STONERIDGE INC - Annual Report: 2021 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-K

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

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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

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Commission file number: 001-13337

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STONERIDGE INC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

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

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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

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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).

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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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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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. ☐

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

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As of June 30, 2021, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Shares held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $763.2 million. The closing price of the Common Shares on June 30, 2021 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange was $29.50 per share. As of June 30, 2021, the number of Common Shares outstanding was 27,163,551.

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The number of Common Shares outstanding as of February 23, 2022 was 27,194,137.

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DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

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Definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 17, 2022, into Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

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Table of Contents

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INDEX

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Forward-Looking Statements

Portions of this report on Form 10-K contain “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements appear in a number of places in this report and may include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business and (v) operational expectations. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the words “will,” “may,” “should,” “designed to,” “believes,” “plans,” “projects,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “continue,” and similar words and expressions. The forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, among other factors:

The forward-looking statements contained herein represent our estimates only as of the date of this filing and should not be relied upon as representing our estimates as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, whether to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, changes in other factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

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PART I

Item 1. Business.

Overview

Founded in 1965, Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”) is a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic components, modules and systems for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets. Our products and systems are critical elements in the management of mechanical and electrical systems to improve overall vehicle performance, convenience and monitoring in areas such as safety and security, intelligence, efficiency and emissions. Our worldwide footprint is primarily comprised of 21 locations in 11 countries and enables us to supply global automotive, commercial, off-highway, agricultural and other vehicle markets.

Our custom-engineered products and systems are used to activate equipment and accessories, monitor and display vehicle performance and control, distribute electrical power and signals and provide vehicle security and convenience. Our product offerings consist of actuators, sensors, switches and connectors, driver information systems, camera-based vision systems, connectivity and compliance products, electronic control units, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services, vehicle security alarms and convenience accessories, in-vehicle audio and infotainment devices and telematics solutions. We supply the majority of our products, predominantly on a sole-source basis, to many of the world’s leading automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and select non-vehicle OEMs, as well as certain automotive and commercial vehicle Tier 1 suppliers. Our customers are increasingly utilizing electronic technology to comply with more stringent regulations (particularly emissions and safety) and to meet end-user demand for improved vehicle performance and greater convenience. As a result of this trend, per-vehicle electronic content has been increasing. Our technology and our partnership-oriented approach to product design and development enables us to develop next-generation products and systems for this trend.

Beginning with the divestiture of our wiring business in 2014, we accelerated a shift in our product portfolio towards smart products, or those products which contain embedded electronics or logic. While the wiring business was our largest single business, based on revenues and employees, and the business that the Company was founded on, its products were largely commodities that did not provide a technology platform to drive our expected future growth. In addition to the divestiture of the wiring business, we deployed capital in 2017 to make strategic investments including the acquisition of Orlaco, our partner on the development of MirrorEye, our camera-based vision system, and the acquisition of 100 percent of our Stoneridge Brazil business. In 2019, the Company’s Control Devices segment sold its non-core switches and connectors business (the “Non-core Products”) and in 2020 announced the strategic exit of our PM sensor business to further align with our strategic plan. These activities have acted as a catalyst for the advancement of our smart product portfolio, increasing our smart content from just over 50 percent of our sales in 2014 to almost 75% of our sales in 2021. Our product portfolio shift focuses on the megatrends driving the transportation industry.

In January 2019, the Company committed to a restructuring plan that resulted in the closure of the Canton, Massachusetts facility (“Canton Facility”) as of March 31, 2020 and the consolidation of manufacturing operations at that site into other Company locations (“Canton Restructuring”). The costs for the Canton Restructuring included employee severance and termination costs, contract termination costs, professional fees and other related costs such as moving and set-up costs for equipment and costs to restore the engineering function previously located at the Canton Facility.  We recognized less than $0.1 million of expense as a result of these actions during the year ended December 31, 2021 and recognized $3.0 million and $12.5 million of expense during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the third quarter of 2020, we leased the Canton facility to a third party. On June 17, 2021, we sold the Canton facility. See Note 7 and Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the third-party lease and sale, respectively, of the Canton Facility. The Company does not expect to incur additional costs related to the Canton Restructuring.

On April 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and sold product lines and assets related to certain Control Devices Non-core Products. The Non-core Products were manufactured in Juarez, Mexico and Canton, Massachusetts, and include ball switches, ignition switches, rotary switches, courtesy lamps, toggle switches, headlamp switches and other related components. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statement for additional details regarding the disposal of Non-core Products.

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On May 19, 2020, the Company committed to the strategic exit of its Control Devices particulate matter (“PM”) sensor product line (“PM Sensor Exit”). The decision to exit the PM sensor product line was made after the consideration of the decline in the market outlook for diesel passenger vehicles, the current and expected profitability of the product line and the Company’s strategic focus on aligning resources with the greatest opportunities. The estimated costs for the PM Sensor Exit include employee severance and termination costs, professional fees and other related costs such as potential commercial and supplier settlements. Non-cash charges include impairment of fixed assets and accelerated depreciation associated with PM sensor production. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the PM Sensor Exit.

On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement and sold the PM sensor product line and assets. The PM sensor product line and assets were located in Lexington, Ohio and Tallinn, Estonia. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the sale of the PM sensor business.

On November 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Minda Corporation Limited (“Minda”), as the buyer, and Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“MSIL”). On December 30, 2021, pursuant to the SPA, the Company closed the sale of MSIL to Minda. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding the sale of MSIL.

We have positioned each of our segments for continued long-term success. Our Control Devices segment is increasingly well positioned with a focus on continued development and commercialization of actuation and electrified powertrain applications that will drive future growth for the segment. Our Electronics segment is expected to drive strong revenue growth through previously awarded new program launches including our first two launches for our MirrorEye® camera-based vision system in the OEM market, as well as our continued investment in current and future technologies. Our Stoneridge Brazil segment continues to integrate into our global Electronics strategy as we leverage our global engineering footprint and prepare for continued expansion of our local OEM presence. Overall, we will continue to focus our resources on the areas of largest opportunity for the Company and drive long-term value creation for our shareholders.

Segments and Products

We conduct our business in three reportable business segments which are the same as our operating segments: Control Devices, Electronics and Stoneridge Brazil.

Control Devices. Our Control Devices segment designs and manufactures products that monitor, measure or activate specific functions within a vehicle. This segment includes product lines such as actuators, sensors, switches and connectors. Actuator products enable OEMs to deploy power functions in a vehicle and can be designed to integrate switching and control functions including our park lock and shift by wire products. Sensor products are employed in major vehicle systems such as the emissions, safety, powertrain, braking, climate control, steering and suspension systems. Switches and connectors transmit signals that activate specific functions. Our switch and connector technology is principally used in two capacities, user-activated and hidden. User-activated switches are used by a vehicle’s operator or passengers to manually activate in-vehicle accessories. Hidden switches are not typically visible to vehicle operators or passengers and are engaged to activate or deactivate selected functions as part of normal vehicle operations. We sell these products principally to the automotive market. To a lesser extent, we also sell these products to the commercial vehicle and agricultural markets.

Electronics. Our Electronics segment designs and manufactures driver information systems, camera-based vision systems, connectivity and compliance products and electronic control units. Driver information systems and connectivity and compliance products collect, store and display vehicle information such as speed, pressure, maintenance data, trip information, operator performance, temperature, distance traveled, and driver messages related to vehicle performance. Camera-based vision products provide enhanced vehicle visibility and safety to drivers. Electronic control units regulate, coordinate, monitor and direct the operation of the electrical system within a vehicle. These products are sold principally to the commercial vehicle market through both the OEM and aftermarket channels. In addition, camera-based vision systems are sold to the off-highway and commercial vehicle markets.

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Stoneridge Brazil. Our Stoneridge Brazil (“SRB”) segment primarily serves the South American market and specializes in the design, manufacture and sale of vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services, vehicle security alarms and convenience accessories, in-vehicle audio and infotainment devices and telematics solutions primarily for the automotive and motorcycle markets. This segment includes product lines such as vehicle monitoring and tracking devices, security alarms, convenience applications such as parking sensors and rearview cameras, audio and infotainment systems and telematics products used for fleet management. These products improve the performance, safety and convenience features of our customers’ vehicles. Stoneridge Brazil sells its products through the aftermarket distribution channel, to factory authorized dealer installers, also referred to as original equipment services, direct to OEMs and through mass merchandisers. In addition, monitoring services and tracking devices are sold directly to corporate and individual customers.

Our products and systems are sold to numerous OEM and Tier 1 customers, as well as aftermarket distributors and mass merchandisers, for use on many different vehicle platforms. We supply multiple parts to many of our principal OEM and Tier 1 customers under requirements contracts for a particular vehicle model. These contracts range in duration from one year to the production life of the model, which commonly extends for three to seven years.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated, the percentage of net sales derived from our principal end markets:

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For further information related to our reportable segments and financial information about geographic areas, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.

Production Materials

The principal production materials used in the Company’s manufacturing process are molded plastic components and resins, copper, steel, precious metals and certain electrical components such as printed circuit boards, semiconductors, microprocessors, memory devices, resistors, capacitors, fuses, relays, infotainment devices and cameras. We purchase production materials pursuant to both annual contract and spot purchasing methods. Such materials are available from multiple sources, but we generally establish collaborative relationships with a qualified supplier for each of our key production materials in order to lower costs and enhance service and quality. As global demand for our production materials increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate production materials from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. Refer to the Risk Factors for risks related to the current supply chain disruption related to semiconductors and other production materials. Any extended period of time for which we cannot obtain adequate production material or which we experience an increase in the price of production material would materially affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Patents, Trademarks and Intellectual Property

We maintain and have pending various U.S. and foreign patents, trademarks and other rights to intellectual property relating to the reportable segments of our business, which we believe are appropriate to protect the Company’s interests in existing products, new inventions, manufacturing processes and product developments. We do not believe any single patent is material to our business, nor would the expiration or invalidity of any patent have a material adverse effect on our business or ability to compete.

Industry Cyclicality and Seasonality

The markets for products in each of our reportable segments have been cyclical. Because these products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, revenues and therefore results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors, like the impact of environmental regulations on our customers and end market consumers, which affect these markets. A significant decline in automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle production of our principal customers could adversely impact the Company. Our Control Devices and Electronics and segments are moderately seasonal, impacted by mid-year and year-end shutdowns and the ramp-up of new model production at key customers. In addition, the demand for our Stoneridge Brazil segment consumer products is typically higher in the second half of the year.

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Customers

We have several customers which account for a significant percentage of our sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers, or the loss of a significant customer, would have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. We supply numerous different products to each of our principal customers. Contracts with several of our customers provide for supplying their requirements for a particular model, rather than for manufacturing a specific quantity of products. Such contracts range from one year to the life of the model, which is generally three to seven years. These contracts are subject to potential renegotiation from time to time, which may affect product pricing and generally may be terminated by our customers at any time. Therefore, the loss of a contract for a major model or a significant decrease in demand for certain key models or group of related models sold by any of our major customers would have a material adverse impact on the Company. We may enter into contracts to supply products, the introduction of which may then be delayed or cancelled. We also compete to supply products for successor models, and are therefore subject to the risk that the customer will not select the Company to produce products on any such model, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Due to the competitive nature of the markets we serve, we face pricing pressures from our customers in the ordinary course of business. In response to these pricing pressures we have been able to effectively manage our production costs by the combination of lowering certain costs and limiting the increase of others, the net impact of which has not been material. However, if we are unable to effectively manage production costs in the future to mitigate future pricing pressures, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

Backlog

The Company typically enters into customer agreements at the beginning of a vehicle life cycle with the intent to fulfill customer-purchasing requirements for the entire vehicle production life cycle. The vehicle life cycle usually includes the two to four year pre-production period and production for a term covering the life of such vehicle model or platform, generally between three to seven years, although there is no guarantee that this will occur. Our customers make no firm commitments regarding volume and may terminate these agreements or orders at any time. The Company’s estimated sourced future sales may also be impacted by various assumptions, including new program vehicle production levels, customer price reductions, foreign currency exchange rates and program launch timing. The Company’s customer agreements may be terminated by customers at any time and, accordingly, estimated sourced future sales information does not represent firm orders or firm commitments. The Company defines backlog as the estimated cumulative awarded sales for the next five years (or “estimated sourced future sales”). The Company’s estimated sourced future sales were $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2021, compared to $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2020. Due to the exit of the Control Devices PM sensor products business, related sales were excluded from our estimated sourced future sales as of December 31, 2020.

Competition

The markets for our products in our reportable segments are highly competitive. We compete based on technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery. We compete for new business both at the beginning of the development of new models and upon the redesign of existing models for OEM customers. New model development generally begins two to five years before the marketing of such models to the public. Once a supplier has been selected to provide parts for a new program, an OEM customer will usually continue to purchase those parts from the selected supplier for the life of the program, although not necessarily for any model redesigns. We compete for aftermarket and mass merchandiser sales based on price, product functionality, quality and service.

Our diversity in products creates a wide range of competitors, which vary depending on both market and geographic location. We compete based on strong customer relations and a fast and flexible organization that develops technically effective solutions at or below target price.

Product Development

Our research and development efforts for our reportable segments are largely product design and development oriented and consist primarily of applying known technologies to customer requests. We work closely with our customers to solve customer requests using innovative approaches. The majority of our development expenses are related to customer-sponsored programs where we are involved in designing custom-engineered solutions for specific applications or for next generation technology. To further our vehicle platform penetration, we have also developed collaborative relationships with the design and engineering departments of key customers. These collaborative efforts have resulted in the development of new and complimentary products and the enhancement of existing products.

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While our engineering and product development departments are organized by market, our segments interact and collaborate on new products. The product development operations are complimented by technology groups in Barneveld, Netherlands; Campinas, Brazil; Juarez, Mexico; Lexington, Ohio; Novi, Michigan; Stockholm, Sweden and Suzhou, China.

We have invested, and will continue to invest heavily in technology to develop new products for our customers. Product development costs, other than capitalized software development costs, incurred in connection with the development of new products and manufacturing methods, to the extent not recoverable from the customer, are expensed as incurred.

We will continue to prioritize investment spending toward the design and development of new products over sustaining existing product programs for specific customers, which allows us to sell our products to multiple customers. The typical product development process takes three to seven years to show tangible results. As part of our effort to evaluate our investment spending, we review our current product portfolio and adjust our spending to either accelerate or eliminate our investment in these products based on our position in the market and the potential of the market and product.

Environmental and Other Regulations

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things, emissions to air, discharge to water and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste and other materials. We believe that our business, operations and facilities have been and are being operated in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations.

Human Capital Management

As of December 31, 2021, Stoneridge employed approximately 5,000 full time and temporary employees in 13 countries, with about 86% located outside of the United States. Although we have no collective bargaining agreements covering U.S. employees, a significant number of employees located in Brazil, China, Estonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom either (i) are represented by a union and are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, or (ii) are covered by a works council or other employment arrangements required by law. We work to ensure positive relations with our employees.

We strive to create a work environment that enhances employee engagement, fosters productivity, and is aligned with our values of Integrity, Accountability, Teamwork, Adaptability, Customer Orientation, and Social Responsibility. We know that our success is dependent on our employees’ engagement, performance, skills, and development. To that end, we have established talent management programs at Stoneridge, which include but are not limited to the following:

When we hire new employees, we focus not just on the skills required for current positions, but the ever-changing complex skills and competencies that will be required as we move forward on our path to being the mobility industry’s integrated technology partner. We seek diverse sources for candidates and we offer wages and benefits that are competitive in the markets where employees are located.

We believe a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment is required for us to achieve our full potential as an organization. We further recognize the importance of having a strong Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) strategy. We have recently embarked on an initiative to reassess our DEI strategy, identify gaps between our ideal and current states, and develop goals and actions to realize measurable improvement. We look forward to continuing this important work in 2022.

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It is always a top priority, but the COVID-19 global pandemic has brought even greater focus on employee health and safety. We instituted a global Safe Workplace Committee that meets regularly to assess, monitor, and update safety measures as needed related to COVID-19 for each location. At the start of the pandemic, where possible employees began working from home, and extensive safety measures were implemented, including temperature and health screenings, distanced workstations, plexiglass barriers, enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols, required face coverings, and contact tracing when needed. Over time, the Safe Workplace Committee has adapted our safety protocols as local regulations and changing conditions have warranted. Our safety measures continue to be aligned with the recommendations of US and global health organizations.

The Human Resources function at Stoneridge is an active and visible partner to the business at all levels. Our Chief Human Resources Officer reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and interacts frequently with the Company’s Board of Directors. Our Human Capital focus will continue to be on employee engagement, employee and leadership development, communications, and employee health and safety.

Information About Our Executive Officers

Each executive officer of the Company serves the Board of Directors at its pleasure. The Board of Directors appoints corporate officers annually. The following table sets forth the names, ages, and positions of the executive officers of the Company:

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Jonathan B. DeGaynor, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director. Mr. DeGaynor was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2015. He has served as a director since May 2015. Prior to joining Stoneridge, Mr. DeGaynor served as the Vice President of Strategic Planning and Innovation of Guardian Industries Corp. (“Guardian”), from October 2014 until March 2015. Mr. DeGaynor served as Vice President of Business Development, Managing Director Asia for SRG Global, Inc., a Guardian company, from 2008 through September 2014. Mr. DeGaynor served as Chief Operating Officer, International for Autocam Corporation from 2005 to 2008. Prior to that, Mr. DeGaynor held positions of increasing responsibility with Delphi Corporation from 1993 to 2005.

Matthew R. Horvath, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Horvath was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in August 2021. He previously served as Stoneridge’s Executive Director of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations, and prior to that as Director of Investor Relations. Prior to joining Stoneridge, Mr. Horvath spent six years at EY, formerly known as Ernst & Young, in the Transaction Advisory practice, primarily focused on business and asset valuation with a focus on the automotive and transportation industry.

Susan C. Benedict, Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant General Counsel. Ms. Benedict was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer and Assistant General Counsel – Labor and Employment (CHRO) in June 2019. Ms. Benedict previously served as Stoneridge’s Director of Legal since November 2017. Prior to Stoneridge, Ms. Benedict served as Senior Counsel for Koch Industries in October 2017 and Corporate Counsel for Guardian Industries from December 2012 to September 2017.

Laurent P. Borne, President of the Electronics Division and Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Borne was appointed as President of the Electronics Division in January 2019.  Mr. Borne joined the Company in August 2018 and has been serving as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer and will continue to serve in this role. Prior to joining Stoneridge, Mr. Borne served as Vice President of Product Development at Whirlpool Corporation from 2014 until August 2018.

Caetano R. Ferraiolo, President of the PST Electronics Division. Mr. Ferraiolo was appointed to President of the Stoneridge Brazil Electronics Division in June 2017. Mr. Ferraiolo joined the Company in 2015 and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Stoneridge Brazil. From 2010 to 2015 he served as Vice President of Operations for Cannondale Sports Group in Brazil. Prior to that, Mr. Ferraiolo served as Director of European Commercial and Development, Autocam Corporation from 2005 to 2010.

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Robert J. Hartman Jr., Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Hartman was appointed as Chief Accounting Officer and to the role of principal accounting officer in July 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Hartman served as Corporate Controller of the Company since 2006 and prior to that as Stoneridge’s Director of Internal Audit from 2003.

Kevin R. Heigel, Vice President of Operations. Mr. Heigel was appointed Vice President of Operations in January 2020. Prior to that Mr. Heigel had been employed at ALPHA Performance Group, LLC as its Co-Founder and Managing Director from 2009 until December 2019. Prior to that Mr. Heigel was at served in various roles at Delphi last serving as Managing Director, Delphi Electrical Centers from 2006 to 2009.

James Zizelman, President of the Control Devices Division. Mr. Zizelman was appointed to President of the Control Devices Division in April 2020. Until his employment with the Company, Mr. Zizelman served as the Vice President of Engineering and Program Management for Aptiv from December 2017 to March 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Zizelman was employed at Delphi for more than 20 years, where he was last a Vice President of Engineering from 2016.

Available Information

We make available, free of charge through our website (www.stoneridge.com), our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”), Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, all amendments to those reports, and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with the SEC. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, Whistleblower Policy and Procedures and the charters of the Board of Director’s Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compliance and Ethics Committees are posted on our website as well. Copies of these documents will be available to any shareholder upon request. Requests should be directed in writing to Investor Relations at Stoneridge, Inc., 39675 MacKenzie Drive, Suite 400, Novi, Michigan 48377. The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Risks Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, have disrupted, and may continue to disrupt our business, which could adversely affect our results of operation and financial condition.

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as COVID-19, have disrupted, and may continue to disrupt, the global economy. In late 2019, a novel strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was reported to have been detected in Wuhan, China and on March 11, 2020 it was declared by the World Health Organization to be a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the global economy, disrupting the financial markets and increasing volatility, and has impeded global supply chains, restricted manufacturing operations and resulted in significantly reduced economic activity and higher unemployment rates. It has disrupted, and may continue to disrupt for an indefinite period of time, the global vehicle industry and customer sales, production volumes and purchases of automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicles by end-consumers. International, federal, state and local public health and governmental authorities have taken and may continue to take actions to contain the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 throughout most regions of the world, including travel bans, quarantines, "work-from-home" orders and similar mandates that have caused many businesses to modify normal operations. Beginning in 2020 we took actions to enhance our financial flexibility and minimize the impact on our business, such as the ramping down of certain production facilities in response to customer plant closures and changes in vehicle production schedules, imposing certain travel restrictions, amending our existing Credit Facility twice providing covenant relief through March 2023 and actively managing costs, capital spending and working capital to further strengthen our liquidity. Despite these measures, the ultimate impact to our business continues to remain highly uncertain and we have experienced, and may continue to experience, delays in the production and distribution of our products, supply chain disruptions impacting the availability of production materials and the loss or delay of customers’ sales.

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Uncertain Economic and Market Conditions

Our business is cyclical and a downturn in the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets as well as overall economic conditions could reduce our sales and profitability.

The demand for products is largely dependent on the domestic and foreign production of automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicles. The markets for our products have been cyclical, because new vehicle demand is dependent on, among other things, consumer spending and is tied closely to the overall strength of the economy. Because the majority of our products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, our net sales, and therefore our results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors which affect these markets.

In 2021, approximately 92% of our net sales were derived from automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets while approximately 8% were derived from aftermarket distributors, mass merchandisers and monitoring services markets.

Due to the overall global economic conditions in 2021 and 2020, largely as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and resulting supply chain issues, the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets experienced a decline in global customer sales and production volumes. As a result, we have experienced and may continue to experience reductions in orders from our customers in certain regions. An economic downturn or other adverse industry conditions that result in a decline in automotive, commercial, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production, or a material decline in market share by our significant customers, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The loss or insolvency of any of our principal customers would adversely affect our future results.

We are dependent on several principal customers for a significant percentage of our net sales. In 2021, our top five customers were Volvo, VW Group, Ford Motor Company, PACCAR and American Axle which comprised 9%, 9%, 8%, 6% and 6% of our net sales, respectively. In 2021, our top ten customers accounted for 55% of our net sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we have significant receivable balances related to these customers and other major customers that would be at risk in the event of their bankruptcy.

The Company’s estimated sourced future sales from awarded programs may not be realized.

The Company typically enters into customer agreements at the beginning of a vehicle life cycle with the intent to fulfill customer-purchasing requirements for the entire vehicle production life cycle. The vehicle life cycle typically included the two to four year pre-production period and production for a term covering the life of such vehicle model or platform, generally between three to seven years, although there is no guarantee that this will occur. The Company’s customers make no firm commitments regarding volume and may terminate these agreements or orders at any time. Therefore, these arrangements do not represent firm orders. The Company’s estimated sourced future sales from awarded programs, also referred to as backlog, is the estimated remaining cumulative awarded life-of-program sales for up to a five year period. Several factors may change forecasted revenue from awarded programs; namely, new business wins, vehicle production volume changes, customer price reductions, foreign currency exchange rates, component take rates by customers and short cycled or cancelled models or platforms.

We must implement and sustain a competitive technological advantage in producing our products to compete effectively.

Our products are subject to changing technology, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to alternative products introduced by competitors. Our success will depend on our ability to continue to meet customers’ changing specifications with respect to technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery by implementing and sustaining competitive technological advances. Our business may, therefore, require significant recurring additional capital expenditures and investment in product development, manufacturing and management information systems. We cannot assure that we will be able to achieve technological advances or introduce new products that may be necessary to remain competitive. Our inability to continuously improve existing products, to develop new products and to achieve technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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The discontinuation of, loss of business or lack of commercial success, with respect to a particular vehicle model for which the Company is a significant supplier could reduce the Company’s sales and harm its profitability.

Although the Company has purchase orders from many of its customers, these purchase orders generally provide for the supply of a customer’s annual requirements for a particular vehicle model and assembly plant, or in some cases, for the supply of a customer’s requirements for the life of a particular vehicle model, rather than for the purchase of a specific quantity of products. In addition, it is possible that our customers could elect to manufacture components internally that are currently produced by outside suppliers, such as our Company. The discontinuation of, the loss of business with respect to or a lack of commercial success of a particular vehicle model for which the Company is a significant supplier, could reduce the Company’s sales and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Financial Risks

We have foreign currency translation and transaction risks that may materially adversely affect our operating results, financial condition and liquidity.

The financial position and results of operations of our international subsidiaries are initially recorded in various foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies ordinarily has a negative effect on our reported sales and operating margin (and conversely, the weakening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has a positive impact). The volatility of currency exchange rates may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our debt obligations could limit our flexibility in managing our business and expose us to risks.

As of December 31, 2021, there was $164.0 million in borrowings outstanding on our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as amended, (the “Credit Facility”). In addition, we are permitted under our Credit Facility to incur additional debt, subject to specified limitations. Our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness may have important consequences including the following:

These and other consequences of our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Covenants in our Credit Facility may limit our ability to pursue our business strategies.

Our Credit Facility limits our ability to, among other things:

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On February 28, 2022, we amended the Credit Facility. As amended the Credit Facility provides for certain financial covenant relief and additional covenant restrictions during the “Specified Period” (the period from February 28, 2022 until the date that the Company delivers a compliance certificate for the quarter ending March 31, 2023 in form and substance satisfactory to the administrative agent). During the Specified Period:

Following the Specified Period, the agreement governing our Credit Facility requires us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00. Our ability to comply with these covenants as well as the negative covenants under the terms of our indebtedness, may be affected by events beyond our control.

A breach of any of the negative covenants under our indebtedness or our inability to comply with the leverage and interest ratio requirements in the Credit Facility could result in an event of default. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Credit Facility could elect to declare all outstanding borrowings, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable and terminate any commitments they have to provide further borrowings, and the Credit Facility lenders could pursue foreclosure and other remedies against us and our assets.

Our annual effective tax rate could be volatile and materially change as a result of changes in the mix of earnings and other factors including changes in the recognition and/or release of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.

Our overall effective tax rate is computed by dividing our total tax expense (benefit) by our total earnings (loss) before tax. However, tax expense and benefits are not recognized on a global basis, but rather on a jurisdictional or legal entity basis. Losses in certain jurisdictions may not provide a current financial statement tax benefit as a result of the need to maintain a valuation allowance against the associated deferred tax asset. Also, management periodically evaluates the realizability of our deferred tax assets which may result in the recognition and/or release of valuation allowances. As a result, changes in the mix of earnings between jurisdictions and changes in the recognition and/or release of valuation allowances, among other factors, could have a significant effect on our overall effective tax rate.

Risks Related to Products, Pricing and Supply

We are dependent on the availability and price of raw materials and other supplies.

We require substantial amounts of raw materials and other supplies, and substantially all such materials we require are purchased from outside sources. The availability and prices of raw materials and other supplies may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers and interruptions in production by suppliers, weather emergencies, natural disasters, commercial disputes, acts of terrorism or war, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. If demand for raw materials we require increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate raw materials and other supplies from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. Currently, and at times in the past, we have experienced difficulty obtaining adequate supplies of semiconductors and memory chips. In addition, there have been challenges at times in obtaining timely supply of nylon and resins for our Control Devices segment and audio component parts for our Stoneridge Brazil segment. If we cannot obtain adequate raw materials and other supplies, or if we experience an increase in the price of raw materials and other supplies, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

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The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant vehicle production slowdown in the first half of 2020, which was followed by increased consumer demand and vehicle production schedules in the second half of 2020. This surge in demand led to a worldwide semiconductor supply shortage at the end of 2020 and throughout 2021, as semiconductor suppliers have been unable to rapidly reallocate production lines to serve the transportation industry. In addition, we have experienced longer lead-times, higher costs and delays in procuring other component parts and raw materials. As a result, we are currently experiencing supply chain disruptions. We are assessing the potential supply chain impacts, which may directly or indirectly impact various suppliers, and correspondingly, OEM production. We are working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts, and we continue to closely monitor the availability of semiconductor microchips and other component parts and raw materials, customer vehicle production schedules and any other supply chain inefficiencies that may arise, due to this or any other issue. However, any direct or indirect supply chain disruptions may have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The prices that we can charge our customers are typically predetermined and we bear the risk of costs in excess of our estimates, in addition to the risk of adverse effects resulting from general customer demands for cost reductions and quality improvements.

Our supply agreements with our customers typically require us to provide our products at predetermined prices. In some cases, these prices decline over the course of the contract and may require us to meet certain productivity and cost reduction targets. In addition, our customers may require us to share productivity savings in excess of our cost reduction targets. The costs that we incur in fulfilling these contracts may vary substantially from our initial estimates. Unanticipated cost increases or the inability to meet certain cost reduction targets may occur as a result of several factors, including increases in the costs of labor, components or materials. In some cases, we are permitted to pass on to our customers the cost increases associated with specific materials. However, cost overruns that we cannot pass on to our customers could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

OEM customers have exerted and continue to exert considerable pressure on component suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality and provide additional design and engineering capabilities and continue to demand and receive price reductions and measurable increases in quality through their use of competitive selection processes, rating programs and various other arrangements. We may be unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset required price reductions. Additionally, OEMs have generally required component suppliers to provide more design engineering input at earlier stages of the product development process, the costs of which have, in some cases, been absorbed by the suppliers. Future price reductions, increased quality standards and additional engineering capabilities required by OEMs may reduce our profitability and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We have limited or no redundancy for certain of our manufacturing facilities, and therefore damage or disruption to those facilities could interrupt our operations, increase our costs of doing business and impair our ability to deliver our products on a timely basis.

If certain of our existing production facilities become incapable of manufacturing products for any reason, we may be unable to meet production requirements, we may lose revenue and we may not be able to maintain our relationships with our customers. Without operation of certain existing production facilities, we may be limited in our ability to deliver products until we restore the manufacturing capability at the particular facility, find an alternative manufacturing facility or arrange an alternative source of supply. We carry business interruption insurance to cover lost revenue and profits in an amount we consider adequate, however, this insurance does not cover all possible situations and may be insufficient. Also, our business interruption insurance would not compensate us for the loss of opportunity and potential adverse impact on relations with our existing customers resulting from our inability to produce products for them.

We rely on independent dealers and distributors to sell certain products in the aftermarket sales channel and a disruption to this channel would harm our business.

Because we sell certain products such as security accessories and driver information products to independent dealers and distributors, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. If dealers and distributors do not maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand, our sales could be negatively impacted.

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Our dealer network also sells products offered by our competitors. If our competitors offer our dealers more favorable terms, those dealers may de-emphasize or decline to carry our products. In the future, we may not be able to retain or attract a sufficient number of qualified dealers and distributors. Our inability to maintain successful relationships with dealers and distributors, or to expand our distribution channels, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our Global Positioning Systems (“GPS”) products depend upon satellites maintained by the United States Department of Defense. If a significant number of these satellites become inoperable, unavailable or are not replaced, or if the policies of the United States government for the use of the GPS without charge are changed, our business will suffer.

The GPS is a satellite-based navigation and positioning system consisting of a constellation of orbiting satellites. The satellites and their ground control and monitoring stations are maintained and operated by the United States Department of Defense. The Department of Defense does not currently charge users for access to the satellite signals. These satellites and their ground support systems are complex electronic systems subject to electronic and mechanical failures and possible sabotage.

If a significant number of satellites were to become inoperable, unavailable or are not replaced, it would impair the current utility of our GPS products and the growth of market opportunities. In addition, there can be no assurance that the U.S. government will remain committed to the operation and maintenance of GPS satellites over a long period, or that the policies of the U.S. government that provide for the use of the GPS without charge and without accuracy degradation will remain unchanged. Because of the increasing commercial applications of the GPS, other U.S. government agencies may become involved in the administration or the regulation of the use of GPS signals. Any of the foregoing factors could affect the willingness of buyers of our products to select GPS-based products instead of products based on competing technologies, which could adversely affect our operational revenues, financial condition and results of operation.

Geopolitical Uncertainties

We are subject to risks related to our international operations.

Approximately 49% of our net sales in 2021 were derived from sales outside of North America. At December 31, 2021, significant concentrations of net assets outside of North America included $238.2 million in Europe and Other and $32.2 million in South America. Non-current assets outside of North America accounted for approximately 64% of our non-current assets as of December 31, 2021. International sales and operations are subject to significant risks, including, among others:

We operate our business on a global basis and policy changes affecting international trade could adversely impact the demand for our products and our competitive position.

We manufacture, sell and service products globally and rely upon a global supply chain to deliver the raw materials, components, systems and parts that we need to manufacture and service our products. Changes in government policies on foreign trade and investment can affect the demand for our products and services, cause non-U.S. customers to shift preferences toward domestically manufactured or branded products and impact the competitive position of our products or prevent us from being able to sell products in certain countries. Our business benefits from free trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the U.S. trade relationship with China and Brazil and efforts to withdraw from, or substantially modify such agreements or arrangements, in addition to the implementation of more restrictive trade policies, such as more detailed inspections, higher tariffs import or export licensing requirements, exchange controls or new barriers to entry, could adversely impact our production costs, customer demand and our relationships with customers and suppliers. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Strategic Performance Risks

Our inability to effectively manage the timing, quality and costs of new program launches could adversely affect our financial performance.

In connection with the award of new business, we obligate ourselves to deliver new products and services that are subject to our customers’ timing, performance and quality standards. Additionally, as a Tier 1 supplier, we must effectively coordinate the activities of numerous suppliers in order for the program launches of our products to be successful. Given the complexity of new program launches, we may experience difficulties managing product quality, timeliness and associated costs. In addition, new program launches require a significant ramp-up of costs; however, our sales related to these new programs generally are dependent upon the timing and success of our customers’ introduction of new vehicles. Our inability to effectively manage the timing, quality and costs of these new program launches could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may not be able to successfully integrate acquisitions into our business or may otherwise be unable to benefit from pursuing acquisitions.

Failure to successfully identify, complete and/or integrate acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on us. A portion of our growth in sales and earnings has been generated from acquisitions and subsequent improvements in the performance of the businesses acquired. We expect to continue a strategy of selectively identifying and acquiring businesses with complementary products. We cannot assure you that any business acquired by us will be successfully integrated with our operations or prove to be profitable. We could incur substantial indebtedness in connection with our acquisition strategy, which could significantly increase our interest expense.

We anticipate that acquisitions could occur in foreign markets in which we do not currently operate. As a result, the process of integrating acquired operations into our existing operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial resources that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of existing operations. Any failure to successfully integrate such acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Product Liability Risks

Increased or unexpected product warranty claims could adversely affect us.

We typically provide our customers a warranty covering workmanship, and in some cases materials, on products we manufacture. Our warranty generally provides that products will be free from defects and adhere to customer specifications. If a product fails to comply with the warranty, we may be obligated or compelled, at our expense, to correct any defect by repairing or replacing the defective product. Our customers are increasingly seeking to hold suppliers responsible for product warranties, which could negatively impact our exposure to these costs. We maintain warranty reserves in an amount based on historical trends of units sold and costs incurred, combined with our current understanding of the status of existing claims. To estimate the warranty reserves, we must forecast the resolution of existing claims, as well as expected future claims on products previously sold. The costs of claims estimated to be due and payable could differ materially from what we may ultimately be required to pay. An increase in the rate of warranty claims or the occurrence of unexpected warranty claims could have a material adverse effect on our customer relations, our business, financial condition or results of operations.

We may incur material product liability costs.

We may be subject to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products results in personal injury or death and we cannot assure that we will not experience material product liability losses in the future. We cannot assure that our product liability insurance will be adequate for liabilities ultimately incurred or that it will continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recalls involving such products. A successful claim brought against us that exceeds available insurance coverage or a requirement to participate in any product recall could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

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Intellectual Property Risks

If we fail to protect our intellectual property rights or maintain our rights to use licensed intellectual property or are found liable for infringing the rights of others, our business could be adversely affected.

Our intellectual property, including our patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and license agreements, are important in the operation of our businesses, and we rely on the patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws of the United States and other countries, as well as nondisclosure agreements, to protect our intellectual property rights. We may not, however, be able to prevent third parties from infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating our intellectual property, breaching any nondisclosure agreements with us, or independently developing technology that is similar or superior to ours and not covered by our intellectual property. Any of the foregoing could reduce any competitive advantage we have developed, cause us to lose sales or otherwise harm our business. We cannot assure that any intellectual property will provide us with any competitive advantage or will not be challenged, rejected, cancelled, invalidated or declared unenforceable. In the case of pending patent applications, we may not be successful in securing issued patents, or securing patents that provide us with a competitive advantage for our businesses. In addition, our competitors may design products around our patents that avoid infringement and violation of our intellectual property rights.

We cannot be certain that we have rights to all intellectual property currently used in the conduct of our businesses or that we have complied with the terms of agreements by which we acquire such rights, which could expose us to infringement, misappropriation or other claims alleging violations of third party intellectual property rights. Third parties have asserted and may assert or prosecute infringement claims against us in connection with the services and products that we offer, and we may or may not be able to successfully defend these claims. Litigation, either to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend against claims regarding intellectual property rights of others, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our resources. Any such claims and resulting litigation could require us to enter into licensing agreements (if available on acceptable terms or at all), pay damages and cease making or selling certain products and could result in a loss of our intellectual property protection. Moreover, in such a situation, we may need to redesign some of our products to avoid future infringement liability. We also may be required to indemnify customers or other third parties at significant expense in connection with such claims and actions. The Company has seen an increase in customer requests for indemnification in connection with third party patent claims related to connectivity-enabled products. These claims are being made by patent-holders seeking royalties and who may enter into litigation based on patent infringement allegations. The Company has taken actions to mitigate this risk from new programs, however, significant indemnification claims related to these products could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Information Technology and Cybersecurity Risks

A failure of our information technology (IT) networks and systems, or the inability to successfully implement upgrades to our enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, could adversely impact our business and operations.

We rely upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and/or activities. The secure operation of these IT networks and systems and the proper processing and maintenance of this information are critical to our business operations.

Also, we continually expand and update our IT networks and systems in response to the changing needs of our business and periodically upgrade our ERP systems. Should our networks or systems not be implemented successfully, or if the systems do not perform in a satisfactory manner once implementation is complete, our business and operations could be disrupted and our results of operations could be adversely affected, including our ability to report accurate and timely financial results.

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We may be subject to risks relating to our information technology systems and cybersecurity.

We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and operate our business. Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT networks and systems are at risk to damages from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions. A breach in security could expose us and our customers and suppliers to risks of misuse of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, production downtimes and operations disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, business or results of operations. While we have taken steps to protect the Company from cybersecurity risks and security breaches (including enhancing our firewall, workstation, email security and network monitoring and alerting capabilities, and training employees around phishing, malware and other cybersecurity risks), and we have policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of systems failures, interruptions, and security breaches, there can be no assurance that such events will not occur or that they will be adequately addressed if they do. Although we rely on commonly used security and processing systems to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect the secure transmission of data, these precautions may not protect our systems from all potential compromises or breaches of security. We may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.

Privacy and security concerns relating to the Company’s current or future products and services could damage its reputation and deter current and potential users from using them.

We may gain access to sensitive, confidential or personal data or information that is subject to privacy and security laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Concerns about our practices with regard to the collection, use, disclosure, or security of personal information or other privacy related matters, even if unfounded, could damage our reputation and adversely affect our business, our financial condition or operating results. Furthermore, regulatory authorities around the world are considering a number of legislative and regulatory proposals concerning cybersecurity and data protection. In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere are often uncertain and in flux. Complying with these various laws could cause the Company to incur substantial costs.

Environmental, Climate and Weather Risks

Compliance with environmental and other governmental regulations could be costly and require us to make significant expenditures.

Our operations are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations governing, among other things:

Our business, operations and facilities are subject to environmental and health and safety laws and regulations, many of which provide for substantial fines for violations. The operation of our manufacturing facilities entails risks and we cannot assure you that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these operations. In addition, potentially significant expenditures could be required in order to comply with evolving environmental, health and safety laws, regulations or requirements that may be adopted or imposed in the future. Changes in environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and requirements or other governmental regulations could increase our cost of doing business or adversely affect the demand for our products.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

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Item 2. Properties.

At December 31, 2021, the Company owned or leased seven manufacturing facilities, which together contain approximately 0.9 million square feet of manufacturing space. Of these manufacturing facilities, three are used by our Control Devices reportable segment, three are used by our Electronics reportable segment and one is used by our Stoneridge Brazil reportable segment. The following table provides information regarding our facilities:

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

From time to time we are subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of breach of contracts, product warranties, product liability, patent infringement, regulatory matters, and employment-related matters. It is our opinion that the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the final amounts required to resolve these matters could differ materially from our recorded estimates. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure.

Not Applicable.

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PART II

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

Our shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SRI.” As of February 23, 2022, we had 27,194,137 Common Shares, without par value, outstanding which were owned by approximately 170 shareholders of record. This does not include persons whose stock is in nominee or “street name” accounts held by banks, brokers and other nominees.

The following table presents information with respect to repurchases of Common Shares made by us during the three months ended December 31, 2021. There were 354 Common Shares delivered to us by employees as payment for withholding taxes due upon vesting of performance share awards and share unit awards during the year ended December 31, 2021

Other than the repurchase of Common Shares in March 2020 and the repurchase of Common Shares of 79,434 and 80,427, respectively, to satisfy employee tax withholdings associated with the delivery of Common Shares earned by employees pursuant to equity-base awards under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan there were no other repurchases of Common Shares made by us during the years ended December 31, 2021 or 2020. Refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for additional details regarding Common Share repurchases.

For information on “Related Stockholder Matters” required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K, refer to Item 12 of this report.

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Performance Graph

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the cumulative total return of a hypothetical investment in our Common Shares with the cumulative total return of hypothetical investments in the Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts (TR) Index and the NYSE Composite Index. The Dow Jones U.S. Auto Parts (TR) Index replaces the Morningstar Auto Parts Index in this analysis and going forward, as the latter data is no longer accessible. The latter index has been included with data through 2020. The graph is based on the respective market price of each investment as of December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 assuming in each case an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2016, and reinvestment of dividends.

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Item 6. [Reserved]

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

We are a leading global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electrical and electronic systems, components and modules primarily for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto and other financial information included elsewhere herein.

Impacts to Global Market Conditions

The coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) and the ongoing supply chain disruptions, primarily related to semiconductor shortages, have had a negative impact on the global economy in 2020 and 2021. These conditions have disrupted, and likely will continue to disrupt, the global vehicle industry and customer sales, production volumes and purchases of automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicles by end-consumers.

The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant vehicle production slowdown in the first half of 2020, which was followed by increased consumer demand and vehicle production schedules. This surge in demand led to a worldwide semiconductor supply shortage at the end of 2020, and other supply chain related constraints which have continued through 2021. We have experienced longer lead-times, higher costs, delays in procuring other component parts and raw materials and more recently, significant production volume reductions as a result of these shortages. In the second half of 2021, these supply chain disruptions became incrementally more challenging and as a result we are experiencing higher related costs. We are working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts, and we continue to closely monitor the availability of semiconductor microchips and other component parts and raw materials, customer vehicle production schedules and any other supply chain inefficiencies that may arise, due to this or any other issue. In 2021, the Company recognized $17.6 million of cost recoveries related to spot buys of materials purchased for our customers.

Global vehicle volumes are expected to increase in 2022 due to a combination of higher demand and historically low inventory levels. However, vehicle production volumes will continue to be negatively impacted by the ongoing supply chain disruptions, including semiconductor shortages. The magnitude of the adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will depend on the evolution of the semiconductor supply shortage, vehicle production schedules and supply chain impacts.

Segments

We are organized by products produced and markets served. Under this structure, our operations have been reported using the following segments:

Control Devices. This segment includes results of operations that manufacture actuators, sensors, switches and connectors.

Electronics. This segment includes results of operations from the production of driver information systems, camera-based vision systems, connectivity and compliance products and electronic control units.

Stoneridge Brazil (“SRB”). This segment includes results of operations that design and manufacture vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services, vehicle security alarms and convenience accessories, in-vehicle audio and infotainment devices and telematics solutions.

Overview

Although 2021 presented a number of challenges, the Company was able to effectively navigate an incredibly volatile operating environment while at the same time continuing to execute on our long-term strategy. The Company continues to work with our customers to preserve gross margin through price increases aligned with current market conditions and is executing on initiatives to reduce supply chain related costs.

The Company had net income of $3.4 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2021.

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Net income in 2021 increased by $11.4 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, from $(8.0) million, or $(0.29) per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to the gain on sale of the Canton Facility of $30.7 million, or $0.93 per diluted share, and the pre-tax gain on the disposal of the MSIL joint venture of $1.9 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share. This increase was offset by higher D&D costs for new product launches and higher SG&A including a net unfavorable fair value adjustment for SRB earn-out consideration of $5.3 million, or $(0.19) per diluted share.

In 2021, our net sales increased by $122.5 million, or 18.9%, while our operating income increased $23.1 million.

Our Control Devices segment net sales increased by 3.9% primarily as a result of the recovery from the 2020 COVID-19 impacts in our North American and China automotive markets. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in volumes in European automotive volumes due to the exit of PM sensor production and a decrease in volumes in our North American commercial vehicle market. Segment gross margin decreased due to costs associated with supply chain disruptions offset by lower restructuring and realignment costs of $1.7 million and favorable leverage of fixed costs from higher sales levels. Segment operating income increased due to the gain on sale of the Canton Facility of $30.7 million, the gain on disposal of the PM sensor business of $1.1 million and a decrease in restructuring expense of $4.0 million offset by higher costs from supply chain disruptions.

Our Electronics segment net sales increased by 38.9% primarily as a result of the recovery from the 2020 COVID-19 impacts in our North American and European commercial and off-highway vehicle markets as well as favorable customer pricing for recoveries of semiconductor spot buy purchases and favorable foreign currency translation. Segment gross margin decreased primarily due to higher costs associated with supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components offsetting favorable leverage of fixed costs from higher sales levels. Operating loss increased primarily due to higher costs from supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components and higher D&D costs offset by higher sales.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment net sales increased by 19.1% due to higher volumes for all of our product lines and for our Argentina market channel offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation. Segment gross margin was lower due to adverse sales mix from higher product sales compared to monitoring fees and higher costs associated with supply chain disruptions offset by favorable leverage of fixed costs. Operating income decreased primarily due to a $5.3 million increase in net unfavorable adjustments to the fair value of the Stoneridge Brazil earn-out consideration and the impairment of Brazilian indirect tax credits of $0.7 million offset by higher sales.

In 2021, SG&A expenses were higher compared to 2020 due to a $5.3 million increase in net adjustments to the fair value of the SRB earn-out consideration and higher professional service costs which were offset by lower incentive compensation costs and the 2021 gains on the MSIL joint venture of $1.8 million and the disposal of the PM sensor business of $1.1 million.

D&D costs increased in 2021 mostly due to increased spend in our Electronics segment for higher consulting and prototype costs as well as lower customer reimbursements for ongoing development activities for awarded business programs and development of advanced technologies and systems.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $85.5 million and $73.9 million, respectively. The 2021 increase in borrowings under the Credit Facility were to maintain a high level of liquidity to ensure adequate available capital across our global locations due to adverse economic conditions caused by COVID-19. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had $164.0 million and $136.0 million, respectively, in borrowings outstanding on the 2019 Credit Facility.

Outlook

The Company believes that focusing on products that address industry megatrends will have a positive impact on both our top-line growth and underlying margins. Beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and continuing through 2021, COVID-19 caused worldwide adverse economic conditions and uncertainty in our served markets. In the first quarter of 2021, we began experiencing supply chain related disruptions because of a worldwide semiconductor shortage, which has resulted in longer lead-times, higher costs and delays in procuring other component parts and raw materials. The Company expects that ongoing material cost challenges, resulting from supply chain disruptions, will put pressure on margins particularly in the first half of 2022.

The North American automotive market is expected to increase to 15.2 million units in 2022 from 13.0 million units in 2021 as the market continues to recover from supply chain disruptions. The Company expects sales volumes in our Control Devices segment to increase from 2021 based on current 2022 production forecasts and market conditions and the ramp-

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up of certain electrified vehicle program launches, however, global supply chain shortages, primarily the global semiconductor supply shortage could adversely impact our sales volumes and gross margin in 2022.

For 2022, we expect an increase in our Electronics’ segment sales compared to 2021 primarily due to the increase in production volume forecasts in our European and North American commercial markets, strong demand in our off-highway markets and new program launches in 2022. We expect increased sales from the launch of our first two MirrorEye camera-based vision systems for OEM applications as well as the continued roll out of MirrorEye in the retrofit markets. Customer pricing increased net sales by $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, primarily due to customer recoveries related to spot buys of materials purchased for our customers. This spot buy material purchasing activity, which is recognized as revenue and material costs, was passed through 100% to the customer and was driven by electronic component shortages in 2021. The Company expects continued spot buy activity in 2022 but cannot predict the duration or magnitude of continued spot buy activity due to volatile supply chains and component availability.

In 2021, our D&D spend increased to support near term launches of awarded business primarily in our Electronics segment. We expect that our D&D spending will moderate from current levels as we continue to align our global engineering capabilities in order to develop advanced technologies and systems within our portfolio of products.

Our 2021 Stoneridge Brazil segment revenues increased compared to the prior year due to the recovery of the adverse economic conditions caused by COVID-19 in 2020 offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation. In October 2021, the International Monetary Fund forecasted the Brazil gross domestic product to grow 5.2% in 2021 and 1.5% in 2022. We expect our served market channels to remain stable based on current market conditions. Our financial performance in our Stoneridge Brazil segment is also subject to uncertainty from movements in the Brazilian Real and Argentina Peso foreign currencies.

Global transportation vehicle production has been impacted by supply chain disruptions, including semiconductor shortages, in 2021, primarily in our commercial vehicle and automotive end-markets. Based on the current market conditions, we expect continued impact on production in 2022. We expect incremental costs related to supply chain disruptions and production schedule volatility to continue to adversely impact our gross margin in 2022.

In 2021, our effective tax rate increased due to atypical jurisdictional earnings mix as a result of increased supply chain costs and incremental engineering expenses to support future program launches. We expect our effective tax rate to return to previous rates in 2022.

Other Matters

A significant portion of our sales are outside of the United States. These sales are generated by our non-U.S. based operations, and therefore, movements in foreign currency exchange rates can have a significant effect on our results of operations, which are presented in U.S. dollars. A significant portion of our raw materials purchased by our Electronics and Stoneridge Brazil segments are denominated in U.S. dollars, and therefore movements in foreign currency exchange rates can also have a significant effect on our results of operations. The U.S. Dollar strengthened against the euro, Swedish krona, Brazilian real, Argentine peso and Mexican peso in 2021 and the Brazilian real, Argentine peso and Mexican peso in 2020, unfavorably impacting our material costs and reported results.

On November 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) with Minda Corporation Limited (“Minda”), as the buyer, and MSIL. Pursuant to the SPA the Company agreed to sell to Minda the Company’s minority interest in MSIL for approximately $21.5 million equivalent Indian Rupee which was payable in U.S. dollars at closing. On December 30, 2021, pursuant to the SPA, the Company closed the sale of MSIL to Minda for $21.6 million. The Company recognized net proceeds of $21.0 million and a gain, net of direct selling costs, of $1.8 million.

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On March 8, 2021, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) by and among the Company, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Stoneridge Electronics AS, as the Sellers, and Standard Motor Products, Inc. (“SMP”) and SMP Poland SP Z O.O., as the Buyers. Pursuant to the APA the Company agreed to sell to the Buyers the Company’s assets located in Lexington, Ohio and Tallinn, Estonia related to the manufacturing of particulate matter sensor products and related service part operations (together, the “PM sensor business”). In the past, the Company has sometimes referred to the PM sensor assets as the Company’s soot sensing business. The Buyers did not acquire any of the Company’s locations or employees. The purchase price for the sale of the PM sensor business was $4.0 million (subject to a post-closing inventory adjustment which was a payment to SMP of $1.1 million) plus the assumption of certain liabilities. The purchase price was allocated among PM sensor product lines, Gen 1 and Gen 2 as defined under the APA. The purchase price allocated to Gen 1 fixed assets and inventory and Gen 2 fixed assets was $3.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The sale of the Gen 2 assets occurred during November 2021 as the Company’s supply commitments to certain customers were completed in September 2021. The Company and SMP also entered into certain ancillary agreements, including a contract manufacturing agreement, a transitional services agreement, and a supply agreement, pursuant to which the Company will provide and be compensated for certain manufacturing, transitional, administrative and support services to SMP on a short-term basis.

On May 19, 2020, the Company committed to the strategic exit of its Control Devices particulate matter sensor product line (“PM Sensor Exit”). The decision to exit the PM sensor product line was made after the consideration of the decline in the market outlook for diesel passenger vehicles, the current and expected profitability of the product line and the Company’s strategic focus on aligning resources with the greatest opportunities. The estimated costs for the PM Sensor Exit include employee severance and termination costs, contract termination costs, professional fees and other related costs such as potential commercial and supplier settlements. Non-cash charges include impairment of fixed assets and accelerated depreciation associated with PM sensor production. We recognized $2.4 million and $3.4 million of expense as a result of this initiative during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The only remaining costs relate to potential commercial settlements and legal fees which we continue to negotiate. The estimated additional cost related to these settlements and fees is up to $4.2 million.

In January 2019, we committed to a restructuring plan that resulted in the closure of our Canton, Massachusetts facility (“Canton Facility”) as of March 31, 2020 and the consolidation of manufacturing operations at that site into other Company locations (“Canton Restructuring”). The cost for the Canton Restructuring included employee severance and termination costs, contract termination costs, professional fees and other related costs such as moving and set-up costs for equipment and costs to restore the engineering function previously located at the Canton Facility.  We recognized expense as a result of these actions during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 of $0.0 and $3.0 million, respectively. We do not expect to incur additional costs related to the Canton Restructuring. During the third quarter of 2020, we leased the Canton Facility to a third party. On June 17, 2021, we sold the Canton Facility for net proceeds of $35.2 million and a net gain of $30.7 million.

On April 1, 2019, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement by and among the Company, the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. (“SCD”), and Standard Motor Products, Inc. (“SMP”). On the same day pursuant to the APA, in exchange for $40.0 million (subject to a post-closing inventory adjustment which was a payment to SMP of $1.6 million) and the assumption of certain liabilities, the Company and SCD sold to SMP product lines and assets related to certain non-core switches and connectors (the “Non-core Products”). On April 1, 2019, the Company and SMP also entered into certain ancillary agreements, including a transition services agreement, a contract manufacturing agreement and a supply agreement, pursuant to which the Company provided and was compensated for certain manufacturing, transitional, administrative and support services to SMP on a short-term basis. The products related to the Non-core Products were manufactured in Juarez, Mexico and Canton, Massachusetts, and included ball switches, ignition switches, rotary switches, courtesy lamps, toggle switches, headlamp switches and other related components. On April 1, 2019, the Company’s Control Devices segment recognized net sales and costs of goods sold of $4.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the one-time sale of finished goods inventory and a gain on disposal of $33.9 million for the sale of fixed assets, intellectual property and customer lists associated with the Non-core Products less transaction costs. On June 17, 2020, the Company and SMP terminated the transition services agreement and the contract manufacturing agreement.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company undertook restructuring actions for the Electronics segment affecting the European Aftermarket business and China operations. In the second quarter of 2020, the Company finalized plans to move its European Aftermarket sales activities in Dundee, Scotland to a new location which resulted in incurring contract termination costs as well as employee severance and termination costs. In addition, the Company announced an additional restructuring program to transfer the European production of its Controls product line to China. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized expense of $0.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, as a result of these actions for related costs. The Company does not expect to incur additional restructuring costs related to the Electronics segment.

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On October 26, 2018, the Company announced a Board of Directors approved share repurchase program authorizing Stoneridge to repurchase up to $50.0 million of our Common Shares. Thereafter, on May 7, 2019, we announced that the Company had entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement with Citibank N.A. to repurchase an aggregate of $50.0 million of our Common Shares. Pursuant to the accelerated share repurchase agreement in the second quarter of 2019 we made an upfront payment of $50.0 million and received an initial delivery of 1,349,528 Common Shares which became treasury shares. On February 25, 2020, Citibank N.A. terminated early its commitment pursuant to the accelerated share repurchase agreement and delivered to the Company, 364,604 Common Shares representing the final settlement of the Company’s repurchase program which became treasury shares.​

On February 24, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized a new repurchase program of $50.0 million for the repurchase of outstanding Common Shares over an 18 month period. The repurchases could be made from time to time in either open market transactions or in privately negotiated transactions. Repurchases could also be made under rule 10b-18, which permit Common Shares to be repurchased through pre-determined criteria. The timing, volume and nature of common share repurchases was at the discretion of management, dependent on market conditions, other priorities of cash investment, applicable securities laws and other factors. This Common Share repurchase program authorization did not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of its Common Shares, and could be suspended or discontinued at any time. For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, under the new 2020 repurchase program, the Company repurchased 242,634 Common Shares for $5.0 million, which became treasury shares, in accordance with this repurchase program authorization. In April 2020, the Company announced that it was temporarily suspending the previously announced share repurchase program in response to uncertainty surrounding the duration and magnitude of the impact of COVID-19. The 2020 repurchase program authorization expired during the third quarter of 2021 and no additional shares will be repurchased under this program.

In March 2017, the Supreme Court of Brazil issued a decision concluding that a certain state value added tax should not be included in the calculation of federal gross receipts taxes. The decision reduced Stoneridge Brazil’s gross receipts tax prospectively and, potentially, retrospectively. In April 2019, the Company received judicial notification that the Superior Judicial Court of Brazil rendered a favorable decision on Stoneridge Brazil’s case granting the Company the right to recover, through offset of federal tax liabilities, amounts collected by the government from June 2010 to February 2017. Based on the Company’s determination that these tax credits will be used prior to expiration, we recorded a pre-tax benefit of $6.5 million as a reduction to SG&A expense which is inclusive of related interest income of $2.4 million, net of applicable professional fees of $1.0 million in the second quarter of 2019. The Company received administrative approval in January 2020 and is now offsetting eligible federal taxes with these tax credits. The Brazilian tax authorities have sought clarification before the Supreme Court of Brazil (in a leading case involving another taxpayer) of certain matters that could affect the rights of Brazilian taxpayers regarding these credits. The leading case was decided on May 13, 2021. The Company does not expect any impact to amounts previously recognized as a result of the Supreme Court decision.

We regularly evaluate the performance of our businesses and their cost structures, including personnel, and make necessary changes thereto in order to optimize our results. We also evaluate the required skill sets of our personnel and periodically make strategic changes. As a consequence of these actions, we incur severance related costs which we refer to as business realignment charges. Business realignment costs of $1.4 million and $4.0 million were incurred during the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Because of the competitive nature of the markets we serve, we face pricing pressures from our customers in the ordinary course of business. In response to these pricing pressures we have been able to effectively manage our production costs by the combination of lowering certain costs and limiting the increase of others, the net impact of which to date has not been material. However, if we are unable to effectively manage production costs in the future to mitigate future pricing pressures, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

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Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2020

Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

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Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

Our Control Devices segment net sales increased $13.2 million due to recovery from 2020 COVID-19 impacts in our North American automotive and agricultural vehicle markets of $23.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively, and an increase in our China automotive and commercial vehicle markets of $3.8 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as well as a favorable foreign currency translation of $3.2 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in volumes in our European automotive of $16.7 million due to the exit of PM sensor production and a decrease in volumes in our North American commercial vehicle market of $4.3 million.

Our Electronics segment net sales increased $100.1 million due to recovery from 2020 COVID-19 impacts in our North American and European commercial vehicle and European and North American off-highway vehicle markets of $28.7 million, $28.4 million, $14.4 million and $5.3 million, respectively, as well as favorable euro and Swedish krona foreign currency translation of $5.0 million compared to the prior year period. In the fourth quarter, net sales increased by $17.6 million due to customer pricing for recoveries of electronic component spot buy purchases.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment net sales increased $9.1 million due to higher volumes for all of our product lines and for our Argentina market channel offset by unfavorable foreign currency translation of $3.0 million.

Net sales by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

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The increase in North American net sales was attributable to sales volume increases in our North American commercial vehicle, automotive and off-highway markets of $24.5 million, $22.5 million and $6.2 million, respectively and customer pricing for recoveries of semiconductor spot buy purchases of $2.4 million. The increase in net sales in South America was due to higher volumes for all of our Stoneridge Brazil product lines and for our Argentina market channel offset by unfavorable Brazilian real foreign currency translation of $3.0 million. The increase in net sales in Europe and Other was primarily due to increases in our European commercial vehicle and off-highway markets of $28.4 million and $14.4 million, respectively, and increases in our China automotive and agricultural vehicle markets of $3.8 million and $2.2 million, respectively. Europe and Other net sales also increased due to customer pricing for recoveries of semiconductor spot buy purchases of $15.2 million and favorable foreign currency translation of $8.2 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in volumes in our European automotive market of $16.7 million due to the exit of PM sensor production.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin. Cost of goods sold increased compared to 2020 and our gross margin decreased to 21.7% in 2021 compared to 23.8% in 2020. Our material cost as a percentage of net sales increased by 4.2% to 57.0% in 2021 compared to 52.8% in 2020 primarily caused by costs associated with supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components. In 2021, cost of goods sold increased by $17.6 million, or 2.3% of net sales, due to semiconductor spot buy purchases which was offset by customer recoveries. Overhead as a percentage of net sales decreased by 2.0% to 16.1% for 2021 compared to 18.0% for 2020 primarily due to leverage of fixed costs from higher sales levels offset by higher incremental freight costs.

Our Control Devices segment gross margin decreased due to costs associated with supply chain disruptions offset by lower restructuring and realignment costs of $1.7 million and favorable leverage of fixed costs from higher sales levels.

Our Electronics segment gross margin decreased primarily due to higher costs associated with supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components offsetting favorable leverage of fixed costs from higher sales levels.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment gross margin decreased due to adverse sales mix from higher product sales compared to monitoring fees and higher costs associated with supply chain disruptions offset by favorable leverage of fixed costs.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses increased by $3.5 million compared to 2020 due to a $5.3 million increase in net adjustments to the fair value of the SRB earn-out consideration and higher professional service costs which were offset by lower incentive compensation costs and the 2021 gain on disposal of the PM sensor business of $1.1 million and the MSIL joint venture of $1.8 million.

Design and Development (“D&D”). D&D costs increased by $16.8 million mostly due to increased spend in our Electronics segment of $14.4 million comprised of higher consulting and prototype costs as well as lower customer reimbursements offset by higher capitalized software development costs for ongoing development activities for awarded business programs and development of advanced technologies and systems.

Operating Income (Loss). Operating income (loss) is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands):

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Our Control Devices segment operating income increased due to the gain on sale of the Canton Facility of $30.7 million, the gain on disposal of the PM sensor business of $1.1 million and a decrease in restructuring expense of $4.0 million offset by higher costs from supply chain disruptions and higher Sarasota environmental remediation costs.

Our Electronics segment operating loss increased primarily due to higher costs from supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components net of recoveries and higher D&D costs offset by higher sales.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment operating income decreased primarily due to a $5.3 million increase in net adjustments to the fair value of the Stoneridge Brazil earn-out consideration and the impairment of Brazilian indirect tax credits of $0.7 million offset by higher sales.

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Our unallocated corporate operating loss was lower due to lower incentive compensation benefits as a result of Company performance and the gain on the disposal of the MSIL joint venture offset by higher business realignment costs of $0.8 million and higher professional service costs.

Operating income (loss) by geographic location is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

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Our North American operating income increased due to the gain on sales of the Canton Facility, the PM sensor business and the MSIL joint venture, higher sales in our automotive and commercial vehicle markets and lower restructuring costs offsetting higher costs from supply chain disruptions. The decrease in operating income in South America was primarily due to an unfavorable change in fair value of earn-out consideration adjustments of $5.3 million offsetting higher sales. Our operating results in Europe and Other decreased primarily due to higher costs from supply chain disruptions including spot purchases of electronic components net of recoveries and higher D&D costs offset by higher sales in our commercial vehicle and off-highway markets as well as a favorable foreign currency translation impact.

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net decreased by $0.9 million compared to 2020 due to higher interest income of $1.2 million at Stoneridge Brazil from monetary correction on indirect tax credits. Offsetting this increase was higher interest expense from Credit Facility borrowings.

Equity in Earnings of Investee. Equity earnings for MSIL were $1.8 million and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company sold its equity interest in MSIL on December 30, 2021. Equity earnings for Autotech were $1.9 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. The increase in Autotech earnings was due to favorable 2021 fair value adjustments to fund investments.

Other Expense (Income), net. We record certain foreign currency transaction losses (gains) as a component of other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Other expense (income), net of $1.4 million, increased by $2.9 million in 2021 compared to other income, net of $1.5 million for 2020 primarily due to 2021 foreign currency losses in our Electronics segment and 2020 foreign currency transaction gains in our Stoneridge Brazil and Electronics segments.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. In 2021, income tax expense of $9.0 million was attributable to the gain on the sale of the Canton facility, the gain on the sale of the Company’s minority interest in MSIL, the mix of earnings among tax jurisdictions as well as tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 72.6% is greater than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions, the tax impact of the sale of the Company’s minority interest in MSIL, partially offset by tax incentives.​

In 2020, income tax benefit of $(2.8) million was attributable to the mix of earnings and losses among tax jurisdictions as well as tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 25.9% is slightly greater than the statutory tax rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses and tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions offset by the impact of certain incentives.

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Year Ended December 31, 2020 Compared To Year Ended December 31, 2019

Consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of net sales are presented in the following table (in thousands):

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Net Sales. Net sales for our reportable segments, excluding inter-segment sales are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

Our Control Devices segment net sales decreased primarily as a result of COVID-19 and 2019 sales of $41.6 million under the contract manufacturing agreement pursuant to the 2019 disposal of the Non-core Products. Including the impact of COVID-19, Control Devices experienced decreased sales volume in our North American automotive, North American commercial vehicle, agricultural and other markets of $61.5 million, $17.4 million, $9.6 million and $14.5 million, respectively. These decreases were offset by increased sales volume in our European and China automotive markets of $7.2 million and $6.6 million, respectively.

Our Electronics segment net sales decreased primarily as a result of COVID-19 including a decrease in sales volume in our European, North American and China commercial vehicle markets of $47.2 million, $23.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively. In addition, the Electronics segment net sales decreased due to a decrease in sales volume in our European off-highway vehicle products of $17.1 million. These decreases were offset by a favorable foreign currency translation of $11.4 million.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment net sales decreased due to unfavorable foreign currency translation of $19.5 million and the effects of COVID-19 causing lower volumes for our aftermarket, mass retail and OES channels mostly in the second quarter of 2020.

Net sales by geographic location are summarized in the following table (in thousands):

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The decrease in North American net sales was primarily attributable to the impact of COVID-19 and 2019 sales of Non-core Products under the contract manufacturing agreement of $41.6 million. Including the impact of COVID-19, sales volume has decreased in our North American automotive, commercial vehicle, agricultural and other markets by $60.8 million, $40.8 million, $9.6 million and $14.5 million, respectively. The decrease in net sales in South America was primarily due to unfavorable foreign currency translation of $19.5 million and lower volumes for our aftermarket, mass retail and OES channels mostly in the second quarter of 2020 primarily due to COVID-19. The decrease in net sales in Europe and Other was primarily due to a decrease in our European commercial vehicle and off-highway markets of $47.2 million and $17.1 million, respectively, primarily impacted by COVID-19. Europe and Other sales were favorably impacted due to increased sales volume in our European automotive and China automotive of $6.7 million and $6.6 million, respectively, as well as favorable foreign currency translation of $11.6 million.

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin. Cost of goods sold decreased compared to 2019 and our gross margin decreased to 23.8% in 2020 compared to 25.6% in 2019. Our material cost as a percentage of net sales decreased by 0.3% to 52.8% in 2020 compared to 53.1% in 2019. Overhead as a percentage of net sales increased by 2.1% to 18.0% for 2020 compared to 15.9% for 2019 primarily due to adverse fixed cost leverage on lower sales levels including COVID-19 related incremental operating costs.

Our Control Devices segment gross margin decreased due to lower sales from COVID-19, the impact of the disposal of Non-core Products in the second quarter of 2019, as well as adverse fixed cost leverage on lower sales levels including our Canton facility which ceased production in accordance with our Canton restructuring plan in December 2019 and COVID-19 related incremental operating costs for employee safety protocols.

Our Electronics segment gross margin decreased primarily due to lower sales as a result of the of COVID-19 pandemic and higher overhead costs from the adverse leverage of fixed costs and COVID-19 related incremental operating costs for employee safety protocols.

Our Stoneridge Brazil segment gross margin decreased due to lower sales volumes partially offset by lower material costs due to favorable product mix from a greater percentage of monitoring service fees.

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses decreased by $11.4 million compared to 2019 due to a favorable fair value adjustment, net for earn-out consideration of $5.5 million at Stoneridge Brazil, lower incentive compensation costs, professional service fees and travel related expenses offset by the 2019 recovery of Brazilian indirect taxes of $6.5 million and higher 2020 business realignment and restructuring costs of $3.1 million.

Gain on Disposal of Non-core Products, net. The gain on disposal in 2019 relates to the disposal of Control Devices’ Non-core Products.

Design and Development (“D&D”). D&D costs decreased by $2.8 million mostly due to lower restructuring and business realignment expenses at Control Devices of $2.3 million and lower spending at Control Devices due to the pace of the restoration of the engineering function previously located at the Canton facility.

Operating (Loss) Income. Operating (loss) income is summarized in the following table by reportable segment (in thousands):

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Our Control Devices segment operating income decreased due to the 2019 gain on disposal of Non-core Products, lower sales primarily related to COVID-19 as well as lower sales from the disposal of Non-core Products from the second quarter of 2019. Adverse leverage of fixed costs from lower sales volumes and COVID-19 related incremental operating costs offset by lower restructuring costs also affected operating income.

Our Electronics segment operating income decreased primarily due to lower sales as a result of COVID-19 resulting in lower gross margin. Electronics SG&A cost reductions were offset by business realignment and restructuring expenses.

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Our Stoneridge Brazil segment operating income decreased primarily from the 2019 recovery of Brazilian indirect taxes of $6.5 million, lower sales volumes and margin offset by a favorable fair value adjustment, net for earn-out consideration of $5.5 million recognized in 2020.

Our unallocated corporate operating loss decreased primarily from lower incentive compensation, professional fees and travel related expenses.

Operating (loss) income by geographic location is summarized in the following table (in thousands):

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Our North American operating results decreased due to lower sales in our automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture and off-highway markets, adverse leverage of fixed costs and COVID-19 related incremental operating costs for employee safety protocols. The decrease in operating income in South America was primarily due to the 2019 recovery of indirect Brazilian taxes and lower sales volumes offset by the favorable fair value adjustment, net for earn-out consideration. Our operating results in Europe and Other decreased primarily due to lower sales in our commercial vehicle and off-highway markets, adverse leverage of fixed costs and COIVD-19 related incremental operating costs for employee safety protocols.

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net increased by $1.8 million compared to 2019 due to an increase in outstanding debt balances.

Equity in Earnings of Investee. Equity earnings for MSIL were $1.5 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in MSIL earnings was due to lower sales volume from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other (Income) Expense, net. We record certain foreign currency transaction and forward currency hedge contract (gains) losses as a component of other income, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Other income, net increased by $1.7 million to $1.5 million in 2020 compared to other expense, net of $0.1 million in 2019 primarily due to higher foreign currency transaction gains in our Electronics, Control Devices and Stoneridge Brazil segments.

(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes. In 2020, income tax benefit of $(2.8) million was attributable to the mix of earnings and losses among tax jurisdictions as well as tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions. The effective tax rate of 25.9% is slightly greater than the statutory tax rate primarily due to non-deductible expenses and tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions offset by the impact of certain incentives.

In 2019, income tax expense of $8.1 million was attributable to the mix of earnings amount jurisdictions and the sale of Non-core-Products on April 1, 2019. The effective tax rate of 11.8% is lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to certain tax incentives offset by non-deductible expenses and tax losses for which no benefit is recognized due to valuation allowances in certain jurisdictions.

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