form10q.htm

 


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC. LOGO

 
FORM 10-Q
 

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

For Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2008

OR

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

Commission File Number:  1-12936

TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
Illinois
 
36-3228472
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2701 Spruce Street, Quincy, IL 62301
(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(217) 228-6011
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or 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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.
Large accelerated filer o
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

   
Shares Outstanding at
Class
 
October 24, 2008
     
Common stock, no par value per share
 
34,519,044

 
 

 

TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


   
Page
Part I.
Financial Information
 
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations
for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
1
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of
September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007
2
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Stockholders’
Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
3
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
4
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
5-17
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations
18-32
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
33
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
33
     
Part II.
Other Information
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
33
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
33
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
33
     
 
Signatures
34



 
 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Financial Statements
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except earnings per share data)


   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 255,463     $ 195,472     $ 778,102     $ 632,083  
Cost of sales
    218,040       177,178       666,389       559,287  
Gross profit
    37,423       18,294       111,713       72,796  
Selling, general & administrative expenses
    13,789       14,123       43,155       38,090  
Royalty expense
    2,371       1,474       6,786       4,490  
Income from operations
    21,263       2,697       61,772       30,216  
Interest expense
    (3,734 )     (4,472 )     (11,426 )     (14,651 )
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge
    0       0       0       (13,376 )
Other (expense) income
    (358 )     975       2,559       2,521  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    17,171       (800 )     52,905       4,710  
Provision for income taxes
    6,868       78       21,162       3,109  
Net income (loss)
  $ 10,303     $ (878 )   $ 31,743     $ 1,601  
Earnings per common share *:
                               
Basic
  $ .30     $ (.03 )   $ .92     $ .05  
Diluted
    .30       (.03 )     .91       .05  
Average common shares outstanding *:
                               
Basic
    34,499       34,139       34,373       31,421  
Diluted
    34,883       34,139       34,798       31,988  

* Adjusted to reflect August 15, 2008, five-for-four stock split.
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
1

 

TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Assets
 
2008
   
2007
 
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 35,639     $ 58,325  
Accounts receivable
    148,474       98,394  
Inventories
    143,699       128,048  
Deferred income taxes
    17,622       25,159  
Prepaid and other current assets
    21,616       17,839  
Total current assets
    367,050       327,765  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    236,737       196,078  
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
    11,623       34,535  
Goodwill
    11,702       11,702  
Other assets
    18,361       20,415  
                 
Total assets
  $ 645,473     $ 590,495  
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 84,946     $ 43,992  
Other current liabilities
    45,775       43,788  
Total current liabilities
    130,721       87,780  
                 
Long-term debt
    200,000       200,000  
Deferred income taxes
    6,025       14,044  
Other long-term liabilities
    11,029       16,149  
Total liabilities
    347,775       317,973  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock (no par, 60,000,000 shares authorized, 37,475,288 issued *)
    30       30  
Additional paid-in capital
    309,519       303,908  
Retained earnings
    60,307       29,012  
Treasury stock (at cost, 2,963,160 and 3,229,055 shares, respectively)
    (26,997 )     (29,384 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (45,161 )     (31,044 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    297,698       272,522  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 645,473     $ 590,495  

* Adjusted to reflect August 15, 2008, five-for-four stock split.

 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
2

 

TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(All amounts in thousands, except share data)
 

   
Number of common shares *
   
 
Common Stock
   
Additional
paid-in
capital
   
 
Retained earnings
   
 
Treasury
stock
   
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
   
 
 
Total
 
                                           
Balance January 1, 2008
    #34,183,484     $ 30     $ 303,908     $ 29,012     $ (29,384 )   $ (31,044 )   $ 272,522  
                                                         
Comprehensive income:
                                                       
Net income
                            31,743                       31,743  
Amortization of pension adjustments, net of tax
                                            776       776  
Unrealized loss on investment, net of tax
                                            (14,893 )     (14,893 )
Comprehensive income
                            31,743               (14,117 )     17,626  
Dividends paid on common stock
                            (448 )                     (448 )
Cash paid for  fractional shares resulting from stock split
                    (70 )                             (70 )
Exercise of stock options
    313,463               5,389               2,278               7,667  
Issuance of treasury stock under 401(k) plan
    15,181               292               109               401  
                                                         
Balance September 30, 2008
    #34,512,128     $ 30     $ 309,519     $ 60,307     $ (26,997 )   $ (45,161 )   $ 297,698  

* Adjusted to reflect August 15, 2008, five-for-four stock split.
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
3

 

TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(Amounts in thousands)


   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 31,743     $ 1,601  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    21,543       21,467  
Deferred income tax provision
    7,537       1,907  
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge
    0       13,376  
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
    (4,131 )     (849 )
Issuance of treasury stock under 401(k) plan
    400       342  
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
Accounts receivable
    (50,080 )     (43,577 )
Inventories
    (15,651 )     22,051  
Prepaid and other current assets
    (4,252 )     (1,883 )
Other assets
    (108 )     (357 )
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
    40,954       28,762  
Other current liabilities
    6,082       9,737  
Other liabilities
    (3,869 )     2,558  
Net cash provided by operating activities
    30,168       55,135  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (60,144 )     (20,869 )
Acquisition off-the-road (OTR) assets
    0       (8,900 )
Other
    104       453  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (60,040 )     (29,316 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Payment on debt
    0       (10,164 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    3,537       6,103  
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
    4,131       849  
Payment of financing fees
    0       (313 )
   Dividends paid
    (412 )     (369 )
Other
    (70 )     0  
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
    7,186       (3,894 )
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (22,686 )     21,925  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    58,325       33,412  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 35,639     $ 55,337  
                 
 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

 
4

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

1.  ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In the opinion of Titan International, Inc. (“Titan” or the “Company”), the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal and recurring in nature and necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2008, the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

Accounting policies have continued without significant change and are described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies contained in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  These interim financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules for Form 10-Q’s and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Certain amounts from prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial presentation.

Stock split
In June 2008, Titan’s Board of Directors approved a five-for-four stock split with a record date of July 31, 2008, and a payable date of August 15, 2008.  The Company gave five shares for every four shares held as of the record date.  Stockholders received one additional share for every four shares owned as of the record date and received cash in lieu of fractional shares.  All share and per share data, except shares authorized, have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the stock split for all periods presented.
 
2.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Accounts receivable
  $ 154,515     $ 103,652  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (6,041 )     (5,258 )
Accounts receivable, net
  $ 148,474     $ 98,394  

The Company had net accounts receivable balance of $148.5 million at September 30, 2008, and $98.4 million at December 31, 2007.  These amounts are net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.0 million at September 30, 2008, and $5.3 million at December 31, 2007.

 
5

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

3.  INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Raw materials
  $ 73,618     $ 50,368  
Work-in-process
    28,545       21,533  
Finished goods
    53,047       61,880  
      155,210       133,781  
Adjustment to LIFO basis
    (11,511 )     (5,733 )
    $ 143,699     $ 128,048  

Inventories were $143.7 million at September 30, 2008, and $128.0 million at December 31, 2007.  At September 30, 2008, cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for approximately 63% of inventories and the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for approximately 37% of the inventories.  At December 31, 2007, the FIFO method was used for approximately 67% of inventories and LIFO was used for approximately 33% of the inventories.  Included in the inventory balances were reserves for slow-moving and obsolete inventory of $4.3 million at September 30, 2008, and $4.7 million at December 31, 2007.
 
4.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Land and improvements
  $ 3,343     $ 3,098  
Buildings and improvements
    91,649       78,462  
Machinery and equipment
    298,946       276,326  
Tools, dies and molds
    56,744       53,873  
Construction-in-process
    51,782       31,801  
      502,464       443,560  
Less accumulated depreciation
    (265,727 )     (247,482 )
    $ 236,737     $ 196,078  

Depreciation on fixed assets for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, totaled $19.4 million and $19.5 million, respectively.
 
5.  INVESTMENT IN TITAN EUROPE PLC
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
  $ 11,623     $ 34,535  

The Company owns a 17.3% ownership interest in Titan Europe Plc.  In accordance with SFAS No. 115, the Company records the Titan Europe Plc investment as an available-for-sale security and reports the investment at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of tax.

The Company’s investment in Titan Europe Plc was $11.6 million at September 30, 2008, and $34.5 million at December 31, 2007.  Titan Europe Plc is publicly traded on the AIM market in London, England.

 
6

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

6.  GOODWILL
The carrying amount of goodwill by segment consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Agricultural segment
  $ 6,912     $ 6,912  
Earthmoving/construction segment
    3,552       3,552  
Consumer segment
    1,238       1,238  
    $ 11,702     $ 11,702  

The Company reviews goodwill to assess recoverability from future operations during the fourth quarter of each annual reporting period, and whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.  No goodwill charges were recorded in the first nine months of 2008 or 2007.  There can be no assurance that future goodwill tests will not result in a charge to earnings.
 
7.  REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Senior unsecured notes
  $ 200,000     $ 200,000  
Less:  Amounts due within one year
    0       0  
    $ 200,000     $ 200,000  

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2008, were as follows (in thousands):
October 1 – December 31, 2008
  $ 0  
2009
    0  
2010
    0  
2011
    0  
2012
    200,000  
Thereafter
    0  
    $ 200,000  

Senior unsecured notes
The Company’s $200 million 8% senior unsecured notes are due 2012.

Revolving credit facility
The Company’s $250 million revolving credit facility (Credit Facility) with agent LaSalle Bank National Association (a Bank of America company) has an October 2009 termination date and is collateralized by a first priority security interest in certain assets of Titan and its domestic subsidiaries.  At September 30, 2008, any borrowings under the Credit Facility would have borne interest at a floating rate of prime rate plus 0% to 1% or LIBOR plus 1% to 2%.

There were no cash borrowings under this Credit Facility at September 30, 2008.  Outstanding letters of credit on the facility were $6.1 million at September 30, 2008, leaving $243.9 million of unused availability on the revolving credit facility.  The facility contains certain financial covenants, restrictions and other customary affirmative and negative covenants.  The Company is in compliance with these covenants and restrictions as of September 30, 2008.

 
7

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

8.  WARRANTY
Changes in the warranty liability consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
2008
   
2007
 
Warranty liability, January 1
  $ 5,854     $ 4,688  
Provision for warranty liabilities
    8,574       5,803  
Warranty payments made
    (8,005 )     (4,756 )
Warranty liability, September 30
  $ 6,423     $ 5,735  

The Company provides limited warranties on workmanship on its products in all market segments.  The majority of the Company’s products have a limited warranty that ranges from zero to ten years, with certain products being prorated after the first year.  The Company calculates a provision for warranty expense based on past warranty experience.  Warranty accruals are included as a component of other current liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
 
9.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has three frozen defined benefit pension plans and one defined benefit plan that purchased a final annuity settlement in 2002.  The Company also sponsors five 401(k) retirement savings plans.

The components of net periodic pension (income) cost consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest cost
  $ 1,324     $ 941     $ 3,972     $ 2,823  
Expected return on assets
    (1,954 )     (1,256 )     (5,862 )     (3,768 )
Amortization of unrecognized prior service cost
    34       34       102       102  
Amortization of unrecognized deferred taxes
    (14 )     (14 )     (42 )     (42 )
Amortization of net unrecognized loss
    397       398       1,191       1,194  
Net periodic pension (income) cost
  $ (213 )   $ 103     $ (639 )   $ 309  

During the first nine months of 2008, the Company contributed cash funds of $0.1 million to the frozen defined pension plans.  The Company expects to contribute approximately $0.1 million to the pension plans during the remainder of 2008.
 
10.  LEASE COMMITMENTS
The Company leases certain buildings and equipment under operating leases.  Certain lease agreements provide for renewal options and payment of property taxes, maintenance and insurance by the Company.

At September 30, 2008, future minimum commitments under noncancellable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of at least one year were as follows (in thousands):
October 1 – December 31, 2008
  $ 542  
2009
    1,306  
2010
    930  
2011
    580  
2012
    39  
Thereafter
    0  
Total future minimum lease payments
  $ 3,397  

 
8

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

11.  ROYALTY EXPENSE
Royalty expense consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Royalty expense
  $ 2,371     $ 1,474     $ 6,786     $ 4,490  

The Goodyear North American farm tire asset acquisition included a license agreement with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to manufacture and sell certain off-highway tires in North America under the Goodyear name.  Royalty expenses recorded were $2.4 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Royalty expenses were $6.8 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
 
12.  NONCASH CONVERTIBLE DEBT CONVERSION CHARGE
In January 2007, the Company filed a registration statement relating to an offer to the holders of its 5.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2009 to convert their notes into Titan’s common stock at an increased conversion rate (the “Offer”).  Per the Offer, each $1,000 principal amount of notes was convertible into 81.0000 shares of common stock, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $12.35 per share.

Prior to the Offer, each $1,000 principal amount of notes was convertible into 74.0741 shares of common stock, which was equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share.  The registration statement relating to the shares of common stock to be offered was declared effective February 2007.  In March 2007, the Company announced 100% acceptance of the conversion offer and the $81.2 million of accepted notes were converted into 6,577,200 shares of Titan common stock.

The Company recognized a noncash charge of $13.4 million in connection with this exchange in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 84, “Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt.”  This charge does not reflect $1.0 million of interest previously accrued on the notes.  The shares issued for the conversion were issued out of treasury shares.  The exchange resulted in a decrease in treasury stock of $59.0 million and an increase to additional paid-in capital of approximately $35.2 million.  Stockholders’ equity increased by $80.9 million in total as a result of this exchange.
 
13.  OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
Other (expense) income consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest income
  $ 338     $ 835     $ 1,212     $ 2,040  
Dividend income – Titan Europe Plc
    0       0       1,234       1,132  
Other (expense) income
    (696 )     140       113       (651 )
    $ (358 )   $ 975     $ 2,559     $ 2,521  

Other (expense) income was $(0.4) million and $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Other income was $2.6 million and $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 
9

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

14.  INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income tax expense
  $ 6,868     $ 78     $ 21,162     $ 3,109  

The Company recorded income tax expense of $6.9 million and $21.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to $0.1 million and $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007.  The Company’s effective income tax rate was 40% and 66% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The Company’s income tax expense and rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate to pre-tax income primarily as a result of the $13.4 million noncash charge taken in connection with the 100% conversion of the Company’s convertible debt.  This noncash charge is not deductible for income tax purposes.
 
15.  EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share (EPS) are as follows (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
   
Three months ended,
 
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2007
 
   
Net
Income
   
Weighted average shares
   
Per share
amount
   
Net
Loss
   
Weighted average shares
   
Per share amount
 
Basic EPS
  $ 10,303       34,499     $ .30     $ (878 )     34,139     $ (.03 )
Effect of stock options/trusts
    0       384               0       0          
Diluted EPS
  $ 10,303       34,883     $ .30     $ (878 )     34,139     $ (.03 )
 

   
Nine months ended,
 
   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2007
 
   
Net Income
   
Weighted average shares
   
Per share amount
   
Net
Income
   
Weighted average shares
   
Per share amount
 
Basic EPS
  $ 31,743       34,373     $ .92     $ 1,601       31,421     $ .05  
Effect of stock options/trusts
    0       425               0       567          
Diluted EPS
  $ 31,743       34,798     $ .91     $ 1,601       31,988     $ .05  

The effect of stock options has been excluded for the three months ended September 30, 2007, as the effect would have been antidilutive.  The weighted average share amount excluded was 533,000 shares.  The effect of convertible notes has been excluded for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as the effect would have been antidilutive.  The weighted average share amount excluded was 2,176,000 shares.

All share data has been adjusted to reflect the August 15, 2008, five-for-four stock split.

 
10

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

16.  SEGMENT INFORMATION
The table below presents information about certain revenues and income from operations used by the chief operating decision maker of the Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands):

   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Revenues from external customers
                       
Agricultural
  $ 179,162     $ 118,530     $ 538,263     $ 377,930  
Earthmoving/construction
    71,287       69,431       221,591       216,891  
Consumer
    5,014       7,511       18,248       37,262  
Consolidated totals
  $ 255,463     $ 195,472     $ 778,102     $ 632,083  
                                 
Gross profit
                               
Agricultural
  $ 23,633     $ 7,050     $ 68,714     $ 30,051  
Earthmoving/construction
    11,072       10,916       38,658       41,108  
Consumer
    1,008       584       3,438       2,906  
Reconciling items (a)
    1,710       (256 )     903       (1,269 )
Consolidated totals
  $ 37,423     $ 18,294     $ 111,713     $ 72,796  
                                 
Income from operations
                               
Agricultural
  $ 19,465     $ 4,242     $ 57,918     $ 22,338  
Earthmoving/construction
    9,454       8,955       32,649       35,694  
Consumer
    854       371       2,913       2,201  
Reconciling items (a)
    (8,510 )     (10,871 )     (31,708 )     (30,017 )
Consolidated totals
  $ 21,263     $ 2,697     $ 61,772     $ 30,216  

Assets by segment were as follows (in thousands):
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
Total Assets
 
2008
   
2007
 
Agricultural segment
  $ 376,656     $ 257,005  
Earthmoving/construction segment
    178,465       176,144  
Consumer segment
    16,469       22,515  
Reconciling items (b)
    73,883       134,831  
Consolidated totals
  $ 645,473     $ 590,495  
                 
 
(a)  
Represents corporate expenses and depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment carried at the corporate level.

(b)  
Represents property, plant and equipment carried at the corporate level and other corporate assets.

 
11

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

17.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The Company’s quarterly comprehensive loss consisted of the following:  (i) for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, net income of $10.3 million, amortization of pension adjustments of $0.3 million and unrealized loss on the Titan Europe Plc investment of $(19.0) million for a total comprehensive loss of $(8.4) million; (ii) for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, net loss of $(0.9) million, amortization of pension adjustments of $0.3 million and unrealized gain on the Titan Europe Plc investment of $0.3 million for a total comprehensive loss of $(0.3) million.

The Company’s year-to-date comprehensive income consisted of the following:  (i) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, net income of $31.7 million, amortization of pension adjustments of $0.8 million and unrealized loss on the Titan Europe Plc investment of $(14.9) million for a total comprehensive income of $17.6 million; (ii) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, net income of $1.6 million, amortization of pension adjustments of $0.8 million and unrealized loss on the Titan Europe Plc investment of $(1.8) million for a total comprehensive income of $0.6 million.
 
18.  LITIGATION
The Company is a party to routine legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business.  Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions or the range of possible loss, the Company believes at this time that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse affect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.  However, due to the difficult nature of predicting unresolved and future legal claims, the Company cannot anticipate or predict the material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of efforts to comply with or its liabilities pertaining to legal judgments.
 
19.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” was issued.  This statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.  This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements.  FASB Staff Position (FSP) 157-2 amended SFAS No. 157 to delay the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008.

The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities, effective January 1, 2008, did not have a material impact on Titan’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  The Company is evaluating the effect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

SFAS No. 157 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include:  Level 1 – defined as quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments; Level 2 – defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3 – defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following (in thousands):
   
Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2008
 
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
  $ 11,623     $ 11,623     $ 0     $ 0  
Investments for contractual obligations
    5,221       5,221       0       0  
Total
  $ 16,844     $ 16,844     $ 0     $ 0  


 
12

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

20  SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company’s $200 million 8% senior unsecured notes are guaranteed by each of Titan’s current and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries other than its immaterial subsidiaries (subsidiaries with total assets less than $250,000 and total revenues less than $250,000). The note guarantees are full and unconditional, joint and several obligations of the guarantors. Non-guarantors consist primarily of foreign subsidiaries of the Company, which are organized outside the United States of America. The following condensed consolidating financial statements are presented using the equity method of accounting.


   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Operations
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $ 0     $ 255,463     $ 0     $ 0     $ 255,463  
Cost of sales
    (1,988 )     220,028       0       0       218,040  
Gross profit
    1,988       35,435       0       0       37,423  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    4,461       9,323       5       0       13,789  
Royalty expense
    0       2,371       0       0       2,371  
(Loss) income from operations
    (2,473 )     23,741       (5 )     0       21,263  
Interest expense
    (3,734 )     0       0       0       (3,734 )
Other (expense) income
    (398 )     40       0       0       (358 )
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (6,605 )     23,781       (5 )     0       17,171  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (2,642 )     9,512       (2 )     0       6,868  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    14,266       0       0       (14,266 )     0  
Net income (loss)
  $ 10,303     $ 14,269     $ (3 )   $ (14,266 )   $ 10,303  
 

   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Operations
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $ 0     $ 195,472     $ 0     $ 0     $ 195,472  
Cost of sales
    12       177,166       0       0       177,178  
Gross (loss) profit
    (12 )     18,306       0       0       18,294  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    3,672       10,412       39       0       14,123  
Royalty expense
    0       1,474       0       0       1,474  
(Loss) income from operations
    (3,684 )     6,420       (39 )     0       2,697  
Interest expense
    (4,473 )     1       0       0       (4,472 )
Intercompany interest income (expense)
    2,371       (2,666 )     295       0       0  
Other income (expense)
    1,178       (204 )     1       0       975  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (4,608 )     3,551       257       0       (800 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (7,209 )     6,903       384       0       78  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (3,479 )     0       0       3,479       0  
Net loss
  $ (878 )   $ (3,352 )   $ (127 )   $ 3,479     $ (878 )


 
13

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Operations
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $ 0     $ 778,102     $ 0     $ 0     $ 778,102  
Cost of sales
    (1,674 )     668,063       0       0       666,389  
Gross profit
    1,674       110,039       0       0       111,713  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    15,672       27,417       66       0       43,155  
Royalty expense
    0       6,786       0       0       6,786  
(Loss) income from operations
    (13,998 )     75,836       (66 )     0       61,772  
Interest expense
    (11,426 )     0       0       0       (11,426 )
Other income (expense)
    1,488       (163 )     1,234       0       2,559  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (23,936 )     75,673       1,168       0       52,905  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (9,574 )     30,268       468       0       21,162  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    46,105       0       0       (46,105 )     0  
Net income
  $ 31,743     $ 45,405     $ 700     $ (46,105 )   $ 31,743  


   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Operations
 
(Amounts in thousands)
     
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Net sales
  $ 0     $ 632,083     $ 0     $ 0     $ 632,083  
Cost of sales
    545       558,742       0       0       559,287  
Gross (loss) profit
    (545 )     73,341       0       0       72,796  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    13,193       24,739       158       0       38,090  
Royalty expense
    0       4,490       0       0       4,490  
(Loss) income from operations
    (13,738 )     44,112       (158 )     0       30,216  
Interest expense
    (14,648 )     (3 )     0       0       (14,651 )
Intercompany interest income (expense)
    8,767       (9,607 )     840       0       0  
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge
    (13,376 )     0       0       0       (13,376 )
Other income (expense)
    1,560       (176 )     1,137       0       2,521  
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (31,435 )     34,326       1,819       0       4,710  
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (20,747 )     22,655       1,201       0       3,109  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    12,289       0       0       (12,289 )     0  
Net income
  $ 1,601     $ 11,671     $ 618     $ (12,289 )   $ 1,601  


 
14

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


   
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheets
 
(Amounts in thousands)
                             
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 33,498     $ 18     $ 2,123     $ 0     $ 35,639  
Accounts receivable
    4       148,470       0       0       148,474  
Inventories
    0       143,699       0       0       143,699  
Prepaid and other current assets
    21,663       17,559       16       0       39,238  
  Total current assets
    55,165       309,746       2,139       0       367,050  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    5,535       231,202       0       0       236,737  
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
    (28,724 )     0       40,347       0       11,623  
Investment in subsidiaries
    46,571       0       0       (46,571 )     0  
Other assets
    9,836       20,227       0       0       30,063  
Total assets
  $ 88,383     $ 561,175     $ 42,486     $ (46,571 )   $ 645,473  
                                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 4,846     $ 80,100     $ 0     $ 0     $ 84,946  
Other current liabilities
    910       44,865       0       0       45,775  
  Total current liabilities
    5,756       124,965       0       0       130,721  
Long-term debt
    200,000       0       0       0       200,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    10,952       6,102       0       0       17,054  
Intercompany accounts
    (426,023 )     415,841       10,182       0       0  
Stockholders’ equity
    297,698       14,267       32,304       (46,571 )     297,698  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 88,383     $ 561,175     $ 42,486     $ (46,571 )   $ 645,473  

   
Consolidating Condensed Balance Sheets
 
(Amounts in thousands)
                             
   
December 31, 2007
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
             
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
             
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Eliminations
   
Consolidated
 
Assets
                             
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 57,285     $ 63     $ 977     $ 0     $ 58,325  
Accounts receivable
    (458 )     98,852       0       0       98,394  
Inventories
    0       128,048       0       0       128,048  
Prepaid and other current assets
    26,898       16,100       0       0       42,998  
Total current assets
    83,725       243,063       977       0       327,765  
Property, plant and equipment, net
    2,291       193,787       0       0       196,078  
Investment in Titan Europe Plc
    (5,812 )     0       40,347       0       34,535  
Investment in subsidiaries
    18,714       0       0       (18,714 )     0  
Other assets
    12,256       19,861       0       0       32,117  
Total assets
  $ 111,174     $ 456,711     $ 41,324     $ (18,714 )   $ 590,495  
                                         
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
                                       
Accounts payable
  $ 2,059     $ 41,933     $ 0     $ 0     $ 43,992  
Other current liabilities
    10,456       33,347       (15 )     0       43,788  
Total current liabilities
    12,515       75,280       (15 )     0       87,780  
Long-term debt
    200,000       0       0       0       200,000  
Other long-term liabilities
    22,931       7,262       0       0       30,193  
Intercompany accounts
    (396,794 )     386,883       9,911       0       0  
Stockholders’ equity
    272,522       (12,714 )     31,428       (18,714 )     272,522  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 111,174     $ 456,711     $ 41,324     $ (18,714 )   $ 590,495  


 
15

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)


   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
 
(Amounts in thousands)
                       
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
       
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
       
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash (used for) provided by operating activities
  $ (27,363 )   $ 56,385     $ 1,146     $ 30,168  
                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Capital expenditures
    (3,617 )     (56,527 )     0       (60,144 )
Other, net
    7       97       0       104  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (3,610 )     (56,430 )     0       (60,040 )
                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    3,537       0       0       3,537  
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
    4,131       0       0       4,131  
Other, net
    (482 )     0       0       (482 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    7,186       0       0       7,186  
                                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (23,787 )     (45 )     1,146       (22,686 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    57,285       63       977       58,325  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 33,498     $ 18     $ 2,123     $ 35,639  


   
Consolidating Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
 
(Amounts in thousands)
                       
   
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
   
Titan
         
Non-
       
   
Intl., Inc.
   
Guarantor
   
Guarantor
       
   
(Parent)
   
Subsidiaries
   
Subsidiaries
   
Consolidated
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 34,751     $ 20,302     $ 82     $ 55,135  
                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
Capital expenditures
    (730 )     (20,139 )     0       (20,869 )
  Acquisition off-the-road (OTR) assets
    (8,900 )     0       0       (8,900 )
Other, net
    0       453       0       453  
Net cash used for investing activities
    (9,630 )     (19,686 )     0       (29,316 )
                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
Payment of debt
    (9,500 )     (664 )     0       (10,164 )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    6,103       0       0       6,103  
Excess tax benefit from stock options exercised
    849       0       0       849  
Other, net
    (682 )     0       0       (682 )
Net cash used for financing activities
    (3,230 )     (664 )     0       (3,894 )
                                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    21,891       (48 )     82       21,925  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    33,220       69       123       33,412  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 55,111     $ 21     $ 205     $ 55,337  


 
16

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

21  RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 141 (revised 2007)
In December 2007, SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” was issued.  This statement requires an acquirer to recognize assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired.  This statement is effective 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, 2008.  The Company is evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 160
In December 2007, SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” was issued.  This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements.  This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company is evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.



 
17

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of these financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of the management of Titan International, Inc. (Titan or the Company) on Titan’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors which may affect the Company’s future results.  The MD&A in this quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the MD&A in Titan’s 2007 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2008.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding, among other items:
 
·  
Anticipated trends in the Company’s business
 
·  
Future expenditures for capital projects
 
·  
The Company’s ability to continue to control costs and maintain quality
 
·  
Ability to meet financial covenants and conditions of loan agreements
 
·  
The Company’s business strategies, including its intention to introduce new products
 
·  
Expectations concerning the performance and success of the Company’s existing and new products
 
·  
The Company’s intention to consider and pursue acquisitions and divestitures

Readers of this Form 10-Q should understand that these forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company’s control.

Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including:
 
·  
The effect of the current banking and credit crisis on the Company and its customers and suppliers
 
·  
Changes in the Company’s end-user markets as a result of world economic or regulatory influences
 
·  
Changes in the marketplace, including new products and pricing changes by the Company’s competitors
 
·  
Availability and price of raw materials
 
·  
Levels of operating efficiencies
 
·  
Actions of domestic and foreign governments
 
·  
Results of investments
 
·  
Fluctuations in currency translations
 
·  
Ability to secure financing at reasonable terms

Any changes in such factors could lead to significantly different results.  The Company cannot provide any assurance that the assumptions referred to in the forward-looking statements or otherwise are accurate or will prove to transpire.  Any assumptions that are inaccurate or do not prove to be correct could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to achieve the results as indicated in forward-looking statements.  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information contained in this document will in fact transpire.

 
18

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVERVIEW
Titan International, Inc. and its subsidiaries are leading manufacturers of wheels, tires and assemblies for off-highway vehicles used in the agricultural, earthmoving/construction and consumer markets.  Titan manufactures both wheels and tires for the majority of these market applications, allowing the Company to provide the value-added service of delivering complete wheel and tire assemblies.  The Company offers a broad range of products that are manufactured in relatively short production runs to meet the specifications of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and/or the requirements of aftermarket customers.

Agricultural Market:  Titan’s agricultural rims, wheels and tires are manufactured for use on various agricultural and forestry equipment, including tractors, combines, skidders, plows, planters and irrigation equipment, and are sold directly to OEMs and to the aftermarket through independent distributors, equipment dealers and Titan’s own distribution centers.

Earthmoving/Construction Market:  The Company manufactures rims, wheels and tires for various types of off-the-road (OTR) earthmoving, mining, military and construction equipment, including skid steers, aerial lifts, cranes, graders and levelers, scrapers, self-propelled shovel loaders, articulated dump trucks, load transporters, haul trucks and backhoe loaders.  The earthmoving/construction market is often referred to as OTR, an acronym for off-the-road.

Consumer Market:  Titan builds a variety of products for all-terrain vehicles (ATV), turf, golf and trailer applications.  Titan’s sales in the consumer market include sales to Goodyear, which are under an off-take/mixing agreement.  This agreement includes mixed stock, which is a prepared rubber compound used in tire production.  The Company provides wheels/tires and assembles brakes, actuators and components for the domestic boat, recreational and utility trailer markets.

The Company’s major OEM customers include large manufacturers of off-highway equipment such as AGCO Corporation, Caterpillar Inc., CNH Global N.V., Deere & Company and Kubota Corporation, in addition to many other off-highway equipment manufacturers.  The Company distributes products to OEMs, independent and OEM-affiliated dealers, and through a network of distribution facilities.

 
Highlights for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 2007 (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended September 30,
       
   
2008
   
2007
   
% Increase
 
Net sales
  $ 255,463     $ 195,472       31 %
Income from operations
    21,263       2,697       688 %
Net income (loss)
    10,303       (878 )  
 
 
Quarter:  The Company recorded sales of $255.5 million for the third quarter of 2008, which were 31% higher than the third quarter 2007 sales of $195.5 million.  The record sales level was attributed to exceptionally strong demand in the Company’s agricultural market, which reported higher sales of approximately 50% for the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the previous year’s third quarter.

Income from operations was $21.3 million for the third quarter of 2008, an increase of 688% when compared to $2.7 million in 2007.  Titan’s net income was $10.3 million for the quarter, compared to net loss of $(0.9) million in 2007.  Basic earnings per share were $.30 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to loss per share of $(.03) in 2007.

 
19

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 
Highlights for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 2007 (amounts in thousands):
   
Nine months ended September 30,
       
   
2008
   
2007
   
% Increase
 
Net sales
  $ 778,102     $ 632,083       23 %
Income from operations
    61,772       30,216       104 %
Net income
    31,743       1,601       1,883 %

Year-to-date:  The Company recorded sales of $778.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $632.1 million in 2007.  The sales increase was attributed to exceptionally strong demand in the Company’s agricultural market, which increased approximately 40% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 2007.

Income from operations was $61.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $30.2 million in 2007.  Titan’s net income was $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $1.6 million in 2007.  Basic earnings per share were $.92 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $.05 in 2007.

STOCK SPLIT
In June 2008, Titan’s Board of Directors approved a five-for-four stock split with a record date of July 31, 2008, and a payable date of August 15, 2008.  The Company gave five shares for every four shares held as of the record date.  Stockholders received one additional share for every four shares owned as of the record date and received cash in lieu of fractional shares.  All share and per share data, except shares authorized, have been adjusted to reflect the effect of the stock split for all periods presented.

GIANT OTR PROJECT
In May 2007, Titan’s Board of Directors approved funding for the Company to increase giant OTR mining tire production capacity to include 57-inch and 63-inch giant radial tires (the “Giant OTR Project”).  The Company began start-up production of these giant mining tires in July 2008.

SENIOR UNSECURED CONVERTIBLE NOTES CONVERSION
In January 2007, the Company filed a registration statement relating to an offer to the holders of its 5.25% senior unsecured convertible notes due 2009 to convert their notes into Titan’s common stock at an increased conversion rate (the “Offer”).  Per the Offer, each $1,000 principal amount of notes was convertible into 81.0000 shares of common stock, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $12.35 per share. Prior to the Offer, each $1,000 principal amount of notes was convertible into 74.0741 shares of common stock, which was equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $13.50 per share.

The registration statement relating to the shares of common stock to be offered was declared effective February 2007.  In March 2007, the Company announced 100% acceptance of the conversion offer and the $81,200,000 of accepted notes were converted into 6,577,200 shares of Titan common stock.  Titan recognized a noncash charge of $13.4 million in connection with this exchange in accordance with SFAS No. 84, “Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt.”

 
20

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance, as well as the use of estimates.  The Company’s application of these policies involves assumptions that require difficult subjective judgments regarding many factors, which, in and of themselves, could materially impact the financial statements and disclosures.  A future change in the estimates, assumptions or judgments applied in determining the following matters, among others, could have a material impact on future financial statements and disclosures.

Inventories
Inventories are valued at lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for approximately 63% of inventories and the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for approximately 37% of inventories.  The major rubber material inventory and related work-in-process and their finished goods are accounted for under the FIFO method.  The major steel material inventory and related work-in-process and their finished goods are accounted for under the LIFO method.  Market value is estimated based on current selling prices.  Estimated provisions are established for slow-moving and obsolete inventory, as well as inventory carried above market price based on historical experience.  Should experience change, adjustments to estimated provisions would be necessary.

Impairment of Goodwill
The Company reviews goodwill to assess recoverability from future operations during the fourth quarter of each annual reporting period, and whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable.  The Company had goodwill of $11.7 million at September 30, 2008.  Significant assumptions relating to future operations must be made when estimating future cash flows in analyzing goodwill for impairment.  Should unforeseen events occur or operating trends change significantly, impairment losses could occur.

Valuation of Investment Accounted for as Available-for-Sale Security
The Company has an investment in Titan Europe Plc of $11.6 million as of September 30, 2008, representing a 17.3% ownership position.  Titan Europe Plc is publicly traded on the AIM market in London, England.  This investment is recorded as “Investment in Titan Europe Plc” on the consolidated balance sheet.  In accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” the Company records the Titan Europe Plc investment as an available-for-sale security and reports this investment at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported in a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  Should the fair value decline below the cost basis, the Company would be required to determine if this decline is other than temporary.  If the decline in fair value were judged to be other than temporary, an impairment charge would be recorded.  Should unforeseen events occur or investment trends continue or change significantly, impairment losses could occur.  Declared dividends on this investment are recorded in income as a component of other income.

The September 30, 2008, fair value of $11.6 million was below the Company’s cost basis of $40.3 million.  The unrealized loss on the Titan Europe Plc investment was $28.7 million.  The unrealized loss resulted from a decline in the market price of Titan Europe Plc of over 66% in the third quarter of 2008.  No impairment charge has been recorded as this decline below cost basis was judged to be temporary at September 30, 2008.  Should unforeseen events occur or investment trends continue or change significantly, impairment losses could occur.

Income taxes
Deferred income tax provisions are determined using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based upon temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities.  The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax asset positions in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”

 
21

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Asset and Business Acquisitions
The allocation of purchase price for asset and business acquisitions requires management estimates and judgment as to expectations for future cash flows of the acquired assets and business and the allocation of those cash flows to identifiable intangible assets in determining the estimated fair value for purchase price allocations.  If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in determining the purchase price allocations, impairment losses could occur relating to any intangibles recorded in the acquisition.  To aid in establishing the value of any intangible assets at the time of acquisition, the Company typically engages a professional appraisal firm.

Retirement Benefit Obligations
Pension benefit obligations are based on various assumptions used by third-party actuaries in calculating these amounts.  These assumptions include discount rates, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates and other factors.  Revisions in assumptions and actual results that differ from the assumptions affect future expenses, cash funding requirements and obligations.  The Company has three frozen defined benefit pension plans and one defined benefit plan that purchased a final annuity settlement in 2002.  During the first nine months of 2008, the Company contributed cash funds of $0.1 million to its frozen pension plans.  Titan expects to contribute approximately $0.1 million to these frozen defined pension plans during the remainder of 2008.  For more information concerning these costs and obligations, see the discussion of the “Pensions” and Note 20 to the Company’s financial statements on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 2007 (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 255,463     $ 195,472     $ 778,102     $ 632,083  
Cost of sales
    218,040       177,178       666,389       559,287  
Gross profit
    37,423       18,294       111,713       72,796  
Gross profit margin
    14.6 %     9.4 %     14.4 %     11.5 %

Net Sales
Quarter:  Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, were $255.5 million, compared to $195.5 million in 2007.  The record quarterly sales were attributed to strong demand in the Company’s agricultural market, which reported higher sales of approximately 50% for the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the previous year’s third quarter.  Titan believes it has benefited in the third quarter of 2008 from a preliminary ruling from the U.S. Department of Commerce, affirming that exporters of Chinese-manufactured tires have been selling certain off-the-road tires in the U.S.A. at less than normal value and received subsidies, resulting in duties being imposed on certain imported tires.

Year-to-date:  Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, were $778.1 million, compared to 2007 net sales of $632.1 million.  The record sales for the nine months ended September 30 were attributed to strong demand in the Company’s agricultural market, which reported higher sales of approximately 40% for the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the first nine months of 2007.  Titan believes it has benefited in the nine months ending September 30, 2008, from a preliminary ruling from the U.S. Department of Commerce, affirming that exporters of Chinese-manufactured tires have been selling certain off-the-road tires in the U.S.A. at less than normal value and received subsidies, resulting in duties being imposed on certain imported tires.

Cost of Sales and Gross Profit
Quarter:  Cost of sales were $218.0 million and $177.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The higher cost of sales resulted from increased sales.  Costs associated with hiring and training workers to be utilized in giant OTR production were estimated to be approximately $2 million for the quarter.

 
22

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2008 was $37.4 million, or 14.6% of net sales, compared to $18.3 million, or 9.4% of net sales, for the third quarter of 2007.  The gross profit margin for the quarter showed an improvement of approximately 5% as compared to the third quarter of 2007, as the Company improved efficiencies and was successful in aligning sales prices with production cost.

Year-to-date:  Cost of sales were $666.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to $559.3 million in 2007.  The higher cost of sales resulted from increased sales.  Costs associated with hiring and training workers to be utilized in giant OTR production were estimated to be approximately $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was $111.7 million, or 14.4% of net sales, compared to $72.8 million, or 11.5% of net sales, in 2007.  The gross profit margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, showed an improvement of approximately 3% as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as the Company improved efficiencies and was successful in aligning sale prices with production cost.

Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Selling, general and administrative
  $ 13,789     $ 14,123     $ 43,155     $ 38,090  
Percentage of net sales
    5.4 %     7.2 %     5.5 %     6.0 %

Quarter:  Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2008 were $13.8 million, or 5.4% of net sales, compared to $14.1 million, or 7.2% of net sales, for 2007.  The SG&A expense, expressed as a percentage of net sales, improved nearly 2% primarily as a result of the record third quarter sales levels.

Year-to-date:  Expenses for SG&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, were $43.2 million, or 5.5% of net sales, compared to $38.1 million, or 6.0% of net sales, in 2007.  SG&A expense rose primarily as the result of higher selling costs, while the SG&A percentage of net sales improved as the Company recorded record year-to-date sales levels.

Royalty Expense
Royalty expense was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Royalty expense
  $ 2,371     $ 1,474     $ 6,786     $ 4,490  

The Goodyear North American farm tire asset acquisition included a license agreement with The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to manufacture and sell certain off-highway tires in North America under the Goodyear name.

Quarter:  Royalty expenses recorded were $2.4 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The higher royalty expense was the result of the strong sales in the agricultural segment.

Year-to-date:  Royalty expenses recorded were $6.8 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The higher royalty expense was the result of the strong sales in the agricultural segment.

 
23

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Income from Operations
Income from operations was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income from operations
  $ 21,263     $ 2,697     $ 61,772     $ 30,216  
Percentage of net sales
    8.3 %     1.4 %     7.9 %     4.8 %

Quarter: Income from operations for the third quarter of 2008 was $21.3 million, or 8.3% of net sales, compared to $2.7 million, or 1.4% of net sales, in 2007.  The improvement in income from operations was the net result of items previously discussed in the sales and cost of sales line items.

Year-to-date: Income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was $61.8 million, or 7.9% of net sales, compared to $30.2 million, or 4.8% of net sales, in 2007.  Income from operations was affected by the items previously discussed in the sales, cost of sales, SG&A and royalty line items.  The primary improvement in income from operations was the result of items previously discussed in the sales and cost of sales line items.

Interest Expense
Interest expense was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest expense
  $ 3,734     $ 4,472     $ 11,426     $ 14,651  

Quarter: Interest expense was $3.7 million and $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The reduction in interest costs was primarily the result of capitalization of interest of $0.8 million related to the giant OTR project in 2008.

Year-to-date:  Interest expense was $11.4 million and $14.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The reduction in interest costs was primarily the result of capitalization of interest of $2.3 million related to the giant OTR project in 2008.

Noncash Convertible Debt Conversion Charge
Noncash convertible debt conversion charge was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Noncash debt conversion charge
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 0     $ 13,376  

Quarter:  A debt conversion charge was not applicable in the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

Year-to-date:  In March 2007, the Company converted $81.2 million of 5.25% senior convertible notes into 6,577,200 shares of Titan common stock.  Titan recognized a noncash charge of $13.4 million in connection with this exchange in accordance with SFAS No. 84, “Induced Conversions of Convertible Debt.”

 
24

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Other (Expense) Income
Other (expense) income was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Other (expense) income
  $ (358 )   $ 975     $ 2,559     $ 2,521  

Quarter:  Other expense was $(0.4) million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to other income of $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007.  Interest income included in other income was $0.3 million and $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Year-to-date:  Other income was $2.6 million for nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2.5 million in 2007.  Dividend income of $1.2 million and $1.1 million from the Titan Europe Plc investment was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Interest income included in other income was $1.2 million and $2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Income Taxes
Income taxes were as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Income tax expense
  $ 6,868     $ 78     $ 21,162     $ 3,109  

Quarter:  The Company recorded income tax expense of $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $0.1 million in 2007.

Year-to-date:  Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $21.2 million and $3.1 million, respectively.  The Company’s effective income tax rate was 40% and 66% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  The Company’s 2007 income tax expense and rate differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal income tax rate to pre-tax income primarily as a result of the $13.4 million noncash charge taken in connection with the Company’s convertible debt.  This noncash charge was not deductible for income tax purposes.

Net Income (Loss)
Net income (loss) was as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 10,303     $ (878 )   $ 31,743     $ 1,601  

Quarter:  Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2008, was $10.3 million, compared to net loss of $(0.9) million in 2007.  For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, basic and diluted earnings per share were $.30 and $(.03), respectively.  The Company’s net income and earnings per share increased due to the items detailed above.

Year-to-date:  Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, was $31.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, basic earnings per share were $.92 and $.05, respectively, and diluted earnings per share were $.91 and $.05, respectively. The Company’s net income and earnings per share increased due to the items detailed above.

 
25

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Agricultural Segment Results
Agricultural segment results were as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 179,162     $ 118,530     $ 538,263     $ 377,930  
Gross profit
    23,633       7,050       68,714       30,051  
Income from operations
    19,465       4,242       57,918       22,338  

Quarter:  Net sales in the agricultural market were $179.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $118.5 million in 2007.  The increase of $60.6 million in agricultural segment sales was the result of higher demand from the Company’s customers, an effect of record farm income and crop prices.

Gross profit in the agricultural market was $23.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $7.1 million in 2007.  Income from operations in the agricultural market was $19.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $4.2 million in 2007.  The increase in gross profit and income from operations in the agricultural market was attributed to robust farm equipment sales and the Company aligning sales prices with production cost.

Year-to-date:  Net sales in the agricultural market were $538.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $377.9 million in 2007.  The increase of $160.3 million in agricultural segment sales was the result of higher demand from the Company’s customers, an effect of record farm income and crop prices.

Gross profit in the agricultural market was $68.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $30.1 million in 2007.  Income from operations in the agricultural market was $57.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $22.3 million in 2007.  The increase in gross profit and income from operations in the agricultural market was attributed to robust farm equipment sales and the Company aligning sales prices with production cost.

Earthmoving/Construction Segment Results
Earthmoving/Construction segment results were as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 71,287     $ 69,431     $ 221,591     $ 216,891  
Gross profit
    11,072       10,916       38,658       41,108  
Income from operations
    9,454       8,955       32,649       35,694  

Quarter:  The Company’s earthmoving/construction market net sales were $71.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $69.4 million in 2007.  The increase of $1.9 million primarily resulted from the continued strong earthmoving and mining sales.

Gross profit in the earthmoving/construction market was $11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $10.9 million in 2007.  Income from operations in the earthmoving/construction market was $9.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $9.0 million in 2007.  The Company’s gross profit was negatively impacted by costs associated with hiring and training workers to be utilized in giant OTR production, estimated to be approximately $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008.

Year-to-date:  The Company’s earthmoving/construction market net sales were $221.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $216.9 million in 2007.  The increase of $4.7 million primarily resulted from the continued strong earthmoving and mining sales.

 
26

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Gross profit in the earthmoving/construction market was $38.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $41.1 million in 2007.  Income from operations in the earthmoving/construction market was $32.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $35.7 million in 2007.  The Company’s gross profit was negatively impacted by costs associated with hiring and training workers to be utilized in giant OTR production, estimated to be approximately $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Consumer Segment Results
Consumer segment results were as follows (amounts in thousands):
   
Three months ended
   
Nine months ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2008
   
2007
 
Net sales
  $ 5,014     $ 7,511     $ 18,248     $ 37,262  
Gross profit
    1,008       584       3,438       2,906  
Income from operations
    854       371       2,913       2,201  

Quarter:  Consumer market net sales were $5.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $7.5 million in 2007.

Gross profit from the consumer market was $1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $0.6 million in 2007.  Consumer market income from operations was $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $0.4 million for 2007.  Despite the lower sales level, consumer market gross profit and income from operations increased from the previous year due to a shift to higher margin consumer products.

Year-to-date:  Consumer market net sales were $18.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $37.3 million in 2007.  The Goodyear farm tire acquisition agreement included an off-take/mixing agreement for certain product sales to Goodyear.  The reduction in consumer market sales is related to lower sales to The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company of approximately $14 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 2007.

Gross profit from the consumer market was $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2.9 million in 2007.  Consumer market income from operations was $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $2.2 million for 2007.  Despite the lower sales level, consumer market gross profit and income from operations increased from the previous year due to a shift to higher margin consumer products.

Corporate Expenses

Quarter
 
Income from operations on a segment basis does not include corporate expenses or depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment carried at the corporate level totaling $8.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $10.9 million for 2007.

Corporate expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008, were composed of selling and marketing expenses of approximately $4.8 million and administrative expenses of approximately $3.7 million.

Corporate expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2007, were composed of selling and marketing expenses of approximately $4.2 million and administrative expenses of approximately $6.7 million.

The higher selling and marketing costs for the three months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 2007 resulted from the record sales levels quarter over quarter.  The reduced administrative costs resulted primarily from lower key employee and senior management incentive costs.

 
27

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Year-to-Date
 
Income from operations on a segment basis does not include corporate expenses or depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment carried at the corporate level totaling $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to $30.0 million for 2007.

Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, were composed of selling and marketing expenses of approximately $14.6 million and administrative expenses of approximately $17.1 million.

Corporate expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, were composed of selling and marketing expenses of approximately $11.6 million and administrative expenses of approximately $18.4 million.

The higher selling and marketing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 2007 resulted from the record year-to-date sales levels.  Administrative costs showed a slight reduction for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to 2007.

MARKET RISK SENSITIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s risks related to foreign currencies, commodity prices and interest rates are consistent with those for 2007.  For more information, see the “Market Risk Sensitive Instruments” discussion in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash Flows
As of September 30, 2008, the Company had $35.6 million of cash balances.  This cash balance decreased by $22.7 million from December 31, 2007, due to the following cash flow items.

Operating cash flows
Summary of cash flows from operating activities (amounts in thousands):
   
Nine months ended September 30,
       
   
2008
   
2007
   
Change
 
Net income
  $ 31,743     $ 1,601     $ 30,142  
Depreciation and amortization
    21,543       21,467       76  
Deferred income tax provision
    7,537       1,907       5,630  
Noncash debt charge
    0       13,376       (13,376 )
Accounts receivable
    (50,080 )     (43,577 )     (6,503 )
Inventories
    (15,651 )     22,051       (37,702 )
Accounts payable
    40,954       28,762       12,192  
Other current liabilities
    6,082       9,737       (3,655 )
Other operating activities
    (11,960 )     (189 )     (11,771 )
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 30,168     $ 55,135     $ (24,967 )

In the first nine months of 2008, operating activities provided cash of $30.2 million.  This cash was primarily provided by net income of $31.7 million and a higher accounts payable balance of $41.0 million due to higher and additional material costs.  Included in net income were noncash charges of $21.5 million for depreciation and amortization and a $7.5 million deferred income tax provision.  Positive cash flows were offset by an increase in the accounts receivable balance of $50.1 million due to record sales levels and an increase in inventories of $15.7 million.


 
28

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

For the first nine months of 2007, positive cash flows from operating activities of $55.1 million resulted primarily from net income of $1.6 million, increases of $28.8 million in accounts payable and $9.7 million in other current liabilities along with a decrease of $22.1 million in inventories.  Included as a reduction to net income were noncash charges of $13.4 million for a debt conversion charge and $21.5 million of depreciation and amortization.  Positive cash flows were offset by an increase in accounts receivable balance of $43.6 million.

Operating cash flows decreased $25.0 million when comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2008, to the nine months ended September 30, 2007.  The net income in the first nine months of 2008 was a $30.1 million increase from the first nine months of 2007.  However, the income for the first nine months of 2007 included a $13.4 million noncash charge, which offset the increase in income.  Also, the cash flows from inventories decreased $37.7 million when comparing the nine months ended September 30, 2008, to the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as the result of increasing inventories.  This increase in inventories was the result of higher raw material prices and the required inventory to meet higher sales demands.

Investing cash flows
Net cash used for investing activities was $60.0 million in the first nine months of 2008, as compared to $29.3 million in the first nine months of 2007.  The Company invested a total of $60.1 million in capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2008, compared to $20.9 million in 2007.  Of the $60.1 million of capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2008, approximately $47 million relates to the Company’s Giant OTR Project and the remaining expenditures of approximately $13 million represent various equipment purchases and improvements to enhance production capabilities.

The Company estimates that costs related to the Giant OTR Project at this time are approximately $93 million, of which approximately $69 million was disbursed from inception of the Giant OTR Project through September 30, 2008.  The large increase in cash used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2008, as compared to the first nine months of 2007, was a result of the capital expenditures on the Giant OTR Project.  In addition to the Giant OTR Project, the Company estimates that its capital expenditures for other projects for the remainder of 2008 could be approximately $5 million.

Financing cash flows
In the first nine months of 2008, cash of $7.2 million was provided by financing activities.  This cash was primarily provided by $3.5 million in proceeds from the exercise of stock options and $4.1 million of excess tax benefit from stock options exercised.

In the first nine months of 2007, cash of $3.9 million was used for financing activities.  This cash use was primarily the result of net debt payment of $10.2 million offset by $6.1 million in proceeds from stock option exercises.

Financing cash flows increased $11.1 million when comparing the first nine months of 2008 to the first nine months of 2007.  This increase resulted primarily from a decrease in the cash used for debt payment.

Debt Covenants
The Company’s revolving credit facility contains various covenants and restrictions.  The financial covenants in this agreement require that:
 
·  
Collateral coverage be equal to or greater than 1.2 times the outstanding revolver balance.
 
·  
If the 30-day average of the outstanding revolver balance exceeds $225 million, the fixed charge coverage ratio be equal to or greater than a 1.0 to 1.0 ratio.

Restrictions include:
 
·  
Limits on payments of dividends and repurchases of the Company’s stock.
 
·  
Restrictions on the ability of the Company to make additional borrowings, or to consolidate, merge or otherwise fundamentally change the ownership of the Company.
 
·  
Limitations on investments, dispositions of assets and guarantees of indebtedness.
 
·  
Other customary affirmative and negative covenants.

 
29

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 
These covenants and restrictions could limit the Company’s ability to respond to market conditions, to provide for unanticipated capital investments, to raise additional debt or equity capital, to pay dividends or to take advantage of business opportunities, including future acquisitions.  The failure by Titan to meet these covenants could result in the Company ultimately being in default on these loan agreements.

The Company is in compliance with these covenants and restrictions as of September 30, 2008.  The collateral coverage was calculated to be approximately 73 times the outstanding revolver balance at September 30, 2008.

The fixed charge coverage ratio did not apply for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.  The credit facility usage was $6.1 million at September 30, 2008, consisting exclusively of letters of credit of $6.1 million with no cash borrowings.

Other Issues
The Company’s business is subject to seasonal variations in sales that affect inventory levels and accounts receivable balances.  Historically, Titan tends to experience higher sales demand in the first and second quarters of the year.

Liquidity Outlook
At September 30, 2008, the Company had $35.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $243.9 million of unused availability under the terms of its revolving credit facility (credit facility).  The availability under the Company’s $250 million credit facility was reduced by $6.1 million for outstanding letters of credit.  The Company expects to contribute approximately $0.1 million to its frozen defined benefit pension plans during the remainder of 2008.  At December 31, 2007, the Company had a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $13 million, which is expected to be utilized to reduce the Company’s income tax payments in 2008.

In May 2007, Titan’s Board of Directors approved funding for the Company to increase giant OTR mining tire production capacity to include 57-inch and 63-inch giant radial tires (the “Giant OTR Project”).  The Company estimates that current commitments related to the Giant OTR Project at this time are approximately $93 million, of which approximately $69 million was disbursed from inception of the Giant OTR Project through September 30, 2008.  Additional capital expenditure commitments will be incurred through 2008 as the Giant OTR Project moves to completion.  The final cost of these additional OTR capital items have not been finalized at this time.

The Company currently anticipates that cash on hand and anticipated internal cash flows from operations will allow the Company sufficient funds for completion of the Giant OTR Project.  In addition to the Giant OTR Project, Titan estimates that its capital expenditures for other projects for remainder of 2008 could be approximately $5 million.

Cash on hand, anticipated internal cash flows from operations and utilization of remaining available borrowings are expected to provide sufficient liquidity for working capital needs and capital expenditures.  If the Company were to exhaust all currently available working capital sources or not meet the financial covenants and conditions of its loan agreements, the Company’s ability to secure additional funding may be negatively impacted.

PENSIONS
The Company has three frozen defined benefit pension plans and one defined benefit plan that purchased a final annuity settlement in 2002.  These plans are described in Note 20 of the Company’s Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company’s recorded liability for pensions is based on a number of assumptions, including discount rates, rates of return on investments, mortality rates and other factors.  Certain of these assumptions are determined with the assistance of outside actuaries.  Assumptions are based on past experience and anticipated future trends.  These assumptions are reviewed on a regular basis and revised when appropriate.  Revisions in assumptions and actual results that differ from the assumptions affect future expenses, cash funding requirements and the carrying value of the related obligations.  Titan expects to contribute approximately $0.1 million to these frozen defined pension plans during the remainder of 2008.

 
30

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

MARKET CONDITIONS AND OUTLOOK
Titan is experiencing strong demand for the Company’s agricultural and earthmoving/construction products.  This strong demand is expected to continue through 2008.  The strength in the agricultural market is the result of higher commodity prices which have resulted from the continuing use of biofuels.  High prices for metals, oil and gas have created a large demand for the Company’s earthmoving and mining products.

In May 2007, Titan’s Board of Directors approved funding for the Company to increase giant OTR mining tire production capacity to include 57-inch and 63-inch giant radial tires.  The Company began start-up production of these giant mining tires in July 2008.

Higher energy, raw material and petroleum-based product costs may continue to negatively impact the Company’s margins.  Many of Titan’s overhead expenses are fixed; therefore, lower seasonal trends may cause negative fluctuations in quarterly profit margins and affect the financial condition of the Company.

AGRICULTURAL MARKET OUTLOOK
Agricultural market sales are forecasted to remain robust through 2008.  The farm economy is being helped by strong commodity prices.  However, the farm economy is also affected by high input costs for fuel and fertilizer and the current banking and credit crisis.  The increasing demand for grain-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel fuel has increased commodity prices and should support farm income levels in the long-term.  Ethanol production is projected to continue to expand sharply through 2009/2010.  The increasing demand for biofuels has supported all agricultural commodity prices as acreage has been shifted from other crops to those used in biofuels.  In April 2008, Titan signed a three-year agreement to supply farm tires to various John Deere affiliates.  Many variables, including weather, grain prices, export markets and future government policies and payments can greatly influence the overall health of the agricultural economy.

EARTHMOVING/CONSTRUCTION MARKET OUTLOOK
Sales for the earthmoving/construction market are expected to remain strong in 2008.  Metals, oil and gas prices have remained high and at levels that are attractive for continued investment, which will maintain support for earthmoving and mining sales.  However, the decline in the United States housing market has caused a decline in equipment used for housing construction.  The giant OTR project should begin to add significant capacity for giant mining tires in the remainder of 2008.  The earthmoving/construction segment is affected by many variables, including commodity prices, road construction, infrastructure, government appropriations, housing starts and the current banking and credit crisis.

CONSUMER MARKET OUTLOOK
The current overall uncertainty in consumer spending resulting from the current banking and credit crisis, housing market decline, and high energy and food costs makes consumer market projections especially difficult.  Titan’s sales in the consumer market include sales to Goodyear, which includes an off-take/mixing agreement.  This agreement includes mixed stock, which is a prepared rubber compound used in tire production.  The Company’s consumer market sales will fluctuate significantly related to sales volumes under the off-take/mixing agreement with Goodyear which have been significantly lower in 2008 as compared to the previous year.  The Company expects challenging conditions for the consumer market for the remainder of 2008.  Many factors affect the consumer market including weather, competitive pricing, energy prices and consumer attitude.

 
31

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 141 (revised 2007)
In December 2007, SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations,” was issued.  This statement requires an acquirer to recognize assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at their fair values on the acquisition date, with goodwill being the excess value over the net identifiable assets acquired.  This statement is effective 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, 2008.  The Company is evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Number 160
In December 2007, SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements,” was issued.  This statement establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary.  It clarifies that a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary is an ownership interest in the consolidated entity that should be reported as equity in the consolidated financial statements.  This statement is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008.  The Company is evaluating the effect the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


 
32

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

See the Company’s 2007 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K (Item 7A).  There has been no material change in this information.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q based on an evaluation of the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures.

Changes in Internal Controls
There were no material changes in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the third quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal controls over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluations of the effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party to routine legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of business.  Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these unresolved legal actions or the range of possible loss, the Company believes at this time that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse affect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.  However, due to the difficult nature of predicting unresolved and future legal claims, the Company cannot anticipate or predict the material adverse effect on its consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of efforts to comply with or its liabilities pertaining to legal judgments.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

See the Company’s 2007 Annual Report filed on Form 10-K (Item 1A).  There has been no material change in this information.

Item 6.    Exhibits

(a)  
Exhibits

 
31.1  Certification of the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
31.2  Certification of the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
32     Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002


 
33

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION


SIGNATURES
 

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

 
TITAN INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
(Registrant)

Date:   
October 28, 2008
By:   
/s/ MAURICE M. TAYLOR JR.
   
Maurice M. Taylor Jr.
   
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 
By:   
/s/ KENT W. HACKAMACK
   
Kent W. Hackamack
   
Vice President of Finance and Treasurer
   
(Principal Financial Officer)



34