EASTERN CO - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

OR

Commission File Number 001-35383

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 729-2255 

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 ☐     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 ☒

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 ☒      No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒      No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐      No ☒

As of June 27, 2020, the last day of registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $90,636,265 (based on the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on the last trading date prior to that date). Shares of the registrant’s common stock held by each officer and director and shares held in trust by the pension plans of the Company have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.

As of February 15, 2021, 6,247,981 shares of the registrant’s common stock, no par value per share, were issued and outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information required for Part III of this report is incorporated herein by reference to the proxy statement for the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after January 2, 2021.

The Eastern Company

Form 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES

LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Eastern Company (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified or suggested by the context, the “Company,” “Eastern,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “should,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “continue,” or similar terms or variations of those terms or the negative of those terms. There are many factors that affect the Company’s business and the results of its operations and that may cause the actual results of operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. These factors include, but are not limited to: effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures being taken to limit the spread and resurgence of COVID-19, including supply chain disruptions, delays in delivery of our products to our customers, impact on demand for our products, reductions in production levels, increased costs, including costs of raw materials, the impact on global economic conditions, the availability, terms and cost of financing, including borrowings under the credit arrangements or agreements, and risks associated with employees working remotely or operating with reduced workforce; the scope and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent of resurgences and how quickly and to what extent normal economic activity can resume; the timing of the development and distribution of effective vaccine or treatment of COVID-19; risks associated with doing business overseas, including fluctuations in exchange rates and the inability to repatriate foreign cash, the impact on cost structure and on economic conditions as a result of actual and threatened increases in trade tariffs and the impact of political, economic and social instability; restrictions on operating flexibility imposed by the agreement governing our credit facility; the inability to achieve the savings expected from global sourcing of materials; the impact of higher raw material and component costs, particularly steel, plastics, scrap iron, zinc, copper and electronic components; lower-cost competition; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products and related components; market acceptance of our products; the inability to attain expected benefits from acquisitions or the inability to effectively integrate such acquisitions and achieve expected synergies; domestic and international economic conditions, including the impact, length and degree of economic downturns on the customers and markets we serve and more specifically conditions in the automotive, construction, aerospace, energy, oil and gas, transportation, electronic, commercial laundry, mining and general industrial markets; costs and liabilities associated with environmental compliance; the impact of climate change or terrorist threats and the possible responses by the U.S. and foreign governments; failure to protect our intellectual property; cyberattacks; and materially adverse or unanticipated legal judgments, fines, penalties or settlements; and other risks identified and discussed in Item 1A, Risk Factors, and Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of this Form 10-K and that may be identified from time to time in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Although the Company believes it has an appropriate business strategy and the resources necessary for its operations, future revenue and margin trends cannot be reliably predicted and the Company may alter its business strategies to address changing conditions. Also, the Company makes estimates and assumptions that may materially affect reported amounts and disclosures. These relate to valuation allowances for accounts receivable and excess and obsolete inventories, accruals for pensions and other postretirement benefits (including forecasted future cost increases and returns on plan assets), provisions for depreciation (estimating useful lives), uncertain tax positions, and, on occasion, accruals for contingent losses. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, alter, or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

COVID-19 Update

As of January 2021, the Company’s operations have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and actions that have been taken to slow the spread and resurgence of COVID-19, and we expect the impact to continue for some time.

Across the Company, we have implemented a broad range of policies and procedures to ensure that employees at all of our locations remain healthy. Steps that we have taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to our employees include, among others: protecting employee health by instructing employees stay home if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19; requiring employees to wear masks upon entry into the workplace; providing standard surgical masks, unless this conflicts with OSHA requirements; and educating employees on hand hygiene to help stop the spread. We maintain a clean work environment by frequently cleaning all touch points with products that meet EPA criteria for use against COVID-19; educating employees to clean their personal workspace at the beginning and the end of every shift; and providing hand sanitizer and disposable wipes.  We have minimized in-person contact between employees and with visitors; required essential employees who are able to work effectively from home, to work from home; developed and implemented practices for social distancing in our facilities; and reduced the number and size of in-person meetings.  We have eliminated all non-essential workplace travel, discouraged carpooling, and where we have multiple shifts, staggered shift start and stop times, break times, and lunchtimes to minimize congregations at the time clocks or break areas.  Where possible, we have closed or restricted break rooms and cafeterias or used extra rotations to reduce the number of employees in the break rooms or cafeterias at one time to achieve social distancing norms.  We continue to seek and implement additional methods to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 to our employees.

The Company has operations in Shanghai and Dongguan, China that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the first six months of 2020. The virus led to a chain of events that interfered with our ability, and the ability of certain suppliers of ours, to conduct business. We source approximately 10% of our products and components from China. As a result of government mandated shutdowns at our facilities, and those of certain suppliers, in China, many of the products that we ordered were delayed by approximately four to six weeks, which resulted in delays in our product shipments to our customers through May 2020. By mid-March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, which precipitated the closure by government authorities of non-essential businesses. The majority of our businesses were deemed essential and accordingly remained open, but at reduced levels. Many of our customers operating in both automotive/transportation and non-automotive/transportation markets experienced varying degrees of shutdowns beginning in the last week of March 2020, and, on a case-by-case basis, began to reopen at various dates beginning in May 2020. We estimate the adverse financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our fiscal year 2020 operating sales and profit to be approximately $26.8 million and $5.7 million reduction net of tax, respectively. The broader economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may result in unfavorable operating earnings and cash flow generation in the months to follow.

Although we sustained delays and disruptions in the first quarter of 2020 to our supply chain and operations in China, the majority of our facilities returned to normal operations but at reduced levels from the second fiscal quarter of 2020 through the fourth fiscal quarter of 2020. We do not anticipate further disruption in our operations unless resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic occurs, which could cause further disruptions in our business and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. In addition, the broader economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may result in unfavorable operating earnings and cash flow generation in the months to follow, as a result of decreased consumer demand for our and our customers’ products. The future extent of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operational and financial performance will depend in large part on developments, that cannot be predicted with confidence at this time. Future developments include the ultimate duration, scope and severity of the pandemic and resurgences, actions that may continue to be taken to contain or mitigate the impact of the pandemic, such as the extent of restrictions on gatherings and travel, the impact on governmental programs and budgets, the development of treatments or vaccines, and the resumption of widespread economic activity. Although the inherent uncertainty of the crisis makes it difficult to predict with any confidence the likely impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our future operations, the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated business, results of operations and financial condition. For a discussion of certain risk related to the COVID-19 pandemic, see Item 1A, Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K.

PART I

ITEM 1 BUSINESS

General Development of Business

The Eastern Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Connecticut in October, 1912, succeeding a co-partnership established in October, 1858. The businesses of the Company design, manufacture and sell unique engineered solutions for industrial markets.

Today, the Company maintains 21 physical locations across North America, Europe, and Asia.

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

On November 19, 2020 the Company sold its subsidiary Sesamee Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. (“Sesamee Mexicana”). Sesamee Mexicana designs and manufactures composite panels and distributes industrial hardware. Eastern has exited the composite panels business as part of its strategy to streamline its business.

On August 10, 2020 the Company acquired certain assets, including accounts receivable, inventories, furniture, fixtures and equipment, intellectual property rights and rights existing under all sales and purchase agreements, and assumed certain liabilities, of Hallink, RSB Inc. These assets are held in our subsidiary, Hallink Moulds, Inc. (“Hallink Moulds”). Hallink Moulds is a leader in innovative injection blow mold tooling and is a leading supplier of blow molds and change parts to the food, beverage, healthcare and chemical industries. Hallink Moulds specializes in the design, development and manufacture of 2-step stretch blow molds, and related components for the stretch blow molding industry offering integrated turnkey solutions to its customers worldwide. The total consideration for the acquisition of Hallink Moulds was approximately $7.2 million which was paid out of the Company’s cash reserves.

On June 15, 2020 the Company sold its subsidiary, the Canadian Commercial Vehicles Corporation (“CCV”). CCV designs and manufactures composite panels. Eastern has exited the composite panels business as part of its strategy to streamline its business.

On August 30, 2019, the Company and its newly-formed wholly-owned subsidiary, Eastern Engineered Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“EES”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with Big 3 Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Seller”), Big 3 Precision Mold Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller (“Big 3 Mold”), Big 3 Precision Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Seller (“Big 3 Products”), Industrial Design Innovations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Big 3 Products (“Design Innovations”), Sur-Form, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Big 3 Products (“Sur-Form”), Associated Toolmakers LTD, a limited company formed under the laws of England and Wales and wholly-owned subsidiary of Big 3 Mold (“Associated Tool” and together with Big 3 Mold, Big 3 Products, Design Innovations and Sur-Form, collectively “Big 3 Precision”), TVV Capital Partners III, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, TVV Capital Partners III-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, Alan Scheidt, Todd Riley, Clinton Hyde, and Big 3 Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the initial Seller Representative. On August 30, 2019, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company, through EES, acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold Services, and indirectly through them, all of the outstanding equity interests in Design Innovations, Sur-Form and Associated, for an adjusted purchase cash price of $81.2 million (the “Big 3 Precision Acquisition”). The Big 3 Precision Acquisition was financed with a combination of $2.1 million of cash on hand, a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Santander Bank, N.A., for itself and, People’s United Bank, National Association and TD Bank, N.A. as lenders, providing for a $100.0 million term loan and a $20.0 million revolving credit line. In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company also used its cash to repay the remaining balance (approximately $19.1 million) of its then outstanding term loan with People’s United Bank National Association. Through its two divisions, Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold, Big 3 Precision serves diverse markets including truck, automotive, plastic packaging products, consumer packaged goods and pharmaceuticals. In particular, Big 3 Products works with leading manufacturers to design and produce custom returnable packaging to integrate with their assembly processes. Big 3 Mold is a global leader in the design and manufacture of blow mold tools.

Description of Business

The Eastern Company manages industrial businesses that design, manufacture and sell unique engineered solutions to industrial markets. We believe Eastern’s businesses operate in industries with long-term macroeconomic growth opportunities. We look to acquire businesses that produce stable and growing earnings and cash flows. Eastern may pursue acquisitions in industries other than those in which its businesses currently operate if an acquisition presents an attractive opportunity.

Eastern focuses on proactive financial, operational, and strategic management of its businesses in order to increase cash generation, operating earnings and long-term shareholder value. Among other things, Eastern monitors financial and operational performance of each of its businesses and instills consistent financial discipline. Eastern’s management analyzes and pursues prudent organic growth strategies and works to execute attractive external growth and acquisition opportunities.

In addition, Eastern recruits and retains talented managers to operate its businesses. We look for leaders who are accountable, maintain cost discipline, act quickly, and build strong followership.

The Company reports in two business segments: Engineered Solutions and Diversified Products.

Engineered Solutions

The Engineered Solutions segment consists of Big 3 Precision, including Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold, Hallink Moulds, Inc., Associated Toolmakers LTD; Eberhard Manufacturing Company, Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd., Eastern Industrial Ltd, Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products, World Lock Company Ltd., Dongguan Reeworld Security Products Ltd., and World Security Industries Ltd. (together “Eberhard”); and Velvac Holdings (“Velvac”). These businesses design, manufacture and market a diverse product line of custom and standard vehicular and industrial hardware, including turnkey returnable packaging solutions, access and security hardware, mirrors, and mirror-cameras.

Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold’s turnkey returnable packaging solutions are used in the assembly processes of vehicles, aircraft and durable goods and in the production processes of plastic packaging products, packaged consumer goods and pharmaceuticals. Big 3 Products works with leading manufacturers to design and produce custom returnable packaging to integrate with their assembly processes. Big 3 Mold is a global leader in the design and manufacture of blow mold tools. Hallink Moulds is a leader in innovative injection blow mold tooling and is a leading supplier of blow molds and change parts to the food, beverage, healthcare and chemical industry. Hallink specializes in the design, development and manufacture of 2-step stretch blow molds, and related components for the stretch blow molding industry offering integrated turnkey solutions to its customers worldwide.

In 2020, we combined all businesses associated with the Eberhard Manufacturing Company and The Illinois Lock Company to create Eberhard, a global leader in the engineering and manufacturing of access and security hardware. Eberhard offers a standard product line of rotary latches, compression latches, draw latches, hinges, camlocks, key switches, padlocks, and handles among other products, as well as comprehensive development and program management services for custom electromechanical and mechanical systems designed for specific original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and customer applications. Eberhard’s products are found in an expansive range of applications and products globally.

Velvac is the premier designer and manufacturer of proprietary vision technology for OEMs and aftermarket applications, and a leading provider of aftermarket components to the heavy-duty truck market in North America. Velvac serves diverse, niche segments within the heavy- and medium-duty truck, motorhome, and bus markets.

Diversified Products

The Diversified Products segment consists of Frazer & Jones; Greenwald Industries (“Greenwald”); and Argo EMS (formerly Argo Transdata). Frazer & Jones designs and manufactures high quality ductile and malleable iron castings. Products include valves, torque screws, bean clamps and concrete anchors. These products are sold to a wide range of industrial markets, including the oil, water and gas; truck/automotive rail, and military/aerospace. The Company believes that Frazer & Jones is the largest and most efficient producer of expansion shells for use in supporting the roofs of underground mines in North America. Greenwald designs, manufactures and markets payment systems and coin security products used primarily in the commercial laundry market. Greenwald’s products include timers, drop meters, coin chutes, money boxes, meter cases, mobile payment apps, smart cards, value transfer stations, smart card readers, card management software, and access control units. Argo EMS supplies printed circuit boards and other electronic assemblies to OEMs in various industries, including measurement systems, semiconductor equipment manufacturing, and industrial controls, medical and military products.

Human Capital

We believe our success depends on the skills, experience, and industry knowledge of our key talent. As such, our management team places significant focus and attention on the attraction, development, and retention of employees, as well as ensuring our corporate culture reflects Eastern’s values, and our Board of Directors (our “Board) provides oversight for various employee initiatives. Eastern values and Code of Business Conduct and Ethics guide our actions, reflect our culture, and drive our performance. We have made and continue to make investments in training and we have well-established performance management process.

The health and safety of our employees is also a top priority. Our focus on the reduction of injuries and illnesses has significantly improved our safety performance. We have attained these improvements by fostering a global safety culture supported with regular training and education that includes robust systems and philosophies centered on personal responsibility and accountability. The Board established an Environment, Health and Safety Committee in 2019. There is a high-level of leadership engagement, ensuring installation and maintenance of appropriate safety equipment at all of our manufacturing sites worldwide combined with vigorous reviews of root causation and systemic corrective actions of any safety incidents that may occur.

In response to the emergence of COVID-19 in early 2020, we implemented a proactive internal procedure and complied with local, federal and international governmental guidance that has enabled us to operate safely. Each of our facilities continues to adhere to these practices, and we have also adjusted our remote worker safety procedures to ensure that remote employees are better integrated into our safety and health systems.

An engaged, innovative, skilled, and collaborative workforce is critical to our continued leadership in the design and manufacture of unique engineered solutions to industrial markets. We operate globally under policies and programs that provide competitive wages, benefits, and terms of employment. We are committed to efforts to increase diversity and foster an inclusive work environment that supports our global workforce through recruiting efforts and equitable compensation policies.

Employee levels are managed to align with business demand and management believes it currently has sufficient human capital to operate its business successfully. As of January 2, 2021, we employed 1,323 full-time employees; 788 in the United States and 535 in other countries. Approximately 53% of employees in the United States are represented by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with employees, unions and works’ councils are good.

General

Patent and trademark protection for the various product lines of the Company is limited, but the Company believes patents and trademark protection is sufficient to protect the Company’s competitive positions. Patent durations are from 3 to 20 years. No business segment is dependent on any patent nor would the loss of any patent have any material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

During the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company announced certain organizational changes that will impact our future internal reporting and reportable segments. As a result of these changes, we have combined the Illinois Lock Company and Dongguan Reeworld Security Products, Ltd. with the former Industrial Hardware segment to form the Engineered Solutions Segment. We have also combined the Frazer & Jones Company, Greenwald Industries, and Argo EMS to form the Diversified Products segment.

The Engineered Solutions and Diversified Product segments will be the reportable segments in 2020. These changes are effective for financial reporting purposes from the beginning of fiscal year 2020.

See Note 12, Reportable Segments, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, for our financial information by segment.

Neither of the Company’s segments is seasonal.

Customers for both segments are broad-based by geography and by market, and sales are generally not highly concentrated by customer. Foreign sales were not significant.

The Company encounters competition in both its business segments. Imports from Asia and Latin America with favorable currency exchange rates and low-cost labor have created additional pricing pressure. The Company competes successfully by offering high quality custom engineered products on a timely basis. To compete, the Company deploys internal engineering resources, maintains cost effective manufacturing capabilities through its wholly-owned Asian subsidiaries, expands its product lines through product development and acquisitions, and maintains sufficient inventory for fast turnaround of customer orders.

The Company does not anticipate that compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws or regulations are likely to have a material effect on the Company’s capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

The Company obtains materials from nonaffiliated domestic, Asian affiliated and Asian nonaffiliated sources. Raw materials and outside services were affected by COVID-19 for some of the Company’s businesses during the first six months of 2020. We expect raw materials and outside services to be readily available in 2021 and the foreseeable future, unless resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic occurs, which could cause further disruptions in our supply chain.

The Company’s ratio of working capital to sales was 29.6% in 2020 and 28.1% in 2019. Working capital includes cash held in various foreign subsidiaries. With the passage of 2017 tax legislation cash previously held in foreign countries can be repatriated back to the United States and used for other business needs thus reducing working capital needs further. Other factors affecting working capital include our average days’ sales in accounts receivable, inventory turnover ratio and payment of vendor accounts payable. In some cases, the company must hold extra inventory due to extended lead time in receiving products ordered from our foreign subsidiaries to ensure product is available for our customers. The Company continues to monitor working capital needs with the goal of reducing our ratio of working capital to sales.

Available Information

The Company makes available, free of charge through its Internet website at http://www.easterncompany.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The Company’s reports filed with, or furnished to, the SEC are also available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K and the Company’s other filings with the SEC, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company’s business. The Company’s business, financial condition or results of operation could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks or additional risks not presently known to the Company, or by risks the Company currently deems immaterial, which may also adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Company has correctly identified and appropriately assessed all factors affecting its business or that information publicly available with respect to these matters is complete and correct.

Risks Related to Our Business

The Company’s business has been and is expected to continue to be negatively impacted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has experienced and could continue to experience disruptions to its business, its operations, the delivery of its products and customer demand for its products, including the following:

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly, and additional material impacts and disruptions are likely to occur. The factors described above, which may worsen, and other factors that the Company cannot predict, can be expected to have a material adverse impact on the business, operations, financial results and capital resources of the Company. The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company is highly uncertain and subject to change and will depend on future developments, which cannot be accurately predicted, including, but limited to: (i) the duration of the pandemic, including: (a) the extent of resurgences particularly in those regions that were previously impacted, but are now reopening, (b) new outbreaks in the regions previously unaffected and (c) how quickly and to what extent normal economic activity can resume; (ii) additional or modified government actions; (iii) the timing of vaccine distribution and the development and distribution of effective treatments for COVID-19; (iv) new information that may emerge concerning the severity and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and (v) the actions taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or address its impact in the short and long term, among others. We do not yet know and cannot predict the full extent of impacts on the business, operations, financial results and capital resources of the Company.

Our financial and operating performance may be adversely affected by epidemics and other health related issues.

Our business and financial and operating performance have been and are expected to continue to be materially adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of other epidemics and other health related issues. As a result of the ongoing novel coronavirus, the Company’s operations in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan experienced a slowdown or temporary suspension in production. Our business could be materially and adversely affected in the event of another slowdown or suspension for a long period of time. During such epidemic outbreak, China, Hong Kong or Taiwan may adopt certain hygiene measures similar to those adopted in response to COVID-19, including quarantining visitors from places where any of the contagious diseases are rampant. Those restrictive measures may adversely affect and slow down economic development during that period. Any prolonged restrictive measures in order to control the contagious disease or other adverse public health developments in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Indebtedness may affect our business and may restrict our operating flexibility.

As of January 2, 2021, the Company had $88,694,000 in total consolidated indebtedness. Subject to restrictions contained in the Credit Agreement, the Company may incur additional indebtedness in the future, including indebtedness incurred to finance acquisitions. The level of indebtedness and servicing costs associated with that indebtedness could have important effects on our operation and business strategy. For example, the indebtedness could:

The Company’s ability to make scheduled principal payments, to pay interest on, or to refinance our indebtedness and to satisfy other debt obligations will depend upon future operating performance, which may be affected by factors beyond the Company’s control. In addition, there can be no assurance that future borrowings or the issuance of equity would be available to the Company on favorable terms for the payment or refinancing of the Company’s debt. If the Company is unable to service its indebtedness, the business, financial condition and results of operation would be materially adversely affected.

The Company’s credit facility contains covenants requiring the Company to achieve certain financial and operations results and maintain compliance with specified financial ratios. The Company’s ability to meet the financial covenants or requirements in its credit facility may be affected by events beyond our control, and the Company may not be able to satisfy such covenants and requirements. A breach of these covenants or the Company’s inability to comply with the financial ratios, tests or other restrictions contained in our credit facility could result in an event of default under such credit facility. Upon the occurrence of an event of default under our credit facility and/or the expiration of any grace periods, the lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding under our credit facility, together with accrued interest, to be immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, the Company’s assets may not be sufficient to fully repay the amounts due under our credit facility or the Company’s other indebtedness.

In addition, the Company’s growth strategy involves expanding sales of its products into foreign markets. There is no guarantee that the Company’s products will be accepted by foreign customers or how long it may take to develop sales of the Company’s products in these foreign markets.

The phaseout of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different reference rate, may adversely affect interest rates.

On July 27, 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced that it would phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. The ICE Benchmark Administration (the “IBA”) recently announced market consultation regarding the extension of US dollar LIBOR tenors through June 30, 2023 which the FCA supports. The Alternative Reference Rates Committee (the “ARRC”), a financial industry group convened by the Federal Reserve Board has recommended the use of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) to replace LIBOR. The difference between LIBOR and SOFR is that LIBOR is a forward-looking rate which means the interest rate is set at the beginning of the period with payment due at the end. SOFR is a backward-looking overnight rate which have implications for how interest and other payments are based. Changes in the method of calculating the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate or benchmark are still in flux and once an alternative rate or benchmark is adopted, may adversely affect interest rates and result in higher borrowing costs. This could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks at this time. We are working with our senior lender and may need to renegotiate our credit facilities as LIBOR phases out in June 2023.

Risks Related to Competition and Global Operations

The Company’s business is subject to risks associated with conducting business overseas.

International operations could be adversely affected by changes in political and economic conditions, trade protection measures, restrictions on repatriation of earnings, differing intellectual property rights and changes in regulatory requirements that restrict the sales of products or increase costs. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies could result in increases or decreases in earnings and may adversely affect the value of the Company’s assets outside the United States. The Company’s operations are also subject to the effects of international trade agreements and regulations. These trade agreements could impose requirements that adversely affect the Company’s business, such as, but not limited to, setting quotas on products that may be imported from a particular country into the Company’s key markets in North America.

The Company’s ability to import products in a timely and cost-effective manner may also be affected by conditions at ports or issues that otherwise affect transportation and warehousing providers, such as port and shipping capacity, labor disputes, severe weather or increased homeland security requirements in the United States or other countries. These issues could delay importation of products or require the Company to locate alternative ports or warehousing providers to avoid disruption to customers. These alternatives may not be available on short notice or could result in higher transit costs, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial conditions or results of operations.

The Company is also subject to the impacts of political, economic and social instability. For example, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” was completed on December 31, 2020. There remains significant uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on the free movement of goods, services, and people between the United Kingdom and the European Union, and Brexit could result in increased legal and regulatory complexities, as well as potential higher costs of conducting business in Europe. The uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s withdrawal and its consequences, as well as any deterioration in economic conditions, could adversely impact consumer and investor confidence, and the level of consumer purchases of discretionary items and retail products, including our products. Any of these effects, among others, could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Additionally, Brexit has contributed to the volatility of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies in which the Company conducts business. Because the Company translates revenue denominated in foreign currency into U.S. dollars for its financial statements, during periods of a volatile U.S. dollar, the Company’s reported earnings from foreign operations are affected. As a result of Brexit, there may be further periods of volatility in the currencies in which the Company conducts business.

Increases in the price or reduced availability of raw materials could increase the cost of raw materials, decrease profit margins or impair the Company’s ability to meet production requirements on time or at all.

Raw materials needed to manufacture products are obtained from numerous suppliers. Under normal market conditions, these raw materials are readily available on the open market from a variety of producers. However, from time to time, the prices and availability of these raw materials fluctuate, which could impair the Company’s ability to procure the required raw materials for its operations or increase the cost of manufacturing its products. If the price of raw materials increases, the Company may be unable to pass these increases on to its customers and could experience reductions to its profit margins. Also, any decrease in the availability of raw materials could impair the Company’s ability to meet production requirements in a timely manner or at all.

The Company faces active global competition and if it does not compete effectively, its business may suffer.

The Company encounters competition in all of its business segments, and imports from Asia and Latin America with favorable currency exchange rates and low-cost labor have resulted in pricing pressure. The Company competes with other companies that offer similar products or that produce different products appropriate for the same uses. To remain profitable and defend market share, the Company must continue to offer high quality custom engineered products on a timely basis, deploy internal engineering resources, maintain cost-effective manufacturing capabilities through its wholly owned Asian subsidiaries, expand its product lines through product development and acquisitions, and maintain sufficient inventory for fast turnaround of customer orders. The Company may not be able to compete effectively on all of these fronts and with all of its competitors, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on its sales and profit margins.

In addition, the Company may have to reduce prices on its products and services, or make other concessions, to stay competitive and retain market share. Price reductions taken by the Company in response to customer and competitive pressures, as well as price reductions and promotional actions taken to drive demand that may not result in anticipated sales levels, could also negatively impact the Company’s business.

If tariffs on imported Chinese products are further expanded to include additional products and the tariff is reinstated to 25%, our cost of raw materials may increase, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The Company obtains raw materials used in the production of its products from domestic, Asian affiliated and nonaffiliated sources. On January 15, 2020, the U.S. and China signed the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal which, among other things, rolls back tariffs on $120 billion of Chinese products from 15% to 7.5% effective February 14, 2020. The U.S. agreed not to proceed with the 15% tariffs on $160 billion of consumer goods which were scheduled to take effect December 15, 2019. However, the 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports will remain in effect subject to further reductions depending on the progress of future negotiations. If China does not follow through its agreed upon commitments and tariffs are reinstated on $550 billion of Chinese products at the 25% rate, it could result in a loss of business and possible reduced margins for the Company, if the tariffs cannot be fully offset by higher selling prices.

Changes in competition in the markets that the Company services could impact revenues and earnings.

Any change in competition may result in lost market share or reduced prices, which could result in reduced profits and margins. This may impair the ability to grow or even maintain current levels of revenues and earnings. The loss of certain customers could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations until such business is replaced, and no assurances can be made that the Company would be able to regain or replace any lost customers.

Risks Related to Acquisitions and Organic Growth

The inability to develop new products could limit growth.

Demand for new products and the inability to develop and introduce new competitive products at favorable profit margins could adversely affect the Company’s performance and prospects for future growth, and the Company would not be positioned to maintain current levels of revenues and earnings. The uncertainties associated with developing and introducing new products, such as the market demands and the costs of development and production, may impede the successful development and introduction of new products. Acceptance of the new products may not meet sales expectations due to several factors, such as the Company’s potential inability to accurately predict market demand or to resolve technical issues in a timely and cost-effective manner. Additionally, the inability to develop new products on a timely basis could result in the loss of business to competitors.

The inability to identify or complete acquisitions could limit growth.

The Company’s future growth may partly depend on its ability to acquire and successfully integrate new businesses. The Company intends to seek additional acquisition opportunities, both to expand into new markets and to enhance the Company’s position in existing markets. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to successfully identify suitable candidates, negotiate appropriate terms, obtain financing on acceptable terms, complete proposed acquisitions, successfully integrate acquired businesses or expand into new markets. Once acquired, operations may not achieve anticipated levels of revenues or profitability.

Acquisitions involve risk, including difficulties in the integration of the operations, technologies, services and products of the acquired companies and the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns. Although the Company’s management will endeavor to evaluate the risks inherent in any particular transaction, there can be no assurances that the Company’s management will properly ascertain all such risks. In addition, prior acquisitions have resulted, and future acquisitions could result in the incurrence of substantial debt and other expenses. Future acquisitions may also result in potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities. Difficulties encountered with acquisitions may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may be unable to successfully execute or effectively integrate acquisitions of any businesses we may acquire in the future.

We regularly review our portfolio of businesses and pursue growth through acquisitions. We may not be able to complete transactions on favorable terms, on a timely basis, or at all, and the success of any such acquisitions depends on our ability to combine the acquired business with our existing business in a manner that does not disrupt our and the acquired business’s ongoing relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. Our results of operations and cash flows may be adversely impacted by (i) the failure of acquired businesses to meet or exceed expected returns, including risk of impairment; (ii) the failure to integrate multiple acquired businesses into the Company simultaneously and on schedule or to achieve expected synergies and (iii) the discovery of unanticipated liabilities, cybersecurity and compliance issues, labor relations difficulties or other problems in acquired businesses for which we lack contractual protections, or insurance or indemnities.

Risks Related to Technology and Information Security

Our technology is important to the Company’s success and the failure to protect this technology could put the Company at a competitive disadvantage.

Some of the Company’s products rely on proprietary technology; therefore, the Company believes that the development and protection of intellectual property rights through patents, copyrights, trade secrets, trademarks, confidentiality agreements and other contractual provisions are important to the future success of its business. Despite the Company’s efforts to protect proprietary rights, unauthorized parties or competitors may copy or otherwise obtain and use the Company’s products or technology. Actions to enforce these rights may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and the Company makes no assurances that any such actions will be successful.

In addition to the United States, we have applied for intellectual property protection in other jurisdictions with respect to certain innovations and new products, product features, and processes. The laws of certain foreign countries in which we do business, or contemplate doing business in the future, do not recognize intellectual property rights or protect them to the same extent as U.S. law. As a result, these factors could weaken our competitive advantage with respect to our products, services, and brands in foreign jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our financial performance. We may also encounter significant problems in protecting and defending our licensed and owned intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. For example, China currently affords less protection to a company’s intellectual property than some other jurisdictions. As such, the lack of strong patent and other intellectual property protection in China may significantly increase our vulnerability regarding unauthorized disclosure or use of our intellectual property and undermine our competitive position. Proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights in foreign jurisdictions could result in substantial cost and divert our efforts and attention from other aspects of our business.

The Company relies on information and technology for many of its business operations, which could fail and cause disruption to the Company’s business operations.

The Company’s business operations are dependent upon information technology networks and systems to securely transmit, process and store electronic information and to communicate among its locations around the world and with clients and vendors. A shut-down of, or inability to access, one or more of the Company’s facilities, a power outage or a failure of one or more of the Company’s information technology, telecommunications or other systems could significantly impair the Company’s ability to perform such functions on a timely basis. Computer viruses, cyberattacks, other external hazards and human error could result in the misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption. If sustained or repeated, such a business interruption, system failure, service denial or data loss and damage could result in a deterioration of the Company’s ability to write and process orders, provide customer service or perform other necessary business functions.

A breach in the security of the Company’s software could harm its reputation, result in a loss of current and potential customers and subject the Company to material claims, which could materially harm our operating results and financial condition.

If the Company’s security measures are breached, an unauthorized party may obtain access to the Company’s data or users’ or customers’ data. In addition, cyber-attacks and similar acts could lead to interruptions and delays in customer processing or a loss or breach of a customer’s data. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures. The risk that these types of events could seriously harm the Company’s business is likely to increase as the Company expands the number of web-based products we offer, the services we provide, and our global operations.

Regulatory authorities around the world are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning data protection. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the United States and elsewhere are often uncertain and in flux. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with the Company’s data practices. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, this could result in an order requiring that the Company change its data practices, which could have an adverse effect on its business and results of operations.

Any security breaches for which the Company is, or is perceived to be, responsible, in whole or in part, could subject us to legal claims or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations, which could harm the Company’s reputation and result in significant litigation costs and damage awards or settlement amounts. Any imposition of liability, particularly liability that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage, could materially harm our operating results and financial condition. Security breaches also could cause the Company to lose current and potential customers, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Moreover, the Company might be required to expend significant financial and other resources to further protect against security breaches or to rectify problems caused by any security breach.

Litigation, Compliance and Regulatory Risks

Delays in, or disagreements with the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding, the Company’s evaluation of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could have a material adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s stock or its borrowing ability. In addition, future changes in operating conditions could result in inadequate internal control over financial reporting.

The Company is an “accelerated filer” as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act and is thus required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 requires the Company to include in its report management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the fiscal period for which the Company is filing its Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report must also include disclosure of any material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting that the Company has identified. Additionally, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is required to issue a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and their evaluation of the operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. The Company’s assessment requires it to make subjective judgments, and the independent registered public accounting firm may not agree with the Company’s assessment. If the Company or its independent registered public accounting firm were unable to complete the assessments within the period prescribed by Section 404 and thus be unable to conclude that the internal control over financial reporting is effective, investors could lose confidence in the Company’s reported financial information, which could have an adverse effect on the market price of the Company’s common stock or impact the Company’s borrowing ability. In addition, changes in operating conditions and changes in compliance with policies and procedures currently in place may result in inadequate internal control over financial reporting in the future.

Environmental compliance costs and liabilities could increase the Company’s expenses and adversely affect the Company’s financial condition.

The Company’s operations and properties are subject to laws and regulations relating to environmental protection, including air emissions, water discharges, waste management and workplace safety. These laws and regulations can result in the imposition of substantial fines and sanctions for violations and could require the installation of pollution control equipment or operational changes to limit pollution emissions and/or decrease the likelihood of accidental hazardous substance releases. The Company must conform its operations and properties to these laws and adapt to regulatory requirements in the countries in which the Company’s businesses operate as these requirements change.

The Company uses and generates hazardous substances and wastes in its operations and, as a result, could be subject to potentially material liabilities relating to the investigation and clean-up of contaminated properties and to claims alleging personal injury. The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, costs relating to compliance with environmental laws and regulations. In connection with the Company’s acquisitions, the Company may assume significant environmental liabilities, some of which it may not be aware of at the time of acquisition. In addition, new laws and regulations, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of new clean-up requirements could require the Company to incur costs or become the basis for new or increased liabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Changes in climate may increase the frequency and intensity of adverse weather patterns and may negatively impact our business.

Natural disasters, changes in climate, and geo-political events could materially adversely affect our financial performance. The occurrence of one or more natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, floods, fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones, typhoons, weather conditions such as major or extended winter storms, droughts and tornadoes, whether as a result of climate change or otherwise, severe changes in climate and geo-political events, such as war, civil unrest or terrorist attacks in a country in which we operate or in which our suppliers are located could adversely affect our operations and financial performance.

The Company could be subject to litigation, which could have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.  

From time to time, the Company’s operations are parties to or targets of lawsuits, claims, investigations and proceedings, including product liability, personal injury, patent and intellectual property, commercial, contract, and environmental and employment matters, which are defended and settled in the ordinary course of business. Any litigation to which the Company may be subject could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations. See Item 3 – Legal Proceedings in this Form 10-K for a discussion of current litigation.

The Company could be subject to additional tax liabilities.

The Company is subject to income tax laws of the United States, its states and municipalities and those of other foreign jurisdictions in which the Company has business operations. These laws are complex and subject to interpretations by the taxpayer and the relevant governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment and interpretation are required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of business, transactions arise where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although the Company believes that our tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from that which is reflected in historical income tax provisions and accruals. Based on the status of a given tax audit or related litigation, a material effect on the Company’s income tax provision or net income may result during the period or periods from the initial recognition of a particular matter in the Company’s reported financial results to the final closure of that tax audit or settlement of related litigation when the ultimate tax and related cash flow is known with certainty.

General Risk Factors

The Company’s goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets may become impaired, which could require a significant charge to earnings to be recognized.

Under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment at least annually. Future operating results used in the assumptions, such as sales or profit forecasts, may not materialize, and the Company has been and could in the future be required to record a significant charge to earnings in the financial statements during the period in which any impairment is determined, resulting in an unfavorable impact on our results of operations. For example, approximately $1 million of goodwill was impaired and written off the books in December 2020 in connection with the closing of operations of Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. in Ontario, Canada. Numerous assumptions are used in the evaluation of impairment, and there is no guarantee that the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm would reach the same conclusion as the Company or an independent valuation firm, which could result in a disagreement between management and the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

The Company may need additional capital in the future, which may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

From time-to-time, the Company has historically relied on outside financing to fund expanded operations, capital expenditure programs and acquisitions. The Company may require additional capital in the future to fund operations or strategic opportunities. The Company cannot be assured that additional financing will be available on favorable terms, or at all. In addition, the terms of available financing may place limits on the Company’s financial and operating flexibility. If the Company is unable to obtain sufficient capital in the future, the Company may not be able to expand or acquire complementary businesses and may not be able to continue to develop new products or otherwise respond to changing business conditions or competitive pressures.

The Company’s stock price may become highly volatile.

The Company’s stock price may change dramatically when buyers seeking to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock exceed the shares available on the market, or when there are no buyers to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock when shareholders are trying to sell their shares.

The Company depends on key management and technical personnel, the loss of whom could harm its businesses.

The Company depends on key management and technical personnel. The loss of one or more key employees could materially and adversely affect the Company.

The Company’s success also depends on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified technical, sales and marketing and management personnel necessary for the maintenance and expansion of its activities. The Company faces strong competition for such personnel and may not be able to attract or retain such personnel. In addition, when the Company experiences periods with little or no profits, a decrease in compensation based on profits may make it difficult to attract and retain highly qualified personnel.

In order to attract and retain executives and other key employees, the Company must provide a competitive compensation package. If the Company’s profits decrease, or if the Company’s total compensation package is not viewed as competitive, the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate executives and key employees could be weakened. The failure to successfully hire and retain executives and key employees or the loss of any executives and key employees could have a significant impact on our operations.

The Company may not be able to reach acceptable terms for contracts negotiated with its labor unions and be subject to work stoppages or disruption of production.

During 2021, union contracts covering approximately 15% of the Company’s total workforce will expire. The Company has been successful in negotiating new contracts over the years, but cannot guarantee that will continue. Failure to negotiate new union contracts could result in the disruption of production, inability to deliver product or a number of unforeseen circumstances, any of which could have an unfavorable material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Deterioration in the creditworthiness of several major customers could have a material impact on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Included as a significant asset on the Company’s balance sheet are accounts receivable from our customers. If several large customers become insolvent or are otherwise unable to pay for products, or become unwilling or unable to make payments in a timely manner, it could have an unfavorable material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.

Although the Company is not dependent on any one customer, deterioration in several large customers at the same time could have an unfavorable material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition. One customer exceeded 10% of total accounts receivable for 2020 and one customer exceeded 10% of total accounts receivable for 2019.

The Company’s operating results may fluctuate, which makes the results of operations difficult to predict and could cause the results to fall short of expectations.

The Company’s operating results may fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, comparing the Company’s operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful, and past results should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance. Quarterly, year to date and annual costs and expenses as a percentage of revenues may differ significantly from historical or projected levels. Future operating results may fall below expectations. These types of events could cause the price of the Company’s stock to fall.

New or existing U.S. or foreign laws could subject the Company to claims or otherwise impact the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

The Company is subject to a variety of laws in both the U.S. and foreign countries that are costly to comply with, can result in negative publicity and diversion of management time and effort and can subject the Company to claims or other remedies.

ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2 PROPERTIES

The corporate office of the Company owns an 8,000 square feet two-story brick building on 2.1 acres of land located in Naugatuck, Connecticut

All of the Company’s properties are owned or leased and are adequate to satisfy current requirements. All of the Company’s properties have the necessary flexibility to cover any long-term expansion requirements.

Engineered Solutions includes the following:

Big 3 Products in Centralia, Illinois owns 156,160 square feet of administrative and manufacturing space located in an industrial park. The single-story building is steel frame with steel siding and roof.

Big 3 Products in Dearborn, Michigan leases 86,250 square feet of building space. The building is made from industrial block. Approximately 6,000 square feet of office space is used for design engineers. The current lease expires on February 4, 2025.

Big 3 Products in Chesterfield, Michigan leases 45,000 square feet for a design and manufacturing facility. This building is industrial block and metal frame. The current lease expires on February 28, 2026.

Big 3 Mold in Holliston, Massachusetts leases 1,920 square feet of building space. The building is industrial block. The current lease expires on December 31, 2022.

Big 3 Mold in Millville, New Jersey owns 54,450 square feet of building space. The building is industrial block.

Big 3 Precision in Pleasant Hill, Missouri leases 1,000 square feet of office space. The building is metal frame. The current lease expires on April 2, 2022.

Big 3 Precision in Kimball, Michigan leases 3,500 square feet of building space. The current lease expires on April 30, 2022 with an option to renew for an additional twelve months.

Associated Tool, a wholly-owned subsidiary in Wrexham, Wales leases 5,000 square feet of building space. The building is industrial block and metal frame. The current lease expires on October 8, 2022.

Hallink Moulds, a wholly-owned subsidiary in Cambridge, Ontario, leases 15,000 square feet of building space. The building is industrial block and metal frame. The current lease expires on January 31, 2022.

Eberhard Manufacturing in Strongsville, Ohio owns 9.6 acres of land and a building containing 157,580 square feet, located in an industrial park. The building is steel frame, is one-story and has curtain walls of brick, glass and insulated steel panels. The building has two high bays, one of which houses two units of automated warehousing.

Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd., a wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary in Tillsonburg, Ontario, owns 4.4 acres of land and a building containing 31,000 square feet in an industrial park. The building is steel frame, is one-story, and has curtain walls of brick, glass and insulated steel panels. It is particularly suited for light fabrication, assembly and warehousing and is adequate for long-term expansion requirements.

Eastern Industrial Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai, China, leases brick and concrete buildings containing approximately 47,500 square feet of space that are located in both industrial and commercial areas. In 2016, Eastern Industrial, Ltd. entered into a six-year lease, which expires on March 31, 2022 and is renewable.

Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products owns 2.5 acres of land and a building containing 44,000 square feet in Wheeling, Illinois. The building is brick and is located in an industrial park.

The World Lock Co. Ltd. subsidiary leases 5,285 square feet of space in a building located in Taipei, Taiwan. The building is made from brick and concrete and is protected by a fire alarm and sprinklers. The current lease expires on October 31, 2023.

The Dongguan Reeworld Security Products Ltd. subsidiary was established in July 2013 to manufacture locks and hardware and leases 103,800 square feet of space in concrete buildings that are located in an industrial park in Dongguan, China. The current lease expires on May 31, 2022 and is renewable for a three-year period.

Velvac, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary in New Berlin, Wisconsin, leases a 98,000 square foot building. The building includes 17,000 square feet of office space and 81,000 square feet of warehousing and distribution operations. The current lease expires on May 31, 2024.

Velvac de Reynosa, S. De R.L De C.V., a maquiladora wholly-owned in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico, leases 150,000 square feet of building space located in an industrial park identified as Lots 2,3 and 4. The building is one level and is made from brick and concrete. The current lease expires on December 1, 2030.

Diversified Products includes the following:

Frazer & Jones in Solvay, New York owns 17.9 acres of land and buildings containing 205,000 square feet constructed for foundry use. These facilities are well adapted to handle the division’s current and future casting requirements.

Greenwald in Chester, Connecticut owns 26 acres of land and a building containing 120,000 square feet. The building is steel frame, is one-story, and has brick over concrete blocks.

Argo EMS leases approximately 17,000 square feet of space in a building located in an industrial park in Clinton, Connecticut. The building is a two-story steel frame structure and is situated on 2.9 acres of land. The current lease expires on March 31, 2022.

All owned properties are free and clear of any encumbrances.

ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is party to various legal proceedings from time to time related to its normal business operations. Currently, the Company is not involved in any material pending legal proceedings, and no such material proceedings are known to the Company to be contemplated by governmental authorities.

In 2016, the Company created a plan to remediate a landfill of spent foundry sand maintained at the Company’s metal casting facility in New York. This plan was agreed to by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (the “NYSDEC”) on March 27, 2018. Based on estimates provided by the Company’s environmental engineers, the anticipated cost to remediate and monitor the landfill was $430,000. The Company accrued for and expensed the entire $430,000 in the first quarter of 2018 and fiscal 2017. In the fall of 2018, detailed construction drawings were prepared by an outside consultant in conjunction with informal progress reviews by the NYSDEC. Long-term groundwater monitoring commenced in April 2019. Verbal approval for the closure plan was received from the NYSDEC in May 2019. Written approval was received in October 2020. Construction of the closure remedies, including improved drainage system, regrading, and installation of a low permeability cap, is anticipated in May 2021. In the third fiscal quarter of 2021, following the completion of construction work, a closure report and maintenance plan is expected to be prepared for the NYSDEC. This closure report and maintenance plan will document the work done and request acknowledgment of satisfactory completion of the Order on Consent between Frazer & Jones, and the NYSDEC.

ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “EML”. The approximate number of record holders of the Company common stock on January 2, 2021 was 332.

The Company expects to continue its policy of paying regular cash dividends, although there can be no assurance as to future dividends because they are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements and financial condition.

During fiscal years 2020 and 2019, there were no sales by the Company of its securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

On May 2, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had authorized a new program to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company’s share repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire the Company’s common stock at any specific cost per share. Under this program, shares may be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act.

Below is a summary of the Company’s share repurchases during the year ended January 2, 2021:

ITEM 6 SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Not required.

ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31. Fiscal year 2020 was 53 weeks in length and fiscal year 2019 was 52 weeks in length. References in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations to results for “2020” or “fiscal year 2020” mean the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, and references to results for “2019” or “fiscal year 2019” mean the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019. References to the “fourth quarter of 2020” or the “fourth fiscal quarter of 2020” mean the thirteen-week period from October 4, 2020 to January 2, 2021, and references to the “fourth quarter of 2019” or the “fourth fiscal quarter of 2019” mean the thirteen-week period from September 29, 2019 to December 28, 2019.

Summary

Sales for 2020 were $240.4 million compared to $251.7 million for 2019. Net income for 2020 was $5.4 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, compared to $13.3 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, for 2019. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $60.4 million compared to $68.7 million for the same period in 2019. Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $1.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share compared to $5.0 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, for the comparable 2019 period. Fourth quarter 2019 operating results included three months of Big 3 Precision sales and earnings while the full fiscal year included four months of Big 3 Precision sales and earnings. Big 3 Precision was acquired on August 30, 2019.

The value of the backlog of orders received by the Company increased as of January 2, 2021, compared to December 28, 2019. The Company’s backlog was $85.0 million on January 2, 2021, as compared to $71.2 million on December 28, 2019. The primary reasons for growth from 2019 to 2020 were an increase of $4.6 million in blow mold tooling backlog at our Big 3 Mold subsidiary including $0.8 million in backlog from the acquisition of Hallink Moulds; an increase of $ 3.2 million in backlog for locks and hardware at Eberhard due to new product launches; an increase of $3.8 million in backlog related to launch of new mirror program for Class 8 trucks being awarded to our Velvac subsidiary; and new orders received by Frazer & Jones, which added $10.9 million in backlog for mining products. Backlog declined at Big 3 Products for returnable packaging by $0.8 million and at Argo EMS for printed circuit boards by $2.0 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company experienced price increases for many of the raw materials used in producing its products, including: scrap iron, stainless steel, hot and cold rolled steel, zinc, copper, aluminum and nickel. These increases could negatively impact the Company’s gross margin if raw material prices increase too rapidly for the Company to recover those cost increases through either price increases to our customers or cost reductions in other areas of the business.

On January 15, 2020 the United States and China signed the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal, which among other things rolled back tariffs on $120 billion worth of Chinese products from 15% to 7.5% effective February 14, 2020 and the U.S. agreed not to proceed with the 15% tariffs on $160 billion worth of consumer goods which was scheduled to take effect December 15, 2019. However, the 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports will remain in effect subject to further reductions depending on the progress of future negotiations. If China does not follow through their agreed upon commitments and tariffs are reinstated on $550 billion of Chinese products at the 25% rate, it could result in a loss of business and possible reduced margins if the tariffs cannot be offset by higher selling prices.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions regarding uncertainties that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Areas of uncertainty that require judgments, estimates and assumptions include items such as the accounting for derivatives; environmental matters; the testing of goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment; proceeds on assets to be sold; pensions and other postretirement benefits; leases; and tax matters. Management uses historical experience and all available information to make its estimates and assumptions, but actual results will inevitably differ from the estimates and assumptions that are used to prepare the Company’s financial statements at any given time. Despite these inherent limitations, management believes that Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements and related footnotes provide a meaningful and fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Management believes that the application of these estimates and assumptions on a consistent basis enables the Company to provide the users of the financial statements with useful and reliable information about the Company’s operating results and financial condition.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company reviews the collectability of its receivables on an ongoing basis, taking into account a combination of factors. The Company reviews potential problems, such as past due accounts, a bankruptcy filing or deterioration in the customer’s financial condition, to ensure that the Company has adequately accrued for potential loss. Accounts are considered past due based on when payment was originally due. If a customer’s situation changes, such as a bankruptcy or a change in its creditworthiness, or there is a change in the current economic climate, the Company may modify its estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company will write off accounts receivable after reasonable collection efforts have been made and the accounts are deemed uncollectible.

Inventory

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method at the Company’s U.S. facilities, with the exception of Big 3 Precision and Velvac, which are valued on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Accordingly, a LIFO valuation reserve is calculated using the dollar value link chain method.

We review the net realizable value of inventory in detail on an ongoing basis, giving consideration to deterioration, obsolescence and other factors. Based on these assessments, we provide for an inventory reserve in the period in which an impairment is identified. The reserve fluctuates with market conditions, design cycles and other economic factors.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. In December, 2020 the Company announced that the Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. subsidiary in Ontario, Canada would be closed and all tangible assets would be moved to Eberhard Manufacturing division in Cleveland, Ohio. As a result, approximately $1.0 million of goodwill associated with Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. was impaired and written off the books in December 2020. The Company performed its qualitative assessment as of the end of fiscal 2020 on the remainder of its companies and determined that it is more likely than not that no impairment of goodwill existed at the end of 2020 on those companies holding goodwill at the entity level. See Note 3 – Accounting Policies – Goodwill, in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for more detail. The Company will perform annual qualitative assessments in subsequent years as of the end of each fiscal year. Additionally, the Company will perform an interim analysis whenever conditions warrant.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to pension and other postretirement benefits are determined from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are assumptions about such factors as expected return on plan assets, discount rates at which liabilities could be settled, rate of increase in future compensation levels, mortality rates, and trends in health insurance costs. These assumptions are reviewed annually and updated as required. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, affect the expense recognized and obligations recorded in future periods.

The discount rate used is based on a single equivalent discount rate derived with the assistance of our actuaries by matching expected future benefit payments in each year to the corresponding spot rates from the FTSE Pension Liability Yield Curve, comprised of high quality (rated AA or better) corporate bonds. The Company calculates its service and interest costs in future years by applying the specific spot rates along the selected yield curve to the relevant projected cash flows.

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is also developed with input from the Company’s actuarial firms. We consider the Company’s historical experience with pension fund asset performance, the current and expected allocation of our plan assets and expected long-term rates of return. The long-term rate-of-return assumption used for determining net periodic pension expense was 7.5% for 2020 and 2019. The Company reviews the long-term rate of return each year.

Future actual pension income and expense will depend on future investment performance, changes in future discount rates and various other factors related to the population of participants in the Company’s pension plans.

The Company expects to make cash contributions of approximately $3,100,000 and $50,000 to our pension plans and other postretirement plan, respectively, in 2021.

In connection with our pension and other postretirement benefits, the Company reported an expense of $5.7 million and $2.7 million (net of tax) on its Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for fiscal years 2020 and 2019, respectively. The main factor driving this expense was the change in the discount rate during the applicable period.

Assumptions used to determine net periodic pension benefit cost for the fiscal years indicated were as follows:

Assumptions used to determine net periodic other postretirement benefit cost are the same as those assumptions used for the pension benefit cost, except that the rate of compensation is not applicable for other postretirement benefit cost.

The changes in assumptions had the following effect on the net periodic pension and other postretirement costs recorded in Other Comprehensive Income as follows:

The Plan has been investing a portion of the assets in long-term bonds in an effort to better match the impact of changes in interest rates on its assets and liabilities and thus reduce some of the volatility in Other Comprehensive Income. Please refer to Note 10 – Retirement Benefit Plans in in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Form 10-K for additional disclosures concerning the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fourth Quarter 2020 Compared to Fourth Quarter 2019

The following table shows, for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019, selected line items from the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net sales, by segment. The Company now reports under two segments: Engineered Solutions and Diversified Products. The Engineered Solutions segment includes (1) Big 3 Precision, including Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold, Hallink Moulds, and Associated Toolmakers Ltd.; (2) Eberhard Manufacturing Company, Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd., Eastern Industrial Ltd., Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products, World Lock Company Ltd., Dongguan Reeworld Security Products Ltd., and World Security Industries Ltd.; and (3) Velvac Holdings. The Diversified Products segment consists of Frazer & Jones; Greenwald Industries; Argo EMS; and Sesamee Mexicana. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Diversified segment includes the CCV.

Net sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased 12% to $60.4 million from $68.7 million a year earlier. Sales decreased in the Engineered Solutions segment by 8% to $50.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 from $54.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 due to lower demand for trucks accessories, distribution products and automotive returnable packaging as a result of the delay in new automotive launches, partly offset by the impact of new program launches and stronger sales of blow mold tooling and related services. Sales in the Diversified Products segment decreased 30% to $9.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to $14.0 million in fourth quarter of 2019 as the result of the sale of Canadian Commercial Vehicles in June 2020 and lower demand for mining products, industrial castings, commercial laundry products, and printed circuit boards.

Sales of new products contributed 4% to sales growth in the fourth quarter compared to 5% of sales growth from new products in the fourth quarter of 2019.  New products in the fourth quarter included various new truck mirrors, a truck compression latch, a cable lock, a mirror cam and a mobile payment app.

Cost of products sold in the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased $3.3 million or 7% from the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease in cost of products sold is primarily attributable to the reduced sales volume. During the fourth quarter of 2020, material costs have increased substantially over the third quarter of 2020 for hot rolled steel by 81%; cold rolled steel by 53%; aluminum by 16%; copper and nickel by 23%; zinc by 17% and scrap iron by 30%.

Gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 was 22% compared to 26% in the prior year fourth quarter. The decrease reflects the combination of higher raw material cost and a decline in facility utilization due to lower sales in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Product development expenses in the fourth quarter of 2020 of $0.7 million were down 11% when compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. As a percentage of net sales, product development costs were 1.2% and 1.1% for the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2019 respectively.

Selling and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased 26% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease was primarily the result of the Company’s initiatives to reduce payroll and payroll related expenses, reduce travel expenses, and other expense reduction initiatives.

Goodwill impairment expense of $1.0 million was incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020 as the Company announced the closure of Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. in Ontario, Canada.

Restructuring expenses of $0.7 million for severance expenses were incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to the closure of Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd.

Loss on disposal of subsidiary of $2.2 million was incurred in the fourth quarter of 2020 in recognizing the cumulative effects for foreign currency translation on Sesamee Mexicana and CCV.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2020 decreased 72% to $1.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, from $5.0 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, in 2019. In the fourth quarter of 2020, net income was negatively impacted by non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $0.7 million net of tax, non-recurring restructuring, factory relocation, and transaction costs of $0.9 million net of tax, and a loss on disposition of Sesamee Mexicana and CCV of $1.6 million net of tax.

Fiscal Year 2020 Compared to Fiscal Year 2019

The following table shows, for fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2019, selected line items from the consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net sales, by segment. The Company now reports under two segments: Engineered Solutions and Diversified Products. The Engineered Solutions segment includes (1) Big 3 Precision, including Big 3 Products and Big 3 Mold, Hallink Moulds and Associated Toolmakers Ltd.; (2) Eberhard Manufacturing Company, Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd., Eastern Industrial Ltd., Illinois Lock Company/CCL Security Products, World Lock Company Ltd. and Dongguan Reeworld Security Products Ltd.; World Security Industries Ltd.; and (3) Velvac Holdings. The Diversified Products segment consists of Frazer & Jones ; Greenwald Industries; Argo EMS; Sesamee Mexicana; and CCV. Financial measures presented below as “excluding Big 3 Precision” are non-GAAP financial measures.

Summary

Net sales for 2020 decreased 5% to $240.4 million from $251.7 million in 2019. The sales decline is primarily due to the decision by many of our industrial and consumer goods customers to close operations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the divestiture of CCV. Sales in 2020 reflect a full year of sales from the Big 3 Precision Acquisition, as compared to four months of sales in 2019. Excluding the effects of Big 3 Precision, which closed on August 30, 2019, sales would have been $186.8 million in 2020 compared to $230.4 million in 2019, a decrease of 18.9%. Sales volume of existing products decreased by 9% in 2020 compared to 2019 while price increases and new products increased sales in 2020 by 4%.

Net income for 2020 decreased 59% to $5.4 million, or $0.86 per diluted share, from $13.3 million, or $2.12 per diluted share, in 2019. In 2020, net income was negatively impacted by $6.8 million in non-recurring costs, net of tax, including goodwill impairment charges of $3.7 million net of tax, one-time restructuring, factory relocation, and transaction costs of $1.5 million net of tax, and a loss on disposition of Sesamee Mexicana and CCV of $1.6 million net of tax. Net income for 2019 was adversely affected by non-recurring restructuring costs of $3.9 million net of tax associated with the discontinuation of Road-iQ, a subsidiary of Velvac, and the consolidation of our Composite Panel Technologies facility, as well as an increase in M&A related expense incurred in 2019.

Engineered Solutions

Net sales in the Engineered Solutions segment increased 6% in 2020 to $197.6 million from $186.8 million when compared to 2019.  Without Big 3 Precision sales would have been $144.0 million or a decrease of 13% from $165.4 million in 2019.  Sales volume of existing products increased 1% due to the acquisition of Big 3 Precision.  Excluding Big 3 Precision, sales volume of existing products decreased by 17%, partially offset by price increases and new products which contributed 5% to increased sales.

New product sales include various new truck mirrors, a truck compression latch, a cable lock and a mirror cam.

Cost of products sold in the Engineered Solutions segment increased $14.3 million or 11% to $149.4 million from $135.1 million in 2019. In 2020 cost of products sold include twelve months of Big 3 Precision expenses whereas 2019 only included 4 months of Big 3 Precision expenses. Excluding the Big 3 Precision Acquisition, cost of products sold would have been $108.6 million in 2020 compared to $118.7 million in 2019, a decrease of $10.1 million or 9%. Freight costs are down due to lower sales but freight costs are increasing and ports backlogged in processing container ships are causing delays in meeting scheduled shipping dates. Metal prices have increased year over year for hot rolled steel by 86%; cold rolled steel by 44%; copper by 35%; nickel by 18% and zinc by 16%. Much of the increase came in the fourth quarter of 2020. Many of our supply contracts contain price adjustment clauses when material cost increase by a certain percentage. Tariffs incurred during 2020 were $2.6 million from China-sourced products as compared to $2.7 million in 2019. A majority of the tariffs were recovered through price increases. Excluding the Big 3 Precision Acquisition, costs are down primarily due to lower volume and cost initiatives in cutting payroll and payroll-related expenses by $3.6 million, freight by $2.5 million, shipping expenses by $0.7 million and other expenses by $0.3 million. However, during 2020 our factories’ productive capacity was underutilized, resulting in $2.1 million in unabsorbed overhead cost which negatively impacted our gross margin in 2020.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 24% in 2020 as compared to 28% in 2019. The decrease reflects the combination of higher raw material costs and a decline in facility utilization due to lower sales in 2020.

Product development expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 1% in 2020 from 3% in 2019. The decrease relates to the closure of the Velvac Road-iQ development operations in Bellingham Washington in the second quarter of 2019 as the Company adopted a leaner approach to the development of new vision products.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $1.3 million or 5% to $30.2 million in 2020 from $28.9 million in 2019. The increase relates to the Big 3 Precision Acquisition in August 2019. Excluding Big 3 Precision, selling and administrative expenses would have decreased $3.4 million or 14% from $24.5 million in 2019 to $21.1 million in 2020.

Diversified Products

Net sales in the Diversified Products segment decreased by 22.2 million or 34% in 2020 from the 2019 level. Sales volume of existing products decreased 36% while price increases and new products contributed a 2% increase. The sales decrease is partially due to the sale of CCV in the second quarter of 2020. Sales of our mining products were down from 2019 levels by $6.9 million and industrial casting sales were down $2.9 million. Sales of commercial laundry products were also down from 2019 levels by $2.5 million while printed circuit board sales were down from 2019 levels by $0.8 million. New product sales include a mobile payment app for the commercial laundry industry and various industrial castings.

Cost of products sold in the Diversified Products segment decreased by $17.5 million or 32% in 2020 from 2019. The decrease in cost of products sold was primarily attributable to the decrease in sales volume. Cost reduction initiatives lowered factory payroll and payroll related cost by $3.8 million through various state workshare programs and layoffs where necessary. The cost of scrap iron increased year over year by 34%. The cost of scrap iron has increased another 16% in the first quarter of 2021 to $575 per ton. The Company incurred tariff costs on China-sourced products of $0.2 million in 2020 which was comparable to 2019. The majority of the tariffs have been offset by price increases.

Gross margin as a percentage of sales in the Diversified Products segment for 2020 decreased to 13% compared to the 2019 level of 16%.

Product development expenses decreased $0.1 million or 5% to $1.3 million for 2020 from $1.4 million for 2019. The Company continues to invest in the development of new products for our customers to replace legacy products being phased out.

Selling and administrative expenses in the Diversified Products segment decreased by $1.6 million or 23% in 2020 from 2019. The most significant factors resulting in changes in selling and administrative expenses were a decrease in amortization expense of $0.2 million, a decrease of $0.4 million in payroll and payroll related expenses, a decrease in travel expenses of $0.2 million, a decrease in other administrative expenses of $0.2 million and the sale of CCV, which resulted a decrease in selling and administrative expenses of $0.5 million in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Goodwill impairment loss of $5.0 million was incurred in 2020. In the second quarter of 2020, the Company determined that the estimated fair value of Greenwald Industries was likely below its carrying amount. The factors that led to this determination included additional competition, industry movement away from legacy products and intense competition in new mobile payment apps. This fundamental shift in lower cost payment systems away from the higher cost electronic smart card payment systems resulted in the carrying value of Greenwald exceeding its fair value. As a result, an independent valuation was conducted which estimated that the carrying value exceeded the fair value by approximately $4.0 million. During the fourth quarter of 2020 the Company announced that its subsidiary Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. in Ontario Canada would be closed and all assets would be moved to Eberhard Manufacturing division in Cleveland, Ohio. As a result, the amount of goodwill of approximately $1.0 million at this entity level was impaired and written off in December 2020. The Company performed its qualitative assessment as of the end of fiscal 2020 on the remainder of its companies and determined that it is more likely than not that no impairment of goodwill existed at the end of 2020 on those companies holding goodwill at the entity level.

Loss on disposal of subsidiary of $2.2 million in non-cash charges were incurred in fiscal year 2020 in recognizing the cumulative effects for foreign currency translation on Sesamee Mexicana and CCV.

Restructuring expenses of $1.0 million incurred in 2020 related to the divestiture of CCV in the second quarter of 2020 and the announced closure of Eberhard Hardware Manufacturing Ltd. In Ontario, Canada in the fourth quarter of 2020. 2019 restructuring costs of $2.7 million were related to the discontinuation of our Road iQ development operations based in Bellingham, Washington and the relocation costs of Composite Panels Technologies in Salisbury, North Carolina to CCV in Kelowna, British Columbia.

Other Items

The following table shows the amount of change from the year ended December 28, 2019 as compared to the year ended January 2, 2021 in other items (dollars in thousands):

Interest expense increased in 2020 from 2019 due to the increased level of debt incurred in connection with the acquisitions of Hallink Moulds in the third quarter of 2020 and Big 3 Precision in the third quarter of 2019.

Other income in 2020 increased $1.2 million over 2019. Other income in 2020 included a favorable $1.2 million pension cost adjustment and a $0.4 million gain on a sale/leaseback transaction. In 2019, other income included a gain of $0.6 million on the sale of land at the Company headquarters location.

The effective tax rate for 2020 was 10% compared to the 2019 effective tax rate of 18%. The effective tax rate for 2020 was reduced due to the expiration of statute of limitations for uncertain tax positions. Total income taxes paid were $3.8 million in 2020 and $3.2 million in 2019.

Liquidity and Sources of Capital                     

The primary source of the Company’s cash is earnings from operating activities adjusted for cash generated from or used for net working capital. The most significant recurring non-cash items included in net income are depreciation and amortization expense. Changes in working capital fluctuate with the changes in operating activities. As sales increase, there generally is an increased need for working capital. Since increases in working capital reduce the Company’s cash, management attempts to keep the Company’s investment in net working capital at a reasonable level by closely monitoring inventory levels and matching production to expected market demand, keeping tight control over the collection of receivables and optimizing payment terms on its trade and other payables.

The Company is dependent on continued demand for its products and subsequent collection of accounts receivable from its customers. The Company serves a broad base of customers and industries with a variety of products. As a result, any fluctuations in demand or payment from a particular industry or customer should not have a material impact on the Company’s sales and collection of receivables. Management expects that the Company’s foreseeable cash needs for operations, capital expenditures, debt service and dividend payments will continue to be met by the Company’s operating cash flows and available credit facility.

The following table shows key financial ratios at the end of each fiscal year:

The following table shows important liquidity measures as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date for each of the preceding two years (in millions):

All cash held by foreign subsidiaries is readily convertible into other currencies, including the U.S. dollar.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $20.7 million in 2020 compared to $23.0 million in 2019. In 2020 the Company contributed $2.7 million into its defined benefit retirement plan.

In 2020 cash provided by the net change in working capital was $2.0 million which was primarily due to management’s focus on reducing inventories during the pandemic. In 2019, cash used in the net change in working capital was $0.3 million.

The Company used $9.1 million and $85.8 million for investing activities in 2020 and 2019, respectively. In 2020 the Company invested $7.2 million to acquire Hallink Moulds, and received $3.2 million for divestures of subsidiaries and equipment. The Company issued notes receivable of $2.2 million as part of the sale of its subsidiaries. In 2019, the Company invested approximately $81.2 million to acquire Big 3 Precision. These transactions are more fully discussed in Note 2 to the 2020 Consolidated Financial Statements located in Item 8 of this Form 10-K. The balance of $3.1 million and $5.4 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, was used to purchase fixed assets. Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2021 are expected to be approximately $5.0 million.

In 2020, the Company made total debt payments of $10.0 million, of which $5.0 million was an accelerated principal payment and used $2.8 million for payment of dividends. The Company did not draw down on its $20.0 million revolving credit facility in 2020.

In 2019, the Company received approximately $67.0 million from financing activities. The Company refinanced an existing note for $19.1 million and used approximately $10.8 million for debt repayments and $2.8 million for payment of dividends. The Company entered into the Credit Agreement for $120.0 million, of which the Company received $100.0 million for the term loan portion. The Company did not draw down on the $20.0 million revolving credit portion.

The Company leases certain equipment and buildings under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases that expire at various dates up to five years. Rent expense amounted to approximately $2.1 million in 2020 and $2.2 million in 2019.

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement with Santander Bank, N.A., for itself, People’s United Bank, National Association. and TD Bank, N.A. as lenders, that included a $100.0 million term portion and a $20.0 million revolving commitment portion. Proceeds of the term loan were used to repay the Company’s remaining outstanding term loan (and to terminate its existing credit facility) with People’s United Bank, N.A. (approximately $19.0 million) and to acquire Big 3 Precision. The term portion of the loan requires quarterly principal payments of $1.25 million for an 18-month period beginning December 31, 2019. The repayment amount then increases to $1.875 million per quarter beginning September 30, 2021 and continues through June 30, 2023. The repayment amount then increases to $2.5 million per quarter beginning September 30, 2023 and continues through June 30, 2024. The term loan is a five-year loan with the remaining balance due on August 30, 2024. The revolving commitment portion has an annual commitment fee of 0.25% based on the unused portion of the revolver. The revolving commitment portion has a maturity date of August 30, 2024. During 2020 and 2019, the Company did not borrow any funds on the revolving commitment portion of the facility. The interest rates on the term and revolving credit portion of the Credit Agreement vary. The interest rates may vary based on the LIBOR rate plus a margin spread of 1.25% to 2.25%. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by a lien on certain of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2019 with Santander Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

The Company’s loan covenants under the Credit Agreement require the Company to maintain a senior net leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 to 1. In addition, the Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio to be not less than 1.25 to 1.

On August 30, 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract with Santander Bank, N.A., with an original notional amount of $50.0 million, which was equal to 50% of the outstanding balance of the term loan on that date. The Company has a fixed interest rate of 1.44% on the swap contract and will pay the difference between the fixed rate and LIBOR when LIBOR is below 1.44% and will receive interest when the LIBOR rate exceeds 1.44%. On January 2, 2021, the interest rate for half ($41.9 million) of the term portion was 1.9%, using a one-month LIBOR rate, and 3.19% on the remaining balance ($46.9 million) of the term loan based on a one-month LIBOR rate.

The interest rates on the Credit Agreement, and interest rate swap contract are susceptible to changes to the method that LIBOR rates are determined and to the potential phasing out of LIBOR after 2021. Information regarding the potential phasing out of LIBOR is provided below.

On July 27, 2017, the FCA (the authority that regulates LIBOR) announced that it would phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. The IBA recently announced market consultation regarding the extension of US dollar LIBOR tenors through June 30, 2023 which the FCA supports. The ARRC, a financial industry group convened by the Federal Reserve Board has recommended the use of SOFR to replace LIBOR. The difference between LIBOR and SOFR is that LIBOR is a forward-looking rate which means the interest rate is set at the beginning of the period with payment due at the end. SOFR is a backward-looking overnight rate which have implications for how interest and other payments are based. Changes in the method of calculating the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative rate or benchmark are still in flux, and once an alternate rate is adopted, may adversely affect interest rates and result in higher borrowing costs. This could materially and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We cannot predict the effect of the potential changes to LIBOR or the establishment and use of alternative rates or benchmarks at this time. We are working with our senior lender and may need to renegotiate our credit facilities as LIBOR phases out in June 2023.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of the end of the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, the Company does not have any material transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons, as described by Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources or significant components of revenues or expenses.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The non-GAAP financial measures we provide in this report should be viewed in addition to, and not as an alternative for, results prepared in accordance U.S. GAAP.

To supplement the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have presented Adjusted Earnings Per Share, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA, which are considered non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures presented may differ from similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, and other companies may not define these non-GAAP financial measures in the same way. These measures are not substitutes for their comparable GAAP financial measures, such as net sales, net income, diluted earnings per share, or other measures prescribed by U.S. GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share is defined as diluted earnings per share excluding, when they occur, the impacts of impairment losses, losses on sale of subsidiaries, transaction expenses, factory relocation expenses and restructuring costs. We believe that Adjusted EPS provides important comparability of underlying operational results, allowing investors and management to access operating performance on a consistent basis.

Adjusted Net Income is defined as net income excluding, when they occur, the impacts of impairment losses, losses on sale of subsidiaries, transaction expenses, factory relocation expenses and restructuring costs. Adjusted Net Income is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations before interest expense, provision for income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. In addition to these adjustments, we exclude, when they occur, the impacts of impairment losses, losses on sale of subsidiaries, transaction expenses, factory relocation expenses and restructuring expenses. Adjusted EBITDA is a tool that can assist management and investors in comparing our performance on a consistent basis by removing the impact of certain items that management believes do not directly reflect our underlying operations.

We also present certain results “excluding Big 3 Precision” because we believe this allows for more effective comparability to the corresponding prior year period.

Management uses such measures to evaluate performance period over period, to analyze the underlying trends in our business, including our business segments, to assess our performance relative to that of our competitors, and to establish operational goals and forecasts that are used in allocating resources.

We believe that presenting non-GAAP financial measures in addition to GAAP financial measures provides investors greater transparency to the information used by our management for its financial and operational decision-making. We further believe that providing this information better enables our investors to understand our operating performance and to evaluate the methodology used by management to evaluate and measure such performance.

Reconciliation of expenses from GAAP to Non-GAAP EPS calculation

For the Three and Twelve Months ended January 2, 2021 and December 28, 2019

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures      

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we disclose certain non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share exclude one time related expenses.  These measures are not in accordance with GAAP.    

Reconciliation of expenses from GAAP to Non-GAAP EBITDA calculation             

For the Three and Twelve Months ended January 2, 2021 and December 28, 2019         

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures                

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), we disclose certain non-GAAP financial measures including adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share. Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share exclude one time related expenses.  These measures are not in accordance with GAAP.    

ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As a result of the Company’s status as a smaller reporting company pursuant to Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act, the Company is not required to provide information under this Item 7A. 

ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The Eastern Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

See accompanying notes.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

See accompanying notes.

Consolidated Statements of Income

See accompanying notes.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

See accompanying notes.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity