BEL FUSE INC /NJ - Quarter Report: 2007 September (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
x QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the quarterly period ended | September 30, 2007 |
or
o 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: | 0-11676 |
BEL
FUSE INC.
|
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its
charter)
|
NEW
JERSEY
|
22-1463699
|
|
(State
of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
206
Van Vorst Street
|
Jersey
City, New Jersey
|
07302
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
(201)
432-0463
|
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area
code)
|
(Former
name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report)
|
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 and 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.
x Yes o No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated
filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-12 of the Exchange
Act.
o
Large accelerated
filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o
Yes x
No
At
November 1, 2007, there were 2,565,190 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.10
par
value, outstanding and 9,296,177 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.10 par
value, outstanding.
BEL
FUSE INC.
|
|||||
INDEX
|
|||||
Page
|
|||||
Part
I
|
Financial
Information
|
||||
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements
|
1
|
|||
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2007
(unaudited)
and December 31, 2006
|
2-3
|
||||
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and
Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
|
4
|
||||
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for
the
Year Ended December 31, 2006 and
the
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 (unaudited)
|
5-6
|
||||
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine
Months
Ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)
|
7-9
|
||||
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
|
10-29
|
||||
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of
Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
|
30-49
|
|||
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About
Market
Risk
|
50
|
|||
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
51
|
|||
Part
II
|
Other
Information
|
||||
Item
1.
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
52-53
|
|||
Item
2.
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
53
|
|||
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
54
|
|||
Signatures
|
55
|
PART
I. Financial
Information
Item
1. Financial
Statements (Unaudited)
Certain
information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or
omitted from the following condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant
to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It
is
suggested that the following condensed consolidated financial statements be
read
in conjunction with the year-end consolidated financial statements and notes
thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2006.
The
results of operations for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2007
and
2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year
or
for any other period.
-1-
BEL
FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Current
Assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
102,051,013
|
$
|
76,760,543
|
|||
Marketable
securities
|
4,169,127
|
15,576,212
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $1,031,720 and $1,087,006 at September
30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively
|
47,793,960
|
43,765,750
|
|||||
Inventories
|
42,543,340
|
46,297,208
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses and other current assets
|
1,467,430
|
1,382,807
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
1,572,623
|
1,665,857
|
|||||
Assets
held for sale
|
3,717,488
|
848,049
|
|||||
Total
Current Assets
|
203,314,981
|
186,296,426
|
|||||
Property,
plant and equipment - net
|
40,224,949
|
44,289,159
|
|||||
Restricted
cash
|
4,500,000
|
-
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
5,218,763
|
3,425,375
|
|||||
Intangible
assets - net
|
1,278,913
|
1,892,417
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
28,117,143
|
28,117,143
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
5,669,113
|
4,476,990
|
|||||
TOTAL
ASSETS
|
$
|
288,323,862
|
$
|
268,497,510
|
See
notes
to condensed consolidated financial statements.
-2-
BEL
FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
18,836,366
|
$
|
17,244,937
|
|||
Accrued
expenses
|
14,107,839
|
12,713,417
|
|||||
Income
taxes payable
|
1,812,702
|
11,094,107
|
|||||
Dividends
payable
|
795,133
|
566,583
|
|||||
Total
Current Liabilities
|
35,552,040
|
41,619,044
|
|||||
Long-term
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Deferred
gain on sale of property
|
4,653,229
|
-
|
|||||
Liability
for uncertain tax positions
|
6,783,000
|
-
|
|||||
Minimum
pension obligation and unfunded pension
liability
|
5,442,246
|
4,728,286
|
|||||
Total
Long-term Liabilities
|
16,878,475
|
4,728,286
|
|||||
Total
Liabilities
|
52,430,515
|
46,347,330
|
|||||
Commitments
and Contingencies
|
|||||||
Stockholders'
Equity:
|
|||||||
Preferred
stock, no par value, authorized 1,000,000 shares; none
issued
|
-
|
-
|
|||||
Class
A common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized 10,000,000
shares; outstanding 2,588,577 and 2,702,677 shares, respectively (net
of 1,072,770 treasury shares)
|
258,858
|
270,268
|
|||||
Class
B common stock, par value $.10 per share - authorized 30,000,000
shares; outstanding 9,291,977 and 9,167,665 shares, respectively
(net of
3,218,310 treasury shares)
|
929,198
|
916,767
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
30,229,301
|
31,826,046
|
|||||
Retained
earnings
|
205,120,117
|
190,952,754
|
|||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive (loss)
|
(644,127
|
)
|
(1,815,655
|
)
|
|||
Total
Stockholders' Equity
|
235,893,347
|
222,150,180
|
|||||
TOTAL
LIABILITIES AND
|
|||||||
STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
$
|
288,323,862
|
$
|
268,497,510
|
See
notes
to condensed consolidated financial statements.
-3-
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|||||||||||||
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Net
Sales
|
$
|
189,797,803
|
$
|
194,360,103
|
$
|
66,378,882
|
$
|
73,259,757
|
|||||
Costs
and expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
of sales
|
148,777,682
|
146,058,522
|
52,287,781
|
55,809,958
|
|||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative
|
27,333,450
|
28,706,846
|
8,672,403
|
9,096,679
|
|||||||||
Gain
on sale of property, plant and equipment
|
(1,186,793
|
)
|
-
|
(306,989
|
)
|
-
|
|||||||
Casualty
loss
|
-
|
1,029,853
|
-
|
(67,418
|
)
|
||||||||
174,924,339
|
175,795,221
|
60,653,195
|
64,839,219
|
||||||||||
Income
from operations
|
14,873,464
|
18,564,882
|
5,725,687
|
8,420,538
|
|||||||||
Interest
expense and other costs
|
(124,656
|
)
|
(52,787
|
)
|
(1,193
|
)
|
(8,401
|
)
|
|||||
Gain
on sale of marketable securities - net
|
2,507,868
|
5,151,039
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Interest
income
|
2,979,687
|
2,015,106
|
1,143,748
|
841,348
|
|||||||||
Earnings
before provision for income taxes
|
20,236,363
|
25,678,240
|
6,868,242
|
9,253,485
|
|||||||||
Income
tax provision
|
4,155,000
|
5,172,000
|
954,000
|
1,508,000
|
|||||||||
Net
earnings
|
$
|
16,081,363
|
$
|
20,506,240
|
$
|
5,914,242
|
$
|
7,745,485
|
|||||
Earnings
per share (2006, as restated, see Note 1)
|
|||||||||||||
Earnings
per Class A common share
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.29
|
$
|
1.66
|
$
|
0.47
|
$
|
0.62
|
|||||
Diluted
|
$
|
1.29
|
$
|
1.66
|
$
|
0.47
|
$
|
0.62
|
|||||
Weighted
average Class A common shares
|
|||||||||||||
outstanding
- basic
|
2,661,750
|
2,702,677
|
2,621,623
|
2,702,677
|
|||||||||
Weighted
average Class A common shares
|
|||||||||||||
outstanding
- diluted
|
2,661,750
|
2,702,677
|
2,621,623
|
2,702,677
|
|||||||||
Earnings
per Class B common share
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.37
|
$
|
1.76
|
$
|
0.50
|
$
|
0.66
|
|||||
Diluted
|
$
|
1.37
|
$
|
1.75
|
$
|
0.50
|
$
|
0.66
|
|||||
Weighted
average Class B common shares
|
|||||||||||||
outstanding
- basic
|
9,228,038
|
9,086,371
|
9,275,962
|
9,126,469
|
|||||||||
Weighted
average Class B common shares
|
|||||||||||||
outstanding
- diluted
|
9,253,930
|
9,141,595
|
9,292,095
|
9,169,704
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-4-
BEL
FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS'
EQUITY
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
Compre-
|
|
Other
|
Class
A
|
Class
B
|
Additional
|
Stock-
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
hensive
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Common
|
Common
|
Paid-In
|
Based
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
Income
|
Earnings
|
Income
(loss)
|
Stock
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Compensation
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Balance,
January 1, 2006
|
$
|
201,576,549
|
$
|
167,991,188
|
$
|
4,262,867
|
$
|
270,268
|
$
|
901,327
|
$
|
31,713,608
|
$
|
(3,562,709
|
)
|
||||||||||
Exercise
of stock options
|
3,186,587
|
13,280
|
3,173,307
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax
benefits arising from the disposition of non-qualified incentive
stock
options
|
336,456
|
336,456
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends declared on Class A common stock
|
(430,940
|
)
|
(430,940
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends declared on Class B common stock
|
(1,810,847
|
)
|
(1,810,847
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of restricted common stock
|
-
|
2,160
|
(2,160
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Deferred
stock-based compensation
|
(1,403,157
|
)
|
(1,403,157
|
)
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||
Currency
translation adjustment
|
387,822
|
$
|
387,822
|
387,822
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change
in unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities-net of
taxes
|
(4,819,632
|
)
|
(4,819,632
|
)
|
(4,819,632
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
1,570,701
|
1,570,701
|
-
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Adoption
of SFAS No. 123 (R)
|
-
|
(3,562,709
|
)
|
3,562,709
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Unfunded
SERP liability-net of taxes upon adoption of SFAS No. 158
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Net
earnings
|
25,203,353
|
25,203,353
|
25,203,353
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
20,771,543
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
December 31, 2006
|
222,150,180
|
190,952,754
|
(1,815,655
|
)
|
270,268
|
916,767
|
31,826,046
|
-
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-5-
BEL
FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Continued)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated
|
|
|
|
Deferred
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
Compre-
|
|
Other
|
Class
A
|
Class
B
|
Additional
|
Stock-
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
hensive
|
Retained
|
Comprehensive
|
Common
|
Common
|
Paid-In
|
Based
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Total
|
Income
|
Earnings
|
Income
|
Stock
|
Stock
|
Capital
|
Compensation
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Exercise
of stock options
|
1,336,428
|
5,831
|
1,330,597
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax
benefits arising from the disposition of non-qualified incentive
stock
options
|
138,214
|
138,214
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends declared on Class A common stock
|
(383,000
|
)
|
(383,000
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Cash
dividends declared on Class B common stock
|
(1,531,000
|
)
|
(1,531,000
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Currency
translation adjustment
|
485,602
|
$
|
485,602
|
485,602
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Change
in unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities -net of
taxes
|
685,926
|
685,926
|
685,926
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance
of restricted common stock
|
-
|
7,420
|
(7,420
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Termination
of restricted common stock
|
-
|
(820
|
)
|
820
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase/retirement
of Class A common stock
|
(4,124,931
|
)
|
(11,410
|
)
|
(4,113,521
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based
compensation expense
|
1,054,565
|
1,054,565
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net
earnings
|
16,081,363
|
16,081,363
|
16,081,363
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
17,252,891
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance,
September 30, 2007
|
$
|
235,893,347
|
$
|
205,120,117
|
$
|
(644,127
|
)
|
$
|
258,858
|
$
|
929,198
|
$
|
30,229,301
|
$
|
-
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-6-
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
||||
(Unaudited)
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||
September
30,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Cash
flows from operating
|
|||||||
activities:
|
|||||||
Net
earnings
|
$
|
16,081,363
|
$
|
20,506,240
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
5,812,718
|
6,983,518
|
|||||
Casualty
loss
|
-
|
1,029,853
|
|||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
1,054,565
|
1,189,599
|
|||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payment
arrangements
|
(138,214
|
)
|
(250,699
|
)
|
|||
Gain
on sale of marketable securities
|
(2,507,868
|
)
|
(5,151,039
|
)
|
|||
Gain
on sale of property, plant and
equipment
|
(1,186,793
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Other
|
387,247
|
643,905
|
|||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
(2,018,000
|
)
|
(778,000
|
)
|
|||
Changes
in operating assets and
liabilities
|
(1,341,502
|
)
|
(8,421,059
|
)
|
|||
Net
Cash Provided by Operating
Activities
|
16,143,516
|
15,752,318
|
|||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
|||||||
Purchase
of property, plant and
equipment
|
(6,159,523
|
)
|
(7,633,002
|
)
|
|||
Purchase
of marketable securities
|
(11,801,386
|
)
|
(2,236,972
|
)
|
|||
Payment
for acquisitions - net of cash
acquired
|
-
|
(2,960,974
|
)
|
||||
Proceeds
from sale of marketable
securities
|
27,498,919
|
24,489,966
|
|||||
Proceeds
from sale of property, plant and equipment
|
3,628,206
|
-
|
|||||
|
|||||||
Net
Cash Provided by Investing
Activities
|
13,166,216
|
11,659,018
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-7-
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Continued)
|
||||
(Unaudited)
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||
September
30,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from exercise of stock
options
|
1,336,428
|
2,764,143
|
|||||
Dividends
paid to common shareholders
|
(1,685,450
|
)
|
(1,660,523
|
)
|
|||
Purchase
and retirement of Class A common stock
|
(4,124,931
|
)
|
-
|
||||
Excess
tax benefits from share-based payment
arrangements
|
138,214
|
250,699
|
|||||
Net
Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing
Activities
|
(4,335,739
|
)
|
1,354,319
|
||||
Effect
of exchange rate changes on cash
|
316,477
|
124,897
|
|||||
Net
Increase in Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
25,290,470
|
28,890,552
|
|||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
|||||||
-
beginning of period
|
76,760,543
|
51,997,634
|
|||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents
|
|||||||
-
end of period
|
$
|
102,051,013
|
$
|
80,888,186
|
|||
Changes
in operating assets and
liabilities consist of:
|
|||||||
Increase
in accounts receivable
|
$
|
(3,583,668
|
)
|
$
|
(13,114,129
|
)
|
|
Decrease
(increase) in inventories
|
3,887,608
|
(7,289,696
|
)
|
||||
Increase
in prepaid expenses and other current
assets
|
(84,623
|
)
|
(443,578
|
)
|
|||
Increase
in other assets
|
(2,003,640
|
)
|
(372,254
|
)
|
|||
Increase
in accounts payable
|
1,572,794
|
7,428,294
|
|||||
Increase
(decrease) in income taxes payable
|
(2,360,191
|
)
|
3,069,675
|
||||
Increase
in accrued expenses
|
1,230,218
|
2,300,629
|
|||||
$
|
(1,341,502
|
)
|
$
|
(8,421,059
|
)
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-8-
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Continued)
|
||||
(Unaudited)
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
|||||||
September
30,
|
|||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Supplementary
information:
|
|||||||
Cash
paid during the period for:
|
|||||||
Income
taxes
|
$
|
8,763,000
|
$
|
2,441,000
|
|||
Interest
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
52,787
|
|||
Details
of acquisitions:
|
|||||||
Intangibles
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
446,571
|
|||
Goodwill
|
-
|
6,000,000
|
|||||
Acquisition
costs
|
-
|
6,446,571
|
|||||
Less:
Amounts paid on acquisition payment
|
-
|
514,403
|
|||||
Amounts
accrued
|
-
|
(4,000,000
|
)
|
||||
Cash
paid for acquisitions
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
2,960,974
|
See
notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements.
-9-
BEL
FUSE
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES
TO
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. |
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING
POLICIES
|
The
condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2007, and the condensed
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows
for
the periods presented herein have been prepared by Bel Fuse Inc. (the "Company"
or "Bel") and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments
(consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly
the financial position, results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity
and cash flows for all periods presented have been made. The results for
the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 should not be viewed as
indicative of the Company’s annual results or the Company’s results for any
other period. The information for the condensed consolidated balance sheet
as of
December 31, 2006 was derived from audited financial statements.
Accounting
Policies
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Bel Fuse
Inc. and subsidiaries operate in one industry with three geographic reporting
segments and are engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of products
used in
local area networking, telecommunication, business equipment and consumer
electronic applications. The Company manages its operations geographically
through its three reporting units: North America, Asia and Europe. Sales
are
predominantly in North America, Europe and Asia.
PRINCIPLES
OF CONSOLIDATION
- The
condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including businesses acquired since their
respective dates of acquisition. All intercompany transactions and balances
have
been eliminated.
USE
OF
ESTIMATES - The
preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts
of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
CASH
EQUIVALENTS - Cash
equivalents include short-term investments in U.S. treasury bills and commercial
paper with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. At
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, cash equivalents approximated
$58,422,000 and $35,843,000, respectively.
MARKETABLE
SECURITIES - The
Company classifies its equity securities as "available for sale", and
accordingly, reflects unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income
taxes,
as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
The
fair
values of marketable securities are based on quoted market prices. Realized
gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities are based on the specific
identification method.
-10-
ACQUISITION
EXPENSES - The
Company capitalizes all direct costs associated with proposed acquisitions.
If
the proposed acquisition is consummated, such costs will be included as a
component of the overall cost of the acquisition. Such costs are expensed
at
such time as the Company deems the consummation of a proposed acquisition
to be
unsuccessful.
FOREIGN
CURRENCY TRANSLATION - The
functional currency for some foreign operations is the local currency. Assets
and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at exchange rates as
of the
balance sheet date, and income, expense and cash flow items are translated
at
the average exchange rate for the applicable period. Translation adjustments
are
recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. The U.S. Dollar is used as the
functional currency for certain foreign operations that conduct their business
in U.S. Dollars. Realized foreign currency gains (losses) were $(59,000)
and
$(170,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, and $(31,000)
and $75,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006,
respectively, and have been included in selling, general and administrative
expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
CONCENTRATION
OF CREDIT RISK - Financial
instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit
risk consist principally of accounts receivable and temporary cash investments.
The Company grants credit to customers that are primarily original equipment
manufacturers and to subcontractors of original equipment manufacturers based
on
an evaluation of the customer's financial condition, without requiring
collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on
each
customer's financial condition. The Company controls its exposure to credit
risk
through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures and
establishes allowances for anticipated losses.
The
Company places its temporary cash investments with quality financial
institutions and commercial issuers of short-term paper and, by policy, limits
the amount of credit exposure in any one financial instrument.
INVENTORIES
- Inventories
are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market.
REVENUE
RECOGNITION -
The
Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the guidance contained in SEC
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements". Revenue is recognized when the product has been delivered and
title
and risk of loss has passed to the customer, collection of the resulting
receivable is deemed reasonably assured by management, persuasive evidence
of an
arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed and determinable. Substantially
all of the Company's shipments are FCA (free carrier) which provides for
title
to pass upon delivery to the customer's freight carrier. Some product is
shipped
DDP/DDU with title passing when the product arrives at the customer's dock.
DDP
is defined as Delivered Duty Paid by the Company and DDU is Delivered Duty
Unpaid by the Company.
For
certain customers, the Company provides consigned inventory, either at the
customer’s facility or at a third party warehouse. Sales of consigned inventory
are recorded when the customer withdraws inventory from consignment.
During
all periods in 2007 and 2006, inventory on consignment was
immaterial.
-11-
The
Company typically has a twelve-month warranty policy for workmanship defects.
During June 2007, the Company established a warranty accrual related to
certain defective parts sold to a customer primarily within the same quarter,
which the Company is replacing, in the amount of approximately $1.2 million,
which included a $0.4 million inventory write off of inventory on hand. Such
accrual has been classified within cost of sales. As of September 30, 2007,
the
Company has a warranty accrual related to these defective parts in the amount
of
$0.7 million remaining. The Company believes that this liability will be
paid by
December 31, 2007. As the Company has not historically had significant warranty
claims, no general reserves for warranties have been established.
The
Company is not contractually obligated to accept returns except for defective
product or in instances where the product does not meet the customer's quality
specifications. However, the Company may permit its customers to return product
for other reasons. In these instances, the Company would generally require
a
significant cancellation penalty payment by the customer. The Company estimates
such returns, where applicable, based upon management's evaluation of historical
experience, market acceptance of products produced and known negotiations
with
customers. Such estimates are deducted from gross sales and provided for
at the
time revenue is recognized.
GOODWILL
- The
Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (in the fourth quarter), using
a
fair value approach at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an
operating segment or one level below an operating segment for which discrete
financial information is available and reviewed regularly by management.
Assets
and liabilities of the Company have been assigned to the reporting units
to the
extent that they are employed in or are considered a liability related to
the
operations of the reporting unit and were considered in determining the fair
value of the reporting unit.
DEPRECIATION
- Property,
plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and
amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated primarily using
the
declining-balance method for machinery and equipment and the straight-line
method for buildings and improvements over their estimated useful lives.
INCOME
TAXES - The
Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach under
which deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted tax rates
applicable to future years to the differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts and the tax bases of reported assets and
liabilities.
For
that
portion of foreign earnings that have not been repatriated, an income tax
provision has not been recorded for U.S. federal income taxes on the
undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as such earnings are intended
to
be permanently reinvested in those operations. Such earnings would become
taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries or upon
the
repatriation of earnings.
-12-
The
principal items giving rise to deferred taxes are unrealized gains/losses
on
unrealized property sales and marketable securities available for sale, foreign
tax credits, the use of accelerated depreciation methods for machinery and
equipment, timing differences between book and tax amortization of intangible
assets and goodwill and certain expenses including the SERP which have been
deducted for financial reporting purposes which are not currently deductible
for
income tax purposes.
Effective
January 1, 2007, uncertain tax positions are accounted for in accordance
with
FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” See
Note 7 for further discussion.
STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
- The
Company has one stock-based compensation plan under which both incentive
stock-options and restricted stock awards are granted to employees and
directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company accounts for stock-based
compensation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
123
(R), "Share-Based Payment". The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified
prospective method. Under modified prospective application, SFAS 123(R) applies
to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the
required effective date. Additionally, compensation costs for the portion
of the
awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered that are
outstanding as of the required effective date are being recognized as the
requisite service is rendered after the required effective date. The
compensation cost for the portion
of awards is based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated
for either recognition or pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. Changes to
the
grant-date fair value of equity awards granted before the required effective
date of this Statement are precluded. The compensation cost for those earlier
awards is attributed to periods beginning on or after the required effective
date of SFAS 123(R) using the attribution method that was used under SFAS
123,
except that the method of recognizing forfeitures only as they occur was
not
continued.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company issued 74,200
and
152,400 class B common shares, respectively, under a restricted stock plan
to
various employees and directors. For additional information regarding the
accounting treatment and effect on the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements see Note 10 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements.
RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT
-
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and are included
in
cost of sales. Generally all research and development is performed internally
for the benefit of the Company. The Company does not perform such activities
for
others. Research and development costs include salaries, building maintenance
and utilities, rents, materials, administration costs and miscellaneous other
items. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September
30,
2007 and 2006 amounted to $4.9 million, and for the three months ended September
30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $1.8 million and $1.7 million,
respectively.
-13-
EVALUATION
OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
- The
Company reviews property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets
for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying
value may not be recoverable in accordance with guidance in SFAS No. 144,
“Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” If the
carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the present value of the related
estimated future cash flows, the asset would be adjusted to its fair value
and
an impairment loss would be charged to operations in the period
identified.
CASUALTY
LOSS
- During
February 2006, the Company incurred a $1.0 million pre-tax casualty loss
primarily for raw materials destroyed by a fire at the Company's leased
manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic.
EARNINGS
PER SHARE (RESTATED)
-
Subsequent to the issuance of its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, the Company determined that the
method
it uses to report earnings per share should utilize the two-class method,
displaying earnings per share separately for both Class A and Class B common
stock, rather than only one class as previously reported. The two-class method
is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for
each
class of common stock according to dividends declared and participation rights
in undistributed earnings. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as
amended, states that Class B common shares are entitled to dividends at least
5%
greater than dividends paid to Class A common shares, resulting in the two-class
method of computing earnings per share. In computing earnings per share,
the
Company has allocated actual dividends declared to Class A and Class B based
on
amounts actually declared. In computing earnings per share, 5% more of the
undistributed earnings have been allocated to Class B shares than to the
Class A
shares on a per share basis. Previously, all shareholders were assumed to
share
in the earnings equally. As a result, the earnings per share disclosures
in the
accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months
and nine months ended September 30, 2006, have been restated to reflect the
two-class method of computing earnings per share. Basic earnings per common
share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number
of
common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common
share,
for each class of common stock, are computed by dividing net earnings by
the
weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding
during the period. Potential common shares used in computing diluted earnings
per share relate to stock options for Class A and B common shares which,
if
exercised, would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.
-14-
Restatement
of Earnings Per Share
|
|||||||
As
Previously
|
|||||||
Nine
Months Ended
|
Reported
|
As
Restated
|
|||||
September
30, 2006
|
|||||||
Basic
|
$
|
1.74
|
|||||
Diluted
|
$
|
1.73
|
|||||
Class
A - Basic
|
$
|
1.66
|
|||||
Class
B- Basic
|
$
|
1.76
|
|||||
Class
A- Diluted
|
$
|
1.66
|
|||||
Class
B - Diluted
|
$
|
1.75
|
|||||
Three
Months Ended
|
|||||||
September
30, 2006
|
|||||||
Basic
|
$
|
0.65
|
|||||
Diluted
|
$
|
0.65
|
|||||
Class
A - Basic
|
|
$
|
0.62
|
||||
Class
B- Basic
|
$
|
0.66
|
|||||
Class
A- Diluted
|
$
|
0.62
|
|||||
Class
B - Diluted
|
$
|
0.66
|
The
previously reported weighted average shares outstanding for the nine and
three
months ended September 30, 2006 were as follows:
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||
2006
|
2006
|
||||||
Basic
|
11,789,048
|
11,829,146
|
|||||
Diluted
|
11,844,272
|
11,872,381
|
The
following table includes a reconciliation of shares used in the calculation
of
basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A and Class B common shares
for
the nine and three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
(As
restated)
|
(As
restated)
|
||||||||||||
Class
A Common Shares
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding - basic
|
2,661,750
|
2,702,677
|
2,621,623
|
2,702,677
|
|||||||||
Dilutive
impact of stock options and
unvested
restricted stock awards
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Weighted
average shares oustanding - diluted
|
2,661,750
|
2,702,677
|
2,621,623
|
2,702,677
|
|||||||||
Class
B Common Shares
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted
average shares outstanding - basic
|
9,228,038
|
9,086,371
|
9,275,962
|
9,126,469
|
|||||||||
Dilutive
impact of stock options and
unvested
restricted stock awards
|
25,892
|
55,224
|
16,133
|
43,235
|
|||||||||
Weighted
average shares oustanding - diluted
|
9,253,930
|
9,141,595
|
9,292,095
|
9,169,704
|
-15-
During
the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, 14,000
outstanding options were not included in the foregoing computations for Class
B
common shares because their effect would be antidilutive.
FAIR
VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
- For
financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, marketable
securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, the
carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturities of
such
instruments.
2. |
GOODWILL
AND OTHER INTANGIBLES
|
Goodwill
represents the excess of the purchase price and related acquisition costs
over
the value assigned to the net tangible and other intangible assets with finite
lives acquired in a business acquisition.
Other
intangibles include patents, product information, covenants not-to-compete
and
supply agreements. Amounts assigned to these intangibles have been determined
by
management. Management considered a number of factors in determining the
allocations, including valuations and independent appraisals. Other intangibles
are being amortized over 1 to 10 years. Amortization expense was $614,000
and
$1,730,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively,
and $196,000 and $430,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and
2006, respectively.
Under
the
terms of the E-Power LTD (“E-Power”) and Current Concepts, Inc. (“Current
Concepts”) acquisition agreements of May 11, 2001, the Company was required to
make contingent purchase price payments up to an aggregate of $7.6 million
should the acquired companies attain specified related sales levels. E-Power
was
to
be paid
$2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments if sales reached
$15.0
million and an additional $4.0 million if sales reached
$25.0
million on a cumulative basis through May 2007. During January 2006, the
$2.0
million of contingent purchase price consideration was earned by
E-Power and
during
February
2006, E-Power was paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price
payments.
During
September 2006, an
additional $4.0 million was
earned
when
sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis
and,
as
a
result, $4.0 million was paid in November 2006, and accounted for as additional
purchase price and as an increase to goodwill. No additional payments will
be
made under the E-Power agreement. Current Concepts was
to
be paid
16% of the first $10.0 million in sales through May 2007. This $10.0 million
benchmark was reached during the second quarter of 2006 and therefore, no
additional payments will be made.
During
the nine and three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company paid or accrued
approximately $447,000 and no payments were made in the quarter ended September
30, 2006 in contingent purchase price payments to Current Concepts. The
contingent purchase price payments for Current Concepts are accounted for
as
additional purchase price and as an increase to covenants not to compete
within
intangible assets when such payment obligations are incurred.
-16-
3. |
MARKETABLE
SECURITIES
|
The
Company currently owns a total of 1,840,919 shares, or approximately
1.9%
of the
outstanding shares,
of the
common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total cost of $5.6 million. Toko had a
market capitalization of approximately $218 million as of September 30, 2007.
These shares are reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance
sheets as marketable securities. These marketable securities are considered
to
be available for sale under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities”. Thus, as of September 30, 2007, the Company has
recorded an unrealized loss, net of income tax benefit, of approximately
$0.9
million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
in
stockholders’ equity. During April 2007, the Company sold 4,034,000 shares of
common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain of
approximately $2.5 million, net of investment banker fees and other expenses
in
the amount of $0.8 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $500,000 in
connection with this gain which will be paid by December 31, 2007. For financial
statement purposes approximately $360,000 and $140,000 has been classified
within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses,
respectively.
The
Company acquired a total of 2,037,500 shares of the common stock of Artesyn
Technologies, Inc. (“Artesyn”) at a total purchase price of $16,331,469. On
April 28, 2006, Artesyn was acquired by Emerson Network Power for $11.00
per
share in cash. During the second quarter of 2006, in connection with the
Company's sale of its Artesyn common stock, the Company recognized a gain
of
approximately $5.2 million, net of investment banker advisory fees of $850,000.
The Company accrued bonuses of $1.0 million in connection with the gain.
For
financial statement purposes approximately $300,000 and $700,000 has been
classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative
expenses, respectively, and was paid to key employees by December 31, 2006.
At
September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, marketable securities
have a cost of approximately $5,648,000 and $18,031,000, an estimated fair
value
of approximately $4,169,000 and $15,576,000 and gross unrealized losses of
approximately $(1,488,000) and $(2,455,000). Such unrealized losses are
included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company
had
no realized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and $88,000
of
realized losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. Included in
other
assets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are marketable securities
designated for utilization in accordance with the Company’s SERP plan with a
cost of approximately $4,579,000 and an estimated fair value of approximately
$5,063,000 at September 30, 2007 and a cost of $3,420,000 and an estimated
fair
value of $3,766,000 at December 31, 2006. Such unrealized net gains are
included, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss).
-17-
4. |
INVENTORIES
|
The
components of inventories are as follows:
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Raw
materials
|
$
|
25,461,325
|
$
|
24,374,438
|
|||
Work
in progress
|
2,672,424
|
3,531,148
|
|||||
Finished
goods
|
14,409,591
|
18,391,622
|
|||||
$
|
42,543,340
|
$
|
46,297,208
|
5. |
BUSINESS
SEGMENT INFORMATION
|
The
Company operates in one industry with three reportable segments. The segments
are geographic and include North America, Asia and Europe. The primary criteria
by which financial performance is evaluated and resources are allocated are
revenues and operating income. The following is a summary of key financial
data:
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Total
segment revenues
|
|||||||||||||
North
America
|
$
|
65,058,170
|
$
|
61,973,366
|
$
|
25,890,375
|
$
|
22,442,362
|
|||||
Asia
|
133,937,916
|
140,544,037
|
45,673,823
|
52,300,151
|
|||||||||
Europe
|
24,748,147
|
21,025,711
|
6,846,682
|
7,670,179
|
|||||||||
Total
segment revenues
|
223,744,233
|
223,543,114
|
78,410,880
|
82,412,692
|
|||||||||
Reconciling
items:
|
|||||||||||||
Intersegment
revenues
|
(33,946,430
|
)
|
(29,183,011
|
)
|
(12,031,998
|
)
|
(9,152,935
|
)
|
|||||
Net
sales
|
$
|
189,797,803
|
$
|
194,360,103
|
$
|
66,378,882
|
$
|
73,259,757
|
|||||
Income
from Operations:
|
|||||||||||||
North
America
|
$
|
2,903,689
|
$
|
2,225,522
|
$
|
793,042
|
$
|
2,246,177
|
|||||
Asia
|
10,933,129
|
15,351,855
|
4,545,749
|
5,644,688
|
|||||||||
Europe
|
1,036,646
|
987,505
|
386,896
|
529,673
|
|||||||||
$
|
14,873,464
|
$
|
18,564,882
|
$
|
5,725,687
|
$
|
8,420,538
|
6. |
DEBT
|
Short-term
debt
During
the first quarter of 2007, the Company entered into a new unsecured credit
agreement in the amount of $20 million, which expires on July 21, 2008. There
was no balance outstanding as of September 30, 2007. At that date, the entire
$20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. The credit
agreement bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial
statement ratios maintained by the Company.
The
Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary had an unsecured line of credit of approximately
$2 million which was unused as of September 30, 2007. The line of credit
expires
July 31, 2008. Borrowing on the line of credit was guaranteed by the U.S.
parent. The line of credit bears interest at a rate determined by the bank
as
the financing is extended.
-18-
Included
in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is the
write-off of approximately $122,000 of previously unamortized deferred financing
charges in connection with a credit facility that has been
superseded.
7. |
INCOME
TAXES
|
The
Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for
Uncertainties in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. Although the
implementation of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of the Company’s liabilities
for uncertain tax positions, approximately $6.8 million of the Company’s
liability for uncertain tax positions was reclassified to non-current
liabilities.
At
September 30, 2007, Company has approximately $9.2 million of liabilities
for
uncertain tax positions all of which, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s
effective tax rate.
The
Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal
jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is
no
longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years
before
2004 and for state examinations before 2004. Regarding foreign subsidiaries,
the
Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years
before
2000. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced an examination of the
Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2004 and reviewed 2003 and 2005 during the
fourth quarter of 2006. During April 2007, the IRS wrote a preliminary letter
to
the Company accepting the tax return as originally filed for 2004.
The
Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) of Hong Kong commenced an examination of one
of the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries’ income tax returns for the year 2000
through 2005 and issued a notice of additional assessment during 2007 and
demand
for tax in the amount of $3.7 million. This was paid during May 2007 and
August
2007. There is no interest or penalties in connection with this assessment.
The
IRD proposed certain adjustments to the Company’s offshore income tax claim
position which Company management agrees with.
During
the quarter ended September 30, 2007 certain statute of limitations expired
which resulted in a reversal of a previously recognized liability for uncertain
tax positions in the amount of $1.4 million. This was offset by an increase
in
the liability for uncertain tax positions of $1.0 million and certain changes
in
estimates for prior year taxes which reduced the income tax provision by
approximately $.4 million.
Based
on
possible outcomes of the examinations mentioned above, or as a result of
the
expiration of the statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is
reasonably possible that the related unrecognized benefits for tax positions
taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change materially from those
recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company’s condensed
consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2007. Based on the number
of
tax years currently under audit by the relevant tax authorities, the Company
anticipates that several of these audits may be finalized in the next twelve
months. It is not possible to estimate the effect of changes, if any that
will
occur to previously recorded uncertain tax positions over the next
year.
-19-
The
Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax
positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes. During
the
nine and three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized
approximately $368,000 and $131,000 in interest and penalties in the Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has approximately $1.6
million
accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2007,
which
is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax
positions in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
8. |
ACCRUED
EXPENSES
|
Accrued
expenses consist of the following:
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Sales
commissions
|
$
|
1,650,596
|
$
|
1,715,816
|
|||
Subcontracting
labor
|
1,434,593
|
2,032,763
|
|||||
Deposits
on future sale of properties
|
2,278,270
|
-
|
|||||
Salaries,
bonuses and
|
|||||||
related
benefits
|
3,783,615
|
4,147,135
|
|||||
Other
|
4,960,765
|
4,817,703
|
|||||
$
|
14,107,839
|
$
|
12,713,417
|
9. RETIREMENT
FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The
Company maintains a domestic profit sharing plan and a contributory stock
ownership and savings 401(K) plan, which combines stock ownership and individual
voluntary savings provisions to provide retirement benefits for plan
participants. The plan provides for participants to voluntarily contribute
a
portion of their compensation, subject to certain legal maximums. The Company
will match, based on a sliding scale, up to $350 for the first $600 contributed
by each participant. Matching contributions plus additional discretionary
contributions are made with Company stock purchased in the open market. The
expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to
approximately $405,000 and $383,000, respectively. The expense for the three
months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to approximately $116,000
and
$103,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2007, the plans owned 17,140
and
146,174 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock,
respectively.
The
Company's Far East subsidiaries have a retirement fund covering substantially
all of their Hong Kong based full-time employees. Eligible employees contribute
up to 5% of salary to the fund. In addition, the Company may contribute an
amount up to 7% of eligible salary, as determined by Hong Kong government
regulations, in cash or Company stock. The expense for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006 amounted to approximately $295,000 and $309,000,
respectively. The expense for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and
2006
amounted to approximately $93,000 and $188,000, respectively. As of September
30, 2007, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A
and
Class B common stock, respectively.
The
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) is designed to provide a limited
group of key management and highly compensated employees of the Company with
supplemental retirement and death benefits. Participants in the SERP are
selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The SERP
initially became effective in 2002 and was amended
and restated in April 2007 to conform with applicable requirements of Section
409A of the Internal Revenue Code and to modify the provisions regarding
benefits payable in connection with a change in control of the Company. Benefits
under the SERP are payable from the general assets of the Company, but the
Company has certain life insurance policies in effect on participants to
partially cover the Company’s obligations under the Plan. The Plan also allows
the Company to establish a grantor trust to provide for the payment of Plan
benefits.
-20-
The
components of SERP expense are as follows:
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Service
cost
|
$
|
437,000
|
$
|
582,000
|
$
|
146,000
|
$
|
96,000
|
|||||
Interest
cost
|
86,000
|
115,000
|
29,000
|
19,000
|
|||||||||
Amortization
of adjustments
|
52,000
|
70,000
|
17,000
|
12,000
|
|||||||||
Total
SERP expense
|
$
|
575,000
|
$
|
767,000
|
$
|
192,000
|
$
|
127,000
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Balance
sheet amounts:
|
|||||||
Minimum
pension obligation
and
unfunded
liability
|
$
|
5,442,246
|
$
|
4,728,286
|
|||
Accumulated
other comprehensive
income
(loss)
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
During
July 2007 the Company made a contribution to the SERP in the amount of
$1.2 million. The Company does not anticipate making any additional
contributions to the SERP during the remainder of 2007.
10. |
SHARE-BASED
COMPENSATION
|
On
January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (R) "Share-Based Payment"
requiring the recognition of compensation expense in the Condensed Consolidated
Statements of Operations related to the fair value of its employee share-based
options and awards. SFAS No. 123 (R) revises SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation" and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) is supplemented by SEC Staff
Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 107 "Share-Based Payment." SAB No. 107 expresses
the SEC staff's views regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and
certain SEC rules and regulations including the valuation of share-based
payment
arrangements.
The
aggregate pretax compensation cost recognized in net earnings for stock based
compensation (including incentive stock options, restricted stock and dividends
on restricted stock, as further discussed below) amounted to approximately
$1,092,000 and $1,189,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
2006,
respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the
aggregate compensation cost recognized in net earnings amounted to $409,000
and
$399,000, respectively. The Company did not use any cash to settle any equity
instruments granted under share based arrangements during the nine months
ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006.
Under
the
provisions of SFAS 123 (R), the recognition of deferred compensation,
representing the amount of unrecognized restricted stock expense that is
reduced
as expense is recognized,
at the date restricted stock is granted, is no longer required. Therefore,
in
the first quarter of 2006, the amount that had been in "Deferred compensation"
in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was reversed to zero.
-21-
Stock
Options
The
Company has an
equity
compensation program
(the
"Program")
which
provides for the granting of "Incentive Stock Options" within
the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended,
non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards.
The
Company believes that such awards better align the interest of its employees
with those of its shareholders. The Plan provides for the issuance of 2,400,000
common shares. Unless
otherwise provided at the date of grant or unless subsequently accelerated,
options granted under the Program become
exercisable twenty-five percent (25%) one
year
from the date of grant
and
twenty-five percent (25%) for each year of the three years thereafter. Upon
exercise the Company will issue new shares. The exercise price of incentive
stock
options
granted pursuant to the Plan is not to be less than 100 percent of the fair
market value of the shares on the date of grant. In
general,
no option will be exercisable after ten
years
from the date granted.
A
summary
of option activity under the plan as of September 30, 2007 and January 1,
2007
and changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is presented
below:
Weighted
|
|||||||||||||
Average
|
|||||||||||||
Weighted
|
Remaining
|
Aggregate
|
|||||||||||
Average
|
Contractual
|
Intrinsic
|
|||||||||||
Options
|
Shares
|
Exercise
Price
|
Term
|
Value
|
|||||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2007
|
137,813
|
$
|
25.59
|
||||||||||
Granted
|
-
|
||||||||||||
Exercised
|
(58,313
|
)
|
22.92
|
$
|
853,479
|
||||||||
Forfeited
or expired
|
(1,500
|
)
|
18.89
|
||||||||||
Outstanding
at September 30, 2007
|
78,000
|
$
|
27.72
|
1.9
|
$
|
574,200
|
|||||||
Exercisable
at September 30, 2007
|
44,500
|
$
|
25.79
|
1.4
|
$
|
419,410
|
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, the Company received
$1,336,428 and $2,764,143 from the exercise of stock options and realized
tax
benefits of approximately $138,000 and $251,000, respectively. The total
intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September
30,
2007 and 2006 was $853,479 and $1,235,225, respectively. Stock compensation
expense applicable to stock options for the nine months ended September 30,
2007
and 2006 was approximately $131,000 and $335,000 and for the three months
ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006 was $8,000 and $109,000, respectively.
-22-
A
summary
of the status of the Company's nonvested shares as of December 31, 2006 and
changes during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is presented
below:
Weighted-Average
|
|||||||
Grant-Date
|
|||||||
Nonvested
Shares
|
Shares
|
Fair
Value
|
|||||
Nonvested
at December 31, 2006
|
91,000
|
$
|
25.53
|
||||
Granted
|
-
|
||||||
Vested
|
(56,000
|
)
|
22.86
|
||||
Forfeited
|
(1,500
|
)
|
18.89
|
||||
Nonvested
at September 30, 2007
|
33,500
|
$
|
30.28
|
At September 30, 2007, there was $25,000 of total unrecognized cost related to nonvested incentive stock options arrangements under the Program. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1 year. Currently, the Company believes that substantially all options will vest.
Restricted
Stock Awards
The
Company provides common stock awards to certain officers and key employees.
The
Company grants these awards, at its discretion, from the shares available
under
the Program.
Unless otherwise provided at the date of grant or unless subsequently
accelerated, the
shares
awarded are earned in 25% increments on the second,
third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the award,
respectively, and are distributed provided the employee has remained employed
by
the Company through such anniversary dates; otherwise the unearned shares
are
forfeited. The market value of these shares at the date of award is recorded
as
compensation expense on the straight-line method over the five year
periods from the respective award dates, as adjusted for forfeitures of unvested
awards. During 2007 and 2006, the Company issued 74,200 and 152,400 class
B
common shares, respectively, under a restricted stock plan to various employees
and directors. The shares vest 25% after two years of employment with an
additional 25% vesting in each of years three through five. Deferred
stock-based compensation expense of $6.0 million associated with unearned
shares
under this plan as of September 30, 2007, is reported within Stockholders'
equity on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Pretax
compensation expense was $961,000 and $855,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively and $401,000 and $291,000 for the
three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
-23-
A
summary
of the activity regarding restricted stock awards under the Program as of
January 1, 2007 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 is presented
below:
Weighted
|
||||||||||
Weighted
|
Average
|
|||||||||
Average
|
Remaining
|
|||||||||
Restricted
Stock
|
Award
|
Contractual
|
||||||||
Awards
|
Shares
|
Price
|
Term
|
|||||||
Outstanding
at January 1, 2007
|
167,000
|
$
|
34.93
|
3.85
years
|
||||||
Granted
|
74,200
|
36.40
|
||||||||
Vested
|
-
|
|||||||||
Forfeited
|
(10,200
|
)
|
36.97
|
|||||||
Outstanding
at September 30, 2007
|
231,000
|
35.35
|
3.55
years
|
|||||||
Exercisable
at September 30, 2007
|
-
|
The Company's policy is to issue new shares to satisfy Restricted Stock Awards and incentive stock option exercises.
Currently
the Company believes that substantially all Restricted Stock Awards will
vest.
-24-
11. |
COMMON
STOCK
|
During
2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up
to ten
percent (10%) of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of September 30,
2007, the Company had cumulatively purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common
shares at a cost of approximately $808,000 which reduced the number of Class
B
common shares outstanding. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased
during the nine and three months ended September 30, 2007.
As
of
September 30, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 114,100 Class A
common
shares at a cost of approximately $4.1 million, which reduced the number
of
Class A common shares outstanding. All such shares were purchased during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007. During October and November 2007, the
Company purchased 23,387 additional Class A common shares at a cost of
approximately $842,000.
During
July 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an increase in
the
dividends by $.02 per share per quarter for both Class A and B common shares
effective with the November 2007 dividend payment. On the same date, they
declared a dividend of $.06 per share on the Class A common shares and $.07
per
share on the Class B common shares payable on November 1, 2007 to shareholders
of record on October 15, 2007.
-25-
12. |
COMPREHENSIVE
INCOME
|
Comprehensive
income for the nine and three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006 consists
of:
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Net
earnings
|
$
|
16,081,363
|
$
|
20,506,240
|
$
|
5,914,242
|
$
|
7,745,485
|
|||||
Currency
translation adjustment
|
485,602
|
216,394
|
151,782
|
11,426
|
|||||||||
Increase
(decrease) in unrealized
|
|||||||||||||
gain
on marketable securities
|
|||||||||||||
-
net of taxes
|
685,926
|
(3,881,863
|
)
|
(266,904
|
)
|
(857,336
|
)
|
||||||
Comprehensive
income
|
$
|
17,252,891
|
$
|
16,840,771
|
$
|
5,799,120
|
$
|
6,899,575
|
13. |
ASSETS
SOLD AND HELD FOR SALE
|
During
May 2007, the Company sold a parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey
for $6,000,000. The Company estimates that approximately $760,000 of the
proceeds will be payable to the State of New Jersey as a portion of the property
is subject to tideland claims. Of the $6.0 million sales price, the Company
received cash of $1.5 million before closing costs, and $4.5 million is being
held in escrow pending final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland
claim and certain environmental costs the Company is liable for in the maximum
amount of $390,000. The Company has agreed to indemnify the title insurance
company for the entire $6.0 million selling price of the property for any
possible title claim by the State of New Jersey. The Company has deferred
the
estimated gain on the sale of the land before deduction of the estimated
tideland claim payment of $760,000, in the amount of $4.7 million, due to
the
uncertainty of the final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland Claim.
The escrow of $4.5 million has been classified in restricted cash and the
deferred gain of $4.7 million has been classified in deferred gain on the
sale
of property in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30,
2007. Additionally, the Company realized gains of $1.2 million and $0.3 million
from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao during
the
nine months and three months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.
During
the second quarter of 2007, two of the Company’s Far East subsidiaries
entered into contracts to sell two real estate properties, one in Hong Kong
and
one in Macau with a gross selling price of $8.1 million. The Company has
classified these assets as held for sale with a net book value of approximately
$3.7 million on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at September
30, 2007 and expects to sell the properties by the fourth quarter of
2007.
-26-
14. |
NEW
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
|
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which
enhances existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair
value. This Standard provides a single definition of fair value, together
with a
framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the
use of
fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007,
and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe
that
SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its financial
statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”) “The Fair Value Option
for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an
option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
The
Standard’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial
instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets
and liabilities differently. It also requires entities to display the fair
value
of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair
value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal
years
beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact of the adoption of this Statement on its financial statements.
In
June
2007, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 07-3, "Accounting for Nonrefundable
Advance
Payments for Goods or Services Received for Use in Future Research and
Development Activities," which is effective for calendar year companies on
January 1, 2008. The Task Force concluded that nonrefundable advance payments
for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and
development activities should be deferred and capitalized. Such amounts should
be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services
are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be
provided. The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts of
implementing this standard.
-27-
15. |
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
|
The
Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. (“Halo”) v.
Bel Fuse Inc., Pulse Engineering, Inc. and Technitrol, Inc. brought in Nevada
Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that the Company has infringed its
patents covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by
the
Company. Halo is seeking unspecified damages, which it claims should be trebled.
The
Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey
Corporation v. Halo Electronics, Inc. brought in the United States District
Court of New Jersey during May 2007. The Company claims that Halo has infringed
a patent covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by
Halo.
The Company is seeking unspecified damages plus interest, costs and attorney
fees.
The
Company and two of its officers are defendants in a wrongful termination
lawsuit
brought in the District Court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany by a former employee
at a foreign subsidiary of the Company. During July 2007, this lawsuit was
settled for approximately $466,000. The Company had provided for this liability
in its financial statements prior to the settlement.
The
Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey
corporation, and Bel Power, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, v. Andrew
Ferencz, Gregory Zovonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation, Howard E. Kaepplein and William Ng, brought in the Superior
Court
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company was granted injunctive
relief
and is seeking damages against the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc.,
key employees of Galaxy and a corporation formed by some or all of the
individual defendants. The Company has alleged that the defendants violated
their written non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements,
diverted business and usurped substantial business opportunities with key
customers, misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets, and
harmed the Company’s business.
In
a
related matter, the Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Robert
Chimielnski, P.C. on behalf of the stockholder representatives and the former
stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al. brought in the
Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This complaint for damages
and injunctive relief is based on an alleged breach of contract and other
allegedly illegal acts in a corporate context arising out of the Company’s
objection to the release of nearly $2.0 million held in escrow under the
terms
of the stock purchase agreement between Galaxy and the Company. The Company
believes it has adequate defenses regarding this lawsuit and accordingly
has not
accrued any liability in connection with such lawsuit.
The
Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Murata Manufacturing Company,
Ltd.
v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al, brought in Illinois Federal District Court. Plaintiff
claims that its patent covers all of the Company's modular jack products.
That
party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a
non-exclusive license to the Company under the patent for a 3% royalty on
all
future gross sales of ICM products; payment of a lump sum of 3% of past sales
including sales of applicable Insilco products; an annual minimum royalty
of
$500,000; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's
with
the third party's patent
number. The Company was also a defendant in a lawsuit, captioned Regal
Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., brought in California Federal District
Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers certain of the Company's modular
jack products. That party had previously advised the Company that it was
willing
to grant a non-transferable license to the Company for an up front fee of
$500,000 plus a 6% royalty on future sales. The District Court has granted
summary judgment
in the Company's favor dismissing Regal Electronics' infringement claims,
while
at the
same
time the Court dismissed the Company's invalidity counterclaim against Regal
Electronics. Regal
has
appealed the Court's rejection of its infringement claims to the U.S. Court
of
Appeals. The case was heard on February 6, 2007 and the U.S.
Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s ruling in favor of the
Company.
-28-
The
Company cannot predict the outcome of the unresolved matters; however,
management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not
have
a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial condition
or
results of operations. As of September 30, 2007, no amounts have been accrued
in
connection with these lawsuits, as the amounts are not determinable.
The
Company is not a party to any other legal proceeding, the adverse outcome
of
which is likely
to
have a
material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial
condition or results of operations.
16. |
ACCUMULATED
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
|
The
components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of September
30,
2007 and December 31, 2006 are summarized below:
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2007
|
2006
|
||||||
Foreign
currency translation adjustment
|
$
|
1,626,486
|
$
|
1,140,884
|
|||
Unrealized
holding (loss)
on
available-for-sale securities
under
SFAS No. 115, net of
taxes
of $(380,554) and $(802,797) as of September 30,
2007 and December 31, 2006 |
(623,901
|
)
|
(1,309,827
|
)
|
|||
Unfunded
SERP liability net of taxes
of
$(686,000) as of September 30, 2007
and
December 31, 2006
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
(1,646,712
|
)
|
|||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
$
|
(644,127
|
)
|
$
|
(1,815,655
|
)
|
-29-
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The
Company’s quarterly and annual operating results are affected by a wide variety
of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and
profitability, including the risk factors described in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. As a result of
these
and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future
operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially
and
adversely affect its business, financial condition, operating results, and
stock
prices. Furthermore, this document and other documents filed by the Company
with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) contain certain
forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of
1995 (“Forward-Looking Statements”) with respect to the business of the Company.
These Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties,
including those detailed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could cause actual results to
differ
materially from these Forward-Looking Statements. The Company undertakes
no
obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these
Forward-Looking Statements which may be necessary to reflect events or
circumstances after the date such statements are made or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events. An investment in the Company involves
various risks, including those which are detailed from time to time in the
Company’s SEC filings.
Overview
Bel
is a
leading producer of electronic products that help make global connectivity
a
reality. The Company designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of
magnetics, modules, circuit protection devices and interconnect products.
While
these products are deployed primarily in the computer, networking and
telecommunication industries, Bel’s expanding portfolio of products also finds
application in the automotive, medical and consumer electronics markets.
Bel's
products are designed to protect, regulate, connect, isolate or manage a
variety
of electronic circuits.
We
design
our products to enhance the systems in which they operate. As our products
typically become components in other third-party’s systems, our revenues are
largely driven by the extent to which our customers can design and develop
new
applications and the extent to which those customers have needs for the types
of
components that we can provide. We are problem-solvers; we design most of
our
products to combine various discrete components in a manner that will allow
the
systems designer to save space and to offer a more efficient
product.
Our
expenses are driven principally by the cost of the materials that we use
and the
cost of labor where our factories are located. In recent years, the increasing
cost of copper, steel and petroleum-based products and an
increased wage structure in the Far East have contributed to increases in
manufacturing costs.
Effective September 1, 2006, local People’s
Republic of China (“PRC”) authorities
implemented a new revised standard work week, and new minimum wages and overtime
rates, for areas where our factories are located.
The
Company’s sales decreased by $4.6 million or 2.3% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2006.
The
Company’s
sales decreased by $6.9 million or 9.4% for the three months ended September
30,
2007 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006. The decline
principally reflected revenue decreases in sales of magnetics and interconnect
products, as the Company exited from certain low margin business.
-30-
Gross
profit margins were lower during the nine months and three months ended
September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months and three months ended September
30, 2006, principally due to increased costs for raw material such as mosfets,
steel, integrated circuits, PBC and petroleum-based products, increased
transportation costs and a warranty reserve and related inventory write-off
in
the amount of $1.2 million during June 2007. Sales of the Company’s
DC-DC power products have increased. While these products are strategic to
Bel’s
growth and important to total earnings, they return lower gross profit
percentage margins as a larger percentage of their bills of material are
purchased components. As these sales continue to increase, the Company’s average
gross profit percentage will likely decrease unless offset by increased sales
of
higher margin products. Gross
profit margins are also adversely affected to the extent that the Company
manufactures lead-free products, as the Company has additional labor and
manufacturing costs associated
with operating duplicate production lines but
cannot attain premium pricing for such products.
On
January 1, 2007, the Company implemented FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, (“FIN 48”) which resulted in no adjustment in
the liability for uncertain tax positions.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company incurred severance
and
related expenses of approximately $417,000; wrote off approximately $122,000
in
deferred financing fees related to a credit facility no longer available
because
of a change in the Company’s banking relationship; incurred stock based
compensation expense of $1,092,000, accrued $368,000 of interest and penalties
in connection with uncertain tax positions; and incurred $1.1 million less
amortization of intangibles compared to the nine months ended September 30,
2006
due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized. Additionally, the Company
realized a pretax gain from the sale of real estate in the amount of $1.2
million and a pretax gain from the sale of Toko common shares in the amount
of
$2.5 million.
-31-
Critical
Accounting Policies
The
Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of
operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these
financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments
that
affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses,
and
related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis,
the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns,
bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, investments, SERP expense, income
taxes and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed
to be
reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that
are
not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The
Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more
significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its condensed
consolidated financial statements.
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts
The
Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from
the
inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company determines
its
reserves by both specific identification of customer accounts where appropriate
and the application of historical loss experience to non-specific accounts.
If
the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate,
resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional
allowances may be required.
Inventory
The
Company makes purchasing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders
from
customers, the availability and pricing of raw materials and projected customer
requirements. Future events that could adversely affect these decisions and
result in significant charges to the Company’s operations include miscalculating
customer requirements, technology changes which render certain raw materials
and
finished goods obsolete, loss of customers and/or cancellation of sales orders,
stock rotation with distributors and termination of distribution agreements.
The
Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable
inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the
estimated market value based upon the aforementioned assumptions. If actual
market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management,
additional inventory write-downs may be required.
-32-
When
inventory is written-off, it is never written back up; the cost remains at
zero
or the level to which it has been written-down. When inventory that has been
written-off is subsequently used in the manufacturing process, the lower
adjusted cost of the material is charged to cost of sales. Should any of
this
inventory be used in the manufacturing process for customer orders, the improved
gross profit will be recognized at the time the completed product is shipped
and
the sale is recorded.
Goodwill
and Intangible Assets
The
assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the purchase
method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition.
Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying
net assets of acquired businesses.
Goodwill
and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized,
but are
subject to annual impairment testing. The identification and measurement
of
goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of geographic
reporting units. The estimates of fair value of geographic reporting units
are
based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment,
which
primarily incorporate management assumptions about expected future cash flows
and contemplate other valuation techniques. Future cash flows can be affected
by
changes in industry or market conditions or the rate and extent to which
anticipated synergies or cost savings are realized with newly acquired entities.
There can be no assurances that goodwill impairments will not occur in the
future. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for
further discussion.
Income
Taxes
Income
taxes are accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” In accordance with SFAS No.
109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax
consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective
tax
bases, as measured by enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect
in the
periods when the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be settled
or realized. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide
provisions for income taxes. In the ordinary course of a global business,
the
ultimate tax outcome is uncertain for many transactions. It is the Company’s
policy to establish provisions for taxes that may become payable in future
years
as a result of an examination by tax authorities. The Company establishes
the
provisions based upon management’s assessment of exposure associated with
permanent tax differences and tax credits applied to temporary difference
adjustments. The tax provisions are analyzed periodically (at least quarterly)
and adjustments are made as events occur that warrant adjustments to those
provisions.
Our
accounting policy for income taxes was recently modified due to the adoption
of
FIN 48. FIN 48 requires significant judgment in determining what constitutes
an
individual tax position as well as assessing the outcome of each tax position.
Changes in judgment as to recognition or measurement of tax positions can
materially affect the estimate of the effective tax rate and consequently,
affect our operating results.
-33-
Revenue
Recognition
The
Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the guidance contained in SEC
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements”. Revenue is recognized when the product has been delivered and title
and risk of loss have passed to the customer, collection of the resulting
receivable is deemed reasonably assured by management, persuasive evidence
of an
arrangement exists and the sale price is fixed and determinable.
Historically
the Company has been successful in mitigating the risks associated with its
revenue. Some issues relate to product warranty, credit worthiness of its
customers and concentration of sales among a few major customers.
The
Company is not contractually obligated to accept returns from non-distributor
customers except for defective product or in instances where the product
does
not meet the Company’s quality specifications. If these conditions existed, the
Company would be obligated to repair or replace the defective product or
make a
cash settlement with the customer. Distributors generally have the right
to
return up to 5% of their purchases over the previous three to six months
and are
obligated to purchase an amount at least equal to the return. If the Company
terminates a distributor, the Company is obligated to accept as a return
all of
the distributor’s inventory from the Company. The Company accrues an estimate
for anticipated returns based on historical experience at the time revenue
is
recognized and adjusts such estimate as specific anticipated returns are
identified. If a distributor terminates its relationship with the Company, the
Company is not obligated to accept any inventory returns. The Company has
a
significant amount of sales with several customers. One customer represented
16.3% of sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The loss
of any
substantial customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash
flows.
-34-
Results
of Operations
The
following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the percentage
relationship to net sales of certain items included in the Company’s condensed
consolidated statements of operations.
Percentage
of Net Sales
|
Percentage
of Net Sales
|
||||||||||||
Nine
Months Ended
|
Three
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2007
|
2006
|
2007
|
2006
|
||||||||||
Net
sales
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
100.0
|
%
|
|||||
Cost
of sales
|
78.4
|
75.1
|
78.8
|
76.2
|
|||||||||
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
14.4
|
14.8
|
13.1
|
12.4
|
|||||||||
Gain
on sale of property, plant and equipment
|
0.6
|
-
|
0.5
|
-
|
|||||||||
Casualty
loss
|
-
|
0.5
|
-
|
(0.1
|
)
|
||||||||
Interest
income and interest and financing expense
|
1.5
|
1.0
|
1.7
|
1.1
|
|||||||||
Gain
on sale of property and marketable securities
|
1.3
|
2.7
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||
Earnings
before provision for income taxes
|
10.7
|
13.2
|
10.3
|
12.6
|
|||||||||
Income
tax provision
|
2.2
|
2.7
|
1.4
|
2.1
|
|||||||||
Net
earnings
|
8.5
|
10.6
|
8.9
|
10.6
|
The
following table sets forth the year over year percentage increase or decrease
of
certain items included in the Company's condensed consolidated statements
of
operations.
Increase
(decrease) from
Prior
Period
|
(Decrease)
from
Prior
Period
|
||||||
Nine
Months Ended
September
30, 2007
compared
with Nine
Months
Ended September
30,
2006
|
Three
Months Ended
September
30, 2007
compared
with Three
Months
Ended September
30,
2006
|
||||||
Net
sales
|
(2.3
|
)%
|
(9.4
|
)%
|
|||
Cost
of sales
|
1.9
|
(6.3
|
)
|
||||
Selling,
general and administrative expenses
|
(4.8
|
)
|
(4.7
|
)
|
|||
Net
earnings
|
(21.6
|
)
|
(23.6
|
)
|
-35-
NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 VERSUS
NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
Sales
Net
sales
decreased 2.3% from $194.4 million during the nine months ended September
30,
2006 to $189.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The
Company attributes the decrease to a decrease in magnetic sales of $15.5
million, a decrease in interconnect sales of $1.2 million, and a decrease
in
circuit protection sales of $0.6 million, partially offset by an increase
in
module sales of $12.7 million. The decreases reflect determinations by the
Company to exit lower margin businesses.
The
significant components of the Company's revenues for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 were magnetic products of $94.7 million (as compared with
$110.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006), interconnect
products of $33.4 million (as compared with $34.6 million during the nine
months
ended September 30, 2006), module products of $47.2 million (as compared
with
$34.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2006), and circuit
protection products of $14.5 million (as compared with $15.1 million during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2006.)
Based
in
part on conflicting opinions the Company received from customers and competitors
in the electronics industry pertaining to revenue growth during 2006, the
Company cannot predict with any degree of certainty sales revenue for the
remainder of 2007 or for 2008. Although the Company's backlog has been stable,
the Company feels that such backlog is not a good indicator of revenues.
The
Company continues to have limited visibility as to future customer requirements.
The
Company cannot quantify the extent of sales growth arising from unit sales
mix
and/or price changes. Given the change in the nature of the products purchased
by customers from period to period, the Company believes that neither unit
changes nor price changes are meaningful. Over the past year, newer and more
sophisticated products with higher unit selling prices have been introduced.
Through the Company's engineering and research effort, the Company has been
successful in adding additional value to existing product lines, which tends
to
increase sales prices initially until that generation of products becomes
mature
and sales prices experience price degradation. In general, as products become
mature, average selling prices decrease.
-36-
Cost
of Sales
Bel
generally enters into processing arrangements with five independent third
party
contractors in the Far East. Costs are recorded as incurred for all products
manufactured either at third party facilities or at the Company's own
manufacturing facilities. Such amounts are determined based upon the estimated
stage of production and include labor cost and fringes and related allocations
of factory overhead. The Company manufactures finished goods at its own
manufacturing facilities in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, Inwood, New York, the
Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Cost
of
sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 75.1% during the nine months
ended September 30, 2006 to 78.4% during the nine months ended September
30,
2007. The increase in the cost of sales percentage is primarily attributable
to
the following:
¨ |
The
Company established a $1.2 million warranty accrual for a defective
part,
including a $.4 million inventory write-off of materials on hand
related
to this matter which are deemed to be
unusable.
|
¨ |
The
Company incurred a 3.4% increase in material costs as a percentage
of net
sales. The increase in raw material costs is principally related
to
increased manufacturing of value-added products, which have a higher
raw
material content than the Company’s other products, increased costs for
raw materials such as copper, steel and petroleum-based products
and
increased transportation costs. Since the majority of the manufacturing
is
conducted in the Far East, the increased material costs negatively
impact
the operating profits in the Far East.
|
¨ |
The
Company is currently paying higher wage rates and benefits to its
production workers in China. These higher rates and benefits are
reflected
in the Company’s cost of sales and result from new labor regulations and a
continuing tightening of the labor market.
|
¨ |
Sales
of the Company’s DC-DC power products have increased. While these products
are strategic to Bel’s growth and important to total earnings, they return
lower gross profit percentage margins as a larger percentage of their
bills of materials are purchased components. As these sales continue
to
increase, the Company’s average gross profit percentage will likely
decrease.
|
Included
in cost of sales are research and development expenses of $4.9 million for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006.
-37-
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
The
percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses to
net
sales decreased from 14.8% during the nine months ended September 30, 2006
to
14.4% during the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The Company attributes
the percentage decrease to a decrease in selling, general and administrative
expense. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the nine months ended September
30, 2006 was approximately $1.4 million. The decrease is principally attributed
to a decrease of commissions and related selling expenses of $1.1 million
and
amortization of intangibles of $0.7 million partially offset by increased
administrative salaries and related benefits of $.5 million. The decrease
in
commissions and related selling expenses is attributable to lower sales.
The
decrease in amortization is principally attributable to lower amortization
of
intangibles due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized. The increase
in
administrative salaries and related benefits is principally the result of
higher
bonuses and wages in the nine months ended September 30, 2007 as compared
to the
nine months ended September 20, 2006.
-38-
Interest
Income
Interest
income earned on cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $1.0
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to the
comparable period in 2006. The increase is due primarily to increased balances
of cash and cash equivalent balances and marketable securities and increased
yields on such balances.
Interest
Expense and Other Costs
Interest
expense and other costs amounted to $125,000 during the nine months ended
September 30, 2007, related primarily to the write off of financing expenses
incurred in connection with the Company’s credit facility. During the nine
months ended September 30, 2006, interest and other expenses included $53,000
of
amortization of financing expenses related to the Company's credit facility
in
the United States.
Sale
of Marketable Securities and Property, Plant and Equipment
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company realized gains from
the
sale of Toko common stock in the amount of $2.5 million and the sale of
property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao in the amount of $1.2
million. The sale of the Company's real estate in Macao reflects the Company's
decision to cease manufacturing in Macao and to consolidate manufacturing
in
larger more efficient facilities. During the fourth quarter the Company intends
to cease manufacturing in a small plant in China. During the nine months
ended
September 30, 2006, the Company realized a gain principally from the sale
of
Artesyn common stock in the amount of $5.2 million.
Casualty
Loss
During
2006, the
Company
incurred a $1.0 million pre-tax casualty loss as a result of a fire at its
leased manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic.
The
loss was
for raw
materials and equipment in excess of estimated insurance proceeds. The
production at this facility was substantially restored during July 2006.
Provision
for Income Taxes
The
provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2007 was
$4.2
million compared to a $5.2 million provision for the nine months ended September
30, 2006. The Company's earnings before income taxes for the nine months
ended
September 30, 2007 are approximately $5.4 million lower than in 2006. The
Company’s effective tax rate, the income tax provision as a percentage of
earnings before provision for income taxes, was 20.5% and 20.1% for the nine
months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively. During
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007 certain statute of limitations expired
regarding liabilities for uncertain tax positions which resulted in a reversal
of such liabilities. Additionally, there were certain changes in estimates
for
prior year taxes, upon finalization of 2006 tax returns. During the first
quarter of 2006, the Company incurred a $1.0 million casualty loss in the
U.S.
which reduced U.S. income tax expense.
-39-
The
Company conducts manufacturing activities in the Far East. More specifically,
the Company has the majority of its products manufactured on the mainland
of the
People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Hong Kong and Macao and has not been subject
to corporate income tax in the PRC. The Company's activities in Hong Kong
have
generally consisted of administration, quality control and accounting, as
well
as some limited manufacturing activities. Hong Kong imposes corporate income
tax
at a rate of 17.5 percent solely on income sourced to Hong Kong. That is,
its
tax system is a territorial one which only seeks to tax activities conducted
in
Hong Kong.
Macao
currently has a statutory corporate income tax rate of 12 percent. Since
most of
the Company's operations are conducted in the Far East, the majority of its
profits are sourced in these three Far East jurisdictions. Accordingly, the
profits earned in the U.S. are comparatively small in relation to its profits
earned in the Far East. Therefore, there is generally a significant difference
between the statutory U.S. tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate.
During
2005, the Company was granted an offshore operating license from the government
of Macao to set up an MCO named Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited
with the intent to handle all of the Company’s sales to third party customers in
Asia. Sales to third party customers commenced during the first quarter of
2006.
Sales consist of products manufactured in the PRC. The MCO is not subject
to
Macao corporate income taxes.
The
Company has historically followed a practice of reinvesting a portion of
the
earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the expansion of its foreign operations.
If
the unrepatriated earnings were distributed to the parent corporation rather
than reinvested in the Far East, such funds would be subject to United States
Federal income taxes.
The
Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax
positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes. During
the
nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company recognized approximately
$368,000 in interest and penalties in the Condensed Consolidated Statement
of
Operations. The Company has approximately $1.6 million accrued for the payment
of interest and penalties at September 30, 2007, which is included in both
income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the condensed
consolidated balance sheet.
-40-
THREE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 VERSUS
THREE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006
Sales
Net
sales
decreased 9.4% from $73.3 million during the three months ended September
30,
2006 to $66.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2007. The
Company attributes the decrease to a decrease in magnetic sales of $8.1 million,
and a decrease in circuit protection sales of $0.5 million offset in part
by an
increase in module sales of $1.6 million and an increase in interconnect
sales
of $0.1 million. The decreases principally reflect determinations by the
Company
to exit lower margin businesses.
The
significant components of the Company's revenues for the three months ended
September 30, 2007 were magnetic products of $33.3 million (as compared with
$41.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2006), interconnect
products of $11.4 million (as compared with $11.3 million during the three
months ended September 30, 2006), module products of $16.6 million (as compared
with $15.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2006), and
circuit protection products of $5.1 million (as compared with $5.6 million
during the three months ended September 30, 2006.)
Cost
of Sales
Cost
of
sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 76.2% during the three
months
ended September 30, 2006 to 78.8% during the three months ended September
30,
2007. The increase in the cost of sales percentage is primarily attributable
to
the following:
¨ |
The
Company incurred a 4.4% increase in material costs as a percentage
of net
sales. The increase in raw material costs is principally related
to
increased manufacturing of value-added products, which have a higher
raw
material content than the Company’s other products, increased costs for
raw materials such as copper, steel and petroleum-based products
and
increased transportation costs. Since the majority of the manufacturing
is
conducted in the Far East, the increased material costs negatively
impact
the operating profits in the Far East.
|
¨ |
The
Company is currently paying higher wage rates and benefits to its
production workers in China. These higher rates and benefits are
reflected
in the Company’s cost of sales and result from new labor regulations and a
continuing tightening of the labor market.
|
¨ |
Sales
of the Company’s DC-DC power products have increased. While these products
are strategic to Bel’s growth and important to total earnings, they return
lower gross profit percentage margins as a larger percentage of their
bills of materials are purchased components. As these sales continue
to
increase, the Company’s average gross profit percentage will likely
decrease.
|
Included
in cost of sales are research and development expenses of $1.8 million and
$1.7
million for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
-41-
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
The
percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses to
net
sales increased from 12.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2006
to
13.1% during the three months ended September 30, 2007 notwithstanding a
decrease in selling, general and administrative expense. The decrease in
selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended September
30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2006 was approximately
$0.4 million. The decrease is principally related to lower commissions and
related selling expenses, due to lower sales, as well as to a reduction in
accounting fees relating to compliance with The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, in the
three
months ended September 30, 2007 compared to the three months ended September
30,
2006.
Interest
Income
Interest
income earned on cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $0.3
million during the three months ended September 30, 2007, as compared to
the
comparable period in 2006. The increase is due primarily to increased average
balances of cash and cash equivalent balances and marketable securities and
increased yields on such balances.
Sale
of Marketable Securities and Property, Plant and Equipment
During
the three months ended September 30, 2007, the Company realized gains from
the
sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao in the amount
of
$0.3 million.
Provision
for Income Taxes
The
provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2007
was
$1.0 million compared to a $1.5 million provision for the three months ended
September 30, 2006. The Company's earnings before income taxes for the three
months ended September 30, 2007 are approximately $2.4 million lower than
the
same period in 2006. The Company’s effective tax rate, the income tax provision
as a percentage of earnings before provision for income taxes, was 13.9%
and
16.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007 and September 30, 2006,
respectively. The decrease is principally related to the same reasons as
outlined in the nine month analysis.
-42-
Inflation
and Foreign Currency Exchange
During
the past two years, the effect of inflation on the Company's profitability
was
not material. Historically, fluctuations of the U.S. Dollar against other
major
currencies have not significantly affected the Company's foreign operations
as
most sales have been denominated in U.S. Dollars or currencies directly or
indirectly linked to the U.S. Dollar. Most significant expenses, including
raw
materials, labor and manufacturing expenses, are either incurred in U.S.
Dollars
or the currencies of the Hong Kong Dollar, the Macao Pataca or the Chinese
Renminbi. The Chinese Renminbi has appreciated in value during 2007 and 2006.
Further appreciation of the Renminbi would result in the Company’s incurring
higher costs for all expenses incurred in China. Commencing with the acquisition
of the Passive Components Group, the Company's European entity has sales
transactions which are denominated principally in Euros and British
Pounds.
Conversion of these transactions into U.S. dollars has resulted in realized
currency exchange losses of $59,000 and $170,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which were charged to expense,
and
approximately $486,000 and $216,000 for the nine months ended September 30,
2007
and 2006, respectively, in unrealized exchange gains relating to the translation
of foreign subsidiary financial statements which are included in accumulated
other comprehensive income. Any change in linkage of the U.S. Dollar and
the
Hong Kong Dollar or the Macao Pataca could have a material effect on the
Company's condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Historically,
the Company has financed its capital expenditures primarily through cash
flows
from operating activities
and has
financed acquisitions both through cash flows from operating activities and
borrowings.
Management believes that the cash flow from operations after payments of
dividends combined with its existing capital base and the Company's available
lines of credit, will be sufficient to fund its operations for the near term.
Such statement constitutes a Forward Looking Statement. Factors which could
cause the Company to require additional capital include, among other things,
a
softening in the demand for the Company’s existing products, an inability to
respond to customer demand for new products, potential acquisitions requiring
substantial capital, future expansion of the Company's operations and net
losses
that would result in net cash being used in operating, investing and/or
financing activities which result in net decreases in cash and cash equivalents.
Net losses may result in the loss of domestic and foreign credit facilities
and
preclude the Company from raising debt or equity financing in the capital
markets
on
affordable terms or otherwise.
During
the quarter ended March 31, 2007, the Company entered into a new unsecured
credit agreement in the amount of $20 million, which expires on July 21,
2008.
There was no balance outstanding as of September 30, 2007. At that date,
the
entire $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow.
The
loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial
statement ratios maintained by the Company.
-43-
The
Company's Hong Kong subsidiary had an unsecured line of credit of approximately
$2 million, which was unused at September 30, 2007. The line of credit expires
during July 2008. Borrowing on the line of credit was guaranteed by the U.S.
parent. The line of credit bears interest at a rate determined by the bank
as
the financing is extended.
For
information regarding further commitments under the Company's operating leases,
see Note 15 of Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in
the
Company's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The
Company completed construction of a 117,000 square foot manufacturing facility,
during November 2006, in Zhongshan City, PRC for approximately $1.3 million.
During
May 2007, the Company sold a parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey
for $6,000,000. The Company estimates that approximately $760,000 of the
proceeds will be payable to the State of New Jersey as a portion of the property
is subject to tideland claims. Of the $6.0 million sales price, the Company
received cash of $1.5 million before closing costs, and $4.5 million is being
held in escrow pending final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland
claim and certain environmental costs the Company is liable for in the maximum
amount of $390,000. The Company has agreed to indemnify the title insurance
company for the entire $6.0 million selling price of the property for any
possible title claim by the State of New Jersey. The Company has deferred
the
estimated gain on the sale of the land before deduction of the estimated
tideland claim payment of $760,000, in the amount of $4.7 million, due to
the
uncertainty of the final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland Claim.
The escrow of $4.5 million has been classified in restricted cash and the
deferred gain of $4.7 million has been classified in deferred gain on the
sale
of property in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30,
2007. Additionally, the Company realized a $1.2 million gain from the sale
of
property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao during the nine months
ended September 30, 2007.
During
the quarter ended June 30, 2007, two of the Company’s Far East subsidiaries
entered into contracts to sell two real estate properties, one in Hong Kong
and
one in Macao with a gross selling price of $8.1 million. The Company has
classified these assets as held for sale with a net book value of approximately
$3.7 million on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet at September
30, 2007 and expects to sell the properties by the fourth quarter of
2007.
-44-
The
Company currently owns a total of 1,840,919 shares, or approximately
1.9%
of the
outstanding shares,
of the
common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total purchase price of $5.6 million.
Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $218 million as of September
30, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s condensed consolidated
balance sheet as marketable securities. These marketable securities are
considered to be available for sale under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain
Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Thus, as of September 30, 2007, the
Company has recorded an unrealized loss, net of income tax benefit of
approximately $0.9 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive
income in stockholders’ equity. During April 2007,, the Company sold 4,034,000
shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a pre-tax
gain, net of investment banker fees and other expenses of approximately $2.5
million.
The
Company acquired a total of 2,037,500 shares of the common stock of Artesyn
Technologies, Inc. (“Artesyn”) at a total purchase price of $16,331,469. On
April 28, 2006, Artesyn was acquired by Emerson Network Power for $11.00
per
share in cash. During the second quarter of 2006, in connection with the
Company's sale of its Artesyn common stock, the Company recognized a gain
of
approximately $5.2 million, net of investment banker advisory fees of $850,000.
The Company accrued bonuses of $1.0 million in connection with the gain.
For
financial statement purposes approximately $300,000 and $700,000 has been
classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative
expenses, respectively, and was paid to key employees by December 31, 2006.
Under
the
terms of the E-Power LTD (“E-Power”) and Current Concepts, Inc. (“Current
Concepts”) acquisition agreements of May 11, 2001, the Company was required to
make contingent purchase price payments up to an aggregate of $7.6 million
should the acquired companies attain specified related sales levels. E-Power
was
to
be paid
$2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments if sales reached
$15.0
million and an additional $4.0 million if sales reached
$25.0
million on a cumulative basis through May 2007. During January 2006, the
$2.0
million of contingent purchase price consideration was earned by
E-Power and
during
February
2006, E-Power was paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price
payments.
During
September 2006, an
additional $4.0 million was
earned
when
sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis
and,
as
a
result, $4.0 million was paid in November 2006, and accounted for as additional
purchase price and as an increase to goodwill. No additional payments will
be
made under the E-Power agreement. Current Concepts is
to
be paid
16% of the first $10.0 million in sales through May 2007. This $10.0 million
benchmark was reached during the second quarter of 2006 and therefore, no
additional payments will be made.
During
the nine and three months ended September 30, 2006, the Company paid or accrued
approximately $447,000 and $0, respectively, in contingent purchase price
payments to Current Concepts. The contingent purchase price payments for
Current
Concepts are accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase
to
covenants not to compete within intangible assets when such payment obligations
are incurred.
-45-
During
2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up
to ten
percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of September 30, 2007,
the Company had purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common shares at a cost
of
approximately $808,000 which reduced the number of Class B common shares
outstanding and had purchased and retired 114,100 Class A common shares at
a
cost of approximately $4.1 million which reduced the number of Class A common
shares outstanding. During October and November 2007, the Company purchased
23,387 additional Class A common shares at a cost of $842,000 which will
reduce
the number of Class A common shares outstanding. No shares of Class B common
stock were repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2007 and
114,100 Class A shares were repurchased during the nine months ended September
30, 2007.
During
July 2007, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase in
the
dividends by $.02 per share per quarter for both Class A and B common shares
effective with the November 2007 dividend payment declared on July 26, 2007.
Such amounts are subject to change, and will be recorded when declared by
the
Board of Directors.
During
the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company's cash and cash
equivalents increased by $25.3 million, reflecting approximately $16.1 million
provided by operating activities (principally as a result of net income of
$16.1
million and depreciation and amortization expense of $5.8 million offset
principally by $3.7 million from gains on sale of marketable securities and
property, plant and equipment and changes in deferred income taxes of $2.0
million), $27.5 million from the sale of marketable securities, $3.6 million
from the sale of property, plant and equipment and proceeds of $1.3 million
from
the exercise of stock options offset, in part, by $11.8 million used principally
for purchases of marketable securities, $6.2 million for the purchase of
property, plant and equipment, $4.1 million for the repurchase of the Company’s
common stock and $1.7 million for payments of dividends.
Cash,
marketable securities and cash equivalents and accounts receivable comprised
approximately 53.4% and 50.7%
of the
Company's total assets at September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006,
respectively. The Company's current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets
to
current liabilities) was 5.7 to 1 and 4.5 to 1 at September 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively.
-46-
The
following table sets forth at September 30, 2007 the amounts of payments
due
under specific types of contractual obligations, aggregated by category of
contractual obligation, for the time periods described below. This table
excludes liabilities recorded relative to uncertain income tax positions
under
FIN 48, amounting to $2.4 million included in income taxes payable and $6.8
million included in liability for uncertain tax positions, as of September
30,
2007 due to the uncertain timing of the resolution of such matters.
Payments
due by period
|
||||||||||||||||
Contractual
Obligations
|
Total
|
Less
than 1 year
|
1-3
years
|
3-5
years
|
More
than
5
years
|
|||||||||||
Capital
expenditure obligations
|
$
|
2,149,976
|
$
|
2,149,976
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
-
|
||||||
Operating
leases
|
4,357,567
|
1,310,698
|
1,546,428
|
1,052,079
|
448,362
|
|||||||||||
Raw
material purchase obligations
|
20,064,385
|
20,064,385
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
26,571,928
|
$
|
23,525,059
|
$
|
1,546,428
|
$
|
1,052,079
|
$
|
448,362
|
The
Company is required to pay SERP
obligations at the occurrence of certain events. As of September 30, 2007,
the
SERP had an unfunded benefit obligation of approximately $1.6 million, net
of
deferred income tax benefit. The gross minimum pension obligation and unfunded
benefit obligation in the amount of $5.4 million is included in long-term
liabilities as an unfunded pension obligation on the Company’s condensed
consolidated balance sheet. Included in other assets at September 30, 2007
are
marketable securities with an estimated value of $5.1 million, which have
been
designated by the Company to be utilized to fund the Company’s SERP
obligations.
-47-
New
Financial Accounting Standards
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which
enhances existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair
value. This Standard provides a single definition of fair value, together
with a
framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the
use of
fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for
financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007,
and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe
that
SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its financial
statements.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”) “The Fair Value Option
for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an
option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value.
The
Standard’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial
instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets
and liabilities differently. It also requires entities to display the fair
value
of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair
value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal
years
beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact of the adoption of this Statement on its financial statements.
In
June
2007, the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 07-3, "Accounting for Nonrefundable
Advance
Payments for Goods or Services Received for Use in Future Research and
Development Activities," which is effective for calendar year companies on
January 1, 2008. The Task Force concluded that nonrefundable advance payments
for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and
development activities should be deferred and capitalized. Such amounts should
be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services
are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be
provided. The Company is currently assessing the potential impacts of
implementing this standard.
-48-
Item
3.
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Fair
Value of Financial Instruments — The estimated fair values of financial
instruments have been determined by the Company using available market
information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
The
Company has not entered into, and does not expect to enter into, financial
instruments for trading or hedging purposes. The Company does not currently
anticipate entering into interest rate swaps and/or similar
instruments.
The
Company's carrying values of cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable,
accounts payable and accrued expenses are a reasonable approximation of their
fair value.
The
Company enters into transactions denominated in U.S. Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars,
the Macao Pataca, the Chinese Renminbi, Euros and British Pounds. Fluctuations
in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies could significantly
impact the Company's consolidated results of operations.
The
Company believes that a change in interest rates of 1% or 2% would not have
a
material effect on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations
or balance sheet.
-49-
Item
4.
Controls
and Procedures
a) |
Disclosure
controls and procedures.
As of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter
covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation,
with the
participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s chief
executive officer and vice president of finance, of the effectiveness
of
the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities
Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s chief
executive officer and vice president of finance concluded that
the
Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring
that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the
reports
that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified
in
the SEC’s rules and forms.
|
b.) |
Changes
in internal controls over financial reporting:
There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over
financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal
quarter
to which this report relates that have materially affected, or
are
reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control
over financial reporting.
|
-50-
PART
II. Other
Information
Item
1. Legal
Proceedings
The
Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. (“Halo”) v.
Bel Fuse Inc., Pulse Engineering, Inc. and Technitrol, Inc. brought in Nevada
Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that the Company has infringed its
patents covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by
the
Company. Halo is seeking unspecified damages, which it claims should be trebled.
The
Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey
Corporation v. Halo Electronics, Inc. brought in the United States District
Court of New Jersey during May 2007. The Company claims that Halo has infringed
a patent covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by
Halo.
The Company is seeking unspecified damages plus interest, costs and attorney
fees.
The
Company and two of its officers are defendants in a wrongful termination
lawsuit
brought in the District Court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany by a former employee
at a foreign subsidiary of the Company. During July 2007, this lawsuit was
settled for approximately $466,000. The Company had provided for this liability
in its financial statements prior to the settlement.
The
Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey
corporation, and Bel Power, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, v. Andrew
Ferencz, Gregory Zovonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation, Howard E. Kaepplein and William Ng, brought in the Superior
Court
of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company was granted injunctive
relief
and is seeking damages against the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc.,
key employees of Galaxy and a corporation formed by some or all of the
individual defendants. The Company has alleged that the defendants violated
their written non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements,
diverted business and usurped substantial business opportunities with key
customers, misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets, and
harmed the Company’s business.
In
a
related matter, the Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Robert
Chimielnski, P.C. on behalf of the stockholder representatives and the former
stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al. brought in the
Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This complaint for damages
and injunctive relief is based on an alleged breach of contract and other
allegedly illegal acts in a corporate context arising out of the Company’s
objection to the release of nearly $2.0 million held in escrow under the
terms
of the stock purchase agreement between Galaxy and the Company. The Company
believes it has adequate defenses regarding this lawsuit and accordingly
has not
accrued any liability in connection with such lawsuit.
-51-
The
Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Murata Manufacturing Company,
Ltd.
v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al, brought in Illinois Federal District Court. Plaintiff
claims that its patent covers all of the Company's modular jack products.
That
party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a
non-exclusive license to the Company under the patent for a 3% royalty on
all
future gross sales of ICM products; payment of a lump sum of 3% of past sales
including sales of applicable Insilco products; an annual minimum royalty
of
$500,000; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's
with
the third party's patent number. The Company was also a defendant in a lawsuit,
captioned Regal Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., brought in California
Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers certain of
the
Company's modular jack products. That party had previously advised the Company
that it was willing to grant a non-transferable license to the Company for
an up
front fee of $500,000 plus a 6% royalty on future sales. The District Court
has
granted summary judgment in the Company's favor dismissing Regal Electronics'
infringement claims, while at the same time the Court dismissed the Company's
invalidity counterclaim against Regal Electronics. Regal has appealed the
Court's rejection of its infringement claims to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
The
case was heard on February 6, 2007 and the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the
District Court’s ruling in favor of the Company.
The
Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters; however, management
believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material
impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of
operations. As at September 30, 2007, no amounts have been accrued in connection
with these lawsuits, as described above, as the amounts are not determinable.
The
Company is not a party to any other legal proceeding, the adverse outcome
of
which is likely
to
have a
material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition
or
results of operations.
Item
2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The
following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company's purchase
of shares of its Class A Common Stock during each calendar month in the quarter
ended September 30, 2007:
Period
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased
|
Average
Price Paid per Share
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans
or
Programs
|
Maximum
Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan
|
|||||||||
July
1 - July 20, 2007
|
1,000
|
$
|
33.64
|
1,000
|
1,031,974
|
||||||||
August
1 - August 31, 2007
|
11,828
|
34.26
|
11,828
|
1,020,146
|
|||||||||
September
1 - September 30, 2007
|
34,246
|
35.29
|
34,246
|
985,900
|
|||||||||
Total
|
47,074
|
$
|
35.00
|
47,074
|
985,900
|
-52-
Item
6.
Exhibits
(a)
Exhibits:
31.1 |
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
|
31.2 |
Certification
of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.1 |
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes
-
Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.2 |
Certification
of the Vice-President of Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
-53-
SIGNATURES
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.
BEL FUSE INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | /s/Daniel Bernstein | |
Daniel Bernstein, |
||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
By: | /s/ Colin Dunn | |
Colin Dunn, |
||
Vice President of Finance |
Dated:
November 9, 2007
-54-
EXHIBIT
INDEX
Exhibit
31.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302
of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit
31.2 - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section
302 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit
32.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906
of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit
32.2 - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section
906 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
-55-