<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000089439-11-000056.txt : 20120223
<SEC-HEADER>0000089439-11-000056.hdr.sgml : 20120223
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20111229125947
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000089439-11-000056
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20111229

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000089439
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ROLLING DRAWING & EXTRUDING OF NONFERROUS METALS [3350]
		IRS NUMBER:				250790410
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		CORRESP

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUITE 150
		STREET 2:		8285 TOURNAMENT DRIVE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38125
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(901)753-3200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		SUITE 150
		STREET 2:		8285 TOURNAMENT DRIVE
		CITY:			MEMPHIS
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			38125

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SHARON STEEL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19910103
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Mueller Industries, Inc.</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">8285 Tournament Drive, Suite 150</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Memphis, TN 38125</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">December 29, 2011</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Via EDGAR</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Mr. John Cash</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Accounting Branch Chief</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">United States Securities and Exchange Commission</font></div>

<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Washington, D.C.&#160;&#160;20549-4631</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Mueller Industries, Inc.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 25, 2010</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Form 10-Q for the Fiscal Quarter Ended October 1, 2011</font></div>
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<td valign="top" width="7%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">File No. 001-06770</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Dear Mr. Cash:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We have reviewed your letter dated December 16, 2011.&#160;&#160;Following are the staff&#8217;s comments followed by our responses, which are numbered to correspond with the numbers set forth in the staff&#8217;s comment letter:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 25, 2010</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Consolidated Financial Statements, page F-l</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Results of Operations, page F-3</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Liquidity and Capital Resources, page F-6</font></font></div>

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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman">
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">1.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We note that you have foreign operations and undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries for which you have not provided deferred income taxes.&#160;&#160;To the extent material, please revise future annual and quarterly filings to address the following:</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Disclose the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries as of each balance sheet date;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Discuss the range of potential tax implications if such funds are repatriated to the U.S.;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Discuss whether you intend to permanently reinvest these funds outside the U.S.; and</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Quantify the amount of undistributed earnings for which you have not provided deferred taxes in your income tax footnote.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Company response:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Your comment is noted and in future filings, to the extent it is considered material, we will include the requested disclosures related to undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Note 10 </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">- </font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Commitments and Contingencies, page F-33</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Lead Refinery Site, page F-34 and Carrier ACR Copper Tube Action, page F-35</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">2.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">With respect to each of the Lead Refinery Site and Carrier ACR Copper Tube Action, we note your conclusion that you are unable to determine the likelihood of a material adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss. If there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized may have been incurred, in your next periodic filing, please either disclose an estimate (or, if true, state that the estimate is immaterial in lieu of providing quantified amounts) of additional loss or range of loss, or state that such an estimate cannot be made. Please refer to FASB ASC 450-20-50.&#160;&#160;If you conclude that you cannot estimate the reasonably possible additional loss or range of loss, please:</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Explain to us the procedures you undertake on a quarterly basis to attempt to develop a range of reasonably possible loss for your disclosure; and</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: symbol, serif; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#183;</font><font id="TAB2" style="LETTER-SPACING: 9pt; COLOR: black">&#160;</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Tell us what specific factors are causing your inability to estimate an amount or range of potential loss for each of these matters and when you expect those factors to be alleviated.</font></div>
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<td valign="top" width="7%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">&#160; </font></td>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We recognize that there are a number of uncertainties and potential outcomes associated with loss contingencies. Nonetheless, an effort should be made to develop estimates for purposes of disclosure, including determining which of the potential outcomes are reasonably possible and what the reasonably possible range of losses would be for those reasonably possible outcomes.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Company response:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Your comment is noted and in future filings, to the extent it is considered material, we will disclose an estimate of additional loss or range of loss, or state that such an estimate cannot be made, including the appropriate explanations.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Other, page F-38</font></font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">3.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">In the last paragraph you stated that "the company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations." Please tell us and revise future filings to include your assessment of materiality as it relates to your cash flows.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Company response:</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.&#160;&#160;The Company will revise its future filings to include this disclosure as appropriate.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">With respect to the Belding, Michigan Lead Matters, the Company anticipates no additional material losses associated with these environmental matters.&#160;&#160;The Company will revise its future filings to include this disclosure as appropriate.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We refer to the supplier litigation disclosed on page 29. Please tell us and disclose whether you believe it is remote, reasonably possible, or probable that material losses may result from the lawsuits filed against you in August and September 2011.</font></div>
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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">With respect to the Supplier Litigation, the Company believes it is remote that material losses may result from the lawsuits filed against it in August and September 2011.&#160;&#160;The Company will revise its future filings to include this disclosure as appropriate.</font></div>

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<div style="TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">If you have further questions or require additional information, you may contact me by telephone at (901)753-3208 or you may contact Richard Corman, Vice President-Controller, at (901)753-3217.</font></div>

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