STRATTEC First Quarter 2005 Form 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended March 27, 2005

or

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

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File Number 0-25150
 

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Wisconsin
 
39-1804239
(State of Incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, WI 53209
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(414) 247-3333
(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 for 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 ___

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES  X    NO ___

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

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share: 3,782,507 shares outstanding as of March 27, 2005.



STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

March 27, 2005

INDEX


Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   
Page
Item 1
Financial Statements
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
3
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
4
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
5
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
6-8
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
 
 
Results of Operations
9-15
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
15
Item 4
Controls and Procedures
15


Part II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1
Legal Proceedings
16
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
16
Item 3
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
16
Item 4
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
16
Item 5
Other Information
16
Item 6
Exhibits
16
 

2


Item 1 Financial Statements
 
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
   
Three Months Ended 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
   
 2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
                   
                           
Net sales
 
$
46,102
 
$
49,266
 
$
139,129
 
$
143,700
 
Cost of goods sold
   
35,892
   
37,082
   
106,700
   
108,956
 
Gross profit
   
10,210
   
12,184
   
32,429
   
34,744
 
Engineering, selling and administrative
                         
expenses
   
4,822
   
5,132
   
14,836
   
15,033
 
Income from operations
   
5,388
   
7,052
   
17,593
   
19,711
 
Interest income
   
326
   
112
   
742
   
289
 
Other (expense) income, net
   
(50
)
 
(49
)
 
109
   
237
 
Income before provision for income taxes
   
5,664
   
7,115
   
18,444
   
20,237
 
Provision for income taxes
   
1,933
   
2,668
   
6,662
   
7,589
 
Net income
 
$
3,731
 
$
4,447
 
$
11,782
 
$
12,648
 
                           
Earnings per share:
                         
Basic
 
$
0.98
 
$
1.17
 
$
3.10
 
$
3.35
 
Diluted
 
$
0.98
 
$
1.15
 
$
3.07
 
$
3.30
 
Average Shares Outstanding:
                         
Basic
   
3,798
   
3,802
   
3,803
   
3,775
 
Diluted
   
3,815
   
3,873
   
3,836
   
3,838
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.


3


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
 
   
March 27, 
   June 27,  
   
2005
 
2004
 
ASSETS
 
(unaudited)
     
Current Assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
51,357
 
$
54,231
 
Receivables, net
   
28,793
   
30,931
 
Inventories-
             
Finished products
   
3,761
   
2,659
 
Work in process
   
5,177
   
4,620
 
Purchased Materials
   
5,684
   
4,441
 
LIFO adjustment
   
(2,863
)
 
(3,359
)
Total inventories
   
11,759
   
8,361
 
Other current assets
   
9,943
   
10,903
 
Total current assets
   
101,852
   
104,426
 
               
Investment in joint ventures
   
1,349
   
1,336
 
Prepaid pension obligations
   
605
   
-
 
               
Property, plant and equipment
   
104,236
   
102,610
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
   
(74,909
)
 
(71,182
)
Net property, plant and equipment
   
29,327
   
31,428
 
               
   
$
133,133
 
$
137,190
 
               
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
         
Accounts payable
 
$
16,409
 
$
18,787
 
Accrued Liabilities:
             
Payroll and benefits
   
6,940
   
11,067
 
Environmental reserve
   
2,701
   
2,710
 
Other
   
4,211
   
2,720
 
Total current liabilities
   
30,261
   
35,284
 
               
Deferred income taxes
   
543
   
543
 
Accrued postretirement obligations
   
5,096
   
11,511
 
               
Shareholders' equity:
             
Common stock, authorized 12,000,000 shares $.01 par value,
             
 issued 6,853,647 shares at March 27, 2005 and 6,754,892 shares at June 27, 2004
   
69
   
68
 
Capital in excess of par value
   
74,793
   
70,415
 
Retained earnings
   
142,012
   
130,230
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(5,348
)
 
(5,385
)
Less: treasury stock, at cost (3,071,140 shares at March 27,
             
2005 and 2,926,687 shares at June 27, 2004)
   
(114,293
)
 
(105,476
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
97,233
   
89,852
 
               
   
$
133,133
 
$
137,190
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated balance sheets.

4


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
 
   
Nine Months Ended 
 
   
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
   
2005 
 
2004
 
   
(unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
         
Net income
 
$
11,782
 
$
12,648
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
             
by operating activities:
             
Depreciation
   
5,440
   
5,842
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
             
Receivables
   
2,145
   
(746
)
Inventories
   
(3,398
)
 
(984
)
Other assets
   
363
   
1,627
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(11,458
)
 
(3,106
)
Tax benefit from options exercised
   
949
   
1,107
 
Other, net
   
224
   
(121
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
6,047
   
16,267
 
               
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
             
Investment in joint ventures
   
(75
)
 
(125
)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
   
(3,455
)
 
(3,550
)
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(3,530
)
 
(3,675
)
               
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
             
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(8,826
)
 
(3,614
)
Exercise of stock options
   
3,435
   
4,504
 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
   
(5,391
)
 
890
 
               
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND
             
CASH EQUIVALENTS
   
(2,874
)
 
13,482
 
               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
             
Beginning of period
   
54,231
   
29,902
 
End of period
 
$
51,357
 
$
43,384
 
               
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
             
Income taxes paid
 
$
4,957
 
$
4,893
 
Interest paid
   
-
   
-
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated statements.

5


STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Basis of Financial Statements
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) designs, develops, manufacturers and markets mechanical locks, electro-mechanical locks, latches and related security/access control products for global automotive manufacturers. The accompanying condensed unaudited financial statements reflect the consolidated results of the Company and its wholly owned Mexican subsidiaries.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 27, 2005, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine month periods then ended. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Interim financial results are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire year.

These financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report.

Earnings Per Share (EPS)
A reconciliation of the components of the basic and diluted per-share computations follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
 
   
March 27, 2005
 
March 28, 2004
 


   
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Net
 
Average
 
Per-Share
 
Net
 
Average
 
Per-Share
 
 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
$
3,731
   
3,798
 
$
0.98
 
$
4,447
   
3,802
 
$
1.17
 
     
     
Stock Options
         
17
               
71
       
         
             
       
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
3,731
   
3,815
 
$
0.98
 
$
4,447
   
3,873
 
$
1.15
 
         
 
       
 
 
 

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
 
   
March 27, 2005
 
March 28, 2004
 
   
 
 
   
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted
 
 
 
 
 
Net
 
Average
 
Per-Share
 
Net
 
Average
 
Per-Share
 
 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
$
11,782
   
3,803
 
$
3.10
 
$
12,648
   
3,775
 
$
3.35
 
               
             
 
Stock Options
   
 
   
33
   
 
   
 
   
63
       
         
             
       
Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
11,782
   
3,836
 
$
3.07
 
$
12,648
   
3,838
 
$
3.30
 
         
 
       
 
 
 
    All outstanding options were included in the computation of diluted EPS as of March 28, 2004. Options to purchase the following shares of common stock were outstanding as of March 27, 2005, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares:

Exercise
Period Ended
Shares
  Price
 
 
 
March 27, 2005
48,540
$58.59
 
53,290
$61.68
 
4,500
$63.25
 
45,000
$62.20
 
58,040
$76.70
 
6

 
Comprehensive Income
The following table presents the Company’s comprehensive income (in thousands): 

   
 Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
   
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
3,731
 
$
4,447
 
$
11,782
 
$
12,648
 
Change in Cumulative Translation
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
Adjustments, net
   
(57
)
 
34
   
37
   
(202
)
   
 
 
 
 
Total Comprehensive Income
 
$
3,674
 
$
4,481
 
$
11,819
 
$
12,446
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation plans using the intrinsic value method. Accordingly, no compensation cost related to these plans was charged against earnings during fiscal 2005 and 2004. Had compensation cost for these plans been determined using the fair value method rather than the intrinsic value method, the pro forma impact on earnings per share would have been as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

   
 Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
March 27,
 
March 28,
 
 
 
2005
 
2004
 
2005
 
2004
 
   
 
 
 
 
Net Income as Reported
 
$
3,731
 
$
4,447
 
$
11,782
 
$
12,648
 
Less Compensation Expense Determined
                         
Under Fair Value Method, net of tax
   
(227
)
 
(218
)
 
(721
)
 
(689
)
   
 
 
 
 
Pro Forma Net Income
 
$
3,504
 
$
4,229
 
$
11,061
 
$
11,959
 
   
 
 
 
 
Basic EPS as Reported
 
$
0.98
 
$
1.17
 
$
3.10
 
$
3.35
 
Pro Forma Basic EPS
 
$
0.92
 
$
1.11
 
$
2.91
 
$
3.17
 
                           
Diluted EPS as Reported
 
$
0.98
 
$
1.15
 
$
3.07
 
$
3.30
 
Pro Forma Diluted EPS
 
$
0.92
 
$
1.10
 
$
2.90
 
$
3.13
 
 
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a revision to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Share Based Payment,” which requires the recognition of compensation cost related to stock-based compensation plans in the financial statements using a fair value based method. The pro-forma impact as stated above will be recognized in the financial statements for reporting periods beginning in fiscal 2006.
 
Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits

The Company has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all U.S. associates. Benefits are based on years of service and final average compensation. The Company's policy is to fund at least the minimum actuarially computed annual contribution required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Plan assets consist primarily of listed equity and fixed income securities. The Company has a noncontributory supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP), which is a nonqualified defined benefit plan pursuant to which the Company will pay supplemental pension benefits to certain key employees upon retirement based upon the employees’ years of service and compensation. The SERP is being funded through a rabbi trust with M&I Trust Company.

The Company also sponsors a post-retirement health care plan. The Company recognizes the expected cost of retiree health care benefits for substantially all U.S. associates during the years that the associates render service. Any new U.S. associates hired after June 1, 2001 are no longer eligible for post-retirement plan benefits. The postretirement health care plan is unfunded.
7

 
    The following table summarizes the net periodic benefit cost recognized for each of the periods indicated (in thousands):
 
   
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 27,
2005
 
March 28,
2004
 
March 27,
2005
 
March 28,
2004
 
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:
                 
Service cost
 
$
545
 
$
548
 
$
74
 
$
79
 
Interest cost
   
871
   
814
   
147
   
141
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(1,049
)
 
(864
)
 
-
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
2
   
2
   
4
   
4
 
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
   
49
   
46
   
61
   
58
 
Amortization of net transition asset
   
(12
)
 
(36
)
 
-
   
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
406
 
$
510
 
$
286
 
$
282
 

   
Pension Benefits
 
Postretirement Benefits
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
   
March 27,
2005
 
March 28,
2004
 
March 27,
2005
 
March 28,
2004
 
COMPONENTS OF NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COST:
                 
Service cost
 
$
1,637
 
$
1,648
 
$
220
 
$
237
 
Interest cost
   
2,613
   
2,440
   
443
   
423
 
Expected return on plan assets
   
(3,147
)
 
(2,594
)
 
-
   
-
 
Amortization of prior service cost
   
6
   
6
   
8
   
8
 
Amortization of unrecognized net loss
   
145
   
140
   
187
   
176
 
Amortization of net transition asset
   
(36
)
 
(112
)
 
-
   
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
1,218
 
$
1,528
 
$
858
 
$
844
 

During the nine months ended March 27, 2005 and March 28, 2004, the Company contributed $8 million and $5 million, respectively, to the qualified pension. No additional contributions are anticipated to be made during the remainder of fiscal 2005.

In May 2004, the FASB issued Financial Staff Position No. 106-2, “Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003” (the Act), to address the impact of the Act enacted in December 2003. The Act provides a prescription drug benefit for Medicare eligible employees starting in 2006. The impact of the Act on the Company is not expected to be material.

8


Item 2
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s accompanying Financial Statements and Notes thereto and the Company’s 2004 Annual Report. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to years refer to fiscal years.

Analysis of Results of Operations

Three months ended March 27, 2005 compared to the three months ended March 28, 2004

Net sales for the three months ended March 27, 2005, decreased $3.2 million to $46.1 million compared to net sales of $49.3 million for the three months ended March 28, 2004. Overall sales to the Company’s largest customers decreased in the current quarter compared to the prior year quarter levels. Sales to DaimlerChrysler Corporation increased significantly during the quarter to $13.1 million compared to $11.5 million due to additional product content. Sales to General Motors Corporation were $9.8 million compared to $11.9 million due to a combination of price reductions, discontinued models and lower levels of production on certain vehicles the Company supplies. Sales to Delphi Corporation were $6.8 million compared to $7.6 million due to pre-programmed price reductions and lower vehicle production volumes. Sales to Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. were $1.1 million in the current quarter compared to $1.6 million in the prior year quarter due to lower vehicle production volumes. Sales to Ford Motor Company were $8.3 million compared to $8.8 million due to pre-programmed price reductions and lower vehicle production volumes. Sales to Auto Alliance International, Ford Motor’s Company’s joint venture assembly plant with Mazda, were $667,000 in the current quarter and represents new lockset content related to the Ford Mustang. Reduced aftermarket and industrial sales represent the remaining decrease in the current quarter’s overall sales.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 22.1 percent in the current quarter compared to 24.7 percent in the prior year quarter. The lower gross profit margins in the current year quarter were primarily the result of higher raw material costs for brass, zinc and magnesium, lower production volumes and a less favorable overall sales mix. The average zinc price per pound increased to $0.61 in the current quarter compared to $0.46 in the prior year quarter. The average brass price per pound increased to $1.92 in the current quarter from $1.80 in the prior year quarter. The Company uses an average of approximately 750,000 pounds of zinc per month and an average of approximately 200,000 pounds of brass per month. Increases in the cost of magnesium resulted in price increases in purchased housing components from vendors of approximately $165,000 during the current quarter.

Engineering, selling and administrative expenses were $4.8 million in the current quarter, compared to $5.1 million in the prior year quarter.

Income from operations was $5.4 million in the current quarter compared to $7.1 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease is primarily the result of the decreased sales and gross profit margin as discussed above.

The effective income tax rate for the current quarter was 34.1 percent compared to 37.5 percent in the prior year quarter. The current quarter income tax provision includes a state refund claim recovery. The claim recovery net of the federal income tax impact was $162,000. The overall effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the effects of state income taxes.
 
9


Nine months ended March 27, 2005 compared to the nine months ended March 28, 2004

Net sales for the nine months ended March 27, 2005, decreased $4.6 million to $139.1 million compared to net sales of $143.7 million for the nine months ended March 28, 2004. The overall reduction in sales is the result of lower customer vehicle production, discontinued models and pre-programmed price decreases. The negative factors were partially offset by new program sales and additional content changes on existing products. The change in sales to the Company’s largest customers in the current period compared to the prior year period include General Motors Corporation at $32.0 million compared to $38.5 million, Delphi Corporation at $21.6 million compared to $22.6 million, DaimlerChrysler Corporation at $36.8 million compared to $29.8 million, Ford Motor Company at $23.8 million compared to $25.2 million and Mitsubishi Motor Manufacturing of America, Inc. at $3.4 million compared to $5.5 million. Sales to Auto Alliance International, Ford Motor’s Company’s joint venture assembly plant with Mazda, were $1.4 million in the current year period and represents new lockset content related to the Ford Mustang.

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 23.3 percent in the current year period compared to 24.2 percent in the prior year period. Gross profit margins were favorably impacted by the Company’s ongoing cost reduction initiatives including lean manufacturing initiatives and the movement of certain assembly operations from Milwaukee to the Juarez, Mexico facilities. This was offset as a result of reduced sales as noted above, which resulted in lower production volumes, changes in customer product content with lower margins and higher purchased material costs for brass, zinc and magnesium. The average zinc price per pound increased to $0.54 in the current period compared to $0.45 in the prior year period. The average brass price per pound increased to $1.89 in the current period from $1.57 in the prior year period. The Company uses an average of approximately 750,000 pounds of zinc per month and an average of approximately 200,000 pounds of brass per month. Increases in the cost of magnesium resulted in price increases in purchased housing components from vendors of approximately $165,000 during the current year period.

Engineering, selling and administrative expenses were $14.8 million in the nine months ended March 27, 2005, compared to $15.0 million in the prior year period.

Income from operations was $17.6 million in the current period compared to $19.7 million in the prior year period. The decrease is primarily the result of the decreased sales and gross profit margin as discussed above.

The effective income tax rate for the current period was 36.1 percent compared to 37.5 percent in the prior year period. The current quarter income tax provision includes a state refund claim recovery. The claim recovery net of the federal income tax impact was $162,000. The overall effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the effects of state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company generated cash from operating activities of $6.0 million in the nine months ended March 27, 2005, compared to $16.3 million in the nine months ended March 28, 2004. The decreased generation of cash from operating activities is primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $11.5 million in the current period compared to $3.1 million in the prior year period, which primarily resulted from contributions to the Company’s qualified pension plan, the changes in accounts payable balances and the changes in accrued payroll and benefits balances. An $8 million contribution to the Company’s qualified pension plan was made during the current period compared to $5 million in the prior year period. There was a significant increase in the accounts payable balance in the prior year period as a result of lengthening payment terms with a significant supplier as well as the timing of payments in accordance with normal payment terms. Additionally, there was a reduction in the accounts payable balance in the current year which was based on normal payment terms with suppliers. Also, there was a larger reduction in accrued payroll and benefits in the current year period as compared to the prior year period primarily due to lower bonus amounts accrued to be paid to eligible associates.

10


Capital expenditures during the nine months ended March 27, 2005, were $3.5 million compared to $3.6 million during the nine months ended March 28, 2004. The Company anticipates that capital expenditures will be approximately $5.0 million in fiscal 2005, primarily in support of requirements for new product programs and the upgrade and replacement of existing equipment.

The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized a stock repurchase program to buy back up to 3,439,395 outstanding shares. Over the life of the repurchase program through March 27, 2005, a total of 3,085,392 shares have been repurchased at a cost of approximately $114.5 million. During the quarter ended March 27, 2005, 44,800 shares were repurchased at a cost of approximately $2.6 million. Additional repurchases may occur from time to time. Funding for the repurchases was provided by cash flow from operations.

The Company has a $50.0 million unsecured, line of credit (the “Line of Credit”), which expires October 31, 2005. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Line of Credit at March 27, 2005. Interest on borrowings under the Line of Credit are at varying rates based, at the Company’s option, on the London Interbank Offering Rate or the bank’s prime rate. The Line of Credit contains various restrictive non-financial covenants. The Company believes that the Line of Credit is adequate, along with cash flow from operations, to meet its anticipated capital expenditure, working capital and operating expenditure requirements.

The Company has not been significantly impacted by inflationary pressures over the last several years, except for rising health care costs which have increased the Company’s cost of employee medical coverage, fluctuations in the market price of zinc and brass, and inflation in Mexico, which impacts the U.S. dollar costs of the Mexican operations. The Company has entered into purchase commitments for a percentage of its zinc requirements through June 2005. These commitments will reduce the financial impact of future price fluctuations. The Company does not hedge the peso exposure.

Joint Ventures

On November 28, 2000, the Company signed certain alliance agreements with E. WITTE Verwaltungsgesellschaft GmbH, and its operating unit, WITTE-Velbert GmbH & Co. KG (“WITTE”). WITTE, of Velbert, Germany, is a privately held, QS 9000 and VDA 6.1 certified automotive supplier. WITTE designs, manufactures and markets components including locks and keys, hood latches, rear compartment latches, seat back latches, door handles and specialty fasteners. WITTE’s primary market for these products has been Europe. The WITTE-STRATTEC alliance provides a set of cross-licensing agreements for the manufacture, distribution and sale of WITTE products by the Company in North America, and the manufacture, distribution and sale of the Company’s products by WITTE in Europe. Additionally, a joint venture company (“WITTE-STRATTEC LLC”) - in which each company holds a 50 percent interest - has been established to seek opportunities to manufacture and sell both companies’ products in areas of the world outside of North America and Europe.

In November 2001, WITTE-STRATTEC do Brasil, a joint venture formed between WITTE-STRATTEC LLC and Ifer Estamparia e Ferramentaria Ltda. was formed to service customers in South America. On March 1, 2002, WITTE-STRATTEC China was formed and in April 2004, WITTE-STRATTEC Great Shanghai Co. was formed. WITTE-STRATTEC China and WITTE-STRATTEC Great Shanghai Co. are joint ventures between WITTE-STRATTEC LLC and a unit of Elitech Technology Co. Ltd. of Taiwan and are the base of operations to service the Company’s automotive customers in the Asian market.

The investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The activities related to the joint ventures resulted in a loss of approximately $75,000 in the nine month period ended March 27, 2005 and a gain of approximately $94,000 in the prior year period.


11


Critical Accounting Policies

The Company believes the following represents its critical accounting policies:

Pension and Post-Retirement Health Benefits - The determination of the obligation and expense for pension and post-retirement health benefits is dependent on the selection of certain assumptions used by actuaries in calculating such amounts. Those assumptions are described in the Notes to Financial Statements in the Company’s 2004 Annual Report and include, among others, the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and rates of increase in compensation and health care costs. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, actual results that differ from these assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods. While the Company believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in the actual experience or significant changes in the assumptions may materially affect the pension and post-retirement health obligations and future expense.

Other Reserves - The Company has reserves such as an environmental reserve, an incurred but not reported claim reserve for self-insured health plans, a worker’s compensation reserve, and a repair and maintenance supply parts reserve. These reserves require the use of estimates and judgement with regard to risk exposure, ultimate liability and net realizable value. The Company believes such reserves are estimated using consistent and appropriate methods. However, changes to the assumptions could materially affect the recorded reserves.

Risk Factors

The Company understands it is subject to the following risk factors based on its operations and the nature of the automotive industry in which it operates:

Loss of Significant Customers, Vehicle Content and Market Share - Sales to General Motors Corporation, Ford Motor Company, DaimlerChrysler Corporation and Delphi Corporation represent approximately 81 percent of the Company’s annual sales. The contracts with these customers provide for supplying the customer’s requirements for a particular model. The contracts do not specify a specific quantity of parts. The contracts typically cover the life of a model, which averages approximately four to five years. Certain customer models may also be market tested annually. Therefore, the loss of any one of these customers, the loss of a contract for a specific vehicle model, reduction in vehicle content, technological changes or a significant reduction in demand for certain key models could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s existing and future revenues and net income.

The Company’s major customers also have significant underfunded legacy liabilities related to pension and post-retirement health care obligations. The future impact of these items along with a continuing decline in their North American automotive market share to the Foreign-Owned North American Automotive Manufacturers (primarily the Japanese Automotive Manufacturers) may have a significant impact on the Company’s future sales and collectibility risks.

Cost Reduction - There is continuing pressure from the Company’s major customers to reduce the prices the Company charges for its products. This requires the Company to generate cost reductions, including reductions in the cost of components purchased from outside suppliers. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future, to offset programmed price reductions, the Company’s gross margin and profitability will be adversely affected.

12

 
Cyclicality and Seasonality in the Automotive Market - The automotive market is highly cyclical and is dependent on consumer spending and to a certain extent on customer sales incentives. Economic factors adversely affecting consumer demand for automobiles and automotive production could adversely impact the Company’s revenues and net income. The Company typically experiences decreased revenue and operating income during the first fiscal quarter of each year due to the impact of scheduled customer plant shut-downs in July and new model changeovers.

Foreign Operations - As discussed under Joint Ventures, the Company has joint venture investments in both Brazil and China. These operations are currently not material. However, as these operations expand, their success will depend, in part, on the Company’s and its partners’ ability to anticipate and effectively manage certain risks inherent in international operations including: enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems, payment cycles of foreign customers, compliance with foreign tax laws, general economic and political conditions in these countries, and compliance with foreign laws and regulations.

Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations - The Company incurs a portion of its expenses in Mexican pesos. Exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso could have an adverse effect on financial results.

Sources of and Fluctuations in Market Prices of Raw Materials - The primary raw materials used by the Company are high-grade zinc, brass, magnesium, aluminum, steel and plastic resins. These materials are generally available from a number of suppliers, but the Company has chosen to concentrate its sourcing with one primary vendor for each commodity or purchased component. The Company believes its sources of raw materials are reliable and adequate for its needs. However, the development of future sourcing issues related to the availability of these materials as well as significant fluctuations in the market prices of these materials may have an adverse affect on the Company’s financial results.

Disruptions Due to Work Stoppages and Other Labor Matters - The Company’s major customers and many of their suppliers have unionized work forces. Work stoppages or slow-downs experienced by the Company’s customers or their suppliers could result in slow-downs or closures of assembly plants where the Company’s products are included in assembled vehicles. For example, strikes by the United Auto Workers led to a shut-down of most of General Motors Corporation’s North American assembly plants in June and July of 1998. A material work stoppage experienced by one or more of the Company’s customers could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and its financial results. In addition, all production associates at the Company’s Milwaukee facility are unionized. A sixteen-day strike by these associates in June 2001 resulted in increased costs by the Company as all salaried associates worked with additional outside resources to produce the components necessary to meet customer requirements. The current contract with the unionized associates is effective through June 26, 2005. The Company may encounter further labor disruption after the expiration date of this contract and may also encounter unionization efforts in its other plants or other types of labor conflicts, any of which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and its financial results.

Environmental and Safety Regulations - The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and other legal requirements related to the generation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal of materials as a result of its manufacturing and assembly operations. These laws include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (as amended), the Clean Air Act (as amended) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (as amended). The Company has an environmental management system that is ISO-14001 certified. The Company believes that its existing environmental management system is adequate and it has no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in the environmental area. An environmental reserve was established in 1995 for estimated costs to remediate a site at the Company’s Milwaukee facility that was contaminated by a former above-ground solvent storage tank, located on the east side of the facility. The contamination occurred in 1985. This is being monitored in accordance with federal, state and local requirements. The Company does not currently anticipate any material adverse impact on its results of operations, financial condition or competitive position as a result of compliance with federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws or other legal requirements. However, risk of environmental liability and changes associated with maintaining compliance with environmental laws is inherent in the nature of the Company’s business and there is no assurance that material liabilities or changes could not arise.
 

13

 
Highly Competitive Automotive Supply Industry - The automotive component supply industry is highly competitive. Some of the Company’s competitors are companies, or divisions or subsidiaries of companies, that are larger than the Company and have greater financial and technology capabilities. The Company’s products may not be able to compete successfully with the products of these other companies, which could result in loss of customers and, as a result, decreased revenues and profitability. In addition, the Company’s competitive position in the North American automotive component supply industry could be adversely affected in the event that it is unsuccessful in making strategic acquisitions, alliances or establishing joint ventures that would enable it to expand globally. The Company principally competes for new business at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models by its major customers. New model development generally begins two to five years prior to the marketing of such new models to the public. The failure to obtain new business on new models or to retain or increase business on redesigned existing models could adversely affect the Company’s business and financial results. In addition, as a result of relatively long lead times for many of its components, it may be difficult in the short-term for the Company to obtain new sales to replace any unexpected decline in the sale of existing products. Finally, the Company may incur significant product development expense in preparing to meet anticipated customer requirements which may not be recovered.

Program Volume and Pricing Fluctuations - The Company incurs costs and makes capital expenditures for new program awards based upon certain estimates of production volumes over the anticipated program life for certain vehicles. While the Company attempts to establish the price of its products for variances in production volumes, if the actual production of certain vehicle models is significantly less than planned, the Company’s revenues and net income may be adversely affected. The Company cannot predict its customers’ demands for the products it supplies either in the aggregate or for particular reporting periods.
 
Investments in Customer Program Specific Assets - The Company makes investments in machinery and equipment used exclusively to manufacture products for specific customer programs. This machinery and equipment is capitalized and depreciated over the expected useful life of each respective asset. Therefore, the loss of any one of the Company’s major customers or specific vehicle models could result in impairment in the value of these assets and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.

Prospective Information

A number of the matters and subject areas discussed in this Form 10-Q contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “would,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “planned,” “potential,” “should,” “will,” and “could.” These include expected future financial results, product offerings, global expansion, liquidity needs, financing ability, planned capital expenditures, management's or the Company's expectations and beliefs, and similar matters discussed in the Company’s Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The discussions of such matters and subject areas are qualified by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations generally, and also may materially differ from the Company's actual future experience.

 
14

 
The Company's business, operations and financial performance are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could result in material differences in actual results from the Company's current expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic conditions, in particular relating to the automotive industry, customer demand for the Company’s and its customers’ products, competitive and technological developments, customer purchasing actions, foreign currency fluctuations, costs of operations and other matters described under “Risk Factors” above.
Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-Q and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Form 10-Q.

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading purposes and holds no derivative financial instruments which would expose the Company to significant market risk. The Company has not had outstanding borrowings since December 1997. The Company has been in an investment position since this time and expects to remain in an investment position for the foreseeable future. There is therefore no significant exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates.

The Company is subject to foreign currency exchange rate exposure related to the Mexican operations.

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on this evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. It should be noted that in designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. The Company has designed its disclosure controls and procedures to reach a level of reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and, based on the evaluation described above, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at reaching that level of reasonable assurance.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) during the Company's most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

15


Part II

Other Information

Item 1 Legal Proceedings -
 
    In the normal course of business, the Company may be involved in various legal proceedings from time to time. The Company does not believe it is currently involved in any claim or action the ultimate disposition of which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds -

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  
 
Period
 
Total Number Of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number
Of Shares Purchased
As Part of Publicly
Announced Program
 
Maximum Number
Of Shares that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Program
 

 
 
 
 
 
December 27, 2004-January 30, 2005
   
16,300
 
$
59.30
   
16,300
   
182,503
 
January 31, 2005-February 27, 2005
   
20,400
 
$
56.44
   
20,400
   
362,103
 
February 28, 2005-March 27, 2005
   
8,100
 
$
56.02
   
8,100
   
354,003
 
   
       
       
Total
   
44,800
 
$
57.41
   
44,800
   
354,003
 
 
The Company’s Board of Director’s authorized a stock repurchase program on October 16, 1996, and the program was publicly announced on October 17, 1996. The Board of Director’s has periodically increased the number of shares authorized under the program, most recently in February 2005 when an additional 200,000 shares was authorized for repurchase. The program currently authorizes the repurchase of up to 3,439,395 shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time, directly or through brokers or agents, and has no expiration date.

Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities - None

Item 4 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders - None

Item 5 Other Information - None

Item 6 Exhibits

(a) Exhibits 
10.1 Employment Agreement between the Company and the identified executive officer
10.2 Change in Control Agreement between the Company and the identified executive officer
31.1 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Harold M. Stratton II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
31.2 Rule 13a-14(a) Certification for Patrick J. Hansen, Chief Financial Officer
32 (1) 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 Certifications
 
__________________________
(1)    This certification is not "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

16



SIGNATURE

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.

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (Registrant)

Date: April 29, 2005                                             By /s/ Patrick J. Hansen                                                       
                                Patrick J. Hansen
                    Chief Financial Officer,
                                Treasurer and Secretary
                                (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)
 
 
 
17
Exhibit 10.1 to 1st Qtr 2005 Form 10-Q

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

    THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made as of the 1st of March, 2005, by and between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company"), and Dennis Kazmierski (the "Employee").

RECITAL
    The Company desires to employ the Employee and the Employee is willing to make his services available to the Company on the terms and conditions set forth below.

AGREEMENTS
    In consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements which follow, the parties agree as follows:
 
    1.    Employment. The Company hereby employs the Employee and the Employee hereby accepts employment with the Company on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
 
    2.    Term. The term of the Employee's employment hereunder shall commence effective on March 1, 2005 and shall continue through June 30, 2005, and shall thereafter be automatically renewed for successive fiscal year terms unless either the Company or Employee gives notice of nonrenewal not less than 30 days prior to the end of the then current term (the "Employment Period").
 
    3.    Duties. The Employee shall serve as the Vice President- Marketing and Sales of the Company and will, under the direction of Harry Stratton, faithfully and to the best of Employee's ability, perform the duties of the Vice President - Marketing and Sales. Dennis Kazmierski shall be one of the principal executive officers of the Company and shall, subject to the control of Harry Stratton supervise the Sales and Marketing functions of the Company. The Employee shall also perform such additional duties and responsibilities which may from time to time be reasonably assigned or delegated by Harry Stratton. The Employee agrees to devote Employee's entire business time, effort, skill and attention to the proper discharge of such duties while employed by the Company. However, the Employee may engage in other business activities unrelated to, and not in conflict with, the business of the Company if Harry Stratton consents in writing to such other business activity.
 
    4.    Compensation. The Employee shall receive a base salary of $181,000 per year, payable in regular and semi-monthly installments (the "Base Salary"). Employee's Base Salary shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors of the Company to determine appropriate increases, if any, in such Base Salary.



   5.    Fringe Benefits.
 
        (a)    Medical, Health, Dental, Disability and Life Coverage. The Employee shall be eligible to participate in any medical, health, dental, disability and life insurance policy in effect for senior management of the Company (collectively, the "Senior Management").
 
        (b)    Incentive Bonus and Stock Ownership Plans. The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any incentive bonus or other incentive compensation plan developed generally for the Senior Management of the Company, on a basis consistent with Employee's position and level of compensation with the Company. The Employee shall also be entitled to participate in any incentive stock option plan or other stock ownership plan developed generally for the Senior Management of the Company, on a basis consistent with Employee's position and level of compensation with the Company.
 
        (c)    Reimbursement for Reasonable Business Expenses. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's expense reimbursement policy, the Company shall pay or reimburse the Employee for reasonable expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the performance of Employee's duties pursuant to this Agreement, including, but not limited to, travel expenses, expenses in connection with seminars, professional conventions or similar professional functions and other reasonable business expenses.
 
    6.    Termination of Employment.
 
        (a)    Termination for Cause, Disability or Death. During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to terminate the Employee's employment at any time upon the "Disability" of the Employee or for "Cause" upon notice to the Employee. The Employee's employment hereunder shall automatically terminate upon the death of the Employee. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental sickness or any injury which renders the Employee incapable of performing the essential functions of Employee's job (with or without reasonable accommodations) and which does or may be expected to continue for more than 4 months during any 12-month period. In the event Employee shall be able to perform the essential functions of Employee's job (with or without reasonable accommodations) following a period of disability, and does so perform such duties, or such other duties as are prescribed by the President of the Company, for a period of three continuous months, any subsequent period of disability shall be regarded as a new period of disability for purposes of this Agreement. The Company and the Employee shall determine the existence of a Disability and the date upon which it occurred. In the event of a dispute regarding whether or when a Disability occurred, the matter shall be referred to a medical doctor selected by the Company and the Employee. In the event of their failure to agree upon such a medical doctor, the Company and the Employee shall each select a medical doctor who together shall select a third medical doctor who shall make the determination. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto.
 
 
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            The Company may terminate the Employee's employment under this Agreement for "Cause," effective immediately upon delivery of notice to the Employee. Cause shall be deemed to exist if the Employee shall have (1) materially breached the terms of this Agreement; (2) willfully failed to substantially perform his duties, other than a failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness; or (3) serious misconduct which is demonstrably and substantially injurious to the Company. No act or failure to act will be considered "cause" if such act or failure is done in good faith and with a reasonable belief that it is in the best interests of the Company.
 
            In the event of termination for Disability or death, payments of the Employee's Base Salary shall be made to the Employee, his designated beneficiary or Employee's estate for a period of six months after the date of the termination (even if this period would extend beyond the Employment Period); provided, however that the foregoing payments in the event of a Disability shall be reduced by the amount, if any, that is paid to Employee pursuant to a disability plan or policy maintained by the Company. During this period, the Company shall also reimburse the Employee for amounts paid, if any, to continue medical, dental and health coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. During this period, the Company will also continue Employee's life insurance and disability coverage, to the extent permitted under applicable policies, and will pay to the Employee the fringe benefits pursuant to section 5 which have accrued prior to the date of termination. Termination of this Agreement for a Disability shall not change Employee's rights to receive benefits, if any, pursuant to any disability plan or policy then maintained by the Company.
 
        (b)    Termination Without Cause. If the Employee's employment is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause, Disability or death, or if this Agreement is terminated by the Company for what the Company believes is Cause or Disability, and it is ultimately determined that the Employee was wrongfully terminated, Employee shall, as damages for such a termination, receive Employee's Base Salary, for the remainder of the Employment Period or six months, if longer. During this period, the Company shall also reimburse the Employee for amounts paid, if any, to continue medical, dental and health coverage pursuant to the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. During this period, the Company will also continue Employee's life insurance and disability coverage, to the extent permitted under applicable policies, and will pay to the Employee the fringe benefits pursuant to section 5 which have accrued prior to the date of termination. The Company's termination of the Employee's employment under this section 6(b) shall immediately relieve the Employee of all obligations under this Agreement (except as provided in sections 7 and 8) and, except as provided below, shall not be construed to require the application of any compensation which the Employee may earn in any such other employment to reduce the Company's obligation to provide severance benefits and liquidated damages under this section 6(b).
 
 
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        (c)    Effect of Termination. The termination of the Employee's employment pursuant to section 6 shall not affect the Employee's obligations as described in sections 7 and 8.
 
    7.    Noncompetition. The parties agree that the Company's customer contacts and relations are established and maintained at great expense and by virtue of the Employee's employment with the Company, the Employee will have unique and extensive exposure to and personal contact with the Company's customers, and that Employee will be able to establish a unique relationship with those individuals and entities that will enable Employee, both during and after employment, to unfairly compete with the Company. Further, the parties agree that the terms and conditions of the following restrictive covenants are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company's business, trade secrets and confidential information and to prevent great damage or loss to the Company as a result of action taken by the Employee. The Employee acknowledges that the noncompete restrictions and nondisclosure of confidential information restrictions contained in this Agreement are reasonable and the consideration provided for herein is sufficient to fully and adequately compensate the Employee for agreeing to such restrictions. The Employee acknowledges that Employee could continue to actively pursue Employee's career and earn sufficient compensation in the same or similar business without breaching any of the restrictions contained in this Agreement.
 
        (a)    During Term of Employment. The Employee hereby covenants and agrees that, during Employee's employment with the Company, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, either individually or as an employee, principal, agent, partner, shareholder, owner, trustee, beneficiary, co-venturer, distributor, consultant or in any other capacity, participate in, become associated with, provide assistance to, engage in or have a financial or other interest in any business, activity or enterprise which is competitive with or a supplier to the Company or any successor or assign of the Company. The ownership of less than a one percent interest in a corporation whose shares are traded in a recognized stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, even though that corporation may be a competitor of the Company, shall not be deemed financial participation in a competitor.
 
        (b)    Upon Termination of Employment. The Employee agrees that during a period after termination of Employee's employment with the Company equal to the shorter of one year or the duration of Employee's employment with the Company, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, either individually or as an employee, agent, partner, shareholder, owner, trustee, beneficiary, co-venturer, distributor, consultant or in any other capacity:
 
            (i)    Canvass, solicit or accept from any person or entity who is a customer of the Company (any such person or entity is hereinafter referred to individually as a "Customer" and collectively as the "Customers") any business in competition with the business of the Company or the successors or assigns of the Company, including the canvassing, soliciting or accepting of business from any individual or entity which is or was a Customer of the Company within the two-year period preceding the date on which the canvassing, soliciting or accepting of business begins.
 
4

 
            (ii)    Request or advise any of the Customers, suppliers, or other business contacts of the Company who currently have or have had business relationships with the Company within two years preceding the date hereof or within two years preceding the date of such action, to withdraw, curtail or cancel any of their business or relations with the Company.
 
            (iii)    Induce or attempt to induce any employee, sales representative, consultant or other personnel of the Company to terminate his or her relationship or breach his or her agreements with the Company.
 
            (iv)    Use, disclose, divulge or transmit or cause to be used by or disclosed, divulged or transmitted to any third party, any information acquired by the Employee during the Employment Period which relates to the trade secrets and confidential information of the Company, except as may be required by law.
 
            (v)    Participate in, become associated with, provide assistance to, engage in or have a financial or other interest in any business, activity or enterprise which is competitive with the business of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company to the extent such activities relate to products or services which are competitive with the products and services of the Company; provided, however, that the ownership of less than 1% of the stock of a corporation whose shares are traded in a recognized stock exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market, even though that corporation may be a competitor of the Company, shall not be deemed financial participation in a competitor.
 
                  For purposes of this section 7, a competitive business is defined as a business which is involved in designing, developing, manufacturing or marketing mechanical, electro-mechanical and/or electronic security and access control products in the global motor vehicle industry.
 
    8.    Confidential Information. The parties agree that the Company's customers, business connections, suppliers, customer lists, procedures, operations, techniques, and other aspects of its business are established at great expense and protected as confidential information and provide the Company with a substantial competitive advantage in conducting its business. The parties further agree that by virtue of the Employee's employment with the Company, Employee will have access to, and be entrusted with, secret, confidential and proprietary information, and that the Company would suffer great loss and injury if the Employee would disclose this information or use it to compete with the Company. Therefore, the Employee agrees that during the term of Employee's employment, and for a period of two years after the termination of his employment with the Company, Employee will not, directly or indirectly, either individually or as an employee, agent, partner, shareholder, owner, trustee, beneficiary, co-venturer, distributor, consultant or in any other capacity, use or disclose, or cause to be used or disclosed, any secret, confidential or proprietary information acquired by the Employee during Employee's employment with the Company whether owned by the Company prior to or discovered and developed by the Company subsequent to the Employee's employment, and regardless of the fact that the Employee may have participated in the discovery and the development of that information. Employee also agrees and acknowledges that Employee will comply with all applicable laws regarding insider trading or the use of material nonpublic information in connection with the trading of securities.

 
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    9.    Common Law of Torts and Trade Secrets. The parties agree that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or negate the common law of torts or trade secrets where it provides the Company with broader protection than that provided herein.
 
    10.    Specific Performance. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that irreparable injury to the Company may result in the event the Employee breaches any covenant and agreement contained in sections 7 and 8 and that the remedy at law for the breach of any such covenant will be inadequate. Therefore, if the Employee engages in any act in violation of the provisions of sections 7 and 8, the Employee agrees that the Company shall be entitled, in addition to such other remedies and damages as may be available to it by law or under this Agreement, to injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of sections 7 and 8.
 
    11.    Waiver. The failure of either party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon performance of the terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or a relinquishment of any right granted hereunder or of the future performance of any such term, covenant or condition.
 
    12.    Notices. Any notice to be given hereunder shall be deemed sufficient if addressed in writing, and delivered by registered or certified mail or delivered personally, in the case of the Company, to its principal business office, and in the case of the Employee, to his address appearing on the records of the Company, or to such other address as he may designate in writing to the Company.
 
    13.    Severability. In the event that any provision shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, it is agreed such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement and the remaining covenants, restrictions and provisions hereof shall remain in full force and effect and any court of competent jurisdiction may so modify the objectionable provision as to make it valid, reasonable and enforceable. Furthermore, the parties specifically acknowledge the above covenant not to compete and covenant not to disclose confidential information are separate and independent agreements.
 
    14.    Amendment. This Agreement may only be amended by an agreement in writing signed by all of the parties hereto.
 
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    15.    Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, regardless of choice of law requirements. The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Wisconsin and of any federal court in the venue of Wisconsin for the purpose of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement, and expressly waive any and all objections they may have as to venue in any of such courts.
 
    16.    Dispute Resolution. The parties hereto shall attempt to resolve disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Any dispute not resolved in writing within 21 days may be referred by either party to mediation involving a mediator (a third party neutral), trained and experienced in the mediation process and mutually agreed to by the parties. The mediator shall ascribe to and follow the AAA/SPIDR or ABA code of ethics for mediators in conduct and management of the mediation process. Expenses for the mediation shall be shared equally by the parties unless otherwise agreed during the mediation process. The parties may be accompanied in the mediation process by legal counsel, and/or other persons mutually agreed to by the parties and the mediator. All participants will openly and honestly participate in the mediation. The mediation may be terminated at any time, for any reason by the mediator or by either party. Any resolution reached by the parties during the mediation shall be recorded in writing and agreed to by the parties. Such resolution may be drafted and/or revised by the parties' legal counsel and shall be legally binding on the parties.
 
    17.    Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by and against the Company, its successors and assigns and the Employee, his heirs, beneficiaries and legal representatives. It is agreed that the rights and obligations of the Employee may not be delegated or assigned.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed or caused this Agreement to be executed as of the day, month and year first above written.

EMPLOYEE                        STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
 
/s/ Dennis A. Kazmierski                      BY  /s/ Harold M. Stratton II                                  
Dennis A. Kazmierski                        Harold M. Stratton II,
                                  Chairman of the Board
                                  and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
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Exhibit 10.2 to 1st Qtr 2005 Form 10-Q
Exhibit 10.2
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


AGREEMENT by and between STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (the "Company") and Dennis Kazmierski (“the "Executive"), dated as of the 1st day of March, 2005.

The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1.    Certain Definitions.

(a)    The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section l(b)) on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's employment with the Company or this Agreement is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment or of this Agreement (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment or purported termination of this Agreement.

(b)    The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of the date hereof; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), unless previously terminated, the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.




2.    Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall mean:

(a)    The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities"); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or

(b)    Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

(c)    Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or


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(d)    Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition, [a] more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, [b] less than 20% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation), except to the extent that such Person owned 20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities prior to the sale or disposition, and [c] at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company or were elected, appointed or nominated by the Board.

3.    Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third an-niversary of such date (the "Employment Period").

4.    Terms of Employment.

(a)    Position and Duties.

(i)    During the Employment Period, [a] the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and [b] the Executive's services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from such location.


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(ii)    During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to [a] serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, [b] deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and [c] manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's responsibilities to the Company.

(b)    Compensation.

(i)    Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the 12-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually and shall be first increased no more than 12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least annually by the higher of (x) the average increase (excluding promotional increases) in base salary awarded to the Executive for each of the three full fiscal years (annualized in the case of any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve months) prior to the Effective Date, and (y) the percentage increase (excluding promotional increases) in base salary generally awarded to peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies for the year of determination. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.


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(ii)    Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the higher of (x) the average of the three highest bonuses paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the five fiscal years (or such shorter period during which the Executive has been employed by the Company) immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (annualized for any fiscal year during such period consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months) and (y) the bonus paid or payable (annualized as described above), including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the Effective Date (such higher amount being referred to as the "Recent Annual Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.

(iii)    Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

(iv)    Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.


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(v)    Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and the affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

(vi)    Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if applicable, use of automobile and payment of related expenses, in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

(vii)    Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

(viii)    Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

5.    Termination of Employment.

(a)    Death or Disability. The Executive's employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).


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(b)    Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For the sole and exclusive purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean:

(i)    The willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or

(ii)    The willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.

For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

(c)    Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated by the Executive for Good Reason. For the sole and exclusive purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall mean:

(i)    The assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;


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(ii)    Any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

(iii)    The Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(b) hereof or the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective Date;

(iv)    Any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

(v)    Any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 11(c) of this Agreement.

For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all purposes of this Agreement.

(d)    Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termina-tion" means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.

(e)    Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.


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6.    Obligations of the Company upon Termination.

(a)    Good Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for Cause, death or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:

(i)    The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

[a]    The sum of [i] the Executive's Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, [ii] the product of (x) the higher of [A] the Recent Annual Bonus and [B] the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than 12 full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and [iii] any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses [i], [ii] and [iii] shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and

[b]    The amount equal to the product of [i] three and [ii] the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the Highest Annual Bonus; and

[c]    An amount equal to the difference between [i] the actuarial equivalent of the benefit (utilizing actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than those in effect under the Retirement Plan (as defined below) immediately prior to the Effective Date, except as specified below with respect to increases in base salary and annual bonus) under the qualified defined benefit retirement plan in which the Executive participates (the "Retirement Plan") and any excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the Executive participates (together, the "SERP") which the Executive would receive if the Executive's employment continued for three years after the Date of Termination assuming for this purpose that all accrued benefits are fully vested, and, assuming that (x) the Executive's base salary increased in each of the three years by the amount required by Section 4(b)(i) (in the case of Section 4-(b)(i)(y) based on increases (excluding promotional increases) in base salary for the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the Date of Termination) had the Executive remained employed, and (y) the Executive's annual bonus (annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than twelve full months) in each of the three years bears the same proportion to the Executive's base salary in such year or fraction thereof as it did for the last full year prior to the Date of Termination, and [ii] the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination;


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(ii)    For three years after the Executive's Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive's employment had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies applicable generally to other peer executives and their families during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until two and one-half years after the Date of Termination and to have retired on the last day of such period;

(iii)    The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion; and

(iv)    To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").

(b)    Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the Executives estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.


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(c)    Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.

(d)    Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive (i) his Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (ii) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, and (iii) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

7.    Nonexclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

8. Full Settlement. The Company's obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of  mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this

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Agreement and such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

9.    Certain Additional Payments by the Company.

(a)    Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

(b)    Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by Arthur Andersen & Co. or such other certified public accounting firm as may be designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a

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written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive's applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

(c)    The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

(i)    Give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

(ii)    Take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

(iii)    Cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and

(iv)    Permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or

13


contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

(d)    If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

10.    Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive's employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.


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11.    Successors.

(a)    This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's legal representatives.

(b)    This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

(c)    The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

12.    Miscellaneous.

(a)    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

(b)    All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

If to the Executive, to his address appearing on the records of the Company.

If to the Company:

STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
3333 West Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Attn: President

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.


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(c)    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

(d)    The Company may withhold from any amounts pay-able under this Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

(e)    The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

(f)    The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is "at will" and, prior to the Effective Date, the Executive's employment and this Agreement may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
 

/s/ Dennis Kazmierski                                            
Dennis Kazmierski
 
 
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION

BY /s/ Harold M. Stratton, II                                  
         Harold M. Stratton, II,
         Chairman of the Board
         and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 31.1 to 1st Qtr 2005 Form 10-Q

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


I, Harold M. Stratton II, Chief Executive Officer of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)    disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a)    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2005
 
/s/ Harold M. Stratton II                          
Harold M. Stratton II,
Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2 to 1st Qtr 2005 Form 10-Q

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Patrick J. Hansen, Chief Financial Officer of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)    designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(c)    disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

(a)    all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)    any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: April 29, 2005
                                    /s/ Patrick J. Hansen                                        
                                    Patrick J. Hansen,
                                        Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit 32 to 1st Qtr 2005 Form 10-Q

Exhibit 32

Certification of Periodic Financial Report
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350


Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION (the "Company") certifies that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 27, 2005 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and information contained in that Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.



Dated: April 29, 2005                                                                            /s/ Harold M. Stratton II                                  
Harold M. Stratton II,
Chief Executive Officer



Dated: April 29, 2005                                                                            /s/ Patrick J. Hansen                                        
                                                                                                                Patrick J. Hansen,
Chief Financial Officer


This certification is made solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.