UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.

FORM 10-Q

☒			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
			For the quarterly report ended March 26, 2022
			OR
☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
			For the transition period from ______ to ______
			Commission file number 1-6770

MUELLER INDUSTRIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware			25-0790410
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)			(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

150 Schilling Boulevard			Suite 100
Collierville			Tennessee			38017
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip Code)

(901) 753-3200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class			Trading Symbol			Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock			MLI			NYSE

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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer			☒			Accelerated filer			☐
Non-accelerated filer			☐			Smaller reporting company			☐
						Emerging growth company			☐

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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes   ☐    No   ☒

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 15, 2022 was 56,902,790.

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 26, 2022

As used in this report, the terms “Company,” “Mueller,” and “Registrant” mean Mueller Industries, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole, unless the context indicates otherwise.

INDEX

						Page Number
Part I.  Financial Information
			Item 1.   – Financial Statements (Unaudited)
			a.)  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income			3
			b.)  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income			4
			c.)  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets			5
			d.)  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6
			e.)  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity			8
			f.)  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements			10
			Item 2.   – Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			24
			Item 3.   – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			32
			Item 4.   – Controls and Procedures			33
Part II.  Other Information
			Item 1.   – Legal Proceedings			34
			Item 1A – Risk Factors			34
			Item 2.   – Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			35
			Item 6.   – Exhibits			36
Signatures						37

2

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands, except per share data)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Net sales						$	1,010,002					$	818,148
Cost of goods sold						744,511						668,418
Depreciation and amortization						10,841						11,755
Selling, general, and administrative expense						47,456						45,435
Gain on sale of assets						(5,507)						—
Operating income						212,701						92,540
Interest expense						(158)						(4,469)
Other income, net						780						577
Income before income taxes						213,323						88,648
Income tax expense						(54,199)						(21,761)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax						124						(1,649)
Consolidated net income						159,248						65,238
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests						(932)						(2,131)
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.						$	158,316					$	63,107
Weighted average shares for basic earnings per share						56,100						55,916
Effect of dilutive stock-based awards						810						756
Adjusted weighted average shares for diluted earnings per share						56,910						56,672
Basic earnings per share						$	2.82					$	1.13
Diluted earnings per share						$	2.78					$	1.11
Dividends per share						$	0.25					$	0.13

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Consolidated net income						$	159,248					$	65,238
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation						1,213						4,387
Net change with respect to derivative instruments and hedging activities, net of tax of $(604), $(147)						2,091						493
Net change in pension and postretirement obligation adjustments, net of tax of $(134), $56						420						(91)
Attributable to unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax of $(624), $(577)						2,148						1,987
Total other comprehensive income, net						5,872						6,776
Consolidated comprehensive income						165,120						72,014
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests						(899)						(2,552)
Comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.						$	164,221					$	69,462

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

						(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents						$	139,255					$	87,924
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,564 in 2022 and $2,590 in 2021						588,397						471,859
Inventories						471,949						430,244
Other current assets						40,947						28,976
Total current assets						1,240,548						1,019,003
Property, plant, and equipment, net						380,711						385,562
Operating lease right-of-use assets						21,965						23,510
Goodwill, net						172,072						171,330
Intangible assets, net						60,794						61,714
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates						63,069						61,133
Other assets						6,791						6,684
Total assets						$	1,945,950					$	1,728,936
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Current portion of debt						$	812					$	811
Accounts payable						226,712						180,793
Accrued wages and other employee costs						35,001						49,629
Current portion of operating lease liabilities						5,650						6,015
Other current liabilities						183,421						145,191
Total current liabilities						451,596						382,439
Long-term debt, less current portion						1,098						1,064
Pension liabilities						4,408						5,572
Postretirement benefits other than pensions						12,110						11,961
Environmental reserves						17,137						17,678
Deferred income taxes						15,861						14,347
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities						16,010						17,099
Other noncurrent liabilities						21,586						21,813
Total liabilities						539,806						471,973
Equity
Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - $1.00 par value; shares authorized 5,000,000; none outstanding						—						—
Common stock - $.01 par value; shares authorized 100,000,000; issued 80,183,004; outstanding 57,239,030 in 2022 and 57,295,961 in 2021						802						802
Additional paid-in capital						288,802						286,208
Retained earnings						1,602,496						1,458,489
Accumulated other comprehensive loss						(47,442)						(53,347)
Treasury common stock, at cost						(474,258)						(470,034)
Total Mueller Industries, Inc. stockholders' equity						1,370,400						1,222,118
Noncontrolling interests						35,744						34,845
Total equity						1,406,144						1,256,963
Commitments and contingencies						—						—
Total liabilities and equity						$	1,945,950					$	1,728,936

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Consolidated net income						$	159,248					$	65,238
Reconciliation of consolidated net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization						10,930						11,775
Stock-based compensation expense						2,573						2,109
Provision for doubtful accounts receivable						125						1,631
(Income) loss from unconsolidated affiliates						(124)						1,649
Gain on disposals of properties						(5,507)						(936)
Deferred income tax expense						258						142
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of businesses acquired and sold:
Receivables						(116,610)						(89,972)
Inventories						(40,803)						(45,590)
Other assets						314						1,230
Current liabilities						54,344						33,941
Other liabilities						(1,752)						(3,703)
Other, net						(137)						(95)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities						62,859						(22,581)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures						(5,259)						(9,227)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired						—						(14,029)
Proceeds from sales of assets						6,219						1,730
Dividends from unconsolidated affiliates						959						—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities						1,919						(21,526)

6

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of common stock						(3,972)						—
Issuance of debt						—						100,000
Repayments of debt						(56)						(35,288)
Issuance of debt by consolidated joint ventures, net						—						45
Net cash (used) received to settle stock-based awards						(230)						221
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities						(4,258)						64,978
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash						301						784
Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash						60,821						21,655
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the beginning of the period						90,376						127,376
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at the end of the period						$	151,197					$	149,031

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Common stock:
Balance at beginning of period						$	802					$	802
Balance at end of period						$	802					$	802
Additional paid-in capital:
Balance at beginning of period						$	286,208					$	280,051
Acquisition (issuance) of shares under incentive stock option plans						21						553
Stock-based compensation expense						2,573						2,109
Balance at end of period						$	288,802					$	282,713
Retained earnings:
Balance at beginning of period						$	1,458,489					$	1,019,694
Net income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.						158,316						63,107
Dividends paid or payable to stockholders of Mueller Industries, Inc.						(14,309)						(7,391)
Balance at end of period						$	1,602,496					$	1,075,410
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Balance at beginning of period						$	(53,347)					$	(54,883)
Total other comprehensive income attributable to Mueller Industries, Inc.						5,905						6,355
Balance at end of period						$	(47,442)					$	(48,528)

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(Unaudited)

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Treasury stock:
Balance at beginning of period						$	(470,034)					$	(468,919)
(Acquisition) issuance of shares under incentive stock option plans						(252)						(306)
Repurchase of common stock						(3,972)						(26)
Balance at end of period						$	(474,258)					$	(469,251)
Noncontrolling interests:
Balance at beginning of period						$	34,845					$	24,315
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests						932						2,131
Foreign currency translation						(33)						421
Balance at end of period						$	35,744					$	26,867

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

9

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MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

General

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted.  Results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.  This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the annual financial statements incorporated therein.

The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented herein. 

Note 1 – Recent Accounting Standards

Adopted

In January 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): An Amendment of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new guidance was issued in response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates, and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). Regulators in numerous jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. The Company adopted the ASU during the first quarter of 2022. The adoption of the ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Issued

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Am Amendment of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new guidance was issued to improve accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination by addressing diversity in practice and inconsistency related to the (i) recognition of an acquired contract liability, and (ii) payment terms and their effect on subsequent revenue recognized by the acquirer. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 5, 2022 for public entities. The updated guidance requires prospective adoption, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 – Earnings per Common Share

Basic per share amounts have been computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted per share amounts reflect the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and vesting of restricted stock awards, computed using the treasury stock method.

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Note 3 – Acquisitions and Dispositions

Acquisitions

Mueller Middle East

On December 7, 2021 the Company entered into an agreement providing for the purchase of an additional 15 percent equity interest in Mueller Middle East for a total of 55 percent, for approximately $20.1 million. The total purchase price consisted of $15.8 million in cash paid at closing (net of cash acquired), a gain recognized on the settlement of preexisting relationships of $2.6 million, a contingent consideration arrangement of $1.0 million, and the fair value of the Company’s existing investment in the joint venture of $0.7 million. Mueller Middle East, which manufactures copper tube, is headquartered in Bahrain. This business complements the company’s existing copper tube business in the Piping Systems segment. Prior to entering into this agreement, the Company was the technical and marketing lead with a 40 percent ownership in a joint venture with Cayan Ventures and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company and accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company began consolidating this business for financial reporting purposes in December 2021. Mueller Middle East manufactures and sells copper coils to certain Mueller subsidiaries.

The provisional fair value of the assets acquired totaled $40.5 million, consisting primarily of property, plant, and equipment of $22.5 million, accounts receivable of $10.7 million, inventories of $4.7 million, and other assets of $2.6 million. The provisional fair value of the liabilities assumed totaled $17.1 million, consisting primarily of other liabilities of $12.5 million and accounts payable of $4.6 million. Of the remaining purchase price, $12.1 million was allocated to non-deductible goodwill. The noncontrolling interest in Mueller Middle East is $15.4 million. The purchase price allocation is provisional as of March 26, 2022 and subject to change upon completion of the final valuation of the long-lived assets and noncontrolling interest during the measurement period.

H&C Flex

On December 20, 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Hart & Cooley LLC. The transaction closed on January 29, 2021, whereby the Company purchased the Hart & Cooley flexible duct business, which included inventory, manufacturing equipment, and related assets for approximately $15.3 million. The total purchase price consisted of $14.0 million in cash paid at closing and a contingent consideration arrangement of $1.3 million. The Company treated this as a business combination. The acquired business, H&C Flex, is a manufacturer and distributor of insulated HVAC flexible duct systems. It is reported within and complements the Company’s existing businesses in the Climate segment.

The fair value of tangible assets acquired totaled $15.3 million, consisting primarily of property, plant, and equipment of $10.8 million and inventories of $4.5 million. The valuation of the business has been finalized. There were no material changes to the purchase price allocation from the amounts presented in the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Dispositions

Copper Bar

On October 25, 2021, the Company sold its Copper Bar business for approximately $10.1 million. This business manufactured copper bar products used primarily by OEMs in the U.S. and was included in the Industrial Metals segment. The carrying value of the assets disposed totaled $3.6 million, consisting primarily of inventories and long-lived assets. Copper Bar reported net sales of $11.5 million and an operating loss of $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Die-Mold

On September 2, 2021, the Company entered into a contribution agreement with a limited liability company in the retail distribution business, pursuant to which the Company exchanged the outstanding common stock of Die-Mold for a 17 percent equity interest in the limited liability company. Die-Mold manufactures PEX and other plumbing-related fittings and plastic injection tooling in Canada and sells these products in Canada and the U.S. and was included in the Piping Systems Segment. Die-Mold reported net sales of $3.9 million and operating income of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2021. As a result of the transaction, the Company recognized a gain of $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2021 based on the excess of the fair value of the consideration received (the 17 percent equity interest) over the carrying value of Die-Mold. The Company utilized a market comparable companies approach using an EBITDA multiple to determine the fair value of the consideration received of $22.8 million, which is recognized within the Investments in unconsolidated affiliates line of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The excess of the fair value of the deconsolidated subsidiary over its carrying value resulted in the gain.

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Fabricated Tube Products and Shoals Tubular, Inc.

On July 28, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with J.W. Harris Co., Inc. and Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., pursuant to which the Company sold the assets of Fabricated Tube Products (FTP) and all of the outstanding stock of Soals Tubular, Inc. (STI) for approximately $75.7 million. These businesses manufacture and fabricate valves and assemblies, brazed manifolds, headers, and distributor assemblies used primarily by manufacturers of residential heating and air conditioning units in the U.S. and were included in the Climate segment. They reported combined net sales of $14.8 million and operating income of $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2021. The carrying value of the assets disposed totaled $32.7 million, consisting primarily of accounts receivable, inventories, and long-lived assets. The carrying value of the liabilities disposed totaled $3.6 million, consisting primarily of accounts payable. As a result of the transaction, the Company recognized a pre-tax gain of $46.6 million on the sale of these businesses in the Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements.

Note 4 – Segment Information

Each of the Company’s reportable segments is composed of certain operating segments that are aggregated primarily by the nature of products offered as follows:

Piping Systems

Piping Systems is composed of the following operating segments: Domestic Piping Systems Group, Great Lakes Copper, Heatlink Group, European Operations, Trading Group, Jungwoo-Mueller (the Company’s South Korean joint venture), and Mueller Middle East (the Company’s Bahraini joint venture).  The Domestic Piping Systems Group manufactures and distributes copper tube, fittings, and line sets.  These products are manufactured in the U.S., sold in the U.S., and exported to markets worldwide.  Outside the U.S., Great Lakes Copper manufactures copper tube and line sets in Canada and sells the products primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Heatlink Group produces a complete line of products for PEX plumbing and radiant systems in Canada and sells these products in Canada and the U.S. European Operations manufactures copper tube in the U.K. which is sold primarily in Europe.  The Trading Group manufactures pipe nipples and resells brass and plastic plumbing valves, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products in the U.S. and Mexico.  Jungwoo-Mueller manufactures copper-based joining products that are sold worldwide.  Mueller Middle East manufactures copper tube and serves markets in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The Piping Systems segment’s products are sold primarily to plumbing, refrigeration, and air-conditioning wholesalers, hardware wholesalers and co-ops, building product retailers, and air-conditioning original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the results of Precision Tube are included in the Industrial Metals segment prospectively as the impact to prior periods was not material. The business was previously reported in the Piping Systems segment. This change was made to reflect the Company’s internal management reporting structure.

Industrial Metals

Industrial Metals is composed of the following operating segments: Brass Rod, Impacts & Micro Gauge, Brass Value-Added Products, and Precision Tube.  These businesses manufacture brass rod, impact extrusions, and forgings, specialty copper, copper alloy, and aluminum tube, as well as a wide variety of end products including plumbing brass, automotive components, valves, fittings, and gas assemblies.  These products are manufactured in the U.S. and sold primarily to OEMs in the U.S., many of which are in the industrial, transportation, construction, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, plumbing, refrigeration, and energy markets.

Climate

Climate is composed of the following operating segments: Refrigeration Products, Westermeyer, Turbotec, Flex Duct, and Linesets, Inc. These domestic businesses manufacture refrigeration valves and fittings, high pressure components, coaxial heat exchangers, insulated HVAC flexible duct systems, and line sets primarily for the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the U.S.

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Summarized segment information is as follows:

						For the Quarter Ended March 26, 2022
(In thousands)						Piping Systems						Industrial Metals						Climate						Corporate and Eliminations						Total
Net sales						$	703,430					$	174,312					$	140,622					$	(8,362)					$	1,010,002
Cost of goods sold						514,187						145,710						93,957						(9,343)						744,511
Depreciation and amortization						5,400						1,944						2,352						1,145						10,841
Selling, general, and administrative expense						23,355						3,399						7,613						13,089						47,456
Gain on sale of assets						—						—						—						(5,507)						(5,507)
Operating income						160,488						23,259						36,700						(7,746)						212,701
Interest expense																														(158)
Other income, net																														780
Income before income taxes																														$	213,323

						For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2021
(In thousands)						Piping Systems						Industrial Metals						Climate						Corporate and Eliminations						Total
Net sales						$	547,748					$	164,852					$	111,026					$	(5,478)					$	818,148
Cost of goods sold						450,354						140,891						84,082						(6,909)						668,418
Depreciation and amortization						6,210						1,743						2,629						1,173						11,755
Selling, general, and administrative expense						24,086						3,371						6,980						10,998						45,435
Operating income						67,098						18,847						17,335						(10,740)						92,540
Interest expense																														(4,469)
Other income, net																														577
Income before income taxes																														$	88,648

The following table presents total assets attributable to each segment:

(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Segment assets:
Piping Systems						$	1,275,856					$	1,160,272
Industrial Metals						199,157						173,290
Climate						272,308						250,107
General Corporate						198,629						145,267
						$	1,945,950					$	1,728,936

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The following tables represent a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers, along with the reportable segment for each category:

						For the Quarter Ended March 26, 2022
(In thousands)						Piping Systems						Industrial Metals						Climate						Total
Tube and fittings						$	571,510					$	—					$	—					$	571,510
Brass rod and forgings						—						136,533						—						136,533
OEM components, tube & assemblies						—						20,096						29,092						49,188
Valves and plumbing specialties						131,920						—						—						131,920
Flex duct and other HVAC components						—						—						111,530						111,530
Other						—						17,683						—						17,683
						703,430						174,312						140,622						1,018,364
Intersegment sales																								(8,362)
Net sales																								$	1,010,002

						For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2021
(In thousands)						Piping Systems						Industrial Metals						Climate						Total
Tube and fittings						$	426,139					$	—					$	—					$	426,139
Brass rod and forgings						—						131,262						—						131,262
OEM components, tube & assemblies						8,555						11,033						38,067						57,655
Valves and plumbing specialties						113,054						—						—						113,054
Flex duct and other HVAC components						—						—						72,959						72,959
Other						—						22,557						—						22,557
						547,748						164,852						111,026						823,626
Intersegment sales																								(5,478)
Net sales																								$	818,148

Note 5 – Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Cash & cash equivalents						$	139,255					$	87,924
Restricted cash included within other current assets						11,839						2,349
Restricted cash included within other assets						103						103
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash						$	151,197					$	90,376

Amounts included in restricted cash relate to required deposits in brokerage accounts that facilitate the Company’s hedging activities as well as imprest funds for the Company’s self-insured workers’ compensation program.

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Note 6 – Inventories

(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Raw materials and supplies						$	162,623					$	130,133
Work-in-process						64,130						64,989
Finished goods						255,061						245,226
Valuation reserves						(9,865)						(10,104)
Inventories						$	471,949					$	430,244

Note 7 – Financial Instruments

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company’s earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates.  The Company uses derivative instruments such as commodity futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, and interest rate swaps to manage these exposures.

All derivatives are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value.  On the date the derivative contract is entered into, it is either a) designated as a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flow to be paid (cash flow hedge) or b) not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, even though the derivative contract was executed to mitigate an economic exposure (economic hedge), as the Company does not enter into derivative contracts for trading purposes.  Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is qualified, designated, and highly effective as a cash flow hedge are recorded in stockholders’ equity within AOCI, to the extent effective, until they are reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings.  Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives executed as economic hedges are reported in current earnings.

The Company documents all relationships between derivative instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions.  This process includes linking all derivative instruments that are designated as fair value hedges to specific assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and linking cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions or variability of cash flow.

The Company also assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the designated derivative instruments that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of hedged items.  When a derivative instrument is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively in accordance with the derecognition criteria for hedge accounting.

Commodity Futures Contracts

Copper and brass represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production.  The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond the Company’s control.  The Company occasionally enters into forward fixed-price arrangements with certain customers; the risk of these arrangements is generally managed with commodity futures contracts.  These futures contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges.  

At March 26, 2022, the Company held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $65.3 million of copper over the next 18 months related to fixed price sales orders.  The fair value of those futures contracts was a $4.4 million net gain position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (level 1 within the fair value hierarchy).  In the next 12 months, the Company will reclassify into earnings realized gains or losses relating to cash flow hedges.  At March 26, 2022, this amount was approximately $2.7 million of deferred net gains, net of tax.

The Company may also enter into futures contracts to protect the value of inventory against market fluctuations.  At March 26, 2022, the Company held open futures contracts to sell approximately $140.4 million of copper over the next nine months related to copper inventory.  The fair value of those futures contracts was a $4.3 million net loss position, which was determined by obtaining quoted market prices (level 1 within the fair value hierarchy).

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The Company presents its derivative assets and liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets on a net basis by counterparty.  The following table summarizes the location and fair value of the derivative instruments and disaggregates the net derivative assets and liabilities into gross components on a contract-by-contract basis:

						Asset Derivatives																		Liability Derivatives
												Fair Value																		Fair Value
(In thousands)						Balance Sheet Location						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021						Balance Sheet Location						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Commodity contracts - gains						Other current assets						$	4,471					$	1,150					Other current liabilities						$	466					$	—
Commodity contracts - losses						Other current assets						(41)						(46)						Other current liabilities						(4,798)						(353)
Total derivatives (1)												$	4,430					$	1,104											$	(4,332)					$	(353)

(1) Does not include the impact of cash collateral provided to counterparties.

The following tables summarize the effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

For the Quarter Ended

(In thousands)

Location

March 26, 2022

March 27, 2021

Undesignated derivatives:

Gain (loss) on commodity contracts (nonqualifying)

Cost of goods sold

3,425

(8,530)

The following tables summarize amounts recognized in and reclassified from AOCI during the period:

						For the Quarter Ended March 26, 2022
(In thousands)						Gain Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax						Classification Gains (Losses)						Gain Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
Cash flow hedges:
Commodity contracts						$	3,781					Cost of goods sold						$	(1,722)
Other						32						Other						—
Total						$	3,813					Total						$	(1,722)

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Amounts recognized in and reclassified from AOCI (continued):

						For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2021
(In thousands)						Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax						Classification Gains (Losses)						(Gain) Loss Reclassified from AOCI (Effective Portion), Net of Tax
Cash flow hedges:
Commodity contracts						$	1,491					Cost of goods sold						$	(996)
Other						(3)						Other						1
Total						$	1,488					Total						$	(995)

The Company primarily enters into International Swaps and Derivatives Association master netting agreements with major financial institutions that permit the net settlement of amounts owed under their respective derivative contracts.  Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits the Company or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions.  The master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event.  The Company does not offset fair value amounts for derivative instruments and fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral.  At March 26, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the Company had recorded restricted cash in other current assets of $11.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, as collateral related to open derivative contracts under the master netting arrangements.

Long-Term Debt

The fair value of long-term debt at March 26, 2022 approximates the carrying value on that date.  The estimated fair values were determined based on quoted market prices and the current rates offered for debt with similar terms and maturities.  The fair value of long-term debt is classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.  This classification is defined as a fair value determined using market-based inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the liability, either directly or indirectly.  

Note 8 – Investments in Unconsolidated Affiliates

Tecumseh

The Company owns a 50 percent interest in an unconsolidated affiliate that acquired Tecumseh Products Company LLC (Tecumseh).  The Company also owns a 50 percent interest in a second unconsolidated affiliate that provides financing to Tecumseh.  These investments are recorded using the equity method of accounting, as the Company can exercise significant influence but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control the respective entities.  Under the equity method of accounting, these investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and the Company’s proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions.

The Company records its proportionate share of the investees’ net income or loss, net of foreign taxes, one quarter in arrears as income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and its proportionate share of the investees’ other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity. The U.S. tax effect of the Company’s proportionate share of Tecumseh’s income or loss is recorded in income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. In general, the equity investment in unconsolidated affiliates is equal to the current equity investment plus the investees’ net accumulated losses. 

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The following tables present summarized financial information derived from the Company’s equity method investees’ combined consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						December 25, 2021
Current assets						$	219,201					$	214,550
Noncurrent assets						79,100						76,406
Current liabilities						172,109						169,155
Noncurrent liabilities						47,078						46,059

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Net sales						$	125,967					$	97,329
Gross profit						18,775						9,699
Net loss						(1,206)						(3,299)

The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter ended March 26, 2022 included net losses of $0.6 million for Tecumseh.

The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter ended March 27, 2021 included net losses of $1.6 million for Tecumseh.

Retail Distribution

On September 2, 2021, the Company acquired a 17 percent noncontrolling equity interest in a limited liability company in the retail distribution business by contributing the outstanding common stock of Die-Mold in exchange for the equity method interest. The transaction was recorded as a deconsolidation of a subsidiary and the recognition of an equity method investment at fair value, as described in “Note 3 - Acquisitions and Dispositions.” This investment is recorded using the equity method of accounting. The Company records its proportionate share of the investee’s net income or loss one month in arrears as income (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company’s proportionate share of the investee’s other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity.

The Company’s loss from unconsolidated affiliates, net of foreign tax, for the quarter ended March 26, 2022 included net income of $0.7 million for the retail distribution business.

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Note 9 – Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors several qualified and nonqualified pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans for certain of its employees.  The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) are as follows:

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Pension benefits:
Interest cost						$	394					$	313
Expected return on plan assets						(967)						(904)
Amortization of net loss						244						378
Net periodic benefit income						$	(329)					$	(213)
Other benefits:
Service cost						$	72					$	65
Interest cost						103						87
Amortization of prior service credit						(118)						(118)
Amortization of net gain						(58)						(31)
Net periodic benefit (income) cost						$	(1)					$	3

The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) other than the service cost component are included in other income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business, which management believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.  The Company may also realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Environmental

Non-operating Properties

Southeast Kansas Sites

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has contacted the Company regarding environmental contamination at three former smelter sites in Kansas (Altoona, East La Harpe, and Lanyon).  The Company is not a successor to the companies that operated these smelter sites, but is exploring possible settlement with KDHE and other potentially responsible parties (PRP) in order to avoid litigation. 

In February 2022, the Company reached a settlement with another PRP relating to these three sites. Under the terms of that agreement, the Company paid $5.6 million, which was previously reserved, in exchange for the other PRP’s agreement to conduct or fund any required remediation with the geographic boundaries of the three sites (namely, the parcel(s) on which the former smelters were located), plus coverage of certain off-site areas (namely, contamination that migrated by surface water runoff or air emissions from the Altoona or East La Harpe site, and smelter materials located within 50 feet of the geographic boundary of each site). The settlement does not cover certain matters, including potential liability related to the remediation of the town of Iola which is not estimable at this time. The other PRP will also provide an indemnity that would cover third-party cleanup claims for those sites, subject to a time limit and a cap.

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Altoona. Another PRP conducted a site investigation of the Altoona site under a consent decree with KDHE and submitted a removal site evaluation report recommending a remedy.  The remedial design plan, which covers both on-site and certain off-site cleanup costs, was approved by the KDHE in 2016.  Construction of the remedy was completed in 2018.

East La Harpe. At the East La Harpe site, the Company and two other PRPs conducted a site study evaluation under KDHE supervision and prepared a site cleanup plan approved by KDHE.  In 2016, the corporate parent (Peabody Energy) of a third party that the Company understands may owe indemnification obligations to one of the other PRPs (Blue Tee) in connection with the East La Harpe site filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.  KDHE has extended the deadline for the PRPs to develop a repository design plan to allow for wetlands permitting to take place.  In December 2018, KDHE provided a draft agreement which contemplates the use of funds KDHE obtained from two other parties (Peabody Energy and Blue Tee) to fund part of the remediation, and removes Blue Tee from the PRPs’ agreement with KDHE. The Company is currently negotiating the terms of that draft agreement, but pursuant to the terms of the settlement with the other PRP noted above, the Company expects the remediation to be conducted and paid for entirely by the other PRP.

Lanyon. With respect to the Lanyon Site, in 2016, the Company received a general notice letter from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asserting that the Company is a PRP, which the Company has denied.  EPA issued an interim record of decision in 2017 and has been remediating properties at the site. According to EPA, 1,371 properties in total will be remediated, and the work will be completed in the fall of 2022.

Shasta Area Mine Sites

Mining Remedial Recovery Company (MRRC), a wholly owned subsidiary, owns certain inactive mines in Shasta County, California.  MRRC has continued a program, begun in the late 1980s, of implementing various remedial measures, including sealing mine portals with concrete plugs in portals that were discharging water.  The sealing program achieved significant reductions in the metal load in discharges from these adits; however, additional reductions are required pursuant to an order issued by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (QCB).  In response to a 1996 QCB Order, MRRC completed a feasibility study in 1997 describing measures designed to mitigate the effects of acid rock drainage.  In December 1998, the QCB modified the 1996 order extending MRRC’s time to comply with water quality standards.  In September 2002, the QCB adopted a new order requiring MRRC to adopt Best Management Practices (BMP) to control discharges of acid mine drainage, and again extended the time to comply with water quality standards until September 2007.  During that time, implementation of BMP further reduced impacts of acid rock drainage; however, full compliance has not been achieved.  The QCB is presently renewing MRRC’s discharge permit and will concurrently issue a new order.  It is expected that the new 10-year permit will include an order requiring continued implementation of BMP through 2032 to address residual discharges of acid rock drainage.  The Company currently estimates that it will spend between approximately $14.0 million and $16.0 million for remediation at these sites over the next 30 years and has accrued a reserve at the low end of this range.

Lead Refinery Site

U.S.S. Lead Refinery, Inc. (Lead Refinery), a non-operating wholly owned subsidiary of MRRC, has conducted corrective action and interim remedial activities (collectively, Site Activities) at Lead Refinery’s East Chicago, Indiana site pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act since December 1996.  Although the Site Activities have been substantially concluded, Lead Refinery is required to perform monitoring and maintenance-related activities pursuant to a post-closure permit issued by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management effective as of March 2, 2013.  Approximate costs to comply with the post-closure permit, including associated general and administrative costs, are estimated at between $1.6 million and $2.3 million over the next 15 years. The Company has recorded a reserve at the low end of this range.

 

On April 9, 2009, pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) added the Lead Refinery site and surrounding properties to the National Priorities List (NPL).  On July 17, 2009, Lead Refinery received a written notice from the EPA indicating that it may be a PRP under CERCLA due to the release or threat of release of hazardous substances including lead into properties surrounding the Lead Refinery NPL site.  The EPA identified two other PRPs in connection with that matter.  In November 2012, the EPA adopted a remedy for the surrounding properties and in September 2014, the EPA announced that it had entered into a settlement with the two other PRPs whereby they will pay approximately $26.0 million to fund the cleanup of approximately 300 properties surrounding the Lead Refinery NPL site (zones 1 and 3 of operable unit 1) and perform certain remedial action tasks.

On November 8, 2016, the Company, its subsidiary Arava Natural Resources Company, Inc. (Arava), and Arava’s subsidiary MRRC each received general notice letters from the EPA asserting that they may be PRPs in connection with the Lead Refinery NPL site.  The Company, Arava, and MRRC have denied liability for any remedial action and response costs associated with

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the Lead Refinery NPL site.  In June 2017, the EPA requested that Lead Refinery conduct, and the Company fund, a remedial investigation and feasibility study of operable unit 2 of the Lead Refinery NPL site pursuant to a proposed administrative settlement agreement and order on consent. The Company and Lead Refinery entered into that agreement in September 2017. The Company has made a capital contribution to Lead Refinery to conduct the remedial investigation and feasibility study with respect to operable unit 2 and has provided financial assurance in the amount of $1.0 million. The remedial investigation and feasibility study remain ongoing. The EPA has also asserted its position that Mueller is a responsible party for the Lead Refinery NPL site, and accordingly is responsible for a share of remedial action and response costs at the site and in the adjacent residential area.

In January 2018, the EPA issued two unilateral administrative orders (UAOs) directing the Company, Lead Refinery, and four other PRPs to conduct soil and interior remediation of certain residences at the Lead Refinery NPL site (zones 2 and 3 of operable unit 1). The Company and Lead Refinery have reached agreement with the four other PRPs to implement these two UAOs, with the Company agreeing to pay, on an interim basis, (i) an estimated $4.5 million (subject to potential change through a future reallocation process) of the approximately $25.0 million the PRPs currently estimate it will cost to implement the UAOs, which estimate is subject to change, and (ii) $2.0 million relating to past costs incurred by other PRPs for work conducted at the site, as well as the possibility of up to $0.7 million in further payments for ongoing work by those PRPs.  As of March 26, 2022, the Company has made payments of approximately $7.6 million related to the aforementioned agreement with the other PRPs. The Company disputes that it was properly named in the UAOs, and has reserved its rights to petition the EPA for reimbursement of any costs incurred to comply with the UAOs upon the completion of the work required therein.  In March 2022, Lead Refinery entered into an administrative settlement agreement and order on consent with the EPA, along with the four other PRPs, which involves payment of certain past and future costs relating to operable unit 1, in exchange for certain releases and contribution protection for the Company, Lead Refinery and their respective affiliates relating to that operable unit. The Company reserved $3.3 million for this settlement in the third quarter of 2021. In March 2018, a group of private plaintiffs sued the Company, Arava, MRRC, and Lead Refinery, along with other defendants, in civil tort action relating to the site. The Company, Arava, and MRRC have been voluntarily dismissed from that litigation without prejudice. Lead Refinery’s motion to dismiss the matter was granted without prejudice, but plaintiffs in that case have sought to amend their complaint.  At this juncture, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a material adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss in excess of the current reserve with respect to any remedial action or litigation relating to the Lead Refinery NPL site, either at Lead Refinery’s former operating site (operable unit 2) or the adjacent residential area (operable unit 1), including, but not limited to, EPA oversight costs for which the EPA may attempt to seek reimbursement from the Company, and past costs for which other PRPs may attempt to seek contribution from the Company.

Bonita Peak Mining District

Following an August 2015 spill from the Gold King Mine into the Animas River near Silverton, Colorado, the EPA listed the Bonita Peak Mining District on the NPL.  Said listing was finalized in September 2016.  The Bonita Peak Mining District encompasses 48 mining sites within the Animas River watershed, including the Sunnyside Mine, the American Tunnel, and the Sunbank Group.  On or about July 25, 2017, Washington Mining Company (Washington Mining) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Arava), received a general notice letter from the EPA stating that Washington Mining may be a PRP under CERCLA in connection with the Bonita Peak Mining District site and therefore responsible for the remediation of certain portions of the site, along with related costs incurred by the EPA.  Shortly thereafter, the Company received a substantively identical letter asserting that it may be a PRP at the site and similarly responsible for the cleanup of certain portions of the site.  The general notice letters identify one other PRP at the site, and do not require specific action by Washington Mining or the Company at this time.  At this juncture, the Company is unable to determine the likelihood of a materially adverse outcome or the amount or range of a potential loss with respect to any remedial action related to the Bonita Peak Mining District NPL site.

Operating Properties

Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc.

In 1999, Mueller Copper Tube Products, Inc. (MCTP), a wholly owned subsidiary, commenced a cleanup and remediation of soil and groundwater at its Wynne, Arkansas plant to remove trichloroethylene, a cleaning solvent formerly used by MCTP.  On August 30, 2000, MCTP received approval of its Final Comprehensive Investigation Report and Storm Water Drainage Investigation Report addressing the treatment of soils and groundwater from the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).  The Company established a reserve for this project in connection with the acquisition of MCTP in 1998.  Effective November 17, 2008, MCTP entered into a Settlement Agreement and Administrative Order by Consent to submit a Supplemental Investigation Work Plan (SIWP) and subsequent Final Remediation Work Plan (RWP) for the site.  By letter dated January 20, 2010, ADEQ approved the SIWP as submitted, with changes acceptable to the Company.  On December 16, 2011, MCTP entered into an amended Administrative Order by Consent to prepare and implement a revised RWP regarding

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final remediation for the Site.  The remediation system was activated in February 2014.  Costs to implement the work plans, including associated general and administrative costs, are estimated to approximate $0.7 million to $0.9 million over the next four years. The Company has recorded a reserve at the low end of this range.

United States Department of Commerce Antidumping Review

On December 24, 2008, the Department of Commerce (DOC) initiated an antidumping administrative review of the antidumping duty order covering circular welded non-alloy steel pipe and tube from Mexico for the November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 period of review.  The DOC selected Mueller Comercial as a respondent in the review.  On April 19, 2010, the DOC published the final results of the review and assigned Mueller Comercial an antidumping duty rate of 48.33 percent.  On May 25, 2010, the Company appealed the final results to the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT).  On December 16, 2011, the CIT issued a decision remanding the Department’s final results.  While the matter was still pending, the Company and the United States reached an agreement to settle the appeal.  Subject to the conditions of the agreement, the Company anticipated that certain of its subsidiaries would incur antidumping duties on subject imports made during the period of review and, as such, established a reserve for this matter.  After the lapse of the statutory period of time during which U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was required, but failed, to liquidate the entries at the settled rate, the Company released the reserve.  Between October 30, 2015 and November 27, 2015, CBP sent a series of invoices to Southland Pipe Nipples Co., Inc. (Southland), requesting payment of approximately $3.0 million in duties and interest in connection with 795 import entries made during the November 1, 2007 through October 31, 2008 period.  On January 26, 2016 and January 27, 2016, Southland filed protests with CBP in connection with these invoices, noting that CBP’s asserted claims were not made in accordance with applicable law, including statutory provisions governing deemed liquidation. The Company believes in the merits of the legal objections raised in Southland’s protests, and CBP’s response to Southland’s protests is currently pending. Given the procedural posture and issues raised by this legal dispute, the Company cannot estimate the amount of potential duty liability, if any, that may result from CBP’s asserted claims.

Guarantees

Guarantees, in the form of letters of credit, are issued by the Company generally to assure the payment of insurance deductibles, certain retiree health benefits, and debt at certain unconsolidated affiliates.  The terms of the guarantees are generally one year but are renewable annually as required.  These letters are primarily backed by the Company’s revolving credit facility.  The maximum payments that the Company could be required to make under its guarantees at March 26, 2022 were $28.9 million.

Note 11 – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 25 percent compared with 25 percent for the same period last year.  The primary items impacting the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 were increases related to the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $7.1 million, the effect of foreign tax rates higher than statutory tax rates and other foreign adjustments of $1.7 million, and other items of $0.6 million.

The items impacting the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 were the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $2.4 million, and other items of $0.7 million.

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return and numerous consolidated and separate-company income tax returns in many state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations is open for the Company’s federal tax returns for 2018 and all subsequent years. The statutes of limitations for most state returns are open for 2018 and all subsequent years, and some state and foreign returns are also open for some earlier tax years due to differing statute periods. While the Company believes that it is adequately reserved for possible audit adjustments, the final resolution of these examinations cannot be determined with certainty and could result in final settlements that differ from current estimates.

Note 12 – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

AOCI includes certain foreign currency translation adjustments from those subsidiaries not using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, net deferred gains and losses on certain derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges, adjustments to pension and OPEB liabilities, and other comprehensive income attributable to unconsolidated affiliates.

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The following tables provide changes in AOCI by component, net of taxes and noncontrolling interests (amounts in parentheses indicate debits to AOCI):

						For the Quarter Ended March 26, 2022
(In thousands)						Cumulative Translation Adjustment						Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives						Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment						Attributable to Unconsol. Affiliates						Total
Balance as of December 25, 2021						$	(42,303)					$	803					$	(11,500)					$	(347)					$	(53,347)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications						1,246						3,813						357						2,148						7,564
Amounts reclassified from AOCI						—						(1,722)						63						—						(1,659)
Net current-period other comprehensive income						1,246						2,091						420						2,148						5,905
Balance as of March 26, 2022						$	(41,057)					$	2,894					$	(11,080)					$	1,801					$	(47,442)

						For the Quarter Ended March 27, 2021
(In thousands)						Cumulative Translation Adjustment						Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives						Pension/OPEB Liability Adjustment						Attributable to Unconsol. Affiliates						Total
Balance as of December 26, 2020						$	(37,339)					$	984					$	(17,203)					$	(1,325)					$	(54,883)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications						3,966						1,488						(283)						1,987						7,158
Amounts reclassified from AOCI						—						(995)						192						—						(803)
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)						3,966						493						(91)						1,987						6,355
Balance as of March 27, 2021						$	(33,373)					$	1,477					$	(17,294)					$	662					$	(48,528)

Reclassification adjustments out of AOCI were as follows:

						Amount reclassified from AOCI
						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021																		Affected line item
Unrealized gains on derivative commodity contracts						$	(2,224)					$	(248)																	Cost of goods sold
						502						68																		Income tax expense
						$	(1,722)					$	(180)																	Net of tax and noncontrolling interests
Amortization of net loss and prior service cost on employee benefit plans						$	68					$	229																	Other income, net
						(5)						(37)																		Income tax benefit
						$	63					$	192																	Net of tax and noncontrolling interests

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General Overview

We are a leading manufacturer of copper, brass, aluminum, and plastic products. The range of products we manufacture is broad: copper tube and fittings; line sets; brass and copper alloy rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum impact extrusions; PEX plastic tube and fittings; refrigeration valves and fittings; compressed gas valves; pressure vessels; steel nipples; and insulated flexible duct systems. We also resell brass and plastic plumbing valves, plastic fittings, malleable iron fittings, faucets, and plumbing specialty products. Our operations are located throughout the United States and in Canada, Mexico, Great Britain, South Korea, the Middle East, and China.

Each of our reportable segments is composed of certain operating segments that are aggregated primarily by the nature of products offered as follows:

•Piping Systems: The Piping Systems segment is composed of Domestic Piping Systems Group, Great Lakes Copper, Heatlink Group, European Operations, Trading Group, Jungwoo-Mueller (our South Korean joint venture), and Mueller Middle East (our Bahraini joint venture). The Domestic Piping Systems Group manufactures and distributes copper tube, fittings, and line sets. These products are manufactured in the U.S., sold in the U.S., and exported to markets worldwide. Great Lakes Copper manufactures copper tube and line sets in Canada and sells the products primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Heatlink Group manufactures a complete line of products for PEX plumbing and radiant systems in Canada and sells these products in Canada and the U.S. European Operations manufactures copper tube in the United Kingdom, which is sold throughout Europe. The Trading Group manufactures pipe nipples and sources products for import distribution in North America. Jungwoo-Mueller manufactures copper-based joining products that are sold worldwide. Mueller Middle East manufactures copper tube and serves markets in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The Piping Systems segment sells products to wholesalers in the plumbing and refrigeration markets, distributors to the manufactured housing and recreational vehicle industries, building material retailers, and air-conditioning original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

•Industrial Metals: The Industrial Metals segment is composed of Brass Rod, Impacts & Micro Gauge, Brass Value-Added Products, and Precision Tube. The segment manufactures and sells brass rod, bar, and shapes; aluminum and brass forgings; aluminum impact extrusions; gas valves and assemblies; and specialty copper, copper alloy, and aluminum tube. The segment manufactures and sells its products primarily to domestic OEMs in the industrial, transportation, construction, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, plumbing, refrigeration, and energy markets.

•Climate: The Climate segment is composed of Refrigeration Products, Westermeyer, Turbotec, Flex Duct, and Linesets, Inc. The segment manufactures and sells refrigeration valves and fittings, high pressure components, coaxial heat exchangers, and insulated HVAC flexible duct systems and line sets. The segment sells its products primarily to the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration markets in the U.S.

New housing starts and commercial construction are important determinants of our sales to the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning, refrigeration, and plumbing markets because the principal end use of a significant portion of our products is in the construction of single and multi-family housing and commercial buildings. Repairs and remodeling projects are also important drivers of underlying demand for these products. In addition, our products are used in various transportation, automotive, and industrial applications.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the March 2022 seasonally adjusted annual rate of new housing starts was 1.79 million, compared to the March 2021 rate of 1.73 million. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 3.79 percent for the first quarter of 2022 and 2.96 percent for the twelve months ended December 2021. The private non-residential construction sector includes offices, industrial, health care, and retail projects. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the seasonally adjusted annual value of private nonresidential construction put in place was $503.0 billion in February 2022 compared to the February 2021 rate of $458.4 billion.

Profitability of certain of our product lines depends upon the “spreads” between the cost of raw material and the selling prices of our products. The open market prices for copper cathode and copper and brass scrap, for example, influence the selling price of copper tube and brass rod, two principal products manufactured by the Company. We attempt to minimize the effects on profitability from fluctuations in material costs by passing through these costs to our customers; however, margins of our businesses that account for inventory on a FIFO basis may be impacted in periods of significant fluctuations in material costs. Our earnings and cash flow are dependent upon these spreads that fluctuate based upon market conditions.

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Earnings and profitability are also impacted by unit volumes that are subject to market trends, such as substitute products, imports, technologies, and market share. In our core product lines, we intensively manage our pricing structure while attempting to maximize profitability. From time-to-time, this practice results in lost sales opportunities and lower volume. For plumbing systems, plastics are the primary substitute product; these products represent an increasing share of consumption. For certain air-conditioning and refrigeration applications, aluminum-based systems are the primary substitution threat. We cannot predict the acceptance or the rate of switching that may occur. U.S. consumption of copper tube and brass rod is still predominantly supplied by U.S. manufacturers. In recent years, brass rod consumption in the U.S. has declined due to the outsourcing of many manufactured products to offshore regions.

Results of Operations

Consolidated Results

The following table compares summary operating results for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

						For the Quarter Ended												Percent Change
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021						2022 vs. 2021
Net sales						$	1,010,002					$	818,148					23.4		%
Operating income						212,701						92,540						129.8
Net income						158,316						63,107						150.9

 

The following are components of changes in net sales compared to the prior year:

						Quarter-to- Date
Net selling price in core product lines						20.4		%
Unit sales volume in core product lines						(2.3)
Acquisitions						2.5
Dispositions						(3.3)
Other						6.1
						23.4		%

The increase in net sales during the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to (i) higher net selling prices of $166.8 million in our core product lines, primarily copper tube, copper fittings, brass rod, and forgings, (ii) an increase in sales of $50.6 million in our non-core product lines, (iii) incremental sales of $10.5 million recorded by H&C Flex (H&C), acquired in January 2021, and (iv) sales of $10.2 million recorded by Mueller Middle East (MME), acquired in December 2021. These increases were partially offset by (i) a decrease in sales of $27.1 million as a result of the dispositions of Copper Bar, Die-Mold, FTP, and STI in the second half of 2021 and (ii) lower unit sales volume of $19.1 million in our core product lines.

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Net selling prices generally fluctuate with changes in raw material costs.  Changes in raw material costs are generally passed through to customers by adjustments to selling prices.  The following graph shows the Comex average copper price per pound by quarter for the current and prior fiscal years:

The following tables compare cost of goods sold and operating expenses as dollar amounts and as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						$	744,511					$	668,418
Depreciation and amortization						10,841						11,755
Selling, general, and administrative expense						47,456						45,435
Gain on sale of assets						(5,507)						—
Operating expenses						$	797,301					$	725,608

						For the Quarter Ended
						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						73.7		%				81.7		%
Depreciation and amortization						1.1						1.4
Selling, general, and administrative expense						4.6						5.6
Gain on sale of assets						(0.5)						—
Operating expenses						78.9		%				88.7		%

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Cost of goods sold increased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to the factors noted above regarding the change in net sales. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 26.3 percent compared with 18.3 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross margin percent reflects effective price management in response to significant inflation in wages, and material, consumable, freight, and distribution costs. Depreciation and amortization decreased in first quarter of 2022 as a result of long-lived assets of businesses sold. Selling, general, and administrative expense increased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of (i) an increase in agent commissions of $2.1 million, (ii) incremental expenses of $0.7 million associated with MME and H&C, and (iii) higher employment costs, including incentive compensation and healthcare, of $0.5 million. These increases were partially offset by the absence of expenses associated with Die-Mold, FTP, and STI of $1.3 million. In addition, during the first quarter of 2022 we recognized a gain of $5.5 million on the sale of a building.

Interest expense decreased for the first quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of the redemption of our Subordinated Debentures during the second quarter of 2021. Other income, net, was consistent with the first quarter of 2021.

Our effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2022 was 25 percent compared with 25 percent for the same period last year.  The items impacting the effective tax rate were increases related to the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $7.1 million, the effect of foreign tax rates higher than statutory tax rates and other foreign items of $1.7 million, and other items of $0.6 million.

For the first quarter of 2021, the difference between the effective tax rate and the amount computed using the U.S. federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to the provision for state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, of $2.4 million and other items of $0.7 million.

During the first quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2021, we recognized income of $0.1 million and losses of $1.6 million, respectively, on our investments in unconsolidated affiliates. 

Piping Systems Segment

The following table compares summary operating results for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 for the businesses comprising our Piping Systems segment:

						For the Quarter Ended												Percent Change
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021						2022 vs. 2021
Net sales						$	703,430					$	547,748					28.4		%
Operating income						160,488						67,098						139.2

 

The following are components of changes in net sales compared to the prior year:

						Quarter-to- Date
Net selling price in core product lines						26.8		%
Unit sales volume in core product lines						(1.3)
Acquisitions						1.9
Dispositions						(0.7)
Other						1.7
						28.4		%

The increase in net sales during the first quarter of 2022 was primarily attributable to (i) higher net selling prices in the segment’s core product lines, primarily copper tube and copper fittings, of $145.2 million, (ii) higher unit sales volume of $9.8 million in the segment’s U.S. core product lines, (iii) an increase in sales of $15.1 million in the segment’s non-core product lines, and (iv) sales of $10.2 million recorded by MME. These increases were partially offset by (i) lower unit sales volume of

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$16.9 million in the segment’s non-U.S. businesses and (ii) a decrease in sales of $3.9 million as a result of the disposition of Die-Mold in the third quarter of 2021.

The following tables compare cost of goods sold and operating expenses as dollar amounts and as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						$	514,187					$	450,354
Depreciation and amortization						5,400						6,210
Selling, general, and administrative expense						23,355						24,086
Operating expenses						$	542,942					$	480,650

 

						For the Quarter Ended
						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						73.1		%				82.2		%
Depreciation and amortization						0.8						1.1
Selling, general, and administrative expense						3.3						4.5
Operating expenses						77.2		%				87.8		%

The increase in cost of goods sold during the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to the increase in the average cost of copper, our principal raw material.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 26.9 percent compared with 17.8 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross margin percent reflects effective price management in response to significant inflation in wages, and material, consumable, freight, and distribution costs. Depreciation and amortization decreased in first quarter of 2022 as a result of long-lived assets of businesses sold. Selling, general, and administrative expense decreased for the first quarter of 2022 primarily as a result of (i) lower advertising and promotion expenses of $0.5 million, (ii) lower product liability expenses of $0.4 million, and (iii) lower expenses of $0.2 million associated with businesses disposed. These decreases were partially offset by (i) higher employment costs, including incentive compensation and healthcare, of $0.3 million and (ii) expenses associated with MME of $0.3 million.

Industrial Metals Segment

The following table compares summary operating results for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 for the businesses comprising our Industrial Metals segment:

						For the Quarter Ended												Percent Change
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021						2022 vs. 2021
Net sales						$	174,312					$	164,852					5.7		%
Operating income						23,259						18,847						23.4

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The following are components of changes in net sales compared to the prior year:

						Quarter-to- Date
Net selling price in core product lines						12.9		%
Unit sales volume in core product lines						(7.2)
Dispositions						(5.4)
Other						5.4
						5.7		%

The increase in net sales during the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to higher net selling prices of $21.6 million in the segment’s core product lines, primarily brass rod and forgings. This increase was partially offset by lower unit sales volume of $12.0 million in the segment’s core product lines and (ii) a decrease in sales of $9.0 million as a result of the disposition of Copper Bar in the fourth quarter of 2021.

The following tables compare cost of goods sold and operating expenses as dollar amounts and as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						$	145,710					$	140,891
Depreciation and amortization						1,944						1,743
Selling, general, and administrative expense						3,399						3,371
Operating expenses						$	151,053					$	146,005

						For the Quarter Ended
						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						83.6		%				85.5		%
Depreciation and amortization						1.1						1.1
Selling, general, and administrative expense						2.0						2.0
Operating expenses						86.7		%				88.6		%

The increase in cost of goods sold during the first quarter of 2022 was primarily due to the increase in the price of copper.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 16.4 percent compared with 14.5 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross margin percent reflects effective price management in response to significant inflation in wages, and material, consumable, freight, and distribution costs. Depreciation and amortization and selling, general, and administrative expense were consistent with the first quarter of 2021.

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Climate Segment

The following table compares summary operating results for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021 for the businesses comprising our Climate segment:

						For the Quarter Ended												Percent Change
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021						2022 vs. 2021
Net sales						$	140,622					$	111,026					26.7		%
Operating income						36,700						17,335						111.7

Sales for the first quarter of 2022 increased primarily as a result of strong demand and an increase in price in certain product lines, as well as incremental sales of $10.5 million recorded by H&C.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in sales of $14.2 million as a result of the dispositions of FTP and STI during the third quarter of 2021.

The following tables compare cost of goods sold and operating expenses as dollar amounts and as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

						For the Quarter Ended
(In thousands)						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						$	93,957					$	84,082
Depreciation and amortization						2,352						2,629
Selling, general and administrative expense						7,613						6,980
Operating expenses						$	103,922					$	93,691

						For the Quarter Ended
						March 26, 2022						March 27, 2021
Cost of goods sold						66.8		%				75.7		%
Depreciation and amortization						1.7						2.4
Selling, general and administrative expense						5.4						6.3
Operating expenses						73.9		%				84.4		%

Cost of goods sold increased during the first quarter of 2022, consistent with the increase in net sales.  Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 33.2 percent compared with 24.3 percent in the prior year quarter. The increase in gross margin percent reflects effective price management in response to significant inflation in wages, and material, consumable, freight, and distribution costs. Depreciation and amortization decreased by $0.3 million as a result of long-lived assets of businesses sold. Selling, general, and administrative expense increased primarily due to (i) an increase in agent commissions of $2.4 million and (ii) incremental expenses associated with H&C of $0.4 million. These increases were partially offset by (i) lower employment costs, including incentive compensation, of $1.3 million and (iii) the absence of expenses associated with FTP and STI of $1.1 million.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table presents selected financial information for the first quarter of 2022 and 2021:

(In thousands)						2022						2021
Increase (decrease) in:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash						$	60,821					$	21,655
Property, plant, and equipment, net						(4,851)						8,281
Total debt						35						64,864
Working capital, net of cash and current debt						101,058						110,409
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities						62,859						(22,581)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities						1,919						(21,526)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities						(4,258)						64,978

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

During the quarter ended March 26, 2022, net cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to (i) consolidated net income of $159.2 million, (ii) an increase in current liabilities of $54.3 million, (iii) depreciation and amortization of $10.9 million, and (iv) stock-based compensation expense of $2.6 million. These increases were largely offset by (i) an increase in accounts receivable of $116.6 million, (ii) an increase in inventories of $40.8 million, and (iii) the gain of $5.5 million recognized on the sale of a building.

During the quarter ended March 27, 2021, net cash used in operating activities was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in accounts receivable of $90.0 million and (ii) an increase in inventories of $45.6 million. These decreases were partially offset by (i) consolidated net income of $65.2 million, (ii) an increase in current liabilities of $33.9 million, and (iii) depreciation and amortization of $11.8 million. The fluctuations of accounts receivable, inventories, and current liabilities were primarily due to increased sales volume in certain businesses and higher material costs during the first quarter of 2021.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The major components of net cash provided by investing activities during the quarter ended March 26, 2022 included proceeds from the sale of properties of $6.2 million. This source was partially offset by capital expenditures of $5.3 million.

The major components of net cash used in investing activities during the quarter ended March 27, 2021 included (i) $14.0 million for the purchase of H&C, net of cash acquired, and (ii) capital expenditures of $9.2 million. These uses were partially offset by proceeds from the sale of properties of $1.7 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

For the quarter ended March 26, 2022, net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of $4.0 million used to repurchase common stock.

For the quarter ended March 27, 2021, net cash provided by financing activities consisted of the issuance of debt under our Credit Agreement of $100.0 million. This source was partially offset by $35.0 million used to reduce the debt outstanding under our Credit Agreement.

Liquidity and Outlook

We believe that cash provided by operations, funds available under the Credit Agreement, and cash on hand will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs, including working capital, capital expenditures, and debt payment obligations.

As of March 26, 2022, we had $139.3 million of cash on hand and $371.1 million available to be drawn under the Credit Agreement. Our current ratio was 2.7 to 1.

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We have significant environmental remediation obligations which we expect to pay over future years.  Cash used for environmental remediation activities was approximately $6.3 million during the first quarter of 2022, which included a $5.6 million settlement related to the Southeast Kansas Sites.  We expect to spend approximately $4.1 million over the next twelve months for ongoing environmental remediation activities.

The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of 25.0 cents and 13.0 cents per common share during the first quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively.  Payment of dividends in the future is dependent upon our financial condition, cash flows, capital requirements, earnings, and other factors.  

Long-Term Debt

As of March 26, 2022, the Company’s total debt was $1.9 million or 0.1 percent of its total capitalization.

The Company’s Credit Agreement provides for an unsecured $400.0 million revolving credit facility, which matures March 31, 2026.  There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement as of March 26, 2022. The Credit Agreement backed approximately $28.9 million in letters of credit at the end of the first quarter of 2022.  

Covenants contained in the Company’s financing obligations require, among other things, the maintenance of minimum levels of tangible net worth and the satisfaction of certain minimum financial ratios.  As of March 26, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors has extended, until July 2022, the authorization to repurchase up to 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  We may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time.  Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations.  We may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for our stock-based compensation plans, as well as for other corporate purposes.  From its initial authorization in 1999 through March 26, 2022, the Company has repurchased approximately 6.6 million shares under this authorization.  

Contractual Cash Obligations

There have been no significant changes in our contractual cash obligations reported at December 25, 2021.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in raw material and energy costs, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates.  To reduce such risks, we may periodically use financial instruments.  Hedging transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to policies and procedures.  Further, we do not buy or sell financial instruments for trading purposes.

Cost and Availability of Raw Materials and Energy

Raw materials, primarily copper and brass, represent the largest component of the Company’s variable costs of production.  The cost of these materials is subject to global market fluctuations caused by factors beyond our control.  Significant increases in the cost of metal, to the extent not reflected in prices for our finished products, or the lack of availability could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

The Company occasionally enters into future fixed-price arrangements with certain customers.  We may utilize futures contracts to hedge risks associated with these forward fixed-price arrangements.  We may also utilize futures contracts to manage price risk associated with inventory.  Depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the futures contracts will either be offset against the change in fair value of the inventory through earnings or recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) in equity and reflected in earnings upon the sale of inventory.  Periodic value fluctuations of the contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying fixed-price transactions or inventory.  At March 26, 2022, we held open futures contracts to purchase approximately $65.3 million of copper over the next 18 months related to fixed-price sales orders and to sell approximately $140.4 million of copper over the next nine months related to copper inventory.

We may enter into futures contracts or forward fixed-price arrangements with certain vendors to manage price risk associated with natural gas purchases.  The effective portion of gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in equity as a

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component of AOCI and reflected in earnings upon consumption of natural gas.  Periodic value fluctuations of the futures contracts generally offset the value fluctuations of the underlying natural gas prices.  As of March 26, 2022, we held no open futures contracts to purchase natural gas.

Interest Rates

At March 26, 2022, we had no variable-rate debt outstanding.  At this borrowing level, a hypothetical 10 percent increase in interest rates would have had an insignificant unfavorable impact on our pretax earnings and cash flows.  The primary interest rate exposure on variable-rate debt is based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).  

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

Foreign currency exposures arising from transactions include firm commitments and anticipated transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency.  The Company and its subsidiaries generally enter into transactions denominated in their respective functional currencies.  We may utilize certain futures or forward contracts with financial institutions to hedge foreign currency transactional exposures.  Gains and losses with respect to these positions are deferred in equity as a component of AOCI and reflected in earnings upon collection of receivables or payment of commitments.  At March 26, 2022, we had open forward contracts with a financial institution to sell approximately 6.3 million euros, 19.2 million Swedish kronor, and 11.2 million Norwegian kroner through July 2022.  

The Company’s primary foreign currency exposure arises from foreign-denominated revenues and profits and their translation into U.S. dollars.  The primary currencies to which we are exposed include the Canadian dollar, the British pound sterling, the Mexican peso, the South Korean won, and the Bahraini dinar.  The Company generally views its investments in foreign subsidiaries with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar as long-term.  As a result, we generally do not hedge these net investments.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

This Quarterly Report contains various forward-looking statements and includes assumptions concerning the Company’s operations, future results, and prospects.  These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risk and uncertainties, and may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those predicted.  The forward-looking statements reflect knowledge and information available as of the date of preparation of the Quarterly Report, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.  We identify the forward-looking statements by using the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends” or similar expressions in such statements.

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company provides the following cautionary statement identifying important economic, political, and technological factors, among others, which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.  In addition to those factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2021, such factors include: (i) the current and projected future business environment, including interest rates capital and consumer spending, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) the domestic housing and commercial construction industry environment; (iii) availability and price fluctuations in commodities (including copper, natural gas, and other raw materials, including crude oil that indirectly affects plastic resins); (iv) competitive factors and competitor responses to the Company’s initiatives; (v) stability of government laws and regulations, including taxes; (vi) availability of financing; and (vii) continuation of the environment to make acquisitions, domestic and foreign, including regulatory requirements and market values of candidates.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of March 26, 2022.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 26, 2022 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ending March 26, 2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

General

The Company is involved in certain litigation as a result of claims that arose in the ordinary course of business.  Additionally, the Company may realize the benefit of certain legal claims and litigation in the future; these gain contingencies are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For a description of material pending legal proceedings, see “Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies” in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The Company is exposed to risk as it operates its businesses.  To provide a framework to understand the operating environment of the Company, we have provided a brief explanation of the more significant risks associated with our businesses in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  There have been no material changes in risk factors that were previously disclosed in our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additionally, the operating results of the Company’s unconsolidated affiliates may be adversely affected by unfavorable economic and market conditions.

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Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company’s Board of Directors has extended, until July 2022, the authorization to repurchase up to 20 million shares of the Company’s common stock through open market transactions or through privately negotiated transactions.  The Company may cancel, suspend, or extend the time period for the repurchase of shares at any time.  Any repurchases will be funded primarily through existing cash and cash from operations.  The Company may hold any shares repurchased in treasury or use a portion of the repurchased shares for its stock-based compensation plans, as well as for other corporate purposes.  From its initial authorization in 1999 through March 26, 2022, the Company had repurchased approximately 6.6 million shares under this authorization.  Below is a summary of the Company’s stock repurchases for the period ended March 26, 2022.

						(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased (1)						(b) Average Price Paid per Share						(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs						(d) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
December 26, 2021 - January 22, 2022						—						$	—					—						13,478,744
January 23, 2022 - February 19, 2022						1,599						$	57.97					—						13,478,744
February 20, 2022 - March 26, 2022						86,097						$	55.34					72,273						13,406,471
Total						87,696												72,273

(1) Includes shares tendered to the Company by holders of stock-based awards in payment of the purchase price and/or withholding taxes upon exercise and/or vesting.

(2) Shares available to be purchased under the Company’s 20 million share repurchase authorization until July 2022. The extension of the authorization was announced on October 20, 2021.

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Item 6.  Exhibits

31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
32.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.CAL			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.INS			Inline XBRL Instance Document
101.LAB			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE			Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.SCH			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in exhibit 101)

Items 3, 4, and 5 are not applicable and have been omitted.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

			MUELLER INDUSTRIES, INC.
			/s/ Jeffrey A. Martin
			Jeffrey A. Martin
April 20, 2022			Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Date			(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
			/s/ Anthony J. Steinriede
April 20, 2022			Anthony J. Steinriede
Date			Vice President – Corporate Controller

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