BELDEN INC. - Annual Report: 2014 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

þ    Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

¨    Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File No. 001-12561

BELDEN INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

1 North Brentwood Boulevard

15th Floor

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)

(314) 854-8000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ  No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨  No  þ.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ  No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ  No  ¨.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  þ     Accelerated filer  ¨            Non-accelerated filer  ¨        Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨  No  þ.

At June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of Common Stock of Belden Inc. held by non-affiliates was $2,984,203,300 based on the closing price ($78.83) of such stock on such date.

There were 42,517,178 shares of registrant’s Common Stock outstanding on February 17, 2015.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The registrant intends to file a definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 (the “Proxy Statement”). Portions of such proxy statement are incorporated by reference into Part III.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Belden Inc. (the Company, Belden, we, us, or our) is an innovative signal transmission solutions provider. Belden’s comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications. We sell our products to distributors, end-users, installers, and directly to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Belden is a Delaware corporation incorporated in 1988.

In 2013, we re-organized the Company around four global business platforms: Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, and Industrial IT Solutions. Previously, we were organized around geographic regions. The re-organization was executed as a result of our transformation from a regional cable company into a global provider of comprehensive signal transmission solutions. We believe the new organization allows us to better capitalize on market opportunities and meet customer demands. We have determined each of the global business platforms represents a reportable segment. Financial information about our segments appears in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

As used herein, unless an operating segment is identified or the context otherwise requires, “Belden,” the “Company”, and “we” refer to Belden Inc. and its subsidiaries as a whole.

Strategy and Business Model

Our business model is designed to generate shareholder value:

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Segments

We operate our business under the following segments:

Broadcast

The Broadcast Solutions (Broadcast) segment provides production, distribution, and connectivity systems for television broadcast, cable, satellite, and IPTV industries. We target end-use customers in markets such as outside broadcast, sport venues, broadcast studios, and cable, broadband, satellite, and telecommunications service providers. Our products are used in a variety of applications, including live production signal management, program playout for broadcasters, monitoring for pay-TV operators, and broadband connectivity. Broadcast products and solutions include camera mounted fiber solutions, interfaces and routers, broadcast and audio-visual cable solutions, monitoring systems, playout systems, outside plant connectivity products, and other cable and connectivity products.

Our hardware and software solutions for the broadcast infrastructure industry span the full breadth of television operations, including production, playout, and delivery. For the broadband distribution industry, we manufacture flexible, copper-clad coaxial cable and associated connector products for the high-speed transmission of data, sound, and video (broadband) that are used for the “drop” section of cable television (CATV) systems and satellite direct broadcast systems. Our connectivity solutions include several major product categories: coax connector products that allow for connections from the provider network to the subscribers’ devices; hardline connectors that allow service providers to distribute their services within a city, a town, or a neighborhood; entry devices that serve to manage and remove network signal noise that could impair performance for the subscriber; and traps and filtering devices that allow service providers to control the signals that are transmitted to the subscriber. The Broadcast segment also manufactures a variety of multiconductor and coaxial cable and connector products, which distribute audio and video signals for use in broadcast television including digital television and high definition television, broadcast radio, pre- and post-production facilities, recording studios, and public facilities such as casinos, arenas, and stadiums. Our audio/video cables are also used in connection with microphones, musical instruments, audio mixing consoles, effects equipment, speakers, paging systems, and consumer audio products. We also provide specialized cables for security applications such as video surveillance systems, airport baggage screening, building access control, motion detection, public address systems, and advanced fire alarm systems.

Broadcast products are sold through a variety of channels, including: broadcast specialty distributors; audio systems installers; directly to music OEMs and the major television networks including ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC; directly to broadband service providers, including Comcast, DirectTV, and Time Warner; directly to specialty system integrators; and other distributors.

Enterprise

The Enterprise Connectivity Solutions (Enterprise) segment provides network infrastructure solutions for enterprise customers. We serve customers in markets such as data hosting, healthcare, education, financial, and government. Our products are used in applications such as data centers, local area networks, access control, and building automation. Enterprise provides true end-to-end copper and fiber network systems to include cable, assemblies, interconnect panels, and enclosures. Our high-performance solutions support all networking protocols to include 100G+ Ethernet technologies. Enterprise products also include intelligent power, cooling, and airflow management hardware and software for mission-critical data center operations. The Enterprise product portfolio is designed to support the increased use of wireless communications and cloud-based data centers by our customers.

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Our systems are installed through a network of highly trained system integrators and are supplied through authorized distributors.

Industrial Connectivity

The Industrial Connectivity Solutions (Industrial Connectivity) segment provides infrastructure components and connectivity systems for a wide range of industrial automation applications. We target end-use customers in markets such as automotive production, machine building, power generation, transportation, and oil and gas. Our products are used in applications such as network and fieldbus infrastructure; sensor and actuator connectivity; and power, control, and data transmission. Industrial Connectivity products include solutions such as industrial and input/output (I/O) connectors, industrial cables, IP and networking cables, I/O modules, distribution boxes, customer specific wiring solutions, and load-moment indicator systems as well as controllers and sensors for the mobile crane market.

Our industrial cable products are used in discrete manufacturing and process operations involving the connection of computers, programmable controllers, robots, operator interfaces, motor drives, sensors, printers, and other devices. Many industrial environments, such as petrochemical and other harsh-environment operations, require cables with exterior armor or jacketing that can endure physical abuse and exposure to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and outside elements. Other applications require conductors, insulating, and jacketing materials that can withstand repeated flexing. In addition to cable product configurations for these applications, we supply heat-shrinkable tubing and wire management products to protect and organize wire and cable assemblies. Our industrial connector products are primarily used as sensor and actuator connections in factory automation supporting various fieldbus protocols as well as power connections in building automation. These products are used both as components of manufacturing equipment and in the installation and networking of such equipment.

Industrial Connectivity products are sold directly to industrial equipment OEMs and through a network of industrial distributors, value-added resellers, and system integrators.

Industrial IT

The Industrial IT segment provides mission-critical networking systems that provide the end-users with the highest confidence of reliability, availability, and security. We target end-use customers in markets such as energy, automotive, transportation systems, and automation suppliers, and our products are used in such applications as network infrastructure, wireless, and security. Industrial IT products include security devices, Ethernet switches and related equipment, routers and gateways, network management software, and wireless systems. Our industrial Ethernet switches and related equipment can be both rail-mounted and rack-mounted, and are used for factory automation, power generation and distribution, process automation, and large-scale infrastructure projects such as bridges, wind farms, and airport runways. Rail-mounted switches are designed to withstand harsh conditions including electronic interference and mechanical stresses. The Industrial IT product portfolio supports the continued deployment of industrial Ethernet technology throughout industrial manufacturing processes.

Industrial IT products are sold directly to end-use customers, directly to OEMs, and through distributors.

All Other

The All Other segment represents the financial results of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market, which we sold in December 2012.

See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our segments.

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Acquisitions

A key part of our business strategy includes acquiring companies to support our growth and product portfolio. Our acquisition strategy is based upon targeting leading companies that offer innovative products and strong brands. We utilize a disciplined approach to acquisitions based on product and market opportunities. When we identify acquisition candidates, we conduct rigorous financial analysis to make certain that they meet both our strategic plans and our goals for return on invested capital.

We have completed a number of acquisitions in recent years as part of this strategy. Most recently, on January 2, 2015, we acquired Tripwire, Inc., a leading global provider of advanced threat, security, and compliance solutions. Tripwire’s solutions enable enterprises, service providers, manufacturers, and government agencies to confidently detect, prevent, and respond to growing security threats, and expands our networking and security portfolio.

In November 2014, we acquired Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast), a leading manufacturer of custom wire and cable solutions used in high-end medical device, military and defense, and industrial applications. In June 2014, we acquired ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft), a leading manufacturer of industrial networking products that translate between disparate automation systems, including the various protocols used by different automation vendors. In March 2014, we acquired Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l., (collectively, Grass Valley), a leading provider of innovative technologies for the broadcast industry, including production switchers, cameras, servers, and editing solutions.

In 2013, we acquired Softel Limited (Softel), a key technology supplier to the media sector with a portfolio of technologies well aligned with broadcast industry trends and growing demand.

In 2012, we acquired PPC Broadband, Inc. (PPC), a leading manufacturer and developer of advanced connectivity technologies for the broadband market, and Miranda Technologies Inc. (Miranda), a leading provider of hardware and software solutions for the broadcast infrastructure industry. The acquisitions of PPC and Miranda represented a significant expansion of our broadcast portfolio, and our annual Broadcast segment revenues more than doubled as a result.

For more information regarding these transactions, see Notes 3 and 26 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Customers

We sell to distributors, OEMs, installers, and end-users. Sales to the distributor Anixter International Inc. represented approximately 13% of our consolidated revenues in 2014. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our revenues in 2014.

We have supply agreements with distributors and OEM customers. In general, our customers are not contractually obligated to buy our products exclusively, in minimum amounts, or for a significant period of time. We believe that our relationships with our customers and distributors are good and that they choose Belden products, among other reasons, as a result of our reputation, the breadth of our product portfolio, the quality and performance characteristics of our products, and our customer service and technical support.

International Operations

In addition to manufacturing facilities in the United States (U.S.), we have manufacturing and other operating facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, and St. Kitts, as well as in various countries in Europe. During 2014, approximately 51% of Belden’s sales were to customers outside the U.S. Our primary channels to international markets include both distributors and direct sales to end users and OEMs.

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Financial information for Belden by country is shown in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Competition

We face substantial competition in our major markets. The number and size of our competitors vary depending on the product line and segment. Some multinational competitors have greater financial, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing resources than we have. There are also many regional competitors that have more limited product offerings.

The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial markets in which we operate can be generally categorized as highly competitive with many players. In order to maximize our competitive advantages, we manage our product portfolio to capitalize on secular trends and high-growth applications in those markets.

The principal competitive factors in all our product markets are technical features, quality, availability, price, customer support, and distribution coverage. The relative importance of each of these factors varies depending on the customer. Some products are manufactured to meet published industry specifications and are less differentiated on the basis of product characteristics. We believe that Belden stands out in many of its markets on the basis of our reputation, the breadth of our product portfolio, the quality and performance characteristics of our products, our customer service, and our technical support.

Research and Development

We conduct research and development on an ongoing basis, including new and existing product development, testing and analysis, and process and equipment development and testing. See the Consolidated Statements of Operations for amounts incurred for research and development.

Many of the markets we serve are characterized by advances in information processing and communications capabilities, including advances driven by the expansion of digital technology, which require increased transmission speeds and greater bandwidth. Our markets are also subject to increasing requirements for mobility, information security, and transmission reliability. The relative costs and merits of copper and fiber optic based infrastructure solutions could change in the future as various competing technologies address the market opportunities. We believe that our future success will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing products and to develop and manufacture new products that meet or anticipate such changes in our served markets.

Fiber optic technology presents a potential substitute for certain of the copper-based products that comprise a portion of our revenues. Fiber optic cables have certain advantages over copper-based cables in applications where large amounts of information must travel significant distances and where high levels of information security are required. While the cost to interface electronic and optical light signals and to terminate and connect optical fiber remains comparatively high, we expect that in future years the cost difference will diminish. We sell fiber optic infrastructure, and many customers specify these products in combination with copper-based infrastructure.

The final stage of most networks remains almost exclusively copper-based, and we expect that it will continue to be copper for the foreseeable future. However, if a significant decrease in the cost of fiber optic systems relative to the cost of copper-based systems were to occur, such systems could become superior on a price/performance basis to copper-based systems. Part of our research and development efforts focus on expanding our fiber-optic based product portfolio.

In the industrial networking market, there is a growing trend toward adoption of industrial Ethernet technology, bringing to the critical infrastructure the advantages of digital communication and the ability to network devices made by different manufacturers and integrating them with enterprise systems. While the adoption of this technology is at a more advanced stage in certain regions of the world, we believe that the trend will globalize. This trend will also lead to a rising need for wireless systems for some applications and for cybersecurity to protect this critical infrastructure.

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In the broadcast market, the trend towards increasingly complex broadcast production, management, and distribution environments continues to evolve. Our end-use customers need to increase efficiency and enhance workflow through systems and infrastructure. Our broadcast products allow content producers, broadcasters, and service providers to manage the increasingly complex broadcast signals throughout their operations.

In order to support the demand for additional bandwidth and to improve service integrity, broadband service providers are investing in their networks to enhance delivery capabilities to customers for the foreseeable future. Additional bandwidth requirements as a result of increased traffic expose weak points in the network, which are often connectivity related, causing broadband service operators to improve and upgrade residential networks with higher performing connectivity products.

Patents and Trademarks

We have a policy of seeking patents when appropriate on inventions concerning new products, product improvements, and advances in equipment and processes as part of our ongoing research, development, and manufacturing activities. We own many patents and registered trademarks worldwide that are used by our operating segments, with pending applications for numerous others. While we consider our patents and trademarks to be valuable assets, we do not believe that our competitive position is dependent on patent or trademark protection or that our operations are dependent on any individual patent or trademark. Our most prominent trademarks are: Belden^®, Alpha Wire™, Mohawk^®, West Penn Wire™, Hirschmann^®, Lumberg Automation™, SignalTight^®, GarrettCom^®, Poliron™, Tofino^®, PPC^®, Grass Valley^®, ProSoft Technology^®, and Tripwire^®.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in many of our cable products is copper. Other materials we purchase in large quantities include fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, aluminum-clad steel and copper-clad steel conductors, aluminum, brass, other metals, optical fiber, printed circuit boards, and electronic components. With respect to all major raw materials used by us, we generally have either alternative sources of supply or access to alternative materials. Supplies of these materials are generally adequate and are expected to remain so for the foreseeable future.

Over the past three years, the prices of metals, particularly copper, have been highly volatile. The chart below illustrates the high and low spot prices per pound of copper over the last three years.

Prices for materials such as PVC and other plastics derived from petrochemical feedstocks have also fluctuated. Since Belden utilizes the first in, first out (FIFO) inventory costing methodology, the impact of copper and other raw material cost changes on our cost of goods sold is delayed by approximately two months based on our inventory turns.

While we generally are able to adjust our pricing for fluctuations in commodity prices, we can experience short-term favorable or unfavorable variances. When the cost of raw materials increases, we are generally able to recover these costs through higher pricing of our finished products. The majority of our products are sold through distribution, and we manage the pricing of these products through published price lists, which we update from time to time, with new prices typically taking effect a few weeks after they are announced. Some OEM customer contracts have provisions for passing through raw material cost changes, generally with a lag of a few weeks to three months.

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Backlog

Our business is characterized generally by short-term order and shipment schedules. Our backlog consists of product orders for which we have received a customer purchase order or purchase commitment and which have not yet been shipped. Orders are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by the customer. As of December 31, 2014, our backlog of orders believed to be firm was $175.4 million. The majority of the backlog at December 31, 2014 is scheduled to be shipped in 2015.

Environmental Matters

We are subject to numerous federal, state, provincial, local, and foreign laws and regulations relating to the storage, handling, emission, and discharge of materials into the environment, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act; and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. We believe that our existing environmental control procedures and accrued liabilities are adequate, and we have no current plans for substantial capital expenditures in this area.

Employees

As of December 31, 2014, we had approximately 8,100 employees worldwide. We also utilized approximately 500 workers under contract manufacturing arrangements. Approximately 1,800 employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements at various locations around the world. We believe our relationship with our employees is generally good.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports, proxy statements, and other information contain additional information about us. You may read and copy these materials at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC also maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information about issuers who file electronically with the SEC. The Internet address of the site is www.sec.gov.

Belden maintains an Internet web site at www.belden.com where our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, and all amendments to those reports and statements are available without charge, as soon as reasonably practicable following the time they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

We will provide upon written request and without charge a printed copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. To obtain such a copy, please write to the Corporate Secretary, Belden Inc., 1 North Brentwood Boulevard, 15^th Floor, St. Louis, MO 63105.

Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the persons who were Belden executive officers as of February 23, 2015. All executive officers are elected to terms that expire at the organizational meeting of the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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John S. Stroup was appointed President, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board in October 2005. From 2000 to the date of his appointment with the Company, he was employed by Danaher Corporation, a manufacturer of professional instrumentation, industrial technologies, and tools and components. At Danaher, he initially served as Vice President, Business Development. He was promoted to President of a division of Danaher’s Motion Group and later to Group Executive of the Motion Group. Earlier, he was Vice President of Marketing and General Manager with Scientific Technologies Inc. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Steven Biegacki was appointed Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing (title subsequently changed as reflected in the above table) in March 2008. Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice President, Marketing for Rockwell Automation. At Rockwell, he initially served as DeviceNet Program Manager, was promoted to Business Manager, Automation Networks in 1997, Vice President, Integrated Architecture Commercial Marketing in 1999, and Vice President, Components and Power Control Commercial Marketing in 2005. Previously, he was an Automation Systems Architecture Marketing Manager for Allen-Bradley Company. He has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology from ETI Technical College in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kevin L. Bloomfield has been Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of the Company (title subsequently changed as reflected in the above table) since July 2004. From August 1993 until July 2004, Mr. Bloomfield was Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Belden 1993 Inc. He was Senior Counsel for Cooper Industries from February 1987 to July 1993, and had been in Cooper’s Law Department from 1981 to 1993. He has a B.A. in Economics and a J.D. from the University of Cincinnati and an M.B.A. from The Ohio State University.

Henk Derksen has been Senior Vice President, Finance, and Chief Financial Officer since January 2012. Prior to that, he served as Vice President, Corporate Finance from July 2011 to December 2011 and Treasurer and Vice President, Financial Planning and Analysis of the Company from January 2010 to July 2011. In August of 2003, he became Vice President, Finance for the Company’s EMEA division, after joining the Company at the end of 2000. Prior to joining the Company, he was Vice President and Controller of Plukon Poultry, a food processing company from 1998 to 2000, and has 5 years’ experience in public accounting with Price Waterhouse and Baker Tilly. Mr. Derksen has a M.A. in Accounting from the University of Arnhem in the Netherlands and holds a doctoral degree in Business Economics in addition to an Executive Master of Finance & Control from Tias Business School in the Netherlands.

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Christoph Gusenleitner has been Executive Vice President, Industrial Connectivity Solutions since April 2013. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President, EMEA Operations and Global Connectivity Products since joining Belden in April 2010. Prior to joining the Company, he was a partner at Bain & Company in its industrial goods and services practice in Munich. Prior to that, he was General Manager of KaVo Dental GmbH and Kaltenbach & Voigt GmbH in Biberach, Germany. KaVo is an affiliate of Danaher Corporation. During his four-year tenure at KaVo, Mr. Gusenleitner led the strategic planning process for the global Danaher Dental Equipment platform and led three business units and 18 sales subsidiaries in EMEA. He has a degree in electrical engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria and a Master of Science in Industrial Automation from Carnegie Mellon University.

Glenn Pennycook has been Executive Vice President, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions since May 2013. Prior to that, he was President of the Enterprise Solutions Division, after joining Belden in November 2008. Prior to joining the Company, he spent 5 years with Pregis Corporation as Director of Operations for Protective Packaging Europe, and was promoted to Managing Director for Western Europe in 2005. He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario, Canada.

Ross Rosenberg was appointed Senior Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development at the Company in February 2013, and became an executive officer in May 2014. Prior to joining the Company, he led corporate development and global marketing at First Solar, the world’s largest provider of utility-scale solar power plant solutions. Prior to First Solar, Mr. Rosenberg ran a division of Danaher, a large diversified industrial technology company. At Danaher, he held several executive management roles, as well as vice president, marketing for a division and group vice president, strategy and business development. Mr. Rosenberg holds a B.S. in Accounting from University of Illinois, an M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Dhrupad Trivedi has been Executive Vice President, Industrial IT Solutions since April 2013. Prior to that, he was responsible for the Corporate Development and Strategy function since joining Belden in January 2010. Earlier, he was President, Trapeze Networks. Prior to joining the Company, he was responsible for General Management and Corporate Development roles at JDS Uniphase. He has 18 years of experience in the Networking and Communications industry. Dhrupad has an MBA from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Roel Vestjens has been Executive Vice President, Broadcast Solutions since March 2014. Mr. Vestjens joined Belden in 2006 as Director of Marketing for the EMEA region. In April 2008, Mr. Vestjens was promoted to Director of Sales and Marketing for the Industrial Connectivity Solutions business, and in January 2009, he was appointed General Manager of Belden’s Wire and Cable Systems business in EMEA. Mr. Vestjens relocated to Asia in November 2010, and became President of the APAC OEM business, followed by President of all APAC Operations in May 2012. Mr. Vestjens joined Belden from Royal Philips Electronics where he held various European sales and marketing positions. Mr. Vestjens holds a bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master of Science and Management degree from Nyenrode Business University in the Netherlands.

Doug Zink has been Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since September 2013. Prior to that, he has served as the Company’s Vice President, Internal Audit; Corporate Controller; and Director of Financial Reporting, after joining Belden in May 2007. Prior to joining the Company, he was a Financial Reporting Manager at TLC Vision Corporation, an eye care service company, from 2004 to 2007, and has five years of experience in public accounting with KPMG LLP and Arthur Andersen LLP. He holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting from Texas Christian University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We make forward-looking statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in other materials we file with the SEC or otherwise release to the public, and on our website. In addition, our senior management might make forward-looking statements orally to investors, analysts, the media, and others. Statements concerning our

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future operations, prospects, strategies, financial condition, future economic performance (including growth and earnings) and demand for our products and services, and other statements of our plans, beliefs, or expectations, including the statements contained in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. In some cases these statements are identifiable through the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “target,” “can,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to various assumptions, risks, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by these forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others, those set forth below and in the other documents that we file with the SEC.

We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Following is a discussion of some of the more significant risks that could materially impact our business. There may be additional risks that impact our business that we currently do not recognize as, or that are not currently, material to our business.

A challenging global economic environment or a downturn in the markets we serve could adversely affect our operating results and stock price in a material manner.

A challenging global economic environment could cause substantial reductions in our revenue and results of operations as a result of weaker demand by the end users of our products and price erosion. Price erosion may occur through competitors becoming more aggressive in pricing practices. A challenging global economy could also make it difficult for our customers, our vendors, and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. Our customers could also face issues gaining timely access to sufficient credit, which could have an adverse effect on our results if such events cause reductions in revenues, delays in collection, or write-offs of receivables. Further, the demand for many of our products is economically sensitive and will vary with general economic activity, trends in nonresidential construction, investment in manufacturing facilities and automation, demand for information and broadcast technology equipment, and other economic factors.

Global economic uncertainty could result in a significant decline in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, which could result in a significant adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations; could make it extremely difficult for our customers and us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities; and could cause our customers to slow or reduce spending on our products and services. Economic uncertainty could also arise from fiscal policy changes in the countries in which we operate.

Changes in the price and availability of raw materials we use could be detrimental to our profitability.

Copper is a significant component of the cost of most of our cable products. Over the past few years, the prices of metals, particularly copper, have been highly volatile. Prices of other materials we use, such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) and other plastics derived from petrochemical feedstocks, have also been volatile. Generally, we have recovered much of the higher cost of raw materials through higher pricing of our finished products. The majority of our products are sold through distribution, and we manage the pricing of these products through published price lists which we update from time to time, with new prices typically taking effect a few weeks after they are announced. Some OEM contracts have provisions for passing through raw material cost changes, generally with a lag of a few weeks to three months. If we are unable to raise prices sufficiently to recover our material costs, our earnings could decline. If we raise our prices but competitors raise their prices less, we may lose sales, and our earnings could decline. If the price of copper were to decline, we may be compelled to reduce prices to remain competitive, which could have a negative effect on revenues. While we generally believe the supply of raw materials (copper, plastics, and other materials) is adequate, we have experienced instances of limited supply of certain raw materials, resulting in extended lead times and higher prices. If a supply interruption or shortage of materials were to occur (including due to labor or political disputes), this could have a negative effect on revenues and earnings.

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The global broadcast, enterprise, industrial, and security markets are highly competitive.

We face competition from other manufacturers for each of our global business platforms and in each of our geographic regions. These companies compete on price, reputation and quality, product technology and characteristics, and terms. Some multinational competitors have greater engineering, financial, manufacturing, and marketing resources than we have. Actions that may be taken by competitors, including pricing, business alliances, new product introductions, market penetration, and other actions, could have a negative effect on our revenues and profitability. Moreover, during economic downturns, some competitors that are highly leveraged both financially and operationally could become more aggressive in their pricing of products.

We rely on several key distributors in marketing our products.

The majority of our sales are through distributors. These distributors purchase and carry the products of our competitors along with our products. Our largest distributor, Anixter International Inc., accounted for 13% of our revenue in 2014. If we were to lose a key distributor, our revenue and profits would likely be reduced, at least temporarily. Changes in the inventory levels of our products owned and held by our distributors can result in significant variability in our revenues. Further, certain distributors are allowed to return certain inventory in exchange for an order of equal or greater value. We have recorded reserves for the estimated impact of these inventory policies.

In the past, distributors have consolidated. Further consolidation of our distributors, particularly where the survivor relies more heavily on our competitors, could adversely impact our revenues and earnings. It could also result in consolidation of distributor inventory, which would temporarily depress our revenues. We have also experienced financial failure of distributors from time to time, resulting in our inability to collect accounts receivable in full. A global economic downturn could cause financial difficulties (including bankruptcy) for our distributors and other customers, which would adversely affect our results of operations.

Volatility of credit markets could adversely affect our business.

Uncertainty in U.S. and global financial and equity markets could make it more expensive for us to conduct our operations and more difficult for our customers to buy our products. Additionally, market volatility or uncertainty may cause us to be unable to pursue or complete acquisitions. Our ability to implement our business strategy and grow our business, particularly through acquisitions, may depend on our ability to raise capital by selling equity or debt securities or obtaining additional debt financing. Market conditions may prevent us from obtaining financing when we need it or on terms acceptable to us.

We must complete further acquisitions in order to achieve our strategic plan.

In order to meet the goals in our strategic plan, we must complete further acquisitions. The extent to which appropriate acquisitions are made will affect our overall growth, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows. Our ability to acquire businesses successfully will decline if we are unable to identify appropriate acquisition targets consistent with our strategic plan, the competition among potential buyers increases, or the cost of acquiring suitable businesses becomes too expensive. As a result, we may be unable to make acquisitions or be forced to pay more or agree to less advantageous acquisition terms for the companies that we are able to acquire.

We may have difficulty integrating the operations of acquired businesses, which could negatively affect our results of operations and profitability.

We may have difficulty integrating acquired businesses and future acquisitions might not meet our performance expectations. Some of the integration challenges we might face include differences in corporate culture and management styles, additional or conflicting governmental regulations, preparation of the acquired

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operations for compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, financial reporting that is not in compliance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, disparate company policies and practices, customer relationship issues, and retention of key personnel. In addition, management may be required to devote a considerable amount of time to the integration process, which could decrease the amount of time we have to manage the other businesses. We may not be able to integrate operations successfully or cost-effectively, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations or our profitability. The process of integrating operations could also cause some interruption of, or the loss of momentum in, the activities of acquired businesses.

We may be unable to achieve our goals related to growth.

In order to meet the goals in our strategic plan, we must grow our business, both organically and through acquisitions. Our goal is to generate total revenue growth of 8-10% per year in constant currency. We may be unable to achieve this desired growth due to a failure to identity growth opportunities, such as trends and technological changes in our end markets. We may ineffectively execute our Market Delivery System, which is designed to identify and capture growth opportunities. The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial end markets we serve may not experience the growth we expect. Further, those markets may be unable to sustain growth on a long-term basis, particularly in emerging markets. If we are unable to achieve our goals related to growth, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

We may be unable to implement our strategic plan successfully.

Our strategic plan is designed to improve revenues and profitability, reduce costs, and improve working capital management. To achieve these goals, our strategic priorities are reliant on our Belden Business System, which includes continuing deployment of our MDS so as to capture market share through end-user engagement, channel management, outbound marketing, and careful vertical market selection; improving our recruitment and development of talented associates; developing strong global business platforms; acquiring businesses that fit our strategic plan; and becoming a leading Lean company. Lean refers to a business management system that strives to create value for customers and deliver that value to the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantities while reducing or eliminating waste from all processes. We have a disciplined process for deploying this strategic plan through our associates. There is a risk that we may not be successful in developing or executing these measures to achieve the expected results for a variety of reasons, including market developments, economic conditions, shortcomings in establishing appropriate action plans, or challenges with executing multiple initiatives simultaneously. For example, our MDS initiative may not succeed or we may lose market share due to challenges in choosing the right products to market or the right customers for these products, integrating products of acquired companies into our sales and marketing strategy, or strategically bidding against OEM partners. We may fail to identify growth opportunities. We may not be able to acquire businesses that fit our strategic plan on acceptable business terms, and we may not achieve our other strategic priorities.

If we are unable to retain senior management and key employees, our business operations could be adversely affected.

Our success has been largely dependent on the skills, experience, and efforts of our senior management and key employees. The loss of any of our senior management or other key employees, including due to acquisitions or restructuring activities, could have an adverse effect on us. We may not be able to find qualified replacements for these individuals and the integration of potential replacements may be disruptive to our business. More broadly, a key determinant of our success is our ability to attract, develop, and retain talented associates. While this is one of our strategic priorities, we may not be able to succeed in this regard.

We may be unable to achieve our strategic priorities in emerging markets.

Emerging markets are a significant focus of our strategic plan. The developing nature of these markets presents a number of risks. We may be unable to attract, develop, and retain appropriate talent to manage our

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businesses in emerging markets. Deterioration of social, political, labor, or economic conditions in a specific country or region may adversely affect our operations or financial results. Emerging markets may not meet our growth expectations, and we may be unable to maintain such growth or to balance such growth with financial goals and compliance requirements. Among the risks in emerging market countries are bureaucratic intrusions and delays, contract compliance failures, engrained business partners that do not comply with local or U.S. law, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, fluctuating currencies and interest rates, limitations on the amount and nature of investments, restrictions on permissible forms and structures of investment, unreliable legal and financial infrastructure, regime disruption and political unrest, uncontrolled inflation and commodity prices, fierce local competition by companies with better political connections, and corruption. In addition, the costs of compliance with local laws and regulations in emerging markets may negatively impact our competitive position as compared to locally owned manufacturers.

Because we do business in many countries, our results of operations are subject to political, economic, and other uncertainties and are affected by changes in currency exchange rates.

In addition to manufacturing and other operating facilities in the U.S., we have manufacturing and other operating facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, St. Kitts, and several European countries. We rely on suppliers in many countries, including China. Our foreign operations are subject to economic and political risks inherent in maintaining operations abroad such as economic and political destabilization, land use risks, international conflicts, restrictive actions by foreign governments, and adverse foreign tax laws. A risk associated with our European manufacturing operations is the higher relative expense and length of time required to adjust manufacturing employment capacity. We also face political risks in the U.S., including tax or regulatory risks or potential adverse impacts from legislative impasses over, or significant changes in, fiscal or monetary policy.

Approximately 51% of our sales are outside the U.S. Other than the U.S. dollar, the principal currencies to which we are exposed through our manufacturing operations, sales, and related cash holdings are the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Hong Kong dollar, the Chinese yuan, the Japanese yen, the Mexican peso, the Australian dollar, the British pound, and the Brazilian real. Generally, we have revenues and costs in the same currency, thereby reducing our overall currency risk, although any realignment of our manufacturing capacity among our global facilities could alter this balance. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against other currencies, the results of our non-U.S. operations are translated at a lower exchange rate and thus into lower reported earnings.

Our future success depends in part on our ability to develop and introduce new products.

Our markets are characterized by the introduction of products with increasing technological capabilities. The relative costs and merits of our solutions could change in the future as various competing technologies address the market opportunities. In addition, the products sold by our recently acquired businesses generally have shorter life cycles than our legacy product portfolio. We believe that our future success will depend in part upon our ability to enhance existing products and to develop and manufacture new products that meet or anticipate technological changes, which will require continued investment in engineering, research and development, capital equipment, marketing, customer service, and technical support. We have long been successful in introducing successive generations of more capable products, but if we were to fail to keep pace with technology or with the products of competitors, we might lose market share and harm our reputation and position as a technology leader in our markets. Competing technologies could cause the obsolescence of many of our products. See the discussion above in Part I, Item 1, under Research and Development.

We might have difficulty protecting our intellectual property from use by competitors, or competitors might accuse us of violating their intellectual property rights.

Disagreements about patents and other intellectual property rights occur in the markets we serve. Third parties have asserted and may in the future assert claims of infringement of intellectual property rights against us or against our customers or channel partners for which we may be liable. Furthermore, a successful claimant could secure a judgment that requires us to pay substantial damages or prevents us from distributing certain products or performing certain services. We may encounter difficulty enforcing our own intellectual property rights against third parties, which could result in price erosion or loss of market share.

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We may experience significant variability in our quarterly and annual effective tax rate which would affect our reported net income.

We have a complex tax profile due to the global nature of our operations, which encompass multiple taxing jurisdictions. Variability in the mix and profitability of domestic and international activities, identification and resolution of various tax uncertainties, changes in tax laws and rates, and the extent to which we are able to realize net operating loss and other carryforwards included in deferred tax assets and avoid potential adverse outcomes included in deferred tax liabilities, among other matters, may significantly affect our effective income tax rate in the future.

Our effective income tax rate is the result of the income tax rates in the various countries in which we do business. Our mix of income and losses in these jurisdictions affects our effective tax rate. For example, relatively more income in higher tax rate jurisdictions would increase our effective tax rate and thus lower our net income. Similarly, if we generate losses in tax jurisdictions for which no benefits are available, our effective income tax rate will increase. Our effective income tax rate may also be impacted by the recognition of discrete income tax items, such as required adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions or our deferred tax asset valuation allowance. A significant increase in our effective income tax rate could have a material adverse impact on our earnings.

Of our $741.2 million cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2014, $139.9 million was held outside of the U.S. in our foreign operations. If we were to repatriate the foreign cash to the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes in accordance with applicable U.S. tax rules and regulations.

If our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, we would be required to recognize charges that would reduce our income.

Under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., goodwill and certain other intangible assets are not amortized but must be reviewed for possible impairment annually or more often in certain circumstances if events indicate that the asset values may not be recoverable. We have incurred significant charges for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets in the past, and we may be required to do so again in future periods if the underlying value of our business declines. Such a charge would reduce our income without any change to our underlying cash flows.

Legal compliance issues could adversely affect our business.

We have a strong legal compliance and ethics program, including a code of business conduct and ethics, policies on anti-bribery, export controls, environmental, and other legal compliance areas, and periodic training to relevant associates on these matters. While we believe that this program should reduce the likelihood of a legal compliance violation, such a violation could still occur, disrupting our business through fines, penalties, diversion of internal resources, and negative publicity.

Potential problems with our information systems could interfere with our business and operations.

We rely on our information systems and those of third parties for processing customer orders, shipping products, billing our customers, tracking inventory, supporting accounting functions and financial statement preparation, paying our employees, and otherwise running our business. Any disruption, whether from hackers or other sources, in our information systems or those of the third parties upon whom we rely could have a significant impact on our business. In addition, we may need to enhance our information systems to provide additional capabilities and functionality. The implementation of new information systems

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and enhancements is frequently disruptive to the underlying business of an enterprise. Any disruptions affecting our ability to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis could adversely affect our business in a number of respects. If we are unable to successfully implement potential future information systems enhancements, our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows could be negatively impacted.

We, and others on our behalf, store “personally identifiable information” with respect to employees, vendors, customers, and others. While we have implemented safeguards to protect the privacy of this information, it is possible that hackers or others might obtain this information. If that occurs, in addition to having to take potentially costly remedial action, we also may be subject to fines, penalties, and reputational damage.

Perceived failure of our signal transmission solutions to provide expected results may result in negative publicity and harm our business and operating results.

Our customers use our signal transmission solutions in a wide variety of IT systems and application environments in order to help reduce security vulnerabilities and demonstrate compliance. Despite our efforts to make clear in our marketing materials and customer agreements the capabilities and limitations of these products, some customers may incorrectly view the deployment of such products in their IT infrastructure as a guarantee that there will be no security breach or policy non-compliance event. As a result, the occurrence of a high profile security breach, or a failure by one of our customers to pass a regulatory compliance IT audit, could result in public and customer perception that our solutions are not effective and harm our business and operating results, even if the occurrence is unrelated to the use of such products or if the failure is the result of actions or inactions on the part of the customer.

Our use of open source software could negatively impact our ability to sell our products and may subject us to unanticipated obligations.

The products, services, or technologies we acquire, license, provide, or develop may incorporate or use open source software. We monitor and restrict our use of open source software in an effort to avoid unintended consequences, such as reciprocal license grants, patent retaliation clauses, and the requirement to license our products at no cost. Nevertheless, we may be subject to unanticipated obligations regarding our products which incorporate or use open source software.

Some of our employees are members of collective bargaining groups, and we might be subject to labor actions that would interrupt our business.

Some of our employees, primarily outside the U.S., are members of collective bargaining groups. We believe that our relations with employees are generally good. However, if there were a dispute with one of these bargaining groups, the affected operations could be interrupted resulting in lost revenues, lost profit contribution, and customer dissatisfaction.

There may be additional risks that impact our business that we currently do not recognize as, or that are not currently, material to our business.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

Belden owns and leases manufacturing, warehousing, sales, and administrative space in locations around the world. We also have a corporate office that we lease in St. Louis, Missouri. The leases are of varying terms, expiring from 2015 through 2026.

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The table below summarizes the geographic locations of our manufacturing and other operating facilities utilized by our segments as of December 31, 2014.

In addition to the manufacturing and other operating facilities summarized above, our segments also utilize approximately 27 warehouses worldwide. As of December 31, 2014, we owned or leased a total of approximately 6 million square feet of facility space worldwide. We believe that our production facilities are suitable for their present and intended purposes and adequate for our current level of operations.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

We are a former owner of a property located in Kingston, Ontario. The Ontario, Canada Ministry of the Environment is seeking to require current and former owners of the Kingston property to delineate and remediate soil and groundwater contamination at the site, which we believe was caused by Nortel (a former owner of the site). We are in the process of assessing whether we have any liability for the site, as well as the scope of contamination, cost of remediation, allocation of costs among the parties, and the other parties’ financial viability. Based on our current information, we do not believe this matter should have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. However, since the outcome of this matter is uncertain, we cannot give absolute assurance regarding its future resolution, or that such matter may not become material in the future.

We are also a party to various legal proceedings and administrative actions that are incidental to our operations. In our opinion, the proceedings and actions in which we are involved should not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, or cash flows. However, since the trends and outcome of this litigation are inherently uncertain, we cannot give absolute assurance regarding the future resolution of such litigation, or that such litigation may not become material in the future.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BDC.”

As of February 17, 2015, there were 325 record holders of common stock of Belden Inc.

We declared a dividend of $0.05 per share in each quarter of 2014 and 2013. We anticipate that comparable cash dividends will continue to be paid quarterly in the foreseeable future.

Common Stock Prices and Dividends

In July 2011, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock through open market repurchases, negotiated transactions, or other means, in accordance with applicable securities laws and other restrictions. In November 2012, our Board of Directors authorized an extension of the share repurchase program, which allows us to purchase up to an additional $200.0 million of our common stock. This program is funded by cash on hand and free cash flow. The program does not have an expiration date and may be suspended at any time at the discretion of the Company.

From inception of the program to December 31, 2014, we have repurchased 6.7 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $310.9 million and an average price of $46.54. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we repurchased 1.3 million shares of our common stock under the program for an aggregate cost of $92.2 million and an average price of $73.06. Set forth below is information regarding our stock repurchases for the three months ended December 31, 2014.

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Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Belden’s common stock over the five-year period ended December 31, 2014, with the cumulative total return during such period of the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Standard and Poor’s 1500 Industrials Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2009, in Belden’s common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends. The stock performance shown on the graph below represents historical stock performance and is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

In 2014, we acquired Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. During 2014, we recognized severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs of approximately $70.8 million related to the integration of acquired businesses and a productivity improvement program. We also recognized purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $8.4 million.

In 2013, we acquired Softel in our fiscal first quarter. During 2013, we recognized severance and other restructuring costs, including accelerated depreciation expense, of $19.8 million, primarily related to plant consolidation activities in our Broadcast segment, and purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $6.6 million.

In 2012, we acquired Miranda in our fiscal third quarter and PPC in our fiscal fourth quarter. We sold certain assets of our Chinese cable operations that conducted business primarily in the consumer electronics end market at the end of our fiscal fourth quarter. We sold our Thermax and Raydex cable business in 2012, which has been treated as a discontinued operation. During 2012, we also recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $52.5 million, asset impairment and loss on sale of assets of $33.7 million, purchase accounting effects related to acquisitions, including the adjustment of acquired inventory to fair value, of $18.8 million, and severance and other restructuring costs of $17.9 million.

In 2011, we acquired ICM, Poliron, and Byres Security. During 2011, we also recognized severance expense of $4.9 million and asset impairment charges of $2.5 million.

In 2010, we acquired GarrettCom and the Communications Products business of Thomas & Betts. During 2010, we also recognized expenses from the effects of purchase accounting of $6.5 million, severance expense of $1.1 million, and asset impairment charges of $16.6 million.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are an innovative signal transmission solutions company built around four global business platforms – Broadcast Solutions, Enterprise Connectivity Solutions, Industrial Connectivity Solutions, and Industrial IT Solutions. Our comprehensive portfolio of signal transmission solutions provides industry leading secure and reliable transmission of data, sound, and video for mission critical applications.

We strive to create shareholder value by:

We believe our business system, balance across markets and geographies, systematic go-to-market approach, extensive portfolio of innovative solutions, commitment to Lean principles, and improving margins present a unique value proposition that increases shareholder value.

To accomplish these goals, we use a set of tools and processes that are designed to continuously improve business performance in the critical areas of quality, delivery, cost, and innovation. We consider revenue growth, operating margin, free cash flows, and return on invested capital to be our key operating performance indicators. We also seek to acquire businesses that we believe can help us achieve these objectives. The extent to which appropriate acquisitions are made and integrated can affect our overall growth, operating results, financial condition, and cash flows.

We generated approximately 51% of our sales outside of the U.S. in 2014. As a global business, our operations are affected by worldwide, regional, and industry economic and political factors. We continue to operate in a highly competitive business environment in our served markets and geographies. Our market and geographic diversity limits the impact of any one market or the economy of any single country on our consolidated operating results. Our individual businesses monitor key competitors and customers, including to the extent possible their sales, to gauge relative performance and the outlook for the future. In addition, we use indices for general economic trends to predict our outlook for the future given the broad range of products manufactured and end markets served.

We use the U.S. dollar as our reporting currency, although a substantial portion of our assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows reside in or are derived from countries other than the U.S. These assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows are translated from local currencies into the U.S. dollar using exchange rates effective during the applicable period. We have generally accepted the exposure to currency exchange rate movements without using derivative financial instruments to manage this risk. However, we re-evaluate our strategy as the foreign currency environment changes, and it is possible that we could utilize derivative financial instruments to manage this risk in the future. Both positive and negative movements in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar will continue to affect the reported amount of assets, liabilities, operating results, and cash flows in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Significant Trends and Events in 2014

The following trends and events during 2014 had varying effects on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Commodity Prices

Our operating results can be affected by changes in prices of commodities, primarily copper and compounds, which are components in some of the products we sell. Generally, as the costs of inventory purchases increase due to higher commodity prices, we raise selling prices to customers to cover the increase in costs, resulting in higher sales revenue but a lower gross profit percentage. Conversely, a decrease in commodity prices would result in lower sales revenue but a higher gross profit percentage. Selling prices of our products are affected by many factors, including end market demand, capacity utilization, overall economic conditions, and commodity prices. Importantly, however, there is no exact measure of the effect of changing commodity prices, as there are thousands of transactions in any given quarter, each of which has various factors involved in the individual pricing decisions. Therefore, all references to the effect of copper prices or other commodity prices are estimates.

Channel Inventory

Our operating results also can be affected by the levels of Belden products purchased and held as inventory by our channel partners and customers. Our channel partners and customers purchase and hold our products in their inventory in order to meet the service and on-time delivery requirements of their customers. Generally, as our channel partners and customers change the level of Belden products owned and held in their inventory, it impacts our revenues. Comparisons of our results between periods can be impacted by changes in the levels of channel inventory. We are dependent upon our channel partners to provide us with information regarding the amount of our products that they own and hold in their inventory. As such, all references to the effect of channel inventory changes are estimates.

Market Growth and Market Share

The broadcast, enterprise, and industrial markets in which we operate can generally be characterized as highly competitive and highly fragmented, with many players. Based on available data for our served markets, we estimate that our market share ranges from approximately 15% - 20%. A substantial acquisition in one of our served markets would be necessary to meaningfully change our estimated market share percentage. We monitor available data regarding market growth, including independent market research reports, publicly available indices, and the financial results of our direct and indirect peer companies, in order to estimate the extent to which our served markets grew or contracted during a particular period. We expect that our unit sales volume will increase or decrease consistently with the market growth rate. Our strategic goal is to utilize our Market Delivery System to target faster growing geographies, applications, and trends within our end markets, in order to achieve growth that is higher than the general market growth rate. To the extent that we exceed the market growth rates, we consider it to be the result of capturing market share.

Acquisitions

We completed the acquisitions of Grass Valley USA, LLC and GVBB Holdings S.a.r.l., (collectively, Grass Valley) on March 31, 2014, ProSoft Technology, Inc. (ProSoft) on June 11, 2014, and Coast Wire and Plastic Tech., LLC (Coast) on November 20, 2014. The results of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from their respective acquisitions dates and are reported in the Broadcast, Industrial IT, and Industrial Connectivity segments, respectively.

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Productivity Improvement Program and Acquisition Integration

During 2014, we incurred severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs primarily related to the integration of our acquisitions of Grass Valley and ProSoft and a productivity improvement program. The restructuring and integration activities related to our acquisition of Grass Valley are focused on achieving desired cost savings by consolidating existing and acquired operating facilities and other support functions. The Grass Valley costs relate to our Broadcast segment. The productivity improvement program is focused on improving the cost structure of our sales, marketing, finance, and human resources functions relative to our peers. The majority of the expected costs for the productivity improvement program relate to the Industrial Connectivity, Enterprise, and Industrial IT segments. We expect the productivity improvement actions to reduce our operating expenses by approximately $18 million on an annualized basis. We began to realize the initial benefits of the productivity improvement program in the fiscal third quarter.

In 2014, we recorded severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $70.8 million related to these programs. Severance costs represented $37.3 million of the total costs recognized. The other restructuring and integration costs included costs of integrating manufacturing operations, such as relocating inventory on a global basis, retention bonuses, employee relocation, recruitment, and travel, lease termination, preparation for office closures and operations transfers, and reserves for inventory obsolescence as a result of product line integration.

We expect to incur additional severance, restructuring, and integration costs in 2015 of approximately $21 million as a result of the activities discussed above, as well as the integration of Tripwire, which was acquired on January 2, 2015.

In 2013, we recorded $14.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, such as relocation and equipment transfer costs, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense, primarily as a result of facility consolidation in New York and other acquisition integration activities for our 2012 acquisition of PPC Broadband, Inc. (PPC). The severance and other restructuring costs were paid in 2013. We expected the results of these activities to generate annualized cost savings of approximately $8 - $10 million beginning in 2014, and we have substantially realized those savings.

In 2012, in response to uncertain economic conditions, we implemented certain restructuring actions and recognized severance and other restructuring costs of $17.9 million. The actions included reducing headcount and renegotiating procurement related contracts in order to reduce our cost structure. We expected the results of these activities to generate annualized cost savings of approximately $20 million beginning in 2013, and we have substantially achieved those cost savings.

We continuously review our business strategies. In order to remain competitive, our goal is to improve productivity on an annual basis. To the extent that market growth rates are modest, we may need to restructure aspects of our business in order to meet our annual productivity targets. This could result in additional restructuring costs in future periods. The magnitude of restructuring costs in the future could be influenced by statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate and our internal policies with regard to providing severance benefits in the absence of statutory requirements.

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Results of Operations

Consolidated Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes

2014 Compared to 2013

Revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 due to the following factors:

Gross profit in 2014 included $20.7 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, and $8.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. Gross profit in 2013 included $12.0 million of severance, restructuring, accelerated depreciation, and integration costs and $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to the 2012 acquisition of PPC.

Excluding these costs, gross profit in 2014 increased by $125.6 million from 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast which contributed approximately $109.8 million of gross profit in 2014. The remainder of the increase was due to leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above and improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2014 primarily due to our acquisitions. Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast recognized $72.0 million of selling, general and administrative expenses in 2014. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2014 due to an increase in severance, restructuring, and integration costs of $40.1 million. These increases were partially offset by improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions.

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Research and development expenses increased in 2014 primarily due to our acquisitions. Grass Valley and ProSoft recognized $31.7 million of research and development expenses in 2014.

Operating income in 2014 included $70.8 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $58.4 million of amortization of intangibles and $8.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast. Operating income in 2013 included $50.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $14.9 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Excluding these costs, operating income increased by $22.4 million due to leveraging the increase in revenues, improved productivity as a result of our completed restructuring actions, and the contribution of approximately $7.4 million of operating income from the combined acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast.

Interest expense increased by $9.1 million in 2014 from 2013 due to the issuance of $200 million 5.25% senior subordinated notes in June 2014, the issuance of €200 million 5.5% senior subordinated notes in November 2014, and our 2013 refinancing activities. Our long-term debt balance as of December 31, 2014 was $1.8 billion, compared to $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2013. Our effective interest rate as of December 31, 2014 was 5.2%. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion.

Income from continuing operations before taxes decreased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the increase in severance, restructuring, and integration costs and the increase in interest expense discussed above.

2013 Compared to 2012

Revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to acquisitions, which contributed $329.7 million of the increase.

Revenues were also impacted by the following factors:

Gross profit for 2013 included $7.1 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. The severance and other restructuring costs and accelerated depreciation expense primarily resulted from our decision to consolidate manufacturing facilities as we integrated PPC. Gross profit for 2012 included $16.0 million of purchase accounting effects of acquisitions, including increased cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, and $6.5 million of severance and other restructuring costs. The $3.9 million decrease in these costs from 2012 to 2013 contributed to the increase in gross profit from 2012 to 2013.

Excluding the costs described above, our gross profit increased by $133.9 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $132.4 million of gross profit. The remainder of the increase was due to the increase in revenues and improved product mix, partially offset by the disposal of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in 2012.

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in 2013 from 2012. Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2013 included $6.5 million of severance and other restructuring costs, compared to $10.0 million of severance and other restructuring costs for 2012. Excluding the impact of the severance and other restructuring costs, the increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to the impact of our acquisitions completed in 2012, which contributed $52.6 million of the increase. Excluding the impact of the costs discussed above and the selling, general and administrative costs of the companies acquired in 2012, our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $17.0 million due to improved productivity and our previously completed restructuring activities.

The increase in research and development costs in 2013 from 2012 was primarily due to our recent technology intensive acquisitions, which contributed approximately $19.0 million of the increase. Excluding the impact of the research and development costs of the companies acquired in 2012, our research and development costs decreased by approximately $1.0 million due to improved productivity and our previously completed restructuring activities.

Amortization of intangibles increased by $28.0 million due to the impact of our acquisitions completed in 2012.

Operating income for 2013 included $50.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $14.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Operating income for 2012 included $33.7 million of asset impairment and loss on sale of assets, $22.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $17.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, and $18.8 million of expenses due to the effects of purchase accounting, primarily for cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC. The $16.0 million decrease in these costs from 2012 to 2013 contributed to the increase in operating income.

Excluding the costs described above, operating income increased by $76.7 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $60.9 million of operating income. The remainder of the increase was due to an improved business portfolio, improved end-market mix, improved productivity as a result of the successful execution of our Lean Enterprise strategies and our previously completed restructuring activities, and leverage on the increase in revenues.

Interest expense increased in 2013 from 2012 due to our increase in total debt incurred to finance our 2012 acquisitions. Our effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2013 was 5.1%. Interest expense for 2013 includes $1.7 million of interest expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

Income from continuing operations before taxes increased in 2013 from 2012 due to the increase in operating income discussed above. In addition, 2012 included a loss on debt extinguishment of $52.5 million in income from continuing operations before taxes, compared to $1.6 million in 2013. In 2012, we completed a tender offer and repurchased all of our senior subordinated notes due 2017 and $194.8 million of our senior subordinated notes due 2019, which resulted in the loss on extinguishment of debt of $52.5 million.

Income Taxes

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2014 Compared to 2013

We recognized income tax expense of $7.1 million in 2014, representing an effective tax rate for 2014 of 8.7%. Our income tax expense in 2014 included certain significant discrete items. First, our income tax expense in 2014 included a benefit of $5.8 million for the reduction of uncertain tax position liabilities, primarily due to favorable developments with a foreign tax audit and transfer pricing matters. In addition, our 2014 income tax expense included $3.8 million of net expense to record valuation allowances against certain deferred tax assets related to net operating losses generated in 2014. The valuation allowances were recorded due to a history of tax losses in certain jurisdictions. Significant discrete items impacting our income tax expense in 2013 are noted below.

Our income tax expense was also impacted by foreign tax rate differences. The statutory tax rates associated with our foreign earnings generally are lower than the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35%. This had the greatest impact on our income from continuing operations before taxes that is generated in Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have statutory tax rates of approximately 28%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. Foreign tax rate differences reduced our income tax expense relative to the statutory U.S. tax rate by approximately $14.4 million and $15.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Our income tax expense also was impacted by domestic permanent differences and tax credits. In 2014, our income tax expense included a benefit of $5.8 million from domestic permanent differences and tax credits, compared to a benefit of $8.5 million in 2013. In general, our significant domestic permanent differences and tax credits stem from foreign income that is taxable in the U.S., credits for taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions on income that is also taxable in the U.S., and credits for research and development activities.

As of December 31, 2014, we maintained a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $157.3 million. Of this amount, approximately $143.5 million relates to net operating loss deferred tax assets acquired from Grass Valley, and an additional $4.3 million relates to net operating losses generated by Grass Valley subsequent to the acquisition date. Grass Valley has a history of significant tax losses, both in the U.S. and in its various foreign jurisdictions. We do not currently have forecasted sources of taxable income in Grass Valley’s jurisdictions that would be sufficient to utilize their net operating losses.

The remaining $9.5 million of valuation allowance relates to deferred tax assets for certain U.S. state net operating losses and tax credits. While we have positive evidence in the form of projected sources of income, we determined that these assets were not realizable as of December 31, 2014 due to a history of net operating losses and tax credits expiring without being utilized in certain states and because the current forecast of income is not sufficient to utilize all of these state net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.

2013 Compared to 2012

We recognized income tax expense of $22.3 million in 2013, representing an effective tax rate for 2013 of 17.6%. Our income tax expense in 2013 included several significant discrete items. We recognized $4.8 million of tax expense for uncertain tax position liabilities, primarily related to a foreign tax audit. Income tax expense for 2013 also included a net $4.2 million tax benefit due to the impact of tax law changes, primarily for tax law changes in the U.S. regarding the portion of our foreign income that is taxable in the U.S.

In 2012, as a result of recognizing two significant discrete items, we recognized income tax benefit of $38.2 million. First, we recorded a $21.0 million tax benefit related to the settlement of a tax sharing agreement with Cooper Industries. Second, in 2012, we recorded a net income tax benefit of $9.5 million due to changes in valuation allowances in foreign and domestic jurisdictions. The most significant change was a reduction of the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in the Netherlands of $11.7 million. We reduced the valuation allowance in the Netherlands because the weight of evidence regarding the future realizability of the deferred tax assets had become predominately positive and realization of the deferred tax assets was more likely than not. The positive evidence considered in our assessment of the realizability of the

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deferred tax assets included: 1) the generation by the business of income in 2011 and 2012, with a significant increase year-over-year, due in part to operational changes in the business that improved profitability, such as headcount and other cost reductions, improvements in logistics and procurement processes, and on-going productivity initiatives; 2) the implementation of tax planning strategies surrounding acquisition financing that will generate increased future income in the Netherlands; and 3) the implementation of other tax planning strategies surrounding intercompany activities that will generate additional income in the Netherlands in future years. The negative evidence considered included historical losses in the Netherlands in 2010 and certain prior years.

During 2012, we also reduced valuation allowances related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in the U.S. of $1.2 million and Canada of $0.5 million, and we recorded valuation allowances of $3.9 million related to deferred tax assets for net operating losses in Asia, primarily China and Hong Kong. These changes to our valuation allowances were made based on our assessments of the realizability of those deferred tax assets, giving consideration to all available evidence, including all future sources of income in the applicable jurisdictions.

Our income tax expense was impacted by several other factors. The statutory tax rates associated with our foreign earnings generally are lower than the statutory U.S. tax rate of 35%. This had the greatest impact on our income from continuing operations before taxes that is generated in Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands, which have statutory tax rates of approximately 28%, 26%, and 25%, respectively. Foreign tax rate differences reduced our income tax expense relative to the statutory U.S. tax rate by approximately $15.4 million and $14.0 million for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Our income tax expense also was impacted by domestic permanent differences and tax credits. In 2013, our income tax expense included a benefit of $8.5 million from domestic permanent differences and tax credits, compared to expense in 2012 of $4.9 million. The change from 2012 to 2013 was caused primarily by changes in certain tax laws in the U.S. that decreased the portion of our foreign income that was taxable in the U.S. in 2013 compared to 2012. In general, our significant domestic permanent differences and tax credits stem from foreign income that is taxable in the U.S., deductions available for domestic manufacturing activities, credits for taxes paid in foreign jurisdictions on income that is also taxable in the U.S., and credits for research and development activities.

As of December 31, 2013, we maintained a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets of $10.2 million. The most significant component of the valuation allowance was $7.1 million of deferred tax assets for certain U.S. state net operating losses and tax credits. While we have positive evidence in the form of projected sources of income, we determined that these assets were not realizable as of December 31, 2013 due to a history of net operating losses and tax credits expiring without being utilized in certain states and because the current forecast of income is not sufficient to utilize all of these state net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.

Our income tax expense and effective tax rate in future periods may be impacted by many factors, including our geographic mix of income and changes in tax laws. See further discussion in Part 1, Item 1A, Risk Factors, under “We may experience significant variability in our quarterly and annual effective tax rate which would affect our reported net income.”

Broadcast Solutions

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2014 Compared to 2013

Broadcast revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the acquisition of Grass Valley, which contributed $196.2 million of revenues in 2014. An increase in unit sales volume resulted in an increase in revenues of approximately $61.2 million. We believe sales volume benefited from market share gains due to the execution of our Market Delivery System, particularly in our broadband connectivity business. Geographically, the volume increase was the strongest in EMEA, emerging markets, and the U.S. Unfavorable currency translation and lower copper costs resulted in decreases in revenues of approximately $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively.

Operating income in 2014 included $50.7 million of amortization of intangibles, $48.6 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs and $6.9 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of Grass Valley. Operating income in 2013 included $46.0 million of amortization of intangibles, $12.1 million of severance, restructuring, and integration costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense.

Excluding these costs, operating income for 2014 increased by $25.6 million compared to 2013. The increase in operating income is primarily due to leveraging the increase in revenues and improved productivity due to our completed restructuring actions. These factors were partially offset by unfavorable currency translation.

2013 Compared to 2012

Broadcast revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to acquisitions, which contributed $329.7 million to the increase in revenues. The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in unit sales volume, including the impact of changes in channel inventory, of approximately $19.1 million. The decrease in volume was due in part to the favorable impact of the Olympics and the U.S. presidential election cycle in 2012. Lower copper costs resulted in an estimated revenue decrease of approximately $3 million.

Operating income for 2013 included $46.0 million of amortization of intangibles, $12.1 million of severance and other restructuring costs, $6.6 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of PPC, and $4.9 million of accelerated depreciation expense. Operating loss for 2012 included $16.8 million of amortization of intangibles, $4.9 million of severance and other restructuring costs, and $16.5 million of expenses due to the effects of purchase accounting, primarily for cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC.

Excluding the costs described above, operating income increased by $58.2 million from 2012 to 2013. The most significant factor was the impact of our acquisitions of Miranda and PPC, which contributed approximately $60.9 million of operating income. The increase in operating income due to acquisitions was partially offset by a decrease in operating income due to the decline in sales volume.

Enterprise Connectivity Solutions

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2014 Compared to 2013

Enterprise Connectivity revenues decreased in 2014 compared to 2013 due to a decrease in unit sales volume of approximately $26.6 million. The decrease in volume was due to product portfolio decisions to emphasize higher value solutions rather than lower margin cable products. The decrease in volume was most notable in the U.S., Canada, and China. Additionally, sales volume declined in 2014 due to a decrease in channel inventory. A decrease in sales prices primarily due to lower copper costs and unfavorable currency translation resulted in revenue decreases of approximately $5.7 million and $5.0 million, respectively.

While operating income decreased from 2013 to 2014, operating income margins increased from 9.9% to 10.5%, due to improved product mix resulting from our product portfolio initiatives discussed above. Operating income in 2014 included $3.3 million of severance and restructuring costs. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs recognized in 2013.

2013 Compared to 2012

Enterprise Connectivity revenues decreased in 2013 from 2012 due to lower copper costs, which resulted in an estimated decrease in revenues of approximately $5 million. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $1.1 million. An increase in channel inventory mitigated a decrease in volume due to challenging economic conditions, including weak spending on non-residential construction and information technology projects. Favorable currency translation resulted in a revenue increase of approximately $0.2 million.

Operating income increased in 2013 from 2012. Operating income in 2012 included $3.2 million of severance and other restructuring costs and $1.5 million of asset impairment. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs or asset impairment in 2013. The $4.7 million decrease in these costs above contributed to the increase in operating income in 2013 from 2012. The remainder of the increase in operating income was due to the timing of favorable input costs and leverage on the increase in unit sales volume noted above.

Industrial Connectivity Solutions

2014 Compared to 2013

Industrial Connectivity revenues increased in 2014 from 2013, primarily due to an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $16.9 million. Sales volume benefited from market share gains in 2014, as well as an increase in channel inventory. The increase in volume was strongest in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, offset by decreased volume in emerging markets, including Brazil and China. Additionally, the acquisition of Coast in November 2014 contributed approximately $1.6 million of revenues in 2014. A decrease in sales prices due to lower copper costs and unfavorable currency translation resulted in revenue decreases of approximately $8.5 million and $8.3 million, respectively.

Operating income in 2014 included $12.0 million of severance and other restructuring costs. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs in 2013. Excluding these costs, operating income decreased by $0.2 million due to unfavorable product mix and unfavorable currency translation.

2013 Compared to 2012

Industrial Connectivity revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 due to an increase in unit sales volume, including changes in channel inventory, of approximately $19.1 million. We believe sales volume benefited from gains in market share due to the execution of our Market Delivery System. Lower copper costs partially offset the increase in revenues by an estimated $7 million. Unfavorable currency translation resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $1.6 million.

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Operating income in 2012 included $9.2 million of severance and other restructuring costs and $2.4 million of asset impairment. There were no significant severance and other restructuring costs or asset impairment in 2013. The decrease in these costs contributed to the increase in operating income in 2013 from 2012. The remainder of the increase in operating income from 2012 to 2013 was primarily due to improved productivity due to our Lean Enterprise initiatives and leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above.

Industrial IT Solutions

2014 Compared to 2013

Industrial IT revenues increased in 2014 from 2013 primarily due to the acquisition of ProSoft, which contributed $31.7 million of revenues in 2014. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in revenues due to lower unit sales volume of approximately $9.4 million. The decrease in sales volume was experienced across all geographic regions. In addition, sales volume in the prior year benefited from several non-recurring projects. Unfavorable currency translation resulted in a decrease in revenues of approximately $0.4 million.

Operating income in 2014 included $7.0 million of severance, restructuring, and acquisition integration costs, $5.8 million of amortization of intangible assets, and $1.4 million of cost of sales arising from the adjustment of inventory to fair value related to our acquisition of ProSoft. Operating income in 2013 included $3.2 million of amortization of intangibles and $1.7 million of severance and restructuring costs. Excluding these costs, operating income increased by $1.7 million, primarily due to the acquisition of ProSoft, which contributed approximately $5.0 million of operating income in 2014, which was substantially offset by the impact of lower sales volume.

2013 Compared to 2012

Industrial IT revenues increased in 2013 from 2012 due to an increase in unit sales volume of approximately $6.9 million. We believe sales volume benefited from gains in market share due to the execution of our Market Delivery System. Revenues also increased by approximately $4.9 million due to favorable currency translation.

Operating income increased in 2013 from 2012 primarily due to leveraging the increase in revenues discussed above and improved productivity due to our Lean Enterprise initiatives. Operating income in 2013 included $1.7 million of severance and other restructuring costs, compared to $0.5 million in 2012.

All Other

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All Other includes the results of our cable operations that conducted business primarily in the consumer electronics end market in China, which we sold in 2012. In 2013, we recorded $1.3 million of operating income due to a favorable resolution with the buyer of those assets regarding the closing date working capital. In 2012, operating loss includes asset impairment and loss on sale of assets of approximately $29.8 million.

Discontinued Operations

In 2012, we sold our Thermax and Raydex cable business for $265.6 million in cash and recognized a pre-tax gain of $211.6 million ($124.7 million net of tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $265.6 million in cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. In 2014, we recognized a $0.9 million ($0.6 million net of tax) loss from disposal of discontinued operations related to this business as a result of settling the working capital adjustment and other matters. In 2013, we recognized a $1.4 million loss from discontinued operations for income tax expense related to this disposed business.

In 2010, we completed the sale of Trapeze Networks, Inc. (Trapeze) for $152.1 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $88.3 million ($44.8 million after-tax). At the time the transaction closed, we received $136.9 million in cash, and the remaining $15.2 million was placed in escrow as partial security for our indemnity obligations under the sale agreement. As of December 31, 2014, we have collected a partial settlement of $4.2 million from the escrow, and we remain in negotiations with the buyer of Trapeze regarding the status of the escrow and certain claims raised by the buyer. Based on the current status of the negotiations, the amount of the escrow receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet is $3.8 million, which is our best estimate of the remaining amount to be collected. In 2014, we recognized $0.6 million of income from discontinued operations due to the reversal of an uncertain tax position liability related to this disposed business.

During 2005, we completed the sale of our discontinued communications cable operation in Phoenix, Arizona. In connection with this sale and related tax deductions, we established a reserve for uncertain tax positions. The statute of limitations associated with the tax positions expired in 2012. In 2012, we recognized a net gain of $14.1 million due to the reversal of the uncertain tax positions, which is included in our gain from disposal of discontinued operations. In 2012, we recognized a gain of $4.0 million ($2.6 million net of tax) due to the reversal of the accrued interest and penalties, which is included in our income (loss) from discontinued operations.

See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about these matters.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Significant factors affecting our cash liquidity include (1) cash provided by operating activities, (2) disposals of businesses and tangible assets, (3) cash used for acquisitions, restructuring actions, capital expenditures, share repurchases, dividends, and senior subordinated note repurchases, and (4) our available credit facilities and other borrowing arrangements. We expect our operating activities to generate cash in 2015 and believe our sources of liquidity are sufficient to fund current working capital requirements, capital expenditures, contributions to our retirement plans, share repurchases, senior subordinated note repurchases, quarterly dividend payments, and our short-term operating strategies. However, we may require external financing were we to complete a significant acquisition. Our ability to continue to fund our future needs from business operations could be affected by many factors, including, but not limited to: economic conditions worldwide, customer demand, competitive market forces, customer acceptance of our product mix, and commodities pricing.

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The following table is derived from our Consolidated Cash Flow Statements:

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $194.0 million in 2014 compared to $164.6 million in 2013. The most significant factor impacting the improvement in net cash provided by operating activities was the change in operating assets and liabilities. In 2014, changes in operating assets and liabilities were a source of cash of $16.9 million, compared to a use of cash of $42.9 million in 2013.

The most significant use of cash for operating activities in 2013 related to taxes. Accrued taxes were a use of cash of $89.4 million in 2013, compared to a source of cash of $9.1 million in 2014. The primary reason for the significant amount of cash used for taxes in 2013 was the planned payments of two significant tax items. First, in 2013, we paid $41.8 million of our estimated tax liability related to the 2012 sale of the Thermax and Raydex cable business. We recognized a $211.6 million pre-tax gain on the sale of this business in 2012. Second, in 2013, we paid $30.0 million to settle a tax sharing agreement dispute with Cooper Industries. We reached the settlement and recognized a $21.0 million tax benefit in 2012.

The improvement in cash flows related to taxes was partially offset by a decrease in net income of $28.9 million.

Net cash used for investing activities totaled $392.3 million in 2014 compared to $43.3 million in 2013. Investing activities in 2014 included payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, of $347.8 million, capital expenditures of $45.5 million, payments related to a previously disposed business of $1.0 million, and the receipt of $1.9 million of proceeds from the sale of tangible assets, primarily equipment in the Broadcast segment. Investing activities in 2013 included capital expenditures of $40.2 million, payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, of $10.0 million, the receipt of proceeds from previously disposed businesses of $3.7 million, and the receipt of $3.2 million of proceeds from the sale of tangible assets, primarily real estate in the Broadcast and Enterprise Connectivity segments.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2014 totaled $337.2 million compared to $92.8 million in 2013. The most significant financing activities in 2014 were the issuance of $200.0 million of 5.25% senior subordinated notes due 2024, the issuance of $256.2 million of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, and payments under our share repurchase program of $92.2 million. The most significant financing activities in 2013 were the issuance of $388.2 million of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, the raising of $249.4 million of proceeds under a new term loan due 2020, the repayments of $434.7 million of borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit component and Canadian term loan of our previously outstanding senior secured credit facility, and payments under our share repurchase program of $93.8 million

Our cash and cash equivalents balance was $741.2 million as of December 31, 2014. Of this amount, $139.9 million was held outside of the U.S. in our foreign operations. Substantially all of the foreign cash and cash equivalents are readily convertible into U.S. dollars or other foreign currencies. Our strategic plan does not require the repatriation of foreign cash in order to fund our operations in the U.S., and it is our current intention to permanently reinvest the foreign cash and cash equivalents outside of the U.S. If we were to repatriate the foreign cash to the U.S., we may be required to accrue and pay U.S. taxes in accordance with applicable U.S. tax rules and regulations as a result of the repatriation.

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Our outstanding debt obligations as of December 31, 2014 consisted of $700.0 million aggregate principal of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2022, $616.3 million aggregate principal of 5.5% senior subordinated notes due 2023, $246.4 million of term loan borrowings due 2020, $200.0 million aggregate principal of 5.25% senior subordinated notes due 2024, and $5.2 million aggregate principal of 9.25% senior subordinated notes due 2019. Additional discussion regarding our various borrowing arrangements is included in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2014, there were no outstanding borrowings under our revolver, and we had $334.7 million in available borrowing capacity.

On January 2, 2015, we acquired Tripwire for approximately $710 million. We utilized cash on hand and $200.0 million of borrowings under our revolver to fund the purchase price. Subsequent to this acquisition, our available borrowing capacity was approximately $134.7 million.

Contractual obligations outstanding at December 31, 2014, have the following scheduled maturities:

Our commercial commitments expire or mature as follows:

Standby financial letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds are generally issued to secure obligations we have for a variety of commercial reasons such as workers compensation self-insurance programs in several states and the importation and exportation of product. We expect to replace most of these when they expire or mature.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows that are or would be considered material to investors.

Current-Year Adoption of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Discussion regarding our adoption of accounting pronouncements is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates about future events, and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures. We base our assumptions, estimates, and judgments on historical experience, current trends, and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, assumptions, estimates, and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions and estimates, and such differences could be material.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective, or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (2) price is fixed or determinable, (3) collectability is reasonably assured, and (4) delivery has occurred. Delivery occurs in the period in which the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products specified in the customer’s purchase order or sales agreement. At times, we enter into arrangements that involve the delivery of multiple elements. For these arrangements, when the elements can be separated, the revenue is allocated to each deliverable based on that element’s relative selling price and recognized based on the period of delivery for each element. Generally, we determine relative selling price using our best estimate of selling price, as we oftentimes do not have vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence of fair value for such arrangements.

At the time of sale, we establish an estimated reserve for trade, promotion, and other special price reductions such as contract pricing, discounts to meet competitor pricing, and on-time payment discounts. We also reserve for, among other things, correction of billing errors, incorrect shipments, and settlement of customer disputes. Customers are allowed to return inventory if and when certain conditions regarding the physical state of the inventory and our approval of the return are met. Certain distribution customers are allowed to return inventory at original cost, in an amount not to exceed three percent of the prior year’s purchases, in exchange for an order of equal or greater value. Until we can process these reductions, corrections, and returns (together, the Adjustments) through individual customer records, we estimate the amount of outstanding Adjustments and recognize them by reducing revenues and accounts receivable. We determine our estimate based on our historical Adjustments as a percentage of revenues and the average time period between the original sale and the issuance of the Adjustments. We also adjust inventory and cost of sales for the estimated level of returns.

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We base these estimates on historical and anticipated sales demand, trends in product pricing, and historical and anticipated Adjustments patterns. We make revisions to these estimates in the period in which the facts that give rise to each revision become known. Future market conditions and product transitions might require us to take actions to further reduce prices and increase customer return authorizations. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to measure the Adjustments. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates or assumptions, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material. A 10% change in our sales reserve for such Adjustments as of December 31, 2014 would have affected net income by less than $1 million in 2014.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets resulting from tax credit carryforwards, net operating loss carryforwards, and deductible temporary differences between taxable income on our income tax returns and income before taxes under GAAP. Deferred tax assets generally represent future tax benefits to be received when these carryforwards can be applied against future taxable income or when expenses previously reported in our Consolidated Financial Statements become deductible for income tax purposes. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is required when some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. We are required to estimate taxable income in future years or develop tax strategies that would enable tax asset realization in each taxing jurisdiction and use judgment to determine whether to record a deferred tax asset valuation allowance for part or all of a deferred tax asset.

We consider the weight of all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets associated with net operating losses. We consider the reversals of existing taxable temporary differences as well as projections of future taxable income. We consider the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences to the extent they were of the same character as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. We also consider whether the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences will occur in the same period and jurisdiction as the temporary differences giving rise to the deferred tax assets. The assumptions utilized to estimate our future taxable income are consistent with those assumptions utilized for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment.

We have significant tax credit carryforwards in the U.S. on which we have not recorded a valuation allowance. The utilization of these credits is dependent upon the recognition of both U.S. taxable income as well as income characterized as foreign source under the U.S. tax laws. We expect to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize these tax credits. Furthermore, in 2015 we expect to continue implementation of tax planning strategies that will help generate additional foreign source income in the carryforward period. In addition, we have significant research and development related tax credit carryforwards in Canada on which we have not recorded a valuation allowance. The utilization of these credits is dependent upon the recognition of Canadian taxable income, and we expect to generate enough taxable income in the future to utilize these tax credits.

Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions. We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions when we believe that the full amount of the associated tax benefit may not be realized. In the future, if we prevail in matters for which accruals have been established previously or pay amounts in excess of reserves, there could be a material effect on our income tax provisions in the period in which such determination is made. In addition, our foreign subsidiaries’ undistributed income is considered to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, we do not record a provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes on this foreign income. If this income was not considered to be indefinitely reinvested, it would be subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes and could materially affect our income tax provision.

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Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

We test our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter or when indicators of impairment exist. We base our estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are not predictable with precision and therefore are inherently uncertain. Actual future results could differ from these estimates.

We test goodwill annually for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or a business unit one level below an operating segment if discrete financial information for that business is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. However, components within an operating segment are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. We determined that each of our reportable segments (Broadcast, Enterprise, Industrial Connectivity, and Industrial IT) represents an operating segment. Within those operating segments, we have identified reporting units based on whether there is discrete financial information prepared that is regularly reviewed by segment management. As a result of this evaluation, we have identified three reporting units within Broadcast, one reporting unit within Enterprise, four reporting units within Industrial Connectivity, and one reporting unit within Industrial IT for purposes of goodwill impairment testing.

The accounting guidance related to goodwill impairment testing allows for the performance of an optional qualitative assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Such an evaluation is made based on the weight of all available evidence and the significance of all identified events and circumstances that may influence the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying value, then a quantitative assessment is required for the reporting unit, as described in the paragraph below. In 2014, we performed a qualitative assessment for six of our reporting units, which collectively represented approximately $258 million of our consolidated goodwill balance. For those reporting units for which we performed a qualitative assessment, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value was greater than the carrying value, and therefore, we did not perform the calculation of fair value for these reporting units as described in the paragraph below.

When we evaluate goodwill for impairment using a quantitative assessment, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. We determine the fair value using an income approach. Under the income approach, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated future cash flows using growth rates and discount rates that are consistent with current market conditions in our industry. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets including goodwill assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s net assets including goodwill exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, then an impairment of goodwill has occurred and we recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill as a component of operating income. In addition to the income approach, we calculate the fair value of our reporting units under a market approach. The market approach measures the fair value of a reporting unit through analysis of financial multiples (revenues or EBITDA) of comparable businesses. Consideration is given to the financial conditions and operating performance of the reporting unit being valued relative to those publicly-traded companies operating in the same or similar lines of business.

We determined that none of our goodwill was impaired during 2014. The fair values of our three reporting units tested under a quantitative approach were substantially in excess of the carrying values as of our most recent impairment testing date. The assumptions used to estimate fair values were based on the past performance of the reporting unit as well as the projections incorporated in our strategic plan. Significant assumptions included sales growth, profitability, and related cash flows, along with cash flows associated with taxes and capital spending. The discount rate used to estimate fair value was risk adjusted in consideration of the economic conditions in effect at the time of the impairment test. We also considered assumptions that market participants may use. In our quantitative assessments, the discount rates ranged from 10.7% to 11.7% and the long-term growth rates ranged from 4% to 6%. By their nature, these assumptions involve risks and uncertainties, with the primary factor that could have an adverse effect being our assumptions relating to growing revenues consistent with our strategic plan.

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We test our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which consist primarily of trademarks, for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter. The accounting guidance related to impairment testing for such intangible assets allows for the performance of an optional qualitative assessment, similar to that described above for goodwill. We did not perform any qualitative assessments as part of our indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing for 2014. Rather, we performed a quantitative assessment for each of our trademarks in 2014. Under the quantitative assessments, we determined the fair value of each trademark using a relief from royalty methodology and compared the fair value to the carrying value. We determined that none of our trademarks were impaired during 2014. Significant assumptions to determine fair value included sales growth, royalty rates, and discount rates.

We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we used to test for impairment losses on goodwill and other intangible assets. However, if actual results are significantly different from our estimates or assumptions, we may have to recognize an impairment charge that could be material.

Definite-lived Intangible Assets

The carrying value of our definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 was $349.6 million. Customer relationships and developed technology are the most significant definite-lived intangible assets recorded, with carrying values of $215.5 million and $110.0 million, respectively, and weighted average amortization periods of 19.6 years and 4.7 years, respectively, as of December 31, 2014. We also have recorded definite-lived intangible assets for certain trademarks, certain in-service research and development projects, and backlog. The assignment of useful lives and the determination of the method of amortization for our definite-lived intangible assets require significant judgments and the use of estimates.

We record amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives. If an intangible asset has a finite useful life, but the precise length of that life is not known, the asset is amortized over the best estimate of its useful life. We estimate the useful life based on all relevant information available to us regarding the assets, including information utilized to determine the value of the definite-lived intangible asset. For example, for our customer relationships, we consider historical and projected sales data and related customer attrition rates in order to estimate a useful life. For our developed technology, we give consideration to the product life cycle in order to estimate a useful life.

We determine the amortization method for our definite-lived intangible assets based on the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed. In the event we cannot reliably determine that pattern, we utilize a straight-line amortization method. In order to determine the amortization method, we evaluate all relevant information available to us regarding the assets, including information utilized to determine the value of the definite-lived intangible asset. For example, for customer relationships, we consider historical and projected sales data, customer attrition rates, and our historical experience with key customers of past acquisitions to determine if a pattern of consumption can be derived. If the data examined does not provide a reliably determinable pattern of consumption, then we utilize a straight-line amortization method.

The determinations of useful lives and amortization methods require a significant use of judgment by management. We believe the useful lives assigned and the amortization methods applied are reasonable based on the data available to us. For our existing and prior definite-lived intangible assets, we have not experienced significant differences between our estimates and actual results. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future of the estimates or assumptions we used to develop the useful lives and amortization methods. However, if actual results are significantly different from our estimates or assumptions, we may have to recognize an impairment charge, shorten the useful life assigned to one or more of our definite-lived intangible assets, or change the amortization method assigned to one or more of our definite-lived intangible assets, which could have a material impact on our results. This could occur, for example, if we were to experience significant customer losses or attrition in excess of our estimates or if our product lives were significantly shortened due to technological developments or obsolescence.

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As a sensitivity measure, the effect of a 10% decline in the estimated useful life of our definite-lived intangible assets for customer relationships and developed technology would have resulted in an increase in 2014 amortization expense of approximately $1.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively.

In addition, the testing of definite-lived assets for impairment also requires significant use of judgment and assumptions, particularly as it relates to the identification of asset groups and the determination of fair market value. We test our definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist. For purposes of impairment testing of long-lived assets, we have identified asset groups at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Generally, our asset groups are based on an individual plant or operating facility level. In some circumstances, however, a combination of plants or operating facilities may be considered the asset group due to interdependence of operational activities and cash flows.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Our pension and other postretirement benefit costs and obligations are dependent on the various actuarial assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions relate to discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, health care cost trend rates, mortality tables, and other factors. We base the discount rate assumptions on current investment yields on high-quality corporate long-term bonds. The salary growth assumptions reflect our long-term actual experience and future or near-term outlook. Long-term return on plan assets is determined based on historical portfolio results and management’s expectation of the future economic environment. Our health care cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook, and an assessment of likely long-term trends. Our key assumptions are described in further detail in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Actual results that differ from our assumptions are accumulated and, if in excess of the lesser of 10% of the projected benefit obligation or the fair market value of plan assets, amortized over the estimated future working life of the plan participants.

As a sensitivity measure, the effect of a 50 basis point decline in the assumed discount rate would have resulted in an increase in 2014 net periodic benefit cost of approximately $1.2 million and an increase in the projected benefit obligations as of December 31, 2014 of approximately $21.0 million. A 50 basis point decline in the expected return on plan assets would have resulted in an increase in 2014 net periodic benefit cost of approximately $0.9 million.

Business Combination Accounting

We allocate the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded to goodwill. We use all available information to estimate fair values. We typically engage third party valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of inventories, tangible long-lived assets, and intangible assets other than goodwill. The carrying values of acquired receivables and accounts payable have historically approximated their fair values as of the business combination date. As necessary, we may engage third party specialists to assist in the estimation of fair value for certain liabilities. We adjust the preliminary purchase price allocation, as necessary, typically up to one year after the acquisition closing date as we obtain more information regarding asset valuations and liabilities assumed.

Our purchase price allocation methodology contains uncertainties because it requires management to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities. Management estimates the fair value of assets and liabilities based upon quoted market prices, the carrying value of the acquired assets and widely accepted valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows and market multiple analyses. Unanticipated events or circumstances may occur which could affect the accuracy of our fair value estimates, including assumptions regarding industry economic factors and business strategies.

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If actual results are materially different than the assumptions we used to determine fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired through a business combination, it is possible that adjustments to the carrying values of such assets and liabilities will have an impact on our net earnings. As of December 31, 2014, the measurement period for the purchase price allocation of our acquisitions of Grass Valley, ProSoft, and Coast is open.

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the acquisition-related information associated with significant acquisitions completed in the last three fiscal years.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from currency exchange rates, certain commodity prices, interest rates, and credit extended to customers. Each of these risks is discussed below.

Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency risks that arise from normal business operations. These risks include the translation of local currency balances of foreign subsidiaries and transactions denominated in currencies other than a location’s functional currency.

Our investments in certain foreign subsidiaries are recorded in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As these foreign currency denominated investments are translated at the end of each period during consolidation using period-end exchange rates, fluctuations of exchange rates between the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar increase or decrease the value of those investments. These fluctuations and the results of operations for foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, are translated into U.S. dollars using the average exchange rates during the year, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period end exchange rates. The assets and liabilities-related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We generally view our investments in international subsidiaries with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar as long-term. As a result, we do not generally use derivatives to manage these net investments.

Transactions denominated in currencies other than a location’s functional currency may produce receivables or payables that are fixed in terms of the amount of foreign currency that will be received or paid. A change in exchange rates between the functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated increases or decreases the expected amount of functional currency cash flows upon settlement of the transaction. That increase or decrease in expected functional currency cash flows is a foreign exchange transaction gain or loss that is included in our operating income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In 2014, we recorded approximately $1.4 million of net foreign currency transaction losses.

Generally, the currency in which we sell our products is the same as the currency in which we incur the costs to manufacture our products, resulting in a natural hedge. Our currency exchange rate management strategy primarily involves the use of natural techniques, where possible, such as the offsetting or netting of like-currency cash flows. However, we re-evaluate our strategy as the foreign currency environment changes, and it is possible that we could utilize derivative financial instruments to manage this risk in the future. We did not have any foreign currency derivatives outstanding as of December 31, 2014.

Our exposure to currency rate fluctuations primarily relates to exchange rate movements between the U.S. dollar and the euro, Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Chinese yuan, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, Australian dollar, British pound, and Brazilian real.

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Commodity Price Risk

Certain raw materials used by us are subject to price volatility caused by supply conditions, political and economic variables, and other unpredictable factors. The primary purpose of our commodity price management activities is to manage the volatility associated with purchases of commodities in the normal course of business. We do not speculate on commodity prices.

We are exposed to price risk related to our purchase of copper used in our products, although we are generally able to raise selling prices to customers to cover the increase in copper costs. Our copper price management strategy involves the use of natural techniques, where possible, such as purchasing copper for future delivery at fixed prices. We do not generally use commodity price derivatives and did not have any outstanding at December 31, 2014 or 2013.

The following table presents unconditional commodity purchase obligations outstanding as of December 31, 2014. The unconditional purchase obligations will settle during 2015.

We are also exposed to price risk related to our purchase of selected commodities derived from petrochemical feedstocks used in our products. We generally purchase these commodities based upon market prices established with the vendors as part of the purchase process. Pricing of these commodities is volatile as they tend to fluctuate with the price of oil. Historically, we have not used commodity financial instruments to hedge prices for commodities derived from petrochemical feedstocks.

Interest Rate Risk

We have occasionally managed our debt portfolio by using interest rate derivative instruments, such as swap agreements, to achieve an overall desired position of fixed and floating rates. We were not a party to any interest rate derivative instruments as of or for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal amounts by expected maturity dates and fair values as of December 31, 2014.

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Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to significant concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We are exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to these financial instruments. We place cash and cash equivalents with various high-quality financial institutions throughout the world, and exposure is limited at any one financial institution. Although we do not obtain collateral or other security to support these financial instruments, we evaluate the credit standing of the counterparty financial institutions. As of December 31, 2014, we had $37.9 million in accounts receivable outstanding from Anixter International Inc. This represented approximately 10% of our total accounts receivable outstanding at December 31, 2014. Anixter generally pays all outstanding receivables within thirty to sixty days of invoice receipt.

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Belden Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Belden Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Belden Inc. at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Belden Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 23, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

St. Louis, Missouri

February 23, 2015

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

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Belden Inc.

Consolidated Stockholders’ Equity Statements