SEC Comment Letter for THOR INDUSTRIES INC (THO) (CIK 0000730263) (THO) — Dec 10, 2004
THOR INDUSTRIES INC (THO) (CIK 0000730263)
Date: Dec. 10, 2004 · CIK: 0000730263 · Accession: 0000000000-04-039596
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 001-09235
Show Raw Text
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>LETTER
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.txt
<TEXT>
Mail Stop 03-05
December 8, 2004
Mr. Walter L. Bennett
Chief Financial Officer
Thor Industries, Inc.
419 W. Pike Street
Jackson Center, OH 45334
Re: Thor Industries, Inc.
File No. 001-09235
Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2004
Dear Mr. Bennett:
We have reviewed the above referenced filing and have the
following comments. We have limited our review to the financial
statements and related disclosures included within this document.
Understand that the purpose of our review process is to assist you
in
your compliance with the applicable disclosure requirements and to
enhance the overall disclosure in your filings.
Where expanded or revised disclosure is requested, you may
comply with these comments in future filings. If you disagree, we
will consider your explanation as to why our comments are
inapplicable or a revision is unnecessary. In some of our
comments,
we may ask you to provide us with supplemental information so we
may
better understand your disclosure. Please be as detailed as
necessary in your explanation. We look forward to working with
you
in these respects and welcome any questions you may have about any
aspects of our review.
Management`s Discussion and Analysis, page 11
Fiscal 2004 vs. Fiscal 2003, page 13
1. We note that net sales, excluding Damon, are up 25.9% for 2004.
Please explain to us and in future filings the reason for the
increase in revenue. As part of your response, provide a detail
analysis of the factors that contributed to the increase.
2. Please describe the facts and circumstances concerning the
product
liability and property insurance charge, as discussed in the first
paragraph on page 13.
Consolidated Financial Statements, page 23
Consolidated Balance Sheets, page 25
3. Supplementally quantify the significant components of "other"
accrued liabilities for the periods presented and revise your
disclosure in future filings to state separately amounts exceeding
5%
of total current liabilities. Refer to Regulation S-X 5.02.20.
Note A - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, page 29
Stock Options, page 30
4. Please revise future filings to disclose the number of options
and
restricted shares that could potentially dilute your basic
earnings
per share in future periods but that were not included in the
computation of diluted earnings per share because their impact was
anti-dilutive. Refer to the requirements of paragraph 40c of SFAS
128.
Note I - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments, page 35
5. Please tell us, and disclose in future filings, the dollar
value
of the units you were required to repurchase for each of the
periods
presented. In addition, tell us whether you have continued to
sell
products to any dealers who have defaulted with the financing
institution.
6. Tell us why you believe that the risk of ownership of the
chassis
used in conversion has not passed from the manufacturer to you.
In
your response, tell us the significant terms of your agreement
with
the manufacture that support accounting for the chassis as
consigned,
unrecorded inventory.
Note L - Joint Ventures, page 37
7. Please provide your evaluation of CAT and Thor Credit
Corporation
(Thor) as potential variable interest entities under FIN 46(R).
Specifically, address whether you believe these entities qualify
for
scope exceptions under paragraph 4(h) of FIN 46(R). In addition,
explain how you have evaluated the repurchase and guarantee
provisions under FIN 46(R).
8. Please quantify for us and in future filings the amount of
sales
that your customers have financed with Thor for each period
presented. In addition, quantify the amount of accounts
receivable
that is outstanding on Thor`s balance sheet and tell us whether
you
have guaranteed any of these amounts. Finally, quantify your
equity
in the income of these investments for each period and disclose
where
you have recorded these amounts.
Other
9. We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of the disclosure in the filings reviewed by the staff to
be
certain that they have provided all information investors require.
Since the company and its management are in possession of all
facts
relating to a company`s disclosure, they are responsible for the
accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they have made.
In connection with responding to our comments, please provide, in
writing, a statement from the company acknowledging that:
* the company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the
disclosure in the filings;
* staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff
comments in the filings reviewed by the staff do not foreclose the
Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing; and
* the company may not assert staff comments as a defense in any
proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the
federal securities laws of the United States.
In addition, please be advised that the Division of Enforcement
has
access to all information you provide to the staff of the Division
of
Corporation Finance in our review of your filing or in response to
our comments on your filing.
* * * * *
Please file your response to our comments via EDGAR within
ten
business days from the date of this letter. Please understand
that
we may have additional comments after reviewing your response.
You
may contact Patrick Kuhn at 202-824-5330 or the undersigned at
202-
942-1907 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Michael Fay
Branch Chief
??
??
??
??
Mr. Walter L. Bennett
Thor Industries, Inc.
December 8, 2004
Page 1
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>