Critical accounting policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Amounts estimated related to liabilities for pension costs, self-insured workers’ compensation and employee healthcare are especially subject to inherent uncertainties and these estimated liabilities may ultimately settle at amounts not originally estimated. Management believes its current estimates are reasonable and based on the best information available at the time.

Under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, (“FAS 144”), the Company is required to test long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If a impairment is indicated, the Company must measure the fair value of assets in accordance with FAS 144 to determine if and when adjustments are to be recorded.

The Company’s credit risk is diversified across a broad range of customers and geographic regions. Losses due to credit risk have recently been immaterial although losses in fiscal year 2002 were significant. The provision for doubtful accounts receivable is based on historical trends and current collectibility risk. The Company has significant amounts receivable with a few large, well known customers which, although historically secure, could be subject to material risk should these customers’ operations suddenly deteriorate. The Company monitors these customers closely to minimize the risk of loss. Sales to Wal-Mart® comprised 15.0% of revenues in fiscal year 2006 and 13.3% of accounts receivable was due from Wal-Mart® at November 3, 2006. Sales to Wal-Mart® comprised 14.6% of revenues in fiscal year 2004.

Revenues are recognized upon passage of title to the customer upon product pick-up, shipment or delivery to customers as determined by applicable contracts. Products are delivered to customers through the Company’s own fleet or through a Company-owned direct store delivery system.

The Company records the cash surrender or contract value for life insurance policies as an adjustment of premiums paid in determining the expense or income to be recognized under the contract for the period.

The Company’s operating results are heavily dependent upon the prices paid for raw materials. The marketing of the Company’s value-added products does not lend itself to instantaneous changes in selling prices. Changes in selling prices are relatively infrequent and do not compare with the volatility of commodity markets.

The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the Company’s accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements and regulations.

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). This Statement addresses uncertainty in tax positions recognized in a company’s financial statements and stipulates a recognition threshold and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 will apply to the Company’s fiscal year beginning November 3, 2007, with earlier adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this interpretation will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued SAB No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements”. SAB No. 108 provides guidance on how prior year misstatements should be considered when quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements for purposes of determining whether the current year’s financial statements are materially misstated. SAB No. 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. Although the Company will continue to evaluate the applicationof SAB No. 108, management does not currently believe adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (SFAS No. 157). This Statement defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting pronouncements that require fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, the Company’s first quarter of the 2009 fiscal year, and interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect this statement will have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FAS 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)”. FAS 158 requires employers to recognize the over- or under-funded status of defined benefit plans and other postretirement plans in the statement of financial position and to recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income. In addition, FAS 158 requires employers to measure the funded status of plans as of the date of the year-end statement of financial position. The recognition and disclosure provisions of FAS 158 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006 (effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending November 2, 2007), while the requirement to measure plan assets and benefit obligations as of a company’s year-end date is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2008 (effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending October 30, 2009). The Company expects the adoption of this statement will materially affect other comprehensive income, long-term liabilities and shareholders equity.