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PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS CO - Quarter Report: 2018 March (Form 10-Q)

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

Commission file number: 0-31164

 

Preformed Line Products Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Ohio

 

34-0676895

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

660 Beta Drive

Mayfield Village, Ohio

 

44143

(Address of Principal Executive Office)

 

(Zip Code)

(440) 461-5200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes      No  

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

  

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

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 common shares outstanding as of May 1, 2018: 5,048,758.

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

Part I - Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

Part II - Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

29

 

2


 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

(Thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

45,488

 

 

$

44,358

 

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $3,302 ($3,325 in 2017)

 

 

77,421

 

 

 

73,972

 

Inventories - net

 

 

83,342

 

 

 

77,886

 

Prepaids

 

 

5,274

 

 

 

3,434

 

Prepaid taxes

 

 

3,658

 

 

 

5,266

 

Other current assets

 

 

2,592

 

 

 

2,214

 

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

 

 

217,775

 

 

 

207,130

 

Property, plant and equipment - net

 

 

109,836

 

 

 

108,598

 

Intangibles - net

 

 

9,818

 

 

 

10,020

 

Goodwill

 

 

16,622

 

 

 

16,544

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

7,908

 

 

 

7,774

 

Other assets

 

 

14,002

 

 

 

9,719

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

375,961

 

 

$

359,785

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

$

27,653

 

 

$

25,141

 

Notes payable to banks

 

 

1,835

 

 

 

864

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

1,448

 

 

 

1,448

 

Accrued compensation and amounts withheld from employees

 

 

11,653

 

 

 

11,461

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

13,329

 

 

 

14,686

 

Accrued profit-sharing and other benefits

 

 

2,718

 

 

 

6,284

 

Dividends payable

 

 

1,058

 

 

 

1,046

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

1,898

 

 

 

1,903

 

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

 

61,592

 

 

 

62,833

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

43,793

 

 

 

34,598

 

Unfunded pension obligation

 

 

10,583

 

 

 

10,664

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

2,046

 

 

 

2,090

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

10,926

 

 

 

11,063

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares - $2 par value per share, 15,000,000 shares authorized, 5,048,758 and

   5,038,207 issued and outstanding, at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017,

   respectively

 

 

12,635

 

 

 

12,593

 

Common shares issued to rabbi trust, 289,138 and 289,026 shares at March 31, 2018

   and December 31, 2017, respectively

 

 

(11,849

)

 

 

(11,834

)

Deferred compensation liability

 

 

11,849

 

 

 

11,834

 

Paid-in capital

 

 

30,576

 

 

 

29,734

 

Retained earnings

 

 

316,275

 

 

 

311,765

 

Treasury shares, at cost, 1,268,976 and 1,258,069 shares at March 31, 2018 and

   December 31, 2017, respectively

 

 

(68,948

)

 

 

(68,115

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(43,517

)

 

 

(47,440

)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

247,021

 

 

 

238,537

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

$

375,961

 

 

$

359,785

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

3


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

98,139

 

 

$

84,569

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

66,621

 

 

 

59,904

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

31,518

 

 

 

24,665

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling

 

 

8,861

 

 

 

8,284

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,916

 

 

 

10,329

 

Research and engineering

 

 

3,661

 

 

 

3,690

 

Other operating expense - net

 

 

335

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

 

23,773

 

 

 

22,407

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

 

7,745

 

 

 

2,258

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

95

 

 

 

104

 

Interest expense

 

 

(280

)

 

 

(299

)

Other income - net

 

 

69

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(140

)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

7,629

 

 

 

2,118

 

Income taxes

 

 

2,101

 

 

 

600

 

NET INCOME

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.10

 

 

$

0.30

 

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

0.30

 

Cash dividends declared per share

 

$

0.20

 

 

$

0.20

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - basic

 

 

5,046

 

 

 

5,118

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

5,064

 

 

 

5,130

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

4


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

3,831

 

 

 

5,472

 

Recognized net actuarial gain (net of tax provision of $30 and

   $44 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.)

 

 

91

 

 

 

72

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

3,922

 

 

 

5,544

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

9,450

 

 

$

7,062

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

5


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

3,265

 

 

 

2,972

 

Provision for accounts receivable allowances

 

 

201

 

 

 

287

 

Provision for inventory reserves

 

 

869

 

 

 

457

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(154

)

 

 

(289

)

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

731

 

 

 

561

 

Gain on sale of property and equipment

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(7

)

Other - net

 

 

183

 

 

 

193

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(2,635

)

 

 

(6,144

)

Inventories

 

 

(4,818

)

 

 

(1,517

)

Trade accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

(3,112

)

 

 

(210

)

Income taxes - net

 

 

1,733

 

 

 

1,997

 

Other - net

 

 

(2,787

)

 

 

(1,387

)

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(1,027

)

 

 

(1,569

)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(2,699

)

 

 

(2,217

)

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

 

 

0

 

 

 

17

 

Purchase of marketable securities

 

 

(4,308

)

 

 

0

 

Fixed-term deposits

 

0

 

 

 

2,469

 

NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

(7,007

)

 

 

269

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in notes payable to banks

 

 

936

 

 

 

(695

)

Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt

 

 

20,303

 

 

 

15,463

 

Payments of long-term debt

 

 

(11,112

)

 

 

(13,155

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(1,008

)

 

 

(1,037

)

Purchase of common shares for treasury

 

 

(110

)

 

 

0

 

Purchase of common shares for treasury from related parties

 

 

(723

)

 

 

(107

)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

8,286

 

 

 

469

 

Effects of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

939

 

 

 

1,046

 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

1,191

 

 

 

215

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year(1)

 

 

45,579

 

 

 

32,540

 

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH AT END OF

     PERIOD(1)

 

$

46,770

 

 

$

32,755

 

(1)

Includes restricted cash of $1.3 million at March 31, 2018 and $1.2 million at December 31, 2017.  For further information regarding restricted cash, refer to Note O, “Debt Arrangements.”

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

 

6


 

PREFORMED LINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(In thousands, except share and per share data, unless specifically noted)

NOTE A – BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “PLPC”) have been prepared in accordance with United States of America (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.

The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements contain all estimates and adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, required to fairly present the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the interim periods. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full-year ending December 31, 2018.

The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

NOTE B – REVENUE

Revenue recognition

 

Net sales include products and shipping and handling charges, net of estimates for product returns. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring products. All revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies the performance obligations under the contract and control of the product is transferred to the customer, primarily based on shipping terms. Revenue for shipping and handling charges are recognized at the time the products are shipped to, delivered to or picked up by the customer. The Company estimates product returns based on historical return rates.

 

Disaggregated revenue

 

The Company’s revenues by segment and product type are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

Product Type

 

PLP-USA

 

 

The Americas

 

 

EMEA

 

Asia-Pacific

 

Consolidated

 

 

Formed wire and hardware related products

 

 

22,137

 

 

 

14,989

 

 

 

11,282

 

 

17,602

 

$

66,010

 

 

Protective closures

 

 

11,697

 

 

 

3,539

 

 

 

1,158

 

 

1,219

 

 

17,613

 

 

Plastic products

 

 

2,196

 

 

 

397

 

 

 

605

 

 

544

 

 

3,742

 

 

Other products

 

 

3,413

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

2,036

 

 

4,704

 

 

10,774

 

 

Total

 

$

39,443

 

 

$

19,546

 

 

$

15,081

 

$

24,069

 

$

98,139

 

 

 

7


 

NOTE C – OTHER FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION

Inventories – net

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

Raw materials

 

$

42,503

 

 

$

42,712

 

Work-in-process

 

 

11,111

 

 

 

9,609

 

Finished Goods

 

 

37,966

 

 

 

33,780

 

 

 

 

91,580

 

 

 

86,101

 

Excess of current cost over LIFO cost

 

 

(3,228

)

 

 

(2,991

)

Noncurrent portion of inventory

 

 

(5,010

)

 

 

(5,224

)

 

 

$

83,342

 

 

$

77,886

 

 

Cost of inventories for certain material is determined using the last-in-first-out (LIFO) method and totaled approximately $24.3 million at March 31, 2018 and $25.1 million at December 31, 2017.  An actual valuation of inventories under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of the year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on management’s estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Because these estimates are subject to change and may be different than the actual inventory levels and costs at the end of the year, interim results are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the net change in LIFO inventories resulted in $.2 million and $.1 million of expense to Income before income taxes, respectively.

Noncurrent inventory is included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Property, plant and equipment—net

Major classes of Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and were as follows:

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

Land and improvements

 

$

13,352

 

 

$

13,141

 

Buildings and improvements

 

 

76,823

 

 

 

75,941

 

Machinery, equipment and aircraft

 

 

172,213

 

 

 

166,999

 

Construction in progress

 

 

4,354

 

 

 

5,124

 

 

 

 

266,742

 

 

 

261,205

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(156,906

)

 

 

(152,607

)

 

 

$

109,836

 

 

$

108,598

 

 

Legal proceedings

In the course of business, the Company is subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits, including, but not limited to, litigation relating to employment, workers’ compensation, products liability, environmental and intellectual property.  The ultimate outcomes of these matters are not predictable with certainty.  The Company has liability insurance to cover many of these claims.  

The Company and its subsidiaries Helix Uniformed Ltd. (“Helix”) and Preformed Line Products (Canada) Limited (“PLPC Canada”), were each named, jointly and severally, with each of SNC-Lavalin ATP, Inc. (“SNC ATP”), HD Supply Canada Inc., by its trade names HD Supply Power Solutions and HD Supply Utilities (“HD Supply”), and Anixter Power Solutions Canada Inc. (the corporate successor to HD Supply, “Anixter” and, together with the Company, PLPC Canada, Helix, SNC ATP and HD Supply, the “Defendants”) in a complaint filed by Altalink, L.P. (the “Plaintiff”) in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Alberta, Canada in November 2016 (the “Complaint”).

The Complaint states that Plaintiff engaged SNC ATP to design, engineer, procure and construct numerous power distribution and transmission facilities in Alberta (the “Projects”) and that through SNC ATP and HD Supply (now Anixter), spacer dampers manufactured by Helix were procured and installed in the Projects.  The Complaint alleges that the spacer dampers have and may continue to become loose, open and detach from the conductors, resulting in damage and potential injury and a failure to perform the intended function of providing spacing and damping to the Project.  The Plaintiffs are seeking an estimated $56.0 million in damages jointly and severally from the Defendants, representing the costs of monitoring and replacing the spacer dampers and remediating property damage, due to alleged defects in the design and construction of, and supply of materials for, the Projects by SNC ATP and HD Supply/Anixter and in the design of the spacer dampers by Helix.  

8


 

The Company believes the claims against it are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such claims. However, the Company is unable to predict the outcome of this case and, if determined adversely to the Company, it could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.

The Company is not a party to any other pending legal proceedings that the Company believes would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE D – PENSION PLANS

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the Preformed Line Products Company Employees’ Retirement Plan (the “Plan”).  Net periodic pension cost for this plan included the following components:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Service cost

 

$

84

 

 

$

56

 

Interest cost

 

 

333

 

 

 

365

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(496

)

 

 

(475

)

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

 

121

 

 

 

116

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

42

 

 

$

62

 

 

No contributions were made to the Plan during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The Company anticipates contributing $.5 million of additional funding to the Plan during the second quarter of 2018.

NOTE E – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (“AOCI”)

The following tables set forth the total changes in AOCI by component, net of tax:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

 

 

 

Defined benefit

pension plan

activity

 

 

Currency

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Total

 

 

Defined benefit

pension plan

activity

 

 

Currency

Translation

Adjustment

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1

 

$

(6,014

)

 

$

(41,425

)

 

$

(47,439

)

 

$

(5,874

)

 

$

(51,495

)

 

$

(57,369

)

Other comprehensive income before

   reclassifications:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

0

 

 

 

3,831

 

 

 

3,831

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

5,472

 

 

 

5,472

 

Amounts reclassified from AOCI:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial

   gain (a)

 

 

91

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

72

 

Net current period other comprehensive income

 

 

91

 

 

 

3,831

 

 

 

3,922

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

5,472

 

 

 

5,544

 

Balance at March 31

 

$

(5,923

)

 

$

(37,594

)

 

$

(43,517

)

 

$

(5,802

)

 

$

(46,023

)

 

$

(51,825

)

 

(a)

This AOCI component is included in the computation of net periodic pension costs.

NOTE F – COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share were computed by dividing Net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share were calculated by dividing Net income by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive common stock that was outstanding during the periods presented.

9


 

The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Determination of shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

5,046

 

 

 

5,118

 

Dilutive effect - share-based awards

 

 

18

 

 

 

12

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

5,064

 

 

 

5,130

 

Earnings per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.10

 

 

$

0.30

 

Diluted

 

$

1.09

 

 

$

0.30

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, 12,000 and 33,350 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.  

 

NOTE G – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES

The Company’s finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

Gross Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Gross Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

Finite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patents

 

$

4,806

 

 

$

(4,802

)

 

$

4,806

 

 

$

(4,791

)

Land use rights

 

 

1,246

 

 

 

(203

)

 

 

1,199

 

 

 

(201

)

Trademarks

 

 

1,778

 

 

 

(1,205

)

 

 

1,770

 

 

 

(1,166

)

Technology

 

 

3,174

 

 

 

(1,270

)

 

 

3,149

 

 

 

(1,215

)

Customer relationships

 

 

12,371

 

 

 

(6,077

)

 

 

12,350

 

 

 

(5,881

)

 

 

$

23,375

 

 

$

(13,557

)

 

$

23,274

 

 

$

(13,254

)

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$

16,622

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

16,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate amortization expense for other intangibles with finite lives for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $.3 million.  Amortization expense is estimated to be $.8 million for the remaining period of 2018, $1.0 million for 2019 and $.9 million for 2020, 2021 and 2022. The weighted-average remaining amortization period is approximately 16.8 years. The weighted-average remaining amortization period by intangible asset class is as follows: patents, 7.8 years; land use rights, 58.6 years; trademarks, 9.0 years; technology, 13.6 years; and customer relationships, 12.1 years.

The Company’s measurement date for its annual impairment test for goodwill is October 1st of each year. The Company performs its annual impairment test for goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology, market comparables, and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. The Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill has been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly different. However, the Company believes that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units.  The Company’s valuation method uses Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.

The Company’s only intangible asset with an indefinite life is goodwill. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are as follows:

 

 

 

USA

 

 

The Americas

 

 

EMEA

 

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

Total

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

 

$

3,078

 

 

$

4,292

 

 

$

1,495

 

 

$

7,679

 

 

$

16,544

 

Currency translation

 

 

0

 

 

 

(79

)

 

 

67

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

78

 

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

$

3,078

 

 

$

4,213

 

 

$

1,562

 

 

$

7,769

 

 

$

16,622

 

 

10


 

NOTE H – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The 1999 Stock Option Plan

Activity in the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

per Share

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term (Years)

 

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value (000's)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2018

 

 

750

 

 

$

39.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding (exercisable and vested) at March 31, 2018

 

 

750

 

 

$

39.10

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

$

19

 

 

There were no stock options exercised during either of the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017.

As all stock options from the 1999 Stock Option Plan are fully vested, the Company recorded no compensation expense related to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.  

Long Term Incentive Plan of 2008 and 2016 Incentive Plan

The Company maintains an equity award program to give the Company a competitive advantage in attracting, retaining, and motivating officers, employees and directors and to provide an incentive to those individuals to increase shareholder value through long-term incentives directly linked to the Company’s performance. Under the Preformed Line Products Company Long Term Incentive Plan of 2008 (the “LTIP”), certain employees, officers, and directors were eligible to receive awards of options, restricted shares and restricted share units (RSUs). The total number of Company common shares reserved for awards under the LTIP was 900,000, of which 800,000 common shares were reserved for RSUs and 100,000 common shares have been reserved for share options. The LTIP was terminated and replaced with the Preformed Line Products Company 2016 Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) in May 2016 upon approval by the Company’s Shareholders at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 10, 2016. No further awards will be made under the LTIP and previously granted awards remain outstanding in accordance with their terms. Under the Incentive Plan, certain employees, officers, and directors will be eligible to receive awards of options, restricted shares and RSUs. The total number of Company common shares reserved for awards under the Incentive Plan is 1,000,000 of which 900,000 common shares have been reserved for restricted share awards and 100,000 common shares have been reserved for share options.  The Incentive Plan expires on May 10, 2026.

Restricted Share Units

For the regular annual grants, a portion of the RSUs is subject to time-based cliff vesting and a portion is subject to vesting based upon the Company’s performance over a set period for all participants except the CEO. All of the CEO’s regular annual RSUs are subject to vesting based upon the Company’s performance over a set-year period.

The RSUs are offered at no cost to the employees. The fair value of RSUs is based on the market price of a common share on the grant date and the shares are restricted until they vest.  Dividends declared are accrued in cash.

A summary of the RSUs outstanding under the LTIP for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is as follows:

 

 

 

Restricted Share Units

 

 

 

Performance

and Service

Required (1)

 

 

Service

Required

 

 

Total

Restricted

Share

Units

 

 

Weighted-Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

Nonvested as of January 1, 2018

 

 

200,572

 

 

 

18,214

 

 

 

218,786

 

 

$

52.68

 

Granted

 

 

63,122

 

 

 

8,155

 

 

 

71,277

 

 

 

73.86

 

Vested

 

 

(19,277

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(19,277

)

 

 

45.85

 

Forfeited

 

 

(30,793

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(30,793

)

 

 

45.85

 

Nonvested as of March 31, 2018

 

 

213,624

 

 

 

26,369

 

 

 

239,993

 

 

$

53.89

 

 

(1)

Nonvested performance-based RSUs are reflected above at the maximum performance achievement level.

11


 

 

For time-based RSUs, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award in General and administrative expense in the accompanying Statements of Consolidated Income. Compensation expense related to the time-based RSUs for both three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $.1 million.  As of March 31, 2018, there was $1.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to time-based RSUs that is expected to be recognized over the weighted-average remaining period of approximately 2.3 years.

For the performance-based RSUs, the number of RSUs in which the participants will vest depends on the Company’s level of performance measured by growth in either operating or pre-tax income and sales growth over a requisite performance period.  Depending on the extent to which the performance criterions are satisfied under the LTIP and the Incentive Plan, the participants are eligible to earn common shares over the vesting period.  RSU’s forfeited in 2018 are those from the 2015 grants for which pre-tax income and sales growth performance were not achieved.  Performance-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $.7 million and $.4 million, respectively.  As of March 31, 2018, the remaining compensation expense of $5.4 million for outstanding performance-based RSU’s is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 2.1 years.

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the LTIP and the Incentive Plan), vesting of the RSUs will be accelerated and all restrictions will lapse. Unvested performance-based awards will vest on a target potential payout.

To satisfy the vesting of its RSU awards, the Company has reserved new shares from its authorized but unissued shares. Any additional awards granted will also be issued from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares.

Share Option Awards

The LTIP permitted and now the Incentive Plan permits the grant of 100,000 options to buy common shares of the Company to certain employees at not less than fair market value of the shares on the date of grant.  Options issued to date under the LTIP and the Incentive Plan vest 50% after one year following the date of the grant, 75% after two years, and 100% after three years, and expire from five to ten years from the date of grant. Shares issued as a result of stock option exercises will be funded with the issuance of new shares.

The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating fair values of options. The Black-Scholes model requires assumptions regarding the volatility of the Company’s stock, the expected life of the stock award and the Company’s dividend yield. The Company utilizes historical data in determining these assumptions. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. zero coupon Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant.

There were no options granted for either of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

Stock option activity under the Company’s LTIP for three months ended March 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

 

 

Number of

Shares

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise Price

per Share

 

 

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term (Years)

 

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value (000's)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2018

 

 

29,250

 

 

$

56.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding (vested and expected to vest) at March 31, 2018

 

 

29,250

 

 

$

56.84

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

$

320

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2018

 

 

21,625

 

 

$

60.69

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

$

174

 

 

There were no stock options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2018 or 2017, respectively.    

For both three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded compensation expense related to the stock options currently vested of less than $.1 million.  The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized at March 31, 2018 is expected to be less than $.1 million over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.7 years.

12


 

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company maintains a trust, commonly referred to as a rabbi trust, in connection with the Company’s deferred compensation plan. This plan allows for two deferrals. First, Directors make elective deferrals of Director fees payable and held in the rabbi trust. The deferred compensation plan allows the Directors to elect to receive Director fees in common shares of the Company at a later date instead of fees paid each quarter in cash. Second, this plan allows certain Company employees to defer restricted shares or RSUs for future distribution in the form of common shares. Assets of the rabbi trust are consolidated, and the value of the Company’s common shares held in the rabbi trust is classified in Shareholders’ equity and generally accounted for in a manner similar to treasury stock. The Company recognizes the original amount of the deferred compensation (fair value of the deferred stock award at the date of grant) as the basis for recognition in common shares issued to the rabbi trust. Changes in the fair value of amounts owed to certain employees or Directors are not recognized as the Company’s deferred compensation plan does not permit diversification and must be settled by the delivery of a fixed number of the Company’s common shares. As of March 31, 2018, 289,138 shares have been deferred and are being held in the rabbi trust.

NOTE I – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company measures and records certain assets and liabilities at fair value. A fair value hierarchy is used for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data, (observable inputs), and the Company’s assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

Level 1

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2

Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable, which may include:

 

o

Quoted prices for similar assets in active markets;

 

o

Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;

 

o

Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

 

o

Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

Level 3

Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company which reflect those that a market participant would use.  

The following table summarizes the Company’s assets and liabilities, recorded and measured at fair value, in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 (there were no financial instruments measured at fair value at December 31, 2017):

 

Description

 

Balance as of

March 31, 2018

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

$

4,308

 

 

$

4,308

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

Total Assets

 

$

4,308

 

 

$

4,308

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental profit sharing plan

 

 

4,266

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

4,266

 

 

 

0

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

4,266

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

4,266

 

 

$

0

 

During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company invested $4.3 million in marketable securities, principally equity-based mutual funds, to mitigate the risk associated with the investment returns on the Company’s Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan discussed below.  These marketable securities are comprised of available-for-sale securities and are reported at fair value within Other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018.  Changes in the fair value of the securities are recognized within Other income, net within the consolidated statements of income, and were not material for the period ended March 31, 2018.

The Company has a non-qualified Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan for its executives. The liability for this unfunded Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan was $4.7 million and $4.8 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, and is recorded within Other noncurrent liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. During January 2018, the Company amended the Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan to allow the participants the ability to hypothetically invest their proportionate award into various investment options, which primarily includes mutual funds. The company then credits earnings, gains and losses to the participants’ deferred compensation account balances based on the investments selected by the participants. The Company measures the fair value of the Supplemental Profit Sharing Plan liability using the market values of the participants’ underlying investment accounts.

13


 

NOTE J – RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In March 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-05, “Income Taxes (Topic 740), Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.” The ASU adds various Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) paragraphs pursuant to the issuance of the December 2017 SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“SAB 118”), which was effective immediately. The SEC issued SAB 118 to address concerns about reporting entities’ ability to timely comply with the accounting requirements to recognize all of the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“the Tax Act”) in the period of enactment. SAB 118 allows disclosure that timely determination of some or all of the income tax effects from the Tax Act are incomplete by the due date of the financial statements and, if possible, to provide a reasonable estimate. The Company has accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Act under the guidance of SAB 118 on a provisional basis.  The Company’s accounting for certain income tax effects is incomplete, but reasonable estimates for those effects have been determined and provisional amounts were recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  For additional details regarding SAB 118, refer to Note M “Income Taxes.”

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost,” which requires that an employer report the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented.  The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 as of January 1, 2018.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.”  The amendments in this Update require that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents.  The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 as of January 1, 2018 using a retrospective transition method to each period presented.  Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash balance on the Company’s consolidated cash flow includes $1.3 million and $1.2 million of restricted cash as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.  Restricted cash is included in Other assets on the Company’s balance sheet in each period presented.  The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Refer to Note O “Debt Arrangements” for additional details regarding the Company’s restricted cash.  

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.”  ASU 2016-16 modifies the recognition of income tax expense resulting from intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory.  Pursuant to this amendment, entities should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs.  This amendment eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of assets other than inventory.  The Company adopted ASU 2016-16 as of January 1, 2018 with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, which changes how companies recognize, measure, present and make disclosures about certain financial assets and financial liabilities. Under this guidance, entities have to measure certain equity investments, including available-for-sale securities, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. ASU 2016-01 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after 15 December 2017, and interim periods therein. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018.  As discussed in Note I, the Company purchased $4.3 million of available-for-sale marketable securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The Company recognized less than $0.1 million of gains related to the change in the fair value of the marketable securities within Other income, net on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Refer to Note I “Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities” for additional details regarding the Company’s marketable securities.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” or ASU 2014-09.  ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue in a matter that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve that core principle, the amendment provides five steps that an entity should apply when recognizing revenue.  The amendment also specifies the accounting of some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and expands the disclosure requirements around contracts with customers.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date of the amendment to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods therein.  

14


 

The Company developed and executed on an implementation plan in order to adopt the new guidance on January 1, 2018.  The Company established a cross-functional implementation team to analyze the impact of the standard on revenue contracts, which included scoping its revenue streams and reviewing contracts in order to compare historical accounting policies and practices to the new revenue standards. In addition, the Company implemented changes to processes and controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method applied to contracts that were not yet completed at that date.  Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be presented based on the Company’s historic accounting policy.  The cumulative impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.  Further, the Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to be material to its consolidated financial statements on an ongoing basis. Refer to Note B “Revenue” for additional details regarding the Company’s revenue recognition policy.  

NOTE K – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement (Topic 220), Reporting Comprehensive Income: Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” The FASB issued the update to provide amended guidance to allow a reclassification from Accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act.  Additionally, under the new guidance an entity will be required to provide certain disclosures regarding stranded tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years, and the guidance may be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal income tax rate in the Tax Act is recognized. Early adoption is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the effect, if any, that the ASU will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).”  The amendments in this Update require the recognition of assets and liabilities arising from lease transactions on the balance sheet and the disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements.  Accordingly, a lessee will recognize a lease asset for its right to use the underlying asset and a lease liability for the corresponding lease obligation. Both the asset and liability will initially be measured at the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. Subsequent measurement, including the presentation of expenses and cash flows, will depend on the classification of the lease as either a finance or an operating lease.  Initial costs directly attributable to negotiating and arranging the lease will be included in the asset. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee can make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset to not recognize an asset and corresponding liability. Lessees will also be required to provide additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures regarding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures are intended to supplement the amounts recorded in the financial statements and provide additional information about the nature of an organization’s leasing activities.  The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  The Company is currently evaluating what impact its adoption will have to the presentation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

15


 

NOTE L – SEGMENT INFORMATION

The following tables present a summary of the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. Financial results for the PLP-USA segment include the elimination of all segments’ intercompany profit in inventory.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

39,443

 

 

$

34,861

 

The Americas

 

 

19,546

 

 

 

16,570

 

EMEA

 

 

15,081

 

 

 

13,852

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

24,069

 

 

 

19,286

 

Total net sales

 

$

98,139

 

 

$

84,569

 

Intersegment sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

2,183

 

 

$

3,007

 

The Americas

 

 

1,968

 

 

 

1,241

 

EMEA

 

 

334

 

 

 

315

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

1,710

 

 

 

2,051

 

Total intersegment sales

 

$

6,195

 

 

$

6,614

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

374

 

 

$

(422

)

The Americas

 

 

1,388

 

 

 

711

 

EMEA

 

 

237

 

 

 

203

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

102

 

 

 

108

 

Total income taxes

 

$

2,101

 

 

$

600

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

1,714

 

 

$

(632

)

The Americas

 

 

3,143

 

 

 

1,785

 

EMEA

 

 

363

 

 

 

619

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

308

 

 

 

(254

)

Total net income

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

123,131

 

 

$

116,484

 

The Americas

 

 

73,182

 

 

 

70,720

 

EMEA

 

 

66,427

 

 

 

62,524

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

113,221

 

 

 

110,057

 

Total identifiable assets

 

$

375,961

 

 

$

359,785

 

 

NOTE M – INCOME TAXES

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).  The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code including but not limited to (1) requiring a one-time transition tax (“Transition Tax”) on certain unrepatriated earnings at December 31, 2017 of foreign subsidiaries that is payable over eight years; (2) reduction of the U.S. federal statutory rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018; (3) the creation of the base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT), a new minimum tax; (4) a general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (5) a new provision, Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), which ends deferral of taxation on a significant portion of foreign earnings; (6) a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (7) the repeal of the domestic production activity deduction; (8) more restrictive limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation; (9) a deduction for Foreign Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”), an incentive for the development of intangibles in the U.S.; and (9) additional limitations on the use of foreign tax credits to reduce the U.S. income tax liability.

ASC 740, Income taxes, requires a company to record the effects of a tax law change in the period of enactment. The SEC staff issued Standard Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act.  SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the

16


 

Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete.  To the extent that a company’s accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but it is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must record a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements. If a company cannot determine a provisional estimate to be included in the financial statements, it should continue to apply ASC 740 on the basis of the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.  

As a result of the application of SAB 118, the Company recorded provisional amounts related to the reduction of its deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the tax rate reduction from 35% to 21% and for the Transition Tax at December 31, 2017.  The Company has not made any material changes to these provisional amounts during the period ending March 31, 2018.  However, the Company is continuing to gather additional information to more precisely compute the impact of these law changes.

The Company’s effective tax rate was 28% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  The higher effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% was primarily due to increased earnings in jurisdictions with higher tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate, an increase in U.S. permanent items primarily  related to the Tax Act including GILTI, the repeal of the domestic production activity deduction, limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, limitations on the use of foreign tax credits to reduce the U.S. income tax liability, partially offset by the FDII deduction. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate for the same period in 2018 of 35% was primarily due to an increase in earnings in jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate where such earnings are permanently reinvested.  

The Company provides valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized.  No significant changes to the valuation allowances were reflected for the period ended March 31, 2018.

During the period ended March 31, 2018, the Company did not record any unrecognized tax benefits and as of March 31, 2018, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits.  The Company does not anticipate any significant changes to its gross unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

Prior to the Tax Act, the Company considered the majority of the earnings in its non-U.S. subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, did not record any associated deferred income taxes on such earnings.  Since the Tax Act includes the Transition Tax, these previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest most or all of these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, for an indefinite period of time, outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts.

NOTE N – PRODUCT WARRANTY RESERVE

The Company records an accrual for estimated warranty costs to Costs of products sold in the Statements of Consolidated Income. These amounts are recorded in Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company records and accounts for its warranty reserve based on specific claim incidents. Should the Company become aware of a specific potential warranty claim for which liability is probable and reasonably estimable, a specific charge is recorded and accounted for accordingly. Adjustments are made quarterly to the accruals as claim information changes.

The following is a rollforward of the product warranty reserve:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Beginning of period balance

 

$

1,076

 

 

$

1,058

 

Additions charged to income

 

 

8

 

 

 

27

 

Warranty usage

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(103

)

Currency translation

 

 

4

 

 

 

31

 

End of period balance

 

$

1,072

 

 

$

1,013

 

 

17


 

NOTE O – DEBT ARRANGEMENTS

On March 13, 2018, the Company extended the term on its $65 million credit facility from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2021.  All other terms remain the same, including the interest rate at LIBOR plus 1.125% unless its funded debt to Earnings before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation ratio exceeds 2.25 to 1, then the LIBOR spread becomes 1.500%.  In the first quarter of 2018, the Company’s Polish subsidiary borrowed $1.0 million U.S. dollars at a rate of 1.125% plus the Warsaw Interbank Offer Rate with a term expiring June 30, 2021.  At March 31, 2018, the interest rates on the U.S. and Polish line of credit agreement were 3.008% and 2.765%, respectively.  Under the credit facility, at March 31, 2018, the Company had utilized $32.9 million with $32.1 million available under the line of credit, net of long-term outstanding letters of credit.  The line of credit agreement contains, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining levels of net worth and profitability.  At March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.  

On March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s Asia Pacific segment had $1.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively, in restricted cash used to secure bank debt.  The restricted cash is shown on the balance sheet in Other assets.  

NOTE P – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On February 6, 2018, the Company purchased 7,877 shares of the Company from current Officers and a retired Officer at a price per share of $80.20, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price in connection with the vesting of equity awards.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.  

On March 15, 2018, the Company purchased 1,430 shares of the Company from a current Officer at a price per share of $63.63, which was calculated from a 30-day average of market price in connection with the vesting of equity awards.  The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors approved this transaction.   

18


 

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to help the readers of our consolidated financial statements better understand our results of operations, financial condition and present business environment. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

The MD&A is organized as follows:

 

Overview

 

Preface

 

Results of Operations

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Working Capital, Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

 

New Accounting Standards to be Adopted

OVERVIEW

Preformed Line Products Company (the “Company”, “PLPC”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) was incorporated in Ohio in 1947.  We are an international designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, information (data communication), and other similar industries. Our primary products support, protect, connect, terminate, and secure cables and wires. We also provide solar hardware systems, mounting hardware for a variety of solar power applications, and fiber optic and copper splice closures. PLPC is respected around the world for quality, dependability and market-leading customer service. Our goal is to continue to achieve profitable growth as a leader in the research, innovation, development, manufacture, and marketing of technically advanced products and services related to energy, communications and cable systems and to take advantage of this leadership position to sell additional quality products in familiar markets. We have 27 sales and manufacturing operations in 18 different countries.

We report our segments in four geographic regions: PLP-USA (including corporate), The Americas (includes operations in North and South America without PLP-USA), EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) and Asia-Pacific in accordance with accounting standards codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 280, Segment Reporting. Each segment distributes a full range of our primary products. Our PLP-USA segment is comprised of our U.S. operations manufacturing our traditional products primarily supporting our domestic energy, telecommunications and solar products. Our other three segments, The Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific, support our energy, telecommunications, data communication and solar products in each respective geographical region.

The segment managers responsible for each region report directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker, and are accountable for the financial results and performance of their entire segment for which they are responsible. The business components within each segment are managed to maximize the results of the entire operating segment and Company rather than the results of any individual business component of the segment.

We evaluate segment performance and allocate resources based on several factors primarily based on sales and net income.

PREFACE

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Our discussions of the financial results include non-GAAP measures (e.g., foreign currency impact) to provide additional information concerning our financial results and provide information that we believe is useful to the readers of our consolidated financial statements in the assessment of our performance and operating trends.

19


 

Our consolidated financial statements are subject to fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. As foreign currencies strengthen against the U.S. dollar, our sales and costs increase as the foreign currency-denominated financial statements translate into more U.S. dollars.  In total, foreign currencies strengthened against the U.S. dollar in the first quarter of 2018.  The fluctuations of foreign currencies during the three months ended March 31, 2018 had a $2.7 million favorable effect on sales compared to the same period in 2017.  On a reportable segment basis, the impact of foreign currency on net sales and net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation Impact

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

Net Sales

 

 

Net Income

 

The Americas

 

$

(304

)

 

$

84

 

EMEA

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

20

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

1,084

 

 

 

43

 

Total

 

$

2,707

 

 

$

147

 

 

The operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are compared to the same period in 2017. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $98.1 million increased $13.6 million, or 16%, compared to 2017.  As a percentage of net sales, gross profit increased to 32.1% in 2018 from 29.2% in 2017.  Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $31.5 million increased $6.9 million, or 27.8%, compared to 2017.  Gross profit increased $6.2 million, or 25.2%, compared to 2017, excluding the favorable impact from currency translation.  Costs and expenses of $23.8 million increased $1.4 million compared to 2017, including an unfavorable impact from currency translation of $.7 million.  Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $7.7 million, an increase of $5.5 million compared to 2017. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $5.5 million increased $4.0 million compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017.  The effect of currency translation had immaterial favorable impacts on both operating income and net income of $.1 million.

The following table reflects the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Translation Impact

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Operating income

 

$

7,745

 

 

$

2,258

 

Translation gain

 

 

(47

)

 

 

0

 

Transaction gain

 

 

(64

)

 

 

(185

)

Operating income excluding currency impact

 

$

7,634

 

 

$

2,073

 

 

Despite the constant changes in the current global economy, we believe our business fundamentals and our financial position are sound and that we are strategically well-positioned. We remain focused on assessing our business structure, global facilities and overall capacity in conjunction with the requirements of local manufacturing in the markets that we serve. If necessary, we will modify redundant processes and utilize our global manufacturing network to manage costs, increase sales volumes and deliver value to our customers. We have continued to invest in the business to improve efficiency, develop new products, increase our capacity and become an even stronger supplier to our customers. We currently have a bank debt to equity ratio of 19.1% and can borrow needed funds at a competitive interest rate under our credit facility.

20


 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2017

The following table sets forth a summary of the Company’s Statements of Consolidated Income and the percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017. The Company’s past operating results are not necessarily indicative of future operating results.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Change

 

Net sales

 

$

98,139

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

84,569

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

13,570

 

Cost of products sold

 

 

66,621

 

 

 

67.9

 

 

 

59,904

 

 

 

70.8

 

 

 

6,717

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

 

31,518

 

 

 

32.1

 

 

 

24,665

 

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

6,853

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

23,773

 

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

22,407

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

1,366

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

 

7,745

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

2,258

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

5,487

 

Other expense - net

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(140

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

24

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

7,629

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

2,118

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

5,511

 

Income taxes

 

 

2,101

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

600

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

1,501

 

NET INCOME

 

$

5,528

 

 

 

5.6

%

 

$

1,518

 

 

 

1.8

%

 

$

4,010

 

 

Net sales. Net sales were $98.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $13.6 million, or 16%, from the three months ended March 31, 2017.  Excluding the favorable effect of currency translation, net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $10.9 million compared to the same period in 2017, or 13%, as summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Change

 

 

Change

Due to

Currency

Translation

 

 

Change

Excluding

Currency

Translation

 

 

%

change

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

39,443

 

 

$

34,861

 

 

$

4,582

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

4,582

 

 

 

13

%

The Americas

 

 

19,546

 

 

 

16,570

 

 

 

2,976

 

 

 

(304

)

 

 

3,280

 

 

 

20

 

EMEA

 

 

15,081

 

 

 

13,852

 

 

 

1,229

 

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

(698

)

 

 

(5

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

24,069

 

 

 

19,286

 

 

 

4,783

 

 

 

1,084

 

 

 

3,699

 

 

 

19

 

Consolidated

 

$

98,139

 

 

$

84,569

 

 

$

13,570

 

 

$

2,707

 

 

$

10,863

 

 

 

13

%

 

The increase in PLP-USA net sales of $4.6 million, or 13%, was primarily due to a volume increase in formed wire and hardware related product sales and protective closure product sales.  International net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were favorably affected by $2.7 million when local currencies were converted to U.S. dollars. The following discussion of net sales excludes the effect of currency translation.  The Americas net sales of $19.5 million increased $3.3 million, or 20%, primarily due to a volume increase in formed wire and hardware related product sales and protective closure product sales.  EMEA net sales of $15.1 million decreased $.7 million, or 5%, primarily due to a volume decrease in formed wire and hardware related product sales and protective closure product sales in the region.  In Asia-Pacific, net sales of $24.1 million increased $3.7 million, or 13%, compared to 2017 primarily due to a sales volume increase in formed wire and hardware related products.

21


 

Gross profit. Gross profit of $31.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $6.9 million, or 28%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017.  Excluding the favorable effect of currency translation, gross profit increased $6.2 million, or 25%, as summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Change

 

 

Change

Due to

Currency

Translation

 

 

Change

Excluding

Currency

Translation

 

 

%

change

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

13,486

 

 

$

9,939

 

 

$

3,547

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

3,547

 

 

 

36

%

The Americas

 

 

7,943

 

 

 

5,762

 

 

 

2,181

 

 

 

(161

)

 

 

2,342

 

 

 

41

 

EMEA

 

 

4,414

 

 

 

4,264

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

535

 

 

 

(385

)

 

 

(9

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

5,675

 

 

 

4,700

 

 

 

975

 

 

 

256

 

 

 

719

 

 

 

15

 

Consolidated

 

$

31,518

 

 

$

24,665

 

 

$

6,853

 

 

$

630

 

 

$

6,223

 

 

 

25

%

 

PLP-USA gross profit of $13.5 million increased $3.5 million compared to the same period in 2017 as a result of higher sales volume combined with a product sales mix shift to higher margin products.  International gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was favorably impacted by $.6 million when local currencies were translated to U.S. dollars. The following discussion of gross profit excludes the effects of currency translation. The Americas gross profit increase of $2.3 million was primarily the result of the sales increase of $3.3 million combined with product margin improvement in the region due to sales mix.  EMEA gross profit decreased $.4 mainly as a result of a $.7 million decrease in sales. Asia-Pacific gross profit increased $.7 million mainly as a result of a $3.7 million increase in sales in conjunction with higher volumes in the region.

Costs and expenses. Costs and expenses of $23.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $1.4 million, or 7%.  Excluding the unfavorable effect of currency translation, costs and expenses increased $.7 million, or 3%, as summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

 

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Change

 

 

Change

Due to

Currency

Translation

 

 

Change

Excluding

Currency

Translation

 

 

%

change

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

11,168

 

 

$

10,718

 

 

$

450

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

450

 

 

 

4

%

The Americas

 

 

3,469

 

 

 

3,365

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

(84

)

 

 

188

 

 

 

6

 

EMEA

 

 

3,855

 

 

 

3,480

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

499

 

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(4

)

Asia-Pacific

 

 

5,283

 

 

 

4,844

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

262

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

4

 

Consolidated

 

$

23,775

 

 

$

22,407

 

 

$

1,368

 

 

$

677

 

 

$

691

 

 

 

3

%

 

PLP-USA costs and expenses of $11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $.5 million, or 4%, compared to 2017 mainly due to $.3 million of higher personnel related expenses, which includes benefits, combined with $.1 million of higher professional fees and lower foreign currency exchange gains of $.1 million.  Foreign currency exchange gains are primarily related to translating into U.S. dollars its foreign denominated loans, trade and royalty receivables from its foreign subsidiaries at the March 31, 2018 exchange rates.  On a consolidated basis, costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were unfavorably impacted by $.7 million when local currencies were translated to U.S. dollars.  The following discussion of costs and expenses excludes the effect of currency translation. The Americas costs and expenses of $3.5 million increased $.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 primarily due to higher salary related expense of $.2 million.  EMEA costs and expenses of $3.9 million decreased $.1 million mainly due to a decrease in personnel related expenses of $.1 million.  Asia-Pacific costs and expenses of $5.3 million increased $.2 million. This increase was primarily due to increased net loss on foreign currency exchange of $.2 million.

Other income (expense). Other expense for both three-month periods ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $.1 million.

Income taxes. Income taxes for the three months ending March 31, 2018 and 2017 were $2.1 million and $.6 million, respectively, based on pre-tax income of $7.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively.  The effective tax rate for both three-month periods ending March 31, 2018 and 2017 was 28%, compared to the U.S. federal statutory rate for the same periods of 21% and 35%, respectively. While the effective tax rate for each period was comparable, the rate was determined by applying differing tax rules as a result of the Tax Act.  See Note L of the financial statements for a further discussion of the impact of the Tax Act on the effective tax rate.

22


 

 

Our tax rate is affected by recurring items such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income we earn in those jurisdictions.  It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year. In addition to state and local income taxes, the following items had the most significant impact on the difference between our statutory U.S. federal income tax rates of 21% and 35% for 2018 and 2017, respectively, and our effective tax rate:

 

2018

 

1.

A less than $.1 million, or 1%, net increase resulting from higher U.S. permanent items primarily related to provisions of the Tax Act enacted December 22, 2017.

 

2.

A $.4 million, or 6%, increase resulting from earnings in jurisdictions with higher tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate.

2017

 

1.

A $.1 million, or 7%, decrease resulting from earnings in jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate where such earnings are permanently reinvested.

Net income. As a result of the preceding items, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $5.5 million, compared to $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, an increase of $4.0 million as summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31

(Thousands of dollars)

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

Change

 

 

Change

Due to

Currency

Translation

 

 

Change

Excluding

Currency

Translation

 

 

%

change

Net income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLP-USA

 

$

1,714

 

 

$

(632

)

 

$

2,346

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

2,346

 

 

NM

 

%

The Americas

 

 

3,143

 

 

 

1,785

 

 

 

1,358

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

1,274

 

 

 

71

 

 

EMEA

 

 

363

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

(256

)

 

 

20

 

 

 

(276

)

 

 

(45

)

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

308

 

 

 

(254

)

 

 

562

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

519

 

 

NM

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

5,528

 

 

$

1,518

 

 

$

4,010

 

 

$

147

 

 

$

3,863

 

 

NM

 

%

NM – Not Meaningful

PLP-USA’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 increased $2.3 million compared to the same period in 2017 due to a $3.1 million increase in operating income that was partially offset by an increase in income taxes of $.8 million.  The following discussion of net income excludes the effect of currency translation.  The Americas net income increased $1.3 million as a result of a $3.1 million increase in operating income, partially offset by higher income taxes of $.8 million. EMEA net income decreased $.3 million as a result of a $.3 million decrease in operating income combined with no year-over-year impact from income tax expense. Asia-Pacific net income increased $.5 million as a result of a $.5 million increase in operating income with no year-over-year impact resulting from income tax expense.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our critical accounting policies are consistent with the information set forth in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 9, 2018 with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are, therefore, not presented herein.  For more detail regarding the January 1, 2018 adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” refer to Note B “Revenue” and Note J “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.”

WORKING CAPITAL, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Management Assessment of Liquidity

We measure liquidity on the basis of our ability to meet short-term and long-term operating needs, repay debt, fund additional investments, including acquisitions, and make dividend payments to shareholders. Significant factors affecting the management of liquidity are cash flows from operating activities, capital expenditures, cash dividends, business acquisitions and access to bank lines of credit.

23


 

Our investments include expenditures required for equipment and facilities as well as expenditures in support of our strategic initiatives. During the first three months of 2018, we used cash of $2.7 million for capital expenditures. We ended the first three months of 2018 with $45.5 million of cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents are held in various locations throughout the world. At March 31, 2018, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents were held outside the U.S. We expect most accumulated non-U.S. cash balances will remain outside of the U.S. and that we will meet U.S. liquidity needs through future cash flows, use of U.S. cash balances, external borrowings, or some combination of these sources. We complete comprehensive reviews of our significant customers and their creditworthiness by analyzing financial statements for customers where we have identified a measure of increased risk. We closely monitor payments and developments which may signal possible customer credit issues. We currently have not identified any potential material impact on our liquidity from customer credit issues.

Total debt at March 31, 2018 was $47.1 million.  At March 31, 2018, our unused availability under our line of credit was $32.1 million and our bank debt to equity percentage was 19.1%. On March 13, 2018, we extended the term on our $65 million credit facility from June 30, 2019 to June 30, 2021.  All other terms remain the same, including the interest rate at LIBOR plus 1.125% unless our funded debt to Earnings before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation ratio exceeds 2.25 to 1, then the LIBOR spread becomes 1.500%.  The line of credit agreement contains, among other provisions, requirements for maintaining levels of net worth and funded debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization along with an interest coverage ratio. The net worth and profitability requirements are calculated based on the line of credit agreement. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with these covenants.

We expect that our major source of funding for 2018 and beyond will be our operating cash flows, our existing cash and cash equivalents as well as our line of credit agreement. We earn a significant amount of our operating income outside the United States, which, except for current earnings in certain jurisdictions, is deemed to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign jurisdictions.  We believe our future operating cash flows will be more than sufficient to cover debt repayments, other contractual obligations, capital expenditures and dividends for the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. In addition, we believe our borrowing capacity provides substantial financial resources, if needed, to supplement funding of capital expenditures and/or acquisitions. We also believe that we can expand our borrowing capacity, if necessary; however, we do not believe we would increase our debt to a level that would have a material adverse impact upon results of operations or financial condition.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Cash increased $1.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Net cash used in operating activities was $1.0 million. The major investing and financing uses of cash were payments of long-term debt of $11.1 million, purchase of marketable securities of $4.3 million, capital expenditures of $2.7 million and dividends paid of $1.0 million, partially offset by net debt proceeds of $20.3 million. Currency had a positive $0.9 million impact on cash and cash equivalents when translating foreign denominated financial statements to U.S. dollars.

Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $1.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.  The $.6 million decrease was primarily a result of an increase in cash used for operating assets (net of operating liabilities) of $4.4 million, offset by an increase in net income of $4.0 million.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 of $7.0 million represents an increase of $7.4 million when compared to cash provided by investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The change was primarily related to net cash used of $4.3 million related to the purchase of marketable securities and a net increase in capital expenditures of $.5 million combined with a reduction in cash provided by fixed-term deposits of $2.6 million.

Cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $8.3 million compared to $.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The $7.8 million increase was primarily the result of an increase in debt borrowings in 2018 compared to 2017 of $6.5 million and lower debt payments in the three months ended March 31, 2018 versus the prior year of $2.1 million, partially offset by $.7 million of stock repurchases.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note J of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS TO BE ADOPTED

See Note K of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

24


 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Cautionary Statement for “Safe Harbor” Purposes Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This Form 10-Q and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s and management’s beliefs and expectations. As a general matter, forward-looking statements are those focused upon future plans, objectives or performance (as opposed to historical items) and include statements of anticipated events or trends and expectations and beliefs relating to matters not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties and factors relating to the Company’s operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such uncertainties and factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could affect the Company’s future performance and cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made in this report:

 

The overall demand for cable anchoring and control hardware for electrical transmission and distribution lines on a worldwide basis, which has a slow growth rate in mature markets such as the U.S., Canada, Australia and Western Europe and may grow slowly or experience prolonged delay in developing regions despite expanding power needs;

 

The potential impact of the global economic condition on the Company’s ongoing profitability and future growth opportunities in the Company’s core markets in the U.S. and other foreign countries where the financial situation is expected to be similar going forward;

 

The ability of the Company’s customers to raise funds needed to build the facilities their customers require;

 

Technological developments that affect longer-term trends for communication lines, such as wireless communication;

 

The decreasing demand for product supporting copper-based infrastructure due to the introduction of products using new technologies or adoption of new industry standards;

 

The Company’s success at continuing to develop proprietary technology and maintaining high quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations;

 

The Company’s success in strengthening and retaining relationships with the Company’s customers, growing sales at targeted accounts and expanding geographically;

 

The extent to which the Company is successful at expanding the Company’s product line or production facilities into new areas or implementing efficiency measures at existing facilities;

 

The effects of fluctuation in currency exchange rates upon the Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ operations and reported results from international operations, together with non-currency risks of investing in and conducting significant operations in foreign countries, including those relating to political, social, economic and regulatory factors;

 

The Company’s ability to identify, complete, obtain funding for and integrate acquisitions for profitable growth;

 

The potential impact of consolidation, deregulation and bankruptcy among the Company’s suppliers, competitors and customers and of any legal or regulatory claims;

 

The relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company’s products;

 

The cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products;

 

Strikes and other labor disruptions;

 

Changes in significant government regulations affecting environmental compliances or other litigation matters;

 

The telecommunication market’s continued deployment of Fiber-to-the-Premises; and

 

Those factors described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 12 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 9, 2018.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company operates manufacturing facilities and offices around the world and uses fixed and floating rate debt to finance the Company’s global operations. As a result, the Company is subject to business risks inherent in non-U.S. activities, including political and economic uncertainty, import and export limitations and market risk related to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company believes that the political and economic risks related to the Company’s international operations are mitigated due to the geographic diversity in which the Company’s international operations are located.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had no foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company’s primary currency rate exposures are related to foreign denominated debt, intercompany debt, foreign denominated receivables and payables and cash and short-term investments. A hypothetical 10% change in currency rates would have a favorable/unfavorable impact on fair values on such instruments of $6.3 million and on income before taxes of $1.3 million.

The Company is exposed to market risk, including changes in interest rates. The Company is subject to interest rate risk on its variable rate revolving credit facilities and term notes, which consisted of borrowings of $33.7 million at March 31, 2018. A 100 basis point increase in the interest rate would have resulted in an increase in interest expense of approximately $.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Accounting Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, were effective as of March 31, 2018.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” For the adoption, the Company implemented changes to its revenue recognition process and control activities, including the development of new entity-wide policies, processes, controls, training and ongoing contract reviews to accommodate presentation and disclosure requirements.  For more detail regarding the January 1, 2018 adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, refer to Note B “Revenue” and Note J “Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.”

There were no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the course of business, the Company is subject to a variety of claims and lawsuits, including, but not limited to, litigation relating to employment, workers’ compensation, products liability, environmental and intellectual property.  The ultimate outcomes of these matters are not predictable with certainty.  The Company has liability insurance to cover many of these claims.  

The Company and its subsidiaries, Helix Uniformed Ltd. (“Helix”) and Preformed Line Products (Canada) Limited (“PLPC Canada”), were each named, jointly and severally, with each of SNC-Lavalin ATP, Inc. (“SNC ATP”), HD Supply Canada Inc., by its trade names HD Supply Power Solutions and HD Supply Utilities (“HD Supply”), and Anixter Power Solutions Canada Inc. (the corporate successor to HD Supply, “Anixter” and, together with the Company, PLPC Canada, Helix, SNC ATP and HD Supply, the “Defendants”) in a complaint filed by Altalink, L.P. (the “Plaintiff”) in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta in Alberta, Canada in November 2016 (the “Complaint”).

The Complaint states that Plaintiff engaged SNC ATP to design, engineer, procure and construct numerous power distribution and transmission facilities in Alberta (the “Projects”) and that through SNC ATP and HD Supply (now Anixter), spacer dampers manufactured by Helix were procured and installed in the Projects.  The Complaint alleges that the spacer dampers have and may continue to become loose, open and detach from the conductors, resulting in damage and potential injury and a failure to perform the intended function of providing spacing and damping to the Project.  The Plaintiffs are seeking an estimated $56.0 million in damages jointly and severally from the Defendants, representing the costs of monitoring and replacing the spacer dampers and remediating property damage, due to alleged defects in the design and construction of, and supply of materials for, the Projects by SNC ATP and HD Supply/Anixter and in the design of the spacer dampers by Helix.  

The Company believes the claims against it are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against such claims. However, we are unable to predict the outcome of this case and, if determined adversely to the Company, it could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results.

The Company is not a party to any other pending legal proceedings that the Company believes would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flow.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There were no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2018.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

On December 13, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized a plan to repurchase up to an additional 228,138 of Preformed Line Products Company common shares, resulting in a total of 250,000 shares available for repurchase with no expiration date. The following table reflects repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2018:

 

Period (2018)

 

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased

 

 

Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

 

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

 

 

Maximum Number

of Shares that may

yet be Purchased

under the Plans or

Programs

 

January

 

0

 

 

$

0.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

250,000

 

February

 

 

7,877

 

 

 

80.20

 

 

 

7,877

 

 

 

242,123

 

March

 

 

3,030

 

 

 

66.47

 

 

 

10,907

 

 

 

239,093

 

Total

 

 

10,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

27


 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

  10.1

  

Amended and Restated Line of Credit Note dated March 13, 2018 between the Company and PNC Bank, National Association, filed herewith.

 

 

 

  10.2

  

Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Line of Credit Note dated March 13, 2018 between the Company and PNC Bank, National Association, filed herewith.

 

 

 

  31.1

  

Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

 

 

 

  31.2

  

Certifications of the Principal Accounting Officer, Michael A. Weisbarth, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

 

 

 

  32.1

  

Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer, Robert G. Ruhlman, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.

 

 

 

  32.2

  

Certifications of the Principal Accounting Officer, Michael A. Weisbarth, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished.

 

 

 

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document.

 

 

 

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

28


 

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.

 

May 4, 2018

 

/s/ Robert G. Ruhlman

 

 

Robert G. Ruhlman

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

May 4, 2018

 

/s/ Michael A. Weisbarth

 

 

Michael A. Weisbarth

 

 

Vice President – Finance and Treasurer

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

29