UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

þ		Quarterly Report under Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

o		Transition Report under Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission file Number: 0-10546

LAWSON PRODUCTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		36-2229304
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1666 East Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois		60018
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(847) 827-9666
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer þ		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company o
				(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $1 par value, as of October 31, 2011 was 8,565,517.

 

 

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. The terms “may,” “should,” “could,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. These statements are based on management’s current expectations, intentions or beliefs and are subject to a number of factors, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences or that might otherwise impact the business include:

•

the effect of general economic and market conditions;

•

inventory obsolescence;

•

work stoppages and other disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports;

•

changing customer demand and product mixes;

•

increases in commodity prices;

•

disruptions of the Company’s information and communication systems;

•

the inability of management to successfully implement strategic initiatives;

•

failure to manage change;

•

failure to retain a talented workforce;

•

the influence of controlling stockholder;

•

changes in taxation; and,

•

all other factors discussed in the Company’s “Risk Factors” set forth in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, updated in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2011 and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page #
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1 Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010			4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)			5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (Unaudited)			6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)			7
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			11
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			16
Item 4 Controls and Procedures			16
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A Risk Factors			17
Item 6 Exhibits Index			17
SIGNATURES			18
Exhibit 31.1
Exhibit 31.2
Exhibit 32
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1		— FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Lawson Products, Inc.

		September 30,				December 31,
		2011				2010
		(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19,260			$	40,566
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts			39,813				33,398
Inventories			44,320				47,167
Miscellaneous receivables and prepaid expenses			6,949				8,905
Deferred income taxes			4,340				4,251
Discontinued operations			591				619
Total current assets			115,273				134,906
Property, plant and equipment, net			49,308				44,442
Cash value of life insurance			15,601				15,660
Deferred income taxes			10,075				11,492
Goodwill			27,966				28,307
Other assets			733				1,577
Total assets		$	218,956			$	236,384
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	13,396			$	18,195
Accrued expenses and other liabilities			30,014				35,348
Discontinued operations			460				2,008
Total current liabilities			43,870				55,551
Security bonus plan			24,092				25,602
Deferred compensation			9,414				10,792
Other liabilities			1,289				1,574
			34,795				37,968
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 500,000 shares, Issued and outstanding — None			—				—
Common stock, $1 par value:
Authorized - 35,000,000 shares
Issued - 8,568,220 and 8,534,028 shares
Outstanding - 8,565,517 and 8,531,325 shares			8,568				8,534
Capital in excess of par value			6,114				5,328
Retained earnings			123,945				126,098
Treasury stock — 2,703 shares			(70	)			(70	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			1,734				2,975
Total stockholders’ equity			140,291				142,865
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	218,956			$	236,384

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Lawson Products, Inc.

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net sales		$	75,366			$	81,553			$	242,099			$	236,768
Cost of goods sold			32,820				31,605				101,315				91,706
Gross profit			42,546				49,948				140,784				145,062
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses			45,335				43,605				137,026				132,097
Severance expense			282				1,334				1,492				2,984
Legal settlement			—				(3,500	)			—				(4,050	)
Gain on sale of assets			—				—				—				(1,701	)
Operating income (loss)			(3,071	)			8,509				2,266				15,732
Other income (expense), net			59				(14	)			138				25
Interest expense			(79	)			(105	)			(662	)			(386	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes			(3,091	)			8,390				1,742				15,371
Income tax (benefit) expense			(937	)			2,624				758				5,893
Income (loss) from continuing operations			(2,154	)			5,766				984				9,478
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(9	)			(2,337	)			(61	)			(2,030	)
Net income (loss)		$	(2,163	)		$	3,429			$	923			$	7,448
Basic income (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations		$	(0.25	)		$	0.68			$	0.12			$	1.11
Discontinued operations			—				(0.28	)			(0.01	)			(0.24	)
Net income (loss) per share		$	(0.25	)		$	0.40			$	0.11			$	0.87
Diluted income (loss) per share of common stock:
Continuing operations		$	(0.25	)		$	0.68			$	0.11			$	1.11
Discontinued operations			—				(0.28	)			—				(0.24	)
Net income (loss) per share		$	(0.25	)		$	0.40			$	0.11			$	0.87
Basic weighted average shares outstanding			8,566				8,522				8,549				8,522
Dilutive effect of stock based compensation			—				12				62				6
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding			8,566				8,534				8,611				8,528
Cash dividends declared per share of common stock		$	0.12			$	0.08			$	0.36			$	0.20

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Lawson Products, Inc.

		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010
Operating activities:
Net income		$	923			$	7,448
Loss from discontinued operations			61				2,030
Income from continuing operations			984				9,478
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			3,955				4,467
Deferred income taxes			1,328				3,325
Stock based compensation			(406	)			276
Settlement payment			—				(10,000	)
Gain on sale of property			—				(1,701	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(6,941	)			(7,032	)
Inventories			2,642				(3,353	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets			2,068				2,745
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(9,735	)			3,039
Other			(2,342	)			(1,744	)
Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations		$	(8,447	)		$	(500	)
Investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment		$	(8,918	)		$	(5,218	)
Net proceeds (outlay) related to sale of businesses			(192	)			16,000
Proceeds from sale of property			—				2,027
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities of continuing operations		$	(9,110	)		$	12,809
Financing activities:
Dividends paid		$	(3,071	)		$	(1,534	)
Other			—				(32	)
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations		$	(3,071	)		$	(1,566	)
Discontinued operations:
Operating cash flows		$	(678	)		$	3,644
Investing cash flows			—				(4	)
Net cash (used in) provided by activities of discontinued operations		$	(678	)		$	3,640
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(21,306	)			14,383
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			40,566				8,787
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	19,260			$	23,170

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Lawson Products, Inc.

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Lawson Products, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not contain all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. Reference should be made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. In the opinion of the Company, all normal recurring adjustments have been made, that are necessary to present fairly the results of operations for the interim periods. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified for all prior periods presented to reflect current discontinued operations treatment (see Note 2 — Discontinued Operations). Unless noted otherwise, discussions in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements pertain to continuing operations. Certain other reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation. Such reclassifications have no effect on net income as previously reported.

There have been no material changes in our significant accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the significant accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The Company has determined that there were no subsequent events to recognize or disclose in these financial statements.

Note 2 — Discontinued operations

In the third quarter of 2010 the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Assembly Component Systems, Inc. (“ACS”), a wholly owned subsidiary for $19.0 million. A $2.5 million net loss on the sale was recorded in the third quarter of 2010.

In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company sold substantially all of the assets of Rutland Tool & Supply Company, Inc. (“Rutland”). Accordingly, Rutland’s results of operations have been reflected in discontinued operations. Rutland’s net sales, which were previously included in the Company’s Maintenance Repair and Operations (“MRO”) segment, were $7.7 million and $23.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Note 3 — Inventories

Components of inventories were as follows:

		(Amounts in thousands)
		September 30,				December 31,
		2011				2010
Finished goods		$	45,187			$	49,084
Work in progress			1,755				1,203
Raw materials			1,646				1,591
Total			48,588				51,878
Reserve for obsolete and excess inventory			(4,268	)			(4,711	)
		$	44,320			$	47,167

Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 4 — Severance Reserve

The table below shows the changes in the Company’s reserve for severance and related payments, included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010:

		(Amounts in thousands)
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2011				2010
Balance at beginning of year		$	3,062			$	4,086
Charged to earnings			1,492				2,984
Cash paid			(2,715	)			(3,651	)
Balance at end of the period		$	1,839			$	3,419

Note 5 — Credit Agreement

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company entered into an Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated August 21, 2009 between the Company and The PrivateBank and Trust Company (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement extends the term of the $55.0 million credit facility, which includes an additional $20.0 million accordion feature, to October 1, 2016. The Amended Credit Agreement decreases the interest rate spreads and the unused line fee, increases the annual allowable dividends from $7.0 million to $10.0 million, increases the allowance for acquisitions and reduces the minimum working capital to total debt ratio from 2.0 to 1.75.

Note 6 — Legal Settlement

During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a benefit of $3.5 million and $4.1 million, respectively, related to proceeds received from legal remedies related to the actions of several former sales agents and Share Corporation alleging, among other things, breach of contract and interference with customer relationships.

Note 7 — Gain on Sale of Assets

In the first nine months of 2010, the Company received cash proceeds of $2.0 million from the sale of its Dallas, Texas distribution center, resulting in a gain of $1.7 million.

Note 8 — Income Tax

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. As of September 30, 2011, the Company is subject to U.S. Federal income tax examinations for the years 2009 and 2010 and income tax examinations from various other jurisdictions for the years 2005 through 2010.

Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

Note 9 — Comprehensive Income (loss)

Components of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

		(Amounts in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net income (loss)		$	(2,163	)		$	3,429			$	923			$	7,448
Foreign currency translation adjustment			(1,649	)			1,296				(1,241	)			1,169
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(3,812	)		$	4,725			$	(318	)		$	8,617

Note 10 — Related Party Transaction

The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Port, was a partner in two partnerships that had an interest in Lawson’s common stock. During 2010, litigation was initiated against Dr. Port, requesting that the partnerships be changed to allow the partners to have more control over their respective shares. The suit named Dr. Port as a defendant based on his role in the partnerships and as a Director of the Company. The Company was not a party to the lawsuit.

On March 17, 2011 the litigation was settled with assets distributed under the terms of a settlement agreement and all parties agreed to release Dr. Port, individually and as a Director of the Company, from any and all claims related to the litigation. Through September 30, 2011, the Company had incurred $0.8 million for legal services provided to Dr. Port in relation to this litigation of which $0.1 million was incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Note 11 — Contingency

One of the Company’s subsidiaries, Drummond American LLC (“Drummond”), is under an employment tax examination for the years 2007 and 2008 of the long-standing treatment of its sales agents as independent contractors. The Company has received indications from the IRS that it intends to challenge Drummond’s position that the sales agents were independent contractors and will seek certain adjustments, potentially including penalties and interest. The Company intends to continue to pursue resolution with the IRS, but it is not possible at this time to predict the final outcome or to establish a reasonable estimate or a range of possible outcomes of this matter. An unfavorable outcome of this examination could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Note 12 — Segment Reporting

The Company has two operating segments: MRO and OEM. The Company’s MRO segment is a distributor of products and services to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental Maintenance, Repair and Operations marketplace. The Company’s OEM segment manufactures, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the Original Equipment Manufacturer marketplace. The Company’s two reportable segments are distinguished by the nature of products distributed and sold, types of customers and manner of servicing them. The Company evaluates performance and allocates resources to reportable segments primarily based on operating income.

Lawson Products, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

The following table presents summary financial information for the Company’s reportable segments:

		(Amounts in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net sales
MRO		$	71,490			$	77,949			$	231,370			$	226,680
OEM			3,876				3,604				10,729				10,088
Consolidated total		$	75,366			$	81,553			$	242,099			$	236,768
Operating income (loss)
MRO		$	(3,140	)		$	6,191			$	3,126			$	12,979
OEM			351				152				632				(14	)
Severance expense			(282	)			(1,334	)			(1,492	)			(2,984	)
Legal Settlement			—				3,500				—				4,050
Gain on sale of assets			—				—				—				1,701
Consolidated total		$	(3,071	)		$	8,509			$	2,266			$	15,732
Other income (expense), net			59				(14	)			138				25
Interest expense			(79	)			(105	)			(662	)			(386	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	(3,091	)		$	8,390			$	1,742			$	15,371

Note 13 — Earnings Per Share

Approximately 51,000 contingent shares of common stock, that could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future, have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2011 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The contingent shares relate to the Company’s stock based compensation plans.

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

Quarter ended September 30, 2011 compared to Quarter ended September 30, 2010

The following table presents a summary of our financial performance for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

										2010
		2011												% of
						% of								Net
($ in thousands)		Amount				Net Sales				Amount				Sales
Net sales
MRO		$	71,490				94.9	%		$	77,949				95.6	%
OEM			3,876				5.1				3,604				4.4
Consolidated total		$	75,366				100.0	%		$	81,553				100.0	%
Gross profit
MRO		$	41,742				58.4	%		$	49,362				63.3	%
OEM			804				20.7				586				16.3
Consolidated total			42,546				56.5				49,948				61.2
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses			45,335				60.2				43,605				53.5
Severance expense			282				0.4				1,334				1.6
Legal settlement			—				—				(3,500	)			(4.3	)
Operating income (loss)			(3,071	)			(4.1	)			8,509				10.4
Other expense, net			(20	)			—				(119	)			(0.1	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense			(3,091	)			(4.1	)			8,390				10.3
Income tax (benefit) expense			(937	)			(1.2	)			2,624				3.2
Income (loss) from continuing operations		$	(2,154	)			(2.9	)%		$	5,766				7.1	%

Net Sales

Net sales for the third quarter of 2011 decreased 7.6% to $75.4 million, from $81.6 million in the third quarter of 2010. Excluding the Canadian exchange rate impact, net sales decreased 8.0% for the quarter.

MRO net sales decreased $6.5 million or 8.3% in the third quarter of 2011, to $71.5 million from $77.9 million in the prior year period. The third quarter was impacted by the loss of two selling days during the conversion to our new Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system. Additionally, the ERP conversion temporarily impacted our ability to timely process orders and replenish our distribution centers which resulted in lower fill rates and, in some cases, untimely shipments to our customers. Average daily MRO sales decreased from $1.180 million in July to $1.035 million in August as a result of our August ERP conversion. September average daily MRO sales of $1.147 million reflect a gradual return toward more normalized sales levels as we improve our order fulfillment.

For the quarter, our national accounts increased 6.7% or $0.4 million, while our government accounts decreased $3.2 million due to a reduction in our military orders. MRO average daily sales decreased to $1.117 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $1.218 million in the third quarter of 2010.

OEM net sales were $3.9 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to $3.6 million in the prior year quarter.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased $7.4 million in the third quarter of 2011, to $42.5 million from $49.9 million in the prior year period. MRO gross profit as a percent of net MRO sales decreased to 58.4% in the third quarter of 2011, compared to 63.3% achieved in the third quarter of 2010. The decline was driven by three factors: (i) Increased vendor costs were not passed along to our customers as we held pricing constant to facilitate our ERP conversion; (ii) Outbound freight costs increased as we shipped more single line orders to support our customers during the conversion; and (iii) our strategic decision to pursue larger customers with lower margins, which should increase retention and allow for margin dollar expansion over time.

OEM gross profit increased $0.2 million and increased as a percent of OEM sales to 20.7% in the third quarter of 2011 from 16.3% in the third quarter of 2010, driven primarily by a shift in sales toward higher margin customers.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

SG&A expenses increased 4.0% to $45.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 from $43.6 million in 2010. SG&A expenses consist of selling expenses (i.e. commissions paid to our independent agents and employee sales expenses and related expenses to support our sales efforts), costs within our distribution network, and general and administrative costs to manage the business.

Selling expenses decreased to $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 from $20.3 million in the third quarter of 2010, but increased as a percent of net sales to 25.7% in 2011 from 24.9% in 2010, primarily reflecting higher health insurance claims.

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses increased $2.7 million, primarily driven by expenses related to our ERP implementation of $2.3 million, investments in our comprehensive website re-development, higher health insurance claims and temporary labor costs, partially offset by decreased incentive and stock based compensation expenses.

Severance Expense

Severance expense in the third quarter of 2011 was $0.3 million compared to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2010. Severance expense in both 2011 and 2010 related to the elimination of certain positions associated with the realignment of various operating responsibilities.

Legal Settlement

During the third quarter of 2010, we recorded a $3.5 million benefit related to proceeds received from legal remedies related to the actions of several former sales agents and Share Corporation alleging, among other things, breach of contract and interference with customer relationships.

Income Tax (Benefit) Expense

An income tax benefit of $0.9 million was recorded based on a pre-tax loss of $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, resulting in an effective tax benefit rate of 30.3%. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, income tax expense was $2.6 million based on pre-tax income of $8.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31.3%.

Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations

We reported a loss from continuing operations of $2.2 million or $0.25 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2011. Income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2010 which included a favorable legal settlement of $3.5 million was $5.8 million or $0.68 per diluted share. Excluding the legal settlement and related tax impact, income from continuing operations was $0.39 per diluted share in for the third quarter of 2010.

Nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2010

The following table presents a summary of our financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

		2011								2010
($ in thousands)		Amount				Net Sales				Amount				Net Sales
Net sales
MRO		$	231,370				95.6	%		$	226,680				95.7	%
OEM			10,729				4.4				10,088				4.3
Consolidated total		$	242,099				100.0	%		$	236,768				100.0	%
Gross profit
MRO		$	138,675				59.9	%		$	143,520				63.3	%
OEM			2,109				19.7				1,542				15.3
Consolidated total			140,784				58.2				145,062				61.3
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses			137,026				56.6				132,097				55.8
Severance expense			1,492				0.7				2,984				1.3
Legal settlement			—				—				(4,050	)			(1.7	)
Gain on sale of assets			—				—				(1,701	)			(0.7	)
Operating income			2,266				0.9				15,732				6.6
Other expense, net			(524	)			(0.2	)			(361	)			(0.1	)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense			1,742				0.7				15,371				6.5
Income tax expense			758				0.3				5,893				2.5
Income from continuing operations		$	984				0.4	%		$	9,478				4.0	%

Net Sales

Net sales for the first nine months of 2011 increased 2.3% to $242.1 million, from $236.8 million in the first nine months of 2010. Excluding the Canadian exchange rate impact, net sales increased 1.6% over the prior year period.

MRO net sales increased 2.1% in the first nine months of 2011, to $231.4 million from $226.7 million in the prior year period. MRO average daily sales increased to $1.211 million in the first nine months of 2011 compared to $1.187 million in the first nine months of 2010. National and government accounts represented approximately 17.1% of net sales for the first nine months of 2011 versus approximately 15.7% in the prior year period.

OEM net sales increased 6.4% in the first nine months of 2011, to $10.7 million from $10.1 million in the prior year period, driven by strength in our aerospace customer base and new customer growth.

Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased $4.3 million in the first nine months of 2011, to $140.8 million from $145.1 million in the prior year period. MRO gross profit as a percent of net MRO sales decreased to 59.9% in the first nine months of 2011, compared to 63.3% achieved in the prior year period, primarily due to the shift toward acquiring new larger customers at lower margins, increased outbound freight costs and increased vendor costs while holding customer pricing constant to facilitate our ERP conversion.

OEM gross profit increased $0.6 million and increased as a percent of OEM sales to 19.7% in the first nine months of 2011 from 15.3% in the first nine months of 2010. The improvement as a percent of sales was primarily driven by higher margin new business growth.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

SG&A expenses increased $4.9 million or 3.7% to $137.0 million in the first nine months of 2011 from $132.1 million in 2010. As a percent of net sales, SG&A increased by 0.9 percentage points to 56.7% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to 55.8% in the prior year period.

Selling expenses increased slightly to $60.9 million in the first nine months of 2011 from $60.8 million in the first nine months of 2010 and decreased as a percent of net sales to 25.2% in 2011 from 25.7% in 2010. The decrease, as a percent of sales, reflects costs incurred in 2010 related to the transition of the district sales managers to full-time employees and the planned shift toward higher volume lower margin national customers that pay a lower commission.

G&A expenses increased $4.8 million or 6.7%, primarily driven by additional ERP implementation expenses in 2011 over 2010 of $4.4 million, partially offset by lower incentive compensation. Excluding ERP, G&A expenses increased $0.4 million or 0.6%.

Severance Expense

Severance expense was $1.5 million in the first nine months of 2011 compared to $3.0 million in the first nine months of 2010. Severance expense in both 2011 and 2010 related to the elimination of certain positions associated with the realignment of various operating responsibilities.

Legal Settlement

In the first nine months of 2010, we recorded a $4.1 million benefit related to proceeds received from legal remedies related to the actions of several former sales agents and Share Corporation alleging, among other things, breach of contract and interference with customer relationships.

Gain on Sale of Assets

During the first nine months of 2010 we recorded a gain on sale of assets of $1.7 million related to the sale of our Dallas, Texas distribution center.

Other Expense, net

Other expense, net of $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2011 relates primarily to interest assessed on unclaimed property settlements. Other expense, net of $0.4 million in the first nine months of 2010 relates primarily to interest charged on our credit facility.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense of $0.8 million was recorded based on pre-tax income of $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, resulting in an effective tax rate of 43.5%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, income tax expense was $5.9 million based on pre-tax income of $15.4 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 38.3%. The 2011 tax rate increased from 2010 primarily due to the effect of permanent tax differences on lower projected pre-tax income in 2011.

Income from Continuing Operations

We reported income from continuing operations of $1.0 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2011. Income from continuing operations for the prior year period, which included the gain from the sale of the Dallas distribution center and a favorable legal settlement, was $9.5 million or $1.11 per diluted share. Excluding these items and related tax impact, income from continuing operations was $0.70 per diluted share in 2010.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents were $19.3 million on September 30, 2011 compared to $40.6 million on December 31, 2010. Net cash used in operating activities was $8.4 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $0.5 million for the first nine months of 2010 which included a $10.0 million settlement payment. The increase in cash used in operations was driven by lower income and increases in working capital during the first nine months of the year. Accounts receivable increased due to seasonal fluctuations and temporarily easing our collection efforts during the ERP conversion. Additionally, inventory declined due to lower product purchases during the quarter along with a sell through of pre-ERP inventory.

Capital expenditures were $8.9 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $5.2 million for the first nine months of 2010. Capital expenditures related to the ERP implementation were $6.5 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $4.2 million in 2010. To date, the Company has invested, including both capital and expense, $23.4 million related to the ERP implementation. We anticipate that total capital expenditures for 2011 will be approximately $12.0 million.

Cash flows from investing activities in the first nine months of 2010 benefited from the receipt of $16.0 million from the sale of ACS and the receipt of $2.0 million from the sale of our Dallas, Texas distribution center. Net cash used in financing activities included dividend payments of $3.1 million and $1.5 million for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively.

During the third quarter of 2011, we entered into an Amendment to the Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”). The Amended Credit Agreement extends the term of the $55.0 million credit facility, which includes an additional $20.0 million accordion feature, to October 1, 2016. The Amended Credit Agreement decreases the interest rate spreads and the unused line fee, increases the annual allowable dividends from $7.0 million to $10.0 million, increases the allowance for acquisitions and reduces the minimum working capital to total debt ratio from 2.00 to 1.75.

On September 30, 2011 and 2010, we had no borrowings outstanding on our revolving line of credit. At September 30, 2011 we were in compliance with all covenants related to our revolving line of credit as detailed below:

		Minimum
Covenant		Requirement				Actual
Cash plus accounts receivable and inventory to debt ratio			1.75:1.00				84.61:1.00
Tangible net worth		$55.0 million				$90.2 million
Debt service ratio			1.2				2.9

We believe that cash on hand, cash provided by future operations and our $55.0 million revolving line of credit will be sufficient to fund our operating requirements, capital expenditures and other commitments and obligations in the next twelve months.

ITEM 3.		QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes in market risk at September 30, 2011 from that reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4.		CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision and with the participation of our senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of the Evaluation Date that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective such that (i) the information relating to Lawson, including our consolidated subsidiaries, required to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (ii) include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

During the third quarter, we completed a major phase of the implementation of a new ERP system. The ERP implementation replaced our existing order entry, fulfillment, service and financial systems, resulting in significant changes to our business processes and therefore our internal controls. These changes are intended to improve customer service and controls and reduce manual processes. Our implementation process was designed to identify and remediate control issues as they are identified. We have monitoring controls in place to ensure the ongoing reliability of our financial reporting. We believe the controls, as implemented, are appropriate and functioning effectively.

Other than the change mentioned above, no other change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEMS 1, 2, 3 and 5 of Part II are inapplicable and have been omitted from this report.

ITEM 1A.		RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes in the Company’s risk factors at September 30, 2011 from that reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011.

ITEM 6.		EXHIBITS

Exhibit #
	31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
	31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
	32			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
* 101.INS				XBRL Instance Document
* 101.SCH				XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
* 101.CAL				XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
* 101.LAB				XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
* 101.PRE				XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

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