Financial Review
1963 Sales and Profits Affected by Strikes
Although sales of most products in 1963 were equal to or better than 1962, strikes in four of our five tire plants seriously affected our sales of this major product.
A company-wide labor agreement with plants represented by the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum and Plastic Workers of America was signed in June by the Company and officers of the Union. However, strikes were called in July by local unions at four of our five tire plants, over terms of local supplemental contracts.
One tire plant was reopened in mid-October, another in mid-November and a third was reopened in mid-December, with the fourth plant continuing on strike through the year end.
In addition, there was a 27 day strike at two of our chemical plants, a 10 day strike at a third chemical plant, and day strikes at one of our plastic plants and a 39 day strike at one of our Canadian footwear plants, the largest rubber footwear plant in Canada. The stoppage of production at these plants caused merchandise shortages which affected our ability to fill customers’ orders. As this report was written, all strikes had been settled.
Obviously, the cost of these strikes, both in loss of sales and higher expenses due to abnormal absorption of maintenance and other overhead expenses during the periods the plants were shut down, adversely affected our results from operations.
Sales Lower by 2.6% vs 1962
Notwithstanding the shortages of inventories caused by the strikes, our sales to customers in 1963 aggregated $980,230,000 – the second highest year in our history, being exceeded only by our peak year of 1962 when sales totaled $1,006,793,000.
Higher sales in domestic markets of footwear, foam rubber products, textiles and chemicals, and in practically all areas outside the U. S. A. helped to offset some of the decrease in domestic tire sales.
Other Income
“Other Income, Net” comprises $5,071,000 of dividends from affiliated companies, interest earned on loans to customers, securities and temporary investment of excess working cash, royalties from licensees, and other miscellaneous income items, less $1,967,000 of interest paid on short term bank loans, mostly in connection with foreign operations.
Undistributed earnings of affiliated companies (in which we own 50 per cent or less of the outstanding shares) are not included in our income. Equity in 1963 retained earnings was $362,000, equivalent to an additional six cents on our common shares.
Taxes
During 1963, we provided $24,274,000 for Federal and foreign income taxes. In addition, excise, social security, property and other taxes levied against the Company by Federal, State and local governments amounted to $83,207,000. These direct taxes aggregated $107,481,000, compared with $117,365,000 for the year 1962. In addition, in 1963, the company withheld $42,253,000 from employees’ wages and salaries for personal income and social security taxes.
The total of all taxes paid and collected was $149,734,000.
Foreign Exchange Losses
Foreign exchange losses charged against 1963 income amounted to $1,172,000, chiefly from currency devaluation in the Congo. Comparable losses in 1962 were $2,292,000, principally in Canada, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil.