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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 |
OMB APPROVAL OMB Number: 3235-0145 Expires: February 28, 2009 Estimated average burden hours per response 14.5 |
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. 14)
Sparton Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
847235108
(CUSIP Number)
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Andrew E. Shapiro Lawndale Capital Management, LLC 591 Redwood Highway, Suite 2345 Mill Valley, CA 94941 415-389-8258 |
Christopher J. Rupright, Esq. Shartsis, Friese & Ginsburg LLP One Maritime Plaza, 18th Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 415-421-6500 |
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)
August 29, 2008
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of sections 240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 140.13d-1(g), check the following box. [ ]
Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See section 240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.
* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).
Potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
Lawndale Capital Management, LLC
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a) XXX
(b) ______
3. SEC Use Only
4. Source of Funds (See Instructions) AF
5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ____
6. Citizenship or Place of Organization California
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Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With |
7. Sole Voting Power -0- |
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8. Shared Voting Power 967,536 |
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9. Sole Dispositive Power -0- |
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10. Shared Dispositive Power 967,536 |
11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 967,536
12. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions) ______
13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 9.9%
14. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
OO
IA
1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
Andrew E. Shapiro
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a) XXX
(b) ______
3. SEC Use Only
4. Source of Funds (See Instructions) AF
5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ____
6. Citizenship or Place of Organization United States
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Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With |
7. Sole Voting Power 1,274 |
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8. Shared Voting Power 967,536 |
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9. Sole Dispositive Power 1,274 |
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10. Shared Dispositive Power 967,536 |
11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 968,810
12. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions) ______
13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 9.9%
14. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
IN
1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only).
Diamond A. Partners, L.P.
2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
(a) ______
(b) XXX
3. SEC Use Only
4. Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC
5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e) ____
6. Citizenship or Place of Organization California
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Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With |
7. Sole Voting Power -0- |
|
8. Shared Voting Power 833,400 |
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9. Sole Dispositive Power -0- |
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10. Shared Dispositive Power 833,400 |
11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 833,400
12. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares (See
Instructions) ______
13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 8.5%
14. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)
PN
Item 1. Security and Issuer
This statement relates to shares of Common Stock (the "Stock") of Sparton Corporation (the "Issuer"). The principal executive office of the Issuer is located at 2400 E. Ganson St., Jackson, MI 49202.
Item 2. Identity and Background
The persons filing this statement and the persons enumerated in Instruction C of Schedule 13D and, where applicable, their respective places of organization, general partners, directors, executive officers and controlling persons, and the information regarding them, are as follows:
(a) Lawndale Capital Management, LLC, a California limited liability company ("LCM"),
Diamond A. Partners, L.P., a California limited partnership ("DAP"),
and
Andrew E. Shapiro ("Shapiro")
(collectively, the "Filers").
LCM and Shapiro disclaim beneficial ownership of the Stock except to the extent of their respective pecuniary interests therein. DAP is filing jointly with the other filers, but not as a member of a group, and expressly disclaims membership in a group. In addition, the filing of this Schedule 13D on behalf of DAP should not be construed as an admission that it is, and it disclaims that it is, the beneficial owner of any of the Stock covered by this Statement.
(b) The business address of the Filers is
591 Redwood Highway, Suite 2345, Mill Valley, CA 94941.
(c) Present principal occupation or employment or the Filers and the name, principal business and address of any corporation or other organization in which such employment is conducted:
LCM is an investment adviser to and the general partner of DAP, which is an investment limited partnership. Shapiro is the sole manager of LCM.
(d) During the last five years, none of the Filers has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) During the last five years, none of the Filers was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
(f) Shapiro is a citizen of the United States of America.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
The source and amount of funds used in purchasing the Stock were as follows:
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Purchaser |
Source of Funds |
Amount |
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LCM(1) |
Funds under Management |
$5,557,302.36 |
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Shapiro |
PF |
$7,872.50 |
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DAP |
WC |
$4,797,733.39 |
(1)
Includes funds of DAPItem 4. Purpose of Transaction
As previously disclosed, the Filers ("Lawndale"), sent Sparton Corporation's ("Sparton" or the "Company") Board and its Nominating Committee a letter and documents (the "Recommendation and Notice Documents") on August 22, 2008, (copies of which were attached as Exhibit B, C and D of its Schedule 13D, Amendment No. 13), that, among other things:
1) formally recommended four independent and highly experienced individuals (the "Independent Nominees") for Sparton's Nominating Committee to consider voluntarily adding to Sparton's Board;
2) provided required notice (the "Lawndale Notice") of Lawndale's intent, absent a satisfactory settlement of differing viewpoints, to directly nominate the Independent Nominees for election to Sparton's Board via an alternative proxy slate, at Sparton's next Annual Meeting.
As described in Lawndale's Recommendation and Notice Documents, Lawndale believes that, given the substantial turnaround and operating experience of the Independent Nominees, they would individually, and together, add significant expertise and value to Sparton's Board.
Beginning on August 29, 2008, Lawndale's President, Andrew Shapiro, has had constructive communications with Sparton's Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman, Doug Schrank, with a mutual goal of settling differing viewpoints. Mr. Schrank has been authorized by Sparton's Board to conduct such negotiations.
Lawndale understands the Independent Nominees have been scheduled for interviews on September 11 and 12, 2008. In light of these interviews and Sparton setting a later Annual Meeting date of November 12, with a record date of September 29, 2008, Lawndale has had continued discussions with Sparton regarding the Independent Nominee recommendations and other matters in an attempt to resolve these issues in a constructive way and avoid a proxy contest. At this time no agreement has been reached and there can be no assurance that any agreement will be reached.
The Filers believe Sparton's present market value does not reflect the value of the Company's niche businesses. Lawndale acquired the Stock for investment purposes, and Lawndale may from time to time take such actions, as it deems necessary or appropriate to maximize its investment in the Company's shares. Such action(s) may include, but is not limited to, buying or selling the Company's Stock at its discretion, communicating with the Company's shareholders and/or others about actions which may be taken to improve the Company's financial situation or governance policies or practices, as well as such other actions as Lawndale, in its sole discretion, may find appropriate.
Lawndale incorporates by reference its activities and discussions disclosed in its prior Schedules 13D to the extent not inconsistent with the discussion herein.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
The beneficial ownership of the Stock by each Filer at the date hereof is reflected on that Filer's cover page.
The Filers effected the following transactions in the Stock in open market transactions on the dates indicated, and such transactions are the only transactions in the Stock by the Filers since July 10, 2008:
NONE
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangement, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer
LCM is the general partner of DAP and other clients pursuant to limited partnership agreements providing to LCM the authority, among other things, to invest the funds of such clients in Stock, to vote and dispose of Stock and to file this statement on behalf of such clients. Pursuant to such limited partnership agreements, the general partner of such clients is entitled to allocations based on assets under management and realized and unrealized gains.
Item 7. Material to Be Filed as Exhibits
Exhibit A - Agreement Regarding Joint Filing of Statement on Schedule 13D or 13G.
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: September 8, 2008
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LAWNDALE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC |
Andrew E. Shapiro |
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DIAMOND A. PARTNERS, L.P. By: Lawndale Capital Management, LLC, |
EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT REGARDING JOINT FILING
OF STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 13D OR 13G
The undersigned agree to file jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") any and all statements on Schedule 13D or Schedule 13G (and any amendments or supplements thereto) required under section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with purchases by the undersigned of the common stock of Sparton Corporation. For that purpose, the undersigned hereby constitute and appoint Lawndale Capital Management, LLC, a California limited liability company, as their true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority for and on behalf of the undersigned to prepare or cause to be prepared, sign, file with the SEC and furnish to any other person all certificates, instruments, agreements and documents necessary to comply with section 13(d) and section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in connection with said purchases, and to do and perform every act necessary and proper to be done incident to the exercise of the foregoing power, as fully as the undersigned might or could do if personally present.
Dated: March 6, 2003
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LAWNDALE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC |
ANDREW E. SHAPIRO |
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DIAMOND A. PARTNERS, L.P. |
3693\020\1532859.1