESTMENTS

Investments of the Company at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are summarized in the following table:
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Available-for-sale marketable equity securities
  $ 1,735     $ 2,856  
Nonconsolidated equity method investments
    1,250       -  
    $ 2,985     $ 2,856  

Available-for-sale marketable equity securities were recorded with a cost of approximately $794,000 at September 30, 2009 and there are no gross unrealized losses.  Available-for-sale marketable securities were recorded with a cost of approximately $1,714,000 at December 31, 2008 and there were no gross unrealized losses.  During the third quarter of 2009 the Company sold shares with an original cost of approximately $921,000 for a gain of approximately $1,194,000.  The Company utilized the specific identification method to determine the cost of the securities sold.  Gross unrealized gains related to the Company’s available-for-sale securities are included within accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and were approximately $941,000 and $1,142,000 at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.

Effective May 26, 2009, the Company completed the formation of a joint venture with L B Industries, Inc.  The Company has a 45% ownership interest in the new joint venture which will manufacture, market and sell various products for the energy, utility and construction markets.

7. SALE-LEASEBACK

On March 3, 2008, the Company sold approximately 63 acres of real estate located in Houston, TX used primarily by the Company’s Tubular Products segment for approximately $6,500,000 and recorded a gain of $1,486,000.

Pursuant to this sale, the Company entered into a sale-leaseback transaction, as amended on April 30, 2008, with the purchaser of the Houston, TX real estate for approximately 20 acres of the real estate and certain other assets for a ten year term at a monthly rental rate of $1,000 per acre with annual 3% increases.  The April 30, 2008 amendment added approximately 9 acres of real estate (Temporary Premises) on a month to month term basis.  The January 6, 2009 amendment terminated the lease of approximately 4 acres of the Temporary Premises.  The lease is a “net” lease with the Company being responsible for taxes, maintenance, insurance and utilities.  The Company uses the leased property for its threaded product operations.

9



This lease is being accounted for as an operating lease with an interest rate of 5.25% for the transaction.  The transaction qualifies as a sale-leaseback under applicable guidance included in ASC Topic 840-40, “Leases, Sale-Leaseback Transactions,” and the Company recorded as a deferred gain the present value of the minimum lease payments of the operating lease, $2,146,000.  This deferred gain is being amortized over the life of the lease, 120 months.

8.  RETIREMENT PLANS

Retirement Plans

The Company has four plans covering all hourly and salaried employees, specifically two defined benefit plans (one active and one frozen) and two defined contribution plans. Employees are eligible to participate in these specific plans based on their employment classification. The Company's funding to the defined benefit and defined contribution plans is governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), applicable plan policy and investment guidelines.  The Company policy is to contribute at least the minimum funding required by ERISA.

Defined Benefit Plans

Net periodic pension costs for both plans for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Service cost
  $ 7     $ 5     $ 21     $ 15  
Interest cost
    65       63       195       189  
Expected return on plan assets
    (57 )     (72 )     (171 )     (216 )
Prior service cost
    1       2       3       6  
Recognized net actuarial loss
    35       13       105       38  
Net periodic cost
  $ 51     $ 11     $ 153     $ 32  

The Company contributed approximately $135,000 to its defined benefit plans in 2009.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has a defined contribution plan that covers all non-union hourly and all salaried employees. This plan permits both pretax and after-tax employee contributions. Participants can contribute, subject to statutory limitations, between 1% and 75% of eligible pre-tax pay and between 1% and 100% of eligible after-tax pay.

The Company's employer match is 100% of the first 1% of deferred eligible compensation and up to 50% of the next 6%, based on years of service, of deferred eligible compensation, for a total maximum potential match of 4%.  The Company may also make discretionary contributions to the Plan.

The expense associated with this plan for the three months ended September 30 was $483,000 in 2009 and $542,000 in 2008 and for the nine months ended September 30 was $1,236,000 in 2009 and $1,560,000 in 2008.

The Company also has a defined contribution plan for union hourly employees with contributions made by both the participants and the Company based on various formulas.  The expense associated with this active plan for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $8,000 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $24,000 and $25,000, respectively.

10



9. BORROWINGS

The Company’s maximum credit line is $90,000,000 under a fourth amendment to the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (Agreement) with a syndicate of three banks led by PNC Bank, N.A.  The revolving credit facility is secured by substantially all of the trade receivables and inventory owned by the Company.  Revolving credit facility availability under the Agreement is limited by the amount of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, applied against certain advance rates, and are limited to 85% of eligible receivables and 60% of eligible inventory.  Additionally, the fourth amendment established a $20,000,000 term loan that was immediately applied to pay down existing amounts outstanding on the revolving credit facility.  The term loan is being amortized on a term of seven years with a balloon payment on the remaining outstanding principal due at the maturity of the Agreement, May 2011.  If average availability should fall below $10,000,000 over a 30-day period, the loans become immediately secured by a lien on the Company’s equipment that is not encumbered by other liens.

Revolving credit facility borrowings placed in LIBOR contracts are priced at prevailing LIBOR rates, plus 1.25%.  Borrowings placed in other tranches are priced at the prevailing prime rate, minus 1.00%.  The term loan base rate spread is fixed at prime minus 0.75% and the LIBOR spread is fixed at plus 1.50%.

The Company is permitted to use various additional debt instruments to finance capital expenditures, outside of borrowings under the Agreement, limited to an additional $10,000,000.  Under the amended Agreement, the Company maintains dominion over its cash at all times, as long as excess availability stays over $5,000,000 and there is no uncured event of default.

In March 2009, the Company entered into a fifth amendment to the Agreement which became effective as of December 31, 2008 and changed certain financial covenants included in the Agreement by creating an exclusion standard in the Agreement.  This standard, which is met by the Company when revolving credit facility borrowings do not exceed $20,000,000 and unused borrowing commitment is at least $50,000,000, allows for certain items, as defined in the amendment, to be excluded in determining the minimum level for the fixed charge coverage ratio.  Additionally, the amendment redefines the Company’s calculation of earnings before interest and taxes by excluding any charges and credits related to the Company’s LIFO method of accounting for inventory.

The fifth amendment also includes a revised minimum net worth covenant and a revised maximum level for annual consolidated capital expenditures of $15,000,000.  As of September 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of the Agreement’s covenants.

Under the term loan, the Company had $13,810,000 outstanding at September 30, 2009 of which $11,190,000 was noncurrent.  At December 31, 2008 the Company had $15,952,000 outstanding of which $13,333,000 was noncurrent.

At September 30, 2009, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the Company had approximately $72,246,000 in unused borrowing availability.

11



10. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Numerator:
                       
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share -
                   
net income available to common stockholders
  $ 6,144     $ 8,126     $ 11,815     $ 22,089  
Denominator:
                               
Weighted average shares
    10,160       10,561       10,170       10,812  
Denominator for basic earnings per common share
    10,160       10,561       10,170       10,812  
                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Employee stock options
    99       132       100       144  
Other stock compensation plans
    33       2       45       7  
Dilutive potential common shares
    132       134       145       151  
                                 
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share -
                               
adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions
    10,292       10,695       10,315       10,963  
                                 
Basic earnings per common share:
  $ 0.60     $ 0.77     $ 1.16     $ 2.04  
                                 
Diluted earnings per common share:
  $ 0.60     $ 0.76     $ 1.15     $ 2.01  

11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” to account for the Company’s share-based compensation.  Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award and is recognized over the employees’ requisite service period.  The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $192,000 and $147,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 and $737,000 and $799,000 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, related to stock option awards, restricted stock awards and performance unit awards as discussed below.

Stock Option Awards

The Company recorded stock compensation expense related to stock option awards of $25,000 and $82,000 for the nine month periods ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  The related deferred tax benefits at September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $9,000 and $33,000, respectively.

There were no nonvested awards at September 30, 2009.  At September 30, 2008, there was $46,000 of compensation expense related to nonvested awards which was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.5 years.

There were no stock options granted during the first nine months of 2009 or 2008.

At September 30, 2009 and 2008, common stock options outstanding under the plans had option prices ranging from $2.75 to $14.77, with a weighted average exercise price of $5.60 and $5.92 per share, respectively.

The weighted average remaining contractual life of the stock options outstanding at September 30, 2009 and 2008 were 2.9 years and 3.8 years, respectively.

12



Options exercised during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 totaled 13,750 and 109,380 shares, respectively.  The weighted average exercise price per share of the options exercised during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $4.73 and $4.64, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $207,000 and $337,000, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were $359,000 and $4,235,000, respectively.
 
A summary of the option activity as of September 30, 2009 is presented below.
 

 
               
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
   
Average
       
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
         
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Term
   
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2009
    194,700     $ 5.54       3.6        
Granted
    -       -       -        
Canceled
    -       -       -        
Exercised
    (13,750 )     4.73       -        
Outstanding at September 30, 2009
    180,950     $ 5.60       2.9     $ 4,520,131  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2009
    180,950     $ 5.60       2.9     $ 4,520,131  
 

 
Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises generally are previously issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares or authorized but previously unissued common stock.

Restricted Stock Awards

During the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 there were 10,500 fully vested restricted stock awards granted to the outside directors of the Company.  The weighted average fair value per share of these restricted stock awards was $29.89 and $32.61, respectively.

Compensation expense recorded by the Company related to restricted stock awards was approximately $314,000 and $342,000, respectively, for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

A summary of the restricted stock awards activity as of September 30, 2009 is presented below.

               
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
   
Average
       
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Restricted
   
Fair
   
Contractual
   
Fair
 
   
Shares
   
Value
   
Term
   
Value
 
Outstanding at January 1, 2009
    -     $ -       -     $ -  
Granted
    10,500       29.89       -       313,845  
Vested
    (10,500 )     29.89       -       (313,845 )
Canceled
    -       -       -       -  
Outstanding at September 30, 2009
    -     $ -       -     $ -  

Relative to the restricted stock awards granted to the non-outside directors and the performance unit awards, the Company recorded compensation expense of $192,000 and $120,000, respectively, for the three month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.  For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded compensation expense of $398,000 and $375,000, respectively, for these awards.  Shares issued as a result of restricted stock awards generally are previously issued shares which have been reacquired by the Company and held as Treasury shares or authorized but previously unissued common stock.

13



For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company granted approximately 18,000 and 17,000 shares, respectively, of restricted stock to individuals who are not outside directors:

               
Aggregate
   
         
Grant Date
   
Fair
   
Grant Date
 
Units
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Vesting Date
                     
March 6, 2008
    7,756     $ 40.03     $ 310,473  
March 6, 2012
June 2, 2008
    3,850       34.19       131,632  
June 2, 2012
November 3, 2008
    5,000       28.28       141,400  
November 3, 2011
March 3, 2009
    17,561       20.63       362,283  
March 3, 2013

These forfeitable restricted stock awards time-vest after a four year holding period, unless indicated otherwise by the underlying agreement.

In addition to the 17,000 shares of restricted stock granted as of September 30, 2008 noted above, the Company granted, pursuant to the 2006 Omnibus Plan, as amended, approximately 11,000 fully-vested shares during 2008 in lieu of a portion of the cash payment earned under the 2005 – 2007 Three Year Incentive Plan.  This non-cash transaction of $467,000 is reflected as an increase to “Paid-in capital” in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2008.  These shares are not voluntarily transferable until May 1, 2010.  The number of shares awarded under this plan was determined using an average share price of $43.91 over a ten day period in February 2008.  When these shares were awarded on March 6, 2008, the grant date fair value per share was $40.03.

Performance Unit Awards

Under separate three year incentive plans pursuant to the 2006 Omnibus Plan, as amended, the Company granted the following performance units during the nine month periods ended September 30:

                   
Aggregate
   
             
Grant Date
   
Fair
   
Incentive Plan
 
Grant Date
 
Units
   
Fair Value
   
Value
 
Vesting Date
                         
  2008 - 2010  
March 6, 2008
    23,273     $ 40.03     $ 931,618  
March 6, 2011
  2009 - 2011  
March 3, 2009
    52,672       20.63       1,086,623  
March 3, 2012

These awards can be earned based upon the Company’s performance relative to performance measures as defined in the plan.  These awards are subject to forfeiture, cannot be transferred until four years after their grant date and will be converted into common stock of the Company based upon conversion multiples as defined in the underlying plan.  The aggregate fair value in the above table is based upon reaching 100% of the performance targets as defined in the underlying plan.  The number of shares awarded under the 2009 – 2011 Three Year Incentive Plan was determined using an average grant date fair value of $23.21 over a ten day period in February 2009.  The number of shares awarded under the 2008 – 2010 Three Year Incentive Plan was determined using an average grant date fair value of $43.91 over a ten day period in February 2008.

12. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

The Company is subject to laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment, and the Company’s efforts to comply with environmental regulations may have an adverse effect on its future earnings.  In the opinion of management, compliance with the present environmental protection laws will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, competitive position, or capital expenditures of the Company.

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business.  In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial condition or liquidity of the Company.  The resolution, in any reporting period, of one or more of these matters could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations for that period.

14



In the second quarter of 2004, a gas company filed a complaint against the Company in Allegheny County, PA, alleging that in 1989 the Company had applied epoxy coating on 25,000 feet of pipe and that, as a result of inadequate surface preparation of the pipe, the coating had blistered and deteriorated.  The Company does not believe that the gas company’s alleged problems are the Company’s responsibility.  Although no assurances can be given, the Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to such claims and will vigorously defend against such a suit.  The Company’s insurance carrier, although it reserved its right to deny coverage, has undertaken the defense of this claim.

In November 2005, the City of Clearfield, Utah, filed suit in the Second District Court, Davis County, Utah, against the Utah Department of Transportation, a general contractor, four design engineers and/or consultants, a bonding company and the Company. The City alleged that the design and engineering of an overpass in 2000 had been faulty and that the Company had provided the mechanical stabilized earth wall system for the project.  The City alleged that the embankment to the overpass began, in 2001, to fail and slide away from the stabilized earth wall system, resulting in damage in excess of $3,000,000.  The City has agreed to settle its claims against several of the more peripheral defendents and this settlement has been challenged by the co-defendents/consulting/construction manager.  The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these claims, that the Company's products complied with all applicable specifications and that other factors accounted for any alleged failure.  The Company has referred this matter to its insurance carrier, which, although it reserved its right to deny coverage, has undertaken the defense of this claim.

In December 2008, the Company received a Third-Party Complaint, filed in the US. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, alleging that the Company and others were responsible for certain contamination which migrated to adjacent properties in Payne County, Oklahoma.  The Company is alleged to have owned the initially contaminated property pursuant to a 1978 quit claim deed.  The Company sold, by quit claim deed, its interests, if any, in this property in 1979.  The Company has referred this matter to its insurance carrier and, subject to reservations, the insurance carrier is defending this claim.  In August 2009, the Company agreed to settle this claim for approximately $20,000.

In late March of 2009, the Company discovered that some of the prestressed concrete railroad ties manufactured in 2004 and 2005 by its CXT Rail operation in Grand Island, NE had failed in track.  The Company believes the cause is related to equipment fatigue on one production line at its Grand Island, NE facility before it was retrofitted with new equipment in the fall of 2005.  The Company recorded a charge of $1,600,000 within cost of goods sold for the Company’s estimate of cracked concrete ties as of the quarter ended March 31, 2009.

During the second quarter of 2009, along with customer personnel, the Company inspected the ties in question to confirm the number of cracked concrete ties.  Upon conclusion of this inspection, the Company recorded an additional charge of $1,124,000 within cost of goods sold during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 bringing the cumulative warranty charge related to this issue to $2,724,000.

During the third quarter of 2009, there were no additional charges related to the in track failures of concrete railroad ties and the company began supplying replacement concrete railroad ties under this warranty claim.

For certain manufactured products, the Company maintains a product liability accrual which is adjusted on a monthly basis as a percentage of cost of sales.  This product liability accrual is periodically adjusted based on the identification or resolution of known individual product liability claims.  The following table illustrates the Company’s product warranty accrual:

(in thousands)
     
Balance at December 31, 2008
  $ 1,633  
Additions to warranty liability
    1,771  
Warranty liability utilized
    (409 )
Balance at March 31, 2009
    2,995  
Additions to warranty liability
    1,409  
Warranty liability utilized
    (301 )
Balance at June 30, 2009
    4,103  
Additions to warranty liability
    695  
Warranty liability utilized
    (863 )
Balance at September 30, 2009
  $ 3,935  

Included within the above table is the remaining concrete tie warranty related to the previously discussed charges of approximately $3,173,000 as of September 30, 2009.  While the Company believes this is a reasonable estimate of this potential warranty claim, this estimate could change due to new information and future events.  There can be no assurance at this point that future costs pertaining to this issue will not have a material impact on our results of operations.

At September 30, 2009 the Company had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $2,883,000.

15



13. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company is organized and evaluated by product group, which is the basis for identifying reportable segments. The Company is engaged in the manufacture, fabrication and distribution of rail, construction and tubular products.

The following table illustrates revenues and profits of the Company by segment:

   
Three Months Ended,
   
Nine Months Ended,
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2009
 
   
Net
   
Segment
   
Net
   
Segment
 
(in thousands)
 
Sales
   
Profit/(Loss)
   
Sales
   
Profit
 
Rail products
  $ 41,211     $ 1,186     $ 139,866     $ 137  
Construction products
    48,072       4,264       128,632       9,593  
Tubular products
    3,130       (1,137 )     15,430       267  
Total
  $ 92,413     $ 4,313     $ 283,928     $ 9,997  
                                 
   
Three Months Ended,
   
Nine Months Ended,
 
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Net
   
Segment
   
Net
   
Segment
 
(in thousands)
 
Sales
   
Profit
   
Sales
   
Profit
 
Rail products
  $ 65,646     $ 5,642     $ 172,680     $ 13,520  
Construction products
    69,769       9,601       169,794       20,112  
Tubular products
    10,135       2,297       26,350       5,143  
Total
  $ 145,550     $ 17,540     $ 368,824     $ 38,775  

Segment profits, as shown above, include internal cost of capital charges for assets used in the segment at a rate of, generally, 1% per month. There has been no change in the measurement of segment profit from December 31, 2008.

16



The following table provides a reconciliation of reportable segment net profit to the Company’s consolidated total:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Income for reportable segments
  $ 4,313     $ 17,540     $ 9,997     $ 38,775  
Cost of capital for reportable segments
    4,436       5,004       14,135       14,434  
Interest expense
    (328 )     (500 )     (989 )     (1,543 )
Gain on sale of DM&E investment
    -       -       -       2,022  
Gain on sale of Houston, TX property
    -       -       -       1,486  
Gain on sale of marketable securities
    (1,194 )     -       (1,194 )     -  
Interest income
    169       617       676       2,018  
Other income (expense)
    116       (48 )     (445 )     (64 )
LIFO credit (expense)
    4,918       (5,065 )     6,675       (7,828 )
Corporate expense and other unallocated charges
    (2,589 )     (4,864 )     (9,964 )     (14,585 )
                                 
Income before income taxes
  $ 9,841     $ 12,684     $ 18,891     $ 34,715  

14. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income represents net income plus certain stockholders’ equity changes not reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The components of comprehensive income, net of tax, were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(in thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income
  $ 6,144     $ 8,126     $ 11,815     $ 22,089  
Market value adjustments for investments
    (64 )     -       590       -  
Unrealized derivative gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
    -       34       34       110  
Comprehensive income
  $ 6,080     $ 8,160     $ 12,439     $ 22,199  

15.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company adopted the required enhanced disclosures of FASB ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” on January 1, 2009.  Topic 815 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate exposure on variable-rate debt, primarily by using interest rate collars and variable interest rate swaps. The Company’s primary source of variable-rate debt comes from its revolving credit agreement.

At contract inception, the Company designates its derivative instruments as hedges.  The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings within other income as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. To the extent that a change in interest rate derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the interest rate being hedged, the ineffective portion is recognized in earnings immediately.

The Company is not subject to significant exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company will, however, manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on firm sale and purchase commitments by entering into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company’s risk management objective is to reduce its exposure to the effects of changes in exchange rates on these transactions over the duration of the transactions.

During 2006, the Company entered into commitments to sell Canadian funds based on the anticipated receipt of Canadian funds from the sale of certain rail commencing in the second quarter of 2007 through the third quarter of 2008.  All of these contracts were settled as of December 31, 2008.  During 2008, two of these Canadian dollar denominated commitments matured for a realized loss of approximately $129,000 which was reported as “Other (Income) Expense” within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

17



In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into a commitment with a notional amount of approximately $630,000 to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain rail in the first quarter of 2009.  During the first quarter of 2009, the Company determined that the receipt of Euros would not coincide with the purchase commitment and the Company recorded a loss of approximately $7,000 to record this commitment at market which was reported as “Other (Income) Expense” within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The fair value of this instrument was a liability of $54,000 and was recorded in “Other Accrued Liabilities” as of December 31, 2008.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company entered into commitments with notional amounts totaling approximately $974,000 to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain rail in the second quarter of 2009.  During the second quarter of 2009, these commitments matured for a realized gain of approximately $105,000.  All of these contracts were settled as of September 30, 2009.  For more information concerning the fair value measurements of these instruments, refer to Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements.”

Item 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview
General

L. B. Foster Company is a leading manufacturer, fabricator and distributor of products for rail, construction, utility and energy markets.  The Company is comprised of three business segments: Rail products, Construction products and Tubular products.

Recent Developments

In May 2009, we completed the formation of a joint venture with L B Industries, Inc. which requires us to contribute $1.9 million in total to the joint venture.  We have a 45% ownership interest in the new joint venture, LB Pipe & Coupling Products, LLC, and made capital contributions of $0.7 million in the second quarter and $0.6 million in the third quarter.  These contributions comprise our total initial capital contribution of $0.9 million and part of our required additional capital contributions of $1.0 million pursuant to the amended joint venture agreement.

During the third quarter of 2009, we purchased land and commenced the construction of a facility related to this joint venture.  Upon completion of the construction, we plan to lease the facility to the joint venture.  This venture will install equipment to manufacture, market and sell various products for the energy, utility and construction markets.  This investment will be accounted for under the equity method of accounting as we have the ability to exert significant influence, but not control, over operating and financial policies.

In July 2009, we sold a portion of our investments in available-for-sale marketable securities for approximately $2.1 million in proceeds and recorded a corresponding gain of approximately $1.2 million.  Our current investments in these securities have a fair value of approximately $1.7 million at September 30, 2009.

In September 2009, we implemented cost reduction measures in addition to those implemented in January 2009 which included further plant personnel reductions as well as a reduction in our salaried workforce in an effort to right-size the Company given our current volumes and profitability.

Also during the 2009 third quarter, we recorded approximately $0.4 million of slow moving inventory reserves in each of our Rail Products and Tubular Products Segments due to low activity levels.

18



Critical Accounting Policies

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  When more than one accounting principle, or method of its application, is generally accepted, management selects the principle or method that is appropriate in the Company’s specific circumstances.  Application of these accounting principles requires management to make estimates about the future resolution of existing uncertainties.  As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.  In preparing these financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements giving due regard to materiality.  There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies or estimates since December 31, 2008.  For more information regarding the Company’s critical accounting policies, please see the Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162.”  This statement modifies the GAAP hierarchy by establishing only two levels of GAAP, authoritative and nonauthoritative accounting literature.  Effective July 2009, the FASB ASC is considered the single source of authoritative U.S. accounting and reporting standards, except for additional authoritative rules and interpretive releases issued by the SEC.  The codification was developed to organize GAAP pronouncements by topic so that users can more easily access authoritative accounting guidance.  This statement applies beginning in the 2009 third quarter.  All accounting references have been updated and, therefore, SFAS references have been replaced with ASC references.

The Company adopted changes issued by the FASB to accounting for business combinations beginning on January 1, 2009.  FASB ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in the purchase accounting.  It also changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value, and requires the expensing of acquisition-related costs as incurred.  Topic 805 is effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2008.
 
 
The Company adopted changes issued by the FASB to accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or available to be issued, otherwise known as subsequent events, on June 30, 2009.  FASB ASC Topic 855, “Subsequent Events,” requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date, that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued.

In June 2009, the FASB issued changes to the consolidation guidance applicable to a variable interest entity (VIE).  FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” amends the guidance governing the determination of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, and is, therefore, required to consolidate an entity, by requiring a qualitative analysis rather than a quantitative analysis.  The qualitative analysis will include, among other things, consideration of who has the power to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  This standard also requires continuous reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE.  Previously, FIN 46R required reconsideration of whether an enterprise was the primary beneficiary of a VIE only when specific events had occurred.  Qualifying special-purpose entities, which were previously exempt from the application of this standard, will be subject to the provisions of this standard when it becomes effective.  FASB ASC 810 also requires enhanced disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE.  Topic 810 is effective as of the beginning of interim and annual reporting periods that begin after November 15, 2009.

19



Quarterly Results of Operations

     
Three Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Revenues
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
     
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Sales:
                               
 
Rail Products
  $ 41,211     $ 65,646       44.6 %     45.1 %     (37.2 ) %
 
Construction Products
    48,072       69,769       52.0       47.9       (31.1 )
 
Tubular Products
    3,130       10,135       3.4       7.0       (69.1 )
 
Total Net Sales
  $ 92,413     $ 145,550       100.0 %     100.0 %     (36.5 ) %
                                           
     
Three Months Ended
   
Gross Profit Percentage
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
        2009       2008       2009       2008    
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross Profit:
                                       
 
Rail Products
  $ 5,148     $ 10,232       12.5 %     15.6 %     (49.7 ) %
 
Construction Products
    8,927       15,109       18.6       21.7       (40.9 )
 
Tubular Products
    (634 )     2,908       (20.3 )     28.7       (121.8 )
 
LIFO Credit (Expense)
    4,918       (5,065 )     5.3       (3.5 )     **  
 
Other
    (601 )     (477 )     (0.7 )     (0.3 )     26.0  
 
Total Gross Profit
  $ 17,758     $ 22,707       19.2 %     15.6 %     (21.8 ) %
                                           
     
Three Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Revenues
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
        2009       2008       2009       2008    
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Expenses:
                                         
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
  $ 9,068     $ 10,092       9.8 %     6.9 %     (10.1 ) %
 
Interest Expense
    328       500       0.4       0.3       (34.4 )
 
Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities
    (1,194 )     -       (1.3 )     -       **  
 
Interest Income
    (169 )     (617 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )     (72.6 )
 
Other (Income) Expense
    (116 )     48       (0.1 )     -       (341.7 )
 
Total Expenses
    7,917       10,023       8.6       6.9       (21.0
                                           
Income Before Income Taxes
    9,841       12,684       10.6       8.7       (22.4
Income Tax Expense
    3,697       4,558       4.0       3.1       (18.9 )
                                           
Net Income
  $ 6,144     $ 8,126       6.6 %     5.6 %     (24.4 ) %
                                           
**
Results of calculation are not meaningful for presentation purposes.
                         

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008 – Company Analysis

Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $0.60 per diluted share compared to net income per diluted share of $1.15 for the third quarter of 2008.

Our gross profit margin includes a favorable impact of the LIFO method of accounting for inventory as of September 30, 2009 due principally to declining steel prices.  The prior year period included a negative impact caused by inflation.  Partially offsetting this favorable adjustment, were $3.9 million of unfavorable adjustments related to declining inventory pricing.  Additionally, gross profit was adversely affected by approximately $1.0 million in charges related to slow moving and obsolete inventory, primarily occurring within our Rail Products and Tubular Products Segments.  Increased unabsorbed plant costs of approximately $0.8 million over the prior year quarter resulting from low production volumes has also negatively impacted our gross profit margin.

20



The 2009 third quarter decrease in Selling and Administrative expenses primarily resulted from reduced incentive compensation expense, bad debt expense and travel and entertainment expenses.  Lower interest rates resulted in reduced interest income earned on our various cash and cash equivalent instruments during the third quarter of 2009.  Our 2009 third quarter also includes the previously mentioned gain of $1.2 million from the sales of marketable securities.  Income taxes in the current quarter were recorded at approximately 37.6%, compared to the prior year period rate of 35.9% due to a reduced benefit from non-taxable interest income and certain domestic manufacturing credits.

Results of Operations – Segment Analysis

Rail Products

   
Three Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 41,211     $ 65,646     $ (24,435 )     (37.2 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 5,148     $ 10,232     $ (5,084 )     (49.7 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    12.5 %     15.6 %     (3.1 ) %     (19.9 ) %

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008

Our rail distribution business reported reduced sales which led the overall decline within the segment.  This decrease was associated with reductions in sales volumes and lower steel prices.  Another cause of the segment’s sales decline was related to our transit products division.  While new orders have increased, many of these orders have delivery dates in 2010 and beyond.  Our concrete tie business reported lower sales attributable primarily to reduced sales at our Spokane, WA tie facility.

Falling steel prices and unfavorable plant variances associated with low activity levels have negatively impacted our Rail Products Segment gross profit.  Specifically, steadily decreasing rail inventory values have negatively impacted our new and used rail distribution business.  Market related volume reductions and a less favorable product mix have hampered our transit products division.  Finally, our concrete tie division was negatively impacted by a charge of approximately $0.4 million related to slow-moving finished goods inventory.

Construction Products

   
Three Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 48,072     $ 69,769     $ (21,697 )     (31.1 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 8,927     $ 15,109     $ (6,182 )     (40.9 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    18.6 %     21.7 %     (3.1 ) %     (14.2 ) %

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008

Our Construction Products sales decline was due to decreased sales of piling products caused by reduced sales volume as well as to lower prices.  The remaining divisions within this segment have experienced sales growth.  The improvement in our fabricated products and concrete buildings divisions were, in part, based on activity related to the federal stimulus legislation.

The driver of Construction Products’ gross profit decline was our piling division which, in addition to the impact of volume declines, experienced margin compression due to falling prices and decreased market demand for certain products.

21



Tubular Products

   
Three Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 3,130     $ 10,135     $ (7,005 )     (69.1 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ (634 )   $ 2,908     $ (3,542 )     (121.8 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    -20.3 %     28.7 %     (48.9 ) %     (170.6 ) %

Third Quarter 2009 Compared to Third Quarter 2008

An industry wide slow down in the energy markets served by our Tubular Products segment has resulted in reductions in both our sales volumes as well as profitability.

Reductions in pipe pricing and unfavorable manufacturing variances have had significant, adverse affects on the gross profit margins of both Tubular Products divisions.  Additionally, due to the slow down in market conditions, we recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million related to slow-moving inventory in the current quarter.

22



Year-to-date Results of Operations

     
Nine Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Revenues
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
     
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Net Sales:
                               
 
Rail Products
  $ 139,866     $ 172,680       49.3 %     46.8 %     (19.0 ) %
 
Construction Products
    128,632       169,794       45.3       46.0       (24.2 )
 
Tubular Products
    15,430       26,350       5.4       7.1       (41.4 )
 
Total Net Sales
  $ 283,928     $ 368,824       100.0 %     100.0 %     (23.0 ) %
                                           
     
Nine Months Ended
   
Gross Profit Percentage
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
        2009       2008       2009       2008    
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Gross Profit:
                                       
 
Rail Products
  $ 12,610     $ 27,194       9.0 %     15.7 %     (53.6 ) %
 
Construction Products
    24,304       35,257       18.9       20.8       (31.1 )
 
Tubular Products
    1,999       6,819       13.0       25.9       (70.7 )
 
LIFO Credit (Expense)
    6,675       (7,828 )     2.4       (2.1 )     **  
 
Other
    (1,316 )     (1,229 )     (0.5 )     (0.3 )     7.1  
 
Total Gross Profit
  $ 44,272     $ 60,213       15.6 %     16.3 %     (26.5 ) %
                                           
     
Nine Months Ended
   
Percent of Total Net Revenues
   
Percent Increase
 
     
September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
   
/(Decrease)
 
        2009       2008       2009       2008    
2009 vs. 2008
 
     
(Dollars in thousands)
Expenses:
                                         
 
Selling and Administrative Expenses
  $ 26,707     $ 29,417       9.4 %     8.0 %     (9.2 ) %
 
Interest Expense
    989       1,543       0.3       0.4       (35.9 )
 
Gain on Sale of DM&E Investment
    -       (2,022 )     -       (0.5 )     **  
 
Gain on Sale of Houston, TX Property
    -       (1,486 )     -       (0.4 )     **  
 
Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities
    (1,194 )     -       (0.4 )     -       **  
 
Interest Income
    (676 )     (2,018 )     (0.2 )     (0.5 )     (66.5 )
 
Other (Income) Expense
    (445 )     64       (0.2 )     -       **  
 
Total Expenses
    25,381       25,498       8.9       6.9       (0.5
                                           
Income Before Income Taxes
    18,891       34,715       6.7       9.4       (45.6
Income Tax Expense
    7,076       12,626       2.5       3.4       (44.0 )
                                           
Net Income
  $ 11,815     $ 22,089       4.2 %     6.0 %     (46.5 ) %
                                           
**
Results of calculation are not meaningful for presentation purposes.
                         

23



First Nine Months of 2009 Compared to First Nine Months of 2008 – Company Analysis

Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $1.15 per diluted share which compares to net income for the first nine months of 2008 of $2.01 per diluted share.  Included in net income of the current year is the pre-tax gain associated with the sale of our marketable securities ($1.2 million).  Included in net income for the prior year period were pre-tax gains from the receipt of escrow proceeds related to the sale of our investment in the DM&E Railroad ($2.0 million) and the sale-leaseback of our Houston, TX facility ($1.5 million).

Due principally to declining steel prices, we have realized a positive LIFO adjustment for the full year 2009, while the prior year period included a negative adjustment caused by increased product prices.  Gross profit was adversely affected in 2009 by the $2.7 million concrete tie warranty charge and $2.6 million of adjustments related to returned concrete ties which all occurred within our Rail Products segment.  Low production volumes have increased unfavorable plant variances by approximately $3.5 million over the prior period.  Gross profit was also negatively affected by slow-moving and obsolete inventory charges of approximately $1.0 million recorded primarily within our Rail Products and Tubular Products segments.

As we operate in the current recessionary economic environment, we continue to control our selling, administrative and manufacturing costs through various cost reduction measures.  The primary reasons for reduced selling and administrative costs are reduced incentive compensation, travel and entertainment expenses and bad debt expense.  Interest expense decreased from the prior year period due principally to reduced borrowings and, to a lesser extent, lower interest rates.  Sharply reduced interest rates resulted in reduced interest income earned on our various cash instruments during the first nine months of 2009.  The settlement of our foreign exchange contracts for gains contributed to increased other income over the prior year period.  Income taxes in the 2009 year to date period were recorded at approximately 37.5%, as compared to the prior year period rate of 36.4% due to a reduced benefit from non-taxable interest income and certain domestic manufacturing credits.

24



Year-to-date Results of Operations – Segment Analysis

Rail Products

   
Nine Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 139,866     $ 172,680     $ (32,814 )     (19.0 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 12,610     $ 27,194     $ (14,584 )     (53.6 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    9.0 %     15.7 %     (6.7 ) %     (42.8 ) %

First Nine Months of 2009 Compared to First Nine Months of 2008

Reduced industrial market demand within our rail distribution business drove the overall decrease in Rail Products sales for the first nine months of 2009 as compared to 2008.  Depressed market conditions have reduced sales in our transit products division compared to its record sales year in 2008.  However, this division has a strong backlog from recent activity which should begin to ship in 2010.

Current market conditions have led to overall lower demand and sales of concrete ties at all of our facilities.  Our Grand Island, NE and Tucson, AZ facilities have been affected by low UPRR concrete tie purchasing levels throughout 2009.  Also, our Grand Island, NE facility was negatively impacted by below-specification raw materials that led the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to reject certain concrete ties which reduced sales by approximately $2.8 million.

Gross profit margin has declined across most of our divisions within our Rail Products segment.  Two leading causes of our reduced gross profit relate to the following two specific issues at our concrete tie division.  The first is the cumulative impact during 2009 of approximately $2.7 million in warranty charges related to in track failures of our prestressed concrete railroad ties.  The second is the $2.6 million of gross profit charges associated with the rejection by the UPRR of concrete railroad ties which contained below-specification raw materials.  The remainder of the divisions experienced margin contraction during 2009 associated, generally, with demand and pricing declines with the exception of our Allegheny Rail Products (ARP) division.  The demand declines have resulted in decreased production volumes causing increased unabsorbed plant expenses and increased charges for slow-moving and obsolete inventory.  The pricing declines have contributed to unfavorable inventory adjustments.

Due to our expectations that Class 1 railroad capital spending will continue to be depressed, we anticipate continued weakness in our Rail Products Segment sales and gross profit.  We anticipate the industrial market will remain weak heading into 2010 further hampering our sales of various rail products.  Partially offsetting these weaknesses is our transit products division.  The strong popularity of mass transit systems coupled with stimulus legislation funding has led to a dramatic increase in this division’s backlog.

25



Construction Products


   
Nine Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 128,632     $ 169,794     $ (41,162 )     (24.2 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 24,304     $ 35,257     $ (10,953 )     (31.1 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    18.9 %     20.8 %     (1.9 ) %     (9.0 ) %

First Nine Months of 2009 Compared to First Nine Months of 2008

Improved sales performance from both our fabricated products and concrete buildings divisions was entirely offset by significant sales declines by our piling division.  Reduced demand caused by the nationwide softening in our heavy civil and public works construction markets led to reductions in sales volumes and pricing across most of our piling product offerings.  Strong bridge activity drove the sales increases within our fabricated products division while increased new orders and sales provided growth within our concrete buildings division.

The impact of volume declines within our piling division and a declining price environment also contributed to the reduction of our Construction Products gross profit margin.  Exclusive of the negative gross profit margin impacts caused by our piling division, the remaining divisions margins within our Construction Products segment remained comparatively flat over the prior year period.

Our heavy civil and public works construction markets remain soft nationwide, reducing our bookings and backlog.  However, we are beginning to see opportunities generated from the recently signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus bill and expect increased activity as funding increases.  However, we do not expect this activity to compensate for the shortfalls created by the economic downturn.

Tubular Products


   
Nine Months Ended
         
Percent
 
   
September 30,
   
Increase/(Decrease)
   
Increase/(Decrease)
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
   
2009 vs. 2008
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Net Sales
  $ 15,430     $ 26,350     $ (10,920 )     (41.4 ) %
                                 
Gross Profit
  $ 1,999     $ 6,819     $ (4,820 )     (70.7 ) %
Gross Profit Percentage
    13.0 %     25.9 %     (12.9 ) %     (49.9 ) %

First Nine Months of 2009 Compared to First Nine Months of 2008

An industry wide slow down in the energy markets served by our Tubular Products segment caused by the current recession has resulted in reductions in both our sales volumes as well as our profitability.  We currently anticipate the energy markets we serve will continue to be extremely weak into 2010.

Reductions in pipe pricing and unfavorable manufacturing variances have had significant, adverse affects to the gross profit margins in our threaded products division.  Additionally, due to the slow down in market conditions, we recorded a charge of approximately $0.4 million in this division related to slow-moving inventory.

26



Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s capitalization is as follows:

Debt:
 
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In millions)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Term Loan, due May 2011
  $ 13.8     $ 16.0  
Capital Leases and Interim Lease Financing
    6.2       9.0  
Other (primarily revenue bonds)
    2.0       2.5  
Total Debt
    22.0       27.5  
                 
Equity
    228.3       217.6  
                 
Total Capitalization
  $ 250.3     $ 245.1  
 
 
Total debt as a percentage of capitalization was approximately 8.8% as of September 30, 2009.  This measure reflects a strong financial position as there is minimal leverage and our cash balance covers debt by approximately a multiple of 5.5 times.

The Company’s need for liquidity relates primarily to seasonal working capital requirements, capital expenditures, joint venture capital obligations, common stock repurchases and debt service obligations.  We may also use cash to pursue potential strategic acquisitions.

The following table summarizes the year-to-date impact of these items:

   
September 30,
 
(In millions)
 
2009
   
2008
 
Liquidity needs:
           
Working capital and other assets and liabilities
  $ 0.5     $ (15.8 )
Common stock purchases
    (1.9 )     (19.8 )
Capital expenditures
    (4.8 )     (4.0 )
Investment capital contributions
    (1.2 )     -  
Scheduled repayments of long-term debt
    (2.1 )     (2.4 )
Other long-term debt scheduled repayments
    (3.4 )     (2.8 )
Cash interest paid
    (0.9 )     (1.5 )
Net liquidity requirements
    (13.8 )     (46.3 )
                 
Liquidity sources:
               
Internally generated cash flows before interest paid
    18.4       26.8  
Credit facility activity
    -       0.2  
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities
    2.1       -  
Proceeds from the sale of DM&E investment
    -       2.0  
Proceeds from asset sales
    -       6.6  
Equity transactions
    0.2       1.4  
Net liquidity sources
    20.7       37.0  
                 
Net Change in Cash
  $ 6.9     $ (9.3 )

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

During the first nine months of 2009, cash flows from operations provided $18.0 million, a favorable increase of $8.6 million compared to the first nine months of 2008.  Net income and adjustments to net income provided $17.6 million for the 2009 period.  Included in adjustments to net income for the 2008 period were gains associated with the sale of our investment in the DM&E ($2.0 million) and the sale-leaseback of our Houston, TX property ($1.5 million).  The reduction in trade accounts receivable resulting from decreased September 2009 sales over September 2008 sales and the decrease in inventories were partially offset by the reduction in trade accounts payable.

27



Cash Flow from Investing Activities

Capital expenditures were $4.8 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared to $4.0 million for the same 2008 period.  Current period expenditures were for land and initial construction of a building that will be leased to our joint venture, plant and equipment improvements, other land purchases, as well as technology infrastructure and application software.  We anticipate total capital spending in 2009 will not exceed $7.0 million and will be funded by cash flow from operations.

Cash flows used by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes the proceeds received from the sale of marketable securities and capital contributions to the new joint venture.  We have a 45% ownership interest in this joint venture which will manufacture, market and sell various products for the energy, utility and construction markets.

Cash flows provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 included proceeds of $6.5 million and $2.0 million from the aforementioned threaded products facility and DM&E investment sale, respectively.

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

The decrease in cash used by financing activities in 2009 as compared to 2008 is primarily related to the decrease in the number and corresponding value of shares of Common stock purchased pursuant to our share repurchase program.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we purchased 86,141 shares for approximately $1.9 million while during the same 2008 period we purchased 569,909 shares for approximately $19.8 million.

Also, during the 2009 period, we accelerated the repayments of certain other long-term debt instruments that had high interest rates and no prepayment penalties.

Financial Condition

Included within cash and cash equivalents are principally investments in tax-free and taxable money market funds with municipal bond issuances as the underlying securities as well as government agency obligations and corporate bonds all of which maintain AAA credit ratings.  The U.S. Treasury Guarantee Program for Money Market Funds expired on September 18, 2009.  As a result of the expiration of this guarantee, we are re-evaluating our strategy for our various cash and cash equivalent instruments.  A high priority of any revised strategy will be the maintenance of our principal balances.  Cash and cash equivalents also include our investments in bank certificates of deposit.

We also have a revolving credit agreement which expires in May 2011 and provides for up to $90.0 million in borrowings to support our working capital and other liquidity requirements.  Borrowings under this agreement are secured by substantially all the trade receivables and inventory owned by us, and are limited to 85% of eligible receivables and 60% of eligible inventory.  Additionally, the revolving credit agreement provided for a $20.0 million term loan used to pay down existing drawings on the revolving credit facility.  If average availability should fall below $10.0 million over a 30-day period, the loans become immediately secured by a lien on the Company’s equipment that is not encumbered by other liens.

Under the term loan, we had $13.8 million outstanding at September 30, 2009 of which $11.2 million was noncurrent.  Revolving credit facility borrowings placed in LIBOR contracts are priced at prevailing LIBOR rates, plus 1.25%.  Borrowings placed in other tranches are priced at the prevailing prime rate, minus 1.00%.  The term loan base rate spread is fixed at prime minus 0.75% and the LIBOR spread is fixed at plus 1.50%.  Under the credit agreement, we maintain dominion over our cash at all times, as long as excess availability stays over $5.0 million and there is no uncured event of default.

In March 2009, we entered into a fifth amendment to the Agreement which became effective as of December 31, 2008 and changed certain financial covenants included in the Agreement by creating an exclusion standard in the Agreement.  This standard, which is met when revolving credit facility borrowings do not exceed $20.0 million and unused borrowing commitment is at least $50.0 million, allows for certain items, as defined in the amendment, to be excluded in determining the minimum level for the fixed charge coverage ratio.  Additionally, the amendment redefines our calculation of earnings before interest and taxes by excluding any charges and credits related to our LIFO method of accounting for inventory.

28



The fifth amendment also includes a revised minimum net worth covenant and a revised maximum level for consolidated capital expenditures.  As of September 30, 2009 we were in compliance with all of the Agreement’s covenants.

We routinely review our portfolio of businesses and contemplate potential acquisitions and dispositions from time to time.  We are currently assessing a number of options for the potential use of the available funds and sources of financing, including, but not limited to, debt reduction, strategic acquisitions, organic reinvestment in the existing business, continued share repurchases, funding joint venture capital calls and other general corporate purposes.

Within our short-term strategic forecast, we have seen evidence of both strength and weakness, with more evidence of weakness.  We continue to see inconsistent opportunities generated from the Federal stimulus legislation primarily in our transit and concrete buildings divisions.  We expect increases in activity as funding increases, but this activity will not compensate for the shortfalls created by the current economic downturn.

We do, however, operate in this period of uncertainty in an extremely strong financial position.  As of September 30, 2009, we had approximately $122.0 million in cash and short-term instruments and a revolving credit facility with approximately $72.2 million of availability compared to $22.0 million in long-term debt.  We believe this capacity will afford us the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities that we may encounter and weather the current economic downturn.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements include operating leases, purchase obligations and standby letters of credit.  A schedule of the Company’s required payments under financial instruments and other commitments as of December 31, 2008 is included in the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of the Company’s 2008 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K.  In connection with the formation of our new joint venture, we are obligated for required additional capital contributions of approximately $0.7 million.  These arrangements provide the Company with increased flexibility relative to the utilization and investment of cash resources.

Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we sold our investment in the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E).  At the time of the closing of this transaction, we fully reserved approximately $2.1 million of the proceeds which were being held in escrow, until the completion of all post-closing transactions, to secure certain of the DM&E’s obligations.  This amount was fully reserved due to the uncertainty surrounding the amount of any future payout as well as the timing of such payout.

During the first quarter of 2008, upon completion of the buyer’s working capital audit, the applicable proceeds were released from escrow.  We recognized a pre-tax gain of approximately $2.0 million related to the receipt of these proceeds.

For more information regarding the sale of our investment in the DM&E, please see our Management’s Discussion & Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Outlook

Our businesses and results of operations have been impacted by the downturn in the global economy.  We believe that the recession, continued credit concerns and expected reductions in federal and state government tax receipts will present challenges to the many end markets to which we sell.  As a result of anticipated reduced demand for certain of our products as well as sharply falling commodity prices over the last several months, we expect to battle margin compression for at least the next six months and we implemented certain additional cost reduction measures in September 2009 in anticipation of these concerns.  As activity levels have remained constrained, we reduced our salaried workforce and implemented additional plant personnel reductions.  We expect to be challenged into 2010 by reduced sales volumes, reduced production volumes and falling prices caused by the recessionary economic environment.  However, we also expect to be profitable and to generate positive cash flow.  We believe that when conditions do improve, and we do not know when that might be, the markets we participate in will be among the first to benefit.  We continue to navigate through this period of uncertainty in an extremely strong financial position.

29



Our agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) includes their purchasing concrete ties from our Grand Island, NE facility through 2010 and our Tucson, AZ facility through 2012.  While the UPRR will continue to purchase concrete ties under this agreement, we are currently uncertain when the UPRR purchasing level for concrete ties will improve and, as a result, both of our Grand Island, NE and Tucson, AZ facilities are operating at approximately 45% of capacity.  We are actively pursuing, albeit in a difficult industrial market, product sales opportunities to other third parties at both of these locations.

During the first six months of 2009 we recorded approximately $2.7 million in warranty charges related to in-track failures of concrete railroad ties.  We believe that we have identified, analyzed and accounted for all of the prestressed concrete railroad ties that failed of which we are aware.  While we believe this is a reasonable estimate of this potential warranty claim, this estimate could change due to new information and future events.  There can be no assurance at this point that future costs pertaining to this issue will not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Our ARP facilities in Niles, OH and Pueblo, CO have contracts with Class 1 railroads that are periodically subject to renewal which account for a significant portion of this division’s business.  If we are unable to successfully renew these contracts, our results of operations and financial position could be negatively impacted.

We have made a strategic decision to limit our use of foreign suppliers for our North American rail distribution business, as we believe that the long-term impact of this decision will deliver positive impacts to our results of operations and financial position.  Additionally, there have been more significant increases in the prices of these products from our international suppliers.  Due to this decision, the short-term impact may reduce the sales recorded by our rail distribution division and negatively impact our results of operations and financial position.

Certain of our businesses rely heavily on spending authorized by the federal highway and transportation funding bill, SAFETEA-LU, enacted in August 2005.  This legislation authorized $286 billion for United States transportation improvement spending and expired in September 2009.  This legislation has been temporarily extended for a period of six months.  While certain estimates of the amounts that may be authorized under successor legislation to SAFETEA-LU range from $400 to $500 billion, there is significant uncertainty as to the timing of the renewal of this multi-year surface transportation legislation and the potential impact it may have on our markets.  SAFETEA-LU was not approved until nearly two years after the previous authorization expired.  This delay had a material detrimental impact upon the demand and spending levels in certain markets where we participated during 2003 to 2005.

We entered into a corporate joint venture to manufacture, market and sell various products for the energy, utility and construction markets.  In connection with the joint venture agreement we are required to make initial capital contributions of $0.9 million and additional capital contributions of $1.0 million.  No assurances can be given that additional capital contributions will not be required, that the manufacturing facility will be completed timely or that the joint venture will perform in accordance with our expectations.

Although backlog is not necessarily indicative of future operating results, total Company backlog at September 30, 2009, was approximately $155.5 million, a 13.0% decrease compared to September 30, 2008.  The following table provides the backlog by business segment:

   
Backlog
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2009
   
2008
   
2008
 
Rail Products
  $ 55,060     $ 68,438     $ 72,412  
Construction Products
    97,008       57,626       97,014  
Tubular Products
    3,473       6,524       9,436  
Total Backlog
  $ 155,541     $ 132,588     $ 178,862  

We continue to evaluate the overall performance of our operations.  A decision to down-size or terminate an existing operation could have a material adverse effect on near-term earnings but would not be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company.

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Market Risk and Risk Management Policies

The Company does not purchase or hold any derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate exposure on variable-rate debt, primarily by using interest rate collars and variable interest rate swaps. The Company’s primary source of variable-rate debt comes from its revolving credit agreement.

At contract inception, the Company designates its derivative instruments as hedges.  The Company recognizes all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value.  Fluctuations in the fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings within other income as the underlying hedged items affect earnings. To the extent that a change in interest rate derivative does not perfectly offset the change in value of the interest rate being hedged, the ineffective portion is recognized in earnings immediately.

The Company is not subject to significant exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company will, however, manage its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on firm sale and purchase commitments by entering into foreign currency forward contracts. The Company’s risk management objective is to reduce its exposure to the effects of changes in exchange rates on these transactions over the duration of the transactions.

During 2006, the Company entered into commitments to sell Canadian funds based on the anticipated receipt of Canadian funds from the sale of certain rail commencing in the second quarter of 2007 through the third quarter of 2008.  All of these contracts were settled as of December 31, 2008.  During 2008, two of these Canadian dollar denominated commitments matured for a realized loss of approximately $0.1 million which was reported as “Other (Income) Expense” within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company entered into a commitment with a notional amount of approximately $0.6 million to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain rail in the first quarter of 2009.  During the first quarter of 2009, the Company determined that the receipt of Euros would not coincide with the purchase commitment and the Company recorded a loss of approximately $7,000 to record this commitment at market which was reported as “Other (Income) Expense” within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  The fair value of this instrument was a liability of $0.1 million and was recorded in “Other Accrued Liabilities” as of December 31, 2008.

In the first quarter of 2009, the Company entered into commitments with notional amounts totaling approximately $1.0 million to buy Euro funds based on the anticipated receipt of Euro funds from the purchase of certain rail in the second quarter of 2009.  During the second quarter of 2009, these commitments matured for a realized gain of approximately $0.1 million.  All of these contracts were settled as of September 30, 2009.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements relating to the value of the Company’s share of potential future contingent payments related to the DM&E merger with the Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) are forward-looking statements and are subject to numerous contingencies and risk factors.  The CP has stated that it may take several years for it to determine whether to construct the Powder River Basin Expansion Project.

Our businesses could be affected adversely by significant changes in the price of steel, concrete, and other raw materials or the availability of existing and new piling and rail products.  Our operating results may also be affected negatively by adverse weather conditions.

A substantial portion of our operations are heavily dependent on governmental funding of infrastructure projects.  Many of these projects have “Buy America” or “Buy American” provisions.  Significant changes in the level of government funding of these projects could have a favorable or unfavorable impact on our operating results.  Additionally, government actions concerning “Buy America” provisions, taxation, tariffs, the environment, or other matters could impact our operating results.

A significant portion of our Construction segment net sales and profits are related to the purchase and resale of piling products.  Our primary supplier relationship with Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation remains intact.  However, no assurances can be given and, if we are unable to continue to distribute any of the products of Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation, our results of operations and liquidity could be adversely affected.

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Unexpected events including production delays or other problems encountered at our manufacturing facilities, equipment failures, failure to meet product specifications, additional concrete railroad tie defects and the availability of existing and new piling and rail products may cause our operating costs to increase or otherwise impact our financial performance.

The Company cautions readers that various factors could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements made from time to time in news releases, reports, proxy statements, registration statements and other written communications (including the preceding sections of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis), as well as oral statements, such as references made to the future profitability, made from time to time by representatives of the Company.  For a discussion of some of the specific risk factors, that may cause such differences, see the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Except for historical information, matters discussed in such oral and written communications are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to general business conditions, the availability of material from major suppliers, labor disputes, the impact of competition, the seasonality of the Company’s business, the adequacy of internal and external sources of funds to meet financing needs, the Company’s ability to curb its working capital requirements, taxes, inflation and governmental regulations.  Sentences containing words such as “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “expects,” or “will” generally should be considered forward-looking statements.

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See the “Market Risk and Risk Management Policies” section under Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

a)
L. B. Foster Company (the Company) carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of September 30, 2009.  Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to timely alert them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company’s periodic SEC filings.
   
b)
There have been no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred in the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are likely to materially affect the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 12, “Commitments and Contingent Liabilities”, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There has not been any material change in the risk factors disclosure from that contained in the Company’s 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Item 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Company had no purchases of its equity securities for the three month period ended September 30, 2009.  Purchases under the following plan have not been suspended:

     
Total Number
Approximate Dollar
     
of Shares
Value of Shares
   
Average
Purchased as
that May Yet Be
 
Total Number
Price
Part of Publicly
Purchased Under
 
Of Shares
Paid per
Announced Plans
the Plans
 
Purchased (1)
Share
or Programs
or Programs
As of September 30, 2009
951,673
$30.60
951,673
$11,654,894

(1)  On May 12, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $25,000,000 of the Company’s common shares until June 30, 2010.  On October 28, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $15,000,000 of the Company’s common shares until December 31, 2010 at which time this authorization will expire.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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Item 6. EXHIBITS

The Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.  All exhibits are incorporated herein by reference:

3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003.
   
3.2
Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended and filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
   
4.0
Rights Amendment, dated as of May 15, 1997 between L. B. Foster Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, including the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached thereto, filed as Exhibit 4.0 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
   
4.1
Rights Amendment, dated as of October 24, 2006, between L. B. Foster Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, including the form of Rights Certificate and the Summary of Rights attached thereto, filed as Exhibit 4B to Form 8-K on October 27, 2006.
   
10.0
Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated May 5, 2005, between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A., LaSalle Bank N.A., and First Commonwealth Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.0 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
   
10.0.1
First Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated September 13, 2005, between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A., LaSalle Bank N.A., and First Commonwealth Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.0.1 to Form 8-K on September 14, 2005.
   
10.0.3
Third Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated February 8, 2007, between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A., LaSalle Bank N.A., and First Commonwealth Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.0.3 to Form 8-K on February 9, 2007.
   
10.0.5
Fifth Amendment to Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated March 4, 2009, between Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., and First Commonwealth Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.0.5 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
   
10.12
Lease between CXT Incorporated and Pentzer Development Corporation, dated April 1, 1993, filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
   
10.12.1
Second Amendment dated March 12, 1996 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty, LLC, successor, filed as Exhibit 10.12.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
   
10.12.2
Third Amendment dated November 7, 2002 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
   
10.12.3
Fourth Amendment dated December 15, 2003 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.3 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
   
10.12.4
Fifth Amendment dated June 29, 2004 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Park SPE, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.4 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
   
10.12.5
Sixth Amendment dated May 9, 2006 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Park SPE, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.5 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006.
   
10.12.6
Seventh Amendment dated April 28, 2008 to lease between CXT Incorporated and Park SPE, LLC, filed as Exhibit 10.12.6 to Form 8-K of May 2, 2008.
   
10.13
Lease between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty, LLC, dated December 20, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10.13 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
   

34



10.13.1
Amendment dated June 29, 2001 between CXT Incorporated and Crown West Realty, filed as Exhibit 10.13.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
   
10.14
Lease of property in Tucson, AZ between CXT Incorporated and the Union Pacific Railroad Company dated May 27, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.14 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
   
10.15
Lease of property in Grand Island, NE between CXT Incorporated and the Union Pacific Railroad Company, dated May 27, 2005, and filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
   
10.15.1
Industry Track Contract between CXT Incorporated and the Union Pacific Railroad Company, dated May 27, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.15 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
   
10.16
Lease Agreement dated March 3, 2008 between CCI-B Langfield I, LLC, as Lessor, and Registrant as Lessee, related to Registrant’s threading operation in Harris County, Texas and filed as Exhibit 10.16 to Form 8-K on March 7, 2008.
   
10.16.1
First Amendment dated April 1, 2008 to lease between CCI-B Langfield I, LLC, as Lessor, and Registrant as Lessee, related to Registrant’s threading operation in Harris County, Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.16.1 to Form 8-K on May 1, 2008.
   
10.16.2
Second Amendment dated January 6, 2009 to lease between CCI-B Langfield I, LLC, as lessor, and Registrant as Lessee, related to Registrant’s threading operation in Harris County, Texas, filed as Exhibit 10.16.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
   
10.17
Lease between Registrant and the City of Hillsboro, TX dated February 22, 2002, and filed as Exhibit 10.17 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
   
10.19
Lease between Registrant and American Cast Iron Pipe Company for pipe-coating facility in Birmingham, AL, dated December 11, 1991, filed as Exhibit 10.19 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
   
10.19.1
Amendment to Lease between Registrant and American Cast Iron Pipe Company for pipe-coating facility in Birmingham, AL dated November 15, 2000, and filed as Exhibit 10.19.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006.
   
10.20
Equipment Purchase and Service Agreement by and between the Registrant and LaBarge Coating LLC, dated July 31, 2003, and filed as Exhibit 10.20 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
   
^10.21
Agreement for Purchase and Sales of Concrete Ties between CXT Incorporated and the Union Pacific Railroad dated January 24, 2005, and filed as Exhibit 10.21 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.
   
^10.21.1
Amendment to Agreement for Purchase and Sales of Concrete Ties between CXT Incorporated and the Union Pacific Railroad dated October 28, 2005, and filed as Exhibit 10.21.1 to Form 8-K on November 14, 2005.
   
10.24
Asset Purchase Agreement by and between the Registrant and The Reinforced Earth Company dated February 15, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.24 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.
   
10.33.2
Amended and Restated 1985 Long-Term Incentive Plan as of May 25, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.33.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. **
   
10.34
Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan as of May 25, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. **
   

35



10.34.1
Amendment, effective May 24, 2006, to Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan as of May 25, 2005, filed as Exhibit 10.34.1 to Form 8-K on May 31, 2006. **
   
10.45
Medical Reimbursement Plan (MRP1) effective January 1, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.45 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. **
   
10.45.1
Medical Reimbursement Plan (MRP2) effective January 1, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.45.1 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. **
   
10.46
Leased Vehicle Plan as amended and restated on September 1, 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.46 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007. **
   
10.51
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan as Amended and Restated on January 1, 2009, filed as Exhibit 10.51 to Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. **
   
10.53
Directors’ resolution dated March 6, 2008, under which directors’ compensation was established, filed as Exhibit 10.53 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. **
   
10.55
Management Incentive Compensation Plan for 2007, filed as Exhibit 10.55 to Form 8-K on March 8, 2007. **
   
10.57.1
2006 Omnibus Plan, as amended and restated March 6, 2008, filed as exhibit 10.57.1 to Form 8-K on March 12, 2008.  **
   
10.58
Special Bonus Arrangement, effective May 24, 2006, filed as Exhibit 10.58 to Form 8-K on May 31, 2006.  **
   
10.59
Executive Annual Incentive Compensation Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.59 to Form 8-K on March 12, 2008.  **
   
10.60
Letter agreement on Lee B. Foster II’s retirement, filed as Exhibit 10.59 to Form 8-K on April 22, 2008.  **
   
19
Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.
   
*31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
*31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
*32.0
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
_______________________________
   
*
Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith.
   
**
Identifies management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an Exhibit.
   
^
Portions of the exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request.

36



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
L.B. FOSTER COMPANY
 
(Registrant)
   
Date: November 6, 2009
By: /s/ David J. Russo
 
David J. Russo
 
Senior Vice President,
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer of Registrant)


37