UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarter ended March 31, 20152016

 

Commission file number: 001-13337

 

STONERIDGE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 Ohio 34-1598949 
 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer 
 incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 
     
 9400 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484 
 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) 

 

 (330) 856-2443 
 Registrant's telephone number, including area code 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

xYes¨No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

xYes¨No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨Accelerated filer xNon-accelerated filer ¨Smaller reporting company ¨
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).¨YesxNo

 

The number of Common Shares, without par value, outstanding as of April 30, 201529, 2016 was 28,017,385.27,837,392.

 

 

STONERIDGE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX  Page
PART I–FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
    
Item 1.Financial Statements 3
 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20152016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 20142015 23
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20152016 and 20142015 34
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20152016 and 20142015 45
 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 20152016 and 20142015 56
 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 67
Item 2.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 2123
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 2930
Item 4.Controls and Procedures 2930
    
PART II–OTHER INFORMATION  
    
Item 1.Legal Proceedings 2930
Item 1A.Risk Factors 2930
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 30
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities 3031
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures 3031
Item 5.Other Information 3031
Item 6.Exhibits 3031
    
Signatures 3032
Index to Exhibits 3133

 
EX – 10.1
EX – 10.2
EX – 10.3
EX – 31.1
EX – 31.2
EX – 32.1
EX – 32.2
101XBRL Exhibits:
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Presentation Linkbase Document1 

Forward-Looking Statements

Portions of this report 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 include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, our directors or officers with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition or divestiture strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, and (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business. 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 in this report 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 reduced purchases, loss or bankruptcy of a major customer;

·the costs and timing of facility closures, business realignment activities, or similar actions;

·a significant change in automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production;

·competitive market conditions and resulting effects on sales and pricing;

·the impact on changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales, costs and results, particularly the Brazilian real, euro, Argentinian peso, Swedish krona, Mexican peso and Chinese Renminbi;

·our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed certain customer-mandated selling price reductions;

·a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the various countries in which we operate;

·labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant customers or suppliers;

·the ability of our suppliers to supply us with quality parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis;

·the amount of our indebtedness and the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our credit facility;

·customer acceptance of new products;

·capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or market perceptions;

·the failure to achieve the successful integration of any acquired company or business; and

·those items described in Part I, Item IA (“Risk Factors”) of the Company's 2015 Form 10-K.

In addition, 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.

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

 March 31, December 31,  March 31, December 31, 
(in thousands) 2015  2014  2016  2015 
 (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)    
ASSETS                
                
Current assets:                
Cash and cash equivalents $23,869  $43,021  $48,373  $54,361 
Accounts receivable, less reserves of $1,296 and $2,017, respectively  113,655   105,102 
Accounts receivable, less reserves of $1,159 and $1,066, respectively  112,649   94,937 
Inventories, net  71,942   71,253   69,367   61,009 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  26,902   26,135   24,918   21,602 
Total current assets  236,368   245,511   255,307   231,909 
                
Long-term assets:                
Property, plant and equipment, net  83,405   85,311   88,563   85,264 
Other assets:        
Intangible assets, net  46,040   56,637 
Goodwill  965   1,078 
Intangible assets, net and goodwill  39,404   36,699 
Investments and other long-term assets, net  10,543   10,214   10,452   10,380 
Total long-term assets  140,953   153,240   138,419   132,343 
Total assets $377,321  $398,751  $393,726  $364,252 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                
                
Current liabilities:                
Current portion of debt $15,917  $19,655  $16,827  $13,905 
Accounts payable  66,458   58,593   69,261   55,225 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  37,728   42,066   38,799   38,920 
Total current liabilities  120,103   120,314   124,887   108,050 
                
Long-term liabilities:                
Revolving credit facility  100,000   100,000   100,000   100,000 
Long-term debt, net  7,471   10,651   4,206   4,458 
Deferred income taxes  45,646   50,006   43,092   41,332 
Other long-term liabilities  4,296   3,974   3,783   3,983 
Total long-term liabilities  157,413   164,631   151,081   149,773 
                
Shareholders' equity:                
Preferred Shares, without par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued  -   -   -   - 
Common Shares, without par value, 60,000 shares authorized, 28,900 and 28,853 shares issued and 28,018 and 28,221 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, with no stated value  -   - 
Common Shares, without par value, 60,000 shares authorized, 28,958 and 28,907 shares issued and 27,838 and 27,912 shares outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, with no stated value  -   - 
Additional paid-in capital  196,029   192,892   200,350   199,254 
Common Shares held in treasury, 882 and 632 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, at cost  (2,465)  (1,284)
Common Shares held in treasury, 1,120 and 995 shares at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, at cost  (5,552)  (4,208)
Accumulated deficit  (52,535)  (54,879)  (24,866)  (32,105)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (59,545)  (45,473)  (65,544)  (69,822)
Total Stoneridge Inc. shareholders' equity  81,484   91,256 
Total Stoneridge, Inc. shareholders' equity  104,388   93,119 
Noncontrolling interest  18,321   22,550   13,370   13,310 
Total shareholders' equity  99,805   113,806   117,758   106,429 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $377,321  $398,751  $393,726  $364,252 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

Three months ended March 31 (in thousands, except per share data) 2015  2014 
Three months ended March 31, (in thousands, except per share data) 2016  2015 
     
Net sales $162,825  $161,331  $162,616  $162,825 
        
Costs and expenses:                
Cost of goods sold  119,177   113,193   117,455   119,177 
Selling, general and administrative  30,742   30,767   25,772   30,742 
Design and development  9,780   10,937   10,883   9,780 
        
Operating income  3,126   6,434   8,506   3,126 
        
Interest expense, net  1,278   4,929   1,514   1,278 
Equity in earnings of investee  (189)  (238)  (143)  (189)
Other (income) expense, net  (213)  1,915   181   (213)
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations  2,250   (172)
Provision for income taxes from continuing operations  147   295 
Income (loss) from continuing operations  2,103   (467)
Discontinued operations:        
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   1,053 
Loss on disposal, net of tax  (168)  (96)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  (168)  957 
        
Income before income taxes from continuing operations  6,954   2,250 
        
Income tax expense from continuing operations  845   147 
        
Income from continuing operations  6,109   2,103 
        
Loss from discontinued operations  -   (168)
        
Net income  1,935   490   6,109   1,935 
        
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (409)  (978)  (1,130)  (409)
        
Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. $2,344  $1,468  $7,239  $2,344 
                
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:                
Basic $0.10  $0.02  $0.26  $0.10 
Diluted $0.09  $0.02  $0.26  $0.09 
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to discontinued operations:        
        
Loss per share attributable to discontinued operations:        
Basic $(0.01) $0.03  $-  $(0.01)
Diluted $(0.01) $0.03  $-  $(0.01)
        
Earnings per share attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:                
Basic $0.09  $0.05  $0.26  $0.09 
Diluted $0.08  $0.05  $0.26  $0.08 
        
Weighted-average shares outstanding:                
Basic  27,146   26,854   27,676   27,146 
Diluted  27,893   27,409   28,156   27,893 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31 (in thousands) 2015  2014 
Three months ended March (in thousands) 2016  2015 
          
Net income $1,935  $490  $6,109  $1,935 
Less: Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (409)  (978)  (1,130)  (409)
Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  2,344   1,468   7,239   2,344 
                
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.:                
Foreign currency translation  (14,962)  4,178   4,728   (14,962)
Benefit plan liability adjustment  (45)  - 
Benefit plan liability  -   (45)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives  935   (143)  (450)  935 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax attributable to Stoneridge, Inc.  (14,072)  4,035   4,278   (14,072)
                
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. $(11,728) $5,503  $11,517  $(11,728)

 

The Company has combined comprehensive income (loss) from continuing operations and comprehensive income (loss)loss from discontinued operations herein.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

45

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

Three months ended March 31 (in thousands) 2015  2014  2016  2015 
          
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                
Net income $1,935  $490  $6,109  $1,935 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used for operating activities:        
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:        
Depreciation  5,128   6,742   4,542   5,128 
Amortization, including accretion of debt discount  1,085   1,434   822   1,085 
Deferred income taxes  301   421   320   301 
Earnings of equity method investee  (189)  (238)  (143)  (189)
(Gain) loss on sale of fixed assets  (14)  26 
Loss on sale of fixed assets  (67)  (14)
Share-based compensation expense  3,325   1,163   960   3,325 
Loss on disposal of Wiring business, net of tax  168   96 
Loss on disposal of Wiring business  -   168 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable, net  (15,821)  (16,425)  (15,456)  (15,821)
Inventories, net  (8,347)  (13,677)  (5,658)  (8,347)
Prepaid expenses and other  (2,501)  (4,285)
Prepaid expenses and other assets  (2,977)  (2,501)
Accounts payable  11,938   6,316   13,932   11,938 
Accrued expenses and other  (1,287)  1,746 
Net cash used for operating activities  (4,279)  (16,191)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities  (1,252)  (1,287)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities  1,132   (4,279)
                
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                
Capital expenditures  (8,490)  (4,586)  (6,817)  (8,490)
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets  17   14   81   17 
Net cash used for investing activities  (8,473)  (4,572)  (6,736)  (8,473)
                
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                
Proceeds from issuance of debt  2,073   10,592   2,922   2,073 
Repayments of debt  (5,245)  (3,515)  (2,816)  (5,245)
Debt financing costs  (35)  - 
Other financing costs  -   (35)
Repurchase of Common Shares to satisfy employee tax withholding  (1,181)  (673)  (1,344)  (1,181)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities  (4,388)  6,404 
Net cash used for financing activities  (1,238)  (4,388)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (2,012)  (39)  854   (2,012)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents  (19,152)  (14,398)  (5,988)  (19,152)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period  43,021   62,825   54,361   43,021 
                
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $23,869  $48,427  $48,373  $23,869 
                
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:                
Cash paid for interest $1,241  $822  $1,391  $1,241 
Cash paid for income taxes, net $760  $310  $549  $760 
                
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating and financing activities:                
Change in fair value of interest rate swap $-  $144 
Bank payment of vendor payables under short-term debt obligations $582  $-  $704  $582 

 

The Company has combined cash flows from continuing operations and cash flows from discontinued operations within the operating, investing and financing categories.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

(1) Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Stoneridge, Inc. (the “Company”) without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The information furnished in the condensed consolidated financial statements includes normal recurring adjustments and reflects all adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC's rules and regulations. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 20152016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

While the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, it is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K. 

The Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to divest its Wiring business including substantially all of its assets and liabilities during the second quarter of 2014. The sale was completed on August 1, 2014. The Wiring business has been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, the Wiring business is excluded from both continuing operations and segment results for all periods presented. All previously reported financial information has been revised to conform to the current presentation. The Wiring business designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instruments panels for sale principally to the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets.

 

(2)  Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted 

 

In April 2015,March 2016, the FinancialFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)issued accounting standards updateAccounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including how excess tax benefits should be classified in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.  The new standard also permits companies to recognize forfeitures as they occur as an alternative to utilizing estimated forfeitures rates which has been the required practice.  The new accounting standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that year.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic 842)” which will require that a lessee recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases with a lease term of more than twelve months, with the result being the recognition of a right of use asset and a lease liability.  The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that year.  The Company expects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2019.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements, which will require right of use assets and lease liabilities be recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheet for operating leases.  

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 – 03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740)” which amendssimplifies the current presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs relateddeferred income taxes.  Currently entities are required to a recognized debt liability be presentedseparate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in the balance sheetsheet.  ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred income taxes be classified as a direct deduction fromnoncurrent in the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, instead of as an asset.balance sheet. The amendment is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for public companies for fiscal years and forbeginning after December 15, 2016 including interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015,and may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively with early adoption permitted.  AsThe Company is currently evaluating the Company currently presents deferred financing costs within long-term assets,impact of adopting this standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the adoptionFASB issued ASU 2015-11 “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” which requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value.  Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, will result ininventory was measured at the reclassificationlower of debt issuance costs into long-term debt in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In January 2015, theFASB issued ASU 2015 – 01 “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items,” that eliminatescost or market. Replacing the concept of extraordinary itemsmarket with the single measurement of net realizable value is intended to reduce cost and their segregation from the results of ordinary operations and expands presentation and disclosure guidance to include items that are both unusual in nature and occur infrequently.complexity. The new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015.2016.  The Company willexpects to adopt this standard as of January 1, 20162017, which is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

  

7

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014 – 12 “Stock Compensation - Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period,” that requires performance targets that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as performance conditions that affect the vesting of the award.  The new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company will adopt this standard as of January 1, 2016 which is not expected to have an impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements or financial statement disclosures.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,”Customers” which is the new comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.To achieve this principle, an entity identifies the contract with a customer, identifies the separate performance obligations in the contract, determines the transaction price, allocates the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and recognizes revenue when each separate performance obligation is satisfied.This ASU allows for both retrospective and prospective methods of adoption and is currently effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted.adoption.  In AprilJuly 2015, the FASB proposedapproved a one-year deferral of the effective date of the standard. If approved,As such, the new standard will become effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption on the original effective date permitted.The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting Standards Adopted

In April 2014,September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08 “Presentation2015 – 16, “Business Combinations” which simplifies the accounting for measurement-period adjustments related to business combinations. ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in the ASU require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment,” which amendschanges in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the definition of a discontinued operation in ASC 205-20 and requires entitieschange to provide additional disclosures about discontinued operationsthe provisional amounts, calculated as well as disposal transactions that do not meetif the discontinued-operations criteria.accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The new standard changes the definition of a discontinued operation and requires discontinued operations treatmentamendment is effective for disposals of a component or group of components that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major impact on an entity’s operations or financial results. This ASU was effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periodsfiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption was permitted.2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years and is to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this ASU with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2016, which did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” which amends the current presentation of certain debt issuance costs in May 2014the balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, instead of as an asset.  The recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this ASU. The guidance in ASU 2015-03 did not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements. Given the absence of authoritative guidance, in June 2015 the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, “Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements,” which states that the SEC will not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs related to revolving credit arrangements as an asset and subsequently amortizing them. These amendments are to be applied it prospectivelyretrospectively and are effective for public companies for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As permitted by the ASU, the Company adopted these standards in the third quarter of 2015, which had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company elected to new disposals and new classifications of disposal groupscontinue to present deferred financing costs related to its revolving credit facility within long-term assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as held for sale includingpermitted under the Wiring business.standard.

 

(3) Discontinued Operations

 

Wiring Business

 

On May 26, 2014, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the former Wiring segment to Motherson Sumi Systems Ltd., an India-based manufacturer of diversified products for the global automotive industry and a limited company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of India, and MSSL (GB) LIMITED, a limited company incorporated under the laws of the United Kingdom (collectively, “Motherson”), for$65,700 in cash and the assumption of certain related liabilities of the Wiring business.

On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its Wiring business to Motherson for $71,386 in cash that consisted of the stated purchase price and estimated working capital on the closing date. The final purchase price iswas subject to post-closing working capital and other adjustments, which impactsadjustments. Upon the loss on disposal recorded in discontinued operations. The disputed items regardingfinal resolution of the working capital and other adjustments that have not been amicably resolved between the Company and Motherson are being determined by an independent accountant in accordance with the asset purchase agreement, the resolution of which is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2015.2015, the Company returned $1,230 in cash to Motherson.

8

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company also entered into short-term transition services agreements with Motherson expected to concludesubstantially all of which concluded in the second quarter of 2015 associated with information systems, accounting, administrative, occupancy and support services as well as contract manufacturing and production support in Estonia.

 

The Company had post-disposition sales to the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $7,228 for the three months ended March 31, 2015. Post-disposition2016 and 2015 of $5,686 and $7,228 respectively. The Company had post-disposition purchases by the Company from the Wiring business acquired by Motherson wereof $108 and $168 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.2016 and 2015, respectively.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(There was no activity related to discontinued operations for the Wiring business in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

The following tables displaytable displays summarized activity in ourthe condensed consolidated statements of operations for discontinued operations related to the Wiring business.business:

 

Three months ended March 31 2015  2014 
Net sales $-  $75,059 
Cost of goods sold  -   68,407 
Selling, general and administrative  -   5,370 
Interest expense, net  -   11 
Other expense, net  -   31 
Income from operations of discontinued operations before income taxes(A)  -   1,240 
Income tax provision on discontinued operations  -   (187)
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax(C)  -   1,053 
         
Loss on disposal(B)  (178)  (148)
Income tax benefit on loss on disposal  10   52 
Loss on disposal, net of tax  (168)  (96)
         
Income (loss) from discontinued operations $(168) $957 

(A)The operations of the Wiring business were included only for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as the sale was completed on August 1, 2014.
Three months ended March 31 2015 
    
Loss on disposal(A) $(178)
Income tax expense on loss on disposal  10 
Loss on disposal, net of tax  (168)
     
Loss from discontinued operations $(168)

 

(B)(A)Included in loss on disposal for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were transaction costs of $46 and $148, respectively, and a working capital adjustment of $132 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.$132.

(C)Management fees, which had been reported in the Wiring business in prior periods, of $1,858 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 have been excluded as they were not directly attributable to the business.

Three months ended March 31, 2014   
Depreciation and amortization $1,255 
Capital expenditures  479 

Intercompany sales to the Wiring business were $7,780 for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Intercompany purchases from the Wiring business were $1,875 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(4) Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (using either the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost methods) or market. The Company evaluates and adjusts as necessary its excess and obsolescence reserve at a minimum on a quarterly basis. Excess inventories are quantities of items that exceed anticipated sales or usage for a reasonable period. The Company has guidelines for calculating provisions for excess inventories based on the number of months of inventories on hand compared to anticipated sales or usage. Management uses its judgment to forecast sales or usage and to determine what constitutes a reasonable period. Inventory cost includes material, labor and overhead. Inventories consisted of the following:

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Raw materials $40,498  $36,021 
Work-in-progress  8,581   7,162 
Finished goods  20,288   17,826 
Total inventories, net $69,367  $61,009 

Inventory valued using the FIFO method was $43,639 and $35,378 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Inventory valued using the average cost method was $25,728 and $25,631 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

9

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2015  2014 
Raw materials $41,419  $41,767 
Work-in-progress  9,681   8,779 
Finished goods  20,842   20,707 
Total inventories, net $71,942  $71,253 

Inventory valued using the FIFO method was $37,925 and $34,636 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Inventory valued using the average cost method was $34,017 and $36,617 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

(5) Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

 

Financial Instruments

 

A financial instrument is cash or a contract that imposes an obligation to deliver, or conveys a right to receive cash or another financial instrument. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. 

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

On March 31, 2015,2016, the Company had open foreign currency forward contracts which are used solely for hedging and not for speculative purposes. Management believes that its use of these instruments to reduce risk is in the Company's best interest.  The counterparties to these financial instruments are financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

 

The Company conducts business internationally and therefore is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company uses derivative financial instruments as cash flow and fair value hedges to manage its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates by reducing the effect of such fluctuations on foreign currency denominated intercompany transactions, inventory purchases and other foreign currency exposures. The currencies hedged by the Company during 2016 and 2015 included the euro and 2014 includeMexican peso. In addition, the Company hedged the U.S. dollar against the Swedish krona and euro on behalf of its European subsidiaries in 2016 and Mexican peso.2015.

 

These forward contracts were executed to hedge forecasted transactions and werehave been accounted for as cash flow hedges. As such, the effective portion of the unrealized gain or loss was deferred and reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. The cash flow hedges were highly effective. The effectiveness of the transactions has been and will be measured on an ongoing basis using regression analysis and forecasted future purchases of the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso.currency.

 

In certain instances, the foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting or are not designated as hedges, and therefore are marked-to-market with gains and losses recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations as a component of other (income) expense, net.

 

The Company's foreign currency forward contracts offset a portion of the gains and losses on the underlying foreign currency denominated transactions as follows:

 

Euro-denominated Foreign Currency Forward Contract

 

As ofAt March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the Company held a foreign currency forward contract with underlying notional amounts of $1,631$1,730 and $3,523,$1,647, respectively, to reduce the exposure related to the Company's euro-denominated intercompany loans. This contract expires in June 2015.2016. The euro-denominated foreign currency forward contract was not designated as a hedging instrument. The Company recognized a loss of $82 and a gain of $388 and a loss of $61 for the three months ended March 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of other (income) expense, net related to the euro-denominated contracts.

9

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)contract.

 

U.S. dollar-denominated Foreign Currency Forward Contracts – Cash Flow HedgeHedges

The Company entered into on behalf of one of its European Electronics subsidiaries whose functional currency is the euro, U.S. dollar-denominated currency contracts with a notional amount at March 31, 2015 of $3,205 which expire ratably on a monthly basis from April 2015 through December 2015, compared to $4,266 at December 31, 2014.

 

The Company entered into on behalf of one of its European Electronics subsidiaries whose functional currency is the Swedish krona, U.S. dollar-denominated currency contracts with a notional amount at March 31, 20152016 of $8,801$7,621 which expire ratably on a monthly basis from April 20152016 through December 2015,2016, compared to $11,718a notional amount of $10,007 at December 31, 2014.2015.

10

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

The Company entered into on behalf of one of its European Electronics subsidiaries whose functional currency is the euro, U.S. dollar-denominated currency contracts with a notional amount at March 31, 2016 of $1,802 which expire ratably on a monthly basis from April 2016 through December 2016, compared to a notional amount of $2,421 at December 31, 2015.

The Company evaluated the effectiveness of the U.S. dollar-denominated foreign currency forward contracts held as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and concluded that the hedges were effective.

 

Mexican peso-denominated Foreign Currency Forward Contracts – Cash Flow Hedge

 

The Company holds Mexican peso-denominated foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts at March 31, 20152016 of $7,790$7,237 which expire ratably on a monthly basis from April 20152016 through December 2015,2016, compared to $10,282a notional amount of $9,780 at December 31, 2014. 

Commodity Price Risk - Cash Flow Hedge

To mitigate the risk of future price volatility and, consequently, fluctuations in gross margins, the Company entered into fixed price commodity contracts with a financial institution to fix the cost of a portion of the Company’s copper purchases. Copper is a raw material used in many of the Company’s products.2015. 

 

The Company did not have any fixed price commodityevaluated the effectiveness of the Mexican peso-denominated foreign currency forward contracts atheld as of March 31, 2015 compared to an aggregate notional amount of 317 pounds at2016 and December 31, 2014. 

The unrealized gain or loss for the effective portion of2015 and concluded that the hedges were deferred and reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss while the ineffective portion, if any, was reported in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The effectiveness of the transactions is measured on an ongoing basis using regression analysis and forecasted future copper purchases. Based upon the results of the regression analysis, the Company has concluded that these cash flow hedges were highly effective.

Interest Rate Risk - Fair Value Hedge

The Company had a fixed-to-floating interest rate swap agreement (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $45,000 to hedge its exposure to fair value fluctuations on a portion of its senior notes. The Swap was designated as a fair value hedge of the fixed interest rate obligation under the Company's $175,000 9.5% senior notes due October 15, 2017. Under the Swap, the Company paid a variable interest rate equal to the six-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 7.2% and it received a fixed interest rate of 9.5%.  The difference between amounts received and paid under the Swap was recognized as a component of interest expense, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. 

In connection with the Company’s notice of redemption issued on September 15, 2014 to redeem all remaining outstanding senior notes, the interest rate fair value hedge was de-designated on that date. On October 23, 2014, the Company terminated the interest rate swap.

The Swap reduced interest expense by $225 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows: 

 

      Prepaid expenses          Prepaid expenses    
    Notional and other current assets / Accrued expenses and  Notional and other current assets / Accrued expenses and 
 Amounts(A)  other long-term assets  other current liabilities  amounts(A)  other long-term assets  other current liabilities 
 March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31,  March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, March 31, December 31, 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014  2016  2015  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments                                             
Cash Flow Hedges:                                                
Forward currency contracts $19,796  $26,266  $1,510  $479  $574  $478  $16,660  $22,208  $3  $474  $63  $84 
                                                
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments                                         
Forward currency contracts $1,631  $3,523   -   -  $5  $13  $1,730  $1,647   -��  -  $5  $9 
Fixed price commodity contracts  -   317   -   -   -  $69 

 

(A)Notional amounts represent the gross contract / notional amountin U.S. dollars of the derivatives outstanding. The fixed price commodity contract notional amounts are in pounds.

 

Amounts recorded for the cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income (loss)loss and in net income for the three months ended March 31 are as follows: 

 

 Gain (loss) recorded Loss reclassified from 
 in other comprehensive other comprehensive income 
 Gain (loss) recorded in other
comprehensive income (loss)
  Gain (loss) reclassified from
other comprehensive income
(loss) into net income
  income (loss)  (loss) into net income 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2016  2015  2016  2015 
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:                                
Forward currency contracts $797  $118  $(138) $(181) $(494) $797  $(44) $(138)
Fixed price commodity contracts  -   (472)  -   (30)
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges $797  $(354) $(138) $(211) $(494) $797  $(44) $(138)

 

Gains and losses reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into net income were recognized in cost of goods sold in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The net deferred gainloss of $936$60 on the cash flow hedge derivatives will be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) to the condensed consolidated statements of operations in 2015.  The Company has measured the ineffectiveness of the forward currency and commodity contracts and any amounts recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements were immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.through December 2016.  

11

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The following table presents ourthe Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the three levels of the fair value hierarchy based on the reliability of the inputs used.

 

 March 31, December 31,  March 31, December 31, 
 2015  2014  2016  2015 
 Fair values estimated using     Fair values estimated using    
    Level 1 Level 2 Level 3        Level 1 Level 2 Level 3    
 Fair value  inputs (A)  inputs (B)  inputs (C)  Fair value  Fair value  inputs (A)  inputs (B)  inputs (C)  Fair value 
                      
Financial assets carried at fair value:                                        
Interest rate swap contract $-  $-  $-  $-  $- 
                    
Forward currency contracts $1,510  $-  $1,510  $-  $479  $3  $-  $3  $-  $474 
                                        
Total financial assets carried at fair value $1,510  $-  $1,510  $-  $479  $3  $-  $3  $-  $474 
                                        
Financial liabilities carried at fair value:                                        
Forward currency contracts $579  $-  $579  $-  $491  $68  $-  $68  $-  $93 
Fixed price commodity contracts  -   -   -   -   69 
                                        
Total financial liabilities carried at fair value $579  $-  $579  $-  $560  $68  $-  $68  $-  $93 

 

(A)Fair values estimated using Level 1 inputs, which consist of quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. The Company did not have any recurring fair value estimates using Level 1 inputs at March 31, 20152016 or December 31, 2014.2015.
  
(B)Fair values estimated using Level 2 inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly and include among other things, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active or inactive as well as inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. For forward currency and fixed price commodity,contracts, inputs include foreign currency exchange rates and commodity indexes.rates.
  

(C)

Fair values estimated using Level 3 inputs consist of significant unobservable inputs. The Company did not have any recurring fair value estimates using Level 3 inputs at March 31, 20152016 or December 31, 2014.2015.

 

(6) Share-Based Compensation

 

Compensation expense for share-based compensation arrangements, which is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses, was $960 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $3,325 includingfor the three months ended March 31, 2015 which included $2,225 from the accelerated vesting in connection with the retirement of itsthe Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, and $1,163 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Officer.

12

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

(7) Debt

 

Debt consisted of the following at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014:2015:

 

    Interest rates at      Interest rates at    
 March 31, December 31, March 31,   March 31, December 31, March 31,    
 2015  2014  2015  Maturity 2016  2015  2016  Maturity 
Revolving Credit Facility                             
Credit facility $100,000  $100,000   1.83% September - 2019 $100,000  $100,000   1.69%  September 2019 
                             
Debt                             
PST short-term obligations  8,608   11,249   12.72% - 15.97% Various 2015  14,205   11,556   4.85% - 19.66%  2016 - 2017 
PST long-term notes  12,726   16,770   4.00% - 8.00% 2016 - 2021  6,504   6,428   6.2% - 8.0%  2017 - 2021 
Suzhou note  1,452   1,450   6.72% April - 2015
Other  602   837         324   379         
Total debt  23,388   30,306        21,033   18,363         
Less: current portion  (15,917)  (19,655)       (16,827)  (13,905)        
Total long-term debt, net $7,471  $10,651       $4,206  $4,458         

Revolving Credit Facility

 

On November 2, 2007, the Company entered into an asset-based credit facility, which permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $100,000. The Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement and a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement on September 20, 2010 and December 1, 2011, respectively.

 

On September 12, 2014, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Agreement” or “Credit Facility”). The Amended Agreement provides for a $300,000 revolving credit facility, which replacesreplaced the Company’s existing $100,000 asset-based credit facility and includes a letter of credit subfacility, swing line subfacility and multicurrency subfacility. The amended revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”)Amended Agreement also has an accordion feature which allows the Company to increase the availability by up to $80,000 upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.The Amended Agreement extendsextended the termination date of the Company’s Credit Facility to September 12, 2019 from December 1, 2016. On March 26, 2015, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Amended Agreement which modified the definition of Consolidated EBITDA to allow for the add back of cash premiums and other non-cash charges related to the amendment and restatement of the Amended Agreement and the early extinguishment of the Company’s 9.5% Senior Secured Notes totaling $10,507 both of which occurred in second half of 2014.Notes. Consolidated EBITDA is used in computing the Company’s leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio which are covenants within the Amended Agreement. On February 23, 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Amended Agreement which amended and waived any default or potential defaults with respect to the pledging as collateral additional shares issued by a wholly owned subsidiary and newly issued shares associated with the formation of a new subsidiary.

 

Borrowings under the Amended Agreement will bear interest at either the Base Rate, as defined, or the LIBOR Rate, at the Company’s option, plus the applicable margin as set forth in the Amended Agreement. The Company is also subject to a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% based on the Company’s leverage ratio. The agreement governing ourthe Credit Facility requires the Company to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and places a maximum annual limit on capital expenditures. The Amended Agreement also contains other affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are customary for credit arrangements of this type including covenants which place restrictions and/or limitations on the Company’s ability to borrow money, make capital expenditures and pay dividends. Borrowings outstanding on the Credit Facility at both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $100,000.

 

The Company was in compliance with all credit facility covenants at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

13

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

Debt

On October 4, 2010, the Company issued $175,000 of senior secured notes which bore interest at an annual rate of 9.5% and were scheduled to mature on October 15, 2017.  On September 2, 2014, the Company redeemed $17,500, or 10.0%, of its senior secured notes at a price of 103.0% of the principal amount. On October 15, 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining $157,500 of its senior secured notes at a price of 104.75% of the principal amount discharging the corresponding senior notes indenture.

As a result of the redemption, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $10,507 in the second half of 2014, which included a premium of $8,006 and the acceleration of the remaining deferred financing costs of $597, original issue discount of $2,252 and de-designation date unrecognized gain on the interest rate swap of $348.

 

PST maintains several short-term obligations and long-term notes used for working capital purposes. The PST notes mature on July 15, 2017 and November 15, 2021 with interest payable quarterly at apurposes which have fixed annual interest rate of 8.0% and 4.0%, respectively. PST’s other short-term obligations and long-term notes also have fixed interest rates. The weighted-average interest rates of short-term and long-term debt of PST at March 31, 20152016 were 13.4%16.0% and 5.5%7.3%, respectively.  Depending on the specific note, interest is payable either monthly or annually. ThePrincipal payments on PST debt at March 31, 2015 matures2016 are as follows: $13,863$16,503 from April 2016 through March 2017, $1,400 from April 2017 through December 2017, $1,082 in 2015, $2,2522018, $1,058 in 2016, $2,099 in 2017, $1,174 in both 2018 and 2019, $403$363 in 2020 and $369$303 in 2021. 

On February 25, 2014, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary located in Suzhou, China entered into a term loan for 9,000 Chinese yuan (the “Suzhou note”) which matured in August 2014. On October 17, 2014, the subsidiary entered into a new term loan for 9,000 Chinese yuan (the "Suzhou note") which matured in April 2015. The U.S. dollar equivalent outstanding loan balance was $1,452 and $1,450 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2014, respectively, under these term loan agreements. The Suzhou note is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a component of current portion of long-term debt. Interest is payable quarterly at 120.0% of the one-year lending rate published by The People's Bank of China.

 

The Company was in compliance with all notedebt covenants at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014.2015.

 

The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary located in Stockholm, Sweden, has an overdraft credit line which allows overdrafts on the subsidiary's bank account up to a maximum level of 20,000 Swedish krona, or $2,317$2,464 and $2,562,$2,369, at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively. At March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, there was no balance outstanding on this bank account.

 

(8) Earnings (Loss) Per Share

 

Basic earnings (loss) per share was computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of Common Shares outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share was calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average of all potentially dilutive Common Shares that were outstanding during the periods presented. 

 

Weighted-average Common Shares outstanding used in calculating basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share were as follows:

 

Three months ended March 31 2015  2014  2016  2015 
Basic weighted-average Common Shares outstanding  27,145,873   26,854,017   27,675,938   27,145,873 
Effect of dilutive shares  746,806   554,764   479,835   746,806 
Diluted weighted-average Common Shares outstanding  27,892,679   27,408,781   28,155,773   27,892,679 

 

There were no options outstanding at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

There were 234,450 and 466,650 performance-basedPerformance-based restricted Common Shares outstanding at March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 were 0 and 2014,234,450, respectively. There were also 710,235803,100 and 374,400710,235 performance-based right to receive Common Shares outstanding at March 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively. These performance-based restricted and right to receive Common Shares are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share based on the number of Common Shares that would be issuable if the end of the quarter were the end of the contingency period.

 

14

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

(9) Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component

 

  Foreign  Unrealized  Benefit    
  currency  gain (loss)  plan    
  translation  on derivatives  liability  Total 
Balance at January 1, 2015 $(45,603) $1  $129  $(45,473)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications  (14,962)  797   (45)  (14,210)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other  comprehensive loss  -   138   -   138 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (14,962)  935   (45)  (14,072)
                 
Balance at March 31, 2015 $(60,565) $936  $84  $(59,545)
                 
Balance at January 1, 2014 $(30,335) $(111) $(12) $(30,458)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications  4,178   (354)  -   3,824 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other  comprehensive loss  -   211   -   211 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  4,178   (143)  -   4,035 
                 
Balance at March 31, 2014 $(26,157) $(254) $(12) $(26,423)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

  Foreign  Unrealized  Benefit    
  currency  gain (loss)  plan    
  translation  on derivatives  liability  Total 
Balance at January 1, 2016 $(70,296) $390  $84  $(69,822)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications  4,728   (494)  -   4,234 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss  -   44   -   44 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  4,728   (450)  -   4,278 
                 
Balance at March 31, 2016 $(65,568) $(60) $84  $(65,544)
                 
Balance at January 1, 2015 $(45,603) $1  $129  $(45,473)
                 
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications  (14,962)  797   (45)  (14,210)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss  -   138   -   138 
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax  (14,962)  935   (45)  (14,072)
                 
Balance at March 31, 2015 $(60,565) $936  $84  $(59,545)

 

(10)  Commitments and Contingencies

 

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to a broad range of claims and legal proceedings that relate to contractual allegations, product liability, tax audits, patent infringement, product liability, employment-related matters and environmental matters. The Company establishes accruals for matters which it believes that losses are probable and can be reasonably estimable. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, the Company is of the opinion that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

As a result of environmental studies performed at the Company’s former facility located in Sarasota, Florida, the Company became aware of soil and groundwater contamination at the site. The Company engaged an environmental engineering consultant to assess the level of contamination and to develop a remediation and monitoring plan for the site. Soil remediation at the site was completed during the year ended December 31, 2010. Ground water remediation will begin in the second quarter of 2015, asAs the remedial action plan has been approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.Protection, groundwater remediation began in the fourth quarter of 2015. During the three months ended March 31,1, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, environmental remediation costs incurred were immaterial. At March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, the Company had accrued ana remaining undiscounted liability of $865$505 and $876,$532, respectively, related to future remediation.remediation costs. At March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014, $8012015, $441 and $813,$469, respectively, was recorded as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets while the remaining amount was recorded as a component of other long-term liabilities. A majority of the costs associated with the recorded liability will be incurred at the start of the groundwater remediation, with the balance relating to monitoring costs to be incurred over multiple years. The recorded liability is based on assumptions in the remedial action plan. Although the Company sold the Sarasota facility and related property in December 2011, the liability to remediate the site contamination remains the responsibility of the Company. Due to the ongoing site remediation, the closing terms of the sale agreement included a requirement for the Company to maintain a $2,000 letter of credit for the benefit of the buyer.

15

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company has a legal proceeding,Verde v. Stoneridge, Inc. et al., currently pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Cause No. 6:14-cv-00225- KNM. The plaintiff filed this putative class action against the Company and others on March 26, 2014. The plaintiff alleges that the Company was involved in the vertical chain of manufacture, distribution, and sale of a control device (“CD”) that was incorporated into a Dodge Ram truck purchased by Plaintiff in 2006.  Plaintiff alleges that the Company breached express warranties and indemnification provisions by supplying a defective CD that was not capable of performing its intended function. The putative class consists of all Texas residents who own manual transmission Chrysler vehicles model years 1994–2007 equipped with the subject CD. Plaintiff seeks recovery of economic loss damages incurred by him and the putative class members associated with inspecting and replacing the allegedly defective CD, as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.  Plaintiff filed his motion for class certification seeking to certify a class of Texas residents who own or lease certain automobiles sold by Chrysler from 1998–2007. Plaintiff alleges this putative class would include approximately 120,000 people.  In the motion for class certification, the Plaintiff states that damages are no more than $1 per person.  A hearing on the Plaintiff’s motion for class certification was held on November 16, 2015, and the United States District Court has not yet ruled on class certification. On April 8, 2016, the Magistrate Judge granted the Company’s motion for partial summary judgment dismissing the Plaintiff’s indemnification claim; the United States District Court has not yet ruled on whether to adopt the Magistrate Judge’s ruling. Similarly,Royal v. Stoneridge, Inc. et al. is another legal proceeding currently pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, Cause No. 5:14-cv-01410-F.  Plaintiffs filed this putative class action against the Company, Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc., and others on December 19, 2014.  Plaintiffs allege that the Company was involved in the vertical chain of manufacture, distribution, and sale of a CD that was incorporated into Dodge Ram trucks purchased by Plaintiffs between 1999 and 2006.  Plaintiffs allege that the Company and Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. breached various express and implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability.  Plaintiffs also seek indemnity from the Company and Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.  The putative class consists of all owners of vehicles equipped with the subject CD, which includes various Dodge Ram trucks and other manual transmission vehicles manufactured from 1997–2007, which Plaintiffs allege is more than one million vehicles. Plaintiffs seek recovery of economic loss damages associated with inspecting and replacing the allegedly defective CD, diminished value of the subject CDs and the trucks in which they were installed, and attorneys’ fees and costs.  The amount of compensatory or other damages sought by Plaintiffs and the putative class members is unknown. On January 12, 2016, the United States District Court granted in part the Company’s and Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc.’s motions for summary judgment, and dismissed four of the Plaintiffs’ five claims against the Company and Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. Plaintiffs have filed a motion for reconsideration of the United States District Court’s ruling, which remains pending. The Company is vigorously defending itself against the Plaintiffs’ allegations, and has and will continue to challenge the claims as well as class action certification. The Company believes the likelihood of loss is not probable or reasonably estimable, and therefore no liability has been recorded for these claims at March 31, 2016.

In September 2013, atwo legal proceeding wasproceedings were initiated by Actia Automotive (“Actia”) in a French court (the tribunal de grande instance de Paris) alleging infringement of its patents by the Company’s Electronics segment. The euro (“€”) and U.S. dollar equivalent (“$”) that Actia is seeking is €14,000has been €7,000 ($15,000)8,000) for each claim for injunctive relief and monetary damages resulting from such alleged infringement. The Company believes that its products did not infringe on any of the patents claimed by Actia, and the claim isclaims are without merit. Therefore itThe Company is vigorously defending itself against these allegations. Theallegations, and it has challenged certain Actia patents in the European Patent Office. In September 2015, the French court ruled in favor of the Company believes the likelihood of losson one claim, which is not probable. As such, no liability has been recorded for this claim.subject to appeal by Actia. There have been no significant changes to the facts and circumstances related to thisthe remaining claim for the three months ended March 31, 2015.2016. The Company believes the likelihood of loss is not probable between its defenses and challenges to Actia’s patents. As such, no liability has been recorded for these claims at March 31, 2016.

 

On May 24, 2013, the State Revenue Services of São Paulo issued a tax deficiency notice against PST claiming that the vehicle tracking and monitoring services it provides should be classified as communication services, and therefore subject to the State Value Added Tax – ICMS. The State Revenue Services assessment imposed the 25.0% ICMS tax on all revenues of PST related to the vehicle tracking and monitoring services rendered during the period from January 2009 through December 2010. The Brazilian real (“R$”) and U.S. dollar equivalent (“$”) of the aggregate tax assessment is approximately R$92,500 ($28,800)26,000) which is comprised of Value Added Tax – ICMS of R$13,200 ($4,100)3,700), interest of R$11,400 ($3,600)3,200) and penalties of R$67,900 ($21,100)19,100).

16

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company believes that the vehicle tracking and monitoring services are non-communication services, as defined under Brazilian tax law, subject to the municipal ISS tax, not communication services subject to state ICMS tax as claimed by the State Revenue Services of São Paulo. PST has, and will continue to collect the municipal ISS tax on the vehicle tracking and monitoring services in compliance with Brazilian tax law and will defend its tax position. PST has received a legal opinion that the merits of the case are favorable to PST, determining among other things that the imposition on the subsidiary of the State ICMS by the State Revenue Services of São Paulo is not in accordance with the Brazilian tax code. In April 2015, the Tribunal of Taxes and Imposts of the State of São Paulo ruled in favor of PST that its tracking and monitoring services are not subject to state ICMS tax. However, the written opinion of that tribunal has not yet been issued and is subject to appeal by the State Revenue Services of São Paulo to a higher court. Management believes, based on the legal opinion of the Company’s Brazilian legal counsel the recent favorable legal ruling in favor of PST and the results of the Brazil Administrative Court's binding ruling in favor of another vehicle tracking and monitoring company related to the tax deficiency notice it received, the likelihood of loss is not probable although it may take years to resolve.  As a result of the above, as of March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, no accrual has been recorded with respect to the tax assessment.  An unfavorable judgment on this issue for the years assessed and for subsequent years could result in significant costs to PST and adversely affect its results of operations. There have been no significant changes to the facts and circumstances related to this notice for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

In addition, PST has civil, labor and other tax contingencies for which the likelihood of loss is deemed to be reasonably possible, but not probable, by the Company’s legal advisors in Brazil. As a result, no provision has been recorded with respect to these contingencies, which amounted to R$25,84226,700 ($8,100)7,500) and R$37,23725,400 ($14,000)6,500) at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively. An unfavorable outcome on these contingencies could result in significant cost to PST and adversely affect its results of operations.

 

Product Warranty and Recall

 

Amounts accrued for product warranty and recall claims are established based on the Company's best estimate of the amounts necessary to settle futureexisting and existingfuture claims on products sold as of the balance sheet dates. These accruals are based on several factors including past experience, production changes, industry developments and various other considerations.considerations including insurance coverage. The Company can provide no assurances that it will not experience material claims in the future or that it will not incur significant costs to defend or settle such claims beyond the amounts accrued or beyond what the Company may recover from its suppliers. The current portion of product warranty and recall is included as a component of accrued expenses and other current liabilities onin the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Product warranty and recall included $1,188$2,076 and $1,204$1,973 of a long-term liability at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively, which is included as a component of other long-term liabilities onin the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The following provides a reconciliation of changes in product warranty and recall liability: 

Three months ended March 31 2016  2015 
Product warranty and recall at beginning of period $6,419  $7,601 
Accruals for products shipped during period  1,358   1,381 
Aggregate changes in pre-existing liabilities due to claim developments  (302)  (57)
Settlements made during the period  (348)  (1,745)
Product warranty and recall at end of period $7,127  $7,180 

(11) Business Realignment

The Company regularly evaluates the performance of its businesses and cost structures, including personnel, and makes necessary changes thereto in order to optimize its results.  The Company also evaluates the required skill sets of its personnel and periodically makes strategic changes.  As a consequence of these actions, the Company incurs severance related costs which are referred to as business realignment charges.

17

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

The following provides a reconciliation of changes in product warranty and recall liability: Business realignment charges by reportable segment were as follows:

 

Three months ended March 31 2015  2014 
Product warranty and recall at beginning of period $7,601  $6,414 
Accruals for products shipped during period  1,381   1,122 
Aggregate changes in pre-existing liabilities due to claim developments  (57)  258 
Settlements made during the period  (1,745)  (540)
Product warranty and recall at end of period $7,180  $7,254 
Three months ended March 31 2016 
Electronics(A)  1,180 
PST(B)  722 
Total business realignment charges $1,902 

(A)Severance costs related to selling, general and administrative and design and development were $196 and $984, respectively.
(B)Severance costs related to cost of goods sold, selling, general and administrative and design and development were $179, $468 and $75, respectively.

 

(11)Business realignment charges classified by statement of operations line item were as follows:

Three months ended March 31 2016 
Cost of goods sold $179 
Selling, general and administrative  664 
Design and development  1,059 
Total business realignment charges $1,902 

There were no business realignment charges recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

(12) Income Taxes

 

The Company computes its consolidated income tax provision each quarter based on a projected annual effective tax rate, as required. The Company is required to reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the benefit of the deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. The Company also records the income tax impact of certain discrete, unusual or infrequently occurring items including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur.

 

When a company maintains a valuation allowance in a particular jurisdiction, no net tax expense or (benefit) will typically be provided on the income (loss) for that jurisdiction.jurisdiction on an annual basis. Jurisdictions with projected income that maintain a valuation allowance typically will form part of the projected annual effective tax rate calculation discussed above. However, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year that maintain a valuation allowance are excluded from the projected annual effective income tax rate calculation. Instead, the income tax for these jurisdictions is computed separately.

 

The Company also records theactual year to date income tax impactexpense (benefit) is the product of certainthe most current projected annual effective income tax rate and the actual year to date pre-tax income (loss) adjusted for any discrete unusual or infrequently occurring items including changes in judgment about valuation allowancestax items. The income tax expense (benefit) for a particular quarter is the difference between the year to date calculation of income tax expense (benefit) and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur.year to date calculation for the prior quarter.

 

Therefore, the actual effective income tax rate during a particular quarter can vary significantly based upon the jurisdictional mix and timing of actual earnings compared to projected annual earnings, permanent items, earnings for those jurisdictions that maintain a valuation allowance, tax associated with jurisdictions excluded from the projected annual effective income tax rate calculation and discrete items.

 

18

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

The Company recognized an income tax provisionexpense of $147$845 and $295$147 from continuing operations for federal, state and foreign income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively.  The effectiveincrease in tax rate decreased from 171.5% in the first quarter of 2014 to 6.5% in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease in the tax provision and the effective tax rateexpense for the three months ended March 31, 20152016 compared to the same period for 20142015 was primarily due to the improved earnings ofincrease in consolidated earnings. In addition, tax expense increased due to the U.S. operations and reduced earnings of the European operations, which was partially offset by the smallerPST operating loss of PST. In addition, the Company recognizedwhich generated a discrete tax expense related to certain foreign operations duringbenefit for the first quarter of 2014 which did not recur2015, however, due to the valuation allowance position taken in the fourth quarter of 2015, no longer provides a tax benefit in 2016. The effective tax rate increased to 12.2% in the first quarter of 2015.2016 from 6.5% in the first quarter of 2015 primarily due to the PST loss which, due to a full valuation allowance, negatively impacts the effective tax rate. The impact of PST on the effective tax rate was partially offset by income from the U.S. operations which, due to a full valuation allowance, positively impacts the effective tax rate.

 

(12)(13) Segment Reporting

 

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that are evaluated regularly by the Company's chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer.

During the third quarter of 2014 the Company sold its Wiring business segment, which designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instrument panels for sale principally to the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets. As such, for all periods presented the Company reported this business as discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and therefore excluded it from the segment disclosures herein. See Note 3 for additional details.

 

The Company has three reportable segments, Control Devices, Electronics and PST, which also represent its operating segments. The Control Devices reportable segment produces sensors, switches, valves and actuators. The Electronics reportable segment produces electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units and driver information systems. The PST reportable segment designs and manufactures electronic vehicle security alarms, convenience accessories, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services and in-vehicle audio and video devices.

 

Also, during the second quarter of 2014 the Company changed its segment operating performance metric in accordance with changes in the financial information reviewed and performance measured by the Company’s chief operating decision maker. As a result, the Company now uses operating income for financial reporting purposes. Historically, the Company used income before income taxes. The Company has revised the consolidated segment information for all periods presented to reflect this presentation.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

The accounting policies of the Company's reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K. The Company's management evaluates the performance of its reportable segments based primarily on revenues from external customers capital expenditures and operating income.income (loss). Inter-segment sales are accounted for on terms similar to those to third parties and are eliminated upon consolidation.

 

A summary of financial information by reportable segment is as follows:

19

 

Three months ended March 31 2015  2014 
Net Sales:        
Control Devices $79,870  $77,324 
Inter-segment sales  688   752 
Control Devices net sales  80,558   78,076 
Electronics  56,432   50,091 
Inter-segment sales  4,966   11,757 
Electronics net sales  61,398   61,848 
PST  26,523   33,916 
Inter-segment sales  -   - 
PST net sales  26,523   33,916 
Eliminations  (5,654)  (12,509)
Total net sales $162,825  $161,331 
Operating Income (Loss):        
Control Devices $9,605  $8,433 
Electronics  3,424   4,782 
PST  (2,650)  (2,542)
Unallocated Corporate(A)  (7,253)  (4,239)
Total operating income $3,126  $6,434 
Depreciation and Amortization:        
Control Devices $2,459  $2,371 
Electronics  956   1,101 
PST  2,687   3,169 
Corporate  14   45 
Total depreciation and amortization (B) $6,116  $6,686 
Interest Expense, net:        
Control Devices $85  $61 
Electronics  45   199 
PST  420   668 
Corporate  728   4,001 
Total interest expense, net $1,278  $4,929 
Capital Expenditures:        
Control Devices $4,035  $1,734 
Electronics  1,938   647 
PST  1,373   1,667 
Corporate  1,144   59 
Total capital expenditures $8,490  $4,107 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2015  2014 
Total Assets:        
Control Devices $130,340  $115,703 
Electronics  95,621   95,140 
PST  132,048   159,980 
Corporate(C)  267,571   279,013 
Eliminations  (248,259)  (251,085)
Total assets $377,321  $398,751 

A summary of financial information by reportable segment is as follows:

Three months ended March 31 2016  2015 
Net Sales:        
Control Devices $92,368  $79,870 
Inter-segment sales  533   688 
Control Devices net sales  92,901   80,558 
         
Electronics  52,636   56,432 
Inter-segment sales  7,027   4,966 
Electronics net sales  59,663   61,398 
         
PST  17,612   26,523 
Inter-segment sales  -   - 
PST net sales  17,612   26,523 
         
Eliminations  (7,560)  (5,654)
Total net sales $162,616  $162,825 
Operating Income (Loss):        
Control Devices $13,517  $9,605 
Electronics  3,820   3,424 
PST  (3,117)  (2,650)
Unallocated Corporate(A)  (5,714)  (7,253)
Total operating income $8,506  $3,126 
Depreciation and Amortization:        
Control Devices $2,309  $2,459 
Electronics  1,040   956 
PST  1,850   2,687 
Corporate  70   14 
Total depreciation and amortization (B) $5,269  $6,116 
Interest Expense, net:        
Control Devices $61  $85 
Electronics  39   45 
PST  750   420 
Corporate  664   728 
Total interest expense, net $1,514  $1,278 
Capital Expenditures:        
Control Devices $2,727  $4,035 
Electronics  3,131   1,938 
PST  854   1,373 
Corporate  105   1,144 
Total capital expenditures $6,817  $8,490 

20

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Total Assets:        
Control Devices $145,383  $127,649 
Electronics  110,540   97,443 
PST  105,181   100,143 
Corporate(C)  280,641   288,806 
Eliminations  (248,019)  (249,789)
Total assets $393,726  $364,252 

 

(A)Unallocated Corporate expenses include, among other items, accounting, finance, legal, human resources and information technology costs as well as share-based compensation.
(B)These amounts represent depreciation and amortization on property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets.
(C)Assets located at Corporate consist primarily of cash, intercompany loan receivables, equity investments and investments in subsidiaries.

 

The following table presents net sales and long-term assets for each of the geographic areas in which the Company operates: 

 

Three months ended March 31 2015  2014 
Net Sales:        
North America $89,753  $79,798 
South America  26,523   33,916 
Europe and Other  46,549   47,617 
Total net sales $162,825  $161,331 

 March 31, December 31, 
 2015  2014 
Long-term Assets:        
Three months ended March 31 2016  2015 
Net Sales:        
North America $56,370  $53,406  $99,119  $89,753 
South America  70,708   85,433   17,612   26,523 
Europe and Other  13,875   14,401   45,885   46,549 
Total long-term assets $140,953  $153,240 
Total net sales $162,616  $162,825 

 

(13)

  March 31,  December 31, 
  2016  2015 
Long-term Assets:        
North America $60,547  $60,099 
South America  60,799   56,943 
Europe and Other  17,073   15,301 
Total long-term assets $138,419  $132,343 

(14) Investments

 

Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd.

 

The Company has a 49% interest in Minda Stoneridge Instruments Ltd. (“Minda”), a company based in India that manufactures electronics, instrumentation equipment and sensors primarily for the motorcycle and commercial vehicle market. The investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company's investment in Minda, recorded as a component of investments and other long-term assets, net on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, was $6,899$7,067 and $6,653$6,929 at March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, respectively. Equity in earnings of Minda included in the condensed consolidated statements of operations was $189$143 and $238,$189, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively.

21

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data, unless otherwise indicated)

(Unaudited)

 

PST Eletrônica Ltda.

 

The Company has a 74% controlling interest in PST. Noncontrolling interest in PST increased to $13,370 at March 31, 2016 due to comprehensive income of $60 resulting from a favorable change in foreign currency translation of $1,190 partially offset by a proportionate share of its net loss of $1,130 for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Noncontrolling interest in PST decreased to $18,321 at March 31, 2015 due to comprehensive loss of $4,229 resulting from a proportionate share of its net loss of $409 and an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $3,820. Noncontrolling

PST has dividends payable declared in previous years to noncontrolling interest in PST increased to $39,907of $10,842 Brazilian real ($3,046) at March 31, 2014 due to comprehensive income of $367 resulting from a favorable change in foreign currency translation of $1,345, partially offset by a proportionate share of its net loss of $978 for the three months ended March 31, 2014.2016.

 

20
22 

 

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

 

Background

 

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

 

Segments

 

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

 

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

 

Electronics.This segment includes results of operations from the production of electronic instrument clusters, electronic control units and driver information systems.

 

PST.This segment includes results of operations that design and manufacture electronic vehicle alarms, convenience accessories, vehicle tracking devices and monitoring services and in-vehicle audio and video devices.

 

During the second quarter of 2014 we entered into an asset purchase agreement to divest our Wiring business, which designed and manufactured wiring harness products and assembled instrument panels principally for the commercial, agricultural and off-highway vehicle markets. On August 1, 2014, the Company completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the Wiring business. As a result of the sale, this business is classified as discontinued operations in our condensed consolidated financial statements and no discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided herein.

First Quarter Overview

The Company had income from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $2.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share and a loss from discontinued operations attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $0.2 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share resulting in net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. of $2.3 million, or $0.08 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Income from continuing operations attributable to Stoneridge. Inc. of $7.2 million, or $0.26 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 increased by $4.7 million, or $0.17 per diluted share from $2.5 million, or $0.09 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $2.0 million, or $0.07 per diluted share from $0.5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2014.2015. The increase in income from continuing operations is primarily due to an increase in gross profit primarily related to higher sales in our Control Devices segment and lower interest expense of $3.7 millionmaterial costs in our Electronics segment resulting from the financing of our debt in the second half of 2014 and improvement in other income (expense), net primarily associated with a less unfavorable effect of foreign currency translation of $2.1 million. Also, our selling, general and administrative and design and development costs decreased primarily from a change in foreign currency exchange rates of $3.3 million which were partially offset by an increase in compensation expense as a result ofrates. Also, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased due to the acceleration ofaccelerated vesting of share-based awards in connection with the retirement of our former President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) which wasin the first quarter of 2015 of $2.2 million. These were partially offset by a $4.5 million decrease in gross profit primarily in2016 business realignment charges related to our Electronics and PST segments which was due toof $1.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, and higher material costs and an unfavorable foreign currency translation both resulting from an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates.income tax expense of $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

 

Net sales increaseddecreased by $1.5$0.2 million, or 0.9%0.1%, from higher sales in our Electronics and Control Devices segments duringcompared to the first quarter of 2015 whichas higher sales in our Control Devices segment were substantially offset by lower sales in our PST segment.and Electronics segmentsegments. The increase in sales increased due to higher North American and European commercial vehicle product sales whilein our Control Devices segment sales increasedwas due to highernew product sales and growth in North American and China automotive market sales.sales while our PST and Electronics segment sales declineddecreased due to an unfavorable foreign currency translation and lower product sales volume.

 

At March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 2014,2015, we had cash and cash equivalents balancebalances of $23.9$48.4 million and $43.0$54.4 million, respectively. The decrease during the first quarter of 2016 was primarily due to maintaining higher working capital capital expenditures and repayment of debt.levels. At March 31, 20152016 and December 31, 20142015 we had $100.0 million in borrowings outstanding on our $300.0 million Credit Facility.

Outlook

 

TheWe expect improved financial performance to continue throughout 2016 compared to 2015 because of new product launches and savings from previously incurred business realignment activities.

We expect to have significant sales growth in our North American automotive vehicle market in 2016 related to new product launches including our shift by wire product by our Control Devices segment. Also, the North American automotive vehicle market production is forecastedexpected to be in the range of 17.0 millionincrease to 17.418.2 million units in 2015 compared to 17.02016 (an increase from the 17.5 million units produced in 2014. The improvement in the North American automotive vehicle market and sales of new products had2015), which we expect to have a favorable effect on our Control Devices segment’s results during the first quarter of 2015. We expect this will continue for the remainder of 2015.segment.

23

 

The North American commercial vehicle market is forecastedexpected to improvedecline for the remainder of 2015. We expect this to have a favorable effect on our Control Devices and Electronics segments.

The2016 while the European commercial vehicle market is forecasted to have modest improvement throughoutremain at approximately the remainder of 2015 which is expected to have a favorable effect on our Electronics segment.same level with 2015.

 

Our PST segment revenues and operating performance continuedcontinue to be weak due to a significantadversely impacted by weakness of the Brazilian economy and automotive market. Themarket and was negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign currency translation. In April 2016, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lowered its forecasts for the Brazil gross domestic product (“GDP”) to decline by 1.0%3.8% in 20152016 and increase by only 1.0%then remain level in 2016.2017. Based on the weakness in PST’s sales and operating performance in the first quarter of 2015 and lower forecasted negative GDP growth of the Brazilian economy in 2016, PST’s sales and earnings growth expectations for the remainder of 2015 continue to be moderated. SinceAs there is significant uncertainty regarding the timing and magnitude of a recovery in the Brazilian economy and automotive market, PST will continuecontinues to realign its cost structure to mitigate the effect on earnings and cash flows of possible continued weakened product demand and unfavorable foreign currency exchange ratesrates.

We regularly evaluate the performance of our businesses and their cost structures, including personnel, and make necessary changes thereto in 2015.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.

 

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, changesmovements in foreign currency exchange rates can have a significant effect on our results of operations, which are presented in U.S. dollars. Our operating results have been negatively impactedA significant portion of our raw materials purchased by unfavorable changesour Electronics and PST 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. While the U.S. dollar strengthened significantly against the Swedish krona, euro and Brazilian real in 20142015 increasing our material costs and reducing our reported results, the U.S. dollar weakened against these currencies in the first quarter of 2015 which may continue for the remainder of 2015.2016.

 

Because of the competitive nature of the markets we serve, in the ordinary course of business we face pricing pressures from our customers.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.

In March 2016, we announced the relocation of our corporate headquarters from Warren, Ohio to Novi, Michigan, which will occur primarily during the third and fourth quarters of 2016.  As a result, the Company will incur relocation costs of approximately $2.0 million to $2.5 million including employee retention, severance, recruiting, relocation and professional fees.  The new headquarters will expand our presence in the Detroit metropolitan area and improve access to key customers, decision makers and influencers in the automotive and commercial vehicle markets that we serve.  In connection with the relocation, the Company is eligible for a Michigan Business Development Program grant of up to $1.4 million based upon the number of new jobs created in Michigan, along with talent services and training support from Oakland County Michigan Works!. Also, the city of Novi has offered support in the form of property tax abatements.

24

Three Months Ended March 31, 20152016 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 20142015

 

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

 

              Dollar 
              increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2015  2014  (decrease) 
Net sales $162,825   100.0% $161,331   100.0% $1,494 
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of goods sold  119,177   73.2   113,193   70.2   5,984 
Selling, general and administrative  30,742   18.9   30,767   19.1   (25)
Design and development  9,780   6.0   10,937   6.7   (1,157)
Operating income  3,126   1.9   6,434   4.0   (3,308)
Interest expense, net  1,278   0.8   4,929   3.1   (3,651)
Equity in earnings of investee  (189)  (0.1)  (238)  (0.2)  49 
Other expense (income), net  (213)  (0.2)  1,915   1.2   (2,128)
Income (loss) before income taxes from continuing operations  2,250   1.4   (172)  (0.1)  2,422 
Provision  for income taxes from continuing operations  147   0.1   295   0.2   (148)
Income (loss) from continuing operations  2,103   1.3   (467)  (0.3)  2,570 
Discontinued operations:                    
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax  -   -   1,053   0.7   (1,053)
Loss on disposal, net of tax  (168)  (0.1)  (96)  (0.1)  (72)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations  (168)  (0.1)  957   0.6   (1,125)
Net income  1,935   1.2   490   0.3   1,445 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (409)  (0.2)  (978)  (0.6)  569 
Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. $2,344   1.4% $1,468   0.9% $876 

              Dollar 
              increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2016  2015  (decrease) 
Net sales $162,616   100.0% $162,825   100.0% $(209)
Costs and expenses:                    
Cost of goods sold  117,455   72.2   119,177   73.2   (1,722)
Selling, general and administrative  25,772   15.9   30,742   18.9   (4,970)
Design and development  10,883   6.7   9,780   6.0   1,103 
Operating income  8,506   5.2   3,126   1.9   5,380 
Interest expense, net  1,514   0.9   1,278   0.8   236 
Equity in earnings of investee  (143)  (0.1)  (189)  (0.1)  46 
Other (income) expense, net  181   0.1   (213)  (0.2)  394 
Income before income taxes from continuing operations  6,954   4.3   2,250   1.4   4,704 
Income tax expense from  continuing operations  845   0.5   147   0.1   698 
Income from continuing operations  6,109   3.8   2,103   1.3   4,006 
Loss from discontinued operations  -   -   (168)  (0.1)  168 
Net income  6,109   3.8   1,935   1.2   4,174 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  (1,130)  (0.7)  (409)  (0.2)  (721)
Net income attributable to Stoneridge, Inc. $7,239   4.5% $2,344   1.4% $4,895 

 

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

 

     Dollar  Percent 
              increase /  increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2015  2014  (decrease)  (decrease) 
Control Devices $79,870   49.0% $77,324   47.9% $2,546   3.3%
Electronics  56,432   34.7   50,091   31.1   6,341   12.7%
PST  26,523   16.3   33,916   21.0   (7,393)  (21.8)%
Total net sales $162,825   100.0% $161,331   100.0% $1,494   0.9%

     Dollar  Percent 
              increase /  increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2016  2015  (decrease)  (decrease) 
Control Devices $92,368   56.8% $79,870   49.0% $12,498   15.6%
Electronics  52,636   32.4   56,432   34.7   (3,796)  (6.7)
PST  17,612   10.8   26,523   16.3   (8,911)  (33.6)
Total net sales $162,616   100.0% $162,825   100.0% $(209)  (0.1)%

 

Our Control Devices segment net sales increased primarily due to new product sales and growth in ourthe North American automotive market and higher volume in our China automotive market of $1.9$11.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, partially offset by lowernew product sales and higher volume in our commercial vehicle market of $1.0 million during the first quarter of 2015 when compared to the first quarter2016 which were offset by a decrease in agricultural sales volume of 2014.$0.2 million.

25

Our Electronics segment net sales increaseddecreased primarily due to an increasea decrease in sales ofvolume in our North American and European commercial vehicle products of $8.7$2.9 million and $6.4 million, respectively, partially resulting from higher volume related to post-disposition sales to the Wiring business acquired by Motherson of $7.1 million, which were partially offset by an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $8.7$0.8 million.

 

Our PST segment net sales decreased primarily due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation which reduced sales by $5.5$7.1 million, or 16.3%, and26.6% as well as lower product volume. PST’s audiovolume as a result of continued weakness in the Brazilian economy and car alarm sales volume declined while monitoring service revenues increased.automotive market.

 

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

 

    Dollar Percent     Dollar Percent 
    increase / increase /     increase / increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2015  2014  (decrease)  (decrease)  2016  2015  (decrease)  (decrease) 
North America $89,753   55.1% $79,798   49.5% $9,955   12.5% $99,119   61.0% $89,753   55.1% $9,366   10.4%
South America  26,523   16.3   33,916   21.0   (7,393)  (21.8)%  17,612   10.8   26,523   16.3   (8,911)  (33.6)
Europe and Other  46,549   28.6   47,617   29.5   (1,068)  (2.2)%  45,885   28.2   46,549   28.6   (664)  (1.4)
Total net sales $162,825   100.0% $161,331   100.0% $1,494   0.9% $162,616   100.0% $162,825   100.0% $(209)  (0.1)%

 

The increase in North American net sales was primarily attributable to increasednew product sales and growth in our Control Devices North American automotive market of $11.9 million which was partially offset by decreased sales volume in our Electronics North American commercial vehicle and automotive marketsmarket of $8.4 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Our$2.9 million. The decrease in net sales in South America was primarily due to the negative impact ofan unfavorable foreign currency translation and lower PST product sales volume. Ourvolume as a result of weakness in the Brazilian economy and automotive market. The decrease in net sales in Europe and Other was primarily due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency translation of $8.7 million, which was substantially offset by increased sales of European commercial vehicle and Chinese automotive market products of $6.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.$0.8 million.

 

Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin. Cost of goods sold increaseddecreased by 5.3%1.4% primarily related to higher material costs resulting from unfavorable changesa favorable change in foreign currency exchange rates.rates in our Electronics segment which decreased its direct material costs. Our material cost as a percentage of net sales increaseddecreased to 51.1% for the first quarter of 2016 compared to 51.6% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 47.9% for the first quarter of 2014.2015. As a result, our gross margin decreasedincreased by 1.0% to 27.8% for the first quarter of 2016 compared to 26.8% for the first quarter of 2015 compared to 29.8% for the first quarter of 2014.2015. The higher material costs and lower gross margin were primarily due to unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates in our Electronics and PST segments, which were partially offset by lower direct material costs in our Control DevicesElectronics segment resulting from a favorable mix of products sold.were partially offset by higher direct material costs in our PST segment due to unfavorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our Control Devices segment gross margin increased primarily due to the benefit of increased sales volume and a favorable mix of products sold, which was partially offset by higher warranty costs.levels.

 

Our Electronics segment gross margin decreasedincreased primarily due to higherlower material costs resulting from an unfavorable changea movement in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Our PST segment gross margin remained flatdecreased as sales price increases were more than offset by higher material costs, resulting from an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates were offset by a favorablelower sales mix.volume and business realignment charges of $0.2 million.

 

Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”). SG&A expenses remained consistent withdecreased by $5.0 million compared to the first quarter of 2014 as2015 due to lower SG&A costs in our Electronics and PST segments were offset by higher share-based and performance-based compensation expense. SG&A costs in our Electronics and PST segments decreasedsegment primarily as a result of a changedue to foreign currency translation resulting from movement in foreign currency exchange rates whilerates. Also, SG&A expenses in our unallocated corporate segment decreased due to lower share-based compensation increasedof $2.2 million incurred in connection with the accelerated vesting associated with the retirement of our former President and CEO whichof $2.2 million in the first quarter of 2015. SG&A expenses in our Electronics segment decreased slightly due to a favorable change in foreign currency exchange rates. Partially offsetting this decrease was $2.2 million.higher professional fees and other expenses related to unallocated corporate and an increase in total SG&A business realignment charges of $0.7 million related to our Electronics and PST segments for the first quarter of 2016.

 

Design and Development.Development (“D&D”).DesignD&D costs increased by $1.1 million primarily due to business realignment charges in our Electronics segment and development costs decreased by $1.2 million primarily as a result of a changerelated to new product launches in foreign currency exchange rates inour Control Devices segment. Business realignment charges related to our Electronics and PST segments whilewere $1.0 million for the Control Devices segment had lowerfirst quarter of 2016. The increase in product development costs.costs was partially offset by lower costs in our PST segment due to a favorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates.

26

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

 

      Dollar Percent       Dollar Percent 
      increase / increase /       increase / increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2015  2014  (decrease)  (decrease)  2016  2015  (decrease)  (decrease) 
Control Devices $9,605  $8,433  $1,172   13.9% $13,517  $9,605  $3,912   40.7%
Electronics  3,424   4,782   (1,358)  (28.4)%  3,820   3,424   396   11.6
PST  (2,650)  (2,542)  (108)  (4.2)%  (3,117)  (2,650)  (467)  (17.6)
Unallocated corporate  (7,253)  (4,239)  (3,014)  (71.1)%  (5,714)  (7,253)  1,539   21.2
Operating income $3,126  $6,434  $(3,308)  (51.4)% $8,506  $3,126  $5,380   172.1%

 

Our Control Devices segment operating income increased primarily due to an increase in sales a favorable change inwhich was partially offset by higher D&D costs related to new product mix and lower design and development costs.launches.

 

Our Electronics segment operating income decreasedincreased primarily due to a decrease in gross profit aslower material costs increased, which waswere partially offset by lower SG&A and design and development costs allan increase in business realignment charges of which were a result$1.2 million for the first quarter of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.2016.

 

Our PST segment operating incomeperformance decreased slightly as lower sales and gross profitprimarily due to business realignment charges of $0.7 million for the first quarter of 2016. Sales price increases were substantially offset by higher material costs resulting from an unfavorable changemovement in foreign currency exchange rates and lower productsales volume were substantially offset by lower SG&Aas a result of continued weakness in the Brazilian economy and design and development costs.automotive market.

 

Our unallocated corporate operating loss increaseddecreased primarily due to higherlower share-based compensation expense as a result ofthe prior period included expense for the acceleration of the vesting associated with the retirement of our President and CEO of $2.2 million as well asmillion. This decrease was partially offset by higher performance-based compensation.professional fees and other expenses.

 

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

 

              Dollar  Percent 
              increase /  increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2015  2013  (decrease)  (decrease) 
North America $3,865   123.7% $5,653   87.8% $(1,788)  (31.6)%
South America  (2,650)  (84.8)  (2,542)  (39.5)  (108)  4.2%
Europe and Other  1,911   61.1   3,323   51.7   (1,412)  (42.5)%
Operating income $3,126   100.0% $6,434   100.0% $(3,308)  (51.4)%

North American operating income includes interest expense, net of approximately $0.7 million and $3.9 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

        Dollar  Percent 
        increase /  increase / 
Three months ended March 31 2016  2015  (decrease)  (decrease) 
North America $8,339  $3,865  $4,474   115.8%
South America  (3,117)  (2,650)  (467)  (17.6)
Europe and Other  3,284   1,911   1,373   71.8
Operating income $8,506  $3,126  $5,380   172.1%

 

Our North American operating results decreasedincreased primarily due to higher share-based compensation expense as a result of the acceleration of the vesting of share-based awards in connection with the retirement of our former President and CEO, which was partially offset by increased sales in the North American commercial vehicle and automotive markets and a favorable change in product mix.market which were partially offset by higher D&D costs. The decrease in profitabilityperformance in South America was primarily due to an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates, and lower sales volume.volume and $0.7 million in business realignment charges. Our results in Europe and Other were negatively affected by higherincreased due primarily to lower material costs resulting from an unfavorable changea favorable movement in foreign currency exchange rates related to our Electronics segment.offset by lower sales volume and an increase in D&D costs resulting from business realignment charges.

 

Interest Expense, net. Interest expense, net decreasedincreased by $3.7$0.2 million during the first quarter of 2015 when compared to the prior year first quarter primarily due to a lower average debt balance outstanding and a lowerhigher weighted-average interest rate. We redeemedrate related to our $175.0 million 9.5% senior secured notes in September and October 2014 using borrowings of $100.0 million on our Credit Facility (which bore annual interest of approximately 1.8% in the first quarter of 2015), proceeds from the sale of the Wiring business and existing cash.PST debt.

Equity in Earnings of Investee. Equity earnings for Minda waswere $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The slight increase in sales over the prior period was more than offset by higher operating costs and 2014, respectively.an unfavorable change in foreign currency exchange rates.

27

 

Other (Income) Expense, (Income), net. Other expense (income), net was ($0.2) million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to $1.9 million for the first quarter of 2014 due to less volatility in certain foreign exchange rates in the current period. Our PST segment was unfavorably affected by a significant foreign currency translation loss related to the Argentinian peso in the first quarter of 2014 which did not recur in the first quarter of 2015. We record certain foreign currency transaction and forward currency hedge contract gains and(gains) losses as a component of other (income) expense, (income), net on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Other expense, net increased by $0.4 million to $0.1 million for the first quarter of 2016 compared to $(0.2) million for the first quarter of 2015 due to an unfavorable change in certain foreign exchange rates primarily related to the Argentinian peso.

 

ProvisionExpense (Benefit) for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations. We recognized an income tax provisionexpense of $0.8 million and $0.1 million and $0.3 millionfrom continuing operations for federal, state and foreign income taxes for the first quarter of 20152016 and 2014,2015, respectively. The effectiveincrease in tax rate decreased from 171.5% in the first quarter of 2014 to 6.5% in the first quarter of 2015. The decrease in the tax provision and the effective tax rateexpense for the three months ended March 31, 20152016 compared to the same period for 20142015 was primarily due to the improved earnings of our U.S. operations and reduced earnings of our European operations which was partially offset byincrease in consolidated earnings. In addition, tax expense increased due to the smallerPST operating loss at PST. In addition, we recognizedwhich generated a discrete tax expense related to certain foreign operations duringbenefit for the first quarter of 2014 which did not recur2015, however, due to the valuation allowance position taken in the fourth quarter of 2015, no longer provides a tax benefit in 2016. The effective tax rate increased to 12.2% in the first quarter of 2015.

We will continue2016 from 6.5% in the first quarter of 2015 primarily due to maintainthe PST loss which, due to a full valuation allowance, negatively impacts the effective tax rate. The impact of PST on the effective tax rate was partially offset by income from our U.S. deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidenceoperations which, due to support the reversal of all or some portion of this allowance. As a result of the sale of the Wiring business and debt refinancing during the second half of 2014 and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there may be a reasonable possibility that sufficient positive evidence could develop within the next 12 months that may allow us to reach a conclusion that some or all of thefull valuation allowance, on our U.S. deferredpositively impacts the effective tax assets will no longer be needed. Reversal of some or all of the U.S. valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and an income tax benefit in the period the reversal is recorded. However, the exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance reversal are subject to change on the basis of the level of profitability that we are able to actually achieve.rate.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Summary of Cash Flows (in thousands): 

      Dollar       Dollar 
    increase /     increase / 
 2015  2014  (decrease) 
Three months ended March 31 (in thousands) 2016  2015  (decrease) 
Net cash provided by (used for):                        
Operating activities $(4,279) $(16,191) $11,912  $1,132  $(4,279) $5,411 
Investing activities  (8,473)  (4,572)  (3,901)  (6,736)  (8,473)  1,737 
Financing activities  (4,388)  6,404   (10,792)  (1,238)  (4,388)  3,150 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  (2,012)  (39)  (1,973)  854   (2,012)  2,866 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents $(19,152) $(14,398) $(4,754) $(5,988) $(19,152) $13,164 

 

The decrease in cash used forCash provided by operating activities, forwhich includes cash flows from the first three months ofWiring discontinued operations in 2015, compared to the same period in 2014 wasincreased primarily due to lower working capital required as a result of the sale of the Wiring business in August 2014 and an increase in net income. Our receivable terms and collections rates have remained consistent between periods presented.

 

The increase in netNet cash used for investing activities for the first three months of 2015 isdecreased due to lower capital expenditures in the increase in capital expenditures.current period.

 

The increase in netNet cash used for financing activities wasdecreased primarily due to lower borrowings and an increaserepayments of debt in principal payments on debt of $8.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively.the current period.

 

As outlined in Note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, our Credit Facility permits borrowing up to a maximum level of $300.0 million which includes an accordion feature which allows the Company to increase the availability by up to $80.0 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. This variable rate facility provides the flexibility to refinance other outstanding debt or finance acquisitions through September 2019. The Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants that require the Company to maintain less than a maximum leverage ratio and more than a minimum interest coverage ratio. The Credit Facility also contains affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that are customary for credit arrangements of this type including covenants which place restrictions and/or limitations on the Company’s ability to borrow money, make capital expenditures and pay dividends. The Credit Facility had an outstanding balance of $100.0 million at March 31, 2015.2016. The Company was in compliance with all covenants at March 31, 2015.2016. The covenants included in our Credit Facility to date have not and are not expected to limit our financing flexibility.

PST maintains several short-term obligations and long-term loans used for working capital purposes. At March 31, 2015,2016, there was $21.3$20.7 million outstandingof PST debt outstanding.  Principal payments on the PST term loans.  The PST loansdebt at March 31, 2015 mature2016 are as follows: $13.9$16.5 million from April 2015 to March 2017, $1.4 million from April 2017 to December 2017, $1.1 million in 2015, $2.22018, $1.0 million in 2016, $2.1 million in 2017, $1.2 million in both 2018 and 2019, $0.4 million in 2020 and $0.3 million in 2021. 

 

28

The term loan for our Suzhou, China subsidiary is in the amount of 9.0 million Chinese yuan and matured in April 2015. The U.S. dollar equivalent outstanding loan balance was $1.5 million at March 31, 2015. The Suzhou note is included on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as a component of current portion of long-term debt. Interest is payable quarterly at 120.0% of the one-year lending rate published by The People's Bank of China.

 

The Company's wholly owned subsidiary located in Stockholm, Sweden, has an overdraft credit line which allows overdrafts on the subsidiary's bank account up to a maximum level of 20.0 million Swedish krona, or $2.3$2.5 million, at March 31, 2015.2016. At March 31, 2015,2016, there were no overdrafts on the bank account.

Due to the deterioration of the Brazilian economy and automotive market in 2015 and first quarter of 2016, PST had lower earnings and cash flows.  Also, PST has experienced slower customer payments of receivables, which combined with lower earnings has made its liquidity more challenging.  As such, PST has and continues to evaluate and utilize several funding sources including factoring receivables and short-term loans from banks to provide necessary funding. 

 

Although the Company's notes and credit facilities contain various covenants, the violation of which would limit or preclude their use or accelerate the maturity, the Company has not experienced and does not expect these covenants to restrict our financing flexibility. The Company has been and expects to continue to remain in compliance with these covenants during the term of the notes and credit facilities.

 

Our future results could also be adversely affected by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. We have significant foreign denominated transaction exposure in certain locations, especially in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Sweden, Estonia and Estonia.China. We have entered into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce our exposure related to certain foreign currency fluctuations. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional details. Our future results could also be unfavorably affected by increased commodity prices as commodity fluctuations impact the cost of our raw material purchases. 

 

At March 31, 2015,2016, we had a cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $23.9$48.4 million, of which $6.9$22.0 million was held in the United States and $17.0$26.4 million was held in foreign locations. The decrease from $43.0$54.4 million at December 31, 20142015 was due to higher working capital, capital expenditures andto support the launch of new products, repayment of debt.debt and the repurchase of common shares to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations.

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

See Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for disclosures of the Company’s commitments and contingencies.

 

Seasonality

 

Our Control Devices and Electronics segments are not typically affected by seasonality, however the demand for our PST segment consumer products is typically higher in the second half of the year, the fourth quarter in particular.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company's critical accounting policies, which include management's best estimates and judgments, are included in Part II, Item 7, to the consolidated financial statements of the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K. These accounting policies are considered critical as disclosed in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K because of the potential for a significant impact on the financial statements due to the inherent uncertainty in such estimates.

 

Information regarding other significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of the Company’s 20142015 Form 10-K.

Inflation and International Presence

 

Given the current economic conditions of countries and recent fluctuations in certain foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, we believe that a negative change in such items could significantly affect our profitability.  

 

Forward-Looking Statements

29

 

Portions of this report 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 include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, our directors or officers with respect to, among other things, our (i) future product and facility expansion, (ii) acquisition or divestiture strategy, (iii) investments and new product development, and (iv) growth opportunities related to awarded business. 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 in this report 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 reduced purchases, loss or bankruptcy of a major customer;

the costs and timing of facility closures, business realignment, or similar actions;

a significant change in automotive, commercial, motorcycle, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production;

competitive market conditions and resulting effects on sales and pricing;

the impact on changes in foreign currency exchange rates on sales, costs and results, particularly the Brazilian real, euro, Argentinian peso, Swedish krona and Mexican peso;

our ability to achieve cost reductions that offset or exceed certain customer-mandated selling price reductions;

a significant change in general economic conditions in any of the various countries in which we operate;

labor disruptions at our facilities or at any of our significant customers or suppliers;

the ability of our suppliers to supply us with parts and components at competitive prices on a timely basis;

the amount of our indebtedness and the restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing our indebtedness, including our credit facility;

customer acceptance of new products;

capital availability or costs, including changes in interest rates or market perceptions;

the failure to achieve the successful integration of any acquired company or business; and

those items described in Part I, Item IA (“Risk Factors”) of the Company's 2014 Form 10-K.

In addition, 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.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.Risk

 

There have been no material changes in market risk presented within Part II, Item 7A of the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As of March 31, 2015,2016, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the principal executive officer (“PEO”) and principal financial officer (“PFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the PEO and PFO, concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.2016.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 20152016 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II–OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.Proceedings

 

We are involved in certain legal actions and claims primarily arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the outcome of these matters, we do not believe that any of the litigation in which we are currently engaged, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. We are subject to a tax assessment in Brazil related to value added taxes on vehicle tracking and monitoring services for which the likelihood of loss is not probable although it may take years to resolve. WeIn addition, we are also subject to litigation regarding patent infringement. We are also subject to the risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the failure of any of our products causes personal injury or death to users of our products as well as product warranty and thererecall claims. There can be no assurance that we will not experience any material losses related to product liability, losses in the future.warranty or recall claims. In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in a government-imposed or customer OEM-instituted recall involving such products. See additional details of these matters in Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.Factors

 

There have been no material changes with respect to risk factors previously disclosed in the Company's 20142015 Form 10-K.

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

 

The following table presents information with respect to repurchases of Common Shares made by us during the three months ended March 31, 2015.2016. These shares were delivered to us by employees as payment for the withholding taxes due upon vesting of restricted share awards:

 

Period Total number
of shares
purchased
  Average price
paid per share
  Total number of
shares purchased 
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
  Maximum
number of shares 
that may yet be
purchased under 
the plans or
programs
 
1/1/15-1/31/15  -   -   N/A   N/A 
2/1/15-2/28/15  92,504  $12.77   N/A   N/A 
3/1/15-3/31/15  -   -   N/A   N/A 
Total  92,504             
30

Period Total number
of shares
purchased
  Average price
paid per share
  Total number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
 Maximum
number of
shares that may
yet be purchased
under the plans
or programs
1/1/16-1/31/16  -   -  N/A N/A
2/1/16-2/29/16  121,503  $11.06  N/A N/A
3/1/16-3/31/16  -   -  N/A N/A
Total  121,503         

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Reference is made to the separate, “Index to Exhibits,” filed herewith.

31

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 STONERIDGE, INC.
  
Date:  May 7, 20155, 2016/s/ Jonathan B. DeGaynor
 

Jonathan B. DeGaynor

President and Chief Executive Officer

 (Principal Executive Officer)
  
Date:  May 7, 20155, 2016/s/ George E. Strickler
 George E. Strickler
 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

3032

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number
 

Exhibit

   
10.1 Stoneridge, Inc. Amendment No. 12 and Waiver to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 23, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2015)February 24, 2016).
   

10.2

 Stoneridge, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan - 2016 Performance Shares Agreement, Upon Retirement between the Company and its former President and Chief Executive Officer, John Corey (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2015).herewith.
   

10.3

 EmploymentStoneridge, Inc. Amended and Restated Long-Term Incentive Plan - 2016 Share Units Agreement, between the Company and Jonathan DeGaynor, the newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2015).herewith.
   
31.1 Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
31.2 Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
32.1 Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
   
32.2 Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
101XBRL Exhibits:
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Definition Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

 

3133