Sales in the
work gloves and protective wear segment have historically exhibited seasonal
fluctuations. Cold weather months generally provide increased sales while warm
weather results in reduced sales activity. Because of this seasonality, work
gloves and protective wear sales tend to be higher in the Companys first and
fourth quarters while lower during the second and third quarters.
BMC sells to
a broad customer base approximating three thousand active accounts. Accordingly,
BMC has relatively little dependence on any one customer. At the end of 2007,
BMC had an open order backlog of approximately $1,134,000 down about $110,000
from the previous year.
The Company
ceased domestic manufacturing operations during 2000 and is now primarily an
importer and marketer. Finished goods in this segment are generally widely
available from a number of suppliers in various countries. The cost to import
many of the goods in this segment increased during 2007, particularly leather
products and goods made from oil based fabrics, (such as PVC and nylon), which
fluctuated with oil prices. Latex prices increased during the year causing the
cost of latex gloves and boots to increase. The strengthening of the Chinese
currency against the U.S. dollar and labor shortages in some areas of China have
resulted in cost pressure on all products imported from China. The Company has
occasionally experienced short-term limitations in the supply of certain
imported products, generally due to raw material shortages. Availability of
imported goods is further subject to interruptions in shipping as well as
import/export documentation and clearing. During the last half of 2007, the
Company started to experience production and shipping delays from China on
certain products in the work gloves and protective wear segment. Management
anticipates these product supply problems may have an adverse effect on sales in
the upcoming year. The Company hopes to alleviate potential shortages by
obtaining alternative sources of supply in other countries or from other
vendors.
The Company
is party to a long-term agreement with Caterpillar Inc. under which the Company
markets work gloves, rainwear and other products under the CAT® trademark. Sales
of CAT® products have steadily increased since their introduction in 2003, with
total sales of $2,752,000 in 2007, representing 7% of domestic sales in the work
gloves and protective wear segment for the year. The Company believes that the
CAT® trademark will provide additional sales growth opportunities, both foreign
and domestic, while allowing the Company to introduce new products that are less
sensitive to market pricing pressures. New products introduced in 2007 under the
CAT® trademark include tool belts, tool bags and hats with hands-free
illumination.
During the
second quarter of 2007, Boss Canada purchased all outstanding shares of
privately-held Navillus Group Inc., an Ontario corporation. Through its wholly
owned subsidiary, Canadawide Safety Inc. (Canadawide), the acquired company
imports and distributes safety goods and industrial work wear, including gloves,
protective eyewear, face and respiratory protection, as well as first aid and
industrial supplies. Immediately following the closing, Canadawide and Navillus
Group Inc. were merged with Canadawide as the surviving entity.
Management
believes Canadawides operations will complement its existing Boss Canada
business and provide cross-selling opportunities with both companies customers.
Canadawides broad line of safety products provides an instant expansion of Boss
Canadas product line, while Boss Canada will significantly bolster Canadawides
offering of work gloves, boots and rainwear.
The Boss
name and logo are important trademarks of the Company, which it vigorously
defends in the market. In addition, BMC has various registered names and
trademarks for specific products that the Company believes add substantial value
in the sales and marketing efforts associated with this segment. Additional
financial information on the work gloves and protective wear segment is included
in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
PROMOTIONAL AND SPECIALTY
PRODUCTS
Since 2004,
the Company has owned Galaxy Balloons, Incorporated (Galaxy), a Cleveland,
Ohio based company operating in the promotional and specialty products segment.
Galaxy provides custom imprinted balloons, mini-sport balls, signature balls,
exercise balls, beach balls and other inflatable products. In addition, Galaxy
has broadened its product line to include various non-inflatable imprinted items
including yo-yos, juggle balls, sport horns, fan-ta-sticks, holiday candles and
ornaments. These items are sold exclusively through authorized distributors in
the promotional products industry. In the past two years, Galaxy has sold to
approximately 10,000 different distributors.
3
A broad
based group of end-users, from banks to hotels to schools, purchase Galaxys
custom imprinted products for advertising and promotional purposes. Examples
include miniature footballs and basketballs thrown into the crowds at sporting
events and helium filled balloons given to children at restaurants. The products
offered by Galaxy provide end-users with the opportunity to get their name in
front of many potential customers for maximum exposure at a relatively small
advertising cost.
The
promotional products industry is comprised of over 20,000 registered
distributors serving a $18 billion market that has experienced substantial
growth over the past decade. This market is very competitive and Galaxy competes
against companies offering similar products as well as companies offering other
custom imprinted goods such as pens, t-shirts and caps. Galaxy competes on the
basis of quality, both in terms of the products offered and the printing
process; service, with Galaxy offering quick turn-around times (24 and 48 hour
rush service) as well as small minimums at competitive prices.
Based on
results from prior years, management expects seasonal sales fluctuations in the
promotional and specialty products segment. Historically, sales in this segment
reach a low point during the first and fourth quarter of the year then build to
a peak in late summer and early fall due to the sales of football related
products. To reduce the seasonality in the fourth quarter, Galaxy expanded its
product line to include Christmas ornaments, candles and other products that
sell well during the fourth quarter.
In November
of 2007, Galaxy Balloons Inc. acquired certain assets of Dipcraft Manufacturing
Company, a direct competitor operating in the promotional products industry.
Dipcraft, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA., has been in the manufacturing and
balloon printing business since 1946. Dipcrafts production and printing
equipment have been consolidated into Galaxy Balloons state-of-the-art facility
in Lakewood, OH.
Due to its
broad customer base, Galaxy has little dependence on any one customer. In 2007,
Galaxys largest customer accounted for only 3.7% of total sales. Galaxys open
order backlog was not material at yearend due to the seasonal nature of sales in
this segment. Typically Galaxy doesnt have a large back order log because it
ships most of its orders in five days or less. Galaxy purchases the finished
goods on which it custom imprints products from a number of sources, both
domestic and international. Though suppliers are limited in certain product
areas, Galaxy has experienced no product shortages in recent years and
anticipates an adequate supply of goods in the coming year. During 2007, this
industry experienced a worldwide shortage of helium which has negatively
affected helium balloon sales. The helium shortage is expected to continue
through 2008 and will continue to adversely affect balloon sales.
In 2008,
Galaxy Balloons has expanded its sport line of products to include a wider array
of sport balls, sport luggage tags, sport and piggy banks, sport ball water
bottles, and sport lanyards. Galaxy has increased its line of ornaments to
include heart shaped shatter proof ornaments, glass ornaments and picture frame
ornaments. In addition, Galaxy is introducing the revolutionary new Magical
Balloon which is an ink-jettable balloon that will allow consumers to print
any image, photograph or message on a balloon by simply running it through their
ink jet printer.
Additional
financial information on the promotional and specialty products segment is
included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and in
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.
PET SUPPLIES
The Company
developed its pet supplies segment through two subsidiaries. The Warren Pet
(Warren) division of the Companys Boss Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.
subsidiary imports, markets and distributes a comprehensive line of non-food pet
supplies to various retail outlets. Products in this line include dog and cat
toys, collars and leads, chains and rawhide products. Warren markets its product
line primarily to discount and hardware retailers utilizing a network of
regional distributors.
Boss Pet
Products, Inc. (Boss Pet), a wholly owned subsidiary of BMC, imports, markets
and distributes pet cable restraints, shampoos and other pet chemical products.
The Company acquired this business in 2002 through the purchase of certain
assets from RocCorp, Inc. based in Cleveland, Ohio. Boss Pet markets its
products primarily to pet supply specialty retailers under the Prestige brand
name. In addition, Boss Pet sells products to discount retailers under various
privately labeled brand names. Essentially all sales in this segment are within
the United States.
4
During the
first quarter of 2007, the Warren operations were consolidated from Kewanee,
Illinois into the Boss Pet operations in Cleveland, resulting in increased
operating and marketing efficiency. The pet supplies industry is extremely
competitive. The Company competes primarily in selected market niches by
focusing on customer service, specialized marketing, unique products and
competitive pricing.
Sales in the
pet supplies segment have historically exhibited seasonal fluctuations. Spring
and summer months tend to generate higher sales at retail as consumers spend
time outdoors with their pets during warm weather months. Cold weather months
generally produce lower sales at retail. Because of this seasonality, pet supply
sales tend to be higher in the Companys first and second quarters, with sales
declining through the third and fourth quarters.
The Company
generally has multiple sources of supply for substantially all of its product
requirements in this segment. Finished goods in this segment have generally been
readily available in sufficient quantities. However, the pet supplies segment is
subject to the same potential for product interruptions noted in the work gloves
and protective wear segment. Because of the seasonality in this segment, the
open order backlog was not material at the end of 2007 or 2006.
Due to the
market niches served by Boss Pet and Warren, these operations serve a smaller
customer base with less diversification than the Companys operations in other
segments. Boss Pets largest customer accounted for 40% of sales in this segment
during 2007, while Warrens largest customer accounted for 22%.
Additional
financial information on the pet supplies segment is included in the Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements and in Managements Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
The Company
is subject to various federal, state and local regulations concerning the
environment. Efforts to maintain compliance with such regulations have not
required expenditures material to the Companys overall operating performance or
financial condition.
EMPLOYEES
As of
December 29, 2007, Boss employed 241 full-time associates, up 31 from the
previous year due to the higher employment levels at Galaxy and additions to the
staff at the Boss Manufacturing Company distribution center. The Company
employed no union employees at the end of 2007. Approximately 231 associates
were located in the United States with 10 located in Canada at yearend.
The Company
believes its employee relations are excellent. However, the Companys past
success in attracting and retaining employees cannot assure attainment of future
employment objectives.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Information
concerning the Company and its products can be obtained from its primary
internet website at
www.bossgloves.com
. The Companys
public financial reports and insider trading reports can be accessed under the
Boss Holdings, Inc. subsection of the website area titled Company
Information. In addition, information about products available from subsidiary
operations is available at the following websites,
www.galaxyballoon.com
and
www.roccorp.com
.