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Columbus McKinnon Corporation

cmco · NASDAQ Industrials
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Ticker cmco
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Industrials
Industry Agricultural - Machinery
Employees 3515
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FY2012 Annual Report · Columbus McKinnon Corporation
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140 John James Audubon Parkway

cmworks.com

NASDAQ: CMCO

Amherst, NY 14228-1197

General 716-689-5400

Investor Relations 716-689-5479

Our Vision

Become the Material Handling Champion of the World

Superior 

Customer Excellence

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Goal

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Helping our customers succeed

Each other and our diverse background

Innovation, quality, and craftsmanship in all aspects of performance

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L I F T I N G .  P O S I T I O N I N G .  S E C U R I N G .

OUR GLOBAL REACH
OUR GLOBAL REACH

2012 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Company Profi le

Columbus McKinnon Corporation 
(NASDAQ: CMCO) is a leading worldwide 
designer, manufacturer and marketer 
of material handling products, systems 
and services, which effi ciently and 
ergonomically move, lift, position and 
secure materials.  

Headquartered in Amherst, New York, 
Columbus McKinnon’s key products 
include hoists, cranes, actuators, and 
rigging tools.  The Company is focused on 
commercial and industrial applications 
that require the safety and quality 
provided by its superior design and 
engineering know-how.  

Fiscal 2012 Net Sales

7% 2%

$591.9 
million
(Fiscal 2012 
Net Sales)

59%

18%

Broad Product Offering

Hoists 

Rigging & Lifting Tools 

Actuators/Rotary Unions 

Cranes 

Other 

59%

18%

14%

7%

2%

Our Competitive Advantage: 
Strong Brands Built on Quality and Reliability

Shareholder and Corporate Information

1898

1881

1927

1937

1942

1904

1920

1929

1938

1972

5% 2%

8%

Sales in 
over 50 
countries

55%

30%

Global Sales – FY 2012

US 

Europe, Middle East & Africa 

Canada 

Latin America 

Asia Pacifi c 

55%

30%

8%

5%

2%

Common Stock

Corporate Headquarters

Columbus McKinnon’s common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol 

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

CMCO.  As of April 30, 2012, there were 552 shareholders of record and 

140 John James Audubon Parkway

19,400,526 total outstanding common stock.  According to March 31, 2012 

Amherst, New York 14228-1197

SEC fi lings, 109 institutional and mutual fund investors owned approximately 

716-689-5400

Please direct questions about lost certifi cates, change of address and 

consolidation of accounts to the Company’s transfer agent and registrar:

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company

91% of Columbus McKinnon’s outstanding common shares.  

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

108 East Superior Street @ North Michigan Avenue

July 23, 2012

10:00 a.m. Central Time

The Peninsula Chicago

Chicago, Illinois 60611

312-337-2888

Transfer Agent

59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level

New York, New York 10038

800-937-5449

718-921-8200

www.amstock.com

Investor Relations

Gregory P. Rustowicz

Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Offi cer

Columbus McKinnon Corporation 

716-689-5442

E-mail: greg.rustowicz@cmworks.com

Deborah K. Pawlowski

Kei Advisors LLC

716-843-3908

E-mail: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Investor information is available on the Company’s website: 

www.cmworks.com

The following analysts published research about 

Columbus McKinnon Corporation during the last year:

Independent Auditors

Ernst & Young LLP

50 Fountain Plaza, 15th fl oor

Buffalo, New York 14202-2297

Analyst Coverage

BB&T Capital Markets

Schon Williams / 804-782-8769

cwilliams@bbandt.com

CJS Securities

Jason Ursaner / 914-287-7600

jursaner@cjs-securities.com

C.L. King & Associates

Gary Farber / 212-364-1812

gaf@clking.com

Sidoti & Company

Joseph Mondillo / 212-894-3339 

jmondillo@sidoti.com

Forward-Looking Information

The Columbus McKinnon annual report contains “forward-looking statements” 

within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such 

statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future revenue 

and earnings, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors 

that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the 

results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and 

business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by the Company 

and its subsidiaries, conditions affecting the Company’s customers and suppliers, 

competitor responses to the Company’s products and services, the overall market 

acceptance of such products and services and other factors disclosed in the 

Company’s periodic reports fi led with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information 

contained in this report.

2012 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Summary  
(In thousands, except per share, percent change, margin and ratio data) 

Fiscal Year Ended March 31,  

  2012  

2011  

2010  

  2009  

2008*

Income Statement Data 

Net sales  

Gross profi t  

Gross margin 

Income (Loss) from operations 

Operating Margin  

Non-GAAP income from operations **  

Non-GAAP operating margin **  

Net income (loss) 

$  591,945  

$  524,065   

$  476,183  

$  606,708  

$  593,786  

  157,718  

  126,052  

  115,939  

  173,701   

  185,575  

26.6 % 

45,144  

7.6 % 

43,994  

7.4 % 

26,967  

24.1 % 

18,572  

3.5 % 

27,704  

5.3 % 

(35,950)  

($1.89)  

24.3 % 

28.6 % 

(3,812)  

(46,559)  

(0.8) % 

20,707  

4.3 % 

(7,013)  

($0.37)  

(7.7) % 

62,362  

10.3 % 

(78,384)  

($4.16)  

$ 

0.51  

$ 

0.32  

$ 

1.90  

31.3 % 

80,740  

13.6 % 

80,740  

13.6 % 

37,349  

$ 

$ 

1.95  

2.35  

Net income (loss) per diluted share  

Non-GAAP net income per diluted share **  

$ 

$ 

1.38  

1.32  

Balance Sheet Data 

Total assets  

Total liabilities  

Total debt  

Total debt, net of cash  

Total shareholders’ equity  

Total debt/capitalization 

Total debt, net of cash/net total capitalization 

Other Data 

Operating cash fl ow  

Depreciation and amortization 

Capital expenditures 

Working capital (excl. cash and debt)/revenue  

Days sales outstanding  

Inventory turns  

$  515,407   

$  478,872  

$  481,497  

$  491,664   

$  590,035  

  354,941  

  316,726  

  294,219  

  309,810  

  294,554  

  153,094  

  154,405  

  132,817  

  137,886  

  133,283  

63,621  

74,266  

68,849  

98,650  

57,289  

  160,466  

  162,146  

  187,278  

  181,854  

  295,481  

48.8 % 

28.4 % 

48.8 % 

31.4 % 

41.5 % 

26.9 % 

43.1 % 

35.2 % 

31.1 % 

16.2 % 

$  23,587  

$ 

3,280  

$ 

29,867  

$  60,231  

$ 

59,590  

11,862  

  (13,765)  

17.6 % 

50.6  

4.3  

11,050  

(12,543)  

16.9 % 

49.1  

4.7  

12,490  

(7,245)  

16.2 % 

51.4  

4.6  

  117,590  

(12,245)  

18.8 % 

53.7  

4.0  

8,325  

(12,479) 

18.2 % 

53.0  

5.2  

*  Restated for Univeyor discontinued operations, divested July 2008

** The Company believes that the Non-GAAP information presented are meaningful measures of operating performance in comparing period-to-period results. 
    This information should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, other measures of fi nancial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

2009 Non-GAAP margin dollars and percentages exclude $107.0 million goodwill 
impairment  charge and $1.9 million in restructuring and other special charges. 

2011 Non-GAAP margin dollars and percentages exclude $6.2 million 
restructuring-related costs and $2.9 million of unusual product liability claims. 

2010 Non-GAAP margin dollars and percentages exclude $21.0 million 
restructuring-related costs and $3.5 million of other special charges. 

2012 Non-GAAP margin dollars and percentages exclude $1.1 million 
pension curtailment  charge, $1.5 million gain on the sale of a closed facility, 
and $0.9 million gain on re-measurement of investment.

2012 Annual Report

1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Letter to the Shareholders

Dear Fellow Shareholders:
Fiscal Year 2012 was a year of solid progress toward achieving our vision of 
being the material-handling champion of the world.  We continued to provide 
products and solutions that lift, position and secure, in an easy and safe way, for 
our global customers.  In fi scal 2012, we achieved 13% sales growth for total 
revenue of $591.9 million.  We believe the strength of our brands and continued 
execution of our growth strategy to expand our geographic reach and product 
offering drove greater demand for our products as industrial activity and the 
global economy improved.  Our strategic goal is $1 billion in revenue through 
organic growth and acquisitions.  While we expect that the fastest growth will be 
in international markets, we continue to also increase our already strong market 
share in the United States.  

Of signifi cance, net income grew to $27.0 million, or $1.38 per diluted share, 
from a prior year loss of $36.0 million, as the benefi ts of our restructuring efforts 
during the recession take hold and the improved leverage inherent in our business 
is demonstrated through margin expansion.  

Product, Vertical Market and Geographic Expansion 
We gained traction in the U.S. during the year, and believe we can continue to 
capture new opportunities given our leading market share.  Our vertical market 
approach has helped us address the needs of key end users in specifi c industries 
including: oil and gas exploration and processing, power generation and distribution, 
mining, construction, manufacturing and entertainment.  This vertical market 
focus has generated end-user demand and pull-through within our channels, 
creating a win-win scenario for Columbus McKinnon and our channel partners.  
Likewise through the year, we grew in our Europe, Middle East and Africa 
(EMEA) region.  In Europe specifi cally, despite the economic turmoil, our rate of 
growth exceeded the general economy, which we believe is an indicator that we 
are capturing market share in that region.  We are having measurable success in 
the Eastern European countries and opened a new sales offi ce in Turkey during the 
year.  Our market entry approach has worked well for us.  We begin by importing 

Net Sales
(Dollars in millions)

593.8 606.7

591.9

524.1

476.2

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

$800

600

400

200

0

15

12

9

6

3

0

Operating Margin

13.6%

7.6%

3.5%

‘09

‘10

‘08

‘11

‘12

-0.8%

-7.7%

2

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

into a geographic region until we get a level of sales that supports adding a direct 
sales offi ce, inventory and technical support.  In time, we generally add more value 
and begin to assemble product in the local market as well.  This measured approach 
ensures that we invest in an appropriate and disciplined manner.  This past year, we 
also opened sales offi ces in Casablanca, Morocco, and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  
The signifi cant levels of infrastructure growth in these economies drive demand for 
our products, and we believe our product quality, responsiveness and experience, all 
provide for a competitive edge.  

We continue to increase revenue and our market presence in China and are 

developing excellent channel partner relationships.  We now have approximately 30 
sales personnel in 9 offi ces in China and continue to invest in engineering, sales and 
support personnel. 

Continued Innovation 
During fi scal 2012, our expanded product offering included the introduction of 
a new Lodestar line.  This new product line, which spans the range of a 1/8 ton 
through 3 ton electric chain hoist, provides us the fl exibility to address extremely 
varied international standards.  We have also localized two key product lines into our 
Chinese facilities, our JLC and Vego electric chain hoist lines.  This has enabled us to 
have the right product – at the right cost structure – to market and sell to this large 
and growing industrial market. 

We believe new products are an important component of our growth and expect 

them to comprise 20% of sales.  We achieved that goal in fi scal 2012.  

Columbus McKinnon Lean Business System
Over the long term, with our “Lean” business approach, we believe we can produce 
operating margins in the 12% to 14% range while managing working capital 

Cash Flow from Operations
(Dollars in millions)

59.6

60.2

$100

80

Total Debt, Net of Cash
(Dollars in millions)

98.7

74.3

68.8

63.6

60

57.3

29.9

23.6

3.3

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

40

20

0

‘08

‘09

‘10

‘11

‘12

$70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

requirements at 15% of sales.  We would need to return to our peak revenue level 
of approximately $650 million (inclusive of a full year of Pfaff, which was acquired 
in October 2008) to achieve these goals.  Nonetheless, we continually improve our 
productivity and drive to expand our leverage in order to be in a signifi cantly stronger 
position for the next industrial down cycle.  We have removed approximately 
500,000 square feet of manufacturing fl oor space in the past few years while 
preserving suffi cient capacity for growth.  We have focused on seven key operating 
goals which include: customer satisfaction, lead time, customer on-time delivery, 
warranty costs, internal defect rate, safety rate and inventory turns.  All, except 
inventory turns, improved over the prior year.  Inventory optimization is a primary 
area of focus for us as we move through fi scal 2013.  

The year was not without its challenges.  We worked diligently to improve the 
operating issues in our forging business, which occurred as a result of the consolidation 
of our two forging facilities.  Unfortunately, although this business is relatively small, 
representing just 8% of sales, it did consume signifi cant management resources to 
improve our performance.  We turned the corner in the third quarter of the year and 
are working aggressively to win back orders.  

It is important to note, however, that the majority of our restructuring activities were 
quite successful – in fact, exceeding our expectations.  The savings from our chain and 
hoist consolidations more than offset the losses from the challenges with forgings.  
The total net improvement from our restructuring activities was approximately 
$6 million.  Obviously, we want to realize our targeted $13 to $15 million in annual 
savings and expect we will achieve this run rate in the latter half of fi scal 2013. 

Financial Flexibility
We have a very strong balance sheet that provides us the fl exibility to pursue 
investments in our business as well as execute our acquisition strategy.  We had a 
net debt to net total capitalization ratio of 28.4%, a cash balance of $89.5 million 
and an $85 million revolver of which approximately $70 million was available at 
fi scal year end. In addition, our operating cash requirements are relatively low 
at approximately $25 to $30 million per year, giving us suffi cient available capital 
to make meaningful acquisitions.  This past year, we acquired a small business in 
South Africa, Yale Lifting Solutions, a hoist supplier and service organization that 
serves the mines in South Africa with material handling equipment.  We believe 
that our current level of net debt to net total capitalization is comfortable, but we 
are willing to fl ex up to approximately 50% for the right opportunity.  

We are systematically identifying and targeting acquisition opportunities, 
methodically building the relationships needed, typically with private owners, 
all the while diligently reviewing their operations, fi nancials, market position 
and customer relationships.  Of course, we also consider expected return on 
investment and most importantly building shareholder value.  Our focus is on 
emerging economies, specifi cally China and Brazil, where we believe we have 
the greatest market penetration potential as well as the benefi t of a rapidly 
growing industrial base.

Strong, Steady Outlook
We are focused on the long term, meeting our goals and objectives, and generating 
value for our shareholders.  We operate in an ever-changing socio-economic 
global environment and believe our success is dependent upon our people.  
It takes the right people in the right positions executing the right activities to 
profi tably grow, and we believe we are building a very capable team.  We will 
continue to execute our strategy, focus on the basics for profi table growth and 
maintain a vision and culture that drives improvement.  

We appreciate the hard-working men and women in our Company that have 
produced the results of fi scal 2012.  They are the backbone of our organization 
and dedicated to our future success.

As always, we appreciate your investment in Columbus McKinnon.  

Sincerely, 

Timothy T. Tevens
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Ernest R. Verebelyi
Chairman of the Board of Directors

2012 Annual Report

3

Executive Committee

Timothy T. Tevens
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Charles R. Giesige
Vice President - Corporate Development

Timothy T. Tevens is President, Chief Executive Offi cer and a director of Columbus 
McKinnon Corporation, a leading manufacturer and marketer of material handling 
products, systems and services. He joined the Company in 1991 as Vice President-
Information Services and was elected Chief Operating Offi cer in 1996. In 1998, 
Mr. Tevens was appointed President and Director and later that year was appointed 
to his current position. Prior to joining Columbus McKinnon, he was with Ernst & 
Young LLP in various management consulting capacities for more than 10 years.

Gregory P. Rustowicz 
Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Offi cer

Gregory P. Rustowicz joined the Columbus McKinnon executive team in August 
2011.  He spent 20 years with PPG Industries, Inc., where he progressed through 
a series of promotions in fi nance and accounting, including Group Chief Financial 
Offi cer of PPG’s Glass, Fiber Glass and Chemicals businesses.  After leaving PPG, 
he joined Momentive Performance Materials as Corporate Treasurer.  Most recently, 
Mr. Rustowicz was the Vice President - Finance for Momentive Performance 
Materials.  He began his career with KPMG Peat Marwick.  He is a graduate of 
Canisius College with a B.S. in Accounting and he earned a M.S., Industrial 
Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.

Gene P. Buer
Vice President - Americas

As of July 1, 2010, Mr. Buer was named Vice President - Americas. Before the transition 
from Executive Director to Vice President of Hoist Products - the Americas in 2009, 
he was the President of Columbus McKinnon’s Crane Equipment and Services, Inc. 
subsidiary and served in other executive capacities. Prior to joining the Company 
in 2005, Mr. Buer held senior executive and sales management positions with 
several industrial companies, including Ingersoll-Rand, Zimmerman International 
Corp., and Champion Blower and Forge.

Ivo Celi
Vice President - CMCO EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Dr. Celi joined Columbus McKinnon in early 2010 as the Managing Director - 
EMEA successor and assumed that position effective April 1, 2010. Prior to joining 
the Company, he progressed through roles of increasing responsibility with Hilti 
AG, most recently as Senior Vice President - Business Unit Diamond Systems.

Mr. Giesige was named Vice President - Corporate Development as of July 1, 2010. 
He previously served as Vice President of Rigging Products, the Americas (2009) 
after serving as Executive Director of the sector since 2008. Prior to that, 
Mr. Giesige was the Executive Director of special projects and a General Manager 
within Columbus McKinnon. Before joining the Company in 2006, he held a 
variety of senior operations and fi nance positions within Johnson Controls, Inc.

Alan S. Korman
Vice President - General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Alan S. Korman joined our Company in January 2011 as General Counsel and 
Assistant Secretary.  In July 2011 he was elected Vice President, General Counsel 
and Secretary.  From 1994 until January 2011, he served in various senior executive 
positions of responsibility at Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc., including Vice President, 
General Counsel and Secretary, and President of Pentron Ceramics, Inc., a 
wholly-owned subsidiary.  Prior to joining Ivoclar Vivadent, Mr. Korman was 
engaged in private practice at the law fi rm of Nixon Peabody LLC.     

Richard A. Steinberg
Vice President - Human Resources

Mr. Steinberg joined Columbus McKinnon in 2005, after serving Praxair Inc. in 
various human resources capacities, most recently as a Region Leader and Human 
Resources Manager. Prior to joining Praxair in 1995, he was Human Resources 
Manager at Computer Task Group Inc. and Organizational Development Leader at 
The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

Eric Woon
Vice President - CMCO APAC (Asia Pacifi c)

Mr. Woon joined Columbus McKinnon in 2009 as the Managing Director - APAC to 
transform the business from being primarily a low-cost manufacturing operation 
for export sales to a designer and manufacturer of hoists and other equipment 
for the APAC market. Previously, he was President - China for Volvo Construction 
Equipment, where he was involved in major acquisitions and organic growth. His 
exensive leadership experience in Asia also includes his role as President - Asia 
Pacifi c with Tesa Tape Asia PTE Ltd. and Deputy General Manager with Shanghai 
Fleetguard Filter Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cummins Inc. 

Board of Directors

Ernest R. Verebelyi 
Chairman

Timothy T. Tevens
President and Chief Executive Offi cer

Richard H. Fleming
Chairman, Audit Committee
Member, Compensation and Succession Committee

4

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

See Proxy Statement for additional information.

Linda A. Goodspeed
Chairwoman, Corporate Governance and 
Nomination Committee 
Member, Audit Committee 

Nicholas T. Pinchuk
Member, Compensation and Succession Committee 
and Corporate Governance and Nomination 
Committee

Stephanie K. Kushner 
Member, Audit Committee and 
Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee

Steven Rabinowitz
Chairman, Compensation and Succession Committee
Member, Audit Committee

Liam G. McCarthy
Member, Audit Committee and 
Compensation and Succession Committee

Christian B. Ragot
Member, Compensation and Succession Committee
and Corporate Governance and Nomination 
Committee  

 
 
 
 
 
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

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

FORM 10-K

(cid:95) ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012

Commission file number 0-27618

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State of Incorporation)

16-0547600
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

140 John James Audubon Parkway
Amherst, New York 14228-1197
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(716) 689-5400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value (and rights attached thereto)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes  (cid:134)   No   (cid:95)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange 

Act.   Yes   (cid:134)   No   (cid:95)

Indicate by checkmark 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 (cid:95)  No (cid:134)

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 (cid:95)  No (cid:134)

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 

herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part 
III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K    (cid:95).

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting 

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

Large accelerated filer  (cid:134)
Non-accelerated filer (cid:134)

Accelerated filer (cid:95)
Smaller reporting company (cid:134)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes (cid:134)  No (cid:95)

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of September 30, 2011 (the second fiscal quarter in 

which this Form 10-K relates) was approximately $212 million, based upon the closing price of the Company’s common shares as quoted on the Nasdaq 
Stock Market on such date. The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of May 22, 2012 was 19,400,526 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 are incorporated by 
reference into Part III of this report.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K

This annual report contains “forward-looking  statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such 
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results 
expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by us and 
our subsidiaries, conditions affecting our customers and suppliers, competitor responses to our products and services, the overall market acceptance 
of  such  products  and  services,  the  integration  of  acquisitions  and  other  factors  set  forth  herein  under  “Risk  Factors.” We  use  words  like 
“will,”  “may,”  “should,”  “plan,”  “believe,”  “expect,”  “anticipate,”  “intend,”  “future” and  other  similar  expressions  to  identify  forward  looking 
statements.  These forward looking statements speak only as of their respective dates and we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation 
to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances after 
the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated changes. Our actual operating results could differ materially 
from those predicted in these forward-looking statements, and any other events anticipated in the forward-looking statements may not actually occur.

3

 
 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I

Item 1.

Business

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

Item 2.

Properties

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Part II

Item 5.

Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Item 7.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Item 9B.

Other Information

Part III.

Item 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Part IV

Item 15

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

4

5

17

21

21

21

22

23

25

27

36

38

90

90

92

92

92

92

92

92

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1. 

Business

General

PART I

We are a leading global designer, manufacturer and marketer of hoists, rigging tools, cranes, actuators, and other material handling products 
serving a wide variety of commercial and industrial end-user markets. Our products are used to efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position and 
secure  objects  and  loads.  We  are  the  U.S.  market  leader  in  hoists,  our  principal  line  of  products,  as  well  as  certain  chain,  forged  attachment,  and 
actuator products which we believe provides us with a strategic advantage in selling our other products. We have achieved this leadership position 
through  strategic  acquisitions,  our  extensive,  diverse  and  well-established  distribution  channels  and  our  commitment  to  product  innovation  and 
quality.  We  have  one  of  the  most  comprehensive  product  offerings  in  the  industry  and  we  believe  we  have  more  overhead  hoists  in  use  in  North 
America than all of our competitors combined. Additionally, we believe we are the market leader of manual hoist and actuator products in Europe, which 
provides us further opportunity to sell our other products through our existing distribution channels in that region.  Our products are sold globally and 
our brand names, including CM, Coffing, Chester, Duff-Norton, Pfaff, Shaw-Box and Yale, are among the most recognized and well-respected in the 
marketplace.

Our business is cyclical in nature and sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, including changes in the manufacturing industry 
capacity  utilization,  industrial  production  and  the  general  economic  activity  indicators,  like  GDP.  Both  U.S.  and  Eurozone  capacity  utilization  are 
leading  market  indicators  for  the  Company.  US  industrial  capacity  utilization  increased  to  78.4%  in  April  2012,  trending  up  from  74.8%  in  April 
2011.  Eurozone capacity utilization has also been trending higher for the last seven quarters, reaching 79.8% in March 2012 compared with the trough 
of 69.6% in June 2009.

Our Position in the Industry

 The broad, global material handling industry includes the following sectors:

●

●

●

●

●

●

●

overhead material handling and lifting devices;

continuous materials movement;

wheeled handling devices;

pallets, containers and packaging;

storage equipment and shop furniture;

automation systems and robots; and

services and unbundled software.

The breadth of our products and services enables us to participate in most of these sectors. This diversification, together with our extensive 
and varied distribution channels, minimizes our dependence on any particular product, market or customer. We believe that none of our competitors 
offers the variety of products or services in the markets we serve.

We believe that the demand for our products and services will be aided by several macro-economic growth drivers. These drivers include:

5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Productivity  Enhancement -  We  believe  employers  respond  to  competitive  pressures  by  seeking  to  maximize  productivity  and  efficiency, 
among other actions. Our hoists and other lifting and positioning products allow loads to be lifted and placed quickly, precisely, with little effort and 
fewer people, thereby increasing productivity and reducing cycle time.  Further, emphasis on “Lean” techniques by many companies increases demand 
for our lifting and positioning products for use in single-piece flow workstation applications.

Safety  Regulations  -   Driven  by  workplace  safety  regulations  such  as  the  Occupational  Safety  and  Health  Act  and  the  Americans  with 
Disabilities  Act  in  the  U.S.  and  other  safety  regulations  around  the  world,  and  by  the  general  competitive  need  to  reduce  costs  such  as  health 
insurance premiums and workers’ compensation expenses, employers seek safer ways to lift and position loads. Our lifting and positioning products 
enable these tasks to be performed with reduced risk of personal injury.

Consolidation  of  Suppliers  -  In  an  effort  to  reduce  costs  and  increase  productivity,  our  channel  partners  and  end-user  customers  are 
increasingly consolidating their suppliers. We believe that our broad product offering combined with our well established brand names will enable us to 
benefit from this consolidation and enhance our market share.

Our Competitive Strengths

Leading North American Market Positions -   We are a leading manufacturer and marketer of hoists, alloy and high strength carbon steel 
chain and attachments, and actuators in North America.  We have developed our leading market positions over our 137-year history by emphasizing 
technological innovation, manufacturing excellence and superior service. Approximately 62% of our U.S. net sales for the year ended March 31, 2012 
were from product categories in which we believe we hold the number one market share. We believe that the strength of our established products and 
brands and our leading market positions provide us with significant competitive advantages, including preferred supplier status with a majority of our 
largest channel partners and end user customers. Our large installed base of products also provides us with a significant competitive advantage in 
selling our products to existing customers as well as providing repair and replacement parts.

The following table summarizes the product categories where we believe we are the U.S. market leader:

Product Category

Powered Hoists (1)
Manual Hoists & Trolleys (1)
Forged Attachments (1)
Lifting and Sling Chains (1)
Hoist Parts (2)
Mechanical Actuators (3)
Tire Shredders (4)
Jib Cranes (5)

 U.S. Market Share 

 U.S. Market Position  

Percentage of
U.S. Net Sales 

45%  
51%  
28%  
49%  
48%  
43%  
80%  
25%  

#1   
#1   
#1   
#1   
#1   
#1   
#1   
#1   

18%
14%
9%
5%
10%
4%
1%
1%
62%

(1) Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived from survey information collected and provided by our trade associations 

in 2011.

(2) Market share and market position data are internal estimates based on our market shares of Powered Hoists and Manual Hoists & Trolleys, 
which we believe are good proxies for our Hoist Parts market share because we believe most end-users purchase Hoist Parts from the original 
equipment supplier.

(3) Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived by comparison of our net sales to net sales of one of our competitors and 

to estimates of total market sales from a trade association in 2011.

6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
    
 
 
 
 
(4) Market share and market position data are internal estimates derived by comparing the number of our tire shredders in use and their capacity 

to estimates of the total number of tires shredded published by a trade association in 2011.

(5) Market share and market position are internal estimates derived from both the number of bids we win as a percentage of the total projects for 
which we submit bids and from estimates of our competitors’ net sales based on their relative position in distributor catalogues in 2011.

Comprehensive  Product  Lines  and  Strong  Brand  Name  Recognition - We believe we offer the most comprehensive product lines in the 
markets we serve. We offer engineering and design services to help channel partners and end users solve material handling problems. Most of our 
products are maintenance, repair and operating tools which work in conjunction with each other to create a complete lifting system.  We complement 
our  product  offerings  with  engineering  and  design  services  to  assist  our  channel  partners  and  end-users  in  finding  the  optimal  solution  for  their 
material  handling  needs.  Our  capability  as  a  full-line  supplier  has  allowed  us  to  (i)  provide  our  customers  with  “one-stop  shopping” for  material 
handling equipment, which meets some customers’ desires to reduce the number of their supply relationships in order to lower their costs, (ii) leverage 
our engineering, product development and marketing costs over a larger sales base and (iii) achieve purchasing efficiencies on common materials used 
across our product lines.  No single SKU comprises more than 1% of our sales, a testament to our broad and diversified product offering.

In addition, our brand names, including Budgit, Chester, CM, Coffing, Duff-Norton, Little Mule, Pfaff, Shaw-Box and Yale, are among the most 
recognized and respected in the industry.  The CM and Yale names have been synonymous with powered hoists and manual hoists and were first 
developed and marketed under these brand names in the early 1900s.  We believe that our strong brand name recognition has created customer loyalty 
and helps us maintain existing business, as well as capture additional business.  We are at the forefront of innovation in our industry and continually 
introduce new products to meet our changing customer needs.  Products introduced during the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 account for 
approximately 20.4% of our net sales; achieving our goal from last year to increase this from 17.2% to 20%.

Distribution Channel Diversity and Strength - Our products are sold to over 15,000 general and specialty distributors, end users and OEMs 
globally.  We enjoy long-standing  relationships  with,  and  are  a  preferred  provider  to,  the  majority  of  our  largest  distributors  and  industrial  buying 
groups.  There  has  been  consolidation  among  distributors  of  material  handling  equipment  and  we  have  benefited  from  this  consolidation  by 
maintaining and enhancing our relationships with our leading distributors, as well as forming new relationships.  We believe our extensive distribution 
channels provide a significant competitive advantage and allow us to effectively market new product line extensions and promote cross-selling. Our 
largest distributor represents approximately 3.3% of our total net sales and our top 10 customers represent approximately 16% of our total net sales.

Expanding  Non-U.S. Markets  - We have significantly grown our non-U.S. sales since becoming a public company in 1996.  Our non-U.S.
sales have grown from $34,300,000 (representing 16% of total sales) in fiscal 1996 to $268,654,000 (representing 45% of our total sales) during the year 
ended March 31, 2012.  This growth has occurred primarily in Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. We have nine offices in China to sell into this 
growing industrial market. Our non-U.S. business has provided us, and we believe will continue to provide us, with significant growth opportunities 
and new markets for our products.

"Non-U.S. sales" as expressed throughout Items 1 and 7 of this Form 10-K, are defined as sales to customers located outside of the United States.

Efficient  Operations  with  Low-Cost Structure  -    We are extremely focused on optimizing our cost structure and have taken a number of 
steps towards reducing our costs, including: consolidating facilities, promoting a “Lean” culture, manufacturing in low cost jurisdictions, coordinating 
purchasing activities across the organization and selectively outsourcing non-critical functions. The actions we have taken to date have eliminated 
fixed costs from our operations and provided us with significant operating leverage as the economic conditions in our markets continue to improve. Our 
operating leverage goal is for each incremental sales dollar to generate 30%-40% of additional operating income, in addition to the fixed cost savings 
realized from our facility consolidation activities.

7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
—

—

—

—

—

Rationalization  and  Consolidation - We  have  a  history  of  consolidating  manufacturing  facilities  and  optimizing  warehouse  utilization, 
resulting in lower annual operating costs and improving our fixed-variable cost relationship. During our fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, we 
initiated further consolidation of our North American hoist and rigging operations in accordance with our strategy. We completed the closure 
of one of our manufacturing facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and significantly downsized manufacturing at a second facility in Mexico in the 
third quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. Additionally, we completed the closure of a third facility in Muskegon, Michigan in the 
first quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.

Lean Culture -   We have been applying “Lean” techniques since 2001 and our efforts have resulted in increased inventory turns, reduced 
manufacturing floor space, and an improvement in productivity. We have witnessed the benefits of “Lean” principles in our manufacturing 
operations and are now working to develop a “Lean” culture throughout our organization—improving our processes and reducing waste in all 
forms in all of our business activities.

Expansion Outside the U.S. - Our continued expansion of our manufacturing facilities in China and Hungary provides us with a cost efficient 
platform  to  manufacture  and  distribute  certain  of  our  products  and  components.  We  now  operate  12  major  manufacturing  facilities  in  six 
countries, with 39 stand-alone sales and service offices in 17 countries and 10 warehouse facilities in five countries.

Consolidated  Purchasing  Activities -   We  continue  to  leverage  our  company-wide  purchasing  power  through  our  Purchasing  Council  to 
reduce our costs and manage fluctuations in commodity pricing, including steel.

Selective Integration and Outsourcing - We manufacture many of the critical parts and components used in the manufacture of our hoists 
and lifting systems, resulting in reduced costs. We also evaluate outsourcing opportunities for non-critical operations and components.

Strong After-Market Sales and Support - We believe that we retain customers and attract new customers due to our ongoing commitment to 
customer service and ultimate satisfaction.  We have a large installed base of hoists and rigging tools that drives our after-market sales for replacement 
units and components and repair parts.  We maintain strong relationships with our distribution channel partners and provide prompt service to end-
users of our products through our authorized network of 14 chain repair stations and approximately 260 hoist service and repair stations. We also work 
closely with end users to design the appropriate lifting systems using our products to help them solve their material handling problems.

We also provide a wide variety of training and certification programs to the users of our products.  These training and certification programs 
include crane inspection and operation training and certification, hoist inspection and repair training and certification, various rigging training courses, 
load securement training, and CM entertainment technology equipment training and certification classes.

Consistent Free Cash Flow Generation and Significant Debt Reduction—We have consistently generated positive free cash flow (which 
we define as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) through periods of economic uncertainty by continually controlling 
our costs, improving our working capital management and reducing the capital intensity of our manufacturing operations. In the past five years, despite 
the economic downturn, we have reduced total net debt (defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents) by $47,100,000, from $110,700,000 to 
$63,600,000  at  March  31,  2012.  We  manage  our  capital  structure  conservatively  while  maintaining  flexibility  to  pursue  attractive  strategic  growth 
opportunities.

8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Experienced  Management  Team  with  Equity  Ownership  - Our  senior  management  team  provides  significant  depth  and  continuity  of 
experience  in  the  material  handling  industry,  supplemented  by  expertise  in  growing  businesses,  aggressive  cost  management,  balance  sheet 
management, efficient manufacturing techniques and acquiring and integrating businesses and global operations. This diverse experience has been 
critical to our success to date and will be instrumental to our long-term growth. Our management promotes the ownership of company stock by the 
executive officers and directors to align the interests of our leadership team with those of our stakeholders.

Our Strategy

Invest in New Products and Targeted Markets.    We intend to leverage our competitive advantages to increase our market shares across all of 

our product lines and geographies by:

—

—

—

Introducing New Products—We continue to expand our business by developing new material handling products and services
and  expanding  the  breadth  of  our  product  lines  to  address  the  material  handling  needs  of  our  customers.  We  design  our
powered hoist lines to many international standards including the FEM (European and Asian), ANSI (U.S.) and other standard
setting bodies to ensure maximum utility for these products across geographies. We employ the StageGate process to enhance
discipline and focus in our new product development program. New product sales (as defined by new items introduced within
the last three years) amounted to $121,000,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, or 20.4% of total sales achieving our
goal of having new products amounting to at least 20% of total sales.  New product sales amounted to $90,000,000 in the fiscal
year ended March 31, 2011 (17.2% of total sales) and $74,500,000 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010 (15.6% of total sales).

Leveraging  Our  Distribution  Channel  Relationships  and  Vertical  Market  Knowledge—Our  large,  diversified,  global
customer base, our extensive distribution channels and our close relationships with end-users and channel partners provide us
with insights into customer preferences and product requirements that allow us to anticipate and address the future needs of
the marketplace. We are also investing in key vertical markets that will help us increase our revenues.

Broadening Our Product Offering—Developing and offering a broad range of products to our channel partners is an important
element of our strategy. Industrial channel partners offer a broad array of industrial components that are used by many end-
user  markets.  We  continue  to  review  and  add  new  material  handling  components  to  broaden  our  product  offering,  but  also
remove some products that we find duplicative or not marketable.

Continue to Grow in Non-U.S. Markets -   Our non-U.S. sales of $268,654,000 comprised 45% of our net sales for the year ended March 31, 
2012,  as  compared  with  $241,970,000,  or  46%  in  fiscal  2011  and  $34,300,000,  or  16%  of  our  net  sales,  in  fiscal  1996,  the  year  we  became  a  public 
company.  Although we have made significant progress, our goal is to continue to increase our presence outside the U.S to capitalize on the higher 
growth opportunities and continue to diversify our business profile. We presently sell to distributors in over 50 countries and have our primary non-
U.S. manufacturing facilities in China, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Mexico and France.  In addition to new product introductions, we continue 
to expand our sales and service presence in the major and developing market areas of Asia-Pacific, Europe, and Latin America and have sales offices 
and  warehouse  facilities  in  Canada,  various  countries  in  Western  and  Eastern  Europe,  China,  Thailand,  Brazil,  Uruguay,  Panama  and  Mexico.  We 
intend to increase our sales in Asia-Pacific by manufacturing a broader array of high quality, low-cost products and components in China. We have 
developed and are continuing to expand upon new hoist and other products in compliance with global standards and international designs to enhance 
our global distribution.

Focus on Operational Excellence -  Our objective is to provide the highest quality products and services at prices consistent with the value 
created for our customers. We continually evaluate our costs and challenge the global supply and manufacturing chain to reduce costs. Our view is 
that  a  market-focused  sales  and  marketing  effort  along  with  low  operating  costs  will  prove  to  be  successful  for  both  our  customers  and  for  the 
Company. We continually seek ways to reduce our operating costs and increase our manufacturing productivity, while maintaining quality. Ongoing 
programs include our efforts to further develop our “Lean” culture throughout the organization, the completion of our facility rationalization programs 
in  the  U.S.,  the  consolidation  of  our  facilities  within  China,  our  continued  search  for  new  ways  to  leverage  our  purchasing  power  through  our 
Purchasing  Council  and  the  continued  focus  on  enhancing  the  efficiency  of  our  global  supply  chain.  Our  operating  leverage  goal  is  for  each 
incremental  sales  dollar  to  generate  30%  to  40%  of  additional  operating  income,  in  addition  to  the  fixed  cost  savings  realized  from  our  facility 
consolidation activities.

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursue  Strategic  Acquisitions  and  Alliances;  Evaluate  Existing  Business  Portfolio  -   We  intend  to  pursue  synergistic  acquisitions  to 
complement our organic growth.  Priorities for such acquisitions include:  1) increasing international geographic penetration, particularly in the Asia-
Pacific region and other emerging markets, and 2) further broadening our offering with complementary products frequently used in conjunction with 
hoists.  Additionally, we continually challenge the long-term fit of our businesses for potential divestiture and redeployment of capital.

Our Business

ASC  Topic  280  “Segment  Reporting” establishes  the  standards  for  reporting  information  about  operating  segments  in  financial 

statements.   We provide our products and services through one operating and reportable segment.

We design, manufacture and distribute a broad range of material handling products for various applications. Products include a wide variety 
of electric, lever, hand and air-powered hoists, hoist trolleys, winches, industrial crane systems such as bridge, gantry and jib cranes; alloy and carbon 
steel chain; closed-die forged attachments, such as hooks, shackles, textile slings, clamps, logging tools and load binders; industrial components, such 
as mechanical and electromechanical actuators and rotary unions; below-the-hook special purpose lifters; tire shredders; and light-rail systems. These 
products are typically manufactured for stock or assembled to order from standard components and are sold primarily through a variety of commercial 
distributors and to a lesser extent, directly to end-users. The diverse end-users of our products are in a variety of industries including: manufacturing, 
power generation and distribution, utilities, wind power, warehouses, commercial construction, oil exploration and refining, petrochemical, marine, ship 
building,  transportation  and  heavy  duty  trucking,  agriculture,  logging  and  mining.  We  also  serve  a  niche  market  for  the  entertainment  industry 
including permanent and traveling concerts, live theater and sporting venues.

 Products

Nearly 80% of our net sales are derived from the sale of products that we sell at a unit price of less than $5,000. Of our fiscal 2012 sales, 
$323,291,000 or 55% were U.S. and $268,654,000, or 45% were international. The following table sets forth certain sales data for our products, expressed 
as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2012 and 2011:

Hoists
Rigging tools
Industrial cranes
Actuators and rotary unions
Other

  Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  

2012

2011

59%   
18 
7 
14 
2 
100%   

55%
20 
8 
15 
2 
100%

10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
Hoists - We manufacture a wide variety of electric chain hoists, electric wire rope hoists, hand-operated hoists, winches, lever tools and air-
powered hoists. Load capacities for our hoist product lines range from one-eighth of a ton to 100 tons. These products are sold under our Budgit, 
Chester,  CM,  Coffing,  Little  Mule,  Pfaff,  Shaw-Box,  Yale  and  other  recognized  brands.  Our  hoists  are  sold  for  use  in  numerous  general  industrial 
applications,  as  well  as  for  use  in  the  construction,  energy,  mining,  food  services,  entertainment  and  other  markets.  We  also  supply  hoist  trolleys, 
driven manually or by electric motors, for the industrial, consumer and OEM markets.

We also offer several lines of standard and custom-designed, below-the-hook tooling, clamps, and textile strappings. Below-the-hook tooling, 
textile  and  chain  slings  and  associated  forgings,  and  clamps  are  specialized  lifting  apparatus  used  in  a  variety  of  lifting  activities  performed  in 
conjunction with hoisting or lifting applications.

Rigging  Tools  -   We  manufacture  alloy  and  carbon  steel  chain  for  various  industrial  and  consumer  applications.  U.S.  federal  regulations 
require the use of alloy chain, which we first developed, for overhead lifting applications because of its strength and wear characteristics. A line of our 
alloy chain is sold under the Herc-Alloy brand name for use in overhead lifting, pulling and restraining applications. In addition, we also sell specialized 
load  chain  for  use  in  hoists,  as  well  as  three  grades  and  multiple  sizes  of  carbon  steel  welded-link  chain  for  various  load  securing  and  other  non-
overhead lifting applications. We also manufacture kiln chain sold primarily to the cement manufacturing market.

We  produce  a  broad  line  of  alloy  and  carbon  steel  closed-die  forged  attachments,  including  hooks,  shackles,  hitch  pins  and  master  links. 
These  forged  attachments  are  used  in  chain,  wire  rope  and  textile  rigging  applications  in  a  variety  of  industries,  including  transportation,  mining, 
construction, marine, logging, petrochemical and agriculture.

In addition, we manufacture carbon steel forged and stamped products, such as load binders, logging tools and other securing devices, for 

sale to the industrial, consumer and logging markets through industrial distributors, hardware distributors, mass merchandiser outlets and OEMs.

Industrial Cranes -   We participate in the U.S. crane manufacturing and servicing markets through our offering of overhead bridge, jib and 
gantry  cranes.  Our  products  are  sold  under  the  CES,  Abell-Howe,  Gaffey  and  Washington  Equipment  brands.  Crane  builders  represent  a  specific 
distribution channel for electric wire rope hoists, chain hoists and other crane components.

Actuators and Rotary Unions -    Through our Duff-Norton and Pfaff divisions, we design and manufacture industrial components such as 
mechanical  and  electromechanical  actuators  and  rotary  unions.  Actuators  are  linear  motion  devices  used  in  a  variety  of  industries,  including  the 
transportation, paper, steel, energy, aerospace and many other commercial industries. Rotary unions are devices that transfer a liquid or gas from a fixed 
pipe or hose to a rotating drum, cylinder or other device. Rotary unions are used in a variety of industries including pulp and paper, printing, textile and 
fabric manufacturing, rubber and plastic.

Other -   This category includes tire shredders and light-rail systems.  We have developed and patented a line of heavy equipment that shreds 
whole tires, for use in recycling the various components of a tire including: rubber and steel. These recycled products also can be used as aggregate, 
playgrounds,  sports  surfaces,  landscaping  and  other  such  applications,  as  well  as  scrap  steel.  Light-rail systems are portable steel overhead beam 
configurations used at workstations, from which hoists are an integral component.

Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing efforts consist of the following programs:

Factory-Direct Field Sales and Customer Service -   We sell our products through our sales force of more than 125 sales people and through 
independent sales agents worldwide. We compensate our sales force through a combination of base salary and a commission plan based on top line 
sales and a pre-established sales quota.

Product Advertising -    We promote our products by advertising in leading trade journals as well as producing and distributing high quality 

information catalogs. We run targeted advertisements for hoists, chain, forged attachments, actuators, and cranes.

11

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Target  Marketing  -   With  increased  emphasis  beginning  in  fiscal  2010,  we  provide  marketing  literature  to  target  specific  end-user  market 
sectors including entertainment, construction, energy, mining, food service and others.  This literature displays our broad product offering applicable 
to those sectors to enhance awareness at the end-user level within those sectors. We also employ vertical market specialists to support our field sales 
force to assist our customers with solving their material handling application needs.

Trade Show Participation -   Trade shows are an effective way to promote our products to distributors and end users.  Shows can range in 
size from distributor “open houses” to large, global shows such as CeMAT held in Hanover, Germany.   Through partnerships with our distributors, we 
have  expanded  our  reach  to  the  end  user  while  strengthening  our  distribution  network.  In  fiscal  2012,  we  focused  primarily  on  shows  related  to 
targeted industries.  Examples include LDI (USA) and PALM Expo (China) for the entertainment industry, OTC (USA), Brasil Offshore (Brazil), and Expo 
Petrolera (Mexico) for the oil and gas industry, and the Railway and Harbours Conference (S. Africa) for the transportation industry.

Industry Association Membership and Participation -   As a recognized industry leader, we have a long history of work and participation in a 
variety  of  industry  associations.  Our  management  is  directly  involved  in  numerous  industry  associations  including  the  following:  ISA  (Industrial 
Supply Association), AWRF (Associated Wire Rope Fabricators), PTDA (Power Transmission and Distributors Association), SCRA (Specialty Carriers 
and Riggers Association), WSTDA (Web Sling and Tie Down Association), MHI (Material Handling Institute), HMI (Hoist Manufacturers Institute), 
CMAA (Crane Manufacturers Association of America), ESTA (Entertainment Services and Technology Association), NACM (National Association of 
Chain Manufacturers) and ARA (American Rental Association).

Product  Standards  and  Safety  Training  Classes -   We  conduct  on-site training and certification programs worldwide for distributors and 
end-users to promote and reinforce the attributes of our products and their safe use and operation in various material handling applications.  These 
training  and  certification  programs  include  crane  inspection  and  operation  training  and  certification,  hoist  inspection  and  repair  training  and 
certification, various rigging training courses, load securement training, and entertainment technology equipment training and certification classes.

Web  Sites -    Our  main  corporate  web  site  www.cmworks.com  supports  the  Company’s  broad  product  offering  providing  product  data, 
maintenance  manuals  and  related  information  for  11  brands  within  our  product  portfolio.  The  site  also  provides  detailed  search  and  simultaneous 
product  comparisons,  the  ability  to  submit  “Requests for Quotations” and  allow  users  to  be  able  chat  live  with  a  member  of  our  customer  service 
department.  In  addition  to  our  main  site  we  maintain  an  additional  20  sites  supporting  various  product  lines,  industry  segments  and 
geographies.  Within these sites we currently sell Towing products, Training, and standard hoist products manufactured by Pfaff.  Distributors also 
have access to a secure, extranet portal website allowing them to enter sales orders, search pricing information, check order status, and product serial 
number information.

 Distribution and Markets

Our distribution channels include a variety of commercial distributors. In addition, we sell overhead bridge, jib and gantry cranes as well as 

certain Pfaff products directly to end-users. The following describes our global distribution channels:

General Distribution Channels -   Our global general distribution channels consist of:

— Industrial  distributors  that  serve  local  or  regional  industrial  markets  and  sell  a  variety  of  products  for  maintenance  repair,

operating and production, or MROP, applications through their own direct sales force.

— Rigging shops that are distributors with expertise in rigging, lifting, positioning and load securing. Most rigging shops assemble
and  distribute  chain,  wire  rope  and  synthetic  slings  and  distribute  manual  hoists  and  attachments,  chain  slings  and  other
products.

12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
— Independent crane builders that design, build, install and service overhead crane and light-rail systems for general industry and
also distribute a wide variety of hoists and crane components. We sell electric wire rope hoists and chain hoists as well as crane
components, such as end trucks, trolleys, drives and electrification systems to crane builders.

Specialty Distribution Channels -   Our global specialty distribution channels consist of:

— National distributors that market a variety of MROP supplies, including material handling products, either exclusively through
large, nationally distributed catalogs, or through a combination of catalog, internet and branch sales and a field sales force. The
customer base served by national distributors such as W. W. Grainger, which traditionally included smaller industrial companies
and consumers, has grown to include large industrial accounts and integrated suppliers.

— Material  handling  specialists  and  integrators  that  design  and  assemble  systems  incorporating  hoists,  overhead  rail  systems,
trolleys, scissor lift tables, manipulators, air balancers, jib arms and other material handling products to provide end-users with
solutions to their material handling problems.

— Entertainment equipment distributors that design, supply and install a variety of material handling and rigging equipment for

concerts, theaters, ice shows, sporting events, convention centers and night clubs.

Pfaff International Direct -   Our German-based Pfaff business markets and sells most of its actuators and certain of its hoist products direct 

to end-users, providing an additional method to market for us in the European region.

Crane End-Users -   We market and sell overhead bridge, jib and gantry cranes, parts and service to end-users through our wholly owned 
crane  builder,  Crane  Equipment  &  Service,  Inc.  (“CES”). CES  which  includes  Abell-Howe,  Gaffey  and  Washington  Equipment  brands  designs, 
manufactures, installs and services a variety of cranes with capacities up to 100 tons.

Service-After-Sale Distribution Channel -   Service-after-sale distributors include our authorized network of 14 chain repair service stations 
and approximately 260 hoist service and repair stations throughout North America. This service network is designed for easy parts and service access 
for our large installed base of hoists and related equipment in that region.

OEM/Government Distribution Channels -    This channel consists of:

— OEMs that supply various component parts directly to other industrial manufacturers as well as private branding and packaging

of our traditional products for material handling, lifting, positioning and special purpose applications.

— Government agencies, including the U.S. and Canadian Navies and Coast Guards, that purchase primarily load securing chain

and forged attachments. We also provide our products to the U.S government for a variety of military applications.

13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer Service and Training

We  maintain  customer  service  departments  staffed  by  trained  personnel  for  all  of  our  sales  divisions,  and  regularly  schedule  product  and 
service  training  schools  for  all  customer  service  representatives  and  field  sales  personnel.  Training  programs  for  distribution  and  service  station 
personnel, as well as for end-users, are scheduled on a regular basis at most of our facilities and in the field. We have approximately 260 service and 
repair stations worldwide that provide local and regional repair, warranty and general service work for distributors and end-users. End-user trainees 
attending  our  various  programs  include  representatives  of  3M,  Cummins  Engine,  DuPont,  General  Electric,  John  Deere,  Praxair  and  many  other 
industrial and entertainment organizations.

We also provide, in multiple languages, a variety of collateral material in video, CD-ROM, slide and print format addressing relevant material 
handling  topics  such  as  the  care,  use  and  inspection  of  chains  and  hoists,  and  overhead  lifting  and  positioning  safety.  In  addition,  we  sponsor 
advisory  boards  made  up  of  representatives  of  our  primary  distributors  and  service-after-sale  network  members  who  are  invited  to  participate  in 
discussions  focused  on  improving  products  and  service.  These  boards  enable  us  and  our  primary  distributors  to  exchange  product  and  market 
information relevant to industry trends.

Backlog

Our backlog of orders at March 31, 2012 was approximately $114,180,000 compared to approximately $89,393,000 at March 31, 2011. Our orders 
for standard products are generally shipped within one week. Orders for products that are manufactured to customers’ specifications are generally 
shipped  within  four  to  twelve  weeks.  Given  the  short  product  lead  times,  we  do  not  believe  that  the  amount  of  our  backlog  of  orders  is  a  reliable 
indication of our future sales.  Fluctuations in backlog reflect the project oriented nature of certain aspects of our business.

 Competition

The  material  handling  industry  remains  highly  fragmented.  We  face  competition  from  a  wide  range  of  regional,  national  and  international 

manufacturers globally. In addition, we often compete with individual operating units of larger, highly diversified companies.

The principal competitive factors affecting our business include customer service and support as well as product availability, performance, 

functionality, brand reputation, reliability and price. Other important factors include distributor relationships and territory coverage.

Major  competitors  for  hoists  are  Konecranes,  Demag  Cranes  and  Kito  (and  its  U.S.  subsidiary  Harrington);  for  chain  are  Campbell  Chain, 
Peerless Chain Company and American Chain and Cable Company; for forged attachments are The Crosby Group and Brewer Tichner Company; for 
cranes are Konecranes, Demag Cranes and a variety of independent crane builders; for actuators and rotary unions are Deublin, Joyce-Dayton and 
Nook Industries; for tire shredders is Granutech; and for light-rail systems is Gorbel.

Employees

At March 31, 2012, we had 2,549 employees; 1,520 in the U.S./Canada, 66 in Latin America, 736 in Europe and 227 in Asia. Approximately 13% 
of our employees are represented under four separate U.S. or Canadian collective bargaining agreements which terminate at various times between 
August 2013 and April 2015. We also have various labor agreements with our non-U.S. employees which we negotiate from time to time. We believe 
that our relationship with our employees is good and that the risk of a disruption in production related to these negotiations is remote.

14

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Raw Materials and Components

Our principal raw materials and components are steel, consisting of structural steel, processed steel bar, forging bar steel, steel rod and wire, 
steel pipe and tubing and tool steel; electric motors; bearings; gear reducers; castings; and electro-mechanical components.  These commodities are all 
available from multiple sources.  We purchase most of these raw materials and components from a limited number of strategic and preferred suppliers 
under  long-term  agreements  which  are  negotiated  on  a  company-wide  basis  through  our  Purchasing  Council  to  take  advantage  of  volume 
discounts.  We generally seek to pass on materials price increases to our distribution channel partners and end-user customers.  We will continue to 
monitor our costs and reevaluate our pricing policies.  Our ability to pass on these increases is determined by market conditions.

Hedging Activities

We  use  derivative  instruments  to  manage  selected  foreign  currency  exposures.  The  Company  does  not  use  derivative  instruments  for 

speculative trading purposes.

We  use  foreign  currency  forward  agreements  and  cross-currency  swaps  to  offset  changes  in  the  value  of  intercompany  loans  to  certain 
foreign subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates.  In addition, we use foreign currency forward agreements to i) hedge changes in the 
value of booked foreign currency liabilities due to changes in foreign exchange rates at the settlement date and ii) to hedge a portion of forecasted 
inventory purchases and sales denominated in a foreign currency.

Manufacturing

We complement our own manufacturing by outsourcing components and finished goods from an established global network of suppliers. We 
regularly  upgrade  our  global  manufacturing  facilities  and  invest  in  tooling,  equipment  and  technology.  In  2001,  we  began  implementing  Lean 
improvement techniques in our business which has resulted in inventory reductions in required manufacturing floor area, shorter product lead time and 
increased productivity.

Our manufacturing operations are highly integrated. Although raw materials and some components such as motors, bearings, gear reducers, 
castings  and  electro-mechanical  components  are  purchased,  our  vertical  integration  enables  us  to  produce  many  of  the  components  used  in  the 
manufacturing  of  our  products.  We  manufacture  hoist  lifting  chain,  steel  forged  gear  blanks,  lift  wheels,  trolley  wheels,  and  hooks  and  other 
attachments for incorporation into our hoist products. These products are also sold as spare parts for hoist repair. Additionally, our hoists are used as 
components in the manufacture of crane systems by us as well as our crane-builder customers.

  Environmental and Other Governmental Regulation

Like most manufacturing companies, we are subject to various federal, state and local laws relating to the protection of the environment. To 
address the requirements of such laws, we have adopted a corporate environmental protection policy which provides that all of our owned or leased 
facilities  shall,  and  all  of  our  employees  have  the  duty  to,  comply  with  all  applicable  environmental  regulatory  standards,  and  we  have  initiated  an 
environmental  auditing  program  for  our  facilities  to  ensure  compliance  with  such  regulatory  standards.  We  have  also  established  managerial 
responsibilities and internal communication channels for dealing with environmental compliance issues that may arise in the course of our business. 
We  have  made  and  could  be  required  to  continue  to  make  significant  expenditures  to  comply  with  environmental  requirements.  Because  of  the 
complexity and changing nature of environmental regulatory standards, it is possible that situations will arise from time to time requiring us to incur 
additional expenditures in order to ensure environmental regulatory compliance. However, we are not aware of any environmental  condition or any 
operation at any of our facilities, either individually or in the aggregate, which would cause expenditures having a material adverse effect on our results 
of operations, financial condition or cash flows and, accordingly, have not budgeted any material capital expenditures for environmental compliance for 
fiscal 2013.

15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We  notified  the  North  Carolina  Department  of  Environment  and  Natural  Resources  (the  “DENR”) in  April  2006  of  the  presence  of  certain 
contaminants in excess of regulatory standards at our Coffing Hoist facility in Wadesboro, North Carolina. We filed an application with the DENR to 
enter its voluntary cleanup program and were accepted.  We investigated under the supervision of a DENR Registered Environmental Consultant (“the
REC”) and have commenced voluntary clean-up at the facility. At this time, additional remediation costs are not expected to exceed the accrued balance 
of $200,000.

In March of 2007, we also discovered the presence of certain contaminants in excess of regulatory standards at our Damascus, Virginia hoist 
plant  and  have  notified  the  Virginia  Department  of  Environmental  Quality  (the  “DEQ”).  We  filed  an  application  with  the  DEQ  to  participate  in  its 
voluntary remediation program and have been accepted.    We are currently investigating under the terms of the DEQ Voluntary Remediation Program 
and, if appropriate, will remediate site conditions at the facility. At this time, investigative and remediation costs are not expected to be significant.

In  June  of  2007,  we  were  identified  by  the  New  York  State  Department  of  Environmental  Conservation  (“the  DEC”), along  with  other 
companies, as a potential responsible party (“PRP”) at the Frontier Chemical Royal Avenue Site in Niagara Falls, New York.  From 1974 to 1992, the 
Frontier Royal Avenue Site had been operated as a commercial waste treatment and disposal facility.  We sent waste sulfuric acid pickling solution 
generated at our facility in Tonawanda, New York to the Frontier Royal Avenue Site during the period from approximately 1982 to 1984.  We have joined 
with other PRP members known as the Frontier Chemical Site Joint Defense Alliance Group to conduct investigation and, if appropriate, remediation 
activities at the site.  We do not believe that such costs will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results or cash flows.

For  all  of  the  currently  known  environmental  matters,  we  have  accrued  a  total  of  $356,000  as  of  March  31,  2012  which,  in  our  opinion,  is 
sufficient to deal with such matters. Further, we believe that the environmental matters known to, or anticipated by us should not, individually or in the 
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition. However, there can be no assurance that potential liabilities 
and expenditures associated with unknown environmental matters, unanticipated events, or future compliance with environmental laws and regulations 
will not have a material adverse effect on us.

Our  operations  are  also  governed  by  many  other  laws  and  regulations,  including  those  relating  to  workplace  safety  and  worker  health, 
principally OSHA in the U.S. and regulations thereunder. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with these laws and regulations and do not 
believe  that  future  compliance  with  such  laws  and  regulations  will  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  operating  results,  financial  condition,  or 
liquidity.

 Available Information

Our internet address is www.cmworks.com.  We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly 
Reports  on  Form  10-Q,  Current  Reports  on  Form  8-K  and  amendments  to  those  reports  filed  or  furnished  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  or  15(d)  of  the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Columbus McKinnon is subject to a number of risk factors that could negatively affect our results from business operations or cause actual 
results to differ materially from those projected or indicated in any forward looking statement.  Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

Adverse changes in global economic conditions may negatively affect our industry, business and results of operations.

Financial markets in the United States, Europe and Asia have experienced substantial disruption including, among other things, extreme volatility in 
security  prices,  severely  diminished  liquidity  and  credit  availability,  rating  downgrades  of  certain  investments  and  declining  valuations  of  others. 
Governments have taken unprecedented actions intended to address these market conditions and the extent to which such government actions may 
prove effective remains unclear. The future economic environment may worsen.

Our industry is affected by changes in economic conditions outside our control, which can result in a general decrease in product demand from our 
customers. Such economic developments may affect our business in a number of ways. Reduced demand may drive us and our competitors to offer 
products at promotional prices, which would have a negative impact on our profitability. In addition, the tightening of credit in financial markets may 
adversely affect the ability of our customers and suppliers to obtain financing for significant purchases and operations and could result in a decrease 
in, or cancellation of, orders for our products. If demand for our products slows down or decreases, we will not be able to improve our revenues and we 
may run the risk of failing to satisfy the financial and other restrictive covenants to which we are subject under our existing indebtedness. Reduced 
revenues  as  a  result  of  decreased  demand  may  also  reduce  our  planned  growth  and  otherwise  hinder  our  ability  to  improve  our  performance  in 
connection with our long term strategy.

Our business is cyclical and is affected by industrial economic conditions, and, during the global recession in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2010 we 
experienced substantially reduced demand for our products.

Many of the end-users of our products are in highly cyclical industries that are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions. Their demand for 
our products, and thus our results of operations, is directly related to the level of production in their facilities, their construction and capital expenditure 
budgets, changes in their vertical market sectors and other factors beyond our control. In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2009 and 2010, for example, 
we experienced significantly reduced demand for our products, generally as a result of the global economic slowdown. These lower levels of demand 
resulted in a 20% decline in net sales from our 2008 fiscal year to our 2010 fiscal year, from $593,800,000 to $476,100,000, despite our acquisition of Pfaff 
in the middle of our 2009 fiscal year. This decline in net sales resulted in a 105% decrease in our income from operations during the same period. We 
have seen improvement in demand for our products in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012. Our net sales for the year ended March 31, 2012 were 
$591,945,000, up $67,880,000 or 13.0% from the year ending March 31, 2011. However, there is no certainty that this improvement will continue in the 
future.

Our business is highly competitive and subject to consolidation of competitors. Increased competition could reduce our sales, earnings, and 
profitability.

The principal markets that we serve within the material handling industry are fragmented and highly competitive. Competition is based primarily on 
customer service and support as well as product availability, performance, functionality, brand reputation, reliability and price. Our competition in the 
markets in which we participate comes from companies of various sizes, some of which have greater financial and other resources than we do. Increased 
competition could force us to lower our prices or to offer additional services at a higher cost to us, which could reduce our gross margins and net 
income.

17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The  greater  financial  resources  or  the  lower  amount  of  debt  of  certain  of  our  competitors  may  enable  them  to  commit  larger  amounts  of  capital  in 
response to changing market conditions. Certain competitors may also have the ability to develop product or service innovations that could put us at a 
disadvantage.  In  addition,  through  consolidation,  some  of  our  competitors  have  achieved  substantially  more  market  penetration  in  certain  of  the 
markets  in  which  we  operate.  If  we  are  unable  to  compete  successfully  against  other  manufacturers  of  material  handling  equipment,  we  could  lose 
customers and our revenues may decline. There can also be no assurance that customers will continue to regard our products favorably, that we will be 
able to develop new products that appeal to customers, that we will be able to improve or maintain our profit margins on sales to our customers or that 
we will be able to continue to compete successfully in our core markets.

Our operations outside the U.S. pose certain risks that may adversely impact sales and earnings.

We have operations and assets located outside of the United States, primarily in China, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Hungary. 
In addition, we import a portion of our hoist product line from Asia, and sell our products to distributors located in approximately 50 countries. In our 
fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, approximately 45% of our net sales were derived from non-U.S. markets. These non-U.S. operations are subject to a 
number of special risks, in addition to the risks of our U.S. business, differing protections of intellectual property, trade barriers, labor unrest, exchange 
controls, regional economic uncertainty, differing (and possibly more stringent) labor regulation, risk of governmental expropriation, U.S. and foreign 
customs  and  tariffs,  current  and  changing  regulatory  environments,  difficulty  in  obtaining  distribution  support,  difficulty  in  staffing  and  managing 
widespread operations, differences in the availability and terms of financing, political instability and risks of increases in taxes. Also, in some foreign 
jurisdictions we may be subject to laws limiting the right and ability of entities organized or operating therein to pay dividends or remit earnings to 
affiliated companies unless specified conditions are met. These factors may adversely affect our future profits.

Part of our strategy is to expand our worldwide market share and reduce costs by strengthening our international distribution capabilities and sourcing 
basic components in lower cost countries, in particular in China and Hungary. Implementation of this strategy may increase the impact of the risks 
described above, and we cannot assure you that such risks will not have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Our strategy depends on successful integration of acquisitions.

Acquisitions are a key part of our growth strategy. Our historical growth has depended, and our future growth is likely to depend on our ability to 
successfully  implement  our  acquisition  strategy,  and  the  successful  integration  of  acquired  businesses  into  our  existing  operations.  We  intend  to 
continue to seek additional acquisition opportunities in accordance with our acquisition strategy, both to expand into new markets and to enhance our 
position in existing markets throughout the world. If we are unable to successfully integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations or expand 
into new markets, our sales and earnings growth could be reduced.

Our products involve risks of personal injury and property damage, which exposes us to potential liability.

Our business exposes us to possible claims for personal injury or death and property damage resulting from the products that we sell. We maintain 
insurance  through  a  combination  of  self-insurance  retentions  and  excess  insurance  coverage.  We  monitor  claims  and  potential  claims  of  which  we 
become aware and establish accrued liability reserves for the self-insurance amounts based on our liability estimates for such claims. We cannot give 
any assurance that existing or future claims will not exceed our estimates for self-insurance or the amount of our excess insurance coverage. In addition, 
we  cannot  give  any  assurance  that  insurance  will  continue  to  be  available  to  us  on  economically  reasonable  terms  or  that  our  insurers  would  not 
require  us  to  increase  our  self-insurance  amounts.  Claims  brought  against  us  that  are  not  covered  by  insurance  or  that  are  in  excess  of  insurance 
coverage could have a material adverse effect on our results, financial condition, or liquidity.

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In  addition,  like  many  industrial  manufacturers,  we  are  also  involved  in  asbestos-related  litigation.  In  continually  evaluating  costs  relating  to  our 
estimated asbestos-related liability, we review, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the historical case dismissal rate, the mix of 
the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, our recent and historical resolution of the cases, the number of cases pending against us, the 
status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number of years such activity might continue. Based on this review, we estimate our 
share of liability to defend and resolve probable asbestos related personal injury claims. This estimate is highly uncertain due to the limitations of the 
available data and the difficulty of forecasting with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect the range of the liability. We continue to study 
the variables in light of additional information in order to identify trends that may become evident and to assess their impact on the range of liability 
that is probable and estimable. We believe that the potential additional costs for claims will not have a material after-tax effect on our financial condition 
or liquidity, although the net after-tax effect of any future liabilities recorded could be material to earnings in a future period. See Note 16 to our March 
31, 2012 consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this form 10K.

As indicated above, our self-insurance coverage is effected through our captive insurance subsidiary. The reserves of our captive insurance subsidiary 
are  subject  to  periodic  adjustments  based  upon  actuarial  evaluations,  which  adjustments  impact  our  overall  results  of  operations.  These  periodic 
adjustments can be favorable or unfavorable.

We are subject to currency fluctuations from our sales outside the U.S.

Our products are sold in many countries around the world. Thus, a portion of our revenues (approximately $268,654,000 in our fiscal year ended March 
31, 2012) are generated in foreign currencies, including principally the euro and the Canadian dollar, and while much of the costs incurred to generate 
those  revenues  are  incurred  in  the  same  currency,  a  portion  is  incurred  in  other  currencies.  Since  our  financial  statements  are  denominated  in  U.S. 
dollars, changes in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies have had, and will continue to have, a currency translation 
impact on our earnings. Currency fluctuations may impact our financial performance in the future.

Our future operating results may be affected by fluctuations in steel or other material prices. We may not be able to pass on increases in raw 
material costs to our customers.

The principal raw material used in our chain, forging and crane building operations is steel. The steel industry as a whole is highly cyclical, and at times 
pricing and availability can be volatile due to a number of factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions, labor costs, competition, 
import duties, tariffs and currency exchange rates. This volatility can significantly affect our raw material costs. In an environment of increasing raw 
material prices, competitive conditions will determine how much of the steel price increases we can pass on to our customers. During historical rising 
cost periods, we were generally successful in adding and maintaining a surcharge to the prices of our high steel content products or incorporating them 
into price increases, with a goal of margin neutrality. In the future, to the extent we are unable to pass on any steel price increases to our customers, our 
profitability could be adversely affected.

We rely in large part on independent distributors for sales of our products.

For the most part, we depend on independent distributors to sell our products and provide service and aftermarket support to our end-user customers. 
Distributors play a significant role in determining which of our products are stocked at the branch locations, and hence are most readily accessible to 
aftermarket buyers, and the price at which these products are sold. Almost all of the distributors with whom we transact business offer competitive 
products and services to our end-user customers. For the most part, we do not have written agreements with our distributors. The loss of a substantial 
number of these distributors or an increase in the distributors' sales of our competitors' products to our ultimate customers could materially reduce our 
sales and profits.

We are subject to various environmental laws which may require us to expend significant capital and incur substantial cost.

19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Our operations and facilities are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign requirements relating to the protection of the environment, including 
those governing the discharges of pollutants in the air and water, the generation, management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes and 
the cleanup of contaminated sites. We have made, and will continue to make, expenditures to comply with such requirements. Violations of, or liabilities 
under, environmental laws and regulations, or changes in such laws and regulations (such as the imposition of more stringent standards for discharges 
into the environment), could result in substantial costs to us, including operating costs and capital expenditures, fines and civil and criminal sanctions, 
third party claims for property damage or personal injury, clean-up costs or costs relating to the temporary or permanent discontinuance of operations. 
Certain of our facilities have been in operation for many years, and we have remediated contamination at some of our facilities. Over time, we and other 
predecessor  operators  of  such  facilities  have  generated,  used,  handled  and  disposed  of  hazardous  and  other  regulated  wastes.  Additional 
environmental  liabilities  could  exist,  including  clean-up  obligations  at  these  locations  or  other  sites  at  which  materials  from  our  operations  were 
disposed,  which  could  result  in  substantial  future  expenditures  that  cannot  be  currently  quantified  and  which  could  reduce  our  profits  or  have  an 
adverse effect on our financial condition, operations, or liquidity.

We rely on subcontractors or suppliers to perform their contractual obligations.

Some of our contracts involve subcontracts with other companies upon which we rely to perform a portion of the services we must provide to our 
customers.  There  is  a  risk  that  we  may  have  disputes  with  our  subcontractors,  including  disputes  regarding  the  quality  and  timeliness  of  work 
performed  by  our  subcontractor  or  customer  concerns  about  the  subcontractor.  Failure  by  our  subcontractors  to  satisfactorily  provide  on  a  timely 
basis the agreed-upon supplies or perform the agreed upon services may materially and adversely impact our ability to perform our obligations as the 
prime contractor. A delay in our ability to obtain components and equipment parts from our suppliers may affect our ability to meet our customers' 
needs and may have an adverse effect upon our profitability.

We are subject to debt covenant restrictions.

Our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the notes contain several financial and other restrictive covenants. A significant decline in our 
operating income or cash generating ability could cause us to violate our leverage or fixed charge coverage ratios in our bank credit facility. This could 
result in our being unable to borrow under our bank credit facility or being obliged to refinance and renegotiate the terms of our bank indebtedness.

We depend on our senior management team and the loss of any member could adversely affect our operations.

Our success is dependent on the management and leadership skills of our senior management team. The loss of any of these individuals or an inability 
to attract, retain and maintain additional personnel could prevent us from implementing our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be 
able to retain our existing senior management personnel or to attract additional qualified personnel when needed.

We continually evaluate and assess our personnel and may make additional changes to the members or assignments of our senior management team in 
the future.

We have not entered into employment agreements with any of our senior management personnel with the exception of Dr. Ivo Celi, our Vice President, 
EMEA.

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

We  maintain  our  corporate  headquarters  in  Amherst,  New  York  and,  as  of  March  31,  2012,  conducted  our  principal  manufacturing  at  the 

following facilities:

Location

  Products/Operations

Square
Footage

Owned or
Leased

1. Wadesboro, NC
2. Lexington, TN
3. Charlotte, NC
4. Damascus, VA
5.

Forging operation:
Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga, TN

6. Ohio hoist operation:
Salem, OH
Lisbon, OH

7. Velbert, Germany
8. Kissing, Germany
9.
10. Asia operation:

Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico

Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou, China

11. Chester, England
12. Szekesfehervar, Hungary
13. Eureka, IL
14. Cleveland, TX
15. Sarasota, FL
16. Heilbronn, Germany
17. Romeny-sur-Marne, France

  Hoists
  Chain
  Actuators and Rotary Unions
  Hoists

  Forged attachments
  Forged attachments

  Hoists
  Hoists and below-the-hook tooling
  Hoists
  Hoists, winches, and actuators
  Hoists

  Hoists and actuators
  Textile strappings
  Plate clamps
  Textiles and textile strappings
  Cranes
  Cranes
  Tire shredders
  Actuators
  Rotary unions

 186,000  Owned
 165,000  Owned
 146,000  Leased
 90,000  Owned

 81,000  Owned
 59,000  Owned

 49,000  Leased
 37,000  Owned
 108,000  Owned
 107,000  Leased
 91,000  Owned

 54,000  Leased
 53,000  Leased
 48,000  Leased
 24,000  Leased
 91,000  Owned
 39,000  Owned
 25,000  Owned
 23,000  Leased
 22,000  Owned

In addition, we have a total of 52 sales offices, distribution centers and warehouses.  We believe that our properties have been adequately 
maintained, are in generally good condition and are suitable for our business as presently conducted. We also believe our existing facilities provide 
sufficient production capacity for our present needs and for our anticipated needs in the foreseeable future. Upon the expiration of our current leases, 
we believe that either we will be able to secure renewal terms or enter into leases for alternative locations at market terms.

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are named a defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. We are not a party to any pending 
legal proceeding other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business. We do not believe that any of our pending litigation will have a 
material impact on our business. We maintain comprehensive general product liability insurance against risks arising out of the use of our products 
sold to customers through our wholly-owned New York State captive insurance subsidiary of which we are the sole policy holder. The limits of this 
coverage are currently $3,000,000 per occurrence ($2,000,000 through March 31, 2003) and $6,000,000 aggregate ($5,000,000 through March 31, 2003) per 
year. We obtain additional insurance coverage from independent insurers to cover potential losses in excess of these limits.

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Like  many  industrial  manufacturers,  we  are  also  involved  in  asbestos-related  litigation.  In  continually  evaluating  costs  relating  to  our 
estimated asbestos-related liability, we review, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the historical case dismissal rate, the mix of 
the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, our recent and historical resolution of the cases, the number of cases pending against us, the 
status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number of years such activity might continue.  Based on this review, we do not 
believe that any of our pending asbestos-related claims will have a material impact on our business.  See Note 16 to our March 31, 2012 consolidated 
financial statements for more information on our asbestos claims.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not Applicable.

22

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II

Item 5.

Market for the Company’s Common Stock and Related Security Holder Matters

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol ‘‘CMCO.” As of April 30, 2012, there were 552 holders of 

record of our common stock.

We do not currently pay cash dividends. Our current credit agreement allows, but limits our ability to pay dividends.  We may reconsider or 
revise  this  policy  from  time  to  time  based  upon  conditions  then  existing,  including,  without  limitation,  our  earnings,  financial  condition,  capital 
requirements, restrictions under credit agreements or other conditions our Board of Directors may deem relevant.

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, the high and low sale prices per share for our common stock as reported on the 

Nasdaq Global Select Market.

Year Ended March 31, 2011
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Year Ended March 31, 2012
First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

  $

  $

Price Range of
Common Stock

High

Low

19.26    $
16.70     
21.06     
22.25     

20.45    $
18.32     
14.99     
17.85     

13.92 
12.35 
15.86 
15.67 

16.84 
10.08 
10.37 
12.71 

On May 22, 2012, the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $13.47 per share.

23

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
 
   
      
  
   
      
  
   
   
   
 
The Performance Graph shown below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock based on its market price, with 

the total return of the S&P MidCap 400 Index and the Dow Jones US Diversified Industrials.  The comparison of total return assumes that a fixed 
investment of $100 was invested on March 31, 2007 in our common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and further assumes the reinvestment of 
dividends.  The stock price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

24

 
 
 
 
 
Item 6. 

Selected Financial Data

The  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  and  the  related  statements  of  operations,  cash  flows  and  shareholders’
equity for each of the three years ended March 31,  2012  and notes thereto appear elsewhere in this annual report. The selected consolidated financial 
data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified in their entirety by “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of 
Operations and Financial Condition,” our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and other financial information included elsewhere in 
this annual report.

Year ended March 31st
( In millions, except for per share data)
2009
2010
2011

2008

2012

 $

Statements of Operations Data:
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges (1)
Impairment loss (2)
Amortization of intangibles
Income (loss) from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemptions
Other (income) and expense, net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) (3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (4)
Net income (loss)
 $
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations  $
 $
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations
Weighted average shares outstanding – assuming dilution

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Total assets
Total debt (5)
Total debt, net of cash and cash equivalents
Total shareholders’ equity

Other Data:
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Capital expenditures

 $

 $

 $
 $
 $

 $

524.1 
398.0 
126.1 
62.9 
40.6 
2.2 
- 
1.8 
18.6 
13.5 
3.9 
(3.9)
5.1 
41.4 
(36.3)
0.4 
(35.9)
(1.91)
(1.91)
19.0 

19.0 

478.9 
154.4 
74.3 
162.1 

3.3 
(4.3)
15.8 
12.5 

 $

 $
 $
 $

 $

476.1 
360.2 
115.9 
64.4 
36.9 
16.5 
- 
1.9 
(3.8)
13.2 
- 
(4.2)
(12.8)
(5.3)
(7.5)
0.5 
(7.0)
(0.40)
(0.40)
19.0 

19.0 

481.5 
132.8 
68.8 
187.3 

29.9 
(1.4)
(5.4)
7.2 

 $

 $
 $
 $

 $

606.7 
433.0 
173.7 
72.6 
37.7 
1.9 
107.0 
1.0 
(46.5)
13.2 
- 
(1.6)
(58.1)
18.0 
(76.1)
(2.3)
(78.4)
(4.04)
(4.04)
18.9 

18.9 

491.7 
137.9 
98.7 
181.9 

60.2 
(65.5)
(22.5)
12.2 

593.8 
408.2 
185.6 
69.9 
34.1 
0.8 
- 
0.1 
80.7 
13.6 
1.8 
(4.4)
69.7 
22.8 
46.9 
(9.6)
37.3 
2.45 
2.50 
19.2 

18.7 

590.0 
133.3 
57.3 
295.5 

59.6 
(8.6)
(28.6)
12.5 

 $

 $
 $
 $

 $

591.9 
434.2 
157.7 
64.9 
46.7 
(1.0)
- 
2.0 
45.1 
14.2 
- 
(1.9)
32.8 
6.9 
25.9 
1.1 
27.0 
1.33 
1.35 
19.5 

19.3 

515.4 
153.1 
63.6 
160.5 

23.6 
(13.5)
0.5 
13.8 

25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
(1) Refer to “Results of Operations” in “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” for a 

discussion of the restructuring charges related to fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010.

(2) The Company’s impairment testing is performed on an annual basis in the fourth quarter of each year. The Company recorded a $107,000,000 
goodwill impairment charge in accordance with ASC Topic 350-20 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009. Refer to “Item 7. Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements for additional 
information on Goodwill and Intangible Assets.

(3) During 2011, the Company recorded non-cash charge of $42,983,000 included within its provision for income taxes.  The majority of this charge 
relates  to  the  Company’s  determination  that  a  full  valuation  allowance  against  its  deferred  tax  assets  generated  in  the  U.S  is 
necessary.  Accounting  rules  require  a  reduction  of  the  carrying  amounts  of  deferred  tax  assets  by  a  valuation  allowance  if,  based  on  the 
available and objectively verifiable evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.  The existence of cumulative losses 
for a certain threshold period is a significant form of negative evidence used in the assessment.  If a cumulative loss threshold is met, the 
accounting rules indicate that forecasts of future profitability are generally not sufficient positive evidence to overcome the presumption that 
a valuation allowance is necessary.

(4)

In July 2008, the Company sold its integrated material handling conveyor systems business, Univeyor A/S and its results of operations have 
been reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.  In May 2002, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of ASI.  As 
part of the sale of ASI, the Company received an 8% subordinated note in the principal amount of $6,800,000 which is payable over 10 years 
ending in May 2012.  The full amount of this note has been reserved due to the uncertainty of collection. Principal payments received on the 
note are recorded as income from discontinued operations at the time of receipt.  All interest and principal payments required under the note 
have been made to date.  Refer to Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information on Discontinued Operations.

(5) Total debt includes all debt, including the current portion, notes payable and subordinated debt.

26

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

This section should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report. Comments on 

the results of operations and financial condition below refer to our continuing operations, except in the section entitled “Discontinued Operations.”

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

We are a leading worldwide designer, manufacturer and marketer of material handling products, systems and services which efficiently and 
safely move, lift, position and secure material. Key products include hoists, actuators, cranes and rigging tools. The Company is focused on serving 
commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by the Company’s superior design and engineering know-how.

Founded in 1875, we have grown to our current size and leadership position through organic growth and acquisitions. We developed our 
leading market position over our 137-year history by emphasizing technological innovation, manufacturing excellence and superior after-sale service. In 
addition, acquisitions significantly broadened our product lines and services and expanded our geographic reach, end-user markets and customer base. 
Ongoing  initiatives  include  improving  our  productivity  and  increasing  penetration  of  the  Asian,  Latin  American  and  European  marketplaces.  In 
accordance  with  our  strategy,  we  have  been  investing  in  our  directed  sales  and  marketing  activities,  new  product  development  and “Lean” efforts
across  the  Company.  Shareholder  value  will  be  enhanced  through  continued  emphasis  on  improvement  of  the  fundamentals  including  market 
expansion,  a  high  degree  of  customer  satisfaction,  new  product  development,  manufacturing  efficiency,  cost  containment,  and  efficient  capital 
investment.

Over the course of our history, we have managed through many business cycles and our solid cash flow profile has helped us grow and 
expand  globally.  We  stand  with  a  capital  structure  which  includes  sufficient  cash  reserves,  significant  revolver  availability  with  an  expiration  of 
December  2013,  fixed-rate  long-term  debt  which  expires  in  2019  and  a  solid  cash  flow  business  profile.  During  fiscal  2010  we  initiated  projects  to 
strategically reorganize our North American hoist and rigging operations, which were essentially completed during the first quarter of fiscal 2011. The 
projects included the closure of two manufacturing facilities and the significant downsizing of a third facility. The closures and downsizing resulted in a 
reduction of approximately 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space (or approximately 25% of total manufacturing space).

Additionally our revenue base is now more geographically diverse than at any time in our Company’s history, with approximately 45% derived 
from customers outside the U.S. for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. We believe this will help balance the impact of changes that will occur in 
local  economies  as  well  as  benefit  the  Company  from  growth  in  emerging  markets.  As  in  the  past,  we  monitor  both  U.S.  and  Eurozone  Industrial 
Capacity Utilization statistics as indicators of anticipated demand for our product. Since their June 2009 trough, these statistics have improved through 
April 2012.  In addition, we continue to monitor the potential impact of other global and U.S. trends including industrial production, energy costs, steel 
price fluctuations, interest rates, currency exchange and activity of end-user markets around the globe.

From a strategic perspective, we are investing in global markets and new products as we focus on our greatest opportunities for growth. We 
maintain  a  strong  North  American  market  share  with  significant  leading  market  positions  in  hoists,  lifting  and  sling  chain,  forged  attachments  and 
actuators. We seek to maintain and enhance our market share by focusing our sales and marketing activities toward select North American and global 
market sectors including energy, construction, entertainment, mining and food processing.

Regardless of the economic climate and point in the economic cycle, we constantly explore ways to manage our operating margins as well as 
further  improve  our  productivity  and  competitiveness.  We  have  specific  initiatives  related  to  improved  customer  satisfaction,  reduction  of  defects, 
shortened  lead  times,  improved  inventory  turns  and  on-time  deliveries,  reduction  of  warranty  costs,  and  improved  working  capital  utilization.  The 
initiatives are being driven by the continued implementation of our “Lean” efforts which are fundamentally changing our manufacturing and business 
processes  to  be  more  responsive  to  customer  demand  and  improving  on-time  delivery  and  productivity.  In  addition  to  “Lean,” we  are  working  to 
achieve these strategic initiatives through product simplification, the creation of centers of excellence, and improved supply chain management.

We continuously monitor market prices of steel. We purchase approximately $30,000,000 to $40,000,000 of steel annually in a variety of forms 
including rod, wire, bar, structural and others. Generally, as we experience fluctuations in our costs, we reflect them as price increases or surcharges to 
our customers with the goal of being margin neutral. Some of our steel costs have increased during this year as a result of higher scrap and alloy 
surcharges.

27

 
 
 
 
We are also looking for opportunities for growth via strategic acquisitions or joint ventures. The focus of our acquisition strategy centers on 

opportunities for non-U.S. market penetration and product line expansion in alignment with our existing core product offering.

We operate in a highly competitive and global business environment. We face a variety of opportunities in those markets and geographies, 
including trends toward increased utilization of the global labor force and the expansion of market opportunities in Asia and other emerging markets. 
While we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy, we are supported by our solid capital structure, including our cash position and flexible 
cost base. We are also aggressively addressing costs and restructuring opportunities to enhance future margin opportunities.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal 2012 sales were $591,945,000, up 13.0%, or $67,880,000 compared with fiscal 2011. The increase in sales was primarily due to an increase 
of  $43,735,000  in  volume  resulting  from  the  economic  recovery  and  market  share  gains.  Price  increases  resulted  in  a  $13,585,000  increase  in 
sales.  Favorable foreign currency translation impacted sales by $10,560,000. Fiscal 2011 sales were $524,065,000, up 10.1%, or $47,882,000 compared 
with fiscal 2010. The increase in sales was primarily due to an increase of $52,785,000 in volume resulting from the economic recovery and market share 
gains. Further, price increases resulted in a $4,651,000 increase in sales.  These increases were offset by a reduction of sales of $2,695,000 from the 
October 2009 divestiture of our American Lifts business as well as a negative foreign currency impact of $6,828,000.

Our gross profit was $157,718,000, $126,052,000, and $115,939,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The fiscal 2012 increase in gross 
profit  of  $31,666,000  or  25.1%  is  the  result  of  $20,941,000  in  increased  volume,  favorable  manufacturing  variances  of  $3,655,000,  $3,006,000  in  less 
restructuring related expenses included within cost of goods sold, and $2,570,000 from lower product liability expenses partially offset by a pension 
plan curtailment charge of $1,122,000.  Foreign currency translation had a favorable impact on gross profit of $2,616,000. The fiscal 2011 increase in 
gross profit of $10,113,000 is the result of a $12,800,000 increase in volume, a $6,700,000 increase in restructuring benefits, $1,500,000 increase in savings 
on  U.S.  health  and  pension  expenses,  offset  by  a  decrease  of  $6,800,000  from  inefficiencies  in  our  forgings  operation,  a  decrease  of  $1,800,000  for 
increases in our product liability and asbestos related reserves, a decrease of $1,800,000 for increases in costs of materials and freight and a decrease of 
$487,000 for currency translation and other.

Selling expenses were $64,860,000, $62,910,000, and $64,464,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As a percentage of net sales, selling 
expenses were 11.0%, 12.0% and 13.5% in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The increase in fiscal 2012 selling expense is primarily the result of 
increasing revenues year over year. Decreases in fiscal 2011 selling expense of $1,554,000 or 2.4% are due to reorganization efforts specifically in the 
Company’s North American sales operations, partially offset by investments in non-U.S markets and commissions on higher sales.

General and administrative expenses were $46,677,000, $40,592,000 and $36,892,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. As a percentage 
of  net  sales,  general  and  administrative  expenses  were  7.9%,  7.7%  and  7.7%  in  fiscal  2012,  2011  and  2010,  respectively.  Fiscal  2012  general  and 
administrative  expenses  increased  by  $6,085,000  or  15.0%  primarily  due  to  the  new  global  ERP  system  implementation  project,  increased  variable 
compensation  costs,  as  well  as  higher  employee  related  costs.  Fiscal  2011  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  by  $3,700,000  or  10.0% 
primarily due to the Company’s investments in its management team in Asia and new product development.

Restructuring (gains) charges of ($1,037,000), $2,200,000 and $16,519,000, or (0.2%), 0.4% and 3.5% of net sales were recorded in fiscal 2012,
2011 and 2010, respectively. Fiscal 2012 restructuring gains were the result of a gain recognized on the sale of a previously closed manufacturing facility 
of ($1,462,000) offset by an employee workforce reduction effort initiated and completed at one of our European facilities.  Fiscal 2011 restructuring 
charges of $2,700,000 were offset by a gain from the sale of a previously closed manufacturing facility totaling ($500,000). 

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization  of  intangibles  was  $2,074,000,  $1,778,000  and  $1,876,000  in  fiscal  2012,  2011  and  2010,  respectively  and  primarily  relate  to 

amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with our fiscal 2009 acquisition of Pfaff.

Interest  and  debt  expense  was  $14,214,000,  $13,532,000  and  $13,225,000  in  fiscal  2012,  2011  and  2010,  respectively.  As  a  percentage  of  net 

sales, interest and debt expense was 2.4%, 2.6% and 2.8% in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

We incurred costs of $3,939,000 in fiscal 2011 related to the repurchase of outstanding debt. Further discussion on this topic is included below 

in the Liquidity and Capital Resources section and Note 12 of our consolidated financial statements. No such costs were incurred in Fiscal 2012.

Investment income of $1,018,000, $3,041,000 and $1,544,000, in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, related to marketable securities held in 
the Company’s wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. The fiscal 2011 $3,041,000 gain primarily is the result of the market recovery and sale of 
securities previously impaired in fiscal 2009.

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain) was $316,000, $452,000, and ($344,000) in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, as a result of foreign 

currency volatility related to purchases and intercompany debt.

Other income, net was $1,179,000, $1,375,000, and $2,260,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Other income in fiscal 2012 includes a 
gain  of  $850,000  calculated  on  the  acquisition  of  the  remaining  ownership  interest  of  an  investment  which  the  Company  previously  had  a  20% 
ownership interest.

Income  tax  expense  (benefit)  as  a  percentage  of  income  (loss)  from  continuing  operations  before  income  tax  (benefit)  expense  was  21.0%, 
817.6% and (41.5)% in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The unusual percentage experienced during the year ended March 31, 2011 is related to 
the recording of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in the amount of $42,983,000.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash and cash equivalents totalled $89,473,000, $80,139,000, and $63,968,000 at March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $23,587,000, $3,280,000 and $29,867,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The net cash 
provided by operating activities in fiscal 2012 consisted of $26,967,000 in net income which was largely due to increased sales volume, a decrease in 
prepaid  expenses  and  other  assets  of  $3,776,000  and  increases  in  trade  accounts  payable  and  accrued  and  non-current  liabilities  of  $3,862,000  and 
$5,906,000, respectively, offset by increases in trade accounts receivables and inventories of $9,823,000 and $17,489,000 respectively. The increase in 
inventory during fiscal 2012 was primarily to meet increasing sales volume and expected future customer demand.

The net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2011 consisted of $7,033,000 in net income before a $42,983,000 non-cash charge related 
to the recording of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets, and increases in trade accounts payable and accrued and non-current liabilities of 
$4,027,000  and  $1,668,000  respectively,  offset  by  increases  in  trade  accounts  receivables,  inventory,  and  prepaid  expenses  and  other  assets  of 
$6,683,000, $9,848,000 and $5,178,000, respectively. The increase in inventories during the prior year was to meet expected future customer demand as 
well as avoid disruption of supply during major facility consolidation projects. The increase in prepaid expenses in the prior year was due to the timing 
of certain prepaid expenditures.

Net cash used by investing activities was $13,541,000, $4,344,000 and $1,350,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The net cash used 
by investing activities in fiscal 2012 consisted of $13,765,000 in capital expenditures (of which $5,248,000 relates to implementation of our global ERP 
system) and $3,356,000 for the purchase of the remaining 80% interest in Yale Lifting Solutions (Pty) Ltd based in South Africa, partially offset by 
$1,971,000 net proceeds from the sale of our vacant property in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the period. The net cash used by investing activities in fiscal 2011 
consisted of $12,543,000 in capital expenditures (of which $3,642,000 related to the initial investment in our global ERP system) offset by $6,621,000 in 
cash generated from the net sales of marketable securities (related to the settlement of certain product liability insurance claims) and net proceeds of 
$1,182,000 primarily from the sale of our vacant property in Muskegon, Michigan.

29

 
 
 
 
Net cash generated by financing activities was $474,000 and $15,794,000 in fiscal 2012 and 2011 respectively compared with net cash used by 
financing activities of $5,418,000 in fiscal 2010. The net cash generated by financing activities in fiscal 2012 consisted of $1,436,000 of proceeds from 
exercises of stock options offset by $361,000 of net payments under international lines of credit and $1,036,000 in repayment of debt. The Net cash 
generated  in  fiscal  2011  was  due  to  the  refinancing  of  the  $124,855,000  outstanding  8  7/8%  Notes  with  a  new  issuance  of  $150,000,000  7  7/8% 
Notes.  Offsetting the proceeds from the offering was $3,154,000 paid for tender and call redemption premiums on the 8 7/8% Notes and $3,185,000 paid 
for direct financing costs which have been deferred.

We  believe  that  our  cash  on  hand,  cash  flows,  and  borrowing  capacity  under  our  Revolving  Credit  Facility  will  be  sufficient  to  fund  our 
ongoing operations and budgeted capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. This belief is dependent upon successful execution of our 
current  business  plan  and  effective  working  capital  utilization.  No  material  restrictions  exist  in  accessing  cash  held  by  our  non-U.S.
subsidiaries.  Additionally we expect to meet our U.S. funding needs without repatriating non-U.S. cash and incurring the incremental U.S. taxes. As of 
March 31, 2012, $33,242,000 of cash and cash equivalents were held by foreign subsidiaries.

We  have  an  amended,  restated  and  expanded  revolving  credit  facility  dated  December  31,  2009.  The  Revolving  Credit  Facility  provides 

availability up to a maximum of $85,000,000 and expires December 31, 2013.

  Provided there is no default, we may, on a one-time basis, request an increase in the availability of the Revolving Credit Facility by an amount 
not  exceeding  $65,000,000,  subject  to  lender  approval.  The  unused  portion  of  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  totalled  $70,286,000,  net  of  outstanding 
borrowings of $0 and outstanding letters of credit of $14,714,000, as of March 31, 2012. The outstanding letters of credit at March 31, 2012 consisted of 
$5,425,000 in commercial letters of credit (including a significant letter of credit related to a large customer order, amounting to $2,590,000 which will 
mature in May 2012) and $9,289,000 of standby letters of credit.

Interest on the revolver is payable at varying Eurodollar rates based on LIBOR or prime plus a spread determined by our total leverage ratio 
amounting to 150 or 50 basis points, respectively, at March 31, 2012. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all domestic inventory, receivables, 
equipment, real property, subsidiary stock (limited to 65% of non-U.S. subsidiaries) and intellectual property.

The corresponding credit agreement associated with the Revolving Credit Facility places certain debt covenant restrictions on us, including 
certain financial requirements and restrictions on dividend payments, with which we were in compliance as of March 31, 2012. Key financial covenants 
include a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25x, a maximum total leverage ratio, net of cash, of 3.50x, and maximum annual capital expenditures of 
$18,000,000 excluding capital expenditures for a global ERP system.  Our actual fixed charges coverage ratio and total leverage ratio, as calculated per 
the terms of our Revolving Credit Facility, were 3.42x and 1.45x, respectively, at March 31, 2012.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2011, the Company refinanced its 8 7/8% Notes through the issuance of $150,000,000 principal amount 
of  7  7/8%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due  2019  in  a  private  placement  pursuant  to  Rule  144A  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended 
(“Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes”).  The proceeds from the sale of the Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes were used to repurchase or redeem all of the outstanding 
8  7/8%  Notes  amounting  to  $124,855,000  and  to  fund  working  capital  and  other  corporate  activities.  The  offering  price  of  the  Unregistered  7  7/8% 
Notes  was  98.545%  after  adjustment  for  the  original  issue  discount.  Provisions  of  the  Unregistered  7  7/8%  Notes  include,  without  limitation, 
restrictions on indebtedness, asset sales, and dividends and other restrictive payments.  Until February 1, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 35% of 
the outstanding Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes at a redemption price of 107.875% with the proceeds of equity offerings, subject to certain restrictions.    On 
or after February 1, 2015, the Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of 
103.938%, reducing to 100% on February 1, 2017. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture for such notes), each holder of the 
Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% 
of the principal amount thereof. The Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes are guaranteed by certain existing and future U.S. subsidiaries and are not subject to 
any sinking fund requirements.

30

 
 
 
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, the Company exchanged its $150,000,000 outstanding Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes for a like principal 
amount  of  7  7/8%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due  2019  registered  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended  (“7  7/8%  Notes”).  All  of  the 
Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes were exchanged in the transaction.  The 7 7/8% Notes contain identical terms and provisions as the Unregistered 7 7/8% 
Notes.

Our capital lease obligations related to property and equipment leases amounted to $4,842,000 at March 31, 2012. Capital lease obligations are 

included in senior debt in the consolidated balance sheets.

Unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit are available to meet short-term working capital needs for certain of our subsidiaries operating 
outside of the U.S. The lines of credit are available on an offering basis, meaning that transactions under the line of credit will be on such terms and 
conditions, including interest rate, maturity, representations, covenants and events of default, as mutually agreed between our subsidiaries and the 
local bank at the time of each specific transaction. As of March 31, 2012, significant unsecured credit lines totalled approximately $10,361,000, of which 
$112,000 was drawn.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table reflects a summary of our contractual obligations in millions of dollars as of March 31, 2012, by period of estimated 

payments due:

Total

Fiscal
2013

    Fiscal 2014-     Fiscal 2016-     More Than  
    Fiscal 2015     Fiscal 2017    

Five Years

Long-term debt obligations (a)
Operating lease obligations (b)
Purchase obligations (c)
Interest obligations (d)
Letter of credit obligations
Bank guarantees
Uncertain tax positions
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the Company’s

balance sheet under GAAP (e)
Total

 $

 $

 $

154.8 
13.5 
- 
81.7 
14.7 
7.4 
2.4 

96.7 
371.2 

 $

1.1 
4.6 
- 
12.2 
14.7 
7.4 
- 

- 
40.0 

 $

 $

 $

2.4 
5.8 
- 
24.0 
- 

2.4 

 $

0.8 
3.1 
- 
23.8 
- 

- 

33.8 
68.4 

 $

34.9 
62.6 

 $

150.5 
- 
- 
21.7 
- 

- 

28.0 
200.2 

(a) As described in Note 12 to consolidated financial statements.
(b) As described in Note 19 to consolidated financial statements.
(c) We have no purchase obligations specifying fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased. We estimate that, at any given point in time, our 

open purchase orders to be executed in the normal course of business approximate $40 million.

(d) Estimated for our Senior Subordinated Notes due 2/1/19 and other senior debt.
(e) As described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. Excludes uncertain tax positions of $2.4 million shown separately above.

We have no additional off-balance sheet obligations that are not reflected above.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

In addition to keeping our current equipment and plants properly maintained, we are committed to replacing, enhancing and upgrading our 
property, plant and equipment to support new product development, improve productivity and customer responsiveness, reduce production costs, 
increase  flexibility  to  respond  effectively  to  market  fluctuations  and  changes,  meet  environmental  requirements,  enhance  safety  and  promote 
ergonomically correct work stations. Our capital expenditures for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $13,765,000, $12,543,000 and $7,245,000, respectively. 
We expect capital expenditure spending in fiscal 2013 to be in the range of $14,000,000 to $17,000,000, excluding acquisitions and strategic partnerships.

31

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
INFLATION AND OTHER MARKET CONDITIONS

Our costs are affected by inflation in the U.S. economy and, to a lesser extent, in non-U.S. economies including those of Europe, Canada, 
Mexico, South America and Asia-Pacific. We do not believe that general inflation has had a material effect on our results of operations over the periods 
presented primarily due to overall low inflation levels over such periods and our ability to generally pass on rising costs through annual price increases 
and surcharges. However, U.S. employee benefits costs such as health insurance, workers compensation insurance, pensions as well as energy and 
business insurance have exceeded general inflation levels. In the future, we may be further affected by inflation that we may not be able to pass on as 
price increases.  With changes in worldwide demand for steel and fluctuating scrap steel prices over the past several years, we experienced fluctuations 
in our costs that we have reflected as price increases and surcharges to our customers.  We believe we have been successful in instituting surcharges 
and price increases to pass on these material cost increases.  We will continue to monitor our costs and reevaluate our pricing policies.

SEASONALITY AND QUARTERLY RESULTS

Our quarterly results may be materially affected by the timing of large customer orders, periods of high vacation and holiday concentrations, 
restructuring charges and other costs attributable to our facility rationalization program, divestitures, acquisitions and the magnitude of rationalization 
integration costs. Therefore, our operating results for any particular fiscal quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any subsequent fiscal 
quarter or for the full fiscal year.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In May 2002, we completed the divestiture of substantially all of the assets of ASI which comprised the principal business unit in our former 
Solutions -  Automotive  segment.  Proceeds  from  this  sale  included  an  8%  subordinated  note  in  the  principal  amount  of  $6,800,000  payable  over  10 
years.  Due to the uncertainty of its collection, the note was recorded at its estimated net realizable value of $0 at the time of the divestiture.  Principal 
payments received on the note are recorded as income from discontinued operations at the time of receipt.  Accordingly, $1,052,000, and $396,000 of 
income from discontinued operations was recorded in fiscal 2012, and 2011 respectively, net of tax.  All interest and principal payments required under 
the note have been made to date.  The Company expects that the loan will be fully collected by the end of fiscal 2013.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and 
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. We continually evaluate the estimates 
and  their  underlying  assumptions,  which  form  the  basis  for  making  judgments  about  the  carrying  value  of  our  assets  and  liabilities.  Actual  results 
inevitably  will  differ  from  those  estimates.  We  have  identified  below  the  accounting  policies  involving  estimates  that  are  critical  to  our  financial 
statements. Other accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition. Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer which is generally at the time of shipment to the customer. The 
Company  performs  ongoing  credit  evaluations  of  its  customers’ financial  condition,  but  generally  does  not  require  collateral  to  support  customer 
receivables. The credit risk is controlled through credit approvals, limits and monitoring procedures. Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable 
value and do not accrue interest.

Pension  and  Other  Postretirement  Benefits.  The  determination  of  the  obligations  and  expense  for  pension  and  postretirement  benefits  is 
dependent on our selection of certain assumptions that are used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions are disclosed in Note 13 
to our fiscal 2012 consolidated financial statements and include the discount rates, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of future 
increases in compensation and healthcare costs.

32

 
 
 
 
 
The pension discount rate assumptions of 4.70%, 5.75%, and 6.0%, as of March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, are based on long-term
AA rated corporate and municipal bond rates. The decrease in the discount rate for fiscal 2012 resulted in a $11,500,000 increase in the projected benefit 
obligation.  The  decrease  in  the  discount  rates  for  fiscal  2011  resulted  in  an  $4,700,000  increase  in  the  projected  benefit  obligation  as  of  March  31, 
2011.  The rate of return on plan assets assumptions of 7.5% for each of the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is based on the targeted plan 
asset allocation (approximately 70% equities and 30% fixed income) and their long-term historical returns. Our under-funded status for all pension plans 
as  of  March  31,  2012  and  2011  was  $65,123,000  and  $32,366,000,  or  30.3%  and  18.2%  of  the  projected  benefit  obligation,  respectively.  Our  pension 
contributions  during  fiscal  2012  and  2011  were  approximately  $5,974,000  and  $7,796,000,  respectively.  The  under-funded  status  may  result  in  future 
pension expense increases.  Pension expense for the March 31, 2013 fiscal year is expected to approximate $7,137,000, slightly less than the fiscal 2012 
amount of $7,547,000, which includes a curtailment charge of $1,120,000.  Pension funding contributions for the March 31, 2013 fiscal year is expected to 
increase by approximately $4,412,000 compared to fiscal 2012. The compensation increase assumption of 2% as of March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 is 
based on expected wage trends and historical patterns.

The  healthcare  costs  inflation  assumptions  of  8.0%  8.5%,  and  8.0%  for  fiscal  2012,  2011,  and  2010,  respectively,  are  based  on  anticipated 
trends.  Healthcare  costs  in  the  United  States  have  increased  substantially  over  the  last  several  years.  If  this  trend  continues,  the  cost  of 
postretirement healthcare will increase in future years.

Insurance Reserves.  Our accrued general and product liability reserves as described in Note 16 to consolidated financial statements involve 
actuarial  techniques  including  the  methods  selected  to  estimate  ultimate  claims,  and  assumptions  including  emergence  patterns,  payment  patterns, 
initial  expected  losses  and  increased  limit  factors.  These  actuarial  estimates  are  subject  to  a  high  degree  of  uncertainty  due to  a  variety  of  factors, 
including extended lag time in the reporting and resolution of claims, trends or changes in claim settlement patterns, insurance industry practices, and 
legal interpretations.  As a result, actual costs could differ significantly from the estimated amounts.  Adjustments to estimated reserves are recorded in 
the period in which the change in estimate occurs.  Other insurance reserves such as workers compensation and group health insurance are based on 
actual historical and current claim data provided by third party administrators or internally maintained.

Accounts  Receivable  Reserves.  Allowances  for  doubtful  accounts  and  credit  memo  reserves  are  also  judgmentally  determined  based  on 
formulas applied to historical bad debt write-offs and credit memos issued, assessing potentially uncollectible customer accounts and analyzing the 
accounts  receivable  aging.  Accounts  receivable  are  charged  against  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  once  all  collection  efforts  have  been 
exhausted.  At March 31, 2012 the allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $2,700,000.

Impairment  of  depreciable  and  amortizable  long-lived  assets.  Property,  plant  and  equipment  and  certain  intangibles  are  depreciated  or 
amortized  over  their  assigned  lives.  We  test  long-lived  assets  for  impairment  when  events  or  changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying 
amount of those assets may not be recoverable and exceed their fair market value.  The following summarizes the value of long-lived assets subject to 
impairment testing when events or circumstances indicate potential impairment (amounts in millions):

Property, plant and equipment, net
Acquired intangibles with estimable useful lives
Other assets

Balance as of  
March 31, 2012 
61.7 
 $
15.8 
6.6 

Impairment may exist if the carrying amount of the asset in question exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of 
the asset.  The impairment loss, if any, would be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds its fair market 
value as determined by appropriate valuation techniques.

Goodwill impairment testing.  Our goodwill balance, $106,435,000 as of March 31, 2012 is subject to impairment testing.  We test goodwill for 
impairment at least annually, as of the end of February, and more frequently whenever events occur or circumstances change that indicate there may be 
impairment.  These events or circumstances could include a significant long-term adverse change in the business climate, poor indicators of operating 
performance, or a sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit.

33

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
We test goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is one level below our operating segment.  We identify our reporting units by assessing 
whether the components of our operating segment constitute businesses for which discrete financial information is available and segment management 
regularly reviews the operating results of those components.  We also aggregate components that have similar economic characteristics into single 
reporting units (for example, similar products and / or services, similar long-term financial results, product processes, classes of customers, etc.). We 
have four reporting units, only two of which have goodwill. Our Duff-Norton reporting unit and Rest of Products reporting unit have goodwill totaling 
$9,821,000 and $96,614,000, respectively, at March 31, 2012.

When we evaluate the potential for goodwill impairment, we assess a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic 
conditions,  industry  conditions,  the  competitive  environment,  changes  in  the  market  for  our  products  and  services,  regulatory  and  political 
developments,  entity  specific  factors  such  as  strategy  and  changes  in  key  personnel  and  overall  financial  performance.  If,  after  completing  this 
assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a two-step
impairment test.

In order to perform the two-step impairment test, we use the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of each of our reporting 
units. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue growth rates, operating profit 
margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate and the discount rate. Management projects revenue growth rates, operating margins and cash flows 
based on each reporting unit’s current business, expected developments and operational strategies over a five-year period. In estimating the terminal 
growth rate, we consider our historical and projected results, as well as the economic environment in which our reporting units operate. The discount 
rates utilized for each reporting unit reflect management’s assumptions of marketplace participants’ cost of capital and risk assumptions, both specific 
to the reporting unit and overall in the economy.

We performed our qualitative assessment during the fourth quarter and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of 
each of our reporting units was less than that its applicable carrying value. Accordingly, we did not perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for 
any of our reporting units.

Marketable Securities.  On a quarterly basis, we review our marketable securities for declines in market value that may be considered other 
than temporary.  We generally consider market value declines to be other than temporary if there are declines for a period longer than six months and in 
excess of 20% of original cost.  We also consider the nature of the underlying investments and other market conditions.

Deferred  Tax  Asset  Valuation  Allowance.   During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  31,  2011,  the  Company  recorded  a  non-cash  charge  of 
$42,983,000 included within its provision for income taxes. The balance of the valuation allowance at March 31, 2012 is $53,325,000. This charge relates 
to the Company’s determination that a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets generated in the U.S. was necessary. The deferred tax 
assets relate principally to liabilities related to employee benefit plans, insurance reserves, U.S. tax credits, and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. 
The U.S. net operating loss carryforwards have been generated primarily as a result of restructuring costs in fiscal years 2010 and 2011. Accounting 
rules require a reduction of the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the available and objectively verifiable 
evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. The existence of cumulative losses for a certain threshold period is a significant 
form of negative evidence used in the assessment. During the third quarter ended December 31, 2010, the Company determined that it would be in a 
three-year cumulative pretax loss position in the U.S. at March 31, 2011 primarily due to restructuring-related charges incurred in the U.S. to-date in 
fiscal 2011, despite our expectations of future profitability. If a cumulative loss threshold is met, the accounting rules indicate that forecasts of future 
profitability are generally not sufficient positive evidence to overcome the presumption that a valuation allowance is necessary.

The  recording  of  this  non-cash  charge  does  not  impact  the  Company’s  ability  to  realize  the  economic  benefit  of  its  deferred  tax  assets 
(including those related to net operating loss carryforwards) amounting to $58,226,000 on a gross basis at March 31, 2012 on future tax returns. In 
future periods, the allowance could be reduced or reversed based on sufficient objectively verifiable evidence indicating that it is more likely than not 
that a portion or all of the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized.

34

 
 
 
 
 
The Internal Revenue Code imposes limitations on a corporation’s ability to utilize NOLs if it experiences an “ownership change.” In general 
terms, an ownership change may result from transactions increasing the ownership of certain stockholders in the stock of a corporation by more than 
50 percentage points over a three year period. If we were to experience an ownership change, utilization of our NOLs would be subject to an annual 
limitation determined by multiplying the market value of our outstanding shares of stock at the time of the ownership change by the applicable long-
term tax-exempt rate. Any unused annual limitation may be carried over to later years within the allowed NOL carryforward period. The amount of the 
limitation  may,  under  certain  circumstances,  be  increased  or  decreased  by  built-in  gains  or  losses  held  by  us  at  the  time  of  the  change  that  are 
recognized in the five-year period after the change.

Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

In  December  2011,  the  FASB  issued  Accounting  Standards  Update  (“ASU”) 2011-12,  Comprehensive  Income  (Topic  220):  Deferral  of  the 
Effective  Date  for  Amendments  to  the  Presentation  of  Reclassifications  of  Items  Out  of  Accumulated  Other  Comprehensive  Income  in  Accounting 
Standards Update No. 2011-05.  Among the new provisions in ASU 2011-05 was a requirement for entities to present reclassification adjustments out of 
accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other 
comprehensive income is presented (for both interim and annual financial statements); however this reclassification requirement is indefinitely deferred 
by ASU 2011-12 and will be further deliberated by the FASB at a future date.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210)—Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU 
2011-11).  The  update  requires  entities  to  disclose  information  about  offsetting  and  related  arrangements  of  financial  instruments  and  derivative 
instruments.  The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods therein. We are currently evaluating the 
impact this update will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The 
amendment permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination 
that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing relevant events or circumstances, 
an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-
step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to follow the existing provisions of the two-step
impairment test. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
2011. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted the new guidance for our annual goodwill impairment test, which we tested as of our measurement date 
of February 29, 2012. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In  June  2011,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2011-05,  Presentation  of  Comprehensive  Income  (“ASU  2011-05”), effective  for  fiscal  years,  and 
interim  periods  within  those  years,  beginning  after  December  15,  2011.  The  issuance  of  ASU  2011-5  is  intended  to  improve  the  comparability, 
consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The guidance in 
ASU 2011-5 supersedes the presentation options in ASC Topic 220 and facilitates convergence of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and 
International Financial Reporting Standards by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement 
of  changes  in  stockholders’ equity  and  requiring  that  all  nonowner  changes  in  stockholders’ equity  be  presented  either  in  a  single  continuous 
statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2011-05
will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In  May  2011  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2011-04,  Fair  Value  Measurements  (Topic  820):  Amendments  to  Achieve  Common  Fair  Value 
Measurement  and  Disclosure  Requirements  in  US  GAAP  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  (“ASU 2011-04”).  ASU  2011-04
represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (the “Boards”) on fair value measurements.  The 
collective  efforts  of  the  Boards  and  their  staffs,  reflected  in  ASU  2011-04,  have  resulted  in  common  requirements  for  measuring  fair  value  and  for 
disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value.” The Boards have concluded the common 
requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with 
GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning 
after  December  15,  2011.  The  Company  does  not  expect  that  the  adoption  of  ASU  2011-04  will  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Company’s
consolidated financial statements.

35

 
 
 
 
In  March  2011,  the  SEC  issued  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  (SAB)  114.  This  SAB  revises  or  rescinds  portions  of  the  interpretive  guidance 
included in the codification of the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series.  This update is intended to make the relevant interpretive guidance consistent with 
current  authoritative  accounting  guidance  issued  as  a  part  of  the  FASB’s  Codification.  The  principal  changes  involve  revision  or  removal  of 
accounting guidance references and other conforming changes to ensure consistency of referencing through the SAB Series.  The effective date for 
SAB 114 was March 28, 2011.   The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This report may include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such 

statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results 
expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by us and 
our subsidiaries, conditions affecting our customers and suppliers, competitor responses to our products and services, the overall market acceptance 
of such products and services, facility consolidations and other restructurings, our asbestos-related liability, the integration of acquisitions and other 
factors disclosed in our periodic reports filed with the Commission. Consequently such forward-looking statements should be regarded as our current 
plans, estimates and beliefs. We do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these 
forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence 
of anticipated or unanticipated events.

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, such as interest rates. We are exposed to various 
market risks, including commodity prices for raw materials, foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates. We may enter into financial 
instrument  transactions,  which  attempt  to  manage  and  reduce  the  impact  of  such  changes.  We  do  not  enter  into  derivatives  or  other  financial 
instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Our  primary  commodity  risk  is  related  to  changes  in  the  price  of  steel.  We  control  this  risk  through  negotiating  purchase  contracts  on  a 
consolidated basis and by attempting to build changes in raw material costs into the selling prices of or surcharges on our products.  We have not 
entered into financial instrument transactions related to raw material costs.

In fiscal 2012, 45% of our net sales were from manufacturing plants and sales offices in foreign jurisdictions. We manufacture our products in 
the United States, China, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Mexico and France and sell our products in approximately 50 countries. Our results of 
operations  could  be  affected  by  factors  such  as  changes  in  foreign  currency  rates  or  weak  economic  conditions  in  foreign  markets.  Our  operating 
results are exposed to fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar, European currencies, the Mexican peso and the Chinese Yuan. For 
example, when the U.S. dollar weakens against the Euro, the value of our net sales and net income denominated in Euros increases when translated into 
U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated results. We are also exposed to foreign currency fluctuations in relation to purchases denominated in 
foreign currencies. Our foreign currency risk is mitigated since the majority of our foreign operations’ net sales and the related expense transactions are 
denominated in the same currency so therefore a significant change in foreign exchange rates would likely have a very minor impact on net income.  For 
example,  a  10%  change  in  the  value  of  the  U.S.  dollar  in  relation  to  our  most  significant  foreign  currency  exposures  would  have  had  an  impact  of 
approximately $1,200,000 on our net income. In addition, the majority of our export sale transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements and cross-currency swaps in place to offset changes in the value of intercompany 
loans to certain foreign subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional amount of these derivatives is $11,120,000 and all contracts 
mature by September 30, 2013. These contracts are not designated as hedges.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements in place to hedge changes in the value of recorded foreign currency liabilities due to 
changes in foreign exchange rates at the settlement date. The notional amount of those derivatives is $2,597,000 and all contracts mature within twelve 
months. These contracts are marked to market each balance sheet date and are not designated as hedges.

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Company has foreign currency forward agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of forecasted inventory 
purchases and sales, including multi-year contracts related to capital project sales, denominated in a foreign currency. The notional amount of those 
derivatives is $10,098,000 and all contracts mature within twenty-seven months of March 31, 2012.

We control risk related to changes in interest rates by structuring our debt instruments with a combination of fixed and variable interest rates 
and by periodically entering into financial instrument transactions as appropriate. At March 31, 2012, we do not have any material swap agreements or 
similar  financial  instruments  in  place.  At  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  approximately  99%  and  99%  of  our  outstanding  debt  had  fixed  interest  rates, 
respectively. At those dates, we had approximately $112,000 and $473,000, respectively, of outstanding variable rate debt. A 1% fluctuation in interest 
rates would have changed interest expense on that outstanding variable rate debt by less than $100,000 in fiscal 2012 and 2011.

37

 
 
 
Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Audited Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 31, 2012:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Inventories

1.  Description of Business
2. Accounting Principles and Practices
3. Acquisitions
4. Divestitures
5.  Fair Value Measurements
6.
7. Marketable Securities
8.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
9.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets
10. Derivative Instruments
11. Accrued Liabilities and Other Non-current Liabilities
12. Debt
13. Pensions and Other Benefit Plans
14. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
15. Earnings per Share and Stock Plans
16. Loss Contingencies
17. Restructuring Charges
18.
19. Rental Expense and Lease Commitments
20. Summary Financial Information
21. Business Segment Information
22. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
23. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
24. Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

Income Taxes

 Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

38

39
40
41
42
43

44
44
48
48
49
51
51
53
53
55
57
58
60
66
67
73
74
76
79
79
85
86
87
87

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Columbus McKinnon Corporation as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related 
consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2012. Our audits 
also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(2). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the 
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards 
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An 
audit  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements.  An  audit  also  includes 
assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement 
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In  our  opinion,  the  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  Columbus 
McKinnon Corporation at March 31, 2012 and 2011 and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the 
period ended March 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement 
schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth 
therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Columbus McKinnon 
Corporation’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  March  31,  2012,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control-Integrated  Framework 
issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  and  our  report  dated  May  30,  2012  expressed  an  unqualified 
opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Buffalo, New York
May 30, 2012

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Current assets:

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts ($2,745 and $3,166, respectively)
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other

Total current assets
Net property, plant, and equipment
Goodwill
Other intangibles, net
Marketable securities
Deferred taxes on income
Other assets
Total assets

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Notes payable to banks
Trade accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Restructuring reserve
Current portion of long-term debt

Total current liabilities
Senior debt, less current portion
Subordinated debt
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity:

Voting common stock: 50,000,000 shares authorized; 19,400,526 and 19,171,428 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
ESOP debt guarantee: 60,460 and 88,097  shares
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

See accompanying notes.

40

March 31,

2012

2011

(In thousands, except share 
data)

 $

 $

 $

 $

89,473 
88,642 
108,055 
10,449 
296,619 
61,709 
106,435 
15,791 
25,393 
2,824 
6,636 
515,407 

112 
40,991 
61,713 
- 
1,093 
103,909 
3,749 
148,140 
99,143 
354,941 

193 
189,260 
25,895 
(975)
(53,907)
160,466 
515,407 

 $

 $

 $

 $

80,139 
77,744 
90,031 
14,294 
262,208 
59,360 
106,055 
18,089 
24,592 
1,217 
7,351 
478,872 

473 
37,174 
56,455 
47 
1,116 
95,265 
4,949 
147,867 
68,645 
316,726 

191 
184,884 
(1,072)
(1,407)
(20,450)
162,146 
478,872 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended March 31,

Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
General and administrative expenses
Restructuring (gain) charges, net
Amortization of intangibles
Income (loss) from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemptions
Investment income
Foreign currency exchange loss (gain)
Other income, net
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (benefit)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) from continuing operations

Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)
Net income (loss)

Average basic shares outstanding
Average diluted shares outstanding

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Basic income (loss) per share

Diluted (loss) per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Diluted income (loss) per share

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

See accompanying notes.

41

2012

2010

 $

 $

2011
(In thousands, except per share data)
591,945 
434,227 
157,718 
64,860 
46,677 
(1,037)
2,074 
45,144 
14,214 
― 
(1,018)
316 
(1,179)
32,811 
6,896 
25,915 

524,065 
398,013 
126,052 
62,910 
40,592 
2,200 
1,778 
18,572 
13,532 
3,939 
(3,041)
452 
(1,375)
5,065 
41,411 
(36,346)

476,183 
360,244 
115,939 
64,464 
36,892 
16,519 
1,876 
(3,812)
13,225 
- 
(1,544)
(344)
(2,260)
(12,889)
(5,345)
(7,544)

1,052 
26,967 

 $

396 
(35,950)

 $

19,272 
19,512 

1.35 
0.05 
1.40 

1.33 
0.05 
1.38 

 $

 $

 $

 $

19,047 
19,047 

(1.91)
0.02 
(1.89)

(1.91)
0.02 
(1.89)

 $

 $

 $

 $

531 
(7,013)

18,963 
18,963 

(0.40)
0.03 
(0.37)

(0.40)
0.03 
(0.37)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Balance at April 1, 2009
Comprehensive income:
Net loss 2010
Change in foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain 

on  investments, net of tax of $1,090

Change in derivatives qualifying as 

hedges
Change in pension liability and 

postretirement obligations, net of tax 
of  $3,773

Total comprehensive income
Stock compensation - directors
Stock options exercised, 45,500 shares
Stock compensation expense
Tax effect of exercise of stock  options
Earned 28,693 ESOP shares
Balance at March 31, 2010
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss 2011
Change in foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain 

on  investments, net of tax of $0
Change in derivatives qualifying as 

hedges, net of tax of $0

Change in pension liability and 

postretirement obligations, net of tax 
of $952

Total comprehensive loss
Stock compensation - directors
Stock options exercised, 6,625 shares
Stock compensation expense
Tax effect of exercise of stock  options
Earned 27,669 ESOP shares
Balance at March 31, 2011
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income 2012
Change in foreign currency translation 

adjustment

Change in net unrealized gain 

on  investments, net of tax of $0
Change in derivatives qualifying as 

hedges, net of tax of $12

Change in pension liability and 

 $

 $

postretirement obligations, net of tax 
of $438

Total comprehensive loss
Stock compensation - directors
Stock options exercised, 171,970 shares   
Stock compensation expense
Earned 26,872 ESOP shares
Balance at March 31, 2012

 $

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)

Common
Stock ($.01 
par value)

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

Retained
Earnings

ESOP
Debt
Guarantee

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Total
Shareholders
Equity

 $

190 

 $

180,327 

 $

41,891 

 $

(2,309)

 $

(38,245)

 $

181,854 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
1 
- 
- 
- 
191 

 $

280 
291 
1,544 
(5)
(52)
182,385 

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
191 

 $

450 
56 
2,034 
(68)
27 
184,884 

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(7,013)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
34,878 

(35,950)

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(1,072)

26,967 

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
459 
(1,850)

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
443 
(1,407)

 $

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 
2 
- 
- 
193 

 $

420 
1,436 
2,493 
27 
189,260 

 $

- 
- 
- 
- 
25,895 

 $

- 
- 
- 
432 
(975)

 $

See accompanying notes.

42

- 

(7,013)

4,789 

2,025 

(58)

3,163 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(28,326)

 $

4,789 

2,025 

(58)

3,163 
2,906 
280 
292 
1,544 
(5)
407 
187,278 

- 

(35,950)

4,933 

(329)

239 

3,033 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
(20,450)

- 

(4,621)

1,201 

(246)

(29,791)

- 
- 
- 
- 
(53,907)

 $

 $

4,933 

(329)

239 

3,033 
(28,074)
450 
56 
2,034 
(68)
470 
162,146 

26,967 

(4,621)

1,201 

(246)

(29,791)
(6,490)
420 
1,438 
2,493 
459 
160,466 

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

2012

Operating activities:
Net income (loss)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Gain on sale of real estate/investments and other
Loss on early retirement of bonds
Amortization/write-off of deferred financing costs
Stock-based compensation
Gain on re-measurement of investment
Non-cash restructuring charges
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of business acquisitions and 

divestitures:
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses and other
Other assets
Trade accounts payable
Accrued and non-current liabilities
Net cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
Purchases of marketable securities
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of assets
Purchase of business
Net cash used for investing activities from continuing operations
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations
Net cash used for investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Payment of bond redemption tender fees
Payments under line-of-credit agreements
Borrowings under line-of-credit agreements
Repayment of debt
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
Payment of deferred financing costs
Change in ESOP debt guarantee
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Supplementary cash flows data:

Interest paid
Income taxes paid, net of refunds

 $

 $

 $
 $

See accompanying notes.

43

Year ended March 31,
2011
(In thousands)
(35,950)
 $

 $

26,967 

(1,052)
11,862 
(910)
(1,958)
- 
383 
2,913 
(850)
- 

(9,823)
(17,489)
3,232 
544 
3,862 
5,906 
23,587 

5,747 
(5,190)
(13,765)
1,971 
(3,356)
(14,593)
1,052 
(13,541)

1,436 
- 
(361)
- 
(1,036)
- 
- 
435 
474 
(1,186)
9,334 
80,139 
89,473 

14,206 
5,394 

 $

 $
 $

(396)
11,050 
40,773 
(2,884)
3,939 
278 
2,484 
- 
- 

(6,683)
(9,848)
(3,983)
(1,195)
4,027 
1,668 
3,280 

23,048 
(16,427)
(12,543)
1,182 
- 
(4,740)
396 
(4,344)

- 
(3,154)
(511)
174 
(125,817)
147,844 
(3,185)
443 
15,794 
1,441 
16,171 
63,968 
80,139 

15,556 
946 

 $

 $
 $

2010

(7,013)

(531)
12,490 
(8,675)
(2,515)
- 
640 
1,824 
- 
1,835 

10,508 
21,477 
941 
1,228 
288 
(2,630)
29,867 

6,340 
(4,518)
(7,245)
3,542 
- 
(1,881)
531 
(1,350)

291 
- 
(8,502)
4,556 
(964)
- 
(1,258)
459 
(5,418)
1,633 
24,732 
39,236 
63,968 

12,451 
3,954 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

1.

Description of Business

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the Company) is a leading designer, marketer and manufacturer of material handling products and services 

which efficiently and safely move, lift, position and secure material. Key products include hoists, rigging tools, cranes, and actuators. The Company’s
material handling products are sold globally principally to third party distributors through diverse distribution channels, and to a lesser extent directly 
to end-users. During fiscal 2012, approximately 55% of sales were to customers in the United States.

2.

Accounting Principles and Practices

Advertising

Costs  associated  with advertising are expensed in the year incurred and are included in selling  expense in  the  consolidated statements of 

operations. Advertising expenses were $3,500,000, $3,700,000, and $3,020,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Concentrations of Labor

Approximately 13% of the Company’s employees are represented by four separate U.S. and Canadian collective bargaining agreements which 

terminate at various times between August 2013 and April 2015.

Consolidation

These  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  the  Company  and  its  global  subsidiaries;  all  significant  intercompany 

accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Our Mexican subsidiary closes one month early to facilitate consolidated reporting.

Financial Instruments

The  carrying  value  of  the  Company’s  current  assets  and  current  liabilities  approximate  their  fair  values  based  upon  the  relatively  short 

maturity of those instruments.

Foreign Currency Translations

The  Company  translates  foreign  currency  financial  statements  as  described  in  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  (FASB)  Accounting 
Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” Under this method, all items of income and expense are translated to U.S. dollars 
at  average  exchange  rates  for  the  year.  All  assets  and  liabilities  are  translated  to  U.S.  dollars  at  the  year-end  exchange  rate.  Gains  or  losses  on 
translations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. The functional currency is 
the  foreign  currency  in  which  the  foreign  subsidiaries  conduct  their  business.  Gains  and  losses  from  foreign  currency  transactions  are  reported  in 
foreign  currency  exchange  (gain)  loss.  There  were  losses,  including  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  derivatives,  of  approximately  $316,000  on  foreign 
currency transactions in fiscal 2012.  Including changes in the fair value of derivatives, there were losses of $452,000 and gains of $344,000 on foreign 
currency transactions in fiscal 2011 and 2010, respectively.

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350-20-35-1. Goodwill 
impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined 
using  a  discounted  cash  flow  methodology.  The  Company’s  reporting  units  are  determined  based  upon  whether  discrete  financial  information  is 
available and reviewed regularly, whether those units constitute a business, and the extent of economic similarities between those reporting units for 
purposes of aggregation.  The Company’s reporting units identified under ASC Topic 350-20-35-33 are at the component level, or one level below the 
reporting segment level as defined under ASC Topic 280-10-50-10 “Segment Reporting – Disclosure.”  The Company’s one segment is subdivided into 
four reporting units.

When the Company evaluates the potential for goodwill impairment, it assesses a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, 
macroeconomic  conditions,  industry  conditions,  the  competitive  environment,  changes  in  the  market  for  its  products  and  services,  regulatory  and 
political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel and overall financial performance. If, after completing this 
assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company proceeds to 
a two-step impairment test.

The Company performed its qualitative assessment during the fourth quarter and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair 
value of each of its reporting units was less than that its applicable carrying value. Accordingly, the Company did not perform the two-step goodwill 
impairment test for any of its reporting units.  See Note 9 for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The  Company  assesses  impairment  of  its  long-lived  assets  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  ASC  Topic  360  “Property,  Plant,  and 
Equipment.” This  statement  requires  long-lived  assets,  such  as  property  and  equipment  and  purchased  intangibles  subject  to  amortization  to  be 
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. 
Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future 
cash  flows  expected  to  be  generated  by  the  asset  group.  If  the  carrying  amount  of  an  asset  group  exceeds  its  estimated  future  cash  flows,  an 
impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group.

In  assessing  long-lived  assets  for  an  impairment  loss,  assets  are  grouped  with  other  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  lowest  level  for  which 
identifiable  cash  flows  are  largely  independent  of  the  cash  flows  of  other  assets  and  liabilities.  Asset  grouping  requires  a  significant  amount  of 
judgment. Accordingly, facts and circumstances will influence how asset groups are determined for impairment testing. In assessing long-lived assets 
for  impairment,  management  considered  the  Company’s product line portfolio, customers and related commercial agreements, labor agreements and 
other factors in grouping assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent. The Company considers projected 
future undiscounted cash flows, trends and other factors in its assessment of whether impairment conditions exist. While the Company believes that its 
estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such factors as future production volumes, customer pricing, economics 
and  productivity  and  cost  initiatives,  could  significantly  affect  its  estimates.  In  determining  fair  value  of  long-lived  assets,  management  uses 
management estimates, discounted cash flow calculations, and appraisals where necessary.

45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Intangible Assets

At  acquisition,  the  Company  estimates  and  records  the  fair  value  of  purchased  intangible  assets  which  primarily  consist  of  trade  names, 
customer  relationships  and  technology.  The  fair  values  are  estimated  based  on  management’s  assessment  as  well  as  independent  third  party 
appraisals.  Such valuations may include a discounted cash flow of anticipated revenues resulting from the acquired intangible asset.

Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method that reflects the 
pattern  in  which  the  economic  benefits  of  the  intangible  assets  are  consumed  or  otherwise  realized.  The  straight  line  method  is  used  for  customer 
relationships.  As a result of the negligible attrition rate in our customer base, the difference between the straight line method and attrition method is 
not considered significant.  The estimated useful lives for our intangible assets range from 3 to 18 years.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of approximately 44% of inventories at March 31, 2012 (46% at March 31, 2011) has 
been  determined  using  the  LIFO  (last-in,  first-out)  method.  Costs  of  other  inventories  have  been  determined  using  the  FIFO  (first-in,  first-out)  or 
average cost method. FIFO cost approximates replacement cost. Costs in inventory include components for direct labor and overhead costs.

Marketable Securities

All of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist of equity securities, have been classified as available-for-sale securities and are 
therefore  recorded  at  their  fair  values  with  the  unrealized  gains  and  losses,  net  of  tax,  reported  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  in  the 
shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet unless unrealized losses are deemed to be other than temporary. In such instance, the unrealized 
losses are reported in the consolidated statements of operations within investment income. Estimated fair value is based on published trading values at 
the  balance  sheet  dates.  The  cost  of  securities  sold  is  based  on  the  specific  identification  method.  Interest  and  dividend  income  are  included  in 
investment income in the consolidated statements of operations.

The marketable securities are carried as long-term assets since they are held for the settlement of the Company’s general and products liability 
insurance claims filed through CM Insurance Company, Inc., a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary.  The marketable securities are not available 
for general working capital purposes.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated principally using the straight-line method over their respective estimated 
useful  lives  (buildings  and  building  equipment—15 to 40 years; machinery and equipment—3 to 18 years).  When  depreciable  assets are  retired,  or 
otherwise  disposed  of,  the  cost  and  related  accumulated  depreciation  are  removed  from  the  accounts  and  any  resulting  gain  or  loss  is  reflected  in 
operating results.

Research and Development

Research and development costs as defined in ASC Topic 730, “Research and Development,” were $4,497,000, $2,947,000, and $2,592,000 for 
the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and are classified as general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of 
operations.

Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer which is generally at time of shipment to the customer. The Company performs ongoing 
credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but generally does not require collateral to support customer receivables. The credit risk is 
controlled  through  credit  approvals,  limits  and  monitoring  procedures.  Accounts  receivable  are  reported  at  net  realizable  value  and  do  not  accrue 
interest. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical 
trends  and  other  factors.  Accounts  receivable  are  charged  against  the  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  once  all  collection  efforts  have  been 
exhausted.  The  Company  does  not  routinely  permit  customers  to  return  product.  However,  sales  returns  are  permitted  in  specific  situations  and 
typically include a restocking charge or the purchase of additional product.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are a component of cost of products sold.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” This Statement 
requires all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of earnings based on 
the  grant  date  fair  value  of  the  award.  Stock  compensation  expense  is  included  in  cost  of  goods  sold,  selling,  and  general  and  administrative 
expense.  The  Company  uses  a  straight-line  method  of  attributing  the  value  of  stock-based  compensation  expense,  subject  to  minimum  levels  of 
expense, based on vesting. See Note 15 for further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year numbers have been reclassified to conform with current year reporting presentation.

Use of Estimates

The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  U.S.  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make 
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those 
estimates.

Warranties

The Company offers warranties for certain products it sells. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the 
product sold and the country in which the Company sold the product. The Company generally provides a basic limited warranty, including parts and 
labor for any product deemed to be defective for a period of one year. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited 
warranty, based largely upon actual warranty repair costs history, and records a liability in the amount of such costs in the month that the product 
revenue  is  recognized.  The  resulting  accrual  balance  is  reviewed  during  the  year.  Factors  that  affect  the  Company’s  warranty  liability  include  the 
number of units sold, historical and anticipated rate of warranty claims, and cost per claim. Changes in the Company’s product warranty accrual are as 
follows:

Balance at beginning of year
Accrual for warranties issued
Warranties settled
Balance at end of year

47

2012

2011

 $

 $

563 
2,849 
(2,342)
1,070 

 $

 $

926 
1,474 
(1,837)
563 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

3.

Acquisitions

On  December  13,  2011,  the  Company  acquired  80%  of  the  outstanding  common  shares  of  Yale  Lifting  Solutions  (Pty)  LTD  (“YLS  PTY”)
located in Magaliesburg, South Africa, a privately owned company with annual sales of less than $10,000,000. The Company now owns 100% of YLS 
PTY. YLS PTY has been representing the Company’s Yale brand of products as a distributor to the South African mining industry for over 14 years. 
The  Company  had  previously  owned  20%  of  the  outstanding  common  shares  of  YLS  PTY  which  the  Company  accounted  for  as  a  cost  method 
investment  as  it  did  not  exercise  significant  influence  over  YLS  PTY’s  operating  or  financial  policies.  The  carrying  amount  of  the  cost  method 
investment  prior  to  the  acquisition  of  the  remaining  80%  interest  was  under  $1,000.  The  results  of  YLS  PTY  are  included  in  the  Company’s
consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The acquisition of YLS PTY is not considered significant to the Company’s consolidated 
financial position and results of operations.

This transaction was accounted for as a step acquisition in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805 “Business Combinations.” The aggregate purchase consideration for the remaining 80% ownership of Yale 
Lifting Solutions (Pty) LTD was $3,356,000. The acquisition date fair value of the Company’s 20% interest in YLS PTY was $850,000 and resulted in an 
$850,000 gain, which is recorded within other income, net in the consolidated financial statements. The acquisition was funded with existing cash. The 
purchase price and fair value of the previously held 20% ownership interest has been assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based 
upon their fair values.  The identifiable intangible assets consist of customer contracts with a value of $397,000 (3 year estimated useful life). The excess 
consideration over fair value was recorded as goodwill and approximates $1,470,000, none of which is deductible for tax purposes. The allocation of 
purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is as follows (in thousands):

Working capital
Property, plant and equipment
Identifiable intangible assets
Goodwill
Total

 $

 $

2,062 
277 
397 
1,470 
4,206 

4.

Divestitures

Income from discontinued operations presented herein includes payments received on a note receivable related to the fiscal 2002 disposal of 
Automatic Systems, Inc. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the financial viability of the debtor, the note was recorded at the estimated net realizable 
value of $0 at the time of the divestiture. The note has a remaining balance of $214,000 at March 31, 2012 which is expected to be fully collected by the 
end of fiscal 2013.

Summarized statements of operations for discontinued operations are as follows:

Net revenue
Gain before income taxes
Income tax expense
Gain from discontinued operations

 $

 $

48

2012

Year Ended March 31,
2011
(In thousands)
- 
 $
639 
243 
396 

 $

 $

 $

- 
1,052 
- 
1,052 

2010

- 
857 
326 
531 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

During fiscal 2010, as part of the continuing strategic evaluation of its businesses, the Company determined that its American Lifts business 
no longer provided a strategic fit with its long-term growth and operational objectives. The American Lifts business manufactured powered lift tables 
which enhance workplace ergonomics and were sold primarily to customers in the general manufacturing, construction, and air cargo industries. On 
October 30, 2009, the Company sold this business to a strategic buyer for $2,400,000 in cash. A $1,055,000 pre-tax gain on the sale is included in other 
income, net in the Company’s  consolidated  statements  of  operations  for  the  year  ended  March  31,  2010.  American  Lifts  has  not  been  treated  as  a 
discontinued operation as its results from operations were immaterial to the overall consolidated financial results of the Company.

5.

Fair Value Measurements

ASC  Topic  820  “Fair  Value  Measurements  and  Disclosures” establishes  the  standards  for  reporting  financial  assets  and  liabilities  and 
nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). Under these standards, fair value 
is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date.

ASC  Topic  820-10-35-37  establishes  a  hierarchy  for  inputs  used  in  measuring  fair  value  that  maximizes  the  use  of  observable  inputs  and 
minimizes  the  use  of  unobservable  inputs  by  requiring  that  the  most  observable  inputs  be  used  when  available.  Observable  inputs  are  inputs  that 
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. 
Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's assumptions about the valuation techniques that market participants would use in pricing 
the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is separated into three levels based on the 
reliability of inputs as follows:

Level  1  -  Valuations  based  on  quoted  prices  in  active  markets  for  identical  assets  or  liabilities  that  the  Company  has  the  ability  to 
access.  Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products 
does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or 
indirectly, involving some degree of judgment.

Level 3  - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The degree of judgment 
exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of asset/liability, whether the 
asset/liability is established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction.  To the extent that valuation is based on models 
or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. In certain cases, the inputs 
used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes the level in the fair value 
hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value 
measurement in its entirety.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure. Therefore, 
even when market assumptions are not readily available, assumptions are required to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date.

When valuing our derivative portfolio, the Company uses readily observable market data in conjunction with commonly used valuation 

models. Consequently, the Company designates our derivatives as Level 2.

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The following table provides information regarding financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

Description
Assets/(Liabilities):
Marketable securities
Other Equity Investments
Net Derivative liabilities

Fair value measurements at reporting date using

At March 
31, 2012   

Quoted prices in active 
markets for identical 
assets (Level 1)

Significant other 
observable inputs
 (Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
inputs (Level 3) 

 $

25,393  $
1,248   
(809)  

25,393  $
1,248   
-   

-  $
-   
(809)  

- 
- 
- 

As of March 31,  2012, the Company did not have any nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a 

recurring basis.

Interest and dividend income on marketable securities are recorded in investment (income) loss.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives are 
recorded  in  foreign  currency  exchange  (gain)  loss  or  other  comprehensive  loss,  to  the  extent  that  the  derivative  qualifies  as  a  hedge  under  the 
provisions of ASC Topic 815. Interest and dividend income on marketable securities are measured based upon amounts earned on their respective 
declaration dates.  During fiscal 2009, the Company reduced the cost bases of certain marketable securities since it was determined that the unrealized 
losses  on  those  securities  were  other  than  temporary  in  nature.  This  determination  resulted  in  the  recognition  of  a  pre-tax  charge  to  earnings  of 
$4,014,000,  classified  within  investment  (income)  loss.  During  fiscal  2011  and  2010,  the  Company  sold  a  portion  of  these  previously  written  down 
investments, which resulted in the recognition of a gain of approximately $1,852,000 and $606,000, respectively.

           Assets that were measured on a non-recurring basis during fiscal 2011 and 2010 include the Company’s reporting units that are used to test 
goodwill  for  impairment  on  an  annual  or  interim  basis  under  the  provisions  of  ASC  Topic  350-20-35-1 “Intangibles,  Goodwill  and  Other – Goodwill
Subsequent Measurement,” as well as property, plant and equipment in circumstances when the Company determines that those assets are impaired 
under the provisions of ASC Topic 360-10-35-17 “Property Plant and Equipment – Subsequent Measurement.” Liabilities that are measured on a non-
recurring  basis  during  fiscal  2010  include  the  measurement  of  termination  benefits  in  connection  with  the  Company’s  restructuring  plan  under  the 
provisions of ASC Topic 420 “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.”

Assets and liabilities that are measured on a non-recurring basis during fiscal 2012 include assets and liabilities acquired in connection with 
the acquisition of YLS PTY described in Note 3. The estimated fair values allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relied upon fair value 
measurements based primarily on Level 3 inputs.  The valuation techniques used to allocate fair values to working capital items; property, plant, and 
equipment; and identifiable intangible assets included the cost approach, market approach, and other income approaches.  The valuation techniques 
relied on a number of inputs which included the cost and condition of property, plant, and equipment and forecasted net sales and income.

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

6.

Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

At cost—FIFO basis:

Raw materials
Work-in-process
Finished goods

LIFO cost less than FIFO cost
Net inventories

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

59,252 
18,952 
49,315 
127,519 
(19,464)
108,055 

 $

 $

50,590 
15,175 
41,508 
107,273 
(17,242)
90,031 

There were LIFO liquidations resulting in $2,173,000 and $500,000 positive impacts on fiscal 2012 and 2011 income, respectively. There were no LIFO 
liquidations in fiscal 2010.

During fiscal 2011 the Company wrote off $411,000 in inventory related to restructuring activities, which is classified in cost of products sold.

7.

Marketable Securities

All of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist of equity securities, have been classified as available-for-sale securities and are 
therefore  recorded  at  their  fair  values  with  the  unrealized  gains  and  losses,  net  of  tax,  reported  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  in  the 
shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet unless unrealized losses are deemed to be other-than-temporary. In such instances, the unrealized 
losses  are  reported  in  the  consolidated  statements  of  operations  and  retained  earnings  within  investment  income.  Estimated  fair  value  is  based  on 
published trading values at the balance sheet dates. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend 
income are included in investment income in the consolidated statements of operations.

Marketable securities are carried as long-term assets since they are held for the settlement of the Company’s general and products liability 
insurance claims filed through CM Insurance Company, Inc., a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary.  The marketable securities are not available 
for general working capital purposes.

In accordance with ASC Topic 320-10-35-30 “Investments – Debt & Equity Securities – Subsequent Measurement,” the Company reviews its 
marketable  securities  for  declines  in  market  value  that  may  be  considered  other-than-temporary.  The  Company  generally  considers  market  value 
declines  to  be  other-than-temporary  if  they  are  declines  for  a  period  longer  than  six  months  and  in  excess  of  20%  of  original  cost,  or  when  other 
evidence indicates impairment.

During the year ended March 31, 2009, because of uncertain market conditions and the duration at which certain securities had been trading 
below cost, the Company reduced the cost bases of certain equity securities since it was determined that the unrealized losses on those securities were 
other than temporary in nature. This determination resulted in the recognition of a pre-tax charge to earnings of $4,014,000 for the year ended March 31, 
2009, classified within investment (income) loss. There were no other than temporary impairments for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. 
During fiscal 2011 and 2010, the Company sold nearly all of these previously written down investments, which resulted in the recognition of gains of 
approximately $1,852,000 and $606,000, respectively.

51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2012:

Marketable securities

  $

23,183    $

2,249    $

39    $

25,393 

The aggregate fair value of investments and unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2012 

are as follows:

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

Cost

Securities in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months
Securities in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months

Aggregate
Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

 $

 $

1,667 
- 
1,667 

 $

 $

39 
- 
39 

The Company considered the nature of the investments, causes of previous impairments, the severity and duration of unrealized losses and 

other factors and determined that the unrealized losses at March 31, 2012 were temporary in nature.

Net realized gains (losses) related to sales of marketable securities (excluding other-than-temporary  impairments)  were  $152,000,  $2,358,000, 

and $(238,000) in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following is a summary of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2011:

Marketable securities

  $

23,708    $

1,064    $

180    $

24,592 

The aggregate fair value of investments and unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities in an unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011 

are as follows:

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

Gross
Unrealized
Losses

Estimated
Fair Value

Cost

Securities in a continuous loss position for less than 12 months
Securities in a continuous loss position for more than 12 months

Aggregate
Fair Value  
14,788 
1,035 
15,823 

 $

 $

 $

 $

Unrealized
Losses

159 
21 
180 

Net unrealized gains included in the balance sheet amounted to $2,210,000 at March 31, 2012 and $884,000 at March 31, 2011. The amounts, net 
of related deferred tax liabilities of $309,000 and $309,000 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, are reflected as a component of accumulated other 
comprehensive loss within shareholders’ equity.

In addition to the above, the Company has included unrealized gains of $679,000 and $804,000 as of the period ending March 31, 2012 and 
2011, respectively, net of deferred tax liabilities, within accumulated other comprehensive loss related to an investment recorded in prepaid expenses 
and other current assets.

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

8.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Consolidated property, plant, and equipment of the Company consisted of the following:

Land and land improvements
Buildings
Machinery, equipment, and leasehold improvements
Construction in progress

Less accumulated depreciation
Net property, plant, and equipment

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

4,009 
25,449 
127,656 
8,369 
165,483 
103,774 
61,709 

 $

 $

3,814 
25,175 
122,785 
7,198 
158,972 
99,612 
59,360 

Buildings  include  assets  recorded  under  capital  leases  amounting  to  $9,697,000  and  $9,595,000  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  2012  and 
2011.  Machinery, equipment, and leasehold improvements include assets recorded under capital leases amounting to $2,303,000 and $3,357,000 for the 
years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Accumulated depreciation includes accumulated amortization of the assets recorded under capital 
leases amounting to $5,799,000 and $5,254,000 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Depreciation expense, including amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, was $9,788,000, $9,286,000, and $10,613,000 for the years 

ended March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Machinery,  equipment,  and  leasehold  improvements  include  gross  capitalized  software  costs  of  $9,759,000.  Accumulated  depreciation 
includes accumulated amortization on capitalized software costs of $274,000.  Depreciation expense on capitalized software costs was $179,000 during 
the year ended March 31, 2012.

9.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

As discussed in Note 2, goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 
Topic 350-20-35-1.  Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value.  The fair value of a 
reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology.  The Company’s reporting units are determined based upon whether discrete 
financial information is available and reviewed regularly, whether those units constitute a business, and the extent of economic similarities between 
those reporting units for purposes of aggregation.  The Company’s reporting units identified under ASC Topic 350-20-35-33 are at the component level, 
or one level below the reporting segment level as defined under ASC Topic 280-10-50-10 “Segment Reporting – Disclosure.” The Company has four 
reporting  units.  Only  two  of  the  four  reporting  units  carry  goodwill  at  March  31,  2012  and  March  31,  2011.  The  Duff-Norton  reporting  unit  (which 
designs, manufactures and sources mechanical and electromechanical actuators and rotary unions) had goodwill of $9,821,000 and $9,902,000 at March 
31,  2012  and  2011,  respectively,  and  the  Rest  of  Products  reporting  unit  (representing  the  hoist,  chain,  and  forgings  design,  manufacturing,  and 
distribution businesses) had goodwill of $96,614,000 and $96,153,000 at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

When we evaluate the potential for goodwill impairment, we assess a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic 
conditions,  industry  conditions,  the  competitive  environment,  changes  in  the  market  for  our  products  and  services,  regulatory  and  political 
developments,  entity  specific  factors  such  as  strategy  and  changes  in  key  personnel  and  overall  financial  performance.  If,  after  completing  this 
assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a two-step
impairment test.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In accordance with ASC Topic 350-20-35-3, the measurement of impairment of goodwill consists of two steps. In the first step, the Company 
compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. As part of the impairment analysis, the Company determines the fair value of each of 
its reporting units with goodwill using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow methodology to determine fair value. 
This methodology recognizes value based on the expected receipt of future economic benefits. Key assumptions in the income approach include a free 
cash  flow  projection,  an  estimated  discount  rate,  a  long-term growth rate and a terminal value. These assumptions are based upon the Company’s
historical experience, current market trends and future expectations.

We performed our qualitative assessment during the fourth quarter and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of 
each of our reporting units was less than that its applicable carrying value. Accordingly, we did not perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for 
any of our reporting units.

Future  impairment  indicators,  such  as  declines  in  forecasted  cash  flows,  may  cause  additional  significant  impairment  charges.  Impairment 

charges could be based on such factors as the Company’s stock price, forecasted cash flows, assumptions used, control premiums or other variables.

Identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

A summary of changes in goodwill during the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows:

Balance at April 1, 2010
Currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2011
Acquisition of YLS PTY  (See Note 3)
Currency translation
Balance at March 31, 2012

 $

 $

105,134 
921 
106,055 
1,470 
(1,090)
106,435 

Goodwill is recognized net of accumulated impairment losses of $107,000,000 as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. There were no goodwill 

impairment losses recorded in fiscal 2012, 2011, or 2010.

Intangible assets at March 31, 2012 are as follows:

Trademarks
Customer relationships
Other
Balance at March 31, 2012

Gross
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization    

Net

 $

 $

5,783 
14,808 
1,267 
21,858 

 $

 $

(1,109)
(4,693)
(265)
(6,067)

 $

 $

4,674 
10,115 
1,002 
15,791 

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Intangible assets at March 31, 2011 were as follows:

Trademarks
Customer relationships
Other
Balance at March 31, 2011

Gross
Carrying 
Amount

Accumulated
Amortization    

Net

 $

 $

6,136 
15,179 
1,339 
22,654 

 $

 $

(841)
(3,485)
(239)
(4,565)

 $

 $

5,295 
11,694 
1,100 
18,089 

All of the Company’s intangibles assets are considered to have finite lives and are amortized.  The weighted-average amortization periods are 
18  years  for  trademarks,  11  years  for  customer  relationships  and  14  years  for  other.  Total  amortization  expense  was  $2,074,000,  $1,778,000,  and 
$1,876,000 for fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  Based on the current amount of intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense for each of 
the succeeding five years is expected to be $1,930,000, $1,900,000, $1,880,000, $1,850,000, and $1,840,000, respectively.

10. 

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage selected foreign currency exposures. The Company does not use derivative instruments 
for speculative trading purposes. All derivative instruments must be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash 
flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded as accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) and is 
reclassified  to  earnings  when  the  underlying  transaction  has  an  impact  on  earnings.  The  ineffective  portion  of  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  the 
derivative is reported in foreign currency exchange (gain) loss in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. For derivatives not classified as 
cash flow hedges, all changes in market value are recorded as a foreign currency exchange (gain) loss in the Company’s consolidated statements of 
operations.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements and cross-currency swaps in place to offset changes in the value of intercompany 
loans to certain foreign subsidiaries due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The notional amount of these derivatives is $11,120,000 and all contracts 
mature by September 30, 2013. These contracts are not designated as hedges.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements in place to hedge changes in the value of recorded foreign currency liabilities due to 
changes in foreign exchange rates at the settlement date. The notional amount of those derivatives is $2,597,000 and all contracts mature within twelve 
months. These contracts are marked to market each balance sheet date and are not designated as hedges.

The Company has foreign currency forward agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges to hedge a portion of forecasted inventory 
purchases and sales, including multi-year contracts related to capital project sales, denominated in a foreign currency. The notional amount of those 
derivatives is $10,098,000 and all contracts mature within twenty-seven months of March 31, 2012.

The  Company  is  exposed  to  credit  losses  in  the  event  of  non-performance  by  the  counterparties  on  its  financial  instruments.  All 
counterparties have investment grade credit ratings. The Company anticipates that these counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations 
under the contracts.  The Company has derivative contracts with four different counterparties as of March 31, 2012.

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The following is the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statement of operations for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, 

and 2010 (in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow  
Hedges (Foreign Exchange Contracts)
March 31,
2012
2011
2010

Derivatives Not Designated as 
Hedging Instruments (Foreign 
Exchange Contracts)
March 31,
2012
2011
2010

Amount of Gain or 
(Loss) Recognized in 
Other
Comprehensive
Income on 
Derivatives
(Effective Portion)  

Location of Gain or 
(Loss) Recognized 
in Income on 
Derivatives

Amount of 
Gain or (Loss) 
Reclassified
from AOCL 
into Income 
(Effective
Portion)

 $

24  Cost of products sold  $
217  Cost of products sold   
94  Cost of products sold   

183 
38 
- 

Location of (Gain) or Loss Recognized in 
Income on Derivatives

Amount of 
(Gain) or Loss 
Recognized in 
Income on 
Derivatives

Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss

  $

(556)
(209)
(174)

As of March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had no derivatives designated as net investments or fair value hedges in accordance with ASC 

Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.”

The following is information relative to the Company’s derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2012 and 2011 

(in thousands):

Derivatives Designated as 
Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange contracts

Derivatives Not Designated as 
Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange contracts

  Fair Value of Asset (Liability)  
March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

1 
(324)

85 
(439)

  Fair Value of Asset (Liability)  
March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

16 
(502)

3 
(1,046)

Balance Sheet Location
Other Assets
Accrued Liabilities

Balance Sheet Location
Other Assets
Accrued Liabilities

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

11. 

Accrued Liabilities and Other Non-current Liabilities

Consolidated accrued liabilities of the Company consisted of the following: 

Accrued payroll
Interest payable
Accrued workers compensation
Accrued income taxes payable
Accrued postretirement benefit obligation
Accrued health insurance
Accrued general and product liability costs
Customer advances and deposits
Other accrued liabilities

Consolidated other non-current liabilities of the Company consisted of the following: 

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
Accrued general and product liability costs
Accrued pension cost
Accrued workers compensation
Deferred income tax
Other non-current liabilities

57

March 31,

2012

2011

19,072 
2,228 
1,220 
4,715 
855 
3,179 
4,039 
15,033 
11,372 
61,713 

 $

 $

17,966 
2,600 
1,719 
2,622 
1,021 
3,912 
4,065 
11,122 
11,428 
56,455 

March 31,

2012

2011

6,221 
16,497 
64,279 
1,202 
4,522 
6,422 
99,143 

 $

 $

7,812 
16,511 
31,467 
1,717 
4,702 
6,436 
68,645 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

12. 

Debt

Consolidated long-term debt of the Company consisted of the following:

Capital lease obligations
Other senior debt
Total senior debt
7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due February 1, 2019 with interest payable in 

semi-annual installments (net of the unamortized discount of $1,860 and $2,133, 
respectively)

Total
Less current portion

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

 $

4,842 
- 
4,842 

148,140 
152,982 
1,093 
151,889 

 $

 $

 $

6,037 
28 
6,065 

147,867 
153,932 
1,116 
152,816 

The Revolving Credit Facility provides availability up to a maximum of $85,000,000 and has an initial term ending December 31, 2013.

Provided there is no default, the Company may, on a one-time basis, request an increase in the availability of the Revolving Credit Facility by 
an  amount  not  exceeding  $65,000,000,  subject  to  lender  approval.  The  unused  portion  of  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  totaled  $70,286,000,  net  of 
outstanding borrowings of $0 and outstanding letters of credit, issued under the credit facility, of $14,714,000, as of March 31, 2012. The outstanding 
letters of credit at March 31, 2012 consisted of $5,425,000 in commercial letters of credit (including a significant letter of credit related to a large customer 
order, amounting to $2,590,000, which matures in May 2012) and $9,289,000 of standby letters of credit.  Interest on the revolver is payable at varying 
Eurodollar  rates  based  on  LIBOR  or  prime  plus  a  spread  determined  by  the  Company’s  total  leverage  ratio  amounting  to  150  or  50  basis  points, 
respectively, based on the Company’s leverage ratio at March 31, 2012. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by all U.S. inventory, receivables, 
equipment, real property, subsidiary stock (limited to 65% of non-U.S. subsidiaries) and intellectual property.

The corresponding credit agreement associated with the Revolving Credit Facility places certain debt covenant restrictions on the Company, 
including certain financial requirements and restrictions on dividend payments, with which the Company was in compliance as of March 31, 2012. Key 
financial covenants include a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25x, a maximum total leverage ratio, net of cash, of 3.50x, and maximum annual 
capital expenditures of $18,000,000, excluding capital expenditures for a global ERP system.

The Company entered into a third amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility on July 15, 2011 to: (i) make reductions in the ‘Applicable Rate’
grid, in recognition of improved market conditions, resulting in lower unused, Libor and Base Rate borrowing and letters of credit fees at various levels 
in the grid, based on the Total Leverage Ratio; (ii) amend the definition of Total Funded Indebtedness to exclude commercial letters of credit (Total 
funded indebtedness is used in the calculation of the Total Leverage Ratio covenant); (iii) allow for letters of credit to be issued for any period up to 5 
days prior to the expiry date of the Revolving Credit Facility and a “basket” of $20,000,000 for letters of credit which may expire up to 1 year past the 
expiry date; (iv) permit a general lien “basket” of $2,500,000; (v) extend the expected date for consummation of a pre-approved specific acquisition and 
divestiture, and (vi) increase the general Investments “basket” by $5,000,000 to $30,000,000.

The Company entered into a fourth amendment to its Revolving Credit Facility on February 13, 2012 in relation to a proposed change in its 
global  legal  entity  structure.  The  amendment:  (i)  permits  the  Company  to  pledge  65%  of  the  stock  of  a  newly  created  Dutch  holding  company  as 
consideration  for  release  of  the  pledge  of  65%  of  the  stock  of  an  existing  non-U.S.  subsidiary;  (ii)  increases  the  “basket” for  investments  in  the 
Company’s subsidiaries, that are not loan parties, by $20,000,000 to $30,000,000 and; (iii) permits the newly created Dutch holding company to operate 
as a treasury center.

58

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

On January 25, 2011, the Company issued $150,000,000 principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 in a private placement 
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes). The offering price of the notes was 98.545% of par 
after adjustment for original issue discount.

Provisions of the Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes include, without limitation, restrictions on indebtedness, asset sales, and dividends and other 
restricted payments. Until February 1, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the outstanding Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes at a redemption price of 
107.875%  with  the  proceeds  of  equity  offerings,  subject  to  certain  restrictions.  On  or  after  February  1,  2015,  the  Unregistered  7  7/8%  Notes  are 
redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at a redemption price of 103.938%, reducing to 101.969% and 100% on February 1, 2016 
and February 1, 2017, respectively and are due February 1, 2019. In the event of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture for such notes), each 
holder of the Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of such holder’s Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes at a 
purchase  price  equal  to  101%  of  the  principal  amount  thereof.  The  Unregistered  7  7/8%  Notes  are  guaranteed  by  certain  existing  and  future  U.S. 
subsidiaries and are not subject to any sinking fund requirements.

On June 2, 2011 the Company exchanged $150,000,000 of its outstanding Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes due 2019 for a like principal amount of its 
7 7/8% Notes due 2019, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (7 7/8% Notes).  All of the Unregistered 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated 
Notes due 2019 were exchanged in the transaction.  The 7 7/8% Notes contain identical terms and provisions as the Unregistered 7 7/8% Notes.

The carrying amount of the Company’s revolving credit facility, notes payable to banks, and other senior debt approximate their fair values 
based on current market rates. The Company’s 7 7/8% Notes, which have a par value of $150,000,000 at March 31, 2012, have an approximate fair value 
of $156,000,000 based on quoted market prices.

On June 22, 2007, the Company recorded a capital lease resulting from the sale and partial leaseback of its facility in Charlotte, NC under a 10 
year lease agreement. The Company also has capital leases on certain production machinery and equipment. The outstanding balance on the capital 
lease  obligations  of  $4,842,000  and  $6,037,000  as  of  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  respectively,  are  included  in  senior  debt  in  the  consolidated  balance 
sheets.

The principal payments scheduled to be made as of March 31, 2012 on the above debt are as follows (in $ thousands):

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Thereafter

 $

 $

1,093 
1,059 
1,372 
412 
449 
150,457 
154,842 

The Company’s Notes payable to banks consist primarily of draws against unsecured non-U.S. lines of credit.  The Company’s other senior 

debt consists primarily of capital lease obligations as described above.

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Non-U.S. Lines of Credit and Loans

Unsecured and uncommitted lines of credit are available to meet short-term working capital needs for certain of our subsidiaries operating 
outside of the U.S. The lines of credit are available on an offering basis, meaning that transactions under the line of credit will be on such terms and 
conditions, including interest rate, maturity, representations, covenants and events of default, as mutually agreed between our subsidiaries and the 
local bank at the time of each specific transaction. As of March 31,  2012, significant unsecured credit lines totaled approximately $10,361,000, of which 
$112,000 was drawn.

13. 

Pensions and Other Benefit Plans

The Company provides retirement plans, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans, and postretirement benefit plans to certain 
employees.  The  Company  applies  ASC  Topic  715  “Compensation – Retirement  Benefits,” which  required  the  recognition  in  pension  and  other 
postretirement  benefits  obligations  and  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  of  actuarial  gains  or  losses,  prior  service  costs  or  credits  and 
transition assets or obligations that had previously been deferred. This statement also requires an entity to measure a defined benefit postretirement 
plan’s assets and obligations that determine its funded status as of the end of the fiscal year.

Pension Plans

The  Company  provides  defined  benefit  pension  plans  to  certain  employees.  The  Company  uses  March  31  as  the  measurement  date.  The 

following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligation, plan assets, and funded status of the plans:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Curtailment
Amendment
Service cost
Interest cost
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange rate changes
Benefit obligation at end of year

60

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

177,760 
(3,256)
648 
3,530 
10,010 
36,723 
(9,165)
(1,037)
215,213 

 $

 $

168,918 
- 
- 
3,368 
9,738 
4,583 
(9,655)
808 
177,760 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Actual gain on plan assets
Employer contribution
Benefits paid
Foreign exchange rate changes
Fair value of plan assets at end of year

Funded status
Unrecognized actuarial loss
Unrecognized prior service cost
Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

Accrued liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax effect of accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net amount recognized

61

 $

 $

 $

 $

145,394 
8,032 
5,974 
(9,165)
(145)
150,090 

(65,123)
76,600 
415 
11,892 

 $

 $

 $

 $

132,136 
15,010 
7,796 
(9,655)
107 
145,394 

(32,366)
43,620 
1,018 
12,272 

March 31,

2012

2011

(844)  $
(64,279)   
18,511 
58,504 
11,892 

 $

(899)
(31,467)
17,751 
26,887 
12,272 

 $

 $

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In fiscal 2013, an estimated net loss of $6,096,000 and prior service cost of $162,000 for the defined benefit pension plans will be amortized from 

accumulated other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost.

Net periodic pension cost included the following components:

2012

2011

2010

Service costs—benefits earned during the period
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
Expected return on plan assets
Net amortization
Curtailment/settlement loss
Net periodic pension cost

 $

 $

3,530 
10,010 
(10,704)
3,591 
1,120 
7,547 

 $

 $

 $

3,368 
9,738 
(9,865)   
3,572 
23 
6,836 

 $

3,687 
9,950 
(7,479)
4,210 
2,417 
12,785 

In  fiscal  2010,  the  Company  recorded  a  curtailment  loss  on  the  statement  of  operations  within  restructuring  charges.  Refer  to  Note  17  for 

further discussion.

In  fiscal  2012,  the  Company  completed  negotiations  with  one  of  its  labor  unions  which  resulted  in  an  amendment  to  one  of  its  pension 
plans.  The Company also amended one of its pension plans with its non-union employees.  Within cost of products sold for fiscal 2012, the Company 
recorded a curtailment charge of $1,120,000 resulting from the amendments.

Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows:

Projected benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

215,213 
150,090 

 $

177,760 
145,394 

Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows:

Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

206,985 
150,090 

 $

172,830 
145,394 

Unrecognized gains and losses are amortized through March 31, 2012 on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of 

active participants.

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The  weighted-average  assumptions  in  the  following  table  represent  the  rates  used  to  develop  the  actuarial  present  value  of  the  projected 

benefit obligation for the year listed and also net periodic pension cost for the following year:

Discount rate
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets
Rate of compensation increase

2012

2011

2010

4.70%   
7.50 
2.00 

5.75%   
7.50 
2.00 

6.00%
7.50 
2.00 

The expected rates of return on plan asset assumptions are determined considering long-term historical averages and real returns on each 

asset class.

The Company’s retirement plan target and actual asset allocations are as follows:

Equity securities
Fixed income
Total plan assets

Target
2013

Actual

2012

2011

70%   
30%   
100%   

63%   
37%   
100%   

61%
39%
100%

The Company has an investment objective for domestic pension plans to adequately provide for both the growth and liquidity needed to 
support all current and future benefit payment obligations. The investment strategy is to invest in a diversified portfolio of assets which are expected to 
satisfy the aforementioned objective and produce both absolute and risk adjusted returns competitive with a benchmark that is a blend of major US and 
international  equity  indexes  and  an  aggregate  bond  fund.  The  shift  to  the  targeted  allocation  is  the  result  of  management’s  re-evaluation  of  its 
investment allocation. The targeted allocation will be accomplished as some plan assets governed by collective bargaining contracts will be transferred 
from fixed income into equity securities, as well as reallocation of remaining assets to achieve the desired balance during fiscal 2013.

The  Company’s  funding  policy  with  respect  to  the  defined  benefit  pension  plans  is  to  contribute  annually  at  least  the  minimum  amount 
required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Additional contributions may be made to minimize PBGC premiums. The 
Company expects to contribute approximately $10,400,000 to its pension plans in fiscal 2013.

Information about the expected benefit payments for the Company’s defined benefit plans is as follows (in $ thousands):

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018-2022

Postretirement Benefit Plans

 $

9,537 
9,737 
10,375 
10,878 
11,389 
66,325 

The  Company  sponsors  a  defined  benefit  postretirement  health  care  plan  that  provide  medical  and  life  insurance  coverage  to  certain  U.S. 
retirees and their dependents of one of its subsidiaries. Prior to the acquisition of this subsidiary, the Company did not sponsor any postretirement 
benefit  plans.  The  Company  pays  the  majority  of  the  medical  costs  for  certain  retirees  and  their  spouses  who  are  under  age  65.  For  retirees  and 
dependents of retirees who retired prior to January 1, 1989, and are age 65 or over, the Company contributes 100% toward the American Association of 
Retired Persons (“AARP”) premium frozen at the 1992 level. For retirees and dependents of retirees who retired after January 1, 1989, the Company 
contributes $35 per month toward the AARP premium. The life insurance plan is noncontributory.

63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company’s postretirement health benefit plans are not funded. The following sets forth a reconciliation of benefit obligation and the funded status 
of the plan:

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Interest cost
Actuarial gain
Benefits paid
Benefit obligation at end of year

Funded status
Unrecognized actuarial loss
Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

Accrued liabilities
Other non-current liabilities
Deferred tax effect of accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net amount recognized

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

March 31,

2012

2011

8,833 
388 
(1,669)
(476)
7,076 

(7,076)
1,940 
(5,136)

 $

 $

 $

 $

9,078 
476 
(93)
(628)
8,833 

(8,833)
3,768 
(5,065)

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

(855)
(6,221)
1,507 
433 
(5,136)

(1,021)
(7,812)
1,507 
2,261 
(5,065)

In fiscal 2013, an estimated net loss of $143,000 for the defined benefit postretirement health care plans will be amortized from accumulated 

other comprehensive loss to net periodic benefit cost. In fiscal 2012, net periodic postretirement benefit cost included the following:

Service cost—benefits attributed to service during the period
Interest cost
Net amortization
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 $

 $

Year Ended March 31,

2012 
- 
388 
158 
546 

 $

 $

2011 
- 
476 
301 
777 

 $

 $

2010 
- 
586 
313 
899 

For  measurement  purposes,  healthcare  costs  are  assumed  to  increase  8.0%  in  fiscal  2013,  grading  down  over  time  to  5.0%  in  six  years.  The 

discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 4.70% and 5.75% as of March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

64

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Information about the expected benefit payments for the Company’s postretirement health benefit plans is as follows:

2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018-2022

 $

855 
832 
779 
735 
697 
2,705 

Assumed medical claims cost trend rates have an effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in assumed 
health care cost trend rates would have the following effects

Effect on total of service and interest cost components
Effect on postretirement obligation

 One Percentage   One Percentage 
  Point Increase    Point Decrease 
(19)
21   $
 $
(379)
423    

The  Company  has  collateralized  split-dollar  life  insurance  arrangements  with  two  of  its  former  officers.  Under  these  arrangements,  the 
Company pays certain premium costs on life insurance policies for the former officers.  Upon the later of the death of the former officer or their spouse, 
the Company will receive all of the premiums paid to-date.  The net periodic pension cost for fiscal 2012 was $254,000 and the liability at March 31, 2012 
is $3,715,000 with 3,575,000 included in other non-current liabilities and $140,000 included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.  The 
cash surrender value of the policies is $2,109,000 at March 31, 2012 and is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.

Other Benefit Plans

The Company also sponsors defined contribution plans covering substantially all domestic employees. Participants may elect to contribute 
basic contributions. These plans provide for employer contributions based primarily on employee participation. The Company recorded a charge for 
such contributions of approximately $1,344,000, $389,000, and $340,000 for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Due to the 
significant global economic downturn, the Company significantly reduced its contribution to the defined contribution plans in fiscal 2010 and 2011.

Fair Values of Plan Assets

The  Company  classified  its  investments  within  the  categories  of  equity  securities,  fixed  income  securities,  and  cash  equivalents,  as  the 
Company’s management bases its investment objectives and decisions from these three categories.  The Company’s investment policy as it relates to 
its  pension  assets  is  to  invest  in  broad-based  mutual  funds,  with  an  investment  objective  of  being  diversified.  Further  the  Company’s  investment 
objective  of  its  equity  securities  is  long-term  growth,  its  objective  of  the  fixed  income  securities  is  long-term  growth,  consistency  of  income  and 
preservation of capital, and its objective of cash equivalents is preservation of capital.  It is the Company’s position that its investment policy and 
investment objectives as defined above reduce the risk of concentrations within its investments.

65

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The fair values of the Company’s defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets by asset category as of March 31 were as follows:

Asset categories:

Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Cash equivalents
Total

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

94,587 
55,373 
130 
150,090 

 $

 $

88,556 
55,690 
1,148 
145,394 

The fair values of our defined benefit plans’ consolidated assets were determined using the fair value hierarchy of inputs described in Note 5. The fair 
values by category of inputs as of March 31, 2012 were as follows:

Asset categories:

Equity securities
Fixed income securities
Cash equivalents
Total

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets for 
Identical Assets   
(Level 1)

Significant other 
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Total

 $

 $

46,939 
 $
38,892     
130 
85,961 

 $

47,648 

 $

47,648 

 $

- 
16,481 
- 
16,481 

 $

 $

94,587 
55,373 
130 
150,090 

Level 1 fixed income securities consist of fixed income mutual funds with quoted market prices.

Level 2 equity securities consist of short term investments stated at net asset value which approximates fair value.

Fair value of Level 3 fixed income securities at the beginning of the year was $15,872,000. During fiscal 2012 fixed income securities earned 
investment return of $1,037,000 and had disbursements of $428,000 resulting in an ending balance of $16,481,000.  These fixed income securities consist 
primarily of insurance contracts which are carried at their liquidation value based on actuarial calculations and the terms of the contracts.

14. 

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

The guidance in ASC Topic 718 "Compensation - Stock Compensation" and covered in sub-topic 718-40 "Employee Stock Ownership Plans" 
requires that compensation expense for ESOP shares be measured based on the fair value of those shares when committed to be released to employees, 
rather than based on their original cost. Also, dividends on those ESOP shares that have not been allocated or committed to be released to ESOP 
participants are not reflected as a reduction of retained earnings. Rather, since those dividends are used for debt service, a charge to compensation 
expense is recorded. Furthermore, ESOP shares that have not been allocated or committed to be released are not considered outstanding for purposes 
of calculating earnings per share.

The obligation of the ESOP to repay borrowings incurred to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock is guaranteed by the Company; 
the unpaid balance of such borrowings, if any, would be reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as a liability. An amount equivalent to the cost of 
the collateralized common stock and representing deferred employee benefits has been recorded as a deduction from shareholders’ equity.

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COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Effective January 1, 2012 the ESOP was closed to new hires.  Prior to this date, substantially all of the Company’s U.S. non-union employees 

were participants in the ESOP.

Contributions to the plan result from the release of collateralized shares as debt service payments are made. Compensation expense amounting 
to $416,000, $466,000, and $408,000 in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, is recorded based on the guaranteed release of the ESOP shares at their 
fair market value. Dividends on allocated ESOP shares, if any, are recorded as a reduction of retained earnings and are applied toward debt service.

At  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  440,000  and  513,000  of  ESOP  shares,  respectively,  were  allocated  or  available  to  be  allocated  to  participants’

accounts. At March 31, 2012 and 2011, 61,000 and 88,000 of ESOP shares were pledged as collateral to guarantee the ESOP term loans.

The fair market value of unearned ESOP shares at amounted to $991,000 and $1,626,000 at March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011, respectively.

15. 

Earnings per Share and Stock Plans

Earnings per Share

The Company calculates earnings per share in accordance with ASC Topic 260, “Earnings per Share.”  Basic earnings per share exclude any 
dilutive  effects  of  options,  warrants,  and  convertible  securities.  Diluted  earnings  per  share  include  any  dilutive  effects  of  stock  options,  unvested 
restricted  stock  units,  unvested  performance  shares,  and  unvested  restricted  stock.  Stock  options  and  performance  shares  with  respect  to 
184,000,  249,000  and  193,000  common  shares  were  not  included  in  the  computation  of  diluted  loss  per  share  for  fiscal  2012,  2011  and  2010, 
respectively,  because they were antidilutive.

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

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

Income (loss) from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations (net of tax)
Net income (loss)

Denominators:

Weighted-average common stock outstanding— denominator for basic EPS
Effect of dilutive employee stock options, RSU's and performance shares
Adjusted weighted-average common stock  outstanding and assumed conversions—

denominator for diluted EPS

19,272 
240 

19,512 

19,047 
- 

19,047 

The weighted-average common stock outstanding shown above is net of unallocated ESOP shares (see Note 14).

67

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2010

2012

  $

  $

25,915 
1,052 
26,967 

 $

 $

(36,346)
396 
(35,950)

 $

 $

(7,544)
531 
(7,013)

18,963 
- 

18,963 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
   
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Stock Plans

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” applying the 
modified  prospective  method.  This  Statement  requires  all  equity-based  payments  to  employees,  including  grants  of  employee  stock  options,  to  be 
recognized  in  the  statement  of  earnings  based  on  the  grant  date  fair  value  of  the  award.  Under  the  modified  prospective  method,  the  Company  is 
required to record equity-based compensation expense for all awards granted after the date of adoption and for the unvested portion of previously 
granted awards outstanding as of the date of adoption.

Prior to the adoptions of the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan, the Company maintained several different stock plans, specifically: 1995 Incentive 
Stock Option Plan, Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, Restricted Stock Plan and 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, collectively referred to as the “Prior
Stock Plans”.  The specifics of each of these plans are discussed below.

Stock based compensation expense was $2,913,000, $2,484,000, and $1,824,000 for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Stock compensation 
expense  is  included  in  cost  of  goods  sold,  selling,  and  general  and  administrative  expense.  The  Company  recognizes  expense  for  all  share–based
awards over the service period, which is the shorter of the period until the employees’ retirement eligibility dates or the service period for the award for 
awards expected to vest.  Accordingly, expense is generally reduced for estimated forfeitures.  ASC Topic 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the 
time of grant and revised if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

The Company recognized compensation expense for stock option awards and unvested restricted share awards that vest based on time or 

market parameters straight-line over the requisite service period for vesting of the award.

Long Term Incentive Plan

On July 26, 2010, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).  The Company grants share based 
compensation to eligible participants under the LTIP.  The total number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under 
the plan is 1,250,000 including shares not previously authorized for issuance under any of the Prior Stock Plans and any shares not issued or subject to 
outstanding  awards  under  the  Prior  Stock  Plans.  As  of  March  31,  2012,  1,099,000  shares  remain  for  future  grants.  The  LTIP  was  designed  as  an 
omnibus plan and awards may consist of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted 
stock units, or stock bonuses.

Under  the  plan,  the  granting  of  awards  to  employees  may  take  the  form  of  options,  restricted  shares,  and  performance  shares.  The 
Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the number of shares, the term, the frequency and date, the type, the exercise periods, 
any performance criteria pursuant to which awards may be granted and the restriction and other terms and conditions of each grant in accordance with 
terms of our Plan.

Stock Option Plans

Existing prior to the adoption of the LTIP, the Company maintained two stock option plans, a Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Non-Qualified
Plan) and an Incentive Stock Option Plan (Incentive Plan).  Effective with adoption of the LTIP no new grants can be made from the Non-Qualified Plan 
or the Incentive Stock Plan.  Options outstanding under the Non-Qualified Plan or the Incentive Stock Plan generally become exercisable over a four-
year period at a rate of 25% per year commencing one year from the date of grant and exercise price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of the 
common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the Non-Qualified Plan or the Incentive Stock Plan are exercisable not earlier than one year 
and not later than ten years from the date such option was granted.

68

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

A summary of option transactions during each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2012 is as follows:

Outstanding at April 1, 2009

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2010

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2011

Granted
Exercised
Cancelled

Outstanding at March 31, 2012
Exercisable at March 31, 2012

Shares

725,655 
160,700 
(45,500)
(194,596)
646,259 
102,772 
(6,625)
(22,323)
720,083 
106,674 
(171,970)
(12,780)
642,007 
366,781 

 $

 $

 $
 $

Weighted-
average
Exercise Price   
 $

Weighted-
average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in years) 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

5.7 
3.9 

 $
 $

2,406 
2,163 

13.51 
13.73 
6.40 
21.11 
12.02 
18.28 
8.52 
16.51 
12.81 
16.00 
8.36 
16.29 
14.46 
12.31 

The Company calculated intrinsic value for those options that had an exercise price lower than the market price of our common shares as of 
March 31, 2012. The aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding options as of March 31, 2012 is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of 
the underlying options and the market price of our common shares for the 458,000 options that were in-the-money at that date. The aggregate intrinsic 
value of exercisable options as of March 31, 2012 is calculated as the difference between the exercise price of the underlying options and the market 
price of our common shares for the 337,000 exercisable options that were in-the-money at that date. The Company's closing stock price was $16.29 as of 
March 31, 2012. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1,466,000, $40,000, and $324,000 during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 
As of March 31, 2012, there are 0 options available for future grants under the two stock option plans.

The fair value of shares that vested was $8.96, $9.33, and $12.32 during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under all share-based payment arrangements during fiscal 2012 was approximately $1,438,000. Proceeds 
from the exercise of stock options under stock option plans are credited to common stock at par value and the excess is credited to additional paid-in
capital.

As of March 31, 2012, $1,464,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options is expected to be recognized over a 

weighted-average period of approximately 3 years.

Exercise prices for options outstanding as of March 31, 2012, ranged from $5.46 to $28.45. The following table provides certain information 

with respect to stock options outstanding at March 31, 2012:

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Stock Options 
Outstanding

Weighted-average
Exercise Price

Weighted-average
Remaining
Contractual Life

Range of Exercise Prices

Up to $10.00
$ 10.01 to $20.00
$ 20.01 to $30.00

184,725 
346,004 
111,278 
642,007 

 $

 $

5.47 
16.50 
23.01 
14.46 

The following table provides certain information with respect to stock options exercisable at March 31, 2012:

Range of Exercise Prices
Up to $10.00
$ 10.01 to $20.00 
$ 20.01 to $30.00

Stock Options 
Outstanding

Weighted-
average
Exercise Price

184,725 
89,423 
92,633 
366,781 

 $

 $

2.1 
8.0 
4.5 
5.7 

5.47 
15.24 
23.13 
12.31 

The fair value of stock options granted was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes
option  valuation  model  was  developed  for  use  in  estimating  the  fair  value  of  traded  options  which  have  no  vesting  restrictions  and  are  fully 
transferable.  In  addition,  option  valuation  models  require  the  input  of  highly  subjective  assumptions  including  the  expected  stock  price  volatility. 
Because the Company’s employee stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the 
subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management’s opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a 
reliable single measure of the fair value of its employee stock options. The weighted-average fair value of the options was $9.81, $9.29, and $8.18 for 
options granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The following table provides the weighted-average assumptions used to value stock 
options granted during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010:

Assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield—Incentive Plan
Volatility factor
Expected life—Incentive Plan

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2012

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2011

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2010

0.81%   
0.0%   

1.33%   
0.0%   

0.598 
5.5 years 

0.587 
5.5 years 

1.97%
0.0%

0.591 
5.5 years 

To determine expected volatility, the Company uses historical volatility based on daily closing prices of its Common Stock over periods that 
correlate with the expected terms of the options granted. The risk-free rate is based on the United States Treasury yield curve at the time of grant for the 
appropriate term of the options granted. Expected dividends are based on the Company's history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expected 
term of stock options is based on vesting schedules, expected exercise patterns and contractual terms.

70

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Restricted Stock Units

The Company granted restricted stock units under the LTIP during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 to employees as well as to the Company’s non-
executive directors as part of their annual compensation.  Restricted shares for employees vest ratably based on service one-third after each of years 
three, four, and five.

A summary of the restricted stock unit awards granted under the Company’s LTIP plan as of March 31, 2012 is as follows:

Unvested at April 1, 2009

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2010

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2011

Granted
Vested
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2012

Weighted-
average 
Grant Date
Fair Value  
23.95 
13.30 
22.40 
14.55 
16.21 
17.87 
15.01 
18.30 
17.25 
18.22 
17.21 
17.76 
17.60 

 $

 $

Shares

34,978 
78,647 
(8,600)
(5,434)
99,591 
95,947 
(25,318)
(12,671)
157,549 
68,537 
(49,254)
(6,232)
170,600 

Total  unrecognized  compensation  cost  related  to  unvested  restricted  stock  units  as  of  March  31,  2012  is  $1,933,000  and  is  expected  to  be 
recognized over a weighted average period of 3 years.  The fair value of restricted stock units that vested during the year ended March 31, 2012 and 
2011  was $1,265,000 and $380,000, respectively.

Performance Shares

The Company granted performance shares under the LTIP during fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010. Performance shares granted are based upon the 
Company’s  performance  over  a  three  year  period  depending  on  the  Company’s  total  shareholder  return  relative  to  a  group  of  peer  companies. 
Performance based nonvested shares are recognized as compensation expense based on fair value on date of grant, the number of shares ultimately 
expected to vest and the vesting period. For accounting purposes, the performance shares are considered to have a market condition. The effect of the 
market condition is reflected in the grant date fair value of the award and, thus compensation expense is recognized on this type of award provided that 
the requisite service is rendered (regardless of whether the market condition is achieved). The Company estimated the fair value of each performance 
share granted under the LTIP on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation that uses the assumptions noted in the following table.  Expected 
volatility  is  based  upon  the  daily  historical  volatilities  of  Columbus  McKinnon’s  stock  and  our  peer  group.  The  risk  free  rate  was  based  on  zero 
coupon government bonds at the time of grant.  The expected term represents the period from the grant date to the end of the three year performance 
period. The following table provides the weighted-average assumptions used to value performance shares granted during fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010.

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate
Dividend yield
Volatility factor
Expected life

Year Ended 
March 31,
2012

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2011

Year Ended 
March 31, 
2010

0.86%   
0.0%   

1.29%   
0.0%   

1.21%
0.0%

0.610 
2.86 years 

0.635 
2.87 years 

0.641 
2.87 years 

A summary of the performance shares transactions during each of the three fiscal years in the period ended March 31, 2012 is as follows:

Unvested at April 1, 2009

Granted
Forfeited
Vested

Unvested at March 31, 2010

Granted
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2011

Granted
Forfeited

Unvested at March 31, 2012

Weighted-
average
Grant Date 
Fair Value  
22.66 
17.12 
19.40 
19.40 
19.40 
21.93 
25.93 
19.20 
24.65 
17.31 
23.36 

 $

 $

Shares

45,079 
64,614 
(20,059)
(8,062)
81,572 
46,057 
(21,014)
106,615 
48,123 
(59,620)
95,118 

Total  unrecognized  compensation  costs  related  to  the  unvested  performance  share  awards  as  of  March  31,  2012  was  $1,180,000  and  is 
expected be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years. The fair value of performance shares that vested during the year ended March 31, 
2012 and 2011 was $0 for all three years.

Restricted Stock

The Company also maintains a Restricted Stock Plan. The Company charges compensation expense and shareholders’ equity for the market 
value of shares ratably over the restricted period. Grantees that remain continuously employed with the Company become vested in their shares five 
years after the date of the grant. As of March 31, 2012, there were no shares available for future grants under the Restricted Stock Plan.

 No restricted stock was granted in fiscal 2012 or fiscal 2011.  As of March 31, 2012, there are 1,000 shares of restricted stock outstanding with 

a weighted average fair value grant price of $30.72.

Directors Stock

During  fiscal  2012,  2011  and  2010,  a  total  of  21,248,  17,664,  and  21,536  shares  of  stock,  respectively,  were  granted  under  the  LTIP  to  the 
Company’s  non-executive  directors  as  part  of  their  annual  compensation.  The  weighted  average  fair  value  grant  price  of  those  shares  was  $16.99, 
$15.85, and $13.00 for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The expense related to the shares for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $420,000, $450,000, 
and $280,000, respectively.

72

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Shareholder Rights Plan

On May 19, 2009 the Company announced that its Board of Directors had adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan, pursuant to which a dividend 
distribution was declared of one preferred share purchase right to each outstanding common share of the Company. Subject to limited exceptions, the 
rights will be exercisable if a person or group acquires 20% or more of the Company’s common shares or announces a tender offer for 20% or more of 
the common shares. Under certain circumstances, each right will entitle shareholders to buy one one-thousandth of a share of the newly created series 
A junior participating preferred shares of the Company at an exercise price of $80.00 per share.

16. 

Loss Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is named a defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company is not a 
party to any pending legal proceeding other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to our business. The Company does not believe that any of our 
pending litigation will have a material impact on its business.

Accrued general and product liability costs are the actuarially estimated reserves based on amounts determined from loss reports, individual 
cases filed with the Company, and an amount for losses incurred but not reported. The aggregate amounts of reserves were $20,536,000 and $20,576,000 
as  of  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  respectively.  The  liability  for  accrued  general  and  product  liability  costs  are  funded  by  investments  in  marketable 
securities (see Notes 2 and 7).

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for accrued general and product liability:

Accrued general and product liability, beginning of year
Add provision for claims
Deduct payments for claims
Accrued general and product liability, end of year

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2010

2012

 $

 $

20,576 
4,151 
(4,191)
20,536 

 $

 $

23,054 
6,447 
(8,925)
20,576 

 $

 $

23,242 
5,061 
(5,249)
23,054 

The  per  occurrence  limits  on  our  self-insurance  for  general  and  product  liability  coverage  to  Columbus  McKinnon  were  $2,000,000  from 
inception through fiscal 2003 and $3,000,000 for fiscal 2004 and thereafter. In addition to the per occurrence limits, the Company’s coverage is also 
subject to an annual aggregate limit, applicable to losses only. These limits range from $2,000,000 to $6,000,000 for each policy year from inception 
through fiscal 2012.

Along with other manufacturing companies, the Company is subject to various federal, state and local laws relating to the protection of the 
environment. To address the requirements of such laws, the Company has adopted a corporate environmental protection policy which provides that all 
of its owned or leased facilities shall, and all of its employees have the duty to, comply with all applicable environmental regulatory standards, and the 
Company has initiated an environmental auditing program for our facilities to ensure compliance with such regulatory standards.  The Company has 
also established managerial responsibilities and internal communication channels for dealing with environmental compliance issues that may arise in 
the course of our business. Because of the complexity and changing nature of environmental regulatory standards, it is possible that situations will 
arise from time to time requiring the Company to incur expenditures in order to ensure environmental regulatory compliance. However, the Company is 
not  aware  of  any  environmental  condition  or  any  operation  at  any  of  its  facilities,  either  individually  or  in  the  aggregate,  which  would  cause 
expenditures having a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and, accordingly, has not budgeted any 
material capital expenditures for environmental compliance for fiscal 2013.

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Like  many  industrial  manufacturers,  the  Company  is  involved  in  asbestos-related  litigation.  In  continually  evaluating  costs  relating  to  its 
estimated asbestos-related liability, the Company reviews, among other things, the incidence of past and recent claims, the historical case dismissal 
rate, the mix of the claimed illnesses and occupations of the plaintiffs, its recent and historical resolution of the cases, the number of cases pending 
against it, the status and results of broad-based settlement discussions, and the number of years such activity might continue. Based on this review, 
the  Company  has  estimated  its  share  of  liability  to  defend  and  resolve  probable  asbestos-related  personal  injury  claims.  This  estimate  is  highly 
uncertain due to the limitations of the available data and the difficulty of forecasting with any certainty the numerous variables that can affect the range 
of the liability. The Company will continue to study the variables in light of additional information in order to identify trends that may become evident 
and to assess their impact on the range of liability that is probable and estimable.

Based  on  actuarial  information,  the  Company  has  estimated  its  asbestos-related  aggregate  liability  including  related  legal  costs  to  range 
between $7,000,000 and $18,000,000 using actuarial parameters of continued claims for a period of 18 to 30 years from March 31, 2012.  The Company's 
estimation of its asbestos-related aggregate liability that is probable and estimable, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 
approximates $12,000,000, which has been reflected as a liability in the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2012. The recorded liability 
does not consider the impact of any potential favorable federal legislation. This liability will fluctuate based on the uncertainty in the number of future 
claims that will be filed and the cost to resolve those claims, which may be influenced by a number of factors, including the outcome of the ongoing 
broad-based settlement negotiations, defensive strategies, and the cost to resolve claims outside the broad-based settlement program. Of this amount, 
management expects to incur asbestos liability payments of approximately $1,500,000 over the next 12 months. Because payment of the liability is likely 
to extend over many years, management believes that the potential additional costs for claims will not have a material effect on the financial condition 
of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of any future liabilities recorded could be material to earnings in a future period.

The Company is also involved in other unresolved legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The most prevalent of these 

unresolved actions involve disputes related to product design, manufacture and performance liability. The Company's estimation of its product-related
aggregate liability that is probable and estimable, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles approximates $8,500,000, which has 
been reflected as a liability in the consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2012. In some cases, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss 
because there is insufficient information regarding the matter.  Management believes that the potential additional costs for claims will not have a 
material effect on the financial condition of the Company or its liquidity, although the effect of any future liabilities recorded could be material to 
earnings in a future period.

17. 

Restructuring Charges

Beginning in fiscal 2010, as part of the business reorganization plan, the Company initiated strategic consolidation of its North American hoist 
and rigging operations.  The process included the closure of two manufacturing facilities and the significant downsizing of a third facility. The closures 
and downsizing resulted in a reduction of approximately 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Restructuring charges recorded in the year ended 
March 31, 2011 relate to the continuation of the consolidation of the North American hoist and rigging operations. Charges recorded in the year ended 
March 31, 2011 included a write off of production supplies in the amount of $411,000 and other facility related costs of $2,208,000, offset by a gain in the 
sale of a closed facility in the amount of $419,000.

74

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Also, in fiscal 2010, the Company consolidated its North American sales force and offered certain of its employees an incentive to voluntarily 
retire early. Charges related to the early retirement program were approximately $5,732,000 and consist of two benefits: a paid leave of absence and an 
enhanced pension benefit. The payments for the paid leave of absence are being made to the employees in installments on their regular pay dates. 
Charges for the enhanced pension benefit of $2,012,000 are recorded in long-term pension liabilities. Long-term pension liabilities are included in other 
non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

During the year ended March 31, 2012, the Company initiated and completed employee workforce reductions at one of its European 
facilities.  These reductions resulted in approximately $413,000 in one-time termination benefits recorded as restructuring costs during the year ended 
March 31, 2012.  These restructuring charges were fully paid by March 31, 2012.

During year ended March 31, 2012, the Company recognized a gain of $1,462,000 on the sale of a previously closed manufacturing facility.  The 

gain was recorded as a credit to restructuring expenses.

The following provides a reconciliation of the activity related to restructuring reserves (in thousands):

Employee

Facility

Total

Balance at March 31, 2009
Fiscal 2010 restructuring charges
Cash payments
Reclassification of long-term pension liability
Fixed asset impairment
Balance at March 31, 2010
Fiscal 2011 restructuring charges
Cash payments
Write-off of production supplies
Balance at March 31, 2011
Fiscal 2012 restructuring charges
Cash payments
Balance at March 31, 2012

 $

 $

 $

 $

75

 $

 $

1,302 
11,475 
(7,592)
(2,430)    
- 
2,755 
- 
(2,708)
- 
47 
413 
(460)
- 

 $

 $

- 
5,044 
(3,209)
- 
(1,835)
- 
2,200 
(1,789)
(411)
- 
- 
- 
- 

 $

 $

 $

 $

1,302 
16,519 
(10,801)
(2,430)
(1,835)
2,755 
2,200 
(4,497)
(411)
47 
413 
(460)
- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

18. 

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income from continuing 

operations before income tax expense. The sources and tax effects of the difference were as follows:

Expected tax at 35%
State income taxes net of federal expense (benefit)
Foreign taxes less than statutory provision
Permanent items
Valuation allowance
Research & development credits
Other
Actual tax provision (benefit)

Current income tax expense (benefit):

United States Federal
State taxes
Foreign

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

United States
Foreign

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2010

2012

11,485 
253 
(1,012)
(211)
(4,315)
- 
696 
6,896 

 $

 $

1,773 
(936)
(683)
(119)
42,983 
(812)
(795)
41,411 

 $

 $

(4,511)
(238)
(1,081)
229 
- 
- 
256 
(5,345)

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2012

2010

487 
269 
7,050 

130 
(1,040)
6,896 

 $

 $

 $

(4,229)
49 
4,818 

40,621 
152 
41,411 

 $

- 
913 
2,417 

(7,745)
(930)
(5,345)

 $

 $

 $

 $

76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company applies the liability method of accounting for income taxes as required by ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes.” The tax effects of 

temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Federal net operating loss carryforwards
State and foreign net operating loss carryforwards
Employee benefit plans
Insurance reserves
Accrued vacation and incentive costs
Federal tax credit carryforwards
Equity compensation
Other
Valuation allowance
Gross deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Inventory reserves
Property, plant, and equipment
Intangible assets
Gross deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liabilities

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

 $

5,107 
4,217 
23,262 
8,722 
3,389 
7,568 
1,797 
4,164 
(53,325)

4,901     

(2,283)
(4,272)
(6,555)
(1,654)

 $

10,709 
5,189 
10,795 
9,048 
3,408 
6,584 
1,680 
2,012 
(45,836)
3,589 

(1,822)
(4,916)
(6,738)
(3,149)

During 2011, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $42,983,000 (or $2.26 per diluted share) included within its provision for income 
taxes.  This charge relates to the Company’s determination that a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets generated in the U.S and three 
of  the  Company’s  subsidiaries  is  necessary.  Accounting  rules  require  a  reduction  of  the  carrying  amounts  of  deferred  tax  assets  by  a  valuation 
allowance if, based on the available and objectively verifiable evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.  The existence of 
cumulative losses for a certain threshold period is a significant form of negative evidence used in the assessment.  If a cumulative loss threshold is met, 
the accounting rules indicate that forecasts of future profitability are generally not sufficient positive evidence to overcome the presumption that a 
valuation allowance is necessary.

The valuation allowance includes $1,358,000 and $1,240,000 related to foreign net operating losses at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 
The increase in foreign valuation allowance is primarily due to net operating losses in two of the Company’s subsidiaries.  The Company’s valuation 
allowance related to foreign subsidiaries’ net operating losses have lives that range from five years to indefinite.

The federal net operating losses have expiration dates ranging from 2030 to 2031. The state net operating losses have expiration dates ranging 

from 2015 through 2030.  The federal tax credits have expiration dates starting in 2013.

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Deferred income taxes are classified within the consolidated balance sheets based on the following breakdown:

Net current deferred tax asset
Net non-current deferred tax asset
Net non-current deferred tax liability
Net deferred tax liability

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

44 
2,824 
(4,522)
(1,654)

 $

 $

336 
1,217 
(4,702)
(3,149)

The net current deferred tax assets are included in prepaid expenses. Net non-current deferred tax liabilities are included in other non-current

liabilities.

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense includes foreign subsidiary income of $18,590,000, $12,403,000, and $8,769,000 f
the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Income from discontinued operations reported in the statements of operations is net of t
expense  of  $0,  $243,000,  and  $326,000  for  the  years  ended  March  31,  2012,  2011,  and  2010,  respectively.  As  of  March  31,  2012,  the  Company  h
unrecognized deferred tax liabilities related to approximately $94,000,000 of cumulative undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. These earnings a
considered  to  be  permanently  invested  in  operations  outside  the  United  States.  Determination  of  the  amount  of  unrecognized  deferred  U.S.  income  t
liability with respect to such earnings is not practicable.

There were shares of common stock issued through restricted stock units, the exercise of non-qualified stock options, or through the disqualifyi
disposition of incentive stock options in the years ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The tax benefits to the Company from these transactions, recorded 
additional paid-in capital rather than recognized as a reduction of income tax expense, were $0 and $68,000 in 2012 and 2011, respectively. This tax shortf
has also been recognized in the consolidated balance sheet as an increase in deferred tax assets.

78

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Changes in the Company’s uncertain income tax positions, excluding the related accrual for interest and penalties, are as follows:

Beginning balance
Additions for prior year tax positions
Additions for current year tax positions
Reductions for prior year tax positions
Settlements
Foreign currency translation
Lapses in statute limitations
Ending balance

2012

2011

2010

 $

 $

2,647 
- 
30 
(45)
(112)
(44)
(48)
2,428 

 $

 $

 $

3,577 
27 
93 
(928)   
- 
32 
(154)   
 $
2,647 

3,546 
20 
260 
(33)
- 
(90)
(126)
3,577 

The Company had $176,000 and $96,000 accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Compa

recognizes interest expense or penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a part of income tax expense in its consolidated statements of operations.

Substantially all of the unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2012 would impact the effective tax rate if recognized.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S., various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions.  The Internal Revenue Servi
has completed an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2009 and 2010 resulting in no adjustments. Current examinations include vario
state audits.

The  Company’s  major  jurisdictions  are  the  United  States  and  Germany.  With  few  exceptions,  the  Company  is  no  longer  subject  to  tax 

examinations by tax authorities in the United States for tax years prior to March 31, 2011 and in Germany for tax years prior to December 31, 2006.

The Company does not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly due to the settlement of audits or the expiration 

statutes of limitations prior to March 31, 2013.

19. 

Rental Expense and Lease Commitments

Rental expense for the years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $6,832,000, $7,195,000, and $5,463,000, respectively. The following amoun

represent future minimum payment commitments as of March 31, 2012 under non-cancelable operating leases extending beyond one year:

Year Ended March 31,
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
Thereafter
Total

20. 

Summary Financial Information

Real
Property

    Vehicles/Equipment   

Total

 $

 $

3,060   $
2,237    
1,725    
1,359    
357    
850    
9,588   $

1,504   $
1,188    
693    
425    
79    
-    
3,889   $

4,564 
3,425 
2,418 
1,784 
436 
850 
13,477 

The  following  information  sets  forth  the  condensed  consolidating  summary  financial  information  of  the  parent  and  guarantors,  which 
guarantee the 7 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes, and the nonguarantors. The guarantors are wholly owned and the guarantees are full, unconditional, 
joint and several.

79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

The Company has reclassified certain balances in its March 31, 2011 summary financial information to reflect the liquidation of a subsidiary 

effective as of that date.  The reclassifications have no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

As of and for the year ended March 31, 2012:

As of March 31, 2012:
Current assets:
Cash
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
Net property, plant, and equipment
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
Intercompany balances
Other non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Total assets

Current liabilities
Long-term debt, less current portion
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

For the Year Ended March 31, 2012:
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring (gain) charges, net
Amortization of intangibles
Income from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemptions
Other (income) and expense, net
Income from continuing operations before income     tax 

expense

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

Income tax expense
Equity in income from continuing operations of subsidiaries   
Income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Net income

 $

Parent

    Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Non

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

5,717 
5,579 
20,087 
502 
31,885 
13,050 
31,025 
96,759 
784 
- 
173,503 

18,772 
1,961 
6,842 
27,575 
145,928 
173,503 

163,207 
140,690 
22,517 
17,554 
- 
- 
4,963 
1,394 
- 
42 

3,527 
94 
- 
3,433 
- 
3,433 

 $

33,510 
38,688 
61,347 
4,004 
137,549 
15,980 
50,295 
(61,149)
27,620 
- 
170,295 

49,472 
1,788 
36,825 
88,085 
82,210 
170,295 

258,288 
182,408 
75,880 
54,486 
413 
1,963 
19,018 
388 
- 
(1,102)

19,732 
5,964 
- 
13,768 
- 
13,768 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

- 
- 
(2,540)
545 
(1,995)
- 
- 
180 
- 
(228,138)
(229,953)

(1,815)
- 
- 
(1,815)
(228,138)
(229,953)

(54,809)
(54,809)
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
- 
(17,201)
(17,201)
- 
(17,201)

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

89,473 
88,642 
108,055 
10,449 
296,619 
61,709 
122,226 
- 
34,853 
- 
515,407 

103,909 
151,889 
99,143 
354,941 
160,466 
515,407 

591,945 
434,227 
157,718 
111,537 
(1,037)
2,074 
45,144 
14,214 
- 
(1,881)

32,811 
6,896 
- 
25,915 
1,052 
26,967 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

50,246 
44,375 
29,161 
5,398 
129,180 
32,679 
40,906 
(35,790)
6,449 
228,138 
401,562 

37,480 
148,140 
55,476 
241,096 
160,466 
401,562 

225,259 
165,938 
59,321 
39,497 
(1,450)
111 
21,163 
12,432 
- 
(821)

9,552 
838 
17,201 
25,915 
1,052 
26,967 

80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Parent

    Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Non

For the Year Ended March 31, 2012:
Operating activities:
Cash provided by operating activities
Investing activities:
Sales of marketable securities, net
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of assets
Purchase of business
Net cash used for investing activities from continuing 

operations

Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued 

operations

Net cash used for investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Net repayments under revolving line-of-credit agreements
Repayment of long-term debt
Dividends paid
Other
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 $

 $

7,042 

 $

8,820 

 $

7,725 

 $

- 
(2,869)
- 
- 

(2,869)

- 
(2,869)

- 
- 
(240)
- 
- 
(240)
- 
5,711 
7 
5,718 

 $

557 
(3,256)
- 
(3,356)

(6,055)

- 
(6,055)

- 
(361)
(796)
- 
- 
(1,157)
(1,186)
(673)
34,178 
33,505 

 $

- 
(7,640)
1,971 
- 

(5,669)

1,052 
(4,617)

1,436 
- 
- 
- 
435 
1,871 
- 
4,296 
45,954 
50,250 

81

 $

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

 $

23,587 

557 
(13,765)
1,971 
(3,356)

(14,593)

1,052 
(13,541)

1,436 
(361)
(1,036)
- 
435 
474 
(1,186)
9,334 
80,139 
89,473 

 $

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Parent

    Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Non

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

As of March 31, 2011:
Current assets:
Cash
Trade accounts receivable
Inventories
Prepaid expenses
Total current assets
Net property, plant, and equipment
Goodwill and other intangibles, net
Intercompany balances
Other non-current assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Total assets

Current liabilities
Long-term debt, less current portion
Other non-current liabilities
Total liabilities
Shareholders’ equity
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

For the Year Ended March 31, 2011:
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Amortization of intangibles
Income from operations
Interest and debt expense
Cost of bond redemptions
Other (income) and expense, net
(Loss) income from continuing operations before 

income      tax expense

Income tax expense
Equity in income from continuing operations of subsidiaries   
(Loss) income from continuing operations
Income from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

7 
32 
18,497 
698 
19,234 
11,866 
31,025 
91,245 
4,152 
- 
157,522 

15,774 
2,235 
8,506 
26,515 
131,007 
157,522 

148,905 
121,852 
27,053 
21,763 
- 
3 
5,287 
1,436 
- 
21 

3,830 
3,125 
- 
705 
- 
705 

 $

34,178 
36,317 
47,597 
16,404 
134,496 
17,043 
52,166 
(72,773)
26,492 
- 
157,424 

44,523 
2,714 
37,678 
84,915 
72,509 
157,424 

217,724 
152,901 
64,823 
50,286 
111 
1,657 
12,769 
357 
- 
(2,760)

15,172 
5,273 
- 
9,899 
- 
9,899 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

- 
- 
(2,000)
1,599 
(401)
- 
- 
586 
(1,762)
(203,516)
(205,093)

(824)
- 
(753)
(1,577)
(203,516)
(205,093)

(39,955)
(39,955)
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

- 
62 
(10,542)
(10,604)
- 
(10,604)

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

80,139 
77,744 
90,031 
14,294 
262,208 
59,360 
124,144 
- 
33,160 
- 
478,872 

95,265 
152,816 
68,645 
316,726 
162,146 
478,872 

524,065 
398,013 
126,052 
103,502 
2,200 
1,778 
18,572 
13,532 
3,939 
(3,964)

5,065 
41,411 
- 
(36,346)
396 
(35,950)

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

45,954 
41,395 
25,937 
(4,407)
108,879 
30,451 
40,953 
(19,058)
4,278 
203,516 
369,019 

35,792 
147,867 
23,214 
206,873 
162,146 
369,019 

197,391 
163,215 
34,176 
31,453 
2,089 
118 
516 
11,739 
3,939 
(1,225)

(13,937)
32,951 
10,542 
(36,346)
396 
(35,950)

82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
  
 
   
 
   
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

For the Year Ended March 31, 2011:
Operating activities:
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities, net
Capital expenditures
Proceeds from sale of assets
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities from 

continuing operations

Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued 

operations

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Payment of tender fees
Net repayments under revolving line-of-credit agreements
Repayment of long-term debt
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
Deferred financing costs incurred
Dividends paid
Other
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

Parent

    Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Non

 $

2,052 

 $

2,489 

 $

(638)

 $

(623)

 $

3,280 

712 
(8,562)
1,182 

(6,668)

396 
(6,272)

(3,154)
- 
(124,855)
147,844 
(3,185)
- 
443 
17,093 
- 
12,873 
33,081 
45,954 

83

 $

 $

- 
(1,673)
- 

(1,673)

- 
(1,673)

- 
- 
(210)
- 
- 
- 
(774)
(984)
151 
(17)
24 
7 

 $

5,909 
(2,308)
- 

3,601 

- 
3,601 

- 
(337)
(752)
- 
- 
- 
- 
(1,089)
1,441 
3,315 
30,863 
34,178 

 $

- 
- 
- 

- 

- 
- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
774 
774 
(151)
- 
- 
- 

 $

6,621 
(12,543)
1,182 

(4,740)

396 
(4,344)

(3,154)
(337)
(125,817)
147,844 
(3,185)
- 
443 
15,794 
1,441 
16,171 
63,968 
80,139 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

Parent

    Guarantors     Guarantors     Eliminations     Consolidated  

Non

 $

For the Year Ended March 31, 2010:
Net sales
Cost of products sold
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Amortization of intangibles
(Loss) income from operations
Interest and debt expense
Other (income) and expense, net
(Loss) income from continuing operations before 

income     tax (benefit) expense

Income tax (benefit) expense
Equity in income from continuing operations of subsidiaries   
(Loss) income from continuous operations
Income from discontinued operations
Net (loss) income

 $

For the Year Ended March 31, 2010:
Operating activities:
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities
Investing activities:
Purchases of marketable securities, net
Capital expenditures
Investment in subsidiaries
Proceeds from sale of assets
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities from 

continuing operations

Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued 

operations

Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
Financing activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
Net repayments under revolving line-of-credit agreements .
Repayment of debt
Deferred financing costs incurred
Other
Net cash used for financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

 $

 $

117,854 
94,906 
22,948 
13,651 
- 
3 
9,294 
493 
(1,033)

9,834 
2,739 
- 
7,095 
- 
7,095 

 $

(665)

- 
(1,674)
- 
2,407 

733 

- 
733 

- 
- 
(130)
- 
69 
(61)
(13)
(6)
30 
24 

 $

 $

192,326 
135,245 
57,081 
46,308 
1,203 
1,754 
7,816 
867 
(1,222)

8,171 
1,687 
- 
6,484 
- 
6,484 

 $

(27,781)
(28,478)
697 
- 
- 
- 
697 
- 
- 

697 
192 
(14,084)
(13,579)
- 
(13,579)

 $

 $

476,183 
360,244 
115,939 
101,356 
16,519 
1,876 
(3,812)
13,225 
(4,148)

(12,889)
(5,345)
- 
(7,544)
531 
(7,013)

16,198 

(14,084)

29,867 

2,236 
(638)
- 
1,135 

2,733 

- 
2,733 

- 
(3,946)
(834)
- 
- 
(4,780)
1,646 
15,797 
15,066 
30,863 

 $

- 
- 
14,084 
- 

14,084 

- 
14,084 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

 $

1,822 
(7,245)
- 
3,542 

(1,881)

531 
(1,350)

291 
(3,946)
(964)
(1,258)
459 
(5,418)
1,633 
24,732 
39,236 
63,968 

193,784 
158,571 
35,213 
41,397 
15,316 
119 
(21,619)
11,865 
(1,893)

(31,591)
(9,963)
14,084 
(7,544)
531 
(7,013)

 $

 $

28,418 

(414)
(4,933)
(14,084)
- 

(19,431)

531 
(18,900)

291 
- 
- 
(1,258)
390 
(577)
- 
8,941 
24,140 
33,081 

84

 $

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
      
      
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

21. 

Business Segment Information

ASC Topic 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes the standards for reporting information about operating segments in financial statements. 

The Company has one operating and reportable segment for both internal and external reporting purposes.

Financial information relating to the Company’s operations by geographic area is as follows:

Net sales:
United States
Europe
Canada
Other
Total

Total assets:
United States
Europe
Canada
Other
Total

Long-lived assets:
United States
Europe
Other
Total

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2010

2012

345,451 
177,976 
23,495 
45,023 
591,945 

 $

 $

315,219 
159,363 
16,847 
32,636 
524,065 

 $

 $

291,564 
149,872 
12,081 
22,666 
476,183 

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2012

2010

309,624 
153,021 
18,304 
34,458 
515,407 

 $

 $

282,925 
152,020 
17,722 
26,205 
478,872 

 $

 $

302,210 
139,064 
13,943 
26,280 
481,497 

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2012

2010

117,660 
61,144 
5,131 
183,935 

 $

 $
 $

114,295 
64,015 
5,194 
183,504 

 $

 $
 $

111,369 
64,458 
5,444 
181,271 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $
 $

Note: Long-lived assets include net property, plant, and equipment and goodwill and other intangibles, net.

Sales by major product group are as follows:

Hoists
Chain and forged attachments
Industrial cranes
Other
Total

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2012

2010

 $

 $

351,725 
104,143 
41,816 
94,261 
591,945 

 $

 $

287,905 
108,590 
39,715 
87,855 
524,065 

 $

 $

252,824 
95,862 
41,170 
86,327 
476,183 

85

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
     
     
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
     
     
 
 
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

22. 

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Below is selected quarterly financial data for fiscal 2012 and 2011:

Net sales
Gross profit
Income from operations
Net income

Net income per share – basic

Net income per share – diluted

Net sales
Gross profit
Income from operations
Net (loss) income  (1)

Net (loss) income per share – basic

Net (loss) income per share – diluted

Three Months Ended

June 30,
2011

    September 30,    December 31,  

  March 31,

2011

2011

2012

139,760 
35,642 
7,213 
2,779 

 $

 $

149,863 
39,231 
12,314 
6,676 

 $

 $

142,750 
38,603 
12,000 
8,515 

 $

 $

159,572 
44,242 
13,617 
8,997 

0.14 

 $

0.35 

 $

0.44 

 $

0.14 

 $

0.34 

 $

0.44 

 $

0.47 

0.46 

Three Months Ended

June 30,
2010

 September 30, 
2010

  December 31,  
2010

  March 31,

2011

119,087 
28,015 
1,136 
(722)

 $

 $

132,312 
31,241 
5,185 
1,868 

 $

 $

128,696 
29,351 
2,950 
(39,639)

 $

 $

143,970 
37,445 
9,301 
2,543 

(0.04)

 $

0.10 

 $

(2.08)

 $

(0.04)

 $

0.10 

 $

(2.08)

 $

0.13 

0.13 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

(1) During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $39,700,000 included within its provision for income 
taxes.  This charge relates to the Company’s determination that a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets generated in the U.S. was 
necessary.

Note: The per-share net income (loss) for the four quarters combined may not equal the per share net loss for the year due to rounding.

86

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

23. 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows: 

Net unrealized investment gain – net of tax
Adjustment to pension liability– net of tax
Adjustment to other postretirement obligations – net of tax
Adjustment to split-dollar life insurance arrangements – net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustment – net of tax
Derivatives qualifying as hedges – net of tax
Accumulated other comprehensive loss

March 31,

2012

2011

 $

 $

2,580 
(58,504)
(325)
(1,981)
4,388 
(65)
(53,907)

 $

 $

1,379 
(26,887)
(2,103)
(2,029)
9,009 
181 
(20,450)

The  deferred  taxes  associated  with  the  items  included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss,  net  of  deferred  tax  asset  valuation 
allowances, were $438,000 and $952,000 for 2012 and 2011 respectively.  Refer to Note 18 for discussion of the deferred tax asset valuation allowance.  In 
the  period  subsequent  to  our  initial  recording  of  the  valuation  allowance  in  fiscal  2011,  increases  and  decreases  to  both  the  deferred  tax  assets 
associated with items in accumulated other comprehensive loss, and the valuation allowance, have been recorded as offsets to comprehensive income.

As a result of the recording of a deferred tax asset valuation allowance in fiscal 2005, the Company recorded as an offsetting entry a $534,000 
charge in the minimum pension liability component of other comprehensive income. With the reversal of that valuation allowance in fiscal 2006, the 
Company  recorded  the  reversal  of  the  valuation  allowance  as  a  reduction  of  income  taxes  in  the  consolidated  statement  of  operations.  This  is  in 
accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes,” even though the valuation allowance was initially established by a charge against comprehensive 
income. This amount will remain indefinitely as a component of minimum pension liability adjustment.

The activity by year related to investments, including reclassification adjustments for activity included in earnings are as follows (all items 

shown net of tax): 

Net unrealized investment gain (loss) at beginning of year

Unrealized holdings gain arising during the period
Reclassification adjustments for gain included in earnings

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Net unrealized investment gain at end of year

24. 

Effects of New Accounting Pronouncements

2012

Year Ended March 31,
2011

2010

 $

 $

1,379 
1,201 
- 
1,201 
2,580 

 $

 $

1,708 
1,484 
(1,813)
(329)
1,379 

 $

 $

(317)
2,393 
(368)
2,025 
1,708 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the 
Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.  Among the 
new provisions in ASU 2011-05 was a requirement for entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income 
by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented (for both 
interim  and  annual  financial  statements);  however  this  reclassification  requirement  is  indefinitely  deferred  by  ASU  2011-12  and  will  be  further 
deliberated by the FASB at a future date.

87

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(tabular amounts in thousands, except share data)

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210)—Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU 
2011-11).  The  update  requires  entities  to  disclose  information  about  offsetting  and  related  arrangements  of  financial  instruments  and  derivative 
instruments.  The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods therein. We are currently evaluating the 
impact this update will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The 
amendment permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination 
that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing relevant events or circumstances, 
an entity determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-
step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to follow the existing provisions of the two-step
impairment test. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 
2011. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted the new guidance for our annual goodwill impairment test, which we tested as of our measurement date 
of February 29, 2012. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In  June  2011,  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2011-05,  Presentation  of  Comprehensive  Income  (“ASU  2011-05”), effective  for  fiscal  years,  and 
interim  periods  within  those  years,  beginning  after  December  15,  2011.  The  issuance  of  ASU  2011-5  is  intended  to  improve  the  comparability, 
consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items reported in other comprehensive income.  The guidance in 
ASU 2011-5 supersedes the presentation options in ASC Topic 220 and facilitates convergence of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and 
International Financial Reporting Standards by eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement 
of  changes  in  stockholders’ equity  and  requiring  that  all  nonowner  changes  in  stockholders’ equity  be  presented  either  in  a  single  continuous 
statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The Company does not expect that the adoption of ASU 2011-05
will have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In  May  2011  the  FASB  issued  ASU  No.  2011-04,  Fair  Value  Measurements  (Topic  820):  Amendments  to  Achieve  Common  Fair  Value 
Measurement  and  Disclosure  Requirements  in  US  GAAP  and  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  (“IFRS”)  (“ASU 2011-04”).  ASU  2011-04
represents the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (the “Boards”) on fair value measurements.  The 
collective  efforts  of  the  Boards  and  their  staffs,  reflected  in  ASU  2011-04,  have  resulted  in  common  requirements  for  measuring  fair  value  and  for 
disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value.” The Boards have concluded the common 
requirements will result in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with 
GAAP and IFRS.  The amendments in this ASU are required to be applied prospectively, and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning 
after  December  15,  2011.  The  Company  does  not  expect  that  the  adoption  of  ASU  2011-04  will  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  Company’s
consolidated financial statements.

In  March  2011,  the  SEC  issued  Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  (SAB)  114.  This  SAB  revises  or  rescinds  portions  of  the  interpretive  guidance 
included in the codification of the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series.  This update is intended to make the relevant interpretive guidance consistent with 
current  authoritative  accounting  guidance  issued  as  a  part  of  the  FASB’s  Codification.  The  principal  changes  involve  revision  or  removal  of 
accounting guidance references and other conforming changes to ensure consistency of referencing through the SAB Series.  The effective date for 
SAB 114 was March 28, 2011.   The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

88

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

SCHEDULE II—Valuation and qualifying accounts
March 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Dollars in thousands

Additions

Balance at 
Beginning
of Period

Charged to 
Costs and 
Expenses

Charged
to Other
Accounts

     Deductions  

Balance
at End of 
Period

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

3,166 
45,836 
49,002 

 $

 $

844 
(4,315)
(3,471)

 $

 $

-     
11,804      (3)
11,804 

20,576 

 $

4,151 

 $

-     

4,240 
1,609 
5,849 

 $

 $

627 
42,983 
43,610 

 $

 $

- 
1,244 
1,244 

23,054 

 $

6,447 

 $

- 

5,338 
1,594 
6,932 

 $

 $

553 
- 
553 

 $

 $

-     
15     
15 

23,242 

 $

5,061 

 $

- 

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

 $

1,265      (1)
-     
1,265     

 $

 $

2,745 
53,325 
56,070 

4,191      (2)

 $

20,536 

1,701      (1)
-     
1,701     

 $

 $

3,166 
45,836 
49,002 

8,925      (2)

 $

20,576 

1,651      (1)
-     
1,651     

 $

 $

4,240 
1,609 
5,849 

5,249      (2)

 $

23,054 

Description

Year ended March 31, 2012:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total
Reserves on balance sheet:
Accrued general and product liability costs

Year ended March 31, 2011:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total
Reserves on balance sheet:
Accrued general and product liability costs

Year ended March 31, 2010:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance
Total
Reserves on balance sheet:
Accrued general and product liability costs

(1)  Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries
(2)  Insurance claims and expenses paid
(3)  Charged against accumulated other comprehensive loss

89

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
    
 
 
 
  
 
  
   
 
 
  
 
  
 
    
 
     
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
      
 
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
  
  
  
 
Item 9. 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures

None.

Item 9A. 

Controls and Procedures

Management’s Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of March 31, 2012, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief 
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that 
evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures 
were effective as of March 31, 2012.  There were no changes in our internal controls or in other factors during our fourth quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer 
and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012 based 
on  the  framework  in  Internal  Control--Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission 
(COSO). Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2012.

 The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 20121 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, 

an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Our management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will 
prevent  or  detect  all  error  and  all  fraud.  A  control  system,  no  matter  how  well  designed  and  operated,  can  provide  only  reasonable,  not  absolute, 
assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. The design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and 
the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of 
controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, 
have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur 
because of simple error or mistake. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by 
management  override  of  the  controls.  The  design  of  any  system  of  controls  is  based  in  part  on  certain  assumptions  about  the  likelihood  of  future 
events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of 
any  evaluation  of  controls  effectiveness  to  future  periods  are  subject  to  risks.  Over  time,  controls  may  become  inadequate  because  of  changes  in 
conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or 

are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

90

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We have audited Columbus McKinnon Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2012, based on criteria established in 
Internal  Control—Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway  Commission  (the  COSO  criteria).
Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation’s  management  is  responsible  for  maintaining  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  and  for  its 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control 
Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We  conducted  our  audit  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board  (United  States).  Those  standards 
require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  effective  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  was 
maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a 
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing 
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial 
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s
internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are 
recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any 
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the 
degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Columbus McKinnon Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 
2012, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance 
sheets  of  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  as  of  March  31,  2012  and  2011,  and  the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,  shareholders’
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2012, and our report dated May 30, 2012 expressed an unqualified 
opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Buffalo, New York
May 30, 2012

91

 
 
 
 
Item 9B. 

Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. 

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The  information  regarding  Directors  and  Executive  Officers  of  the  Registrant  will  be  included  in  a  Proxy  Statement  to  be  filed  with  the 

Commission prior to July 31, 2012 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

The charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation and Succession Committee, and Governance and Nomination Committee are available on 
our website at www.cmworks.com and are available to any shareholder upon request to the Corporate Secretary. The information on the Company's 
website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and 
principal accounting officer, as well as our directors.  Our code of ethics, the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Legal Compliance & Business Ethics 
Manual, is available on our website at www.cmworks.com.  We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, the code of ethics that applies to 
our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer otherwise required to be disclosed under Item 10 of Form 8-K by 
posting such amendment or waiver, as applicable, on our website.

Item 11. 

Executive Compensation

The information regarding Executive Compensation will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission prior to July 31, 2012 

and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 12. 

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The  information  regarding  Security  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners  and  Management  and  regarding  equity  compensation  plan 
incorporation will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission prior to July 31, 2012 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is 
incorporated by reference herein.

Item 13. 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The  information  regarding  Certain  Relationships  and  Related  Transactions  will  be  included  in  a  Proxy  Statement  to  be  filed  with  the 

Commission prior to July 31, 2012 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 14. 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information regarding Principal Accountant Fees and Services will be included in a Proxy Statement to be filed with the Commission prior 

to July 31, 2012 and upon the filing of such Proxy Statement, is incorporated by reference herein.

92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(1) Financial Statements:

 PART IV

The following consolidated financial statements of Columbus McKinnon Corporation are included in Item 8:

Reference

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated balance sheets - March 31, 2012 and 2011
Consolidated statements of operations – Years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity – Years ended March 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010
Consolidated statements of cash flows – Years ended March 31, 2012, 2011  , and 2010
Notes to consolidated financial statements

(2)

Financial Statement Schedule:

Schedule II - Valuation and qualifying accounts

  Page No.

39
40
41
42
43
44 to 88

  Page No.

89

All  other  schedules  for  which  provision  is  made  in  the  applicable  accounting  regulation  of  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and therefore have been omitted.

93

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)

Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit

3.1  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement 

No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

3.2  Amended By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3. to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 

17, 1999).

3.3  Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Columbus McKinnon Corporation, dated as of May 18, 2009 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2009).

4.1  Specimen common share certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on 

Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995.)

4.2  Indenture among Columbus McKinnon Corporation, Audubon Europe S.a.r.l., Crane Equipment & Service, Inc., Yale Industrial Products, 

Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association., as trustee, dated as of September 2, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the 
Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-129142 on Form S-3 dated October 19, 2005).

4.3  Rights Agreement, dated as of May 18, 2009, between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and American Stock Transfer & Trust 

Company, LLC, which includes the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Stock as 
Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 18, 2009).

#10.1  Agreement by and among Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Trust, Columbus McKinnon Corporation and 
Marine Midland Bank, dated November 2, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 
33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.2  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan Restatement Effective April 1, 1989 (incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.3  Amendment No. 1 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated March 2, 1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1
dated December 21, 1995).

#10.4  Amendment No. 2 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, dated October 17, 1995 (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997).

#10.5  Amendment No. 3 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan, dated March 27, 1996 (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997).

#10.6  Amendment No. 4 of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated September 30, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarterly period ended September 30, 1996).

#10.7  Amendment No. 5 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 
1989, dated August 28, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended March 31, 1998).

94

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
#10.8  Amendment No. 6 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 
1989, dated June 24, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.38 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 1998).

#10.9  Amendment No. 7 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated April 30, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2000).

#10.10  Amendment No. 8 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated March 26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2002).

#10.11  Amendment No. 9 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated March 27, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2003).

#10.12  Amendment No. 10 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 
1989, dated February 28, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal 
year ended March 31, 2004).

#10.13  Amendment No. 11 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated December 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarterly period ended December 28, 2003).

#10.14  Amendment No. 12 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated March 17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 
ended March 31, 2005).

#10.15  Amendment No. 13 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan as Amended and Restated as of April 1, 

1989, dated December 19, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
quarterly period ended December 28, 2008).

#10.16  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Personal Retirement Account Plan Trust Agreement, dated April 1, 1987 (incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.17  Amendment and Restatement of Columbus McKinnon Corporation 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999).

#10.18  Second Amendment to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 1995 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated 
by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002).

#10.19  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the 

Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.20  Second Amendment to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the 

Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 2002).

#10.21  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan 1989 Restatement Effective January 1, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 

10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 27, 1998).

95

 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
#10.22  Amendment No. 1 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 10, 1998 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999).

#10.23  Amendment No. 2 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401 (k)] Plan, dated June 1, 2000 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000).

#10.24  Amendment No. 3 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401 (k)] Plan, dated  March 26, 2002 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.39 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002).

#10.25  Amendment No. 4 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated May 10, 2002 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 29, 
2002).

#10.26  Amendment No. 5 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 20, 2002 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 29, 
2002).

#10.27  Amendment No. 6 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated May 22, 2003 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.46 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003).

#10.28  Amendment No. 7 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated April 14, 2004 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

#10.29  Amendment No. 8 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 19, 2003 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 28, 
2003).

#10.30  Amendment No. 9 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated March 16, 2004 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004).

#10.31  Amendment No. 10 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated July 12, 2004 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 4, 2004).

#10.32  Amendment No. 11 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated March 31, 2005 
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005).

#10.33  Amendment No. 12 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 27, 2005 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006).

#10.34  Amendment No. 13 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 21, 2006 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March, 31, 2007).

#10.35  Amendment No. 14 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated December 21, 2007 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008).

#10.36  Amendment No. 15 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift [401(k)] Plan, dated January 29, 2009 

(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 28, 
2008).

96

 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
 
#10.37  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Thrift 401(k) Plan Trust Agreement Restatement Effective August 9, 1994 (incorporated by reference 

to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.38  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan Restatement Effective April 1, 1998 (incorporated by reference to 

Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 27, 1998).

#10.39  Amendment No. 1 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

December 10, 1998 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 1999).

#10.40  Amendment No. 2 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated May 
26, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.33 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 
1999).

#10.41  Amendment No. 3 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated March 

26, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.44 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 
2002).

#10.42  Amendment No. 4 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

December 20, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period 
ended December 29, 2002).

#10.43  Amendment No. 5 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

February 28, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.37 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 2004).

#10.44  Amendment No. 6 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated March 

17, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.41 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 
2005).

#10.45  Amendment No. 7 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

December 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.43 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 
March 31, 2006).

#10.46  Amendment No. 8 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

December 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period 
ended December 31, 2006).

#10.47  Amendment No. 9 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated April 
21, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.47 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 
2008).

#10.48  Amendment No. 10 to the 1998 Plan Restatement of the Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan, dated 

December 19, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period 
ended December 28, 2008).

#10.49  Columbus McKinnon Corporation Monthly Retirement Benefit Plan Trust Agreement Effective as of April 1, 1987 (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.34 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 33-80687 on Form S-1 dated December 21, 1995).

#10.50  Employment agreement with Wolfgang Wegener dated December 31, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.48 to the Company’s

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March, 31, 2007).

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#10.51  Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the definitive Proxy 

Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Columbus McKinnon Corporation held on July 31, 2006).

#10.52  Amendment No. 1 to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, dated December 30, 2008 (incorporated by 
reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended December 28, 2008).

#10.53  Form of Change in Control Agreement as entered into between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and each of Timothy T. Tevens, 

Karen L. Howard, Joseph J. Owen, Richard A. Steinberg, Timothy R. Harvey, Gene Buer, and Chuck Giesige.

#10.54  Form of Omnibus Code Section 409A Compliance Policy as entered into between Columbus McKinnon Corporation and each of 
Timothy T. Tevens, Karen L. Howard, Joseph J. Owen, Richard A. Steinberg, Timothy R. Harvey, Gene Buer, and Chuck Giesige.

# 10.55  Fourth amended and restated credit agreement dated as of December 31, 2009 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 10.1 to the 

Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 14, 2010)

#10.56  2010 Long Term Incentive Plan effective July 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company’s S-8 filed on August 12, 

2010.

#10.57  First Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009. (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 26, 2010)

#10.58  Second Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009. (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2010)

#10.59  Indenture related to the Company’s 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.1 to the 

Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2011)

#10.60  Supplemental Indenture related to the Company’s subsidiary guarantors as defined in the Indenture agreement related to the Company’s
7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2019 (incorporated by reference to exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed 
on January 28, 2011)

#10.61  Third Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009. (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2011)

#10.62  Fourth Amendment to the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated December 31, 2009. (incorporated by 

reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 15, 2012)

*21.1  Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

*23.1  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

*31.1  Certification of the principal executive officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

*31.2  Certification of the principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

*32.1  Certification of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The 
information contained in this exhibit shall not be deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission nor incorporated by 
reference in any registration statement foiled by the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

98

 
 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 
*101.INS  XBRL Instance Document
*101.SCH  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*101.CAL  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*101.DEF  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*101.LAB  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*101.PRE  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

*     Filed herewith
#     Indicates a Management contract or compensation plan or arrangement

99

 
 
 
 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be 

signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:  May 30, 2012

SIGNATURES

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

By: /S/  TIMOTHY T. TEVENS
Timothy T. Tevens
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of 

the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

  Date

    /S/    TIMOTHY T. TEVENS

TIMOTHY T. TEVENS

    /S/   GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ

GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
      (Principal Executive Officer)

  May 30, 2012

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

  May 30, 2012

    /S/   ERNEST R. VEREBELYI

Chairman of the Board of Directors

  May 30, 2012

ERNEST R. VEREBELYI

    /S/   RICHARD H. FLEMING

Director

  May 30, 2012

RICHARD H. FLEMING

    /S/   NICHOLAS T. PINCHUK

Director

NICHOLAS T. PINCHUK

    /S/   STEPHANIE K. KUSHNER

Director

STEPHANIE K. KUSNHER

    /S/   LINDA A. GOODSPEED

Director

LINDA A. GOODSPEED

    /S/   STEPHEN RABINOWITZ

Director

STEPHEN RABINOWITZ

    /S/   CHRISTIAN B. RAGOT

Director

CHRISTIAN B. RAGOT

    /S/   LIAM  MCCARTHY

Director

LIAM MCCARTHY

100

May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

May 30, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 21.1

COLUMBUS McKINNON CORPORATION

SUBSIDIARIES
(as of March 31, 2012)

CM Insurance Company, Inc. (US-NY)
Columbus McKinnon de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)
Columbus McKinnon de Uruguay, S.A. (Uruguay)
Columbus McKinnon do Brazil Ltda. (Brazil)
Columbus McKinnon de Panama S.A. (Panama)
Crane Equipment & Service, Inc. (US-OK)
Société d’Exploitation des Raccords Gautier (France)
Yale Industrial Products, Inc. (US-DE)

Egyptian-American Crane Co. (40% Joint Venture) (Egypt)
Columbus McKinnon Limited (Canada)
Yale Industrial Products Ltd. (England)
Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products GmbH (Germany)
Columbus McKinnon Asia Pacific Ltd. (Hong Kong)

Hangzhou LILA Lifting and Lashing Co. Ltd. (China)
Columbus McKinnon (Hangzhou) Industrial Products Co. Ltd. (China)

Columbus McKinnon Corporation Ltd. (England)
Columbus McKinnon France S.a.r.l. (France)

Columbus McKinnon Maghreb S.a.r.l AAU (Morocco)

Columbus McKinnon Italia S.r.l. (Italy)
Columbus McKinnon Ibérica S.L.U. (Spain)
Yale Industrial Products Asia Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
Columbus McKinnon Benelux, B.V. (The Netherlands)
Columbus McKinnon PTY, LTD (South Africa)

Yale Lifting & Mining Products (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)
Yale Engineering Products (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)
Yale Lifting Solutions (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)
Pfaff Hoist & Rigging (Pty.) Ltd. (South Africa)

Columbus McKinnon Austria GmbH (Austria)
Columbus McKinnon Hungary Kft. (Hungary)
Columbus McKinnon Russia LLC (Russia)
Columbus McKinnon Kaldirma ESVT, Ltd. (Turkey)
Columbus McKinnon Industrial Products ME FZE (Dubai)
Pfaff Beteiligungs GmbH (Germany)

Columbus McKinnon Engineered Products GmbH (Germany)

Alltec Antriebstechnik GmbH (Germany)
Pfaff Silberblau Utilaje de Ridicat si Transportat S.R.L. (Romania)
Pfaff Silberblau Winden & Hebezuege GesmbH (Austria)
Columbus McKinnon Polska Sp.z.o.o (Poland)
Columbus McKinnon Switzerland AG (Switzerland)
Pfaff Silberblau LTD, UK (England)

Verkehrstechnik Beteiligungs Gmbh (Germany)
Verkehrstechnik Gmbh & Co. KG (Germany)

 
 
 
Exhibit 23.1

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(1) Registration  Statement  (Form  S-8  No.  333-3212)   pertaining  to  the  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  1995  Incentive  Stock  Option  Plan,  the 
Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Plan,  the  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  Restricted  Stock  Plan  and  the 
Columbus McKinnon  Corporation  Employee Stock Ownership Plan Restatement Effective April 1, 1989 of Columbus McKinnon Corporation,

(2) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.  333-81719)  pertaining  to the  Options assumed  by  Columbus  McKinnon  Corporation  originally  granted  

under  the GL International,  Inc.  1997 Stock Option Plan and the Larco Industrial Services Ltd.  1997 Stock Option Plan,

(3) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-137212) pertaining to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, and

(4) Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-168777) pertaining to the Columbus McKinnon Corporation 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan;

of our reports dated May 30, 2012, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Columbus McKinnon Corporation and the 
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Columbus McKinnon Corporation included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year 
ended March 31, 2012.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Buffalo, New York
May 30, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.1

I, Timothy T. Tevens, certify that:

CERTIFICATION

1.

2.

3.

4.

I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Columbus McKinnon Corporation;

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make 
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by 
this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the 
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15
(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.

b.

c.

d.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our 
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us 
by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under 
our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about 
the  effectiveness  of  the  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this  report  based  on  such 
evaluation; and

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most  recent  fiscal  quarter,  the  registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report,  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is 
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to 
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.

b.

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are 
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 30, 2012

/S/    TIMOTHY T. TEVENS
Timothy T. Tevens
Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exhibit 31.2

I, Gregory P. Rustowicz, certify that:

1.       I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Columbus McKinnon Corporation;

CERTIFICATION

2.

3.

4.

Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make 
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by 
this report;

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the 
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in 
Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15
(f)) for the registrant and have:

a.

b.

c.

d.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our 
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us 
by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under 
our  supervision,  to  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial 
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about 
the  effectiveness  of  the  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this  report  based  on  such 
evaluation; and

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most  recent  fiscal  quarter,  the  registrant’s  fourth  fiscal  quarter  in  the  case  of  an  annual  report,  that  has  materially  affected,  or  is 
reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to 
the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.

b.

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are 
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 30, 2012

/S/   GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ

Gregory P. Rustowicz
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CERTIFICATION

Exhibit 32.1

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 

2002, that the Annual Report of Columbus McKinnon Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2011, fully complies 
with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in the such Annual Report on 
Form 10-K fairly presents, in all material  respects,  the  financial condition and result of operations of the Company.

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company 

and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Dated:  May 30, 2012

/S/ TIMOTHY T. TEVENS
Timothy T. Tevens
Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

/S/ GREGORY P. RUSTOWICZ
Gregory P. Rustowicz
Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

Company Profi le

Columbus McKinnon Corporation 

(NASDAQ: CMCO) is a leading worldwide 

designer, manufacturer and marketer 

of material handling products, systems 

and services, which effi ciently and 

ergonomically move, lift, position and 

secure materials.  

Headquartered in Amherst, New York, 

Columbus McKinnon’s key products 

include hoists, cranes, actuators, and 

rigging tools.  The Company is focused on 

commercial and industrial applications 

that require the safety and quality 

provided by its superior design and 

engineering know-how.  

Fiscal 2012 Net Sales

7% 2%

$591.9 

million

(Fiscal 2012 

Net Sales)

59%

18%

Broad Product Offering

Rigging & Lifting Tools 

Actuators/Rotary Unions 

Hoists 

Cranes 

Other 

59%

18%

14%

7%

2%

1898

1881

1927

1937

1942

1904

1920

1929

1938

1972

5% 2%

8%

Sales in 

over 50 

countries

55%

30%

Global Sales – FY 2012

US 

Europe, Middle East & Africa 

Canada 

Latin America 

Asia Pacifi c 

55%

30%

8%

5%

2%

Our Competitive Advantage: 

Strong Brands Built on Quality and Reliability

Shareholder and Corporate Information

Common Stock
Columbus McKinnon’s common stock is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol 
CMCO.  As of April 30, 2012, there were 552 shareholders of record and 
19,400,526 total outstanding common stock.  According to March 31, 2012 
SEC fi lings, 109 institutional and mutual fund investors owned approximately 
91% of Columbus McKinnon’s outstanding common shares.  

Annual Meeting of Shareholders
July 23, 2012
10:00 a.m. Central Time
The Peninsula Chicago
108 East Superior Street @ North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312-337-2888

Transfer Agent
Please direct questions about lost certifi cates, change of address and 
consolidation of accounts to the Company’s transfer agent and registrar:
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane, Plaza Level
New York, New York 10038
800-937-5449
718-921-8200
www.amstock.com

Investor Relations
Gregory P. Rustowicz
Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Offi cer
Columbus McKinnon Corporation 
716-689-5442
E-mail: greg.rustowicz@cmworks.com

Deborah K. Pawlowski
Kei Advisors LLC
716-843-3908
E-mail: dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com

Investor information is available on the Company’s website: 
www.cmworks.com

Corporate Headquarters
Columbus McKinnon Corporation
140 John James Audubon Parkway
Amherst, New York 14228-1197
716-689-5400

Independent Auditors
Ernst & Young LLP
50 Fountain Plaza, 15th fl oor
Buffalo, New York 14202-2297

Analyst Coverage
The following analysts published research about 
Columbus McKinnon Corporation during the last year:

BB&T Capital Markets
Schon Williams / 804-782-8769
cwilliams@bbandt.com

CJS Securities
Jason Ursaner / 914-287-7600
jursaner@cjs-securities.com

C.L. King & Associates
Gary Farber / 212-364-1812
gaf@clking.com

Sidoti & Company
Joseph Mondillo / 212-894-3339 
jmondillo@sidoti.com

Forward-Looking Information
The Columbus McKinnon annual report contains “forward-looking statements” 
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such 
statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future revenue 
and earnings, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors 
that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the 
results expressed or implied by such statements, including general economic and 
business conditions, conditions affecting the industries served by the Company 
and its subsidiaries, conditions affecting the Company’s customers and suppliers, 
competitor responses to the Company’s products and services, the overall market 
acceptance of such products and services and other factors disclosed in the 
Company’s periodic reports fi led with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information 
contained in this report.

2012 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
140 John James Audubon Parkway
Amherst, NY 14228-1197
General 716-689-5400

cmworks.com
NASDAQ: CMCO

Our Vision

Become the Material Handling Champion of the World

Superior 
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OUR GLOBAL REACH

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2012 Annual Report