Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements set forth in this annual report (including the company’s forecasts, beliefs and expectations) that are not historical in nature are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular the Corporate Profile on pages 16 through 19 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis on pages 21 through 33 contain numerous forward-looking statements. The company cautions readers that actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the company due to a variety of important factors, such as:

  1. risks associated with the acquisition of Torrington, including the uncertainties in both timing and amount of actual benefits, if any, that may be realized as a result of the integration of the Torrington business with the company’s operations and the timing and amount of the resources required to achieve those benefits; risks associated with diversion of management’s attention from routine operations during the integration process; and risks associated with the higher level of debt associated with the acquisition.
  2. changes in world economic conditions, including additional adverse effects from terrorism or hostilities. This includes, but is not limited to, political risks associated with the potential instability of governments and legal systems in countries in which the company or its customers conduct business and significant changes in currency valuations.
  3. the effects of fluctuations in customer demand on sales, product mix and prices in the industries in which the company operates. This includes the effects of customer strikes, the impact of changes in industrial business cycles and whether conditions of fair trade continue in the U.S. market.
  4. competitive factors, including changes in market penetration, increasing price competition by existing or new foreign and domestic competitors, the introduction of new products by existing and new competitors and new technology that may impact the way the company's products are sold or distributed.
  5. changes in operating costs. This includes the effect of changes in the company's manufacturing processes; changes in costs associated with varying levels of operations; changes resulting from inventory management and cost reduction initiatives and different levels of customer demands; the effects of unplanned work stoppages; changes in the cost of labor and benefits; and the cost and availability of raw materials and energy.
  6. the success of the company's operating plans, including its ability to achieve the benefits from its global restructuring, manufacturing transformation, and administrative cost reduction initiatives as well as its ongoing continuous improvement and rationalization programs; the ability of acquired companies to achieve satisfactory operating results; and its ability to maintain appropriate relations with unions that represent company associates in certain locations in order to avoid disruptions of business.
  7. unanticipated litigation, claims or assessments. This includes, but is not limited to, claims or problems related to intellectual property, product liability or warranty and environmental issues.
  8. changes in worldwide financial markets, including interest rates to the extent they affect the company's ability to raise capital or increase the company's cost of funds, have an impact on the overall performance of the company's pension fund investments and/or cause changes in the economy which affect customer demand.

Additional risks relating to the company’s business, the industries in which the company operates or the company’s common stock may be described from time to time in the company’s filings with the SEC. All of these risk factors are difficult to predict, are subject to material uncertainties that may affect actual results and may be beyond the company’s control.

Except as required by the federal securities laws, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



Financial Summary • Letter to Shareholders • Soaring with Opportunities • Driving New Opportunities
Beyond Boundaries • Boundless Innovation • Boundless Drive to Excel • Corporate Profile
Financial Information • Directors • Officers and Executives • Shareholder Information

2003 Annual Report in Print Friendly Format (600K - PDF format)