Unassociated Document


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

 
FORM 10-K

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2011

¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from                                to                                 
 
Commission File Number 000-50924
 

 
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
36-4173371
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
 
Address of principal executive offices: One Lakeland Park Drive, Peabody, MA 01960
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (978) 535-7668
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of each class
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
Name of each exchange on which registered:
 The NASDAQ Global Select Market
 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
 
None
 

 
        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x  No  ¨
 
        Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨  No  x
 
        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x  No  ¨
 
        
        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§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).  x YES ¨ NO
 
        Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x
 
        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 definition of “large accelerated filer," “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer  ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer   ¨ (do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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  ¨  No  x
 
        The aggregate market value of the voting stock (common stock) held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the end of the second quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $930,114,110.
 
        The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of November 1, 2011 was 46,157,146.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         The information required by Part III (Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14) will be incorporated by reference from the Registrant's definitive proxy statement (to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A).

 
 

 

  Table of Contents
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.

Index to Annual Report
on Form 10-K

Year Ended September 30, 2011

PART I
     
4
Item 1.
 
Business
 
4
Item 1A.
 
Risk Factors
 
12
Item 1B.
 
Unresolved Staff Comments
 
13
Item 2.
 
Properties
 
14
Item 3.
 
Legal Proceedings
 
15
         
PART II
     
16
Item 5.
 
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
16
Item 6.
 
Selected Financial Data
 
18
Item 7.
 
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
19
Item 7A.
 
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
34
Item 8.
 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
36
Item 9.
 
Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
59
Item 9A.
 
Controls and Procedures
 
59
Item 9B.
 
Other Information
 
61
         
PART III
     
62
         
PART IV
     
62
Item 15.
 
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
62

 
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 Forward-looking statements
 
                   The matters discussed in this Form 10-K that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. You should read statements that contain these words carefully, because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other "forward-looking" information.
 
                   We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. However, there are events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or control. The factors listed under Item 1A, Risk Factors, as well as any cautionary language in this Form 10-K, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements. Although we believe that our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, actual results may differ materially from those in the forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, those described under Item 1A, Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.
 
                   Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-K. Except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention, and do not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this Form 10-K, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-K or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by or on behalf of us. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

 
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 PART I
 
  ITEM 1.    BUSINESS
 
Overview
 
                   We are one of the largest distributors of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the United States and Canada. We also distribute other complementary building materials, including siding, windows, specialty lumber products and waterproofing systems for residential and nonresidential building exteriors. We currently operate 194 branches in 38 states and 6 Canadian provinces, carrying up to 10,000 SKUs and serving approximately 40,000 customers. We are a leading distributor of roofing materials in key metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Central Plains, South and Southwest regions of the United States and across Canada.
 
                   For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 (“fiscal year 2011” or “2011”), residential roofing products comprised 46% of our sales, non-residential roofing products accounted for 40% of our sales, and siding, waterproofing systems, windows, specialty lumber and other exterior building products provided the remaining 14% of our sales.
 
We also provide our customers a comprehensive array of value-added services, including:
 
 
advice and assistance to contractors throughout the construction process, including product identification, specification and technical support;
 
job site delivery, rooftop loading and logistical services;
 
tapered insulation design and layout services;
 
metal fabrication and related metal roofing design and layout services;
 
trade credit; and
 
marketing support, including project leads for contractors.
 
                   We believe the additional services we provide strengthen our relationships with our customers and distinguish us from our competition. The vast majority of orders require at least some of these services. Our ability to provide these services efficiently and reliably can save contractors time and money. We also believe that our value-added services enable us to achieve attractive gross profit margins on our product sales. We have earned a reputation for a high level of product availability, excellent employees, professionalism and high-quality service, including timely, accurate and safe delivery of products.
 
                   Our diverse customer base represents a significant portion of the residential and non-residential roofing contractors in most of our markets. Reflecting the overall market for roofing products, we sell the majority of our products to roofing contractors that are involved on a local basis in the replacement, or re-roofing, component of the roofing industry. We utilize a branch-based operating model in which branches maintain local customer relationships but benefit from centralized functions such as information technology, accounting, financial reporting, credit, purchasing, legal and tax services. This allows us to provide customers with specialized products and personalized local services tailored to a geographic region, while benefiting from the resources and scale efficiencies of a national distributor.
 
We have achieved our growth through a combination of seventeen strategic and complementary acquisitions between fiscal years 2001 and 2011, opening new branch locations, acquiring branches and broadening our product offering. We have grown from $415.1 million in sales in fiscal year 2001 to $1.817 billion in sales in fiscal year 2011, which represents a ten-year compound annual growth rate of 15.9%.  Our internal growth, which includes growth from existing and newly opened branches but excludes growth from acquired branches, averaged 3.6% per annum over the same period. Acquired branches are excluded from internal growth measures until they have been under our ownership for at least four full fiscal quarters at the start of the reporting period. During this eleven-year period, we opened thirty-three new branch locations (of which we have only closed two), while our same store sales increased an average of 0.3% per annum. Same store sales are defined as the aggregate sales from branches open for the entire comparable annual periods within the eleven-year period. Income from operations has increased from $18.7 million in fiscal year 2001 to $103.7 million in fiscal year 2011, which represents a compound annual growth rate of 18.7%. We believe that our proven business model can deliver industry-leading growth and operating profit margins.
 
                    In fiscal year 2011, our sales and income from operations increased 12.9% and 41.0%, respectively, over fiscal year 2010. We had 254 business days in fiscal year 2011, while fiscal year 2010 had 253 days. We acquired six new branches, opened three branches and closed three branches during fiscal year 2011.
 
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 are available free of charge on our website at www.beaconroofingsupply.com as soon as reasonably practical after we electronically file such reports with, or furnish them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 
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History
 
               Our predecessor, Beacon Sales Company, Inc., was founded in Charlestown, Massachusetts (a part of Boston) in 1928. In 1984, when our former Chairman Andrew Logie acquired Beacon Sales Company with other investors, Beacon operated three distribution facilities and generated approximately $16 million in annual revenue. In August 1997, Code, Hennessy & Simmons III, L.P., a Chicago-based private equity fund, and certain members of management, purchased Beacon Sales Company to use it as a platform to acquire leading regional roofing materials distributors throughout the United States and Canada. At the time of the purchase by Code Hennessy and management, Beacon Sales Company operated seven branches in New England and generated approximately $72 million of revenue annually, primarily from the sale of non-residential roofing products. Since 1997, we have made twenty-five strategic and complementary acquisitions. Also since 1997, we have opened a total of thirty-eight new branches (of which we have only closed two). We have also expanded our product offerings to offer more residential roofing products and complementary exterior building materials and related services. Our strategic acquisitions, branch expansions, and product line extensions have increased the diversity of both our customer base and local market focus and generated cost savings through increased purchasing power and reduced overhead expenses as a percentage of net sales. We completed an initial public offering ("IPO") and became a public company in September 2004, and completed a follow-on stock offering in December 2005.
 
                   We were incorporated in Delaware in 1997. Our principal executive offices are located at One Lakeland Park Drive, Peabody, MA 01960 and our telephone number is (978) 535-7668. Our Internet website address is www.beaconroofingsupply.com.
 
U.S. Industry Overview
 
                   The U.S. roofing market, based upon an early 2010 industry report, the latest available to us, and based upon manufacturer sales to distributors and others, was estimated to be approximately $15.0 billion in 2009 and is projected to grow 3.6% annually through 2014 to $17.9 billion. We believe this rate of growth is within the range of the stable long-term growth rates in the industry over the past 40 years.
 
                   The U.S. roofing market can be separated into two categories: the residential roofing market and the non-residential roofing market. The residential roofing market accounted for approximately 58% of the total U.S. market by unit volume (39% of total dollar demand) in 2009. Through 2014, residential roofing construction in dollars is expected to grow slightly faster than non-residential roofing construction as residential construction is projected to rebound from current low levels.
 
                   Traditionally, over 70% of expenditures in the roofing market are for re-roofing projects, with the balance being for new construction. Due to the current slow down in both residential and non-residential new construction, it is estimated that re-roofing represented over 85% of the expenditures for roofing in 2009.  Re-roofing projects are generally considered maintenance and repair expenditures and are less likely than new construction projects to be postponed during periods of recession or slow economic growth. As a result, demand for roofing products is less volatile than overall demand for construction products.
 
                   Regional variations in economic activity influence the level of demand for roofing products across the United States. Of particular importance are regional differences in the level of new home construction and renovation, because the residential market for roofing products accounts for approximately 58% of unit demand. Demographic trends, including population growth and migration, contribute to regional variations in residential demand for roofing products through their influence on regional housing starts and existing home sales.
 
Roofing distributors
 
                   Wholesale distribution is the dominant distribution channel for both residential and nonresidential roofing products. Wholesale roofing product distributors serve the important role of facilitating the purchasing relationships between roofing materials manufacturers and thousands of contractors. Wholesale distributors also maintain localized inventories, extend trade credit, give product advice and provide delivery and logistics services.
 
                   Despite some recent consolidation, the roofing materials distribution industry remains highly fragmented. The industry is characterized by a large number of small and local regional participants. As a result of their small size, many of these distributors lack the corporate, operating and IT infrastructure required to compete effectively.
 
Residential roofing market
 
                   Within the residential roofing market, the re-roofing market is more than twice the size of the new roofing market, accounting for approximately 90% of the residential roofing unit demand in 2009, compared to a historic rate of about 67%. Over the next five years, new roofing unit demand is expected to increase from 10% of total demand in 2009 to approximately 26% in 2014, indicating a 25% growth rate, while re-roofing demand is expected to remain flat.
 
                   Driving the demand for re-roofing is an aging U.S. housing stock. Over 60% of the U.S. housing stock was built prior to 1980, with the median age of U.S. homes being over 35 years. Asphalt shingles dominate the residential roofing market, with an approximate 85% share, and historically have had an expected useful life of 15 to 20 years A number of factors also generate re-roofing demand, including one-time weather damage (such as Hurricane Ike which increased demand in 2008), improvement expenditures and homeowners looking to upgrade their homes. Sales of existing homes can affect re-roofing demand, as some renovation decisions are made by sellers preparing their houses for sale and others are made by new owners within the first year or two of occupancy.

 
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                   Within the new construction portion of the residential roofing market, housing starts together with larger average roof sizes have supported prior growth in new residential roofing demand. Although new housing starts were up slightly in 2010, they declined during 2006 through 2009, and again in 2011, and the pace may continue at the lower levels or decline further again in the near future.
 
Non-residential roofing market
 
                   Demand for roofing products used on non-residential buildings in dollars is forecast to continue to grow at historical rates, but slightly slower than the expected future growth of roofing products used in residential construction. In recent years up until 2009, new non-residential roofing was the fastest-growing portion of the U.S. roofing market. However, more challenging economic conditions, including tighter credit markets, caused a decline in 2009 in new commercial projects and, to a lesser extent, re-roofing projects, and will likely continue to influence expenditures for non-residential roofing in the near term.
 
                   In 2009, re-roofing projects represented approximately 81% of the total non-residential demand. Re-roofing activity tends to be less cyclical than new construction and depends in part upon the types of materials on existing roofs, their expected lifespan and intervening factors such as wind or water damage.
 
                  The non-residential roofing market includes an office and commercial market, an industrial market and an institutional market. Office and commercial roofing projects is the single largest component of the non-residential roofing market at 53%. Industrial roofing projects represent 25% of non-residential roofing product sales, while institutional projects and other make up the remaining 22% of non-residential roofing demand.
 
Complementary building products
 
                   Demand for complementary building products such as siding, windows and doors for both the residential and non-residential markets has decreased along with the new residential construction market and the downturn in the economy. Unlike the roofing industry, demand for these products is more discretionary and influenced much greater by the new construction market.
 
                   These complementary products also significantly contribute to the overall building products market. The U.S. siding market was approximately $7.8 billion in 2009, while the U.S. window and door industry was approximately $26.3 billion in 2009, the most recent information available to us. Both of these markets have been negatively impacted by the decline in new housing starts in recent years but both siding and windows and doors are expected to grow at higher rates than the roofing industry over the next several years.
 
Our Strengths
 
                   We believe the sales and earnings growth we have achieved over time has been and will continue to be driven by our primary competitive strengths, which include the following:
 
 
National scope combined with regional expertise.     We believe we are the second largest roofing materials distributor in the United States and Canada. We utilize a branch-based operating model in which branches maintain local customer relationships but benefit from centralized functions such as information technology, accounting, financial reporting, credit, purchasing, legal and tax services. This allows us to provide customers with specialized products and personalized local services tailored to a geographic region, while benefiting from the resources and scale efficiencies of a national distributor.
 
 
Diversified business model that reduces impact of economic downturns.     We believe that our business is meaningfully protected in an economic downturn because of our high concentration in re-roofing, the relative non-discretionary nature of re-roofing, the mix of our sales between residential and non-residential products, our geographic and customer diversity, and the financial and operational ability we have to expand our business and obtain market share.

 
Superior customer service.     We believe that our high level of customer service and support differentiates us from our competitors. We employ experienced salespeople who provide advice and assistance in properly identifying products for various applications. We also provide services such as safe and timely job site delivery, logistical support and marketing assistance. We believe that the services provided by our employees improve our customers' efficiency and profitability which, in turn, strengthens our customer relationships.

 
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Strong platform for growth and acquisition.     Over the period from 1997 through 2011, we increased revenue at rates well in excess of the growth in the overall roofing materials distribution industry. We have expanded our business through strategic acquisitions, new branch openings, branch acquisitions and the diversification of our product offering. We have successfully acquired companies and, for most of them, improved their financial and operating performance after acquisition.
 
 
Sophisticated IT platform.     All of our locations, except for one fabrication facility, operate on the same management information systems. We have made a significant investment in our information systems, which we believe are among the most advanced in the roofing distribution industry. These systems provide us with a consistent platform across all of our operations that help us achieve additional cost reductions, greater operating efficiencies, improved purchasing, pricing and inventory management and a higher level of customer service. Our systems have substantial capacity to handle our future growth without requiring significant additional investment.

 
Industry-leading management team.     We believe that our key personnel, including branch managers, are among the most experienced in the roofing industry. Our executive officers, regional vice presidents and branch managers have an average of over 11 years of roofing industry experience.

 
Extensive product offering and strong supplier relationships.     We have a product offering of up to 10,000 SKUs, representing an extensive assortment of high-quality branded products. We believe that our extensive product offering has been a significant factor in attracting and retaining many of our customers. Because of our significant scale, product expertise and reputation in the markets that we serve, we have established strong ties to the major roofing materials manufacturers and are able to achieve substantial volume discounts.
 
Growth Strategies
 
                   Our objective is to become the preferred supplier of roofing and other exterior building product materials in the U.S. and Canadian markets while continuing to increase our revenue base and maximize our profitability. We plan to attain these goals by executing the following strategies:
 
 
Pursue acquisitions of regional market-leading roofing materials distributors.     Acquisitions are an important component of our growth strategy. We believe that there are significant opportunities to grow our business through disciplined, strategic acquisitions. With only a few large, well-capitalized competitors in the industry, we believe we can continue to build on our distribution platform by successfully acquiring additional roofing materials distributors. Between 1998 and 2011, we successfully integrated twenty-three strategic and complementary acquisitions and there have been two additional acquisitions since the end of 2011.

 
Expand geographically through new branch openings.     Significant opportunities exist to expand our geographic focus by opening additional branches in existing or contiguous regions. Since 1997, we and our acquired companies have successfully entered numerous markets through greenfield expansion. Our strategy with respect to greenfield opportunities is to typically open branches: (1) within our existing markets; (2) where existing customers have expanded into new markets; or (3) in areas that have limited or no acquisition candidates and are a good fit with our business model. At times, we have acquired small distributors with one to three branches to fill in existing regions.

 
Expand product and service offerings.     We believe that continuing to increase the breadth of our product line and customer services are effective methods of increasing sales to current customers and attracting new customers. We work closely with customers and suppliers to identify new building products and services, including windows, siding, waterproofing systems, insulation and metal fabrication. In addition, we believe we can expand our business by introducing products that we currently only offer in certain of our markets into some of our other markets. We also believe we can expand particular product sales that are stronger in certain of our markets into our markets where those products have not sold as well (e.g., expanding nonresidential roofing sales in markets that sell mostly residential roofing).
 
Products and Services
 
Products
 
                   The ability to provide a broad range of products is essential in roofing materials distribution. We carry one of the most extensive arrays of high-quality branded products in the industry, enabling us to deliver products to our customers on a timely basis. We are able to fulfill approximately 99% of our warehouse orders through our in-stock inventory as a result of the breadth and depth of our inventory at our branches. Our product portfolio includes residential and non-residential roofing products as well as complementary building products such as siding, windows and specialty lumber products. Our product lines are designed primarily to meet the requirements of both residential and non-residential roofing contractors.

 
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Product Portfolio
Residential roofing
 
Non-residential roofing
       
Products
 
Products
 
Complementary building products
             
       
Siding
 
Windows/Doors
Asphalt shingles
 
Single-ply roofing
 
Vinyl siding
 
Vinyl windows
Synthetic slate and tile
 
Asphalt
 
Red, white and yellow
 
Aluminum windows
Clay tile
 
Metal
 
cedar siding
 
Wood windows
Concrete tile
 
Modified bitumen
 
Fiber cement siding
 
Turn-key windows
Slate
 
Built-up roofing
 
Soffits
 
Wood doors
Nail base insulation
 
Cements and coatings
 
House wraps
 
Patio doors
Metal roofing
 
Insulation—flat stock
 
Vapor barriers
   
Felt
 
and tapered
 
Stone veneer
   
Wood shingles and
 
Commercial fasteners
       
shakes
 
Metal edges and
 
Other
 
Specialty Lumber
Nails and fasteners
 
flashings
 
Waterproofing systems
 
Redwood
Metal edgings and
 
Skylights, smoke vents
 
Building insulation
 
Red cedar decking
flashings
 
and roof hatches
 
Air barrier systems
 
Mahogany decking
Prefabricated flashings
 
Sheet metal, including
 
Gypsum
 
Pressure treated lumber
Ridges and soffit vents
 
copper, aluminum
 
Moldings
 
Fire treated plywood
Gutters and
 
and steel
 
Patio covers
 
Synthetic decking
downspouts
 
Other accessories
 
Cultured stone
 
PVC trim boards
Other accessories
         
Millwork
           
Custom millwork
 
                   The products that we distribute are supplied by the industry's leading manufacturers of high-quality roofing materials and related products, such as Alcoa, Atlas, BPCO, Carlisle, CertainTeed, Continental Materials, Dow, Firestone, GAF Materials, IKO, James Hardie, Johns Manville, Mid-States Asphalt, Owens Corning, Simonton, Tamko and Revere Copper.
 
                   In the residential market, asphalt shingles comprise the largest share of the products we sell. We believe that we have also developed a specialty niche in the residential roofing market by distributing products such as high-end shingles, copper gutters and metal roofing products, as well as specialty lumber products for residential applications, including redwood, white and red cedar shingles, and red cedar siding. Additionally, we distribute gutters, downspouts, tools, nails, vinyl siding, windows, decking and related exterior shelter products to meet the needs of our residential roofing customers.
 
                   In the non-residential market, single-ply roofing systems comprise the largest share of our products. Our single-ply roofing systems consist primarily of Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (synthetic rubber), or EPDM, and Thermoplastic Olefin, or TPO, roofing materials and related components. In addition to the broad range of single-ply roofing components, we sell the insulation that is required as part of most non-residential roofing applications. Our insulation products include tapered insulation, which has been a high-growth product line. Our remaining non-residential products include metal roofing and flashings, fasteners, fabrics, coatings, roof drains, modified bitumen, built-up roofing and asphalt.
 
Services
 
                   We emphasize service to our customers. We employ a knowledgeable staff of salespeople. Our sales personnel possess in-depth technical knowledge of roofing materials and applications and are capable of providing advice and assistance to contractors throughout the construction process. In particular, we support our customers with the following value-added services:
 
 
advice and assistance throughout the construction process, including product identification, specification and technical support;
 
job site delivery, rooftop loading and logistical services;
 
tapered insulation design and layout services;
 
metal fabrication and related metal roofing design and layout services;
 
trade credit; and
 
marketing support, including project leads for contractors.

 
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Customers
 
                   Our diverse customer base consists of approximately 40,000 contractors, home builders, building owners, and other resellers primarily in the Southeast, Northeast, Central Plains, Midwest, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, as well as in Eastern Canada. Our typical customer varies by end market, with relatively small contractors in the residential market and small to large-sized contractors in the non-residential market. To a lesser extent, our customer base includes general contractors, retailers and building materials suppliers.
 
                   As evidenced by the fact that a significant number of our customers have relied on us or our predecessors as their vendor of choice for decades, we believe that we have strong customer relationships that our competitors cannot easily displace or replicate. No single customer accounts for more than 2% of our revenues.
 
Sales and Marketing
 
Sales strategy
 
                   Our sales strategy is to provide a comprehensive array of high-quality products and superior value-added services to residential and non-residential roofing contractors reliably, accurately and on time. We fulfill approximately 99% of our warehouse orders through our in-stock inventory as a result of the breadth and depth of our inventory at our local branches. We believe that our focus on providing superior value-added services and our ability to fulfill orders accurately and rapidly enables us to attract and retain customers.
 
Sales organization
 
                   We have attracted and retained an experienced sales force of about 950 people who are responsible for generating revenue at the local branch level. The expertise of our salespeople helps us to increase sales to existing customers and add new customers.
 
                   Each of our branches is headed by a branch manager, who also functions as the branch's sales manager. In addition, each branch employs one to four outside salespeople and one to five inside salespeople who report to their branch manager. Branches that focus primarily on the residential market typically staff a larger number of outside salespeople.
 
                   The primary responsibilities of our outside salespeople are to prospect for new customers and increase sales to existing customers. One of the ways our outside salespeople accomplish these objectives is by reviewing information from our proprietary LogicTrack software system, which extracts job and bid information from construction reports and other industry news services.  The system extracts information on construction projects in our local markets from those industry services. Once a construction project is identified, our design and estimating team creates job quotes, which, along with pertinent bid and job information, are readily available to our salespeople through LogicTrack.  Our outside salespeople then contact potential customers in an effort to solicit their interest in participating with us in the project.  Throughout this process, LogicTrack maintains a record of quoting activity, due dates, and other data to allow tracking of the projects and efficient follow-up.   By seeking a contractor to "partner" with on a bid, we increase the likelihood that the contractor will purchase their roofing materials and related products from us in the event that the contractor is selected for the project.
 
                   To complement our outside sales force, we have built a strong and technically proficient inside sales staff. Our inside sales force is responsible for fielding incoming orders, providing pricing quotations and responding to customer inquiries. Our inside sales force provides vital product expertise to our customers.
 
                   In addition to our outside and inside sales forces, we represent certain manufacturers for particular manufacturers' products. Currently, we have developed relationships with Carlisle, Johns Manville, Owens Corning and Firestone on this basis. We currently employ 44 representatives who act as liaisons (on behalf of property owners, architects, specifiers and consultants) between these roofing materials manufacturers and professional contractors.
 
Marketing
 
                   In order to capitalize on the local customer relationships that we have established and benefit from the brands developed by our regions, we have maintained the trade names of most of the businesses that we have acquired. These trade names—such as Alabama Roofing Supply, Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company, Beacon Sales Company, Best Distributing Company, Coastal Metal Service, Dealer's Choice, GLACO, Groupe Bedard, Entrepot de la Toiture, JGA Beacon, Lafayette Wood Works, North Coast Commercial Roofing Systems, Mississippi Roofing Supply, Pacific Supply Company, Quality Roofing Supply Company, Roof Depot, RSM Supply, Roofing and Sheet Metal Supply, Shelter Distribution, Southern Roof Center, The Roof Center, West End Roofing Siding and Windows, West End Lumber Company,  Louisiana Roofing Supply, Posi-Slope, Posi-Pentes, Wholesale Roofing Supply, Enercon Products, The Roofing Connection and Fowler & Peth—are well-known in the local markets in which the respective branches compete and are associated with high-quality products and customer service.

 
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                   As a supplement to the efforts of our sales force, each of our branches communicates with residential and non-residential contractors in their local markets through newsletters, direct mail and the Internet. In order to build and strengthen relationships with customers and vendors, we sponsor and promote our own regional trade shows, which feature general business and roofing seminars for our customers and product demonstrations by our vendors. In addition, we attend numerous industry trade shows throughout the regions in which we compete, and we are an active member of the National Roofing Contractors Association, as well as regional contractors' associations.
 
Purchasing and Suppliers
 
                   Our status as a leader in our core geographic markets, as well as our reputation in the industry, has allowed us to forge strong relationships with numerous manufacturers of roofing materials and related products, including Alcoa, Atlas, BPCO, Carlisle, CertainTeed, Continental Materials, Dow, Firestone, GAF Materials, IKO, James Hardie, Johns Manville, Mid-States Asphalt, Owens Corning, Simonton, Tamko and Revere Copper.
 
                   We are viewed by our suppliers as a key distributor due to our industry expertise, significant market share in our core geographic markets and the substantial volume of products that we distribute. We have significant relationships with more than 125 suppliers and maintain multiple supplier relationships for each product line.
 
                   We manage the procurement of products through our national headquarters and regional offices, allowing us to take advantage of both our scale and local market conditions. We believe this enables us to purchase products more economically than most of our competitors. Product is shipped directly by the manufacturers to our branches or customers.
 
Operations
 
Facilities
 
                   Our network of 194 branches serves metropolitan areas in 38 states and 6 Canadian provinces. This network has enabled us to effectively and efficiently serve a broad customer base and to achieve a leading market position in each of our core geographic markets.
 
Operations
 
                   Our branch-based model provides each location with a significant amount of autonomy to operate within the parameters of our overall business model. Operations at each branch are tailored to meet the local needs of their customers. Depending on market needs, branches carry from about 1,000 to 10,000 SKUs.
 
                   Branch managers are responsible for sales, pricing and staffing activities, and have full operational control of customer service and deliveries. We provide our branch managers with significant incentives that allow them to share in the profitability of their respective branches as well as the company as a whole. Personnel at our corporate operations assist the branches with purchasing, procurement, credit services, information systems support, contract management, accounting and legal services, benefits administration and sales and use tax services.
 
Distribution/fulfillment process
 
                   Our distribution/fulfillment process is initiated upon receiving a request for a contract job order or direct product order from a contractor. Under a contract job order, a contractor typically requests roofing or other construction materials and technical support services. The contractor discusses the project's requirements with a salesperson and the salesperson provides a price quotation for the package of products and services. Subsequently, the salesperson processes the order and we deliver the products to the customer's job site.
 
Fleet
 
                   Our distribution infrastructure supports over 450,000 deliveries annually. To accomplish this, we maintained a dedicated owned fleet of 510 straight trucks, 266 tractors and 393 trailers as of September 30, 2011. Nearly all of our delivery vehicles are equipped with specialized equipment, including 726 truck-mounted forklifts, cranes, hydraulic booms and conveyors, which are necessary to deliver products to rooftop job sites in an efficient and safe manner.
 
                   Our branches focus on providing materials to customers who are located within a two-hour radius of their respective facilities. We typically make deliveries five days per week.
 
Management information systems
 
                   We have fully integrated management information systems. Our systems are consistently implemented across our branches and acquired businesses are promptly moved to our system following acquisition. Our systems support every major internal operational function, except payroll, providing complete integration of purchasing, receiving, order processing, shipping, inventory management, sales analysis and accounting. The same databases are shared within the systems, allowing our branches to easily acquire products from other branches or schedule deliveries by other branches, greatly enhancing our customer service. Our systems also include a sophisticated pricing matrix which allows us to refine pricing by region, branch, type of customer, customer, or even a specific customer project. In addition, our systems allow us to monitor all branch and regional performance centrally. We have centralized many functions to leverage our size, including accounts payable, insurance, payroll, employee benefits, vendor relations, and banking.

 
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                   All of our branches are connected to our IBM AS400 computer network by secure Internet connections or private data lines. We maintain a second IBM AS400 as a disaster recovery system, and information is backed up to this system throughout each business day. We have the capability of electronically switching our domestic operations to the disaster recovery system.
 
                   We have created a financial reporting package that allows us to send branches information they can use to compare branch by branch financial performance, which we believe is essential to operating each branch efficiently and more profitably. We have also developed a benchmarking report which enables us to compare all of our branches' and regions’ performance in 12 critical areas.
 
                   We can place purchase orders electronically with some of our major vendors. The vendors then transmit their invoices electronically to us. Our system automatically matches these invoices with the related purchase orders and schedules payment. We have the capability to handle customer processing electronically, although most customers prefer ordering through our sales force.
 
Government Regulations
 
                   We are subject to regulation by various federal, state, provincial and local agencies. These agencies include the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Transportation, Interstate Commerce Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Department of Labor and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. We believe we are in compliance in all material respects with existing applicable statutes and regulations affecting environmental issues and our employment, workplace health and workplace safety practices.
 
Competition
 
                   Although we are one of the two largest roofing materials distributors in the United States and Canada, the U.S. roofing supply industry is highly competitive. The vast majority of our competition comes from local and regional roofing supply distributors, and, to a much lesser extent, other building supply distributors and "big box" retailers. Among distributors, we compete against a small number of large distributors and many small, local, privately-owned distributors. The principal competitive factors in our business include, but are not limited to, the availability of materials and supplies; technical product knowledge and expertise; advisory or other service capabilities; pricing of products; and availability of credit. We generally compete on the basis of the quality of our services, product quality, and, to a lesser extent, price. We compete not only for customers within the roofing supply industry but also for personnel.
 
Employees
 
                   As of September 30, 2011, we had 2,294 employees, consisting of 687 in sales and marketing, 275 in branch management, including supervisors, 999 warehouse workers, helpers and drivers, and 333 general and administrative personnel. We believe that our employee relations are good. Twenty-seven employees are currently represented by labor unions.
 
Order Backlog
 
                   Order backlog is not a material aspect of our business and no material portion of our business is subject to government contracts.
 
Seasonality
 
                   In general, sales and net income are highest during our first, third and fourth fiscal quarters, which represent the peak months of construction, especially in our branches in the northeastern U.S. and in Canada. Our sales are substantially lower during the second quarter, when we usually incur net losses. These quarterly fluctuations have diminished as we have diversified further into the southern regions of the United States.
 
Geographic Data
 
                   For geographic data about our business, please see Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

 
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ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS
 
                   You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and other information included in this Form 10-K in evaluating us and our business. If any of the events described below occur, our business and financial results could be adversely affected in a material way. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, perhaps significantly.
 
We may not be able to effectively integrate newly acquired businesses into our operations or achieve expected profitability from our acquisitions.
 
                   Our growth strategy includes acquiring other distributors of roofing materials and complementary products. Acquisitions involve numerous risks, including:

 
unforeseen difficulties in integrating operations, technologies, services, accounting and personnel;
 
diversion of financial and management resources from existing operations;
 
unforeseen difficulties related to entering geographic regions where we do not have prior experience;
 
potential loss of key employees;
 
unforeseen liabilities associated with businesses acquired; and
 
inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition or investment costs.
 
                   As a result, if we fail to evaluate and execute acquisitions properly, we might not achieve the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions, and we may incur costs in excess of what we anticipate. These risks may be greater in the case of larger acquisitions.
 
We may not be able to successfully identify acquisition candidates, which would slow our growth rate.
 
                   We continually seek additional acquisition candidates in selected markets and from time to time engage in exploratory discussions with potential candidates. If we are not successful in finding attractive acquisition candidates that we can acquire on satisfactory terms, or if we cannot complete acquisitions that we identify, it is unlikely that we will sustain the historical growth rates of our business.
 
An inability to obtain the products that we distribute could result in lost revenues and reduced margins and damage relationships with customers.
 
                   We distribute roofing and other exterior building materials that are manufactured by a number of major suppliers. Although we believe that our relationships with our suppliers are strong and that we would have access to similar products from competing suppliers should products be unavailable from current sources, any disruption in our sources of supply, particularly of the most commonly sold items, could result in a loss of revenues and reduced margins and damage relationships with customers. Supply shortages may occur as a result of unanticipated demand or production or delivery difficulties. When shortages occur, roofing material suppliers often allocate products among distributors.
 
Loss of key personnel or our inability to attract and retain new qualified personnel could hurt our ability to operate and grow successfully.
 
                   Our future success is highly dependent upon the services of Robert Buck, Executive Chairman of the Board, Paul Isabella, President and Chief Executive Officer, and David Grace, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Our success will continue to depend to a significant extent on our executive officers and key management personnel, including our regional vice presidents. We do not have key man life insurance covering any of our executive officers. We may not be able to retain our executive officers and key personnel or attract additional qualified management. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key management personnel, or our inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel, could hurt our ability to operate and make it difficult to execute our acquisition and internal growth strategies.
 
A change in vendor rebates could adversely affect our income and gross margins.
 
                   The terms on which we purchase product from many of our vendors entitle us to receive a rebate based on the volume of our purchases. These rebates effectively reduce our costs for products. If market conditions change, vendors may adversely change the terms of some or all of these programs. Although these changes would not affect the net recorded costs of product already purchased, it may lower our gross margins on products we sell or income we realize in future periods.
 
Cyclicality in our business could result in lower revenues and reduced profitability.
 
                   We sell a portion of our products for new residential and non-residential construction. The strength of these markets depends on new housing starts and business investment, which are a function of many factors beyond our control, including credit availability, interest rates, employment levels, and consumer confidence. Downturns in the regions and markets we serve could result in lower revenues and, since many of our expenses are fixed, lower profitability. New housing starts declined or were up only slightly during the 2009 through 2011 years and the pace may continue at the lower levels or decline again further. Commercial construction activity declined in 2009 and 2010 but increased slightly in 2011. Tougher economic conditions, including tighter availability of commercial credit, contributed to the 2009-2010 decline in new commercial projects and, to a lesser extent, a decline in re-roofing projects, and may have a negative effect on current and future levels of construction, especially new non-residential construction.

 
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Seasonality in the construction and re-roofing industry generally results in second quarter losses.
 
                   Our second quarter is typically adversely affected by winter construction cycles and weather patterns in colder climates as the level of activity in the new construction and re-roofing markets decreases. Because many of our expenses remain relatively fixed throughout the year, we generally record a loss during our second quarter. We expect that these seasonal variations will continue in the future.
 
If we encounter difficulties with our management information systems, we could experience problems with inventory, collections, customer service, cost control and business plan execution.
 
                   We believe our management information systems are a competitive advantage in maintaining our leadership position in the roofing distribution industry. If we experience problems with our management information systems, we could experience, among other things, product shortages and/or an increase in accounts receivable. Any failure by us to properly maintain and protect our management information systems could adversely impact our ability to attract and serve customers and could cause us to incur higher operating costs and experience delays in the execution of our business plan.
 
An impairment of goodwill and/or other intangible assets could reduce net income.
 
                   Acquisitions frequently result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible assets. At September 30, 2011, goodwill represented approximately 33% of our total assets. Goodwill is not amortized for financial reporting purposes and is subject to impairment testing at least annually using a fair-value based approach.  The identification and measurement of goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of our reporting units. Our accounting for impairment contains uncertainty because management must use judgment in determining appropriate assumptions to be used in the measurement of fair value. We determine the fair values of our reporting units by using both a market and income approach.
 
                   We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill for impairment in between our annual tests when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Any impairment of goodwill will reduce net income in the period in which the impairment is recognized.
 
We might need to raise additional capital, which may not be available, thus limiting our growth prospects.
 
                   We may require additional equity or further debt financing in order to consummate an acquisition or for additional working capital for expansion or if we suffer more than seasonally expected losses. In the event additional equity or debt financing is unavailable to us, we may be unable to expand or make acquisitions and our stock price may decline as a result of the perception that we have more limited growth prospects.
  
Disruptions in the capital and credit markets may impact the availability of credit and business conditions.

           If the financial institutions that have extended credit commitments to us are adversely affected by the conditions of the capital and credit markets, they may become unable to fund borrowings under those credit commitments, which could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and our ability to borrow funds, if needed, for working capital, acquisitions, capital expenditures and other corporate purposes.

               Market disruptions could cause broader economic downturns, which may lead to lower demand for our products and increased incidence of customers’ inability to pay their accounts. Additional customer bankruptcies or  similar events caused by such broader downturns may result in higher levels of bad debt expense than we have historically experienced. Also, our suppliers may potentially be impacted, causing potential disruptions or delays of product availability. These events would adversely impact our results of operations, cash flows and financial position.
 
 ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
                   None.

 
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ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES
 
                   We lease 197 facilities as of November 1, 2011, including our headquarters and other support facilities, throughout the United States and Canada. These leased facilities range in size from approximately 1,500 square feet to 137,000 square feet. In addition, we own thirteen sales/warehouse facilities located in Manchester, New Hampshire; Reading, Pennsylvania; Montreal, Quebec (2); Sainte-Foy, Quebec; Delson, Quebec; Salisbury, Maryland; Hartford, Connecticut; Cranston, Rhode Island; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Jacksonville, Florida; Easton, Maryland; and Manassas, Virginia. These owned facilities range in size from 11,500 square feet to 68,000 square feet. We also own a parcel of land in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. All of the owned properties are mortgaged to our senior lenders. We believe that our properties are in good operating condition and adequately serve our current business operations.
 
                   As of November 1, 2011, our 194 branches, a few with multiple leased facilities or combined facilities, and 10 other facilities were located in the following states and provinces:

State
 
Number of
Branches
   
Other
 
Alabama
    5    
 
 
Arkansas
    4    
 
 
California
    4    
 
 
Colorado
    6       4  
Connecticut
    2       1  
Delaware
    2          
Florida
    6       1  
Georgia
    5          
Illinois
    7          
Indiana
    6          
Iowa
    1          
Kansas
    4          
Kentucky
    4          
Louisiana
    4       1  
Maine
    1          
Maryland
    13       1  
Massachusetts
    9          
Michigan
    3          
Minnesota
    2          
Mississippi
    2          
Missouri
    5          
Nebraska
    4          
New Hampshire
    1          
New Jersey
    1          
New Mexico
    1          
New York
    1          
North Carolina
    11          
Ohio
    4          
Oklahoma
    3          
Pennsylvania
    13          
Rhode Island
    1          
South Carolina
    4          
Tennessee
    5          
Texas
    19          
Vermont
    1          
Virginia
    9       1  
West Virginia
    2          
Wyoming
    2          
Subtotal—U.S.
    177       9  
                 
Canadian Provinces
               
Alberta
    2          
Saskatoon
    2          
British Columbia
    2          
Ontario
    4       1  
Quebec
    6          
Nova Scotia
    1          
Subtotal—Canada
    17       1  
Total
    194       10  


 
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 ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
                   From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits that are brought against us in the normal course of business. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings that would be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
 
 
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PART II
 
ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
                   Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BECN". The following table lists quarterly information on the price range of our common stock based on the high and low reported sale prices for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for the periods indicated below:

   
High
   
Low
 
             
Year ended September 30, 2010:
           
             
First quarter
  $ 16.89     $ 14.31  
Second quarter
  $ 19.31     $ 16.00  
Third quarter
  $ 22.81     $ 18.02  
Fourth quarter
  $ 18.50     $ 13.76  
                 
Year ended September 30, 2011:
               
                 
First quarter
  $ 18.30     $ 14.22  
Second quarter
  $ 21.70     $ 17.87  
Third quarter
  $ 22.82     $ 19.35  
Fourth quarter
  $ 23.24     $ 14.89  
 
                   There were 32 holders of record of our common stock as of November 1, 2011.
 
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
 
                   No purchases of our equity securities were made by us or any affiliated entity during the fourth quarter of the year ended September 30, 2011.
 
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
                   None.
 
Dividends
 
                   We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future. Our board of directors currently intends to retain any future earnings for reinvestment in our business. Our revolving credit facilities currently prohibit the payment of dividends without the prior written consent of our lender. Any future determination to pay dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our results of operations and cash flows, our financial position and capital requirements, general business conditions, legal, tax, regulatory and any contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends, and any other factors our board of directors deems relevant.

 
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Performance Graph
 
                   The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return (including reinvestment of dividends) of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s common stock based on its market prices, beginning with the start of fiscal year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter, with (i) the Nasdaq Index and (ii) the S&P 1500 Building Products Index.


 
The line graph assumes that $100 was invested in our common stock, the Nasdaq Index and the S&P 1500 Building Products Index on September 30, 2006. The closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2011 was $15.99. The stock price performance of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s common stock depicted in the graph above represents past performance only and is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 
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ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
                   You should read the following selected financial information together with our financial statements and related notes and "Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations" also included in this Form 10-K. We have derived the statement of operations data for the years ended September 30, 2011, September 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, and the balance sheet information at September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, from our audited financial statements included in this Form 10-K. We have derived the statements of operations data for the years ended September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, and the balance sheet data at September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008 and September 30, 2007, from our audited financial statements not included in this Form 10-K.

Statement of operations data

(Dollars in Thousands)
 
Fiscal year ended September 30,
 
                               
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 1,817,423     $ 1,609,969     $ 1,733,967     $ 1,784,495     $ 1,645,785  
Cost of products sold
    1,397,798       1,249,869       1,322,845       1,364,487       1,271,868  
                                         
Gross profit
    419,625       360,100       411,122       420,008       373,917  
                                         
Operating expenses
    315,883       286,583       301,913       325,298       304,109  
                                         
Income from operations
    103,742       73,517       109,209       94,710       69,808  
Interest expense
    (13,364 )     (18,210 )     (22,887 )     (25,904 )     (27,434 )
Income taxes
    (31,158 )     (20,781 )     (33,904 )     (28,500 )     (17,095 )
                                         
Net income
  $ 59,220     $ 34,526     $ 52,418     $ 40,306     $ 25,279  
                                         
Net income per share
                                       
Basic
  $ 1.29     $ 0.76     $ 1.16     $ 0.91     $ 0.57  
Diluted
  $ 1.27     $ 0.75     $ 1.15     $ 0.90     $ 0.56  
Weighted average shares outstanding
                                       
Basic
    45,919,198       45,480,922       45,007,313       44,346,293       44,083,915  
Diluted
    46,753,152       46,031,593       45,493,786       44,959,357       44,971,932  
                                         
Other financial and operating data:
                                       
Depreciation and amortization
  $ 25,060     $ 27,773     $ 30,389     $ 34,240     $ 32,863  
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)
  $ 14,433     $ 10,268     $ 14,277     $ 5,739     $ 23,132  
Number of branches at end of period
    185       179       172       175       178  

Balance sheet data

   
September 30,
 
(In Thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 143,027     $ 117,136     $ 82,742     $ 26,038     $ 6,469  
                                         
Total assets
  $ 1,156,964     $ 1,042,189     $ 1,040,786     $ 1,067,816     $ 1,006,660  
                                         
Borrowings under revolving lines of credit,
                                       
current portions of long-term debt and
                                       
other obligations
  $ 15,605     $ 15,734     $ 15,092     $ 19,926     $ 34,773  
                                         
Long-term debt, net of current portions:
                                       
Senior notes payable and other obligations
  $ 301,544     $ 311,771     $ 322,090     $ 332,500     $ 343,000  
Other long-term obligations
    9,967       11,910       16,257       25,143       31,270  
                                         
    $ 311,511     $ 323,681     $ 338,347     $ 357,643     $ 374,270  
                                         
Stockholders' equity
  $ 538,427     $ 468,844     $ 423,573     $ 366,701     $ 323,850  
 
Note: 2011 income taxes included a one-time benefit of $5,060, or $0.11 income per diluted share, associated with a change in the tax status of our Canadian operations.
 
 
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 ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                   The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. In addition to historical information, the following discussion and other parts of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by this forward-looking information due to the factors discussed under "Risk factors," "Forward-looking statements" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Certain tabular information will not foot due to rounding.
 
Overview
 
                   We are one of the largest distributors of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the United States and Canada. We are also a distributor of other building materials, including siding, windows, specialty lumber products and waterproofing systems for residential and nonresidential building exteriors. We purchase products from a large number of manufacturers and then distribute these goods to a customer base consisting of contractors and, to a lesser extent, general contractors, retailers and building material suppliers.
 
                   We currently carry up to 10,000 SKUs through 194 branches in the United States and Canada. In fiscal year 2011, approximately 92% of our net sales were in the United States. We stock one of the most extensive assortments of high-quality branded products in the industry, enabling us to deliver products to our customers on a timely basis.
 
                   Execution of the operating plan at each of our branches drives our financial results. Revenues are impacted by the relative strength of the residential and non-residential roofing markets we serve. We strive for an appropriate mix of residential, non-residential and complementary product sales in all of our regions but allow each of our branches to influence its own marketing plan and mix of products based upon its local market. We differentiate ourselves from the competition by providing customer services, including job site delivery, tapered insulation layouts and design and metal fabrication, and by providing credit. We consider customer relations and our employees' knowledge of roofing and exterior building materials to be important to our ability to increase customer loyalty and maintain customer satisfaction. We invest significant resources in training our employees in sales techniques, management skills and product knowledge. While we consider these attributes important drivers of our business, we continually pay close attention to controlling operating costs.

   Our growth strategy includes both internal growth (opening branches, growing sales with existing customers, adding new customers and introducing new products) and acquisition growth. Our main acquisition strategy is to target market leaders in geographic areas that we do not service. Our May 2011 acquisition of Enercon Products (“Enercon”) is one example of this approach. Enercon is a roofing distributor with six locations in Western Canada. Headquartered within its branch in Edmonton, Enercon also has branches in Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon and two branches in Vancouver, with no branch overlap with our existing operations. In addition, we also acquire smaller companies to supplement branch openings within existing markets. Our April 2010 acquisition of Louisiana Roofing Supply, a single location distributor of residential and commercial roofing products located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which we integrated into our West End Roofing Siding and Windows region in the Southwest, is an example of such an acquisition.
 
General
 
                   We sell all materials necessary to install, replace and repair residential and non-residential roofs, including:

 
shingles;
 
single-ply roofing;
 
metal roofing and accessories;
 
modified bitumen;
 
built up roofing;
 
insulation;
 
slate and tile;
 
fasteners, coatings and cements; and
 
other roofing accessories.
 
                   We also sell complementary building products such as:

 
vinyl siding;
 
doors, windows and millwork;
 
wood and fiber cement siding;
 
residential insulation; and
 
waterproofing systems.

 
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The following is a summary of our net sales by product group (in thousands) for the last three full fiscal years (“2011”, “2010” and “2009”). Percentages may not total due to rounding.

    
Year Ended
 
   
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
   
Net Sales
   
Mix
   
Net Sales
   
Mix
   
Net Sales
   
Mix
 
                                     
Residential roofing products
  $ 845,570       46.5 %   $ 748,007       46.5 %   $ 898,796       51.8 %
Non-residential roofing products
    723,627       39.8 %     619,348       38.5 %     598,789       34.5 %
Complementary building products
    248,226       13.7 %     242,614       15.1 %     236,382       13.6 %
                                                 
    $ 1,817,423       100.0 %   $ 1,609,969       100.0 %   $ 1,733,967       100.0 %
 
We have approximately 40,000 customers, none of which represents more than 2% of our net sales. Many of our customers are small to mid-size contractors with relatively limited capital resources. We maintain strict credit approval and review policies, which has helped to keep losses from customer receivables within our expectations. In 2011, bad debts were slightly higher than normal levels at 0.4% of net sales but still within our tolerance in consideration of the continued challenging economic and credit climate.
 
Our expenses consist primarily of the cost of products purchased for resale, labor, fleet, occupancy, and selling and administrative expenses. We compete for business and may respond to competitive pressures at times by lowering prices in order to maintain our market share.
 
Since 1997, we have made twenty-five strategic and complementary acquisitions and opened 38 new branches (two of which have been closed). We opened three new branches in 2011, none in 2010 and three in 2009. We slowed the pace of new branch openings since 2007, mostly as a result of the economic downturn. Typically, when we open a new branch, we transfer a certain level of existing business from an existing branch to the new branch. This allows the new branch to commence with a base business and also allows the existing branch to target other growth opportunities.
 
In managing our business, we consider all growth, including the opening of new branches, to be internal growth unless it is a result of an acquisition. In our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, when we refer to growth in existing markets, we include growth from existing and newly-opened branches but exclude growth from acquired branches until they have been under our ownership for at least four full fiscal quarters at the start of the reporting period. Our average annual internal sales growth over the seven fiscal years since our IPO was 3.1%. When we refer to our net product costs, we are referring to our invoice cost less the impact of short-term buying programs (also referred to as “special buys” given the manner in which they are offered).
 
Results of operations
 
The following discussion compares our results of operations for 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 
The following table shows, for the periods indicated, information derived from our consolidated statements of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods presented. Percentages may not total due to rounding.

   
Year ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Net sales
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0  
Cost of products sold
    76.9       77.6       76.3  
                         
Gross profit
    23.1       22.4       23.7  
                         
Operating expenses
    17.4       17.8       17.4  
                         
Income from operations
    5.7       4.6       6.3  
Interest expense
    (0.7 )     (1.1 )     (1.3 )
                         
Income before income taxes
    5.0       3.4       5.0  
Income taxes
    (1.7 )     (1.3 )     (2.0 )
                         
Net income
    3.3 %     2.1 %     3.0 %

 
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2011 compared to 2010
 
The following table shows a summary of our results of operations for 2011 and 2010, broken down by existing markets and acquired markets.

   
Existing Markets
   
Acquired Markets
   
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 1,730,267     $ 1,583,687     $ 87,156     $ 26,282     $ 1,817,423     $ 1,609,969  
                                                 
Gross profit
    399,262       355,000       20,363       5,080       419,625       360,080  
Gross margin
    23.1 %     22.4 %     23.4 %     19.3 %     23.1 %     22.4 %
                                                 
Operating expenses
    296,666       280,342       19,217       6,221       315,883       286,563  
Operating expenses as a % of net sales
    17.1 %     17.7 %     22.0 %     23.7 %     17.4 %     17.8 %
                                                 
Operating income (loss)
  $ 102,596     $ 74,658     $ 1,146     $ (1,141 )   $ 103,742     $ 73,517  
Operating margin
    5.9 %     4.7 %     1.3 %     -4.3 %     5.7 %     4.6 %

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales increased $207.5 million, or 12.9%, to $1,817.4 million in 2011 from $1,610.0 million in 2010. Existing market sales increased $146.6 million or 9.3% (8.8% based on the same number of business days), while acquired market sales increased $60.9 million due to a full year’s sales impact from the 2010 acquisitions and the impact from the May 2011 Enercon acquisition. We attribute the existing market sales increase primarily to the following factors:

 
·
strong growth in the markets affected by this spring’s hail storms;
 
·
continued strong growth in non-residential roofing activity in most of the other regions; and
 
·
industry-wide increases in asphalt shingle and other prices;
partially offset by:
 
·
volume declines in residential re-roofing activity in a few regions.

In 2011, we acquired six branches, opened three new branches, and closed three branches. We estimate the impact of inflation or deflation on our sales and gross profit by looking at changes in our net product costs and invoiced gross margins, and since last year we experienced an approximate 4% increase in residential roofing product costs and approximately 4-7% increases in non-residential and complementary product costs. The net impact of these factors increased our overall net product costs by approximately 5%, although we believe average sales prices may have increased at a slightly higher rate as mentioned in the discussion of gross profit below. We had 254 business days in 2011 compared to 253 in 2010. Net sales, excluding acquired branches, increased in every geographical region as follows: Northeast 9.9%; Mid-Atlantic 8.5%; Southeast 1.0%; Southwest 6.0%; Midwest 15.8%; West 18.7%; and Canada 1.3%. These variations were primarily caused by short-term factors such as local economic conditions, weather conditions and storm activity.
 
The product group sales for our existing markets were as follows:
 
For the Fiscal Years Ended

          
% Change Based
 
                           
On Average Sales
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
   
Per Business Day
 
(dollars in millions)
 
Net Sales
   
Mix
   
Net Sales
   
Mix
                   
                                           
Residential roofing products
  $ 801.7       46.3 %   $ 736.9       46.5 %   $ 64.8       8.8 %     8.4 %
Non-residential roofing products
    683.9       39.5 %     606.3       38.3 %     77.6       12.8 %     12.4 %
Complementary building products
    244.7       14.1 %     240.5       15.2 %     4.2       1.7 %     1.3 %
                                                         
    $ 1,730.3       100.0 %   $ 1,583.7       100.0 %   $ 146.6       9.3 %     8.8 %

 
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For 2011, our acquired markets recognized sales of $43.9, $39.7 and $3.6 million in residential roofing products, non-residential roofing products and complementary building products, respectively. The 2011 existing market sales of $1,730.3 million plus the sales from acquired markets of $87.2 million agrees (rounded) to our reported total 2011 sales of $1,817.4 million.  For 2010, our acquired markets recognized sales of $11.1, $13.1 and $2.1 million in residential roofing products, non-residential roofing products and complementary building products, respectively. The 2010 existing market sales of $1,583.7 million plus the sales from acquired markets of $26.3 million agrees to our reported total 2010 sales of $1,610.0 million. Prior year sales by product group are presented in a manner consistent with the current year’s product classifications. We believe the existing market information is useful to investors because it helps explain organic growth or decline.
 
Gross Profit

   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
                               
Gross profit
  $ 419.6     $ 360.1     $ 59.5             16.5 %
Existing markets
    399.3       355.0       44.3             12.5 %
                                       
Gross margin
    23.1 %     22.4 %             0.7 %        
Existing markets
    23.1 %     22.4 %             0.7 %        

Our existing market gross profit increased $44.3 million or 12.5% in 2011, while our acquired market gross profit increased $15.3 million.  Our overall and existing market gross margins increased to 23.1% from 22.4% in 2011 from 2010. The 2010 margin rate was lower than the historical average rate due to a more competitive market and low demand in 2010. In 2011, there was more storm demand and average selling prices increased in most of our markets, which allowed us to generate gross margins more consistent with our historical results. In addition, we were able to increase our inventory levels ahead of certain vendor price increases.  However, our mix of non-residential product sales, which generally have lower gross margins, increased slightly in 2011.

Direct sales (products shipped by our vendors directly to our customers), which typically have substantially lower gross margins than our warehouse sales, represented 20.4% and 20.3% of our net sales in 2011 and 2010, respectively. This slight increase in the percentage of direct sales was primarily attributable to the slightly higher mix of non-residential roofing product sales, which are more commonly facilitated by direct shipment. There were no material regional impacts from changes in the direct sales mix of our geographical regions.     
 
Operating Expenses

   
2011
   
2010
   
Change
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Operating expenses
  $ 315.9     $ 286.6     $ 29.3             10.2 %
Existing markets
    296.7       280.3       16.3             5.8 %
                                       
Operating expenses as a % of sales
    17.4 %     17.8 %             -0.4 %        
Existing markets
    17.1 %     17.7 %             -0.6 %        

Operating expenses in our existing markets increased by $16.3 million or 5.8% in 2011 to $296.7 million from $280.3 million in 2010, while our acquired market expenses increased $13.0 million. The following factors were the leading causes of the higher operating expenses in our existing markets:
 
 
·
increased payroll and related costs of $12.0 million due to higher incentive-based and overtime pay, primarily associated with our higher sales and operating results, along with higher related payroll taxes and certain benefits;
 
·
increased selling expenses of $5.4 million principally from higher fuel costs, outsourced trucking expenses, credit card fees and other selling expenses; and
 
·
increased bad debt expense of $3.3 million mainly due to an increased estimated allowance for potential bad debts;
partially offset by
 
·
decreased depreciation and amortization expense of $3.8 million from lower amortization of intangibles and reduced depreciation from the impact of low capital expenditures in recent years; and
 
·
savings in warehouse expenses of $0.5 million mainly from lower maintenance costs.

In 2011, we expensed a total of $8.6 million for the amortization of intangible assets recorded under purchase accounting compared to $9.9 million in 2010. Our existing market operating expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased to 17.1% in 2011 from 17.7% in 2010 due to the positive impact from the higher sales, partially offset by the impact from the above increases.

 
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Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $4.8 million to $13.4 million in 2011 from $18.2 million in 2010. This decrease was primarily due to lower debt and the expiration of certain interest rate derivatives in April 2010 that carried higher interest rates than the rates on our current derivatives. In addition, we benefited from low interest rates on the portion of our debt no longer hedged.  Interest expense would have been $5.1 and $8.9 million less in 2011 and 2010, respectively, without the impact of our derivatives.
 
Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $31.2 million in 2011, an effective tax rate of 34.5%, compared to $20.8 million in 2010, which was an effective tax rate of 37.6%. This year’s income tax expense includes the beneficial impact of $5.1 million, $0.11 diluted earnings per share, from the reversal of the net deferred tax liability associated with a change in the tax status of our Canadian operations as discussed below. Without that benefit, our effective tax rate would have been approximately 40.1% in 2011, while we expect our annual tax rate to average  approximately 39.0% to 39.5% going forward, excluding any future discrete items. The 2010 effective rate included benefits totaling $1.4 million from reversals of certain discrete tax reserves and releases of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2011, our request to have our Canadian subsidiary (Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company or “BRSCC”) treated as a Controlled Foreign Corporation (“CFC”), retroactive to October 1, 2009, was approved by the IRS. BRSCC was previously treated as a “pass-through” or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subsequent to October 1, 2009, BRSCC’s taxable income, which reflects all of our Canadian operations, is being taxed only in Canada and would generally be taxed in the U.S. only upon an actual or deemed distribution. We expect to indefinitely reinvest BRSCC’s earnings and therefore no U.S. deferred tax asset or liability for the differences between the book basis and the tax basis of BRSCC will be recorded in the foreseeable future. Unremitted earnings of $25.4 million were considered permanently reinvested at September 30, 2011. A quantification of the associated deferred tax liability on those unremitted earnings of BRSCC has not been made, as the determination of such liability is not practicable.

ASC 740 provides that the effect of an election for a voluntary change in tax status is recognized for accounting purposes on the approval date. Therefore all of the associated adjustments to our income tax accounts for the above approved election were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011, including the adjustments resulting from a lower Canadian tax rate compared to the U.S. tax rate in 2011 and 2010. Deferred assets and liabilities that were recorded over the time BRSCC was treated as a pass-through entity were derecognized and the resulting impact of $5.1 million was included in income from continuing operations, including the reversal of a deferred tax liability of $3.2 million previously reported as a component of other comprehensive income. The reversal was recorded in current year earnings as backwards tracing of such amounts to other comprehensive income is prohibited.
 
2010 compared to 2009
 
The following table shows a summary of our results of operations for 2010 and 2009, broken down by existing markets and acquired markets.
 
   
Existing Markets
   
Acquired Markets
   
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                                     
Net sales
  $ 1,583,687     $ 1,733,967     $ 26,282     $ -     $ 1,609,969     $ 1,733,967  
                                                 
Gross profit
    355,000       411,122       5,100       -       360,100       411,122  
Gross margin
    22.4 %     23.7 %     19.4 %             22.4 %     23.7 %
                                                 
Operating expenses
    280,342       301,913       6,241       -       286,583       301,913  
Operating expenses as a % of net sales
    17.7 %     17.4 %     23.7 %             17.8 %     17.4 %
                                                 
Operating income
  $ 74,658     $ 109,209     $ (1,141 )   $ -     $ 73,517     $ 109,209  
Operating margin
    4.7 %     6.3 %     -4.3 %             4.6 %     6.3 %
 
Net Sales

Consolidated net sales decreased $124.0 million, or 7.2%, to $1,610.0 million in 2010 from $1,734.0 million in 2009. Existing market sales decreased $150.3 million or 8.7%, while acquired markets contributed $26.3 million. We attribute the existing market sales decline primarily to the following factors:

 
·
a decrease in re-roofing activity in the areas affected by Hurricane Ike in 2009; and
 
·
continued general weakness in residential roofing activities in certain other regions;
partially offset by:

 
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·
recent growth in non-residential roofing activity in most regions; and
 
·
a recent resurgence of growth in our complementary product sales.

We acquired nine branches in 2010 and closed two. We estimate that inflation in our product costs had no material impact on product costs in 2010 compared to 2009; however average selling prices were generally lower. We had 253 business days in both 2010 and 2009.  Net sales by geographical region, excluding acquired branches, grew or (declined) as follows: Northeast 2.8%; Mid-Atlantic 7.4%; Southeast (10.4%); Southwest (32.6%); Midwest (9.2%); West (15.2%); and Canada 10.3%. These variations were primarily caused by short-term factors such as local economic conditions, weather conditions and storm activity.
 
The product group sales for our existing markets were as follows:
 
For the Fiscal Years Ended

   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
(dollars in millions)
 
Net Sales
   
Mix
   
Net Sales
   
Mix
             
                                     
Residential roofing products
  $ 736.7       46.5 %   $ 898.8       51.8 %   $ (162.1 )     -18.0 %
Non-residential roofing products
    605.7       38.2 %     598.8       34.5 %     6.9       1.2 %
Complementary building products
    241.3       15.2 %     236.4       13.6 %     4.9       2.1 %
                                                 
    $ 1,583.7       100.0 %   $ 1,734.0       100.0 %   $ (150.3 )     -8.7 %

For 2010, our acquired markets had product group sales of $8.9, $15.3 and $2.1 million in residential roofing products, non-residential roofing products and complementary building products, respectively. Total 2010 existing market sales of $1,583.7 million plus 2010 sales from acquired markets of $26.3 million equals our reported 2010 sales of $1,610.0 million. Prior year sales by product group are presented in a manner consistent with the current year’s product classifications. We believe the existing market information is useful to investors because it helps explain organic growth or decline.
 
Gross Profit
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
                               
Gross profit
  $ 360.1     $ 411.1     $ (51.0 )           -12.4 %
Existing markets
    355.0       411.1       (56.1 )           -13.6 %
                                       
Gross margin
    22.4 %     23.7 %             -1.3        
Existing markets
    22.4 %     23.7 %             -1.3        

Our existing market gross profit decreased $56.1 million or 13.6% in 2010, while our acquired market gross profit contributed $5.1 million.  Our overall and existing market gross margin decreased to 22.4% in 2010 from 23.7% in 2009.  The margin rate decrease in our existing markets resulted primarily from approximately equal impacts generated by a more competitive market and a higher sales mix of non-residential roofing products, which typically have lower gross margins. These negative factors were partially offset by higher 2010 vendor incentive income, primarily from short-term buying programs.

Direct sales (products shipped by our vendors directly to our customers), which typically have substantially lower gross margins than our warehouse sales, represented 20.3% and 19.0% of our net sales in 2010 and 2009, respectively. The slight increase in the percentage of direct sales was primarily attributable to the higher mix of non-residential roofing product sales. There were no material regional impacts from changes in the direct sales mix of our geographical regions.
 
Operating Expenses
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
Change
 
   
(dollars in millions)
 
Operating expenses
  $ 286.6     $ 301.9     $ (15.3 )           -5.1 %
Existing markets
    280.3       301.9       (21.6 )           -7.1 %
                                       
Operating expenses as a % of sales
    17.8 %     17.4 %             0.4 %        
Existing markets
    17.7 %     17.4 %             0.3 %        

 
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Our existing market operating expenses decreased by $21.6 million or 7.1% in 2010 to $280.3 million from $301.9 million in 2009, while our acquired markets incurred $6.3 million in operating expenses. The following factors were the leading causes of our lower operating expenses in our existing markets:

 
·
savings of $9.8 million in payroll and related costs, due to a lower employee headcount, lower incentive-based pay, and lower related benefits (including a lower profit-sharing accrual);
 
·
savings of $6.9 million in other general & administrative expenses from a reduction in the provision for bad debts of $4.7 million, reduced claim costs in our self-insurance programs and certain cost saving actions;
 
·
reduced depreciation and amortization expense of $3.1 million due mostly to lower amortization of intangible assets;
 
·
savings of $1.1 million in various selling expenses, such as reduced credit card fees due to the lower sales volume and certain cost saving actions, partially offset by higher fuel costs; and
 
·
savings of $0.7 million in warehouse expenses mainly due to lower branch closing costs.

In 2010, we expensed a total of $9.9 million for the amortization of intangible assets recorded under purchase accounting compared to $12.2 million in 2009. Our existing market operating expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 17.7% in 2010 from 17.4% in 2009 due to the reductions outlined above offset by a larger percentage decline in net sales.
 
Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased $4.7 million to $18.2 million in 2010 from $22.9 million in 2009. This decrease was primarily due to lower debt and the expiration of certain interest derivatives that carried higher interest rates than the rates on our current derivatives and lower variable interest rates on the unhedged components of our debt.  Interest expense would have been $8.9 and $8.3 million less in 2010 and 2009, respectively, without the impact of our derivatives.
 
Income Taxes

              Income tax expense decreased to $20.8 million in 2010 from $33.9 million in 2009 and our effective income tax rate decreased to 37.6% from 39.3% in 2009. The 2010 income tax expense includes benefits from the reversals of certain discrete tax reserves and releases of valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets totaling $1.4 million and from a higher percentage of Canadian income in 2010 than in 2009.
 
Seasonality and quarterly fluctuations

In general, sales and net income are highest during our first, third and fourth fiscal quarters, which represent the peak months of construction and reroofing, especially in our branches in the northeastern U.S. and in Canada. We have historically incurred low net income levels or net losses during the second quarter when our sales are substantially lower.
 
           We generally experience an increase in inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable during the third and fourth quarters of the year as a result of the seasonality of our business. Our peak cash usage generally occurs during the third quarter, primarily because accounts payable terms offered by our suppliers typically have due dates in April, May and June, while our peak accounts receivable collections typically occur from June through November.
 
We generally experience a slowing of collections of our accounts receivable during our second quarter, mainly due to the inability of some of our customers to conduct their businesses effectively in inclement weather in certain regions. We continue to attempt to collect those receivables, which require payment under our standard terms. We typically do not provide material concessions to our customers during this quarter of the year.
 
Our vendors are also affected by the seasonality in the industry and are more likely to provide seasonal incentives in our second quarter as a result of the lower level of roofing activity. Also during the second quarter, we generally experience our lowest availability under our senior secured credit facilities, which are asset-based lending facilities.
 
Certain quarterly financial data
 
The following table sets forth certain unaudited quarterly data for the fiscal years 2011 and 2010 which, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of this data. Results of any one or more quarters are not necessarily indicative of results for an entire fiscal year or of continuing trends. Totals may not total due to rounding.

 
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Fiscal year 2011
   
Fiscal year 2010
 
   
Qtr 1
   
Qtr 2
   
Qtr 3
   
Qtr 4
   
Qtr 1
   
Qtr 2
   
Qtr 3
   
Qtr 4
 
   
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
 
   
(unaudited)
 
Net sales
  $ 404.8     $ 296.3     $ 540.7     $ 575.6     $ 367.7     $ 285.4     $ 474.3     $ 482.6  
Gross profit
    94.8       65.2       126.7       132.9       88.3       61.1       104.3       106.4  
Income (loss) from operations
    19.8       (6.8 )     43.1       47.6       18.5       (6.0 )     30.2       30.8  
Net income (loss)
  $ 10.1     $ (6.2 )   $ 24.1     $ 31.3     $ 7.8     $ (6.5 )   $ 16.3     $ 16.9  
                                                                 
Earnings (loss) per share - basic
  $ 0.22     $ (0.13 )   $ 0.52     $ 0.68     $ 0.17     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.36     $ 0.37  
Earnings (loss) per share - fully diluted
  $ 0.22     $ (0.13 )   $ 0.51     $ 0.67     $ 0.17     $ (0.14 )   $ 0.35     $ 0.37  
                                                                 
Quarterly sales as % of year's sales
    22.3 %     16.3 %     29.8 %     31.7 %     22.8 %     17.7 %     29.5 %     30.0 %
Quarterly gross profit as % of year's gross profit
    22.6 %     15.5 %     30.2 %     31.7 %     24.5 %     17.0 %     29.0 %     29.5 %
Quarterly income (loss) from operations as % of year's income from operations
    19.1 %     -6.6 %     41.6 %     45.9 %     25.2 %     -8.1 %     41.1 %     41.9 %
 

 
Earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011 included the beneficial impact of $5.1 million, $0.11 diluted earnings per share, from the reversal of a net deferred tax liability associated with a change in the tax status of our Canadian operations as discussed above and in Note 12.
 
Impact of inflation
 
We believe that our results of operations are not materially impacted by moderate changes in the inflation rate. In general, we have been able to pass on price increases from our vendors to our customers in a timely manner. Although we experienced fluctuations in average inventory prices that were consistent throughout the industry during 2011 (mostly declining in the first half and mostly increasing in the second half), inflation and changing prices did not have a material impact on our net operating results in 2011 or 2010.
 
Liquidity and capital resources
 
 We had cash and cash equivalents of $143.0 million at September 30, 2011 compared to $117.1 million at September 30, 2010. Our net working capital was $410.8 million at September 30, 2011 compared to $367.6 million at September 30, 2010.
 
2011 compared to 2010

Our net cash provided by operating activities was $79.3 million in 2011 compared to $73.9 million in 2010. The higher cash from operations was due to the increase in net income of $24.7 million, mostly offset by cash used by working capital changes, net of the impact of businesses acquired. Changes in working capital provided a favorable increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $53.0 million and a favorable decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets of $7.5 million. These were more than offset by unfavorable increases in accounts receivable and inventories of $35.3 and $35.0 million, respectively. The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses was primarily due to a higher level of inventory purchases later this year and higher accrued income taxes. The increase in accounts receivable was due to stronger fourth quarter sales in 2011 as compared to 2010. Our days sales outstanding (calculated based on the ending accounts receivable balance and the most recent quarter’s sales) were down slightly due to the stronger fourth quarter sales and a lower fourth-quarter mix of non-residential sales this year, which generally have longer payment terms. Inventory turns were relatively flat year over year, as the impact of this year’s larger build-up of inventory was offset by the impact of the higher sales. The higher level of inventory was primarily due to more normal purchasing levels in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to last year, when we curtailed fourth-quarter purchases. We are also maintaining higher levels of inventories in the branches that are currently servicing storm demand. In addition, we have seen average overall product costs increase approximately 5% since 2010. Lastly, the decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets was mostly due to declines in prepaid income taxes and amounts due from vendors for incentives.

Net cash used in investing activities was $47.8 million in 2011 compared to $28.8 million in 2010. This increase was due to the cost of our acquisitions and higher capital spending for transportation and material handling equipment. We currently expect fiscal year 2012 capital expenditures to approximate 1.0% of net sales, mostly dependent upon our sales volume and exclusive of the impact of branch openings.
 
Net cash used by financing activities was $5.0 million in 2011 compared to $10.8 million in 2010. These amounts primarily reflected repayments under our credit facilities, partially offset by proceeds from new equipment financings ($3.2 million) in 2011 and from the exercise of stock options.
 
2010 compared to 2009

Our net cash provided by operating activities was $73.9 million in 2010 compared to $87.6 million in 2009. The lower cash from operations was partially due to the drop of $17.9 million in our net income. The following mentioned changes in working capital exclude the impact of businesses acquired. Accounts payable and accrued expenses decreased $39.1 million in 2010, reflecting the impact from lower purchasing levels associated with our effort to decrease inventories in the fourth quarter.  Accounts receivable increased by $6.5 million in 2010 mostly due to the higher sales mix of non-residential roofing products that generally have longer payment terms (the number of days outstanding for accounts receivable increased due to the same factor). Inventories, with a decline of $41.0 million, was a favorable offset to the preceding negative influences on cash, as we curtailed the previously high level of special buys late in 2010 due to a more stable pricing climate from our asphalt shingle suppliers.  Inventory turns, based upon average inventory for the fourth quarter, were flat year over year.  Also, we saw a favorable decrease of $8.7 million in prepaid expenses and other assets, including the impact from a drop in escrows (associated with past acquisitions) and lower rebates receivable resulting from the lower purchases in the fourth quarter.

 
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Net cash used in investing activities was $28.8 million in 2010 compared to $13.7 million in 2009. This increase was mainly due to the cost of our acquisitions, partially offset by lower capital spending for transportation and material handling equipment. We continue to closely manage our capital expenditures during these challenging economic times.
 
Net cash used by financing activities was $10.8 million in 2010 compared to $17.6 million in 2009. These amounts primarily reflected repayments under our credit facilities, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
 
Capital Resources
 
Our principal source of liquidity at September 30, 2011 was our cash and cash equivalents of $143.0 million and our available borrowings of $159.7 million under revolving lines of credit, which takes into account all of the debt covenants, including the maximum consolidated leverage ratio and capital expenditures limit discussed below. Our borrowing base availability is determined primarily by trade accounts receivable, less outstanding borrowings. Borrowings outstanding under the revolving lines of credit in the accompanying balance sheet at September 30, 2011 and 2010 were classified as short-term debt because we paid off those borrowings subsequent to the respective year-ends and there is no current expectation of a minimum level of outstanding revolver borrowings during the subsequent 12 months.
 
Liquidity is defined as the current amount of readily available cash and the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet the current needs for cash. We assess our liquidity in terms of our cash and cash equivalents on hand and the ability to generate cash to fund our operating activities, taking into consideration the seasonal nature of our business.  Our cash equivalents are comprised of highly liquid money market funds which invest primarily in commercial paper or bonds with a rating of A-1 or better, and bank certificates of deposit.
 
Significant factors which could affect future liquidity include the following:

 
the adequacy of available bank lines of credit;
 
the ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms;
 
cash flows generated from operating activities;
 
acquisitions; and
 
capital expenditures.
 
Our primary capital needs are for working capital obligations and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures. Our primary sources of working capital are cash from operations and cash equivalents, supplemented by bank borrowings. In the past, we have paid for acquisitions from cash on hand or financed them initially through increased bank borrowings, the issuance of common stock and/or other borrowings. We then repay any such borrowings with cash flows from operations. We have funded our past capital expenditures through increased bank borrowings, including equipment financing, or through capital leases, and then have reduced these obligations with cash flows from operations.
 
We believe we have adequate current liquidity and availability of capital to fund our present operations, meet our commitments on our existing debt and fund anticipated growth, including expansion in existing and targeted market areas. We continually seek potential acquisitions and from time to time hold discussions with acquisition candidates. If suitable acquisition opportunities or working capital needs arise that would require additional financing, we believe that our financial position and earnings history provide a strong base for obtaining additional financing resources at competitive rates and terms, as we have in the past. We may also issue additional shares of common stock to raise funds, which we did in December 2005, or we may issue preferred stock.
 
Monitoring and Assessing Collectability of Accounts Receivable
 
We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers and typically do not require collateral, although we typically obtain payment and performance bonds for any type of public work and have the ability to lien projects under certain circumstances. Consistent with industry practices, we require payment from most customers within 30 days, except for sales to our commercial roofing contractors, which we typically require to pay in 60 days.
 
As our business is seasonal in certain regions, our customers' businesses are also seasonal. Sales are lowest in the winter months and our past due accounts receivable balance as a percentage of total receivables generally increases during this time. Throughout the year, we closely monitor our receivables and record estimated reserves based upon our judgment of specific customer situations, aging of accounts and our historical write-offs of uncollectible accounts.

 
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Our regional credit offices are staffed to manage and monitor our receivable aging balances and our systems allow us to enforce pre-determined credit approval levels and properly leverage new business. The credit pre-approval process denotes the maximum requested credit amount that each level of management can approve, with the highest credit amount requiring approval by our CEO and CFO.  There are daily communications with branch and field staff and the regional offices conduct periodic reviews with their branch managers, various regional management staff and the VP-Credit. Depending on the state of the respective region’s receivables, these reviews can be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Additionally, the regions are required to submit a monthly receivable forecast to the VP-Credit. On a monthly basis, the VP-Credit will review and discuss these forecasts, as well as a prior month recap, with the CEO and CFO.
 
Periodically, we perform a specific analysis of all accounts past due and write off account balances when we have exhausted reasonable collection efforts and determined that the likelihood of collection is remote based upon the following factors:

 
aging statistics and trends;
 
customer payment history;
 
review of the customer’s financial statements when available;
 
independent credit reports; and
 
discussions with customers.
 
We still pursue collection of amounts written off in certain circumstances and credit the allowance for any subsequent recoveries. In the past, bad debts typically averaged approximately 0.3% of net sales.  In 2011, bad debts increased slightly to 0.4% of net sales, which was still within our tolerance in consideration of the challenging economic and credit climate.
 
Indebtedness
 
We currently have the following credit facilities:
 
 
a senior secured credit facility in the U.S.;
 
a Canadian senior secured credit facility; and
 
an equipment financing facility.
 
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
 
On November 2, 2006, we entered into an amended and restated seven-year $500 million U.S. senior secured credit facility and a C$15 million senior secured Canadian credit facility with GE Antares Capital ("GE Antares") and a syndicate of other lenders (combined, the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility refinanced the prior $370 million credit facilities that also were provided through GE Antares. The Credit Facility provides us with lower interest rates and available funds for future acquisitions and ongoing working capital requirements. In addition, the Credit Facility increased the allowable total equipment financing and/or capital lease financing to $35 million. The Credit Facility provides for a cash receipts lock-box arrangement that gives us sole control over the funds in lock-box accounts, unless excess availability is less than $10 million or an event of default occurs, in which case the senior secured lenders would have the right to take control over such funds and to apply such funds to repayment of the senior debt.
 
The Credit Facility consists of a U.S. revolving credit facility of $150 million (the "US Revolver"), which includes a sub-facility of $20 million for letters of credit, and an initial $350 million term loan (the "Term Loan"). The Credit Facility also includes a C$15 million senior secured revolving credit facility provided by GE Canada Finance Holding Company (the "Canada Revolver"). There was a combined $159.7 million available for borrowings and less than $0.1 million was outstanding under the US Revolver and Canadian Revolver at September 30, 2011. There were $4.6 million of outstanding standby letters of credit at September 30, 2011. The Term Loan requires amortization of 1% per year, payable in quarterly installments of approximately $0.8 million, plus any required prepayments under the Excess Cash Flow, discussed below, and with the remainder due in 2013. The Credit Facility may also be expanded by up to an additional $200 million under certain conditions. There are mandatory prepayments under the Credit Facility under certain conditions, including the following cash flow condition:
 
Excess Cash Flow
 
On May 15 of each fiscal year, commencing on May 15, 2008, we must pay an amount equal to 50% of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the prior fiscal year, not to exceed $7.0 million with respect to any fiscal year. Based on our results for 2011, we will be required to make a $7.0 million payment by May 15, 2012.  The amounts payable under this provision were classified as short-term debt at September 30, 2011 and 2010.

 
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Interest
 
Interest on borrowings under the U.S. credit facility is payable at our election at either of the following rates:
 
 
the base rate (that is the higher of (a) the base rate for corporate loans quoted in The Wall Street Journal or (b) the Federal Reserve overnight rate plus 1/2 of 1%) plus a margin of 0.75% for the Term Loan.
 
the current LIBOR Rate plus a margin of 1.00% (for US Revolver loans) or 2.00% (for Term Loan).
 
Interest under the Canadian credit facility is payable at our election at either of the following rates:
 
 
an index rate (that is the higher of (1) the Canadian prime rate as quoted in The Globe and Mail and (2) the 30-day BA Rate plus 0.75%), or
 
the BA rate as described in the Canadian facility plus 1.00%.
 
The US Revolver currently carries an interest rate at the base rate (3.25% at September 30, 2011), while the Canada revolver carries an interest rate of the Canadian prime rate plus 0.75% (3.00% at September 30, 2011), and the Term Loan carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2% (2.24% for three LIBOR arrangements under the Term Loan at September 30, 2011). Unused fees on the revolving credit facilities are 0.25% per annum. Availability under the revolving credit facilities is limited to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, increasing to 90% from January through April of each year. Financial covenants, which apply only to the Term Loan, are limited to a leverage ratio and a yearly capital expenditure limitation as follows:
 
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
 
On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined, must not be greater than 4.00:1.0. At September 30, 2011, this ratio was 1.38:1.0.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
We cannot incur aggregate Capital Expenditures, as defined, in excess of three percent (3.00%) of consolidated gross revenue for any fiscal year.
 
As of September 30, 2011, we were in compliance with these covenants.
 
Substantially all of our assets, including the capital stock and assets of wholly-owned subsidiaries, secure obligations under the Credit Facility.
 
Equipment Financing Facilities

As of September 30, 2011, there was a total of $12.4 million outstanding under prior equipment financing facilities, with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.6% to 7.1% and payments due through March 2016. Our current facility provides financing for up to $5.5 million of purchased transportation and material handling equipment through May 15, 2012 at an interest rate approximately 2.75% above the 3-year term swap rate at the time of the advances.  No amounts were outstanding under the current facility at September 30, 2011.
 
Contractual Obligations
 
At September 30, 2011, our contractual obligations were as follows (in millions):

   
Fiscal years
 
   
2012
   
2013
   
2014
   
2015
   
2016
   
Thereafter
 
                                     
Senior bank debt and revolver
  $ 10.2     $ 301.5     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Equipment financing
    5.4       3.7       2.5       0.7       0.2       -  
Operating leases
    21.8       17.7       15.2       10.9       5.4       2.2  
Interest (1)
    13.5       10.9       0.2       0.1       -       -  
Non-cancelable purchase obligations (2)
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                 
Total
  $ 50.9     $ 333.8     $ 17.9     $ 11.7     $ 5.6     $ 2.2  

 
(1)
Interest payments reflect all currently scheduled amounts along with projected amounts to be paid under the senior bank debt using a LIBOR Curve to estimate the future interest rates and considering our current interest rate hedges.
 
(2)
In general, we purchase products under purchase obligations that are cancelable by us without cost or expire after 30 days.

 
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Capital Expenditures

Excluding acquisitions, we incurred capital expenditures of $14.4, $10.3 and $14.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Typically, over 80% of our capital expenditures have generally been made for transportation and material handling equipment. In 2010, we incurred a lower spend rate (with capital expenditures at 0.6% of sales) as we reduced capital expenditures due to the business slowdown. We currently expect future annual capital expenditures to be closer to 1.0% of net sales, exclusive of the impact of new branch openings and assuming improved economic and industry conditions.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Critical accounting policies
 
Critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the accurate portrayal of a company's financial condition and results and require subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.
 
In order to prepare financial statements that conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, commonly referred to as U.S. GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Certain estimates are particularly sensitive due to their significance to the financial statements and the possibility that future events may be significantly different from our expectations.
 
We have identified the following accounting policies that require us to make the most subjective or complex judgments in order to fairly present our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
We account for employee and non-employee director stock-based compensation using the fair value method of accounting. Compensation cost arising from stock options and restricted stock awards granted to employees and non-employee directors is recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period, which represents the requisite service or performance period. We estimate forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation associated with stock awards. We also project the number of restricted shares and units that are expected to vest in determining the associated stock-based compensation. In addition, we report the benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation cost as both a financing cash inflow and an operating cash outflow. The excess tax benefit classified as a financing activity would have been classified as an operating inflow if we did not use the fair value method.
 
Interest Rate Swaps
 
We enter into interest rate swaps to minimize the risks and costs associated with financing activities, as well as to maintain an appropriate mix of fixed-and floating-rate debt. The swap agreements are contracts to exchange variable-rate for fixed-interest rate payments over the life of the agreements. Our current derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, for which we record the effective portions of changes in their fair value, net of tax, in other comprehensive income. We recognize any ineffective portion of our hedges in earnings, of which there has been none to date.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses due to the failure of our customers to make required payments. We charge write-offs against our allowance for doubtful accounts, although we still pursue collection in certain circumstances and credit the allowance for any subsequent recoveries.
 
Inventory Valuation
 
Product inventories represent one of our largest assets and are recorded at net realizable value. Our goal is to manage our inventory so that we minimize out of stock positions. To do this, we maintain an adequate inventory of SKUs at each branch based on sales history. At the same time, we continuously strive to better manage our slower moving classes of inventory. We monitor our inventory levels by branch and record provisions for excess inventories based on slower moving inventory. We define potential excess inventory as the amount of inventory on hand in excess of the historical usage, excluding items purchased in the last three months. We then review our most recent history of sales and adjustments of such excess inventory and apply our judgment as to forecasted demand and other factors, including liquidation value, to determine the required adjustments to net realizable value. In addition, at the end of each year, we evaluate our inventory at each branch and write off and dispose of obsolete products. Our inventories are generally not susceptible to technological obsolescence.
 
During the year, we perform periodic cycle counts and write off excess or damaged inventory as needed. At year-end, we take a physical inventory and record any necessary additional write-offs.

 
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Vendor Rebates
 
Our typical rebate arrangements with our vendors provide for us to receive a rebate of a specified amount, payable to us when we achieve any of a number of measures generally related to the volume of purchases from our vendors. We account for these rebates as a reduction of the prices of the related vendors' products, which reduces the inventory cost until the period in which we sell the product, at which time these rebates reduce cost of sales in our income statement. Throughout the year, we estimate the amount of rebates receivable based upon the expected level of purchases. We continually revise these estimates to reflect actual rebates earned based on actual purchase levels. Historically, our actual rebates have been within our expectations used for our estimates. If we fail to achieve a measure which is required to obtain a vendor rebate, we will have to record a charge in the period that we determine the criteria or measure for the vendor rebate will not be met to the extent the vendor rebate was estimated and included as a reduction to cost of sales.
 
If market conditions were to change, vendors may change the terms of some or all of these programs. Although these changes would not affect the amounts which we have recorded related to products already purchased, it may impact our gross margin on products we sell or revenues earned in future periods.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue when the following four basic criteria are met:
 
 
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
 
the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
 
collectability is reasonably assured.
 
We generally recognize revenue at the point of sale or upon delivery to the customer's site. For goods shipped by third party carriers, we recognize revenue upon shipment since the terms are FOB shipping point. Approximately 80% of our revenues are for products delivered by us or picked up by our customers at our facilities, which provides for timely and accurate revenue recognition.
 
We also ship certain products directly from the manufacturer to the customer. Revenues are recognized upon notifications of deliveries from our vendors. Delays in receiving delivery notifications could impact our financial results, although it has not been material to our consolidated results of operations in the past.
 
We also provide certain job site delivery services, which include crane rentals and rooftop deliveries of certain products, for which the associated revenues are recognized upon completion of the services. These revenues represent less than 1% of our net sales.
 
All revenues recognized are net of sales taxes collected, allowances for discounts and estimated returns, which are provided for at the time of pick up or delivery. In the past, customer returns have not been material to our consolidated results of operations. All sales taxes collected are subsequently remitted to the appropriate government authorities.
 
Income Taxes
 
We account for income taxes using the liability method, which requires us to recognize a current tax liability or asset for current taxes payable or refundable and a deferred tax liability or asset for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities to the extent that they are realizable. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year. See the “2011 compared to 2010” income taxes discussion above and Note 12 for a discussion of the 2011 impact from a change in the tax status of our Canadian operations.
 
FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Based on this guidance, we analyze our filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. Tax benefits from uncertain tax positions are recognized if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits.
 
Goodwill
 
Goodwill represents the excess paid to acquire businesses over the estimated fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, less liabilities assumed. At September 30, 2011, our goodwill balance was $380.9 million, representing approximately 33% of our total assets.

 
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We test goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or at any other time when impairment indicators exist. Examples of such indicators include a significant change in the business climate, unexpected competition, loss of key personnel or a decline in our market capitalization below our net book value. In performing the impairment test, we utilize a two-step approach. The first step requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. We assess goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component (i.e. a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by component managers), which in our case is our divisions.
 
The Company has six divisions that contain goodwill. Each of these divisions is comprised of geographic combinations of regions or stand-alone regions that have specific market areas.
 
We aggregate components within a reporting unit that have similar economic characteristics.  We evaluate the distribution methods, sales mix, and operating results of each of our divisions to determine if these characteristics have or will be sustained over a long-term basis. For purposes of this evaluation, we would expect our divisions to exhibit similar economic characteristics 3-5 years after events such as an acquisition within our core roofing business or management/business restructuring. This evaluation also considers major storm activity or local economic challenges that may impact the short term operations of the division. Based on our evaluation at August 31, 2011, only one of our divisions did not exhibit similar economic characteristics and therefore was individually evaluated for goodwill impairment as a separate reporting unit (the “Individual Reporting Unit”). This was primarily due to the fact that this division had an above-average concentration of residential business that provided gross margin and operating income rates well above our company-wide average. The remaining divisions were aggregated into a second reporting unit (the “Aggregated Reporting Unit”).

As disclosed below, in 2011 we adopted Accounting Standards No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under this guidance, we are not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless we determine that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount.
 
We concluded that the Aggregated and Individual Report Unit’s fair values more likely than not exceeded their respective carrying values at the goodwill measurement date. The Aggregate Reporting Unit represented 84% of our consolidated operations, as measured by operating earnings for the twelve months ended August 31, 2011, and generated operating cash flows that amounted to 23% of the reporting unit’s carrying value. Also, sales and operating earnings for the Aggregated Reporting Unit exceeded those in the prior year by 10% and 23%, respectively. The Individual Reporting Unit during the same period generated cash flows that amounted to 55% of that reporting unit’s carrying value. Also, sales and operating earnings for the Individual Reporting Unit exceeded those in the prior year by 8% and 29%, respectively.

Additionally, our market capitalization at August 31, 2011 exceeded our carrying value by $327 million or 62%. This compares to $181 million and 39% for such measures at August 31, 2010. We expect both the Aggregated and Individual Reporting units to experience moderate growth in the near future slightly above the national economic average and did not identify any impairment factors for either reporting unit.

There is uncertainty associated with our assumptions because we must use judgment in determining appropriate assumptions to be used in the measurement of the fair values. The estimates of the fair values of our reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment and incorporate management's assumptions about expected future cash flows and contemplate other valuation techniques. Future cash flows can be affected by changes in the industry, a declining economic environment or market conditions.

There have been no events or circumstances since the date of the assessments that would change our conclusion. If circumstances change or events occur to indicate it is more likely than not that the fair values of any of its reporting units (under the guidelines discussed above) have fallen below its carrying value, we would then test for impairment. If the book value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we would recognize the difference as an impairment loss in the determination of operating income.
  
Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Previous guidance under Topic 350 required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (step one). If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the amendments in this Update, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This Update is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. We early adopted this Update for our goodwill impairment testing for 2011 as described under “Goodwill” above.

 
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In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which amends the criteria for allocating a contract's consideration to individual services or products in multiple deliverable arrangements. This guidance was also effective for us beginning in 2011 but did not have an impact on the financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Statement (FAS) 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, and FAS 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), codified as Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17 (ASU 2009-17), which changes the way entities account for securitizations and special purpose entities. Both statements were effective for us beginning in 2011 but did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance that significantly changes the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions and non-controlling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements. Our adoption of this guidance in 2010 resulted in the expensing of certain costs incurred in 2011 and 2010 but did not have a significant impact on the financial statements. However, this could have a material impact on our accounting for future acquisitions, depending on the circumstances and the terms of the acquisitions.
 
Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which provides an entity with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. These changes apply to both annual and interim financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2011-05 should be applied retrospectively. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not currently expect the adoption of ASU 2011-05 to have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which changes the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied prospectively. We do not currently expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, an amendment to Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, which specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. This amendment also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. This amendment is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. We do not currently expect the adoption of this amendment to have an impact on the financial statements.

Also in December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, an amendment to Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).  The new guidance modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance and examples in paragraph 350-20-35-30, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. We do not currently expect the adoption of this amendment to have an impact on the financial statements.

 
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ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We are exposed to certain market risks as part of our on-going business operations. Our primary exposure includes changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates.
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
Our interest rate risk relates primarily to the variable-rate borrowings under our Credit Facility. The following discussion of our interest rate swaps (see "Financial Derivatives" below) is based on a 10% change in interest rates. These changes are hypothetical scenarios used to calibrate potential risk and do not represent our view of future market changes. As the hypothetical figures discussed below indicate, changes in fair value based on the assumed change in rates generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship of the change in assumption to the change in fair value may not be linear. The effect of a variation in a particular assumption is calculated without changing any other assumption. In reality, changes in one factor may result in changes in another, which may magnify or counteract the sensitivities.
 
At September 30, 2011, we had $311.8 million of term loans and less than $0.1 million of revolving credit outstanding under our Credit Facility. Our weighted-average effective interest rate on that debt, after considering the effect of the interest rate swaps, was 3.95% at September 30, 2011. A hypothetical 10% increase in interest rates in effect at September 30, 2011, would have increased annual interest expense on the borrowings outstanding at that date by approximately $0.3 million.
 
We enter into interest rate swaps to minimize the risks and costs associated with financing activities, as well as to maintain an appropriate mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt. The swap agreements discussed below are contracts to exchange variable-rate for fixed-interest rate payments over the life of the agreements. The aggregate fair value of these swaps represented a loss of $7.2 million at September 30, 2011. A hypothetical increase (or decrease) of 10% in interest rates from the level in effect at September 30, 2011, would result in an aggregate unrealized gain or (loss) in value of the swaps of approximately $0.2 million or ($0.2) million, respectively.
 
Financial Derivatives

We use derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates. Use of derivative financial instruments in hedging programs subjects us to certain risks, such as market and credit risks. Market risk represents the possibility that the value of the derivative instrument will change. In a hedging relationship, the change in the value of the derivative is offset to a great extent by the change in the value of the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to derivatives represents the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the terms of the contract. The notional, or contractual, amount of our derivative financial instruments is used to measure interest to be paid or received and does not represent our exposure due to credit risk. Our current derivative instruments are with counterparties rated highly by nationally recognized credit rating agencies.
 
We use interest rate derivative instruments to manage the risk of interest rate changes by converting a portion of our variable-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings. As of September 30, 2011, the following interest rate derivative instruments were outstanding: a) a $100 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 2.72%; b) a $50 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 3.12%; and c) a $50 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 3.11%. These interest rate swaps expire in April 2013.
  
These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, for which we record the effective portions of changes in their fair value, net of taxes, in other comprehensive income. The effectiveness of the hedges is periodically assessed by us during the lives of the hedges by 1) comparing the current terms of the hedges with the related hedged debt to assure they continue to coincide and 2) through an evaluation of the counterparties’ ability to honor their obligations under the hedges. Any ineffective portion of the hedges is recognized in earnings, of which there has been none to date and none is anticipated.

We record any differences paid or received on its interest rate hedges as adjustments to interest expense.  Since inception, we have not recognized any gains or losses on these hedges. The table below presents the combined fair values of the interest rate derivative instruments on the indicated balance sheets:
 
   
Unrealized Losses
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
Location on Balance Sheet
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                   
Accrued expenses
 
$
7,235
   
$
11,084
   
$
12,348
 
 
The fair values of the interest rate hedges were determined through the use of pricing models, which utilize verifiable inputs such as market interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals (generally referred to as the “LIBOR Curve”) for the full terms of the hedge agreements.
 
 
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Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
We have exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for revenues generated by our operations outside the United States, which can adversely impact our net income and cash flows. Approximately 8% of our revenues in 2011 were derived from sales to customers in Canada. This business is primarily conducted in the local currency. This exposes us to risks associated with changes in foreign currency that can adversely affect revenues, net income and cash flows. We do not enter into financial instruments to manage this foreign currency exchange risk.

 
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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
  Index to consolidated financial statements

   
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
37
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010
 
38
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 
39
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 
40
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009
 
41
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
42

 
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (the Company) as of September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements 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 Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. at September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
 
As discussed in Note 1 to the accompanying financial statements, as of October 1, 2009, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 29, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. 
 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
November 29, 2011

 
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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
2011
   
2010
 
             
Assets
 
 
   
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 143,027     $ 117,136  
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $13,816 in 2011 and $11,817 in 2010
    280,322       241,341  
Inventories
    202,474       158,774  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    37,573       43,115  
Deferred income taxes
    15,469       17,178  
                 
Total current assets
    678,865       577,544  
                 
Property and equipment, net
    47,427       47,751  
Goodwill
    380,916       365,061  
Other assets, net
    49,756       51,833  
                 
Total assets
  $ 1,156,964     $ 1,042,189  
                 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 182,523     $ 144,064  
Accrued expenses
    69,906       50,132  
Current portions of long-term obligations
    15,605       15,734  
Total current liabilities
    268,034       209,930  
                 
Senior notes payable, net of current portion
    301,544       311,771  
Deferred income taxes
    38,992       39,734  
Long-term obligations under equipment financing and other, net of current portion
    9,967       11,910  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 14)
               
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Common stock (voting); $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
46,154,107 issued in 2011 and 45,663,858 issued in 2010
    462       457  
Undesignated Preferred Stock; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding
    -       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    248,260       236,136  
Retained earnings
    293,110       233,890  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (3,405 )     (1,639 )
Total stockholders' equity
    538,427       468,844  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 1,156,964     $ 1,042,189  

See accompanying notes.

 
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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations

   
Year Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
 
                   
Net sales
  $ 1,817,423     $ 1,609,969     $ 1,733,967  
Cost of products sold
    1,397,798       1,249,869       1,322,845  
                         
Gross profit
    419,625       360,100       411,122  
                         
Operating expenses
    315,883       286,583       301,913  
                         
Income from operations
    103,742       73,517       109,209  
                         
Interest expense
    13,364       18,210       22,887  
                         
Income before provision for income taxes
    90,378       55,307       86,322  
Provision for income taxes
    31,158       20,781       33,904  
                         
Net income
  $ 59,220     $ 34,526     $ 52,418  
                         
Net income per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.29     $ 0.76     $ 1.16  
                         
Diluted
  $ 1.27     $ 0.75     $ 1.15  
                         
Weighted average shares used in computing net income per share:
                       
Basic
    45,919,198       45,480,922       45,007,313  
                         
Diluted
    46,753,152       46,031,593       45,493,786  

See accompanying notes.

 
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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income

    
Common Stock
   
Additional
         
Other
   
Total
 
   
Number
         
Paid-in
   
Retained
   
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
 
of Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income (Loss)
   
Equity
 
   
 
                               
Balances at September 30, 2008
    44,820,550     $ 448     $ 219,669     $ 146,946     $ (362 )   $ 366,701  
Issuance of common stock for option excercises
    424,287       4       2,344                       2,348  
Stock-based compensation
                    4,780                       4,780  
Net income
                            52,418               52,418  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                    163          
Tax effect
                                    123          
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
                                    286       286  
                                                 
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives
                                    (4,952 )        
Tax effect
                                    1,992          
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives, net
                                    (2,960 )     (2,960 )
Comprehensive income
                                            49,744  
                                                 
Balances at September 30, 2009
    45,244,837       452       226,793       199,364       (3,036 )     423,573  
Issuance of common stock for option excercises
    419,021       5       4,342                       4,347  
Stock-based compensation
                    5,001                       5,001  
Net income
                            34,526               34,526  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                    1,731          
Tax effect
                                    (911 )        
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
                                    820       820  
                                                 
Unrealized gain on financial derivatives
                                    1,264          
Tax effect
                                    (687 )        
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives, net
                                    577       577  
Comprehensive income
                                            35,923  
                                                 
Balances at September 30, 2010
    45,663,858       457       236,136       233,890       (1,639 )     468,844  
Issuance of common stock for option excercises
    490,249       5       6,051                       6,056  
Stock-based compensation
                    6,073                       6,073  
Net income
                            59,220               59,220  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                                    (4,162 )     (4,162 )
                                                 
Unrealized gain on financial derivatives
                                    3,849          
Tax effect
                                    (1,453 )        
Unrealized gain on financial derivatives, net
                                    2,396       2,396  
Comprehensive income
                                            57,454  
                                                 
Balances at September 30, 2011
    46,154,107     $ 462     $ 248,260     $ 293,110     $ (3,405 )   $ 538,427  

See accompanying notes.

 
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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   
Year Ended
 
(In thousands)
 
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Operating activities
                 
Net income
  $ 59,220     $ 34,526     $ 52,418  
Adjustments to reconcile net income  to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    25,060       27,773       30,389  
Stock-based compensation
    6,073       5,001       4,780  
Gain on sale of fixed assets
    (750 )     (587 )     (449 )
Deferred income taxes
    (465 )     3,060       (599 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of the effects of businesses acquired:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (35,314 )     (6,486 )     56,143  
Inventories
    (35,016 )     40,952       14,168  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    7,470       8,723       (2,256 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    53,012       (39,051 )     (67,467 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    79,290       73,911       87,127  
                         
Investing activities
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (14,433 )     (10,268 )     (14,277 )
Acquisition of businesses
    (34,942 )     (19,328 )     -  
Proceeds from sales of assets
    1,543       748       1,070  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (47,832 )     (28,848 )     (13,207 )
                         
Financing activities
                       
Borrowings (repayments) under revolving lines of credit
    (50 )     67       (4,955 )
Repayments under senior notes payable, and other
    (11,053 )     (15,193 )     (14,969 )
Proceeds from exercise of options
    5,302       3,561       1,717  
Income tax benefit from stock-based compensation deductions in excess of the associated compensation cost
    756       786       631  
Net cash used by financing activities
    (5,045 )     (10,779 )     (17,576 )
                         
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (522 )     110       360  
                         
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
    25,891       34,394       56,704  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    117,136       82,742       26,038  
                         
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 143,027     $ 117,136     $ 82,742  
                         
Cash paid during the year for:
                       
Interest
  $ 13,524     $ 20,560     $ 22,929  
Income taxes, net of refunds
  $ 23,855     $ 16,907     $ 49,805  

See accompanying notes

 
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Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Year Ended September 30, 2011
 
(dollars in thousands, except per share data or as otherwise indicated)
 
1.
The Company
 
Business
 
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (the "Company"), which was formed on August 22, 1997, distributes roofing materials and other complementary building materials to customers in 38 states and six provinces in Canada and is incorporated in Delaware. The Company operates its United States business under regional trade names associated with former subsidiary corporate names. The Company’s current subsidiaries are Beacon Sales Acquisition, Inc., Beacon Canada, Inc. and Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company. Prior to fiscal year 2010, the Company operated its U.S. business through its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Beacon Sales Acquisition, Inc., Quality Roofing Supply Company, Inc., Best Distributing Co., The Roof Center, Inc., West End Lumber Company, Inc., JGA Beacon, Inc, Shelter Distribution, Inc., Beacon Pacific, Inc. and North Coast Commercial Roofing Systems, Inc. On October 1, 2009, the Company merged all of its U.S. subsidiaries into Beacon Sales Acquisition, Inc.
 
Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Previous guidance under Topic 350 required an entity to test goodwill for impairment, on at least an annual basis, by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill (step one). If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the second step of the test must be performed to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. Under the amendments in this Update, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. This Update is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company early adopted this Update for its goodwill impairment testing for 2011 as described under “Goodwill” in Note 2.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which amends the criteria for allocating a contract's consideration to individual services or products in multiple deliverable arrangements. This guidance was also effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2011 but did not have an impact on the financial statements

In June 2009, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Statement (FAS) 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets, and FAS 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), codified as Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17 (ASU 2009-17), which changes the way entities account for securitizations and special purpose entities. Both statements were effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2011 but did not have an impact on the financial statements.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance that significantly changes the accounting for and reporting of business combination transactions and non-controlling (minority) interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance was effective for the Company in fiscal year 2010. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the expensing of certain costs incurred in fiscal years 2011 and 2010 but did not have a significant impact on the financial statements. However, this could have a material impact on the accounting for the Company’s future acquisitions, depending on the circumstances and the terms of the acquisitions.
 
2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year information to conform to the current year presentation.

 
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Fiscal Year
 
The fiscal years presented are the years ended September 30, 2011 ("2011"), September 30, 2010 (“2010”), and September 30, 2009 ("2009"). Each of the Company's first three quarters ends on the last day of the calendar month.
 
Industry Segment Information
 
Based on qualitative and quantitative criteria, the Company has determined that it operates within one reportable segment, which is the wholesale distribution of building materials.  Please refer to the “Goodwill” summary below for discussion of the Company’s reporting units and the related impairment review.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents also include unsettled credit card transactions.  Cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds which invest primarily in commercial paper or bonds with a rating of A-1 or better, and bank certificates of deposit.
 
Inventories and Rebates
 
Inventories, consisting substantially of finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost is determined using the moving weighted-average cost method.
 
The Company's arrangements with vendors typically provide for monthly, quarterly and/or annual rebates of a specified amount of consideration payable when a number of measures have been achieved, generally related to a specified cumulative level of calendar-year purchases. The Company accounts for such rebates as a reduction of the inventory value until the product is sold, at which time such rebates reduce cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Throughout the year, the Company estimates the amount of the rebates based upon the expected level of purchases. The Company continually revises these estimates to reflect actual rebates earned based on actual purchase levels. Amounts due from vendors under these arrangements as of September 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010 totaled $31.8 and $34.5 million, respectively, and are included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment acquired in connection with acquisitions are recorded at fair value as of the date of the acquisition and depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the remaining lives. All other additions are recorded at cost, and depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

Asset
 
Estimated Useful Life
Buildings and improvements
 
10 to 40 years
Equipment
 
3 to 10 years
Furniture and fixtures
 
5 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements
 
Shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease, considering renewal options expected to be exercised.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenue when the following four basic criteria are met:

 
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
 
delivery has occurred or services have been rendered;
 
the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable; and
 
collectability is reasonably assured.
 
Based on these criteria, the Company generally recognizes revenue at the point of sale or upon delivery to the customer site. For goods shipped by third party carriers, the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment since the terms are generally FOB shipping point. The Company also arranges for certain products to be shipped directly from the manufacturer to the customer. The Company recognizes the gross revenue for these sales upon notifications of deliveries from the vendors.
 
The Company also provides certain job site delivery services, which include crane rentals and rooftop deliveries of certain products, for which the associated revenues are recognized upon completion of the services. These revenues represent less than 1% of the Company's sales.

 
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All revenues recognized are net of sales taxes collected, allowances for discounts and estimated returns. Sales taxes collected are subsequently remitted to the appropriate government authorities.
 
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
The Company classifies shipping and handling costs, consisting of driver wages and vehicle expenses, as operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs were approximately $75,172 in 2011, $67,528 in 2010, and $68,470 in 2009.
 
Financial Derivatives
 
The Company enters into interest rate swaps to minimize the risks and costs associated with financing activities, as well as to maintain an appropriate mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt. The swap agreements are contracts to exchange variable-rate for fixed-interest rate payments over the life of the agreements. The Company's current derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, for which the Company records the effective portions of changes in their fair value, net of tax, in other comprehensive income. The Company recognizes any ineffective portion of the hedges in earnings, of which there has been none to date.
 
Concentrations of Risk
 
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of accounts receivable. The Company's accounts receivable are primarily from customers in the building industry located in the United States and Canada. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited due to the large number of customers comprising the Company's customer base. The Company performs credit evaluations of its customers; however, the Company's policy is not to require collateral. At September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company had no significant concentrations of credit risk.
 
The Company purchases a major portion of its products from a small number of vendors. Approximately two-thirds of the Company's total cost of inventory purchases was from 9 vendors in 2011, 10 vendors in 2010, and 7 vendors in 2009. In addition, more than 10% of the total cost of purchases was made from each of three vendors in 2011, 2010 and 2009.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Impairment losses are required to be recorded on long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying value. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the total by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the assets.
 
Amortizable and Other Intangible Assets
 
The Company amortizes identifiable intangible assets consisting of non-compete agreements, customer relationships and deferred financing costs because these assets have finite lives. Non-compete agreements are generally amortized over the terms of the associated contractual agreements; customer relationship assets are amortized on an accelerated basis based on the expected cash flows generated by the existing customers; and deferred financing costs are amortized over the lives of the associated financings. Trademarks are not amortized because they have indefinite lives. The Company evaluates its trademarks for impairment on an annual basis based on the fair value of the underlying assets.
 
Goodwill
 
The Company tests goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or at any other time when impairment indicators exist. Examples of such indicators include a significant change in the business climate, unexpected competition, loss of key personnel or a decline in the Company’s market capitalization below the Company’s net book value. In performing the impairment test, the Company utilizes a two-step approach. The first step requires a comparison of each reporting unit’s fair value to the respective carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a component (i.e. a business for which discrete financial information is available and regularly reviewed by component managers), which in the Company’s case is its divisions.
 
The Company has six divisions that contain goodwill. Each of these divisions is comprised of geographic combinations of regions or stand-alone regions that have specific market areas.
 
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The Company aggregates components within a reporting unit that have similar economic characteristics.  The Company evaluates the distribution methods, sales mix, and operating results of each of its divisions to determine if these characteristics have or will be sustained over a long-term basis. For purposes of this evaluation, the Company would expect its divisions to exhibit similar economic characteristics 3-5 years after events such as an acquisition within the Company’s core roofing business or management/business restructuring. This evaluation also considers major storm activity or local economic challenges that may impact the short term operations of the division. Based on the Company’s evaluation at August 31, 2011, only one of the six divisions did not exhibit similar economic characteristics and therefore was individually evaluated for goodwill impairment as a separate reporting unit (the “Individual Reporting Unit”). This was primarily due to the fact that this division had an above-average concentration of residential business that provided gross margin and operating income rates well above the Company average. The remaining divisions were aggregated into a second reporting unit (the “Aggregated Reporting Unit”).

As disclosed in Note 1, in 2011 the Company adopted Accounting Standards No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. Under this guidance, the Company is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless it determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount.
 
The Company concluded that the Aggregated and Individual Report Unit’s fair values more likely than not exceeded their respective carrying values at the goodwill measurement date. The Aggregated Reporting Unit represented 84% of the Company’s consolidated operations, as measured by operating earnings for the twelve months ended August 31, 2011, and generated operating cash flows that amounted to 23% of the reporting unit’s carrying value. Also, sales and operating earnings for the Aggregated Reporting Unit exceeded those in the prior year by 10% and 23%, respectively. The Individual Reporting Unit during the same period generated operating cash flows that amounted to 55% of the reporting unit’s carrying value. Also, sales and operating earnings for the Individual Reporting Unit exceeded those in the prior year by 8% and 29%, respectively.

Additionally, the Company’s market capitalization exceeded the Company’s carrying value by $327 million or 62% at August 31, 2011. This compares to $181 million and 39% for those same measures at August 31, 2010. The Company expects both the Aggregated and Individual Reporting units to experience moderate growth in the near future slightly above the national economic average and did not identify any impairment factors for either reporting unit.

There is uncertainty associated with the Company’s assumptions because it must use judgment in determining appropriate assumptions to be used in the measurement of the fair values. The estimates of the fair values of its reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment and incorporate management's assumptions about expected future cash flows and contemplate other valuation techniques. Future cash flows can be affected by changes in the industry, a declining economic environment or market conditions.
 
There have been no events or circumstances since the date of the assessments that would change the Company’s conclusion. If circumstances change or events occur to indicate it is more likely than not that the fair values of any of its reporting units (under the guidelines discussed above) have fallen below its carrying value, the Company would then test for impairment. If the book value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, the Company would recognize the difference as an impairment loss in the determination of operating income.
 
Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for employee and non-employee director stock-based compensation using the fair value method of accounting. Compensation cost arising from stock options and restricted stock awards granted to employees and non-employee directors is recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period, which represents the requisite service or performance period. The Company estimates forfeitures in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation associated with stock awards. The Company also projects the number of restricted shares and units that are expected to vest, based on the related performance measures, in determining the associated stock-based compensation.

The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $6.1 million ($3.7 million net of tax) or $0.08 per basic share and per diluted share in 2011, $5.0 million ($3.0 million net of tax) or $0.07 per basic share and per diluted share in 2010, and $4.8 million ($2.9 million net of tax) or $0.06 per basic share and per diluted share in 2009.  At September 30, 2011, the Company had $16.0 million of excess tax benefits available for potential deferred tax write-offs related to previously recognized stock-based compensation.

 
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Comprehensive Loss
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 4,251     $ 8,413  
Tax effect
    (3,249 )     (3,249 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net
    1,002       5,164  
                 
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives
    (7,235 )     (11,084 )
Tax effect
    2,827       4,281  
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives, net
    (4,408 )     (6,803 )
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (3,405 )   $ (1,639 )

See also Note 12 for discussion of the Company’s CFC election and the impact on the comprehensive loss.

Net Income per Share
 
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents then outstanding using the treasury stock method. Common equivalent shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options.
 
The following table reflects the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for each period presented:

   
Year Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic
    45,919,198       45,480,922       45,007,313  
Dilutive effect of stock options
    833,954       550,671       486,473  
                         
Weighted-average shares assuming dilution
    46,753,152       46,031,593       45,493,786  

Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
Financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, borrowings under the Company's revolving lines of credit and long-term debt. Except for the long-term debt, these instruments are short-term in nature, and there is currently no known trading market for the Company’s debt. Therefore, at September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company believes the carrying amounts of its financial instruments approximated their fair values. Please refer to Note 17 for disclosures of the Company’s financial derivatives that are recorded at fair value.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method, which requires it to recognize a current tax liability or asset for current taxes payable or refundable and a deferred tax liability or asset for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax reporting bases of assets and liabilities to the extent that they are realizable. Deferred tax expense (benefit) results from the net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year. See Note 12 for a discussion of the 2011 impact from a change in the tax status of the Company’s Canadian operations.
 
FASB ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Based on this guidance, the Company analyzes its filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. Tax benefits from uncertain tax positions are recognized if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable based solely on its technical merits.

 
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Foreign Currency Translation
 
The assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign regions, Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company ("BRSCC") and Enercon Products (“Enercon”), are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates as of the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Net unrealized translation gains or losses are recorded directly to a separate component of stockholders' equity, net of the related deferred taxes prior to 2011 (see Note 12). Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions were not material for any of the periods presented. The Company has inter-company receivables from both BRSCC and Enercon, which have been considered as long-term for financial reporting purposes since repayments are not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the balances are marked to market each period with a corresponding entry recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which provides an entity with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. These changes apply to both annual and interim financial statements. The amendments in ASU 2011-05 should be applied retrospectively. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of ASU 2011-05 to have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820):Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, which changes the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about  fair  value  measurements. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of this standard to have a significant impact on the financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, an amendment to Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations, which specifies that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. This amendment also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. This amendment is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of this amendment to have an impact on the financial statements.

Also in December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, an amendment to Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): When to Perform Step 2 of the Goodwill Impairment Test for Reporting Units with Zero or Negative Carrying Amounts (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force).  The new guidance modifies Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that an impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with the existing guidance and examples in paragraph 350-20-35-30, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.  The amendment is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2010. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company does not currently expect the adoption of this amendment to have an impact on the financial statements.
 
3.
Goodwill, Intangibles and Other Assets
 
Goodwill was $380,916 and $365,061 at September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, of which $235,582 can be amortized for income tax purposes. The Company's goodwill increased by $15,855 in 2011, due to goodwill associated with acquisitions of $17,752 and a decline from foreign currency translation of $1,897, after increases of $10,365 due to acquisitions and $503 from foreign currency translation in 2010.

 
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Intangibles and other assets, included in other long-term assets, consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Amortizable intangible assets
           
Non-compete agreements
  $ 6,847     $ 5,553  
Customer relationships
    98,538       92,076  
Beneficial lease arrangements
    610       610  
Deferred financing costs
    7,510       7,407  
                 
      113,505       105,646  
Less: accumulated amortization
    76,105       65,827  
                 
      37,400       39,819  
Unamortizable trademarks
    9,750       9,750  
Other assets
    2,606       2,264  
Total other assets
  $ 49,756     $ 51,833  

Amortization expense related to intangible assets amounted to approximately $9,442, $10,696, and $12,995 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. The intangible lives range from one to fifteen years and the weighted average remaining life was 10.8 years at September 30, 2011. Estimated future annual amortization for the above intangible assets as of September 30, 2011 is as follows:

   
Future
 
   
Amortization
 
Year ending September
     
2012
  $ 8,091  
2013
    6,570  
2014
    4,755  
2015
    3,919  
2016
    573  
Thereafter
    13,493  
Total future amortization
  $ 37,400  
 
4.
Acquisitions

In May 2011, the Company purchased all of the stock of Enercon Products ("Enercon") for $34.9 million plus a potential earn-out amount discussed herein. The purchase allocation resulted in goodwill of $17.8 million. Enercon is a roofing distributor with six locations in Western Canada. Headquartered within its branch in Edmonton, Enercon also has branches in Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon and two branches in Vancouver and generated annual sales of approximately $45 million in 2010. The purchase price included a seasonal working capital adjustment of $3.9 million. There may be an additional payout of up to C$5.5 million if certain earn-out targets (based on defined EBITDA) are met. A $4.9 million liability for the present value of this contingent consideration has been established and included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet based on management’s estimate as of the acquisition date. This estimate will be reviewed each quarter prior to the due date and any adjustment will be recorded through income (loss) from continuing operations.

In fiscal 2010, the Company acquired nine branches from five acquisitions at a total cost of $19.3 million, with resulting goodwill of $10.4 million. In July 2010, the Company purchased the stock of Posi-Slope Enterprises, Inc. and its sister company Posi-Pentes, Inc. (together “Posi-Slope”), which specialize in the design and fabrication of tapered roof insulation systems. Posi-Slope has two locations, in the Provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and services customers throughout Canada. In April 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Phoenix Sales, Inc. ("Phoenix"), a distributor of commercial roofing systems and related accessories with four branches located in Tampa, Orlando, Pompano and Ft. Myers, Florida. Also in April 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Louisiana Roofing Supply ("LRS"), a distributor of mostly residential roofing systems and related accessories with one location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In February 2010, the Company purchased certain assets of Independent Building Materials, LLC (“IBM”), a distributor of primarily residential roofing products with one branch in Orlando, Florida. In December 2009, the Company purchased certain assets of Lookout Supply Company (“Lookout”), a distributor of roofing products and related accessories with one branch in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

 
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A total of $2.7 million of the acquisition prices for the above acquisitions remains in escrow at September 30, 2011, primarily for purchase price adjustments and post-closing indemnification claims, with $1.3 million included in other current assets and accrued expenses and $1.4 million included in other long-term assets and liabilities.
 
5.
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
 
The significant components of prepaid expenses and other current assets were as follows:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Vendor rebates
  $ 31,811     $ 34,538  
Refundable income taxes
    -       3,846  
Other
    5,762       4,731  
                 
    $ 37,573     $ 43,115  

6.
Property and Equipment, net
 
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Land
  $ 3,051     $ 3,056  
Buildings and leasehold improvements
    20,948       19,987  
Equipment
    117,566       107,548  
Furniture and fixtures
    11,567       10,936  
                 
      153,132       141,527  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    105,705       93,776  
                 
    $ 47,427     $ 47,751  

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment totaled $15,618, $17,077 and $17,389 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
7.
Accrued Expenses
 
The significant components of accrued expenses were as follows:
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Uninvoiced inventory receipts
  $ 12,635     $ 7,739  
Employee-related accruals
    21,082       13,498  
Income taxes payable
    2,624       -  
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives
    7,235       11,084  
Other
    26,330       17,811  
                 
    $ 69,906     $ 50,132  

8.
Financing Arrangements
 
Senior Secured Credit Facilities
 
On November 2, 2006, the Company entered into an amended and restated seven-year $500 million U.S. senior secured credit facility and a C$15 million senior secured Canadian credit facility with GE Antares Capital ("GE Antares") and a syndicate of other lenders (combined, the "Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility provides for a cash receipts lock-box arrangement that gives the Company sole control over the funds in lock-box accounts, unless excess availability is less than $10 million or an event of default occurs, in which case the senior secured lenders would have the right to take control over such funds and to apply such funds to repayment of the senior debt.

 
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The Credit Facility consists of a U.S. revolving credit facility of $150 million (the "US Revolver"), which includes a sub-facility of $20 million for letters of credit, and an initial $350 million term loan (the "Term Loan"). The Credit Facility also includes a C$15 million senior secured revolving credit facility provided by GE Canada Finance Holding Company (the "Canada Revolver"). There was a combined $159.7 million available for borrowings, which takes into account all of the debt covenants, including the maximum consolidated leverage ratio and capital expenditures limit discussed below, and less than $0.1 million outstanding under the US Revolver and Canadian Revolver at September 30, 2011. There were $4.6 million of outstanding standby letters of credit at September 30, 2011.
 
The Term Loan requires amortization of 1% per year, payable in quarterly installments of approximately $0.8 million, plus any required prepayments under the Excess Cash Flow and the remainder is due in 2013. The Credit Facility may also be expanded by up to an additional $200 million under certain conditions. There are mandatory prepayments under the Credit Facility under certain conditions, including the following cash flow condition:
 
Excess Cash Flow
 
On May 15 of each fiscal year, the Company must pay an amount equal to 50% of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Facility) for the prior fiscal year, not to exceed $7.0 million with respect to any fiscal year. Based on its results for 2011, the Company will be required to make a $7.0 million payment by May 15, 2012. The amounts payable of $7.0 million under this provision at September 30, 2011 and 2010 were classified as short-term debt.
 
Interest
 
Interest on borrowings under the U.S. credit facility is payable at the Company’s election at either of the following rates:
 
 
the base rate (that is the higher of (a) the base rate for corporate loans quoted in The Wall Street Journal or (b) the Federal Reserve overnight rate plus 1 / 2 of 1%) plus a margin of 0.75% for the Term Loan.

 
the current LIBOR Rate plus a margin of 1.00% (for US Revolver loans) or 2.00% (for Term Loan).
 
Interest under the Canadian credit facility is payable at the Company’s election at either of the following rates:
 
 
an index rate (that is the higher of (1) the Canadian prime rate as quoted in The Globe and Mail and (2) the 30-day BA Rate plus 0.75%), or

 
the BA rate as described in the Canadian facility plus 1.00%.
 
The US Revolver currently carries an interest rate at the base rate (3.25% at September 30, 2011), while the Canada revolver carries an interest rate of the Canadian prime rate plus 0.75% (3.00% at September 30, 2011), and the Term Loan carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2% (2.24% for three LIBOR arrangements under the Term Loan at September 30, 2011). Unused fees on the revolving credit facilities are 0.25% per annum. Availability under the revolving credit facilities is limited to 85% of eligible accounts receivable, increasing to 90% from January through April of each year. Financial covenants, which apply only to the Term Loan, are limited to a leverage ratio and a yearly capital expenditure limitation as follows:
 
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio
 
On the last day of each fiscal quarter, the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined, must not be greater than 4.00:1.0. At September 30, 2011, this ratio was 1.38:1.0.
 
Capital Expenditures
 
The Company cannot incur aggregate Capital Expenditures, as defined, in excess of three percent (3.00%) of consolidated gross revenue for any fiscal year.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. Substantially all of the Company’s assets, including the capital stock and assets of wholly-owned subsidiaries, secure obligations under the Credit Facility.

 
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Senior Notes Payable
 
Senior notes payable under the Term Loan consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Senior notes payable to commercial lenders,due in equal quarterly payments of principal of $0.8 million with the remainder due in 2013, plus required prepayment amounts and interest at the base rate, as defined, plus 0.75%or LIBOR plus 2.0% (approximately 2.24% at September30, 2011) through September 2013
  $ 311,826     $ 322,126  
                 
Less current portion
    10,282       10,355  
                 
    $ 301,544     $ 311,771  

Equipment Financing Facilities

As of September 30, 2011, there was a total of $12.4 million outstanding under prior equipment financing facilities, with fixed interest rates ranging from 3.6% to 7.1% and payments due through March 2016. The Company’s current facility provides financing for up to $5.5 million of purchased transportation and material handling equipment through May 15, 2012 at an interest rate approximately 2.75% above the 3-year term swap rate at the time of the advances.  No amounts were outstanding under the current facility at September 30, 2011.
 
Other Information
 
     Annual principal payments for all outstanding borrowings for each of the next five years and thereafter as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:

               
Revolving
       
   
Senior Secured
   
Equipment
   
Lines of
       
Fiscal year
 
Credit Facility
   
Financing
   
Credit
   
Total
 
                         
2012
  $ 10,282     $ 5,295     $ 28     $ 15,605  
2013
    301,544       3,669       -       305,213  
2014
    -       2,506       -       2,506  
2015
    -       736       -       736  
2016
    -       229       -       229  
Thereafter
    -       -       -       -  
Subtotal
    311,826       12,435       28       324,289  
Less current portion
    10,282       5,295       28       15,605  
Total long-term debt
  $ 301,544     $ 7,140     $ -     $ 308,684  

9.
Leases
 
The Company mostly operates in leased facilities, which are accounted for as operating leases. The leases typically provide for a base rent plus real estate taxes. Certain of the leases provide for escalating rents over the lives of the leases and rent expense is recognized over the terms of those leases on a straight-line basis. The Company leases two buildings from a limited liability entity that is partly owned by one of the Company’s directors (Note 13).

 
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At September 30, 2011, the minimal rental commitments under all non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of more than one year were as follows:

   
Operating
 
   
Leases
 
Year ending September
     
2012
    21,843  
2013
    17,699  
2014
    15,152  
2015
    10,926  
2016
    5,414  
Thereafter
    2,168  
Total minimum lease payments
  $ 73,202  

Rent expense was $26,049 in 2011, $25,227 in 2010 and $25,761 in 2009. Sublet income was immaterial for these years.
 
10.
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards
 
Stock Option Plans
The Company is currently making stock-based awards under its 2004 Stock Plan, which was adopted on September 21, 2004, and most recently amended and restated on February 8, 2011 (the “Plan”). The Plan allows for the granting of up to 7,800,000 shares of Common Stock in the form of stock options or stock awards to key employees and members of the Board of Directors. The key terms of the grants are determined by the Company's Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2011, there were 2,962,655 shares of common stock available for awards under the Plan.
 
The 1998 Stock Plan allowed for the granting of options to purchase up to 3.1 million shares of Common Stock. Options were generally allowed to be exercised beginning 18 months after the date of grant and will terminate ten years from the grant date. No further awards will be made under the 1998 Stock Plan.

As of September 30, 2011, there was $5.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

              The fair values of the options were estimated on the dates of grants using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

   
Year Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Dividend yield
    -       -       -  
Expected life in years
    7       7       7  
Risk-free interest rate
    1.51 %     2.45 %     2.49 %
Expected volatility
    48.00 %     48.00 %     48.00 %
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 7.82     $ 7.60     $ 6.35  
 
Expected lives of the options granted are based primarily on history, while expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s stock and stocks of comparable public companies. Estimated forfeiture rates vary by grant and ranged up to 8.0% as of September 30, 2011.
 
In the event of a change in control of the Company, all outstanding options are immediately vested.

 
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Information regarding the Company's stock options is summarized below (not in thousands):

               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
Average
       
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Number of
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Life
   
Value
 
                     
(in Millions)
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2008
    3,082,080     $ 12.90              
Granted
    873,356       12.20              
Exercised
    (424,287 )     4.05              
Canceled
    (113,395 )     16.56              
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2009
    3,417,754       13.70              
Granted
    862,114       14.64              
Exercised
    (419,021 )     8.50              
Canceled
    (87,115 )     17.47              
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    3,773,732     $ 14.41              
Granted
    701,249       15.57              
Exercised
    (490,249 )     10.81              
Canceled
    (89,149 )     14.91              
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    3,895,583     $ 15.06       6.5     $ 8.9  
                                 
Vested or Expected to Vest at September 30, 2011
    3,794,215     $ 15.07       6.4     $ 8.7  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2011
    2,482,408     $ 15.30       5.3     $ 6.9  

The aggregate intrinsic values above include only in-the-money options. The weighted-average grant date fair values of stock options granted during 2011, 2010 and 2009 were $7.82, $7.60 and $6.35, respectively. The intrinsic values of stock options exercised during 2011 and 2010 were $4.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
 
Details regarding options to purchase common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2011 were as follows:

               
Weighted-
       
               
Average
       
         
Range of
   
Remaining
       
   
Options
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Options
 
   
Outstanding
   
Prices
   
Life in Years
   
Exercisable
 
                         
      87,376     $ 1.34 - $2.33       1.5       87,376  
      45,000     $ 8.04       6.1       45,000  
      345,364     $ 8.67 - $10.60       6.0       343,697  
      902,467     $ 11.56 - $12.93       5.9       667,811  
      1,422,965     $ 13.64 - 15.47       8.3       271,196  
      469,252     $ 16.63 - 18.64       5.0       450,835  
      7,500     $ 20.02 - 20.45       9.1       834  
      591,659     $ 22.16 - 24.38       4.9       591,659  
      24,000     $ 26.09 - $27.17       4.6       24,000  
                                 
Totals
    3,895,583                       2,482,408  

Special CEO Options Grant
 
The Company granted stock options to its former President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in October 2003 under an executive securities agreement. The grant, as amended, included options to purchase 612,366 shares of common stock at the then fair value and was scheduled to vest over two years. These options were not granted under the Company's 1998 Stock Plan or 2004 Stock Plan. Options to purchase 150,000, 220,000, 200,000, and 42,366 shares under this grant were exercised in 2006, 2008, 2009, and 2010, respectively, leaving none outstanding under the special CEO grant at September 30, 2011 or 2010.

Restricted  Stock Awards

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, under the terms of the Plan, the Company granted 108,033 restricted shares to certain members of management. The vesting of these restricted shares into voting shares of Common Stock is subject to the Company meeting a key performance metric over a three-year period.  In addition, the Company granted 26,976 restricted stock units to non-employee directors. These restricted stock units vest into voting shares of Common Stock over one year and contain a restriction on the sale of the underlying common shares until six months after the director separates from the Company. The total fair values of the restricted shares and units granted were determined based upon the number of shares and units and the closing prices of the Company’s common stock on the dates of the grants.

 
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Information regarding the Company's restricted shares and units is summarized below (not in thousands):

               
Weighted-
       
         
Weighted-
   
Average
       
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Aggregate
 
   
Number of
   
Grant
   
Contractual
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Shares
   
Price
   
Life
   
Value
 
               
(in Years)
   
(in Millions)
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2010
    -                    
Granted
    135,009     $ 16.70              
Lapse of restrictions
    -                      
Canceled
    -                      
                             
Outstanding at September 30, 2011
    135,009     $ 16.70       1.9     $ 2.2  
                                 
Vested or Expected to Vest at September 30, 2011
    135,009     $ 16.70       1.9     $ 2.2  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2011
    -               -     $ -  

As of September 30, 2011, there was $1.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

The Company granted 783,500 additional options and 110,034 restricted stock units under the Plan to management in November 2011. The restricted stock units will vest into voting shares of Common Stock if the Company attains targeted performance criteria at the end of a three-year period. The actual number of shares that will vest can range from 0% to 125% of this number depending upon actual Company performance below or above the target level.
 
11.
Benefit Plans
 
The Company maintains defined contribution plans covering all full-time employees of the Company who have 90 days of service and are at least 21 years old. An eligible employee may elect to make a before-tax contribution of between 1% and 100% of his or her compensation through payroll deductions, not to exceed the annual limit set by law. The Company currently matches the first 50% of participant contributions limited to 6% of a participant's gross compensation (maximum Company match is 3%). Additional amounts associated with profit sharing were contributed in the three years presented and are scheduled to be contributed in 2012 for 2011 as well. All Company contributions are subject to the discretion of management and the board of directors. The combined expense for this plan and a similar plan for Canadian employees was $6,165 in 2011, $4,172 in 2010 and $6,253 in 2009.
 
The Company also contributes to an external pension fund for certain of its employees who belong to a local union. Annual contributions were $146, $91 and $101 in 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively.

 
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12.
Income Taxes
 
The income tax provision consisted of the following:

   
Fiscal year
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Current:
                 
Federal
  $ 24,919     $ 13,369     $ 27,279  
Foreign
    1,523       1,615       1,956  
State
    5,181       2,737       5,268  
                         
      31,623       17,721       34,503  
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    (296 )     2,153       (76 )
Foreign
    -       (17 )     29  
State
    (169 )     925       (552 )
                         
      (465 )     3,060       (599 )
                         
    $ 31,158     $ 20,781     $ 33,904  

The following table shows the principal reasons for the differences between the effective income tax rate and the statutory federal income tax rate:

   
Fiscal Year
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Federal income taxes at statutory rate
    35.00 %     35.00 %     35.00 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
    4.42       3.42       3.83  
Foreign income taxes
    (0.33 )     (0.17 )     0.18  
Change in tax status of foreign entity
    (5.60 )     -       -  
Non-deductible meals and entertainment
    0.27       0.41       0.25  
Tax reserves
    (0.28 )     (1.41 )     0.56  
Other
    0.99       0.34       (0.54 )
                         
Total
    34.47 %     37.57 %     39.28 %

The components of the Company's deferred taxes were as follows:

   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Deferred tax liabilities:
           
Excess tax over book depreciation and amortization
  $ 48,288     $ 44,469  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    -       3,249  
Other
    553       455  
                 
      48,841       48,173  
Deferred tax assets:
               
Deferred compensation
    9,848       8,440  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    5,306       4,357  
Accrued vacation & other
    2,223       2,665  
Unrealized loss on financial derivatives
    2,827       4,281  
Inventory valuation
    5,113       5,874  
                 
      25,318       25,618  
                 
Net deferred income tax liabilities
  $ 23,523     $ 22,556  

           During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company’s request to have its Canadian subsidiary (Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company or “BRSCC”) treated as a Controlled Foreign Corporation (“CFC”), retroactive to October 1, 2009, was approved by the IRS. BRSCC was previously treated as a “pass-through” or disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subsequent to October 1, 2009, BRSCC’s taxable income, which reflects all of the Company’s Canadian operations, is being taxed only in Canada and would generally be taxed in the U.S. only upon an actual or deemed distribution. The Company expects that BRSCC’s earnings will be indefinitely reinvested for the foreseeable future and therefore no U.S. deferred tax asset or liability for the differences between the book basis and the tax basis of BRSCC has been recorded at September 30, 2011. In connection with this change in the indefinite reinvestment assertion, the Company recorded a reversal of a deferred tax liability of $3.2 million previously reported as a component of other comprehensive income. The reversal was recorded in current year earnings as backwards tracing of such amounts to other comprehensive income is prohibited. Unremitted earnings of $25.4 million were considered permanently reinvested at September 30, 2011. A quantification of the associated deferred tax liability on those unremitted earnings of BRSCC has not been made, as the determination of such liability is not practicable.

 
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ASC 740 provides that the effect of an election for a voluntary change in tax status is recognized for accounting purposes on the approval date. Therefore all of the associated adjustments to the Company’s income tax accounts for the above approved election were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2011, including the adjustments resulting from a lower Canadian tax rate compared to the U.S. tax rate in 2011 and 2010. Deferred assets and liabilities that were recorded over the time BRSCC was treated as a pass-through entity were derecognized and the resulting impact was included in income from continuing operations, including items previously reported in other financial statement components (such as in other comprehensive income as noted above).
 
As of September 30, 2011, there were available tax benefits totaling $466 related to foreign tax credit carryforwards, most of which expire in fiscal year 2019. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to fully reserve for this amount since it is more likely than not that this deferred tax asset will not be realized due to the change discussed above. As of September 30, 2010, there were available tax benefits totaling $369 related to foreign tax credit carryforwards and there was no valuation allowance for this amount since future recognition was considered likely at that time.
 
As of September 30, 2011, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits (excluding the federal benefit received from state positions) was $57, all of which, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize any interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. There were no significant accrued interest and penalty amounts resulting from unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2011. The Company currently anticipates its unrecognized tax benefits will fully reverse during the next nine months. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of the gross unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:

   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Balance, beginning of year
  $ 432     $ 740  
Current year uncertain tax positions
    -       -  
Expiration of statutes of limitations
    (375 )     (308 )
                 
Balance, end of year
  $ 57     $ 432  
 
In 2011, 2010, and 2009, the Company had reductions in income taxes payable of $1,782, $1,559 and $1,565, respectively, as a result of stock option exercises.
 
The Company has operations in 38 U.S. states and six provinces in Canada and is subject to tax audits in each of these jurisdictions and federally in both the United States and Canada. These audits may involve complex issues, which may require an extended period of time to resolve. The Company has provided for its estimate of taxes payable in the accompanying financial statements. Additional taxes are reasonably possible however the amounts cannot be estimated at this time. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2008. For the majority of states, the Company is also no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years before 2008. In Canada, the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2007. For the Canadian provinces, the Company is no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years before 2008.
 
13.
Related-Party Transactions
 
The Company leases two buildings from a limited liability entity that is partly owned by one of the Company’s directors for an aggregate expense of approximately $0.4 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009. The director’s interest in the dollar value of these lease arrangements was approximately 32% at September 30, 2011.
 
14.
Contingencies
 
The Company is subject to loss contingencies pursuant to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations; however, the Company is not aware of any reasonably possible losses that would have a material impact on its results of operations, financial position, or liquidity. Potential loss contingencies include possible obligations to remove or mitigate the effects on the environment of the placement, storage, disposal or release of certain chemical or other substances by the Company or by other parties. In connection with its acquisitions, the Company has been indemnified for any and all known environmental liabilities as of the respective dates of acquisition. Historically, environmental liabilities have not had a material impact on the Company's results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 
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The Company is subject to litigation from time to time in the ordinary course of business; however the Company does not expect the results, if any, to have a material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial position or liquidity.
 
15.
Geographic and Product Data
 
The Company's geographic and product information was as follows:

     Year Ended  
   
September 30, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2009
 
               
Property
               
Property
               
Property
 
         
Income
   
and
         
Income
   
and
         
Income
   
and
 
   
Net
   
before
   
Equipment,
   
Net
   
before
   
Equipment,
   
Net
   
before
   
Equipment,
 
   
Revenues
   
taxes
   
net
   
Revenues
   
taxes
   
net
   
Revenues
   
taxes
   
net
 
                                                       
U.S.
  $ 1,676,072     $ 85,171     $ 40,667     $ 1,501,748     $ 50,338     $ 41,900     $ 1,637,831     $ 80,502     $ 47,108  
Canada
    141,351       5,207       6,760       108,221       4,969       5,851       96,136       5,820       5,857  
                                                                         
Total
  $ 1,817,423     $ 90,378     $ 47,427     $ 1,609,969     $ 55,307     $ 47,751     $ 1,733,967     $ 86,322     $ 52,965  
 
Net revenues from external customers by product group were as follows:

   
Year Ended
 
                   
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
Residential roofing products
  $ 845,570     $ 748,007     $ 898,796  
Non-residential roofing products
    723,627       619,348       598,789  
Complementary building products
    248,226       242,614       236,382  
                         
Total
  $ 1,817,423     $ 1,609,969     $ 1,733,967  

Prior year revenues by product group are presented in a manner consistent with the current year’s product classifications.

16.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts consisted of the following:

   
Balance at
                   
   
beginning
   
Provision
         
Balance at
 
Fiscal Year
 
of year
   
Additions
   
Write-offs
   
end of year
 
                         
September 30, 2011
  $ 11,817     $ 7,960     $ (5,960 )   $ 13,816  
September 30, 2010
  $ 13,442     $ 4,622     $ (6,247 )   $ 11,817  
September 30, 2009
  $ 12,978     $ 7,413     $ (6,949 )   $ 13,442  

17.
Financial Derivatives

The Company uses derivative financial instruments for hedging and non-trading purposes to manage its exposure related to fluctuating cash flows from changes in interest rates. Use of derivative financial instruments in hedging programs subjects the Company to certain risks, such as market and credit risks. Market risk represents the possibility that the value of the derivative instrument will change. In a hedging relationship, the change in the value of the derivative is offset to a great extent by the change in the value of the underlying hedged item. Credit risk related to derivatives represents the possibility that the counterparty will not fulfill the terms of the contract. The notional, or contractual, amount of the Company's derivative financial instruments is used to measure interest to be paid or received and does not represent the Company's exposure due to credit risk. The Company's current derivative instruments are with large financial counterparties rated highly by nationally recognized credit rating agencies.

 
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The Company is using interest rate derivative instruments to manage the risk related to fluctuating cash flows from interest rate changes by converting a portion of its variable-rate borrowings into fixed-rate borrowings. As of September 30, 2011, the following interest rate derivative instruments were outstanding: a) a $100 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 2.72%; b) a $50 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 3.12%; and c) a $50 million interest rate swap with interest payments at a fixed rate of 3.11%. These interest rate swaps expire in April 2013.

These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, for which the Company records the effective portions of changes in their fair value, net of taxes, in other comprehensive income (Note 4). The effectiveness of the hedges is periodically assessed by the Company during the lives of the hedges by 1) comparing the current terms of the hedges with the related hedged debt to assure they continue to coincide and 2) through an evaluation of the ability of the counterparties to the hedges to honor their obligations under the hedges. Any ineffective portion of the hedges is recognized in earnings, of which there has been none to date and none is anticipated.

The Company records any differences paid or received on its interest rate hedges as adjustments to interest expense. Since inception, the Company has not recognized any gains or losses on these hedges and there has been no effect on income from hedge ineffectiveness. The table below presents the combined fair values of the interest rate derivative instruments:

   
Unrealized Losses
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
Location on Balance Sheet
 
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
                     
Accrued expenses
  $ 7,235     $ 11,084     $ 12,348  
Level 2

The fair values of the interest rate hedges were determined through the use of pricing models, which utilize verifiable inputs such as market interest rates that are observable at commonly quoted intervals (generally referred to as the “LIBOR Curve”) for the full terms of the hedge agreements. These values reflect a Level 2 measurement under the applicable fair value hierarchy.
 
18.
Subsequent Events
 
On November 1, 2011, the Company announced that it had acquired Fowler & Peth, Inc., a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories headquartered in Denver, Colorado.  Fowler & Peth has six locations in Colorado, two in Wyoming and one in Nebraska and annual sales of approximately $60 million. On October 17, 2011, the Company announced that it had acquired The Roofing Connection, a distributor of mostly residential roofing products and related accessories with one location in the Halifax suburb of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

 
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ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.
 
 ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
1.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness 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 of September 30, 2011. Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were  (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to our chief executive officer and chief financial officer by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared and (2) designed to be effective, and were effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives, including that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
 
2.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
(a)    Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by the company's board of directors, management and other personnel, 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 and includes those policies and procedures that:
 
 
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

 
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

 
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.
 
Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations which may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. 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.
 
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment, we believe that, as of September 30, 2011, our internal control over financial reporting is effective at the reasonable assurance level based on those criteria.

 
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Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm has issued a report on the Company's internal control over financial reporting. This report appears below.
 
(b)    Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
 
We have audited Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'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 Annual 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, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2011, 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 Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. as of September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2011 and our report dated November 29, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

   
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
November 29, 2011
   
 
(c)    Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION
 
We have no information to report pursuant to Item 9B.

 
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PART III
 
This part of our Form 10-K, which includes Items 10 through 14, is omitted because we will file definitive proxy material pursuant to Regulation 14A not more than 120 days after the close of our year-end, which proxy material will include the information required by Items 10 through 14 and is incorporated herein by reference.
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a)   (1)    Financial Statements
 
        The following financial statements of our Company and Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Report:
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and 2010

 
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2011, 2010 and 2009

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
(2)    Financial Statement Schedules
 
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either not applicable or the required information has been disclosed in the financial statements or notes thereto.
 
(3)    Exhibits
 
Exhibits are set forth on the attached exhibit index.

 
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 SIGNATURES
 
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.

 
BEACON ROOFING SUPPLY, INC.
(REGISTRANT)
       
 
By:
 
/s/   DAVID R. GRACE
     
David R. Grace
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 29, 2011
     
 
        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/   ROBERT R. BUCK
 
Chairman
 
November 29, 2011
Robert R. Buck
       
         
/s/   PAUL M. ISABELLA
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
November 29, 2011
Paul M. Isabella
       
         
/s/   DAVID R. GRACE
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  November 29, 2011
David R. Grace
       
         
/s/   RICK C. WELKER
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
November 29, 2011
Rick C. Welker
       
         
/s/   ANDREW R. LOGIE
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
Andrew R. Logie
       
         
/s/   H. ARTHUR BELLOWS, JR.
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
H. Arthur Bellows, Jr.
       
         
/s/   JAMES J. GAFFNEY
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
James J. Gaffney
       
         
/s/   PETER M. GOTSCH
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
Peter M. Gotsch
       
         
/s/   WILSON B. SEXTON
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
Wilson B. Sexton
       
         
/s/   STUART A. RANDLE
 
Director
 
November 29, 2011
Stuart A. Randle
       

 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT
NUMBER
   
3.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 25, 2004)
     
3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2007)
     
4.1
 
Form of Specimen Common Stock Certificate of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s Registration Statement on S-1 (Registration No. 333-116027))
     
10.1
 
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2006, among Beacon Sales Acquisition, Inc., as borrower, Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., as one of the Guarantors, the Lenders and L/C Issuers party thereto, and General Electric Capital Corporation, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s current report on Form 8-K filed November 3, 2006)
     
10.2
 
Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2006, among Beacon Roofing Supply Canada Company, GE Canada Finance Holding Company and the financial institutions party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc's current report on Form 8-K filed November 3, 2006)
     
10.3
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement for all employees, including executive officers who are not directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2008)*
     
10.4
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Stock Option Agreement for non-employee directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006)*
     
10.6
 
Executive Securities Agreement dated as of October 20, 2003 by and between Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Robert Buck and Code, Hennessy & Simmons III, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-116027))
     
10.8
 
1998 Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-119747))*
     
10.9
 
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s 2011 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting held on February 8, 2011)*
     
10.10
 
First Amendment dated as of October 31, 2011 to the Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan*
     
10.11
 
Description of CEO Relocation Assistance Arrangement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010)*
     
10.12
 
Description of Management Cash Bonus Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.'s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010)*
     
10.13
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 10, 2011)*
     
10.14
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Restricted Stock Unit Agreement for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 10, 2011)*
     
10.15
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 16, 2011)*
 
 
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10.16
 
Form of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. 2004 Stock Plan Time-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 16, 2011)*
     
21
 
Subsidiaries of Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.
     
23.1
 
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
31.1
 
CEO certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2
 
CFO certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1
 
CEO certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2
 
CFO certification 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.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document**
     
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document**
     
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document**
 

 
  *
Compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
 
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