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STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 March (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

or

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

Commission file number:  001-04743

 
Standard Motor Products, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
 
11-1362020
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

37-18 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, New York
 
11101
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(718) 392-0200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share
SMP
New York Stock Exchange LLC

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes      No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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  
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

As of the close of business on April 27, 2020, there were 22,313,194 outstanding shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $2.00 per share.




STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
3
     
 
4
 
 
 
 
5
 
 
 
 
6
 
 
 
 
7
 
 
 
 
8
 
 
 
23
 
   
32
 
 
 
33
 
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
33
 
 
 
33
     
35
     
35
     
36
 
 
 
37

2



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2020
   
2019
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
           
Net sales
 
$
254,302
   
$
283,766
 
Cost of sales
   
183,907
     
205,803
 
Gross profit
   
70,395
     
77,963
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
   
55,873
     
60,000
 
Restructuring and integration expenses
   
205
     
 
Other income (expense), net
   
6
     
(6
)
Operating income
   
14,323
     
17,957
 
Other non-operating income (expense), net
   
(524
)
   
646
 
Interest expense
   
873
     
1,089
 
Earnings from continuing operations before taxes
   
12,926
     
17,514
 
Provision for income taxes
   
3,305
     
4,410
 
Earnings from continuing operations
   
9,621
     
13,104
 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
   
(994
)
   
(888
)
Net earnings
 
$
8,627
   
$
12,216
 
                 
Per Share Data:
               
Net earnings per common share – Basic:
               
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.43
   
$
0.58
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.04
)
Net earnings per common share – Basic
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.54
 
                 
Net earnings per common share – Diluted:
               
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.57
 
Discontinued operations
   
(0.04
)
   
(0.04
)
Net earnings per common share – Diluted
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.53
 
                 
Dividend declared per share
 
$
0.25
   
$
0.23
 
                 
Average number of common shares
   
22,438,087
     
22,421,795
 
Average number of common shares and dilutive common shares
   
22,868,975
     
22,905,364
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

3



STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
 
Three Months Ended,
March 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2020
   
2019
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
           
Net earnings
 
$
8,627
   
$
12,216
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
(6,301
)
   
695
 
Pension and postretirement plans
   
(4
)
   
(5
)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
   
(6,305
)
   
690
 
Comprehensive income
 
$
2,322
   
$
12,906
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

4


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
 
March 31,
2020
   
December 31,
2019
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
13,268
   
$
10,372
 
Accounts receivable, less allowances for discounts and doubtful accounts of $5,647 and $5,212 for 2020 and 2019, respectively
   
165,685
     
135,516
 
Inventories
   
370,935
     
368,221
 
Unreturned customer inventories
   
19,379
     
19,722
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
15,422
     
15,602
 
Total current assets
   
584,689
     
549,433
 
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $200,960 and $199,476 for 2020 and 2019, respectively
   
88,573
     
89,649
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
   
34,292
     
36,020
 
Goodwill
   
77,588
     
77,802
 
Other intangibles, net
   
62,482
     
64,861
 
Deferred income taxes
   
36,631
     
37,272
 
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
   
38,572
     
38,858
 
Other assets
   
17,884
     
18,835
 
Total assets
 
$
940,711
   
$
912,730
 
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
                 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Notes payable
 
$
105,000
   
$
52,460
 
Current portion of other debt
   
4,595
     
4,456
 
Accounts payable
   
81,266
     
92,535
 
Sundry payables and accrued expenses
   
31,702
     
38,819
 
Accrued customer returns
   
52,389
     
44,116
 
Accrued core liability
   
21,424
     
24,357
 
Accrued rebates
   
33,466
     
26,072
 
Payroll and commissions
   
18,365
     
26,649
 
Total current liabilities
   
348,207
     
309,464
 
                 
Long-term debt
   
111
     
129
 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
   
26,841
     
28,376
 
Other accrued liabilities
   
19,987
     
20,837
 
Accrued asbestos liabilities
   
48,952
     
49,696
 
Total liabilities
   
444,098
     
408,502
 
Commitments and contingencies
   
     
 
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock – par value $2.00 per share:
               
Authorized – 30,000,000 shares; issued 23,936,036 shares
   
47,872
     
47,872
 
Capital in excess of par value
   
104,245
     
102,742
 
Retained earnings
   
420,449
     
417,437
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
(14,894
)
   
(8,589
)
Treasury stock – at cost (1,622,842 shares and 1,477,594 shares in 2020 and 2019, respectively)
   
(61,059
)
   
(55,234
)
Total stockholders’ equity
   
496,613
     
504,228
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
940,711
   
$
912,730
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

5



STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
(In thousands)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2020
   
2019
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net earnings
 
$
8,627
   
$
12,216
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
6,539
     
6,178
 
Amortization of deferred financing cost
   
57
     
56
 
Increase to allowance for doubtful accounts
   
299
     
920
 
Increase to inventory reserves
   
1,403
     
357
 
Equity income from joint ventures
   
(6
)
   
(661
)
Employee stock ownership plan allocation
   
575
     
630
 
Stock-based compensation
   
2,103
     
1,900
 
Decrease in deferred income taxes
   
609
     
1,213
 
Loss on discontinued operations, net of tax
   
994
     
888
 
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in accounts receivable
   
(32,681
)
   
(22,252
)
Increase in inventories
   
(5,339
)
   
(14,656
)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
1,303
     
(282
)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
   
(11,883
)
   
1,181
 
Decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses
   
(2,684
)
   
(12,911
)
Net changes in other assets and liabilities
   
(2,705
)
   
(1,503
)
Net cash used in operating activities
   
(32,789
)
   
(26,726
)
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net proceeds from sale of Grapevine, Texas facility
   
     
4,801
 
Capital expenditures
   
(4,422
)
   
(3,084
)
Other investing activities
   
6
     
29
 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
(4,416
)
   
1,746
 
                 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Net borrowings under line-of-credit agreements
   
52,540
     
35,029
 
Net borrowings (payments) of other debt and capital lease obligations
   
528
     
(271
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
(8,726
)
   
(5,835
)
Increase in overdraft balances
   
1,248
     
1,409
 
Dividends paid
   
(5,615
)
   
(5,159
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
39,975
     
25,173
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
126
     
415
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
2,896
     
608
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at beginning of period
   
10,372
     
11,138
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at end of period
 
$
13,268
   
$
11,746
 
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
 
$
811
   
$
974
 
Income taxes
 
$
937
   
$
2,156
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

6




STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Three Months Ended March 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
 
 
Common
Stock
   
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Treasury
Stock
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2019
 
$
47,872
   
$
102,742
   
$
417,437
   
$
(8,589
)
 
$
(55,234
)
 
$
504,228
 
Net earnings
   
     
     
8,627
     
     
     
8,627
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
(6,305
)
   
     
(6,305
)
Cash dividends paid
   
     
     
(5,615
)
   
     
     
(5,615
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
     
     
     
     
(8,726
)
   
(8,726
)
Stock-based compensation
   
     
873
     
     
     
1,230
     
2,103
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
   
     
630
     
     
     
1,671
     
2,301
 
 
                                               
Balance at March 31, 2020
 
$
47,872
   
$
104,245
   
$
420,449
   
$
(14,894
)
 
$
(61,059
)
 
$
496,613
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(Unaudited)
 
 
Common
Stock
   
Capital in
Excess of
Par Value
   
Retained
Earnings
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
   
Treasury
Stock
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
                                   
Balance at December 31, 2018
 
$
47,872
   
$
102,470
   
$
380,113
   
$
(9,594
)
 
$
(53,660
)
 
$
467,201
 
Net earnings
   
     
     
12,216
     
     
     
12,216
 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
   
     
     
     
690
     
     
690
 
Cash dividends paid
   
     
     
(5,159
)
   
     
     
(5,159
)
Purchase of treasury stock
   
     
     
     
     
(6,327
)
   
(6,327
)
Stock-based compensation
   
     
1,252
     
     
     
648
     
1,900
 
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
   
     
745
     
     
     
1,774
     
2,519
 
 
                                               
Balance at March 31, 2019
 
$
47,872
   
$
104,467
   
$
387,170
   
$
(8,904
)
 
$
(57,565
)
 
$
473,040
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
7


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

Standard Motor Products, Inc. and subsidiaries (referred to hereinafter in these notes to the consolidated financial statements as “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) is engaged in the manufacture and distribution of replacement parts for motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry with a complementary focus on the heavy duty, industrial equipment and original equipment service markets.

The accompanying unaudited financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.  The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and all domestic and international companies in which we have more than a 50% equity ownership, except in instances where the minority shareholder maintains substantive participating rights, in which case we follow the equity method of accounting.  Investments in unconsolidated affiliates are accounted for on the equity method, as we do not have a controlling financial interest but have the ability to exercise significant influence.  All significant inter-company items have been eliminated.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.  The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

Note 2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated annual and quarterly financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.  We have made a number of estimates and assumptions in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements.  We can give no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.  Some of the more significant estimates include allowances for doubtful accounts, cash discounts, valuation of inventory, valuation of long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, product liability exposures, asbestos, environmental and litigation matters, valuation of deferred tax assets, share based compensation and sales returns and other allowances.

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

8


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Standards that were adopted

Standard
 
Description
 
Date of
adoption
 
Effects on the financial
statements or other significant
matters
 
     
ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
 
This standard simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment.  ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 of the test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation.  A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill.
 
January 1, 2020
 
We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020.  The new standard will be applied prospectively when performing our annual impairment test of goodwill, or in an interim period if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that may indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount.  We anticipate that the prospective adoption of the standard will not materially impact the amount of goodwill impairment, if any.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses
 
This standard creates a single model to measure impairment on financial assets, which includes trade accounts receivable. An estimate of expected credit losses on trade accounts receivable over their contractual life will be required to be recorded at inception, based on historical information, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts.
 
January 1, 2020
 
We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020.  The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the manner in which we estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts on trade accounts receivable, or on our consolidated financial statements

Note 3.  Business Acquisitions and Investments

2019 Business Acquisition and Investment

Jiangsu Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Equity Investment

In August 2019, we acquired an approximate 29% minority interest in Jiangsu Che Yijia New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“CYJ”) for approximately $5.1 million. Our investment in CYJ was funded through borrowings under our revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  CYJ is a manufacturer of  air conditioning compressors for electric vehicles and is located in China.  Our minority interest in CYJ is accounted for using the equity method of accounting.

Pollak Business of Stoneridge, Inc. Acquisition

In April 2019, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of the Pollak business of Stoneridge, Inc. for approximately $40 million, subject to post-closing adjustments.  In May 2019, the post-closing adjustments were finalized at $1.6 million, reducing the purchase price to $38.4 million.  The acquisition was funded through borrowings under our revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  Stoneridge’s Pollak business had manufacturing and distribution facilities in Canton, Massachusetts, El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, and distributed a range of engine management products including sensors, switches, and connectors.  The acquisition, reported as part of our Engine Management Segment, enhanced our growth opportunities in the OE/OES, heavy duty and commercial vehicle markets and added to our existing expertise in aftermarket distribution, product management and service.We have not acquired any of the Pollak facilities or employees, and have relocated all production to our existing facilities.
9


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

The following table presents the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their fair values (in thousands):

Purchase Price
       
$
38,427
 
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
             
Inventory
 
$
3,331
         
Property, plant and equipment, net
   
45
         
Intangible assets
   
24,650
         
Goodwill
   
10,401
         
Net assets acquired
         
$
38,427
 

Intangible assets acquired of $24.7 million consist of customer relationships related to the acquired OE/OES business of $17.2 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 10 years; customer relationships related to the acquired aftermarket business of $7.2 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 15 years; a trademark of $0.2 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 10 years; and a non-compete agreement of $0.1 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 5 years.  Goodwill of $10.4 million was allocated to the Engine Management Segment and is deductible for income tax purposes.  The goodwill reflects relationships, business specific knowledge and the replacement cost of an assembled workforce associated with personal reputations, as well as the value of expected synergies.

Revenues included in our consolidated statements of operations from the acquired Pollak business were $9.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Note 4.  Restructuring and Integration Expenses

The aggregated liabilities included in “sundry payables and accrued expenses” and “other accrued liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheet relating to the restructuring and integration activities as of December 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020 and activity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
 
Workforce
Reduction
   
Other Exit
Costs
   
Total
 
Exit activity liability at December 31, 2019
 
$
336
   
$
   
$
336
 
Restructuring and integration costs:
                       
Amounts provided for during 2020
   
     
205
     
205
 
Cash payments
   
(36
)
   
(205
)
   
(241
)
Exit activity liability at March 31, 2020
 
$
300
   
$
   
$
300
 

Restructuring Costs

Plant Rationalization Program

In February 2016, in connection with our ongoing efforts to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs, we implemented a plant rationalization initiative. As part of the plant rationalization, all of our Grapevine, Texas production activities have been relocated to facilities in Greenville, South Carolina and Reynosa, Mexico; certain production activities at our Greenville, South Carolina facility were moved to our facility in Bialystok, Poland; certain service functions were relocated from Grapevine, Texas to our administrative offices in Lewisville, Texas; and our vacated Grapevine, Texas facility was sold.
 
10


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

The Plant Rationalization Program has been completed.  Cash payments made of $14,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, and the remaining aggregate liability of $162,000 related to the program as of March 31, 2020 consists of severance payments to former Temperature Control employees.

Orlando Plant Rationalization Program

In January 2017, to further our ongoing efforts to improve operating efficiencies and reduce costs, we implemented a plant rationalization initiative at our Orlando, Florida facility.  As part of the initiative, all of our Orlando, Florida production activities were moved to our facility in Independence, Kansas; certain production activities at our Independence, Kansas facility were moved to our facility in Reynosa, Mexico; and our Orlando, Florida facility was closed.

The Orlando Plant Rationalization Program has been completed.  Cash payments made of $22,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2020, and the remaining aggregate liability of $138,000 related to the program as of March 31, 2020 consists of severance payments to former Engine Management employees.

Integration Costs

Pollak Relocation

In connection with our April 2019 acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of the Pollak business of Stoneridge, Inc., we incurred certain integration expenses in connection with the relocation of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment from Pollak’s distribution and manufacturing facilities in El Paso, Texas, Canton, Massachusetts, and Juarez, Mexico, to our existing facilities in Disputanta, Virginia, Reynosa, Mexico and Independence, Kansas.
 
The Pollak Relocation has been completed.  Integration expense recognized and cash payments made of $205,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2020 related to residual relocation activities in our Engine Management segment. There is no remaining aggregate liability related to the Pollak Relocation as of March 31, 2020.

Note 5.  Sale of Receivables

We are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions.  We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt.  Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale.  As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.

Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $150.2 million and $171.1 million of receivables during the three months  ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which was reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale. A charge in the amount of $2.8 million and $5.7 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables.  The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon the LIBOR rate, as it is a component of the discount rate applicable to each arrangement.  If the LIBOR rate increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
11


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


Note 6.  Inventories

Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost (determined by means of the first-in, first-out method) and net realizable value, consist of the following:

 
 
March 31,
2020
   
December 31,
2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Finished goods
 
$
242,978
   
$
241,472
 
Work in process
   
12,548
     
11,138
 
Raw materials
   
115,409
     
115,611
 
Subtotal
   
370,935
     
368,221
 
Unreturned customer inventories
   
19,379
     
19,722
 
Total inventories
 
$
390,314
   
$
387,943
 

Note 7.  Acquired Intangible Assets

Acquired identifiable intangible assets consist of the following:

 
 
March 31,
2020
   
December 31,
2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Customer relationships
 
$
111,389
   
$
111,692
 
Trademarks and trade names
   
6,980
     
6,980
 
Non-compete agreements
   
3,261
     
3,276
 
Patents
   
723
     
723
 
Supply agreements
   
800
     
800
 
Leaseholds
   
160
     
160
 
Total acquired intangible assets
   
123,313
     
123,631
 
Less accumulated amortization (1)
   
(61,401
)
   
(59,431
)
Net acquired intangible assets
 
$
61,912
   
$
64,200
 

(1)
Applies to all intangible assets, except for trademarks and trade names totaling $5.2 million, which have indefinite useful lives and, as such, are not being amortized.

Total amortization expense for acquired intangible assets was $2 million and $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  Based on the current estimated useful lives assigned to our intangible assets, amortization expense is estimated to be $6.1 million for the remainder of 2020, $6.8 million in 2021, $5.2 million in 2022, $4.9 million in 2023 and $33.7 million in the aggregate for the years 2024 through 2034.

Note 8.  Leases

We have operating and finance leases for our manufacturing facilities, warehouses, office space, automobiles, and certain equipment.  Our leases have remaining lease terms of up to ten years, some of which may include one or more five-year renewal options.  We have included the five-year renewal option for one of our leases in our operating lease payments as we concluded that it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option.  Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet.  Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  Finance leases are not material.
12


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


The following tables provide quantitative disclosures related to our operating leases (in thousands):

Balance Sheet Information
 
March 31,
2020
   
December 31,
2019
 
Assets
           
Operating lease right-of-use assets
 
$
34,292
   
$
36,020
 
 
               
Liabilities
               
Sundry payables and accrued expenses
 
$
8,593
   
$
8,739
 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities
   
26,841
     
28,376
 
Total operating lease liabilities
 
$
35,434
   
$
37,115
 
 
               
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
               
Operating leases
 
5.5 Years
   
5.6 Years
 
 
               
Weighted Average Discount Rate
               
Operating leases
   
3.7
%
   
3.7
%



   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Expense and Cash Flow Information
 
2020
   
2019
 
Lease Expense
           
Operating lease expense (a)
 
$
2,313
   
$
2,224
 
                 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
               
Cash paid for the amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
               
Operating cash flows from operating leases
 
$
2,476
   
$
2,161
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new lease obligations:
               
Operating leases
 
$
251
   
$
566
 

(a)
Excludes expenses of approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to non-lease components such as maintenance, property taxes, etc., and operating lease expense for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less, which is not material.



Minimum Lease Payments

At March 31, 2020, we are obligated to make minimum lease payments through 2028, under operating leases, which are as follows (in thousands):

2020
 
$
6,702
 
2021
   
8,325
 
2022
   
6,987
 
2023
   
5,675
 
2024
   
3,881
 
Thereafter
   
7,844
 
Total lease payments
 
$
39,414
 
Less: Interest
   
(3,980
)
Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
35,434
 
13


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


Note 9.  Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt

Total debt outstanding is summarized as follows:

 
 
March 31,
2020
   
December 31,
2019
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
Revolving credit facilities
 
$
105,000
   
$
52,460
 
Other (1)
   
4,706
     
4,585
 
Total debt
 
$
109,706
   
$
57,045
 
 
               
Current maturities of debt
 
$
109,595
   
$
56,916
 
Long-term debt
   
111
     
129
 
Total debt
 
$
109,706
   
$
57,045
 

(1)
Other includes borrowings under our Polish overdraft facility of Zloty 18.9 million (approximately $4.6 million) and Zloty 16.7 million (approximately $4.4 million) as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.


Revolving Credit Facility

In December 2018, we amended our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, and a syndicate of lenders.  The amended credit agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility with a line of credit of up to $250 million (with an additional $50 million accordion feature) and extends the maturity date to December 2023.  The line of credit under the amended credit agreement also allows for a $10 million line of credit to Canada as part of the $250 million available for borrowing.  Direct borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% based on our borrowing availability, or floating at the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% based on our borrowing availability, at our option.  The amended credit agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by certain of our assets.

Borrowings under the amended credit agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain fixed assets, and those of certain of our subsidiaries.  Availability under the amended credit agreement is based on a formula of eligible accounts receivable, eligible drafts presented to the banks under our supply chain financing agreements and eligible inventory.  After taking into account outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement, there was an additional $141.8 million available for us to borrow pursuant to the formula at March 31, 2020.  Outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement, which are classified as current liabilities, were $105 million and $52.5 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; while letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement were $3.1 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.  Borrowings under the credit agreement have been classified as current liabilities based upon accounting rules and certain provisions in the agreement.

At March 31, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 2.2%, which consisted of $105 million in direct borrowings. At December 31, 2019, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 3.5%, which consisted of $40 million in direct borrowings at 2.3% and an alternative base rate loan of $12.5 million at 5%.  During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our average daily alternative base rate loan balance was $2.5 million, compared to a balance of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a balance of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
14


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

At any time that our borrowing availability is less than the greater of either (a) $25 million, or 10% of the commitments if fixed assets are not included in the borrowing base, or (b) $31.25 million, or 12.5% of the commitments if fixed assets are included in the borrowing base, the terms of the amended credit agreement provide for, among other provisions, a financial covenant requiring us, on a consolidated basis, to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1:1 at the end of each fiscal quarter (rolling four quarters).  As of March 31, 2020, we were not subject to these covenants.  The amended credit agreement permits us to pay cash dividends of $20 million and make stock repurchases of $20 million in any fiscal year subject to a minimum availability of $25 million.  Provided specific conditions are met, the amended credit agreement also permits acquisitions, permissible debt financing, capital expenditures, and cash dividend payments and stock repurchases of greater than $20 million.

On April 15, 2020, we borrowed $75 million under our amended credit agreement.  Following this draw down, our outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement as of April 15, 2020, were $191.3 million, leaving $47.2 million of availability (excluding the additional $50 million accordion feature).  The borrowing was made as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for working capital, ongoing operating needs and general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement.

Polish Overdraft Facility

Our Polish subsidiary, SMP Poland sp. z.o.o., has entered into an overdraft facility with HSBC France (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce, formerly HSBC Bank Polska S.A., for Zloty 30 million (approximately $7.2 million).  The facility, as amended, expires in December 2020.  Borrowings under the overdraft facility will bear interest at a rate equal to WIBOR + 0.75% and are guaranteed by Standard Motor Products, Inc., the ultimate parent company.  At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, borrowings under the overdraft facility were Zloty 18.9 million (approximately $4.6 million) and Zloty 16.7 million (approximately $4.4 million), respectively.

Deferred Financing Costs

We had deferred financing costs of $0.8 million and $0.9 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.  Deferred financing costs are related to our revolving credit facility.  Deferred financing costs as of March 31, 2020 are being amortized in the amounts of $0.2 million for the remainder of 2020, $0.2 million in 2021, $0.2 million in 2022, and $0.2 million in 2023.

Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

We account for our stock-based compensation plans in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation, which requires that a company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award.  The cost is recognized in the consolidated statement of operations over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

Restricted and Performance Stock Grants

As part of the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan, we currently grant shares of restricted stock to eligible employees and our independent directors and performance-based stock to eligible employees.  Selected executives and other key personnel are granted performance awards whose vesting is contingent upon meeting various performance measures with a retention feature.  Performance-based shares are subject to a three-year measuring period and the achievement of performance targets and, depending upon the achievement of such performance targets, they may become vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant.  Each period we evaluate the probability of achieving the applicable targets, and we adjust our accrual accordingly.  Restricted shares granted to employees become fully vested upon the third anniversary of the date of grant; and for selected key executives, certain additional restricted share grants vest 25% upon the attainment of age 60, 25% upon the attainment of age 63 and become fully vested upon the attainment of age 65.  Restricted shares granted to directors become fully vested upon the first anniversary of the date of grant.  Restricted and performance shares issued to certain key executives and directors are subject to a one or two year holding period upon the lapse of the three year vesting period.  Forfeitures on stock grants are estimated at 5% for employees and 0% for executives and directors based on our evaluation of historical and expected future turnover.
15


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

Our restricted and performance-based share activity was as follows for the three months ended March 31, 2020:

 
 
Shares
   
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share
 
Balance at December 31, 2019
   
852,540
   
$
35.26
 
Granted
   
     
 
Vested
   
(32,793
)
   
34.04
 
Forfeited
   
(5,950
)
   
43.70
 
Balance at March 31, 2020
   
813,797
   
$
35.28
 

We recorded compensation expense related to restricted shares and performance-based shares of $2.1 million ($1.6 million, net of tax) and $1.9 million ($1.4 million, net of tax) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The unamortized compensation expense related to our restricted and performance-based shares was $13.9 million at March 31, 2020, and is expected to be recognized as they vest over a weighted average period of 4.4 years and 0.08 years for employees and directors, respectively.

Note 11. Employee Benefits

We provide certain medical and dental care benefits to 16 former U.S. union employees.  The postretirement medical and dental benefit obligation to the former union employees as of March 31, 2020, and the related net periodic benefit cost for the plan for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were not material.

We maintain a defined contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for key employees.  Under the plan, these employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation and, in addition, we may at our discretion make contributions to the plan on behalf of the employees.  In March 2020, we made company contributions to the plan of $0.3 million related to calendar year 2019.

We also have an Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust for employees who are not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.  In connection therewith, we maintain an employee benefits trust to which we contribute shares of treasury stock.  We are authorized to instruct the trustees to distribute such shares toward the satisfaction of our future obligations under the plan. The shares held in trust are not considered outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share until they are committed to be released.  The trustees will vote the shares in accordance with their fiduciary duties.  During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we contributed to the trust an additional 44,700 shares from our treasury and released 44,700 shares from the trust leaving 200 shares remaining in the trust as of March 31, 2020.

Note 12. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of our financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, deferred compensation, and short term borrowings approximate their fair value.  In each instance, fair value is determined after considering Level 1 inputs under the three-level fair value hierarchy.  For fair value purposes, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short maturity of those investments.  The fair value of the assets held by the deferred compensation plan are based on the quoted market prices of the underlying funds which are held in registered investment companies. The carrying value of our revolving credit facilities, classified as short term borrowings, equals fair market value because the interest rate reflects current market rates.
16


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


Note 13. Earnings Per Share

The following are reconciliations of the earnings available to common stockholders and the shares used in calculating basic and dilutive net earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share data):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Basic Net Earnings Per Common Share:
 
2020
   
2019
 
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
9,621
   
$
13,104
 
Loss from discontinued operations
   
(994
)
   
(888
)
Net earnings available to common stockholders
 
$
8,627
   
$
12,216
 
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
22,438
     
22,422
 
 
               
Earnings from continuing operations per common share
 
$
0.43
   
$
0.58
 
Loss from discontinued operations per common share
   
(0.05
)
   
(0.04
)
Basic net earnings per common share
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.54
 
 
               
Diluted Net Earnings Per Common Share:
               
Earnings from continuing operations
 
$
9,621
   
$
13,104
 
Loss from discontinued operations
   
(994
)
   
(888
)
Net earnings available to common stockholders
 
$
8,627
   
$
12,216
 
 
               
Weighted average common shares outstanding
   
22,438
     
22,422
 
Plus incremental shares from assumed conversions:
               
Dilutive effect of restricted stock and performance stock
   
431
     
483
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding – Diluted
   
22,869
     
22,905
 
 
               
Earnings from continuing operations per common share
 
$
0.42
   
$
0.57
 
Loss from discontinued operations per common share
   
(0.04
)
   
(0.04
)
Diluted net earnings per common share
 
$
0.38
   
$
0.53
 

The shares listed below were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented or because they were excluded under the treasury method (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2020
   
2019
 
Restricted and performance shares
   
253
     
252
 
17


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


Note 14. Industry Segments

We have two major reportable operating segments, each of which focuses on a specific line of replacement parts.  Our Engine Management Segment manufactures and remanufactures ignition and emission parts, ignition wires, battery cables, fuel system parts and sensors for vehicle systems.  Our Temperature Control Segment manufactures and remanufactures air conditioning compressors, air conditioning and heating parts, engine cooling system parts, power window accessories and windshield washer system parts.

The following tables show our net sales, intersegment revenue and operating income for each reportable segment (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2020
   
2019
 
Net Sales (a)
           
Engine Management
 
$
201,118
   
$
213,189
 
Temperature Control
   
51,442
     
68,924
 
All Other
   
1,742
     
1,653
 
Consolidated
 
$
254,302
   
$
283,766
 
 
               
Intersegment Revenue (a)
               
Engine Management
 
$
4,014
   
$
5,349
 
Temperature Control
   
1,391
     
1,933
 
All Other
   
(5,405
)
   
(7,282
)
Consolidated
 
$
   
$
 
 
               
Operating Income (Loss)
               
Engine Management
 
$
21,433
   
$
22,344
 
Temperature Control
   
(348
)
   
2,050
 
All Other
   
(6,762
)
   
(6,437
)
Consolidated
 
$
14,323
   
$
17,957
 

(a)
Segment net sales include intersegment sales in our Engine Management and Temperature Control segments.

For the disaggregation of our net sales from contracts with customers by geographic area, major product group and major sales channels for each of our segments, see Note 15, “Net Sales.”

Note 15.  Net Sales

Disaggregation of Net Sales

We disaggregate our net sales from contracts with customers by geographic area, major product group, and major sales channels for each of our segments, as we believe it best depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our net sales are affected by economic factors.
18


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

The following tables provide disaggregation of net sales information for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

Three months ended March 31, 2020 (a)
 
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Other (b)
   
Total
 
Geographic Area:
                       
United States
 
$
174,379
   
$
47,876
   
$
   
$
222,255
 
Canada
   
6,589
     
3,141
     
1,742
     
11,472
 
Mexico
   
6,114
     
59
     
     
6,173
 
Europe
   
3,348
     
123
     
     
3,471
 
Other foreign
   
10,688
     
243
     
     
10,931
 
Total
 
$
201,118
   
$
51,442
   
$
1,742
   
$
254,302
 
 
                               
Major Product Group:
                               
Ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products
 
$
164,526
   
$
   
$
1,484
   
$
166,010
 
Wire and cable
   
36,592
     
     
(22
)
   
36,570
 
Compressors
   
     
25,348
     
(142
)
   
25,206
 
Other climate control parts
   
     
26,094
     
422
     
26,516
 
Total
 
$
201,118
   
$
51,442
   
$
1,742
   
$
254,302
 
 
                               
Major Sales Channel:
                               
Aftermarket
 
$
160,583
   
$
44,394
   
$
1,742
   
$
206,719
 
OE/OES
   
35,120
     
6,779
     
     
41,899
 
Export
   
5,415
     
269
     
     
5,684
 
Total
 
$
201,118
   
$
51,442
   
$
1,742
   
$
254,302
 

Three months ended March 31, 2019 (a)
 
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Other (b)
   
Total
 
Geographic Area:
                       
United States
 
$
187,894
   
$
64,851
   
$
   
$
252,745
 
Canada
   
7,066
     
3,462
     
1,653
     
12,181
 
Mexico
   
4,488
     
155
     
     
4,643
 
Europe
   
3,097
     
157
     
     
3,254
 
Other foreign
   
10,644
     
299
     
     
10,943
 
Total
 
$
213,189
   
$
68,924
   
$
1,653
   
$
283,766
 
 
                               
Major Product Group:
                               
Ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products
 
$
176,061
   
$
   
$
1,392
   
$
177,453
 
Wire and cable
   
37,128
     
     
80
     
37,208
 
Compressors
   
     
39,811
     
(260
)
   
39,551
 
Other climate control parts
   
     
29,113
     
441
     
29,554
 
Total
 
$
213,189
   
$
68,924
   
$
1,653
   
$
283,766
 
 
                               
Major Sales Channel:
                               
Aftermarket
 
$
178,539
   
$
60,541
   
$
1,653
   
$
240,733
 
OE/OES
   
29,140
     
7,875
     
     
37,015
 
Export
   
5,510
     
508
     
     
6,018
 
Total
 
$
213,189
   
$
68,924
   
$
1,653
   
$
283,766
 

(a)
Segment net sales include intersegment sales in our Engine Management and Temperature Control segments.

(b)
Other consists of the elimination of intersegment sales from our Engine Management and Temperature Control segments as well as sales from our Canadian business unit that does not meet the criteria of a reportable operating segment.  Intersegment compressor and wire and cable sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and intersegment compressor sales for the three months ended March 31, 2019 exceeded third party sales from our Canadian business unit.



19


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)
Geographic Area

We sell our line of products primarily in the United States, with additional sales in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Latin America.  Sales are attributed to countries based upon the location of the customer.  Our sales are substantially denominated in U.S. dollars.

Major Product Group

The Engine Management segment of the Company principally generates revenue from the sale of automotive engine replacement parts including ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products, and wire and cable parts.  The Temperature Control segment of the Company principally generates revenue from the sale of automotive temperature control systems replacement parts including air conditioning compressors and other climate control parts.

Major Sales Channel

In the aftermarket channel, we sell our products to warehouse distributors and retailers.  Our customers buy directly from us and sell directly to jobber stores, professional technicians and to “do-it-yourselfers” who perform automotive repairs on their personal vehicles.  In the Original Equipment (“OE”) and Original Equipment Service (“OES”) channel, we sell our products to original equipment manufacturers who redistribute our products within their distribution network, independent dealerships and service dealer technicians.  Lastly, in the Export channel, our domestic entities sell to customers outside the United States.

Note 16. Commitments and Contingencies

Asbestos

In 1986, we acquired a brake business, which we subsequently sold in March 1998 and which is accounted for as a discontinued operation in the accompanying statement of operations.  When we originally acquired this brake business, we assumed future liabilities relating to any alleged exposure to asbestos-containing products manufactured by the seller of the acquired brake business. In accordance with the related purchase agreement, we agreed to assume the liabilities for all new claims filed on or after September 2001. Our ultimate exposure will depend upon the number of claims filed against us on or after September 2001, and the amounts paid for settlements, awards of asbestos-related damages, and defense of such claims.  At March 31, 2020, approximately 1,585 cases were outstanding for which we may be responsible for any related liabilities.  Since inception in September 2001 through March 31, 2020, the amounts paid for settled claims are approximately $31.9 million.  We do not have insurance coverage for the indemnity and defense costs associated with the claims we face.

In evaluating our potential asbestos-related liability, we have considered various factors including, among other things, an actuarial study of the asbestos related liabilities performed by an independent actuarial firm, our settlement amounts and whether there are any co-defendants, the jurisdiction in which lawsuits are filed, and the status and results of such claims.  As is our accounting policy, we consider the advice of actuarial consultants with experience in assessing asbestos-related liabilities to estimate our potential claim liability; and perform an actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary.  The methodology used to project asbestos-related liabilities and costs in our actuarial study considered: (1) historical data available from publicly available studies; (2) an analysis of our recent claims history to estimate likely filing rates into the future; (3) an analysis of our currently pending claims; and (4) an analysis of our settlements to date in order to develop average settlement values.  Based on the information contained in the actuarial study and all other available information considered by us, we have concluded that no amount within the range of settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages was more likely than any other and, therefore, in assessing our asbestos liability we compare the low end of the range to our recorded liability to determine if an adjustment is required.
20


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

In accordance with our policy to perform an annual actuarial evaluation in the third quarter of each year, an updated actuarial study was performed as of August 31, 2019.  The results of the August 31, 2019 study included an estimate of our undiscounted liability for settlement payments and awards of asbestos-related damages, excluding legal costs and any potential recovery from insurance carriers, ranging from $52 million to $90.6 million for the period through 2064.  The change from the revised prior year study, which was performed in the fourth quarter of 2018, was a $5.3 million increase for the low end of the range and a $6.7 million increase for the high end of the range.  The increase in the estimated undiscounted liability from the revised prior year study at both the low end and high end of the range reflects our actual experience, our historical data and certain assumptions with respect to events that may occur in the future.  Based upon the results of the August 31, 2019 actuarial study, in September 2019, we increased our asbestos liability to $52 million, the low end of the range, and recorded an incremental pre-tax provision of $9.7 million in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations.  Future legal costs, which are expensed as incurred and reported in earnings (loss) from discontinued operations in the accompanying statement of operations, are estimated, according to the updated study, to range from $50.6 million to $85.2 million for the period through 2064.  As related to our potential asbestos-related liability, we were found liable for $7.6 million in compensatory damages as a defendant in a 2018 asbestos liability case in California.  We are pursuing all rights of appeal of this case.  Total operating cash outflows related to discontinued operations, which include settlements and legal costs, were $1.6 million and $1.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
We plan to perform an annual actuarial evaluation during the third quarter of each year for the foreseeable future and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that additional provisions may be necessary. Given the uncertainties associated with projecting such matters into the future and other factors outside our control, we can give no assurance that additional provisions will not be required. We will continue to monitor events and changes in circumstances surrounding these potential liabilities in determining whether to perform additional actuarial evaluations and whether additional provisions may be necessary.  At the present time, however, we do not believe that any additional provisions would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our liquidity or consolidated financial position.

Other Litigation

We are currently involved in various other legal claims and legal proceedings (some of which may involve substantial amounts), including claims related to commercial disputes, product liability, employment, and environmental.  Although these legal claims and legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.  We may at any time determine that settling any of these matters is in our best interests, which settlement may include substantial payments.  Although we cannot currently predict the specific amount of any liability that may ultimately arise with respect to any of these matters, we will record provisions when the liability is considered probable and reasonably estimable.  Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether an exposure can be reasonably estimated.  As additional information becomes available, we reassess our potential liability related to these matters. Such revisions of the potential liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
21


STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)


Warranties

We generally warrant our products against certain manufacturing and other defects. These product warranties are provided for specific periods of time of the product depending on the nature of the product.  As of March 31, 2020, and 2019, we have accrued $23.2 million and $22.7 million, respectively, for estimated product warranty claims included in accrued customer returns. The accrued product warranty costs are based primarily on historical experience of actual warranty claims.

The following table provides the changes in our product warranties (in thousands):

 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
2020
   
2019
 
 
           
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
22,445
   
$
19,636
 
Liabilities accrued for current year sales
   
22,067
     
26,396
 
Settlements of warranty claims
   
(21,288
)
   
(23,338
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
23,224
   
$
22,694
 

Note 17. Subsequent Event

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our overall business remained stable, with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic weakening our sales in the second half of March 2020. In April 2020, we continued to see the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place orders throughout the United States as our incoming orders were down 30% to 40% and customer POS sales declined in the 20% to 30% range. After considering our current inventory levels and the overall stability of our supply chain, we reduced our production levels in several of our facilities, including our facilities in Mexico whose operations were temporarily suspended due to government restrictions.  These facilities in Mexico have since been reopened and are operating at reduced production levels consistent with several of our other facilities in order to fulfill the lower customer demand levels.

On April 15, 2020, we borrowed $75 million under our amended credit agreement.  Following this draw down, our outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement as of April 15, 2020, were $191.3 million, leaving $47.2 million of availability (excluding the additional $50 million accordion feature).  The borrowing was made as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for working capital, ongoing operating needs and general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement.

Additionally, as part of the cost reduction measures implemented by us in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily (a) reduce base salaries of our Office of Chief Executive (i.e., the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer) by 25%, (b) reduce the base salaries of our other executives by 10%, (c) reduce non-employee directors’ annual cash and equity retainers by 25%, and (d) suspend our quarterly cash dividend payments and stock repurchases until further notice. We continue to analyze our cost structure and may implement additional cost reduction measures as may be necessary due to the on-going economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Forward-looking statements in this Report are indicated by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategies” and similar expressions. These statements represent our expectations based on current information and assumptions and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those which are anticipated or projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes in business relationships with our major customers and in the timing, size and continuation of our customers’ programs; changes in our supply chain financing arrangements, such as changes in terms, termination of contracts and/or the impact of rising interest rates; the ability of our customers to achieve their projected sales; competitive product and pricing pressures; increases in production or material costs, including procurement costs resulting from higher tariffs, that cannot be recouped in product pricing; the performance of the aftermarket, heavy duty, industrial equipment and original equipment markets; changes in the product mix and distribution channel mix; economic and market conditions; successful integration of acquired businesses; our ability to achieve benefits from our cost savings initiatives; product liability and environmental matters (including, without limitation, those related to asbestos-related contingent liabilities and remediation costs at certain properties); the effects of widespread public health crises, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; as well as other risks and uncertainties, such as those described under Risk Factors, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and those detailed herein and from time to time in the filings of the Company with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, historical information should not be considered as an indicator of future performance.  The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Report.

Overview

We are a leading independent manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts for the engine management and temperature control systems of motor vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry with a complementary focus on the heavy duty, industrial equipment and original equipment markets.

We are organized into two operating segments.  Each segment focuses on providing our customers with full-line coverage of its products, and a full suite of complementary services that are tailored to our customers’ business needs and driving end-user demand for our products.  We sell our products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin American countries.

Our Culture

Our Company was founded in 1919 on the values of ethics, integrity, common decency and respect for others.  These values continue to this day and are embodied in our Code of Ethics, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company to serve as a statement of principles to guide our decision-making and reinforce our commitment to these values in all aspects of our business.  We believe that our commitment to our Company, our employees and the communities within which we operate has led to high employee satisfaction and low employee turnover, and our commitment to our customers, suppliers and business partners has resulted in high customer satisfaction, as evidenced by the customer awards that we routinely win, and decades-long customer relationships.

We also take environmental and social issues seriously.  We believe that our commitment to identifying and implementing positive environmental and social related business practices strengthens our Company, improves our relationship with our shareholders and better serves our customers, our communities and the broader environment within which we conduct our business.
23

Seasonality

Historically, our operating results have fluctuated by quarter, with the greatest sales occurring in the second and third quarters of the year and revenues generally being recognized at the time of shipment. It is in these quarters that demand for our products is typically the highest, specifically in the Temperature Control Segment of our business.  In addition to this seasonality, the demand for our temperature control products during the second and third quarters of the year may vary significantly with the summer weather and customer inventories.  For example, a warm summer, as we experienced in 2018, may increase the demand for our temperature control products, while a mild summer, as we experienced in 2017, may lessen such demand.  As a result of this seasonality and variability in demand of our Temperature Control products, our working capital requirements typically peak near the end of the second quarter, as the inventory build-up of air conditioning products is converted to sales and payments on the receivables associated with such sales have yet to be received.  During this period, our working capital requirements are typically funded by borrowing from our revolving credit facility.

Inventory Management

We face inventory management issues as a result of overstock returns.  We permit our customers to return new, undamaged products to us within customer-specific limits (which are generally limited to a specified percentage of their annual purchases from us) in the event that they have overstocked their inventories.  In addition, the seasonality of our Temperature Control Segment requires that we increase our inventory during the winter season in preparation of the summer selling season and customers purchasing such inventory have the right to make returns.  We accrue for overstock returns as a percentage of sales after giving consideration to recent returns history.

Discounts, Allowances, and Incentives

We offer a variety of usual customer discounts, allowances and incentives.  First, we offer cash discounts for paying invoices in accordance with the specified discount terms of the invoice.  Second, we offer pricing discounts based on volume purchased from us and participation in our cost reduction initiatives.  These discounts are principally in the form of “off-invoice” discounts and are immediately deducted from sales at the time of sale. For those customers that choose to receive a payment on a quarterly basis instead of “off-invoice,” we accrue for such payments as the related sales are made and reduce sales accordingly.  Finally, rebates and discounts are provided to customers as advertising and sales force allowances, and allowances for warranty and overstock returns are also provided.  Management analyzes historical returns, current economic trends, and changes in customer demand when evaluating the adequacy of the sales returns and other allowances. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the sales returns and other allowances in any accounting period.  We account for these discounts and allowances as a reduction to revenues, and record them when sales are recorded.

Impact of the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”)

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which has spread globally and created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption in many countries in which we operate, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Poland, the U.K. and China.  In certain countries in which we operate, national, state and local governments have implemented a variety of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that have the effect of restricting or limiting, among other activities, the operations of certain businesses.  However, to date we have been able to substantially continue our business operations.

Our business continued to operate throughout the first quarter of 2020 as we have been declared an essential business under U.S. Federal and State shelter-in-place orders. Our sales in the quarter have declined $29.5 million from $283.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 to $254.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, but our operating margins of 27.7% during 2020, compared to 27.5% last year, have been reasonably consistent year-over-year.  Overall, our business remained stable in the quarter with the effects of the pandemic weakening our sales in the second half of March 2020, as customer POS sales began to soften.
24

We believe that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic did not materially impact our financial results in the first quarter of 2020; however, the effects of the pandemic on our financial results in the second quarter and other future periods could be significant and cannot currently be reasonably estimated due to the significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption caused by the pandemic.  See Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report for further discussion of the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have established a committee, comprised of our executive officers, to oversee the Company’s risk identification, management and mitigation strategies regarding the impact of the pandemic on our business and operations.  Among other significant risks that are actively being managed by the committee, as described further in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Report, are those relating to the duration, severity and scope of the pandemic, the impact of governmental measures in response to the pandemic, potentially declining customer demand for our products, the deterioration of general economic conditions, potential disruptions in our supply chain, the management of inventories and production volumes, and cost reduction and cash preservation initiatives, including potential reductions in capital expenditures. The committee continues to meet on a regular basis, closely monitoring events related to the pandemic and any appropriate actions that may be taken.

In April 2020, we continued to see the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and shelter-in-place orders throughout the United States as our incoming orders were down 30% to 40% and customer POS sales declined in the 20% to 30% range.  After considering our current inventory levels and the overall stability of our supply chain, we reduced our production levels in several of our facilities, including our facilities in Mexico whose operations were temporarily suspended due to government restrictions.  These facilities in Mexico have since been reopened and are operating at reduced production levels consistent with several of our other facilities in order to fulfill the lower customer demand levels.

On April 15, 2020, we borrowed $75 million under our amended credit agreement.  Following this draw down, our outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement as of April 15, 2020, were $191.3 million, leaving $47.2 million of availability (excluding the additional $50 million accordion feature).  The borrowing was made as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for working capital, ongoing operating needs and general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement.

Additionally, as part of the cost reduction measures implemented by us in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily (a) reduce base salaries of our Office of Chief Executive (i.e., the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer) by 25%, (b) reduce the base salaries of our other executives by 10%, (c) reduce non-employee directors’ annual cash and equity retainers by 25%, and (d) suspend our quarterly cash dividend payments and stock repurchases until further notice. We continue to analyze our cost structure and may implement additional cost reduction measures as may be necessary due to the on-going economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of Changes in U.S. Trade Policy

Changes in U.S. trade policy, particularly as it relates to China, as with much of our industry, have resulted in the assessment of increased tariffs on goods that we import into the United States.  Although our operating results in the first quarter of 2020 have been slightly impacted by the timing of Chinese sourced products, we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact of the increased tariffs, including but not limited to, price increases to our customers.  We do not anticipate that the increased tariffs will have a significant impact on our future operating results.  Although we are confident that we will be able to pass along the impact of the increased tariffs to our customers, there can be no assurances that we will be able to pass on the entire increased costs imposed by the tariffs.
25

Interim Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

Sales.  Consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $254.3 million, a decrease of $29.5 million, or 10.4%, compared to $283.8 million in the same period of 2019, with the majority of our net sales to customers located in the United States.  Consolidated net sales decreased in both our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments.

The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by segment and by major product group within each segment for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
   
2020
   
2019
 
Engine Management:
           
Ignition, Emission Control, Fuel and Safety Related System Products
 
$
164,526
   
$
176,061
 
Wire and Cable
   
36,592
     
37,128
 
Total Engine Management
   
201,118
     
213,189
 
                 
Temperature Control:
               
Compressors
   
25,348
     
39,811
 
Other Climate Control Parts
   
26,094
     
29,113
 
Total Temperature Control
   
51,442
     
68,924
 
                 
All Other
   
1,742
     
1,653
 
                 
Total
 
$
254,302
   
$
283,766
 

Engine Management’s net sales decreased $12.1 million, or 5.7%, to $201.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.  Net sales in ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $164.5 million, a decrease of $11.6 million, or 6.6%, compared to $176.1 million in the same period of 2019.  Net sales in the wire and cable product group for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $36.6 million, a decrease of $0.5 million, or 1.3%, compared to $37.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019.  Engine Management’s decrease in net sales for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 reflects the impact of several significant pipeline orders from certain customers in the first quarter of 2019 that did not recur in the first quarter of 2020, the general decline in our wire and cable business due to its product lifecycle, and lower sales in the second half of March 2020 due to the impact of the general weakness in the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  In April 2019, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of the Pollak business of Stoneridge, Inc.  Incremental sales from our acquisition of the Pollak business of $9.5 million were included in the net sales of the ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products market for the three months ended March 31, 2020.  Excluding the incremental sales from the acquisition, net sales in the ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products market decreased $21.1 million, or 11.9%, and Engine Management net sales decreased $21.6 million, or 10.1%.

Temperature Control’s net sales decreased $17.5 million, or 25.4%, to $51.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020.  Net sales in the compressors product group for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $25.3 million, a decrease of $14.5 million, or 36.4%, compared to $39.8 million in the same period of 2019.  Net sales in the other climate control parts product group for the three months ended March 31, 2020 were $26.1 million, a decrease of $3 million, or 10.3%, compared to $29.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Temperature Control’s decrease in net sales for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 reflects primarily the impact of strong pre-season orders in the first quarter of 2019 that did not recur in the first quarter of 2020, and also a somewhat mild summer in 2019 which left inventory levels at our customers higher than the prior year.  Demand for our Temperature Control products may vary significantly with summer weather conditions and customer inventory levels.
26

Gross Margins.  Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, increased slightly to 27.7% in the first quarter of 2020, compared to 27.5% in the first quarter of 2019.  The following table summarizes gross margins by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively (in thousands):

Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Engine
Management
   
Temperature
Control
   
Other
   
Total
 
2020
                       
Net sales
 
$
201,118
   
$
51,442
   
$
1,742
   
$
254,302
 
Gross margins
   
56,705
     
12,096
     
1,594
     
70,395
 
Gross margin percentage
   
28.2
%
   
23.5
%
   
     
27.7
%
                                 
2019
                               
Net sales
 
$
213,189
   
$
68,924
   
$
1,653
   
$
283,766
 
Gross margins
   
59,693
     
16,191
     
2,079
     
77,963
 
Gross margin percentage
   
28
%
   
23.5
%
   
     
27.5
%

Compared to the first three months of 2019, gross margins at Engine Management increased 0.2 percentage points from 28% to 28.2%, while gross margins at Temperature Control remained flat at 23.5%.  The slight gross margin percentage increase in Engine Management compared to the prior year reflects favorable year-over-year production variances carried over from the prior year, which more than offset the negative impact of unfavorable product and customer mix, and lower year-over-year absorption due to lower production volumes.  The gross margin percentage at Temperature Control remained flat compared to the prior year reflecting the impact of favorable year-over-year production variances carried over from the prior year, which offset the negative impact of lower year-over-year absorption due to lower production volumes. The slightly lower production volumes at both Engine Management and Temperature Control is reflective of the timing of customer purchases and the general slowdown in the worldwide economy caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) decreased to $55.9 million, or 22% of consolidated net sales, in the first quarter of 2020, as compared to $60 million, or 21.1% of consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2019.  The $4.1 million decrease in SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019 is principally due to lower costs incurred related to our accounts receivable supply chain financing arrangements resulting from lower discount rates, and lower selling, marketing and distribution costs associated with lower sales volumes, which more than offset the impact of incremental expenses of $1.1 million from our April 2019 acquisition of certain assets and liabilities of the Pollak business of Stoneridge, Inc., including amortization of intangible assets acquired.

Restructuring and Integration Expenses. Restructuring and integration expenses in the first three months of 2020 were $0.2 million compared to no restructuring and integration expenses in the first three months of 2019.  The restructuring and integration expenses incurred in the first quarter of 2020 consist of costs related to residual relocation activities in our Engine Management segment in connection with our integration of the Pollak business of Stoneridge, Inc., acquired in April 2019. As of March 31, 2020, all restructuring and integration initiatives have been substantially completed.

Operating Income.  Operating income decreased to $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to $18 million in the first quarter of 2019.  The decrease of $3.7 million is the result of the impact of lower consolidated net sales, and slightly higher restructuring and integration expenses offset, in part, by slightly higher gross margins as a percentage of consolidated net sales, and lower SG&A expenses.

Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net.  Other non-operating expense, net was $0.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, compared to other non-operating income, net of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2019.  The year-over-year decrease in other non-operating income (expense), net results primarily from the decrease in year-over-year equity income from our joint ventures and the unfavorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The lower year-over-year equity income from our joint ventures reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the temporary shutdown of our joint ventures in China.  In March 2020, the joint ventures in China reopened and resumed manufacturing and distribution.
27

Interest Expense.  Interest expense decreased to $0.9 million in the first quarter of 2020 compared to $1.1 million in the same period of 2019.  The year-over-year decrease in interest expense reflects the impact of lower year-over-year average interest rates on our revolving credit facility.

Income Tax Provision.  The income tax provision in the first quarter of 2020 was $3.3 million at an effective tax rate of 25.6% compared to $4.4 million at an effective tax rate of 25.2% for the same period in 2019.  The slightly higher effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 results primarily from the impact of state and local taxes and the non-deductibility of certain expenses for U.S. tax purposes, caused by the lower projected earnings from continuing operations before taxes.

Loss from Discontinued Operations.  During the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, the loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $1 million and $0.9 million, respectively.  The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects legal expenses associated with our asbestos-related liability.  As discussed more fully in Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited), we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.

Restructuring and Integration Programs

All of our restructuring and integration programs have been substantially completed.  For a detailed discussion on the restructuring and integration costs, see Note 4, “Restructuring and Integration Expenses,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Operating Activities. During the first three months of 2020, cash used in operating activities was $32.8 million compared to cash used in operating activities of $26.7 million in the same period of 2019.  The increase in cash used in operating activities resulted primarily from the decrease in net earnings, the larger year-over-year increase in accounts receivable, and the decrease in accounts payable compared to an increase in accounts payable in the prior year, partially offset by the smaller year-over-year increase in inventories, the smaller year-over-year decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses, and the decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets compared to an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the prior year.

Net earnings during the first quarter of 2020 were $8.6 million compared to $12.2 million in the first quarter of 2019.  During the first three months of 2020, (1) the increase in accounts receivable was $32.7 million compared to the year-over-year increase in accounts receivable of $22.3 million in 2019; (2) the increase in inventories was $5.3 million compared to the year-over-year increase in inventories of $14.7 million in 2019; (3) the decrease in accounts payable was $11.9 million compared to the year-over-year increase in accounts payable of $1.2 million in 2019; (4) the decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $1.3 million compared to the year-over-year increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.3 million in 2019; and (5) the decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses was $2.7 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in sundry payables of $12.9 million in 2019.  The accounts payable decrease during the first quarter of 2020 reflects the impact of the timing of inventory purchases at our Temperature Control segment in anticipation of the summer selling season.  We continue to actively manage our working capital to maximize our operating cash flow.

Investing Activities.  Cash used in investing activities was $4.4 million in the first three months of 2020, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $1.7 million in the same period of 2019.  Investing activities during the first three months of 2020 consisted of capital expenditures of $4.4 million; while investing activities during the first three months of 2019 consisted of (1) net cash proceeds of $4.8 million received in January 2019 from the December 2018 sale of our property in Grapevine, Texas; and (2) capital expenditures of $3.1 million.
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Financing Activities.  Cash provided by financing activities was $40 million in the first three months of 2020 as compared to $25.2 million in the same period of 2019.  During the first three months of 2020, (1) we increased borrowings under our revolving credit facility by $52.5 million as compared to the increase in borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $35 million in 2019; (2) we made cash payments in the first three months of 2020 for the repurchase of shares of our common stock of $8.7 million as compared to $5.8 million in 2019; and (3) we paid dividends of $5.6 million in the first three months of 2020 as compared to $5.2 million in the comparable period last year.  In January 2020, our Board of Directors voted to increase our quarterly dividend from $0.23 per share in 2019 to $0.25 per share in 2020.  In April 2020, in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily suspend our quarterly cash dividend payments until further notice.

In December 2018, we amended our Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, and a syndicate of lenders.  The amended credit agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility with a line of credit of up to $250 million (with an additional $50 million accordion feature) and extends the maturity date to December 2023.  The line of credit under the amended agreement also allows for a $10 million line of credit to Canada as part of the $250 million available for borrowing.  Direct borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% based on our borrowing availability, or floating at the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% based on our borrowing availability, at our option.  The amended credit agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by certain of our assets.

Borrowings under the amended credit agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain fixed assets, and those of certain of our subsidiaries.  Availability under the amended credit agreement is based on a formula of eligible accounts receivable, eligible drafts presented to the banks under our supply chain financing arrangements and eligible inventory.  After taking into account outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement, there was an additional $141.8 million available for us to borrow pursuant to the formula at March 31, 2020.  Outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement, which are classified as current liabilities, were $105 million and $52.5 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; while letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement were $3.1 million at both March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.  Borrowings under the amended credit agreement have been classified as current liabilities based upon accounting rules and certain provisions in the agreement.

At March 31, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 2.2%, which consisted of $105 million in direct borrowings.  At December 31, 2019, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 3.5%, which consisted of $40 million in direct borrowings at 2.3% and an alternative base rate loan of $12.5 million at 5.8%.  During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our average daily alternative base rate loan balance was $2.5 million compared to a balance of $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a balance of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.

At any time that our borrowing availability is less than the greater of either (a) $25 million, or 10% of the commitments if fixed assets are not included in the borrowing base, or (b) $31.25 million, or 12.5% of the commitments if fixed assets are included in the borrowing base, the terms of the amended credit agreement provide for, among other provisions, a financial covenant requiring us, on a consolidated basis, to maintain a fixed  charge coverage ratio of 1:1 at the end of each fiscal quarter (rolling four quarters).  As of March 31, 2020, we were not subject to these covenants.  The amended credit agreement permits us to pay cash dividends of $20 million and make stock repurchases of $20 million in any fiscal year subject to a minimum availability of $25 million.  Provided specific conditions are met, the amended credit agreement also permits acquisitions, permissible debt financing, capital expenditures, and cash dividend payments and stock repurchases of greater than $20 million.
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On April 15, 2020, we borrowed $75 million under our amended credit agreement.  Following this draw down, our outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement as of April 15, 2020, were $191.3 million, leaving $47.2 million of availability (excluding the additional $50 million accordion feature).  The borrowing was made as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for working capital, ongoing operating needs and general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement.

Our Polish subsidiary, SMP Poland sp. z.o.o., has entered into an overdraft facility with HSBC France (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce, formerly HSBC Bank Polska S.A., for Zloty 30 million (approximately $7.2 million).  The facility, as amended, expires in December 2020.  Borrowings under the overdraft facility will bear interest at a rate equal to WIBOR + 0.75% and are guaranteed by Standard Motor Products, Inc., the ultimate parent company.  At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, borrowings under the overdraft facility were Zloty 18.9 million (approximately $4.6 million) and Zloty 16.7 million (approximately $4.4 million), respectively.

In order to reduce our accounts receivable balances and improve our cash flow, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions.  We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt.  Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale.  As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.

Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $150.2 million and $171.1 million of receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which was reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance at the time of sale.  A charge in the amount of $2.8 million and $5.7 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables.  The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon the LIBOR rate, as it is a component of the discount rate applicable to each arrangement.  If the LIBOR rate increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In May 2018, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program.  Stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant.  Under this program, during the year ended December 31, 2018 and three months ended March 31, 2019, we repurchased 201,484 and 129,539 shares of our common stock, respectively, at a total cost of $9.3 million and $6.3 million, respectively.  During the second quarter of 2019, we repurchased an additional 92,209 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $4.4 million, thereby completing the 2018 Board of Directors authorization.

In March 2020, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $20 million of our common stock under a new stock repurchase program.  Stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant.  Under this program, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased 222,741 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $8.7 million.  As of March 31, 2020, there was approximately $11.3 million available for future stock purchases under the program.  Our last common stock repurchase was made on March 20, 2020.  In April 2020, in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily suspend our stock repurchases until further notice.
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We anticipate that our cash flow from operations, available cash and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.  Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that we will be able to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and operating cash flow by managing our inventories and production levels to align with customer demand for our products, and effectively managing our costs and expenses, and that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements.  If material adverse developments were to occur in any of these areas, there can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs.  In addition, if we default on any of our indebtedness, or breach any financial covenant in our revolving credit facility, our business could be adversely affected.

For further information regarding the risks of our business, refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Report and Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2019.

The following table summarizes our contractual commitments as of March 31, 2020 and expiration dates of commitments through 2028 (a):

(In thousands)
 
2020
   
2021
   
2022
   
2023
   
2024
     
2025-2028
   
Total
 
Operating lease obligations
 
$
6,702
   
$
8,325
   
$
6,987
   
$
5,675
   
$
3,881
   
$
7,844
   
$
39,414
 
Postretirement benefits
   
27
     
32
     
29
     
25
     
25
     
50
     
188
 
Severance payments related to restructuring and integration
   
145
     
125
     
29
     
1
     
     
     
300
 
Total commitments
 
$
6,874
   
$
8,482
   
$
7,045
   
$
5,701
   
$
3,906
   
$
7,894
   
$
39,902
 

(a)
Indebtedness under our revolving credit facility is not included in the table above as it is reported as a current liability in our consolidated balance sheets.  As of March 31, 2020, amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities were $105 million.  In April 2020, we borrowed an additional $75 million under our revolving credit facility. The additional borrowing was made as a precautionary measure to increase our cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the current uncertainty in the global markets from the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds may be used for working capital, ongoing operating needs and general corporate purposes pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies

We have identified several accounting policies as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations.  The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

You should be aware that preparation of our consolidated quarterly financial statements in this Report requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods.  We can give no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates.  Although we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimate or in the assumptions that we use in calculating the estimate, unforeseen changes in the industry, or business could materially impact the estimate and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

For a detailed discussion on recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).


ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign currency exchange and interest rates.  These exposures are actively monitored by management.  Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is due to certain costs, revenues and borrowings being denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiary’s functional currency. Similarly, we are exposed to market risk as the result of changes in interest rates, which may affect the cost of our financing. It is our policy and practice to use derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to manage exposures.  We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  As of March 31, 2020, we do not have any derivative financial instruments.

Exchange Rate Risk

We have exchange rate exposure, primarily, with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the British Pound, the Polish Zloty, the Mexican Peso, the Taiwan Dollar, the Chinese Yuan Renminbi and the Hong Kong Dollar.  As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our monetary assets and liabilities which are subject to this exposure are immaterial, therefore, the potential immediate loss to us that would result from a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows.  This sensitivity analysis assumes an unfavorable 10% fluctuation in the exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies in which monetary assets and liabilities are denominated and does not take into account the incremental effect of such a change on our foreign currency denominated revenues.

Interest Rate Risk

We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt in our debt portfolio. To manage a portion of our exposure to interest rate changes, we have in the past entered into interest rate swap agreements.  We invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term investments.  Substantially all of our debt is variable rate debt as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

In addition, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions.  We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt.  During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we sold $150.2 million of receivables.  Depending upon the level of sales of receivables pursuant these agreements, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the margin rate may have an approximate $1.5 million negative impact on our earnings or cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2020.  The charge related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

Other than the aforementioned, there have been no significant changes to the information presented in Item 7A (Market Risk) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
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ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.

(b)
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we have not made any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  We have, however, made minor adjustments to existing internal controls to certain check signing authorizations and the manner of evidencing approvals as a result of the “shelter in place” requirements of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We review, document and test our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework.  We may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business. These efforts may lead to various changes in our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth in Item 1, “Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Report under the captions “Asbestos” and “Other Litigation” appearing in Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to the risks previously disclosed in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, except as described below.

Our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by the effects of widespread public health crises, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, that are beyond our control.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in countries in which we operate, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Poland, the U.K. and China, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.  Ultimately, the duration and severity of the pandemic may vary depending on the characteristics of the virus and the public health response; therefore, the nature and extent of its impact on our business and operations may be uncertain and beyond our control.  Our sales could decrease as a result of a decrease in customer demand for our products as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions, including a possible national or global recession, and we can provide no assurance that any decrease in sales will be offset by increased sales in the future.  In April 2020, we experienced a softening in customer demand for our products.  If our sales continue to decrease, we could be required to reduce production volumes further and implement cost reduction and cash preservation initiatives, including potential reductions in capital expenditures and employee furloughs.
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In certain countries in which we operate, national, state and local governments have implemented a variety of measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including by declaring states of emergency, restricting people from gathering in groups or interacting within a certain physical distance (i.e., social distancing), restricting or limiting the operations of businesses deemed to be non-essential, and imposing travel restrictions on individuals, including restrictions requiring individuals to stay at their place of residence except to perform certain activities deemed to be essential.  Although we have been able to continue to perform, with certain modifications, all of the material operations performed at all of our principal facilities, we can provide no assurances that we will be able to continue to perform such operations in the future without disruption, such as temporary closures, as a result of new or modifications to existing governmental measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  In particular, the Mexican government implemented certain measures in March 2020 that resulted in the temporary closure of all of our manufacturing facilities in Reynosa, Mexico.  As of the filing of this Report, these facilities are operational.  Any restrictions or limitations on our ability to perform such operations in the future without disruption, such as temporary closures, as a result of governmental measures in response to the pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic could cause material disruptions to our business and operations as a result of worker absenteeism due to illness or other factors, and the implementation of various exposure-reducing and infection prevention measures, such as cleaning and disinfecting measures, social distancing, staggered work shifts and reduced operations and production volumes.  We have had to temporarily suspend operations to clean and disinfect areas within our facilities where employees, who later tested positive or exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 performed work.  Depending on the extent and duration of these disruptions, and their effects on our business and operations, our costs could increase, including our costs to address the health and safety of our employees, our ability to manufacture and distribute product to satisfy demand for our products could be adversely impacted and, as a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on the business, operations and financial condition of our customers, suppliers and other supply chain partners as a result of the governmental measures described above, disruptions to their business and operations for reasons similar to those described above, and their ability to manage and mitigate the adverse effects of these and other risks unique to their business and operations that may arise as a result of the pandemic.
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ITEM 2.          UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information relating to the Company’s purchases of its common stock for the first quarter of 2020:

Period
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
(1)
   
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)
   
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
may yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs (2)
 
                         
January 1 – 31, 2020
   
   
$
     
   
$
 
February 1 – 29, 2020
   
     
     
     
 
March 1 – 31, 2020
   
222,741
     
39.18
     
222,741
     
11,273,830
 
Total
   
222,741
   
$
39.18
     
222,741
   
$
11,273,830
 

(1)
All shares were purchased through the publicly announced stock repurchase programs in open-market transactions.

(2)
In March 2020, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up $20 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program.  Stock will be purchased from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant.  Under this program, during the three months ended March 31, 2020, we repurchased 222,741 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $8.7 million.  As of March 31, 2020, there was approximately $11.3 million available for future stock purchases under the program.  Our last common stock repurchase was made on March 20, 2020.  In April 2020, in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily suspend our stock repurchases until further notice.


ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION

As part of the cost reduction measures implemented by us in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, our Board of Directors approved to temporarily (a) reduce base salaries of our Office of Chief Executive (i.e., the Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Commercial Officer) by 25%, (b) reduce the base salaries of our other executives by 10%, (c) reduce non-employee directors’ annual cash and equity retainers by 25%, and (d) suspend our quarterly cash dividend payments and stock repurchases until further notice. We continue to analyze our cost structure and may implement additional cost reduction measures as may be necessary due to the on-going economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

   
   
   
   
101.INS**
Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCH**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF**
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

** In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to the Original Filing shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not “filed.”

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SIGNATURES

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

STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
   
Date: April 30, 2020
/s/ Nathan R. Iles
 
Nathan R. Iles
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)


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