UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

 

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

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20222023

or

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

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ____________

 

Commission File No. 000-11676

 


 

BEL FUSE INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

206 Van Vorst Street
Jersey City, NJ  07302
(201) 432-0463

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

New Jersey

 

22-1463699

(State of incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

300 Executive Drive, Suite 300
West Orange, NJ  07052
(201) 432-0463

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

Title of Each Class

 

 Trading Symbol

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Class A Common Stock ($0.10 par value)

 

 BELFA

 

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Class B Common Stock ($0.10 par value)

 

 BELFB

 

Nasdaq Global Select Market

 

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

Yes ☒

No ☐

 

 

 

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

Yes ☒

No ☐

 

 

 

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

 

Large accelerated

filer ☐

Accelerated

filer

 ☒

Non-accelerated

filer ☐

Smaller reporting

company ☒

Emerging growth

company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

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

Yes ☐

 No ☒

 


Title of Each Class

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding

as of  November 1, 20222023

Class A Common Stock ($0.10 par value)

 

2,141,589

Class B Common Stock ($0.10 par value)

 

10,338,260

10,630,760

 

 

  

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORM 10-Q INDEX

 

 

 

 

Page

Part I

 

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of September 30, 2022 2023and December 31, 2021 (unaudited)2022

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (unaudited) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 (unaudited)2022

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

717

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

1824

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

24

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

24

 

 

 

 

Part II

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

24

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

24

 

 

 

 

 Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, and Use of Proceeds,and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities25
    
 Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities25
    
 Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures25
    
 Item 5.Other Information25
    

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

26

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

27

 

 

  

CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

The terms the “Company,” “Bel,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used in this report refer to Bel Fuse Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise specified.

 

The Company’s consolidated operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and profitability, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 (our “2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K”), and the riskrisks and other factors described in this orand our other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports and documents that we have filed thereafter, andor may file from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”("SEC"). As a result of these and other factors, the Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and adversely affect its business, consolidated financial condition, operating results, and common stock prices.  Furthermore, this document and other reports and documents filed by the Company with the SEC contain certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“("Forward-Looking Statements”Statements") with respect to the business of the Company.  Forward-Looking Statements are necessarily subject to risksrisks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plan,” “assumes,” “could,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,” “may,” “will”"anticipates," "believes," "plan," "assumes," "could," "should," "estimates," "forecasts," "projects," "expects," "intends," "potential," "seek," "predict," "may," "will" and similar references to future periods.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives and regarding the anticipated or likely impact of COVID-19 including regarding the continuing, lasting, consequential or related impacts and uncertainties resulting from the associated pandemic are Forward-LookingForward-Looking Statements.

These Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Item 1A of our 20212022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and in the riskrisks and other factors described in this orand our other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports and documents that we have filed thereafter, andor may file from time to time in our other filings with the SEC, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these Forward-Looking Statements.  Any Forward-Looking Statements are qualified in the entirety by reference to such risk factors discussed throughout our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, in this and our other Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and as described in our other reports and documents filed from time to time with the SEC.  Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in the Forward-Looking Statements include but are not limited to:

the market concerns facing our customers, and risks for the Company’s business in the event of the loss of certain substantial customers;

the continuing viability of sectors that rely on our products;

the effects of business and economic conditions;

the impact of public health crises (such as the ongoing governmental, social and economic effects and ultimate impact of COVID-19);

the effects of rising input costs, and cost changes generally, including the potential impact and effects of inflationary pressures;

difficulties associated with integrating previously acquired companies;

capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, including supply chain constraints or other challenges;

difficulties associated with the availability of labor, and the risks of any labor unrest or labor shortages;

risks associated with our international operations, including our substantial manufacturing operations in China;

risks associated with restructuring programs or other strategic initiatives, including any difficulties in implementation or realization of the expected benefits or cost savings;

product development, commercialization or technological difficulties;

the regulatory and trade environment;

risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates;

uncertainties associated with legal proceedings;

the market's acceptance of the Company's new products and competitive responses to those new products; and

the impact of changes to U.S. and applicable foreign legal and regulatory requirements, including tax laws, trade and tariff policies.

The Company undertakesforegoing list sets forth some, but not all, of the factors that could affect our ability to achieve results described in any Forward-Looking Statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or the date of the document incorporated by reference into this report. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation and expressly disclaim any duty to publicly release the results of any revisions to these Forward-Looking Statements which may be necessaryor otherwise update any Forward-Looking Statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereofof this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-Looking Statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any Forward-Looking Statement made by the Company is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. All Forward-Looking Statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section.

 

 

1

 

 

PART I.  Financial Information

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

ASSETS

            

Current Assets:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

 $70,895  $61,756  $100,225  $70,266 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,403 and $1,536, respectively

 103,221  87,135 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,233 and $1,552, respectively

 94,265  107,274 

Inventories

 164,381  139,383  139,997  172,465 

Unbilled receivables

 28,592  28,275  16,654  18,244 

Assets held for sale

 1,466 1,626  - 1,466 

Other current assets

  8,810  10,841   11,875  11,693 

Total current assets

 377,365  329,016  363,016  381,408 
  

Property, plant and equipment, net

 35,227 38,210  38,193 36,833 

Right-of-use assets

 20,828 21,252  21,660 21,551 

Related party note receivable

 1,905 - 

Equity method investment

 9,978 - 

Intangible assets, net

 54,725  60,995  50,662  54,111 

Goodwill

 23,775  26,651  25,463  25,099 

Deferred income taxes

 8,965  4,461  11,936  7,281 

Other assets

  32,931   31,261   36,255   34,183 

Total assets

 $553,816 $511,846  $559,068 $560,466 
  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

            

Current Liabilities:

          

Accounts payable

 $66,191  $65,960  $43,984 $64,589 

Accrued expenses

 42,662  34,453  55,256 50,873 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 5,904  6,880  6,190 5,870 

Other current liabilities

  22,325   4,719   12,252  14,972 

Total current liabilities

 137,082  112,012  117,682  136,304 
  

Long-term Liabilities:

          

Long-term debt

 110,000  112,500  60,000 95,000 

Operating lease liabilities, long-term

 14,992  14,668  15,551 15,742 

Liability for uncertain tax positions

 24,007  28,434  19,608 24,798 

Minimum pension obligation and unfunded pension liability

 24,284  23,909  18,903 18,522 

Deferred income taxes

 1,026  1,487  973 1,257 

Other liabilities

  6,392   10,093   4,940  6,497 

Total liabilities

  317,783   303,103   237,657   298,120 
  

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 14)

       

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 15)

       
  

Stockholders' Equity:

          

Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued

 - -  - - 

Class A common stock, par value $.10 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,141,589 shares and 2,144,912 shares outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively (net of 1,072,769 restricted treasury shares)

 214  214 

Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 10,338,260 and 10,377,102 shares outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively (net of 3,218,307 restricted treasury shares)

 1,034  1,038 

Class A common stock, par value $.10 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 2,141,589 shares outstanding at each date (net of 1,072,769 restricted treasury shares)

 214 214 

Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share, 30,000,000 shares authorized; 10,630,760 and 10,642,760 shares outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively (net of 3,218,307 restricted treasury shares)

 1,063 1,067 

Treasury stock (unrestricted, consisting of 3,323 Class A shares and 17,342 Class B shares)

 (349) -  (349) (349)

Additional paid-in capital

 40,095  38,419  43,488 40,772 

Retained earnings

 224,022  187,935  296,365 237,188 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (28,983)  (18,863)  (19,370)  (16,546)

Total stockholders' equity

  236,033   208,743   321,411   262,346 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $553,816  $511,846  $559,068  $560,466 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

2

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 
  

Net sales

 $177,739  $146,966  $485,030  $396,351  $158,682  $177,739  $499,803  $485,030 

Cost of sales

  126,205   110,992   354,084   301,234   103,217   126,205   335,137   354,084 

Gross profit

 51,534  35,974  130,946  95,117  55,465  51,534  164,666  130,946 
  

Research and development costs

 4,877  5,918  14,381  16,301  5,292  4,877  16,521  14,381 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 22,223  21,188  67,216  64,757  23,717  22,223  74,149  67,216 

Restructuring charges

 3,969 398 4,000 675  2,091  3,969  6,306  4,000 

Gain on sale of property

  (1,596)  (403)  (1,596)  (6,578)

Gains on sale of properties

  (147)  (1,596)  (3,819)  (1,596)

Income from operations

 22,061  8,873  46,945  19,962  24,512  22,061  71,509  46,945 
  

Gain on sale of Czech Republic business

 (135) - 980 - 

Interest expense

 (944) (1,491) (2,411) (3,014) (512) (944) (2,402) (2,411)

Other (expense) income, net

  (429)  (201)  (2,926)  458 

Other expense, net

  (96)  (429)  (286)  (2,926)

Earnings before provision for income taxes

 20,688  7,181  41,608  17,406  23,769  20,688  69,801  41,608 
  

Provision for income taxes

  4,140   1,447   2,959   593   4,321   4,140   8,006   2,959 

Net earnings available to common stockholders

 $16,548  $5,734  $38,649  $16,813  $19,448  $16,548  $61,795  $38,649 
  
  

Net earnings per common share:

  

Class A common share - basic and diluted

 $1.27  $0.44  $2.95  $1.29  $1.46  $1.27  $4.63  $2.95 

Class B common share - basic and diluted

 $1.34  $0.47  $3.12  $1.37  $1.54  $1.34  $4.88  $3.12 
  

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding:

  

Class A common share - basic and diluted

  2,142   2,145   2,144   2,145   2,142   2,142   2,142   2,144 

Class B common share - basic and diluted

  10,340   10,269   10,358   10,237   10,636   10,340   10,636   10,358 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

3

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 
  

Net earnings available to common stockholders

 $16,548  $5,734  $38,649  $16,813  $19,448  $16,548  $61,795  $38,649 
  

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

 

Currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($40), ($12), ($83) and ($336), respectively

 (8,372) (1,982) (16,352) (1,971)

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge, net of taxes of $0 in all periods presented

 2,070  -  6,061  - 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $0 in all periods presented

 (1) 46 (11) 45 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($18), ($28), ($52) and ($83), respectively

  61   100   182   299 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

Currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($13), ($40), ($109) and ($83), respectively

 (2,624) (8,372) (2,857) (16,352)

Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swap cash flow hedge, net of taxes of $0 in all periods presented

 96  2,070  (9) 6,061 

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $0 in all periods presented

 -  (1) 1  (11)

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($4), ($18), ($12) and ($52), respectively

  14   61   41   182 

Other comprehensive loss

  (6,242)  (1,836)  (10,120)  (1,627)  (2,514)  (6,242)  (2,824)  (10,120)
  

Comprehensive income

 $10,306  $3,898  $28,529  $15,186  $16,934  $10,306  $58,971  $28,529 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(in thousands, except per share data)

 (unaudited)

 

     

Accumulated

              

Accumulated

         
     

Other

 

Class A

 

Class B

   

Additional

      

Other

 

Class A

 

Class B

   

Additional

 
   

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Common

 

Common

 

Treasury

 

Paid-In

    

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Common

 

Common

 

Treasury

 

Paid-In

 
 

Total

  

Earnings

  

(Loss) Income

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Capital

  

Total

  

Earnings

  

(Loss) Income

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Capital

 
  

Balance at December 31, 2021

 $208,743  $187,935  $(18,863) $214  $1,038  $-  $38,419 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 $262,346  $237,188  $(16,546) $214  $1,067  $(349) $40,772 

Net earnings

 5,064  5,064  -  -  -  -  -  14,572  14,572  -  -  -  -  - 

Dividends declared:

  

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (129) (129) -  -  -  -  -  (128) (128) -  -  -  -  - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (727) (727) -  -  -  -  -  (747) (747) -  -  -  -  - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 -  -  -  -  (1) -  1  -  -  -  -  (1) -  1 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($12)

 (1,216) -  (1,216) -  -  -  - 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $9

 1,998  -  1,998  -  -  -  - 

Unrealized losses on interest rate swap cash flow hedge, net of taxes of $0

 (894) -  (894) -  -  -  - 

Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of $0

 1 - 1 - - - - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 902  -  -  -  -  -  902 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($4)

  13   -   13   -   -   -   - 

Balance at March 31, 2023

  278,063   250,885   (15,428)  214   1,066   (349)  41,675 
 

Net earnings

 27,775 27,775 - - - - - 

Dividends declared:

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (128) (128) - - - - - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (742) (742) - - - - - 

Issuance of restricted common stock

 - - - - 1 - (1)

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 - - - - (3) - 3 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($105)

 (2,231) - (2,231) - - - - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 2,984  -  2,984  -  -  -  -  789 - 789 - - - - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 576  -  -  -  -  -  576  950 - - - - - 950 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($17)

  61   -   61   -   -   -   - 

Balance at March 31, 2022

  215,356   192,143   (17,034)  214   1,037   -   38,996 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($4)

  14  -  14  -  -  -  - 

Balance at June 30, 2023

  304,490  277,790  (16,856)  214  1,064  (349)  42,627 
  

Net earnings

 17,038  17,038  -  -  -  -  -  19,448 19,448 - - - - - 

Dividends declared:

  

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (129) (129) -  -  -  -  -  (128) (128) - - - - - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (726) (726) -  -  -  -  -  (745) (745) - - - - - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 -  -  -  -  (1) -  1  - - - - (1) - 1 

Repurchase of treasury stock

 (349) -  -  -  -  (349) - 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($31)

 (6,764) -  (6,764) -  -  -  - 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($13)

 (2,624) - (2,624) - - - - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 1,008  -  1,008  -  -  -  -  96 - 96 - - - - 

Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities arising during the year, net of taxes of $0

 (12) -  (12) -  -  -  - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 512  -  -  -  -  -  512  860 - - - - - 860 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($17)

  61   -   61   -   -   -   - 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  225,995   208,326   (22,741)  214   1,036   (349)  39,509 
 

Net earnings

 16,548 16,548 - - - - - 

Dividends declared:

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (128) (128) - - - - - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (724) (724) - - - - - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 - - - - (2) - 2 

Repurchase of Class A common stock

 - - - - - - - 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($40)

 (8,372) - (8,372) - - - - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 2,070 - 2,070 - - - - 

Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities

 (1) - (1) - - - - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 584 - - - - - 584 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($18)

  61  -  61  -  -  -  - 

Balance at September 30, 2022

 $236,033 $224,022 $(28,983) $214 $1,034 $(349) $40,095 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($4)

  14  -  14  -  -  -  - 

Balance at September 30, 2023

 $321,411 $296,365 $(19,370) $214 $1,063 $(349) $43,488 

 

 

     

Accumulated

            

Accumulated

         
     

Other

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Additional

      

Other

 

Class A

 

Class B

   

Additional

 
   

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Common

 

Common

 

Paid-In

    

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Common

 

Common

 

Treasury

 

Paid-In

 
 Total  Earnings  (Loss) Income  Stock  Stock  Capital  

Total

  

Earnings

  

(Loss) Income

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Stock

  

Capital

 
  

Balance at December 31, 2020

 $185,799  $166,491  $(18,063) $214  $1,021  $36,136 

Balance at December 31, 2021

 $208,743  $187,935  $(18,863) $214  $1,038  -  $38,419 

Net earnings

 3,199  3,199  -  -  -  -  5,064  5,064  -  -  -  -  - 

Dividends declared:

  

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (128) (128) -  -  -  -  (129) (129) -  -  -  -  - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (716) (716) -  -  -  -  (727) (727) -  -  -  -  - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 -  -  -  -  (1) 1  -  -  -  -  (1) -  1 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $9

 (2,529) -  (2,529) -  -  - 

Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities

 (1) - (1) - - - 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($12)

 (1,216) -  (1,216) -  -  -  - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 2,984  -  2,984  -  -  -  - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 600  -  -  -  -  600  576  -  -  -  -  -  576 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($28)

  99   -   99   -   -   - 

Balance at March 31, 2021

  186,323   168,846   (20,494)  214   1,020   36,737 
 

Net earnings

 7,880 7,880 - - - - 

Dividends declared:

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (129) (129) - - - - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (714) (714) - - - - 

Issuance of restricted common stock

 - - - - 8 (8)

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 - - - - (1) 1 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($333)

 2,540 - 2,540 - - - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 598 - - - - 598 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($28)

  100  -  100  -  -  - 

Balance at June 30, 2021

  196,598  175,883  (17,854)  214  1,027  37,328 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($17)

  61   -   61   -   -   -   - 

Balance at March 31, 2022

  215,356   192,143   (17,034)  214   1,037   -   38,996 
  

Net earnings

 5,734 5,734 - - - -  17,038  17,038  -  -  -  -  - 

Dividends declared:

  

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (129) (129) - - - -  (129) (129) -  -  -  -  - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (719) (719) - - - -  (726) (726) -  -  -  -  - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 - - - - (1) 1  -  -  -  -  (1) -  1 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($12)

 (1,982) - (1,982) - - - 

Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities

 46 - 46 - - - 

Repurchase of treasury stock

 (349) -  -  -  -  (349)  

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($31)

 (6,764) -  (6,764) -  -  -  - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 1,008  -  1,008  -  -  -  - 

Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities, net of taxes of $0

 (12) -  (12) -  -  -  - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 554 - - - - 554  512  -  -  -  -  -  512 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($28)

  100  -  100  -  -  - 

Balance at September 30, 2021

 $200,202 $180,769 $(19,690) $214 $1,026 $37,883 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($17)

  61   -   61   -   -   -   - 

Balance at June 30, 2022

  225,995   208,326   (22,741)  214   1,036   (349)  39,509 
 

Net earnings

 16,548  16,548  -  -  -  -  - 

Dividends declared:

 

Class A Common Stock, $0.06/share

 (128) (128) -  -  -  -  - 

Class B Common Stock, $0.07/share

 (724) (724) -  -  -  -  - 

Forfeiture of restricted common stock

 -  -  -  -  (2) -  2 

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($40)

 (8,372) -  (8,372) -  -  -  - 

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge

 2,070  -  2,070  -  -  -  - 

Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities

 (1) -  (1) -  -  -  - 

Stock-based compensation expense

 584  -  -  -  -  -  584 

Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($18)

  61   -   61   -   -   -   - 

Balance at September 30, 2022

 $236,033  $224,022  $(28,983) $214  $1,034  $(349) $40,095 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 
  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net earnings

 $38,649  $16,813  $61,795  $38,649 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

     

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation and amortization

 11,604 12,514  9,962  11,604 

Stock-based compensation

 1,672  1,752  2,712  1,672 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 34 1,267  33  34 

Deferred income taxes

 (5,113) (124)

Net unrealized gains on foreign currency revaluation

 (494) (373)

Gains on sale of property

 (1,596) (6,578)

Deferred tax benefit

 (4,894) (5,113)

Net unrealized losses (gains) on foreign currency revaluation

 130  (494)

Gains on sale of properties

 (3,819) (1,596)

Gain on sale of Czech Republic business

 (980) - 

Other, net

 360 1,355  (495) 360 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable, net

 (17,851) (11,893) 11,931  (17,851)

Unbilled receivables

 (317) (13,958) 1,590  (317)

Inventories

 (32,574) (22,831) 29,313  (32,574)

Accounts payable

 4,884 15,800  (18,674) 4,884 

Accrued expenses

 6,678 9,066  4,536  6,678 

Accrued restructuring costs

 3,628 124  (148) 3,628 

Income taxes payable

 6,380 (1,372) 2,008  6,380 

Other operating assets/liabilities, net

  8,125  (3,276)  (13,575)  8,125 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 24,069  (1,714)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 81,425  24,069 
  

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 (5,612) (4,154) (9,659) (5,612)

Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 - (16,811)

Payment for equity method investment

 (9,975) - 
Investment in related-party notes receivable (1,905) - 

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

  1,833  7,249  5,403  1,833 

Proceeds from sale of Czech Republic business

  5,063   - 

Net cash used in investing activities

 (3,779) (13,716) (11,073) (3,779)
  

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Dividends paid to common stockholders

 (2,470) (2,447) (2,490) (2,470)

Repayments under revolving credit line

 (40,000) (2,500)

Borrowings under revolving credit line

 5,000  - 

Purchase of treasury stock

 (349) -   -   (349)

Deferred financing costs

 - (675)

Borrowings under revolving credit line

 - 115,000 

Repayments of revolving credit line

 - (14,500)

Repayments of long-term debt

  (2,500)  (104,846)

Net cash used in financing activities

 (5,319) (7,468) (37,490) (5,319)
  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (5,832)  (80)  (2,903)  (5,832)
  

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 9,139  (22,978)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 29,959  9,139 

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

  61,756   84,939   70,266   61,756 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 $70,895  $61,961  $100,225  $70,895 
  
  

Supplementary information:

      

Cash paid during the period for:

      

Income taxes, net of refunds received

 $7,496 $2,024  $18,148  $7,496 

Interest payments

 $

 2,129

 $

 1,683

  $3,738  $2,129 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations

 $6,111 $6,382  $5,887  $6,111 
 

Details of acquisitions:

     

Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired

 $- $18,215 

Goodwill

  -  2,499 

Fair value of net assets acquired

 $- $20,714 
 

Fair value of consideration transferred

 $- $20,714 

Less: Cash acquired in acquisitions

  -  (3,903)

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 $- $16,811 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6

 

BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The condensed consolidated balance sheets and statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the periods presented herein have been prepared by the Company and are unaudited.unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been made.  The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.  These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Bel Fuse Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212022.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from these condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations, including the interim reporting requirements, of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212022.  There were no significant changes to these accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, except as discussed in “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” below.below and as follows:

Investments

We account for non-marketable investments using the equity method of accounting if the investment gives us the ability to exercise significant influence over, but not control, of an investee. Significant influence generally exists if we have an ownership interest representing between 20% and 50% of the voting stock of the investee. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at initial cost and are adjusted for subsequent additional investments and our proportionate share of earnings or losses and distributions.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, in the consolidated statements of operations, reflects our proportionate share of the investee's net income, including any associated affiliate taxes. Our proportionate share of the investee’s other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes, is recorded in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statements of comprehensive income. In general, the equity investment in our unconsolidated affiliates is equal to our original equity investment plus our share of those entities' undistributed earnings subsequent to our investment .

We evaluate our equity method investments for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of an investment may have experienced an other-than-temporary decline in value. When evidence of loss in value has occurred, management compares the estimated fair value of the investment to the carrying value of the investment to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If the estimated fair value is less than the carrying value and management considers the decline in value to be other than temporary, the excess of the carrying value over the estimated fair value is recognized in the financial statements as an impairment. See Note 2, "Investment in Innolectric", below, for our discussion on specific equity method investments.

Where we are unable to exercise significant influence over the investee, or when our investment balance is reduced to zero from our proportionate share of losses, the investments are accounted for under the cost method. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, distributions of earnings, additional investments, or in the case of an observable price change in an orderly transaction for an identical security.

 

All amounts included in the tables to these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, except per share amounts, are in thousands.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14,Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans ("ASU 2018-14").  This guidance removes certain disclosures that are not considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain required disclosures and adds additional disclosures.  The Company adopted amendments in ASU 2018-14 on a retrospective basis effective January 1, 2021.  The adoption of this guidance modified the Company's annual disclosures for its defined benefit plan, but did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12,Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"), which modifies ASC 740 to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2021 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

7

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13,Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), as amended.  The new guidance will broaden the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimates related to its financial instruments and adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses.  The amendment is currently effective for the Company for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted.  Management is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2016-13, but it is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides temporary optional guidance on contract modifications and hedging accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens of the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to alternative reference rates. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, which refinesrefined the scope of Topic 848 and clarifiesclarified some of its guidance as part of the FASB’s monitoring of global reference rate activities. The newThis updated guidance was effective upon issuance, and the Company iswas initially allowed to elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022.  Management is currently evaluating In December 2022, the impactFASB issued ASU 2022-06,Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extended the date by which companies could elect to apply the amendments to December 31, 2024. During January 2023, the Company amended its credit agreement and related interest rate swap agreements to transition the reference rate from LIBOR to a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") effective January 31, 2023. In connection with these amendments, the Company adopted ASU 2020-04 in the first quarter of 2023 and elected to apply the relevant practical expedients within the guidance. The adoption of this accounting standard updateguidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statementsstatements.

7

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13,Financial Instruments Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), as amended.  The new guidance broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its expected credit loss estimates related to its financial instruments and related disclosures.

adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses.  On January 1, 2023, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

2.

ACQUISITIONSINVESTMENT IN INNOLECTRIC

 

On February 1, 2023, the Company closed on a noncontrolling (rms Connectorsone-third) investment in Germany-based innolectric AG (“innolectric”) for consideration of €8.0 million (approximately $8.8 million as of the February 2023 closing). Transaction costs associated with the Company's investment in innolectric amounted to $1.3 million and these costs have been recorded as part of the carrying value of the investment. Under the terms of the investment agreement, if innolectric achieves certain EBITDA thresholds within a specified timeframe, the Company would be committed to acquiring the remaining shares of innolectric at that time. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet reflects the fair value as of the February 2023 closing of the initial one-third equity method investment, inclusive of transaction costs, of $11.0 million, and an other liability of $1.0 million associated with the net fair value of the put and call options related to the remaining shares pursuant to the agreement in the event certain profitability thresholds are met.

 

OnThis passive investment creates a strategic alliance that is focused on Electric Vehicles (“EV”) on-board power electronics, and in particular next generation fast-charging technology. With January 8, 2021, no product overlap, this relationship expands the Company acquired rms Connectors, Inc. (“rms Connectors” or "rms"),Bel eMobility Power portfolio, further enhancing Bel's competitive position in this emerging field. Our investment in innolectric is accounted for using the equity method and we have determined that the innolectric investment is not a variable interest entity (VIE). Results from rms Company Inc., a division of Cretex Companies, Inc., for $9.0 millionthis investment have been included in cash, including a working capital adjustment.  rms Connectors is a highly regarded connector manufacturer with over 30 years of experience producing harsh environment circular connectors used in a variety of military and aerospace applications. This acquisition complemented Bel's existing military and aerospace product portfolio and enabled us to expand key customer relationships within these end markets and leverage the combined manufacturing resources to improve our operational efficiency.  Originally based in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, the rms Connectors business was relocated into Bel's existing facilities during the second quarter of 2021, and is part of Bel's Connectivity Solutions group.  The transaction was funded with cash on hand.  

EOS Power

On March 31, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of EOS Power ("EOS") through a stock purchase agreement for $7.8 million, net of cash acquired, including a working capital adjustment.  EOS, located in Mumbai, India, had sales of $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.  EOS enhances Bel's position related to certain industrial and medical markets historically served by EOS, with a strong line of high-power density and low-profile products with high convection ratings. In addition to new products and customers acquired, this acquisition diversified Bel's manufacturing footprint in Asia.  The EOS business is part of Bel’s Power SolutionsSolution and Protection group.  The transaction was funded with cash on hand.  

The acquisitionssegment and amounted to losses of rms Connectors$0.3 million and EOS may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the "2021 Acquisitions" or the "2021 Acquired Companies".  As of the respective acquisition dates, all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values and the Company's condensed consolidated results of operations for$0.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20212023,  includerespectively. The Company adopted a policy to record its share of innolectric's results on a one-month lag on a consistent basis to allow time for innolectric to provide its financial statements to Bel.

Related Party Transactions

From time to time, the operating results ofCompany provides cash loans to innolectric to fund working capital needs and further business development. During the 2021first Acquired Companies from their respective acquisition dates throughnine months of 2023, the Company provided loans to innolectric in the aggregate amount of €1.8 million (approximately $1.9 million at the September 30, 20212023 . During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company incurred $0.5 million of acquisition-related costs related to the 2021 Acquisitions.  No acquisition-related costs were incurred during the three months ended September 30, 2022 or 2021 or during the nine months ended September 30, 2022exchange rate). These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses inloans bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum. This balance is shown as a related-party note receivable on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The results of operations of the 2021 Acquired Companies have been included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements for the periods subsequent to their respective acquisition dates.  During the three and nine months endedbalance sheet at September 30, 20212023, the 2021 Acquired Companies contributed revenues of $4.3 million and $12.4 million, respectively, and estimated net earnings of $0.2 million and $1.6 million, respectively, to the Company since their respective acquisition dates. The unaudited pro forma information below presents the combined operating results of the Company and the 2021 Acquired Companies assuming that the acquisition of the 2021 Acquired Companies had occurred as of January 1, 2021.  The unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes only.  They do not reflect the realization of any potential cost savings, or any related integration costs. This unaudited pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the 2021 Acquisitions had occurred as of January 1,2021, nor is the pro forma data intended to be a projection of results that may be achieved in the future..

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations assume that the acquisition of the 2021 Acquired Companies was completed as of January 1,2021:

  

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
  

September 30, 2021

  

September 30, 2021

 

Revenue, net

 $146,966  $399,372 

Net earnings

  5,734   17,043 

Earnings per Class A common share - basic and diluted

  0.44   1.31 

Earnings per Class B common share - basic and diluted

  0.47   1.39 

8

 

3.

DIVESTITURE OF SUBSIDIARY

On June 1, 2023, the Company completed its divestment of Bel Stewart s.r.o., a former subsidiary in the Czech Republic which has historically been reported within Bel’s Connectivity Solutions segment. The business was sold to PEI Genesis (“PEI”) for total consideration of $5.1 million, subject to working capital adjustments. The divestment of this non-core business was a strategic decision which allows the Connectivity Solutions segment to focus on its main product categories serving customer end markets such as commercial air, defense, industrial and networking which better align with its long-term growth objectives.

The carrying amounts of the major classes of assets and liabilities included as part of the sale were as follows:

  

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $2,072 

Accounts receivable

  1,030 

Inventories

  1,310 

Property, plant and equipment

  326 

Other assets

  48 

Accounts payable

  (441)

Accrued expenses

  (126)

Income taxes payable

  (100)

Other current liabilities

  (13)

Other long-term liabilities

  (23)

Total net assets transferred

  4,083 

Consideration received

  5,063 

Gain on sale recognized

 $980 

8

4.

REVENUE

 

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by geographic region and sales channel, and includes a reconciliation of the disaggregated revenue to our reportable segments:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2023

  

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2023

 
 

Connectivity Solutions

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

 
  

By Geographic Region:

           ��                     

North America

 $37,877 $60,267 $13,490 $111,634 $105,189 $155,022 $38,616 $298,827  $55,262  $42,841  $12,980  $111,083  $182,183  $130,086  $34,680  $346,949 

Europe

 9,327 8,779 2,535 20,641 26,895 29,264 8,128 64,287  13,759  7,500  1,545  22,804  43,266  25,462  6,976  75,704 

Asia

  3,049  7,387  35,028  45,464  7,978  21,961  91,977  121,916   5,841   1,430   17,524   24,795   19,685   4,462   53,003   77,150 
 $50,253  $76,433  $51,053  $177,739  $140,062  $206,247  $138,721  $485,030  $74,862  $51,771  $32,049  $158,682  $245,134  $160,010  $94,659  $499,803 
  

By Sales Channel:

                                

Direct to customer

 $29,974  $48,765  $40,362  $119,101  $84,571  $130,210  $105,619  $320,400  $52,507  $31,369  $25,021  $108,897  $174,143  $101,063  $70,700  $345,906 

Through distribution

  20,279   27,668   10,691   58,638   55,491   76,037   33,102   164,630   22,355  20,402  7,028  49,785  70,991  58,947  23,959  153,897 
 $50,253  $76,433  $51,053  $177,739  $140,062  $206,247  $138,721  $485,030  $74,862  $51,771  $32,049  $158,682  $245,134  $160,010  $94,659  $499,803 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 
 

Connectivity Solutions

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

  

Power Solutions and Protection

  

Connectivity Solutions

  

Magnetic Solutions

  

Consolidated

 
  

By Geographic Region:

                                

North America

 $30,144  $42,064  $11,338  $83,546  $92,868  $109,708  $28,009  $230,585  $60,267  $37,877  $13,490  $111,634  $155,022  $105,189  $38,616  $298,827 

Europe

 7,916  9,679  2,635  20,230  22,220  29,306  6,126  57,652  8,779  9,327  2,535  20,641  29,264  26,895  8,128  64,287 

Asia

  2,284   8,538   32,368   43,190   6,358   20,298   81,458   108,114   7,387   3,049   35,028   45,464   21,961   7,978   91,977   121,916 
 $40,344  $60,281  $46,341  $146,966  $121,446  $159,312  $115,593  $396,351  $76,433  $50,253  $51,053  $177,739  $206,247  $140,062  $138,721  $485,030 
  

By Sales Channel:

                                

Direct to customer

 $23,476  $36,154  $38,022  $97,652  $72,898  $96,759  $95,104  $264,761  $48,765  $29,974  $40,362  $119,101  $130,210  $84,571  $105,619  $320,400 

Through distribution

  16,868   24,127   8,319   49,314   48,548   62,553   20,489   131,590   27,668   20,279   10,691   58,638   76,037   55,491   33,102   164,630 
 $40,344  $60,281  $46,341  $146,966  $121,446  $159,312  $115,593  $396,351  $76,433  $50,253  $51,053  $177,739  $206,247  $140,062  $138,721  $485,030 


The balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022 are as follows:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 
  

Contract assets - current (unbilled receivables)

 $28,592  $28,275  $16,654  $18,244 

Contract liabilities - current (deferred revenue)

 $11,303 $2,224  $2,940 $8,847 

 

The change in balance of our unbilled receivables from December 31, 20212022 to September 30, 20222023 primarily relates to a timing difference between the Company’s performance (i.e. when our product is shipped to a customer-controlled hub) and the point at which the Company can invoice the customer per the terms of the customer contract (i.e. when the customer pulls our product from the customer-controlled hub). The increase in ourOur deferred revenue balance fromat December 31, 20212022 toand September 30, 20222023 primarily relates to customer prepayments on raw materialinvoices related to surcharges and expedite fees, which will be recordedrecorded as revenue in the period in which the related finished goods are shipped to the customer.

 

The aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations that have not been satisfied as of September 30, 2022 related to contracts that exceed one year in duration amounted to $94.5 million, with expected contract expiration dates that range from 2023 - 2026. It is expected that 57% of this aggregate amount will be recognized in 2023, 36% will be recognized in 2024 and the remainder will largely be recognized in 2025.

9

 

4.5.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share under the two-class method for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 
  

Numerator:

  

Net earnings

 $16,548  $5,734  $38,649  $16,813  $19,448  $16,548  $61,795  $38,649 

Less dividends declared:

  

Class A

 128  129  386  386  128  128  385  386 

Class B

  724   719   2,176   2,149   745   724   2,235   2,176 

Undistributed earnings

 $15,696  $4,886  $36,087  $14,278  $18,575  $15,696  $59,175  $36,087 
  

Undistributed earnings allocation - basic and diluted:

  

Class A undistributed earnings

 $2,587  $811  $5,941  $2,375  $2,989  $2,587  $9,522  $5,941 

Class B undistributed earnings

  13,109   4,075   30,146   11,903   15,586   13,109   49,653   30,146 

Total undistributed earnings

 $15,696  $4,886  $36,087  $14,278  $18,575  $15,696  $59,175  $36,087 
  

Net earnings allocation - basic and diluted:

  

Class A net earnings

 $2,715  $940  $6,327  $2,761  $3,117  $2,715  $9,907  $6,327 

Class B net earnings

  13,833   4,794   32,322   14,052   16,331   13,833   51,888   32,322 

Net earnings

 $16,548  $5,734  $38,649  $16,813  $19,448  $16,548  $61,795  $38,649 
  

Denominator:

  

Weighted-average shares outstanding:

  

Class A - basic and diluted

  2,142   2,145   2,144   2,145   2,142   2,142   2,142   2,144 

Class B - basic and diluted

  10,340   10,269   10,358   10,237   10,636   10,340   10,636   10,358 
  

Net earnings per share:

  

Class A - basic and diluted

 $1.27  $0.44  $2.95  $1.29  $1.46  $1.27  $4.63  $2.95 

Class B - basic and diluted

 $1.34  $0.47  $3.12  $1.37  $1.54  $1.34  $4.88  $3.12 

  

 

5.6.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants based upon the best use of the asset or liability at the measurement date.  Entities are required to use a fair value hierarchy which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

 

Level 1 – Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets;

 

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs about which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

10

 

As of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, our equity securities primarily consisted of investments held in a rabbi trust which are intended to fund the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) obligations.  These securities are measured at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) inputs and amounted to $0.2$0.4 million at September 30, 20222023 and $0.3$0.1 million at December 31, 20212022

 

Throughout 20222023 and 20212022, the Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts, the fair value of which was ($(1.0) $0.7) millionmillion at September 30, 20222023 and less than $0.1$0.4 million at December 31, 20212022.  The estimated fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is based on quotes received from the applicable counterparty, and represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to settle the contracts, taking into consideration current exchange rates which can be validated through readily observable data from external sources (Level 2).

 

During the fourth quarter of 2021, theThe Company entered intois a party to two interest rate swap agreements as furtherfurther described in Note 9,10, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities".  The fair value of the interest rate swap agreements was $5.9 5.5 millionmillion at each of September 30, 20222023 and $0.1 million at December 31, 20212022, which was based on market data, and represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to settle the agreements, taking into consideration current and projected future interest rates as well as the creditworthiness of the parties, all of which can be validated through readily observable data from external sources.

 

The Company does not have any financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis categorized as Level 3, and there were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 or September 30, 20212022.  There were no changes to thethe Company’s valuation techniques used to measure asset fair values on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 or September 30, 20212022.

 

There were no financial assets accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 20222023 or December 31, 20212022.

 

The Company has other financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on interest rates that are currently available for debt issuances with similar terms and maturities.  At September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, the estimated fair value of total debt was $110.0$60.0 million $112.5and $95.0 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $110.0$60.0 million $112.5and $95.0 million, respectively.  The Company did not have any other financial liabilities within the scope of the fair value disclosure requirements as of September 30, 20222023.

 

Nonfinancial assets and liabilities, such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, and long-lived assets and the net liability related to the put/call options pursuant to the innolectric investment agreement, are accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  These items are tested for impairment upon the occurrence of a triggering event or in the case of goodwill, on at least an annual basis.  Based on the Company's assessment, it was concluded that no triggering events occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 or September 30, 20212022.  

During thesecond quarter of 2023, the Company completed its preliminary valuation of the innolectric equity method investment including the valuations of the put and call options noted in the related investment agreement. To estimate the fair value of the put and call options conditional on certain thresholds related to innolectric's EBITDA, a variation of the income approach, known as the real options method was used, where innolectric’s EBITDA and equity were simulated in a risk-neutral framework using Geometric Brownian Motion.

  

 

6.7.

INVENTORIES

 

The components of inventories are as follows:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Raw materials

 $71,024  $67,127  $62,646  $74,572 

Work in progress

 44,814  31,103  46,002  44,397 

Finished goods

  48,543   41,153   31,349   53,496 

Inventories

 $164,381  $139,383  $139,997  $172,465 

  

 

7.8.

 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Land

 $1,082  $1,105  $1,015  $1,098 

Buildings and improvements

 21,058  20,915  22,157  21,529 

Machinery and equipment

 120,501  120,961  109,524  118,358 

Construction in progress

  3,135   5,081   2,349   4,239 
 145,776  148,062  135,045  145,224 

Accumulated depreciation

  (110,549)  (109,852)  (96,852)  (108,391)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 $35,227  $38,210  $38,193  $36,833 

 

Depreciation expense was $2.1  $2.2 million and $2.3$2.1 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022, and $6.8$6.5 million and $7.2$6.8 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 2023and 20212022. Depreciation expense related to our manufacturing facilities and equipment is included in cost of sales and depreciation expense associated with administrative facilities and office equipment is included in selling, general and administrative expense within the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

At December 31, 2021,2022, a total of $1.6$1.5 million of property was classified as assets held for sale on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of such datesheets related to our corporate headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey. On July 21, 2022, theThe Company closed on the sale of this property during the onesecond quarter of its two2023 buildingsfor $5.9 million, resulting in Jersey City, New Jersey. In connection with this sale, the Company received proceeds in the amount of $1.8 million and recognized a gain on sale during the third quarter of2022 $3.8 million, which is reflected in the amountcondensed consolidated statement of $1.6 million. The other property in Jersey City, New Jersey continues to be classified as heldoperations for sale at a net book value of $1.5 million.   the nine months ended September 30, 2023.   

 

11

 

8.9.

ACCRUED EXPENSES

 

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Salaries, bonuses and related benefits

 $24,718  $21,342  $30,683  $27,422 

Deferred revenue

 2,940 8,847 

Accrued restructuring costs

 3,637 9  6,655 6,796 

Sales commissions

  2,449   2,049   2,388   2,521 

Subcontracting labor

 1,927  1,622  1,680  1,875 

Warranty accrual

 1,338  1,056  1,440  1,287 

Other

  8,593   8,375   9,470   2,125 
 $42,662  $34,453  $55,256  $50,873 

 

The change in warranty accrual during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 primarily related to repair costs incurred and adjustments to pre-existing warranties.  There were no new material warranty charges incurred during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023.

 

Restructuring Activities:

 

Activity and liability balances related to restructuring costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 2023are as follows:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

      

Nine Months Ended

   
     

September 30, 2022

         

September 30, 2023

    
 

Liability at

   

Cash Payments

 

Liability at

  

Liability at

   

Cash Payments

 

Liability at

 
 

December 31,

 

New

 

and Other

 

September 30,

  

December 31,

 

New

 

and Other

 

September 30,

 
 

2021

  

Charges

  

Settlements

  

2022

  

2022

  

Charges

  

Settlements

  

2023

 

Severance costs

 $9  $1,429  $(372) $1,066  $3,390  $5,115  $(5,951) $2,554 

Other restructuring costs

  -   2,571   -   2,571   3,406   1,191   (496)  4,101 

Total

 $9  $4,000  $(372) $3,637  $6,796  $6,306  $(6,447) $6,655 

 

During the third quarter of 2022, Bel launched a series of initiatives were launched to simplify itsstreamline our operational footprint. TwoIn a project substantially complete with final transitions expected by late 2023,two of the Company'sour Magnetic Solutions manufacturing facilities in Zhongshan and Pingguo, China, will beare being largely consolidated into a single new facilitycentralized site in the Binyang county of Southwestern China with expected(the new Bel Guangxi facility). Further, facility consolidation actions within our Connectivity Solutions group have been underway in both the U.S. and Europe. During the first half of 2023, we completed the transition out of our Tempe, Arizona and Sudbury, UK facilities into other existing Bel sites. Our Melbourne, Florida site is in the process of transitioning its manufacturing operations into our existing site in Waseca, Minnesota, scheduled for completion by mid-the end of 2023. In connection with the announcement internally, the Company recorded $1.1 The $6.3 million of severance costs and $2.6 million of other restructuring costs associated with this initiative. Alsocharges incurred during the third quarter of 2022, the Company incurred $0.2 million of severance costs in connection with the reorganization of the Connectivity Solutions' sales and product management teams. These amounts are classified as restructuring charges on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.  2023, and the accrued restructuring costs of $6.7 million at September 30, 2023, are associated with these collective initiatives.

 

9.10.    

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

Our primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage foreign currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk, when deemed appropriate. We enter into these contracts in the normal course of business to mitigate risks and not for speculative purposes.

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

 

Under our risk management strategy, we periodically use foreign currency forward contracts to manage our short-term exposures to fluctuations in operational cash flows resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These cash flow exposures result from portions of our forecasted operating expenses, primarily compensation and related expenses, which are transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, most notably the Chinese Renminbirenminbi and the Mexican Peso.peso.  These foreign currency forward contracts generally have maturities of no longer than twelve months, although occasionally we will execute a contract that extends beyond twelve months, depending upon the nature of the underlying risk. The foreign currency forward contracts related to the Chinese Renminbi have been designated for hedge accounting.

 

We held outstanding foreign currency forward contracts with notional amounts of $14.925.9 million and $17.1$25.7 million as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 2021, 2022, respectively.  

The Company's foreign currency forward contracts related to the Chinese renminbi are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes and as such, changes in their fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheet and are reclassified into the statement of operations within cost of goods sold in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. 

12

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

 

To partially mitigate risks associated with the variable interest rates on the revolver borrowings under the Company's credit agreement (further(as defined and described in Note 10,11, "Debt"), below), in DecemberNovember 2021, we executed a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreement with each of two multinationalmultinational financial institutions under which we, prior to the January 2023 amendment described below which transitioned the reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR, (i) paypaid interest at a fixed rate of 1.3055% and receiveand received variable interest of one-month LIBOR on a notional amount of $30.0 million and (ii) paypaid interest at a fixed rate of 1.3180% and receivereceived variable interest of one-month LIBOR on a notional amount of $30.0 million (the(as amended to date, the “2021 Swaps”).  The effective date of the 2021 Swaps was December 31, 2021, and settlements with the counterparties began on January 31, 2022 and occur on a monthlymonthly basis. The 2021 Swaps will terminate on August 31, 2026.In January 2023, and in connection with related changes to its credit agreement, the Company amended the 2021 Swaps to transition the related reference rates in these agreements from LIBOR to SOFR, effective January 31, 2023. Under the amended 2021 Swaps, the Company is required to pay interest on the notional amount at the rate of 1.334% and 1.348%, respectively, in exchange for the daily SOFR rate plus 10 basis points. 

 

The 2021 Swaps are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes and as such, changes in their fair value are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the condensed consolidated balance sheetssheet and are reclassified into the condensed consolidated statementsstatement of operations within interest expense in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. 

 

Fair Values of Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The fair values of our derivative financial instruments and their classifications in our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31,2021 2022 were as follows:

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

September 30, 2022

  

December 31, 2021

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

 

Derivative assets:

        

Foreign currency forward contracts:

  

Designated as cash flow hedges

Other current assets

 $-  $57 

Other current assets

 $-  $359 

Non designated as hedging instruments

Other current assets

 114 - 

Interest rate swap agreements:

  

Designated as a cash flow hedge

Other assets

  5,946   - 

Other assets

  5,529   5,539 

Total derivative assets

Total derivative assets

 $5,946  $57 

Total derivative assets

 $5,643  $5,898 
  

Derivative liabilities:

     

Foreign currency forward contracts:

  

Designated as cash flow hedges

Other current liabilities

 $995  $- 

Other current liabilities

 $782 $- 

Not designated as hedging instruments

Other current liabilities

 -  19 

Interest rate swap agreements:

 

Designated as a cash flow hedge

Other long-term liabilities

  -   116 

Total derivative liabilities

Total derivative liabilities

 $995  $135 

Total derivative liabilities

 $782 $- 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships

 

The effects of derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges onaccumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”) andand on the condensedcondensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were as follows: 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 September 30, September 30,  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Net (losses) gains recognized in AOCL:

 

Net gains (losses) recognized in AOCL:

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 $(671) $-  $(1,196) $-  $(385) $(671) $(1,837) $(1,196)

Interest rate swap agreements

  2,206   -   5,939   -   698   2,206   1,641   5,939 
 $1,535  $-  $4,743  $-  $313  $1,535  $(196) $4,743 
  

Net (losses) gains reclassified from AOCL to the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Net gains (losses) reclassified from AOCL to the consolidated statement of operations:

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 $(308) $-  $(381) $-  $(311) $(308) $(197) $(381)

Interest rate swap agreements

  136   -   (122)  -   602   136   1,650   (122)
 $(172) $-  $(503) $-  $291  $(172) $1,453  $(503)

 

13

 

The losses related to the foreign currency forward contracts are included as a component of currency translation adjustment on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income atfor the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 2021.    2022.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

Gains recognized on derivative financial instruments not designated as hedging instruments in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were as follows: 

 

   

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
   September 30,  September 30, 
 

Classification in Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

Other (expense) income, net

  17   31   58   82 
   $17  $31  $58  $82 
   

Three Months Ended

  

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

Classification in Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

Other (expense) income, net

 $54  $17  $88  $58 
   $54  $17  $88  $58 

  

 

10.11.

 DEBT

 

The Company has a Credit and Security Agreement with KeyBank National Association (as amended, the "credit agreement" or the "CSA").  The CSA provides a $175 million 5-year senior secured revolving credit facility ("Revolver"), with a sublimit of up to $10 million available for letters of credit and a sublimit of up to $5 million available for swing line loans.loans.  The Company had $110.0$60 million and $112.5 million $95.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Revolver at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022, respectively.  Revolving loans borrowed under the CSA mature on September 1, 2026. During January 2023, the Company amended its CSA and related interest rate swap agreements to transition the reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR effective January 31, 2023.        

 

The weighted-average interest rate in effect for the variable-rate portion of our outstanding borrowingsborrowings ($50.035.0 million at September 30, 2022 and $52.5 million at December 31, 2021) 2022) was 4.37% 5.51% at September 30, 2022 and 1.60% at December 31, 20212022 and consisted of LIBOR plus the Company’s credit spread at December 31, 2022, as determined per the terms of the CSA. No outstanding borrowings were subject to a variable interest rate at September 30, 2023. In order to manage our interest rate exposure on the remaining borrowings, and as further described in Note 9,10, "Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", the Company is party to the 2021 Swaps, each with an aggregate notional amount of $30 million, or $60 million in the aggregate, the effect of which is to fix the SOFR portion (or, for periods prior to January 31, 2023, the LIBOR portionportion) of the interest rate on a portion of our outstanding debt on our Revolver. TheRevolver (or such portion thereof up to the aggregate $60 million notional amount of the 2021 Swaps). In periods prior to January 31, 2023, the 2021 Swaps requirerequired the Company to pay interest on the notional amount at the rate of 1.3055% and 1.3180%, respectively, in exchange for the one-month LIBOR rate. Effective January 31, 2023, in connection with the Company's transition of its reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR as further described in Recently Adopted Accounting Standards in Note 1,"Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies", the 2021 Swaps require the Company to pay interest on the notional amount at the rate of 1.334% and 1.348%, respectively, in exchange for the daily SOFR rate plus10 basis points.The effective rate of interest for our outstanding borrowings, including the impact of the 2021 Swaps, was 3.38% and 2.92% 2.47% and 3.57%, r respectively, during theespectively, as of threeSeptember 30, 2023 and nineDecember 31, 2022 months ended September 30, 2022.. The Company incurred $0.5 million and $0.9 million and $1.5 million of interest expense during the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and September 30, 20212022, respectively, and $2.4$2.4 million and $3.0 million during each of the nine monthsmonth periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively in connection with interest due on its outstanding borrowings under the CSA during each period, including the effects of the 2021 Swaps and amortization of deferred financing costs.    

 

The CSA contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default.  In addition, the CSA contains financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of the Company’s total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, less the aggregate amount of all unencumbered cash and cash equivalents, to the amount of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA (“Leverage Ratio”) and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA to the Company’s consolidated fixed charges (“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”).  If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the CSA would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At September 30, 20222023, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants, including its most restrictive covenant, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. 

Subsequent to September 30, 2022, the Company made a voluntary payment of $10.0 million towards its Revolver balance, bringing the outstanding borrowings under the Revolver to $100.0 million as of October 31, 2022.

 

14

 

11.12.

INCOME TAXES

 

The Company's estimated taxable income in future periods is not on a legal entity basis and therefore income tax expense for the interim period is not measured using the annual effective tax rate ("AETR") method. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 20182019 and for state examinations before 2015.2016.  Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2012 in Asia and generally 20132014 in Europe. 

 

As a result of the expiration of the statutes of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change materially from those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements atSeptember 30, 2022.  2023The Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions totaled $24.0$19.6 million and $28.4$24.8 million at September 30, 2022 2023and December 31, 2021, 2022, respectively, of which $4.1 $5.3 million isthat was included in other current liabilities at December 31, 2021 2022and was resolved during 20222023 by way of expiration of the related statute of limitations.  These amounts, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes.taxes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022 2023and 2021,2022, the Company recognized $0.4 $0.3 million and $0.5$0.4 million, respectively, in interest and penalties in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during each period.operations.  The Company has approximately $3.8$2.0 million and $5.0$4.0 million respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at September 30, 2022 2023and December 31, 2021, 2022, respectively, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

 

12.13.

RETIREMENT, SAVINGS AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

The Company maintains the Bel Fuse Inc. Employees’ Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan that is intended to meet the applicable requirements for tax-qualification under sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.The expense for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 amounted to $0.3 million for each period. The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 amounted to $1.0 million and $0.9 milliduring each periodon, respectively. The Company’s matching contribution is made in the form of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A common stock. As of September 30, 20222023, the plan ownedowne 313,559 d 302,074and 93,78969,485 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.  

 

The Company also maintains a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the "DCP").  With certain exceptions, the Company's contributions to the DCP are discretionary and become fully vested by the participants upon reaching age 65.  The expense foramounted to less than $0.1 million during each of the three months September 30, 2022 and 2021 amounted to less than $0.1 million during each period.  The expense for the nine monthsmonth periods ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 and amounted to $0.1 $0.1 million during each period.of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. As the plan is fully funded, the assets and liabilities related to the DCP were in equal amounts of $0.6 $0.8 million at September 30, 20222023 and $0.8 million $0.7 million at December 31, 2021.  2022These amounts are included in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of each date.   

 

The Company's subsidiaries in Asia have a retirement fund covering substantially all of their Hong Kong based full-time employees.  The expense for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 amounted to $0.4 $0.3 million and $0.6$0.4 million, respectively and the.  The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 amounted to $1.3$1.2 million and $1.9$1.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company repurchased all shares back from the Asia retirement plan and no shares were owned by the plan as of September 30, 2022.2023 or December 31, 2022.

 

The Company maintains a SERP, which is designed to provide a limited group of key management and other key employees of the Company with supplemental retirement and death benefits.  As discussed in Note 56 above, the Company has investments in a rabbi trust which are intended to fund the obligations of the SERP.

 

The components of SERP expense are as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Service cost

 $126  $169  $377  $508  $92  $126  $277  $377 

Interest cost

 159  135  477  405  221  159  664  477 

Net amortization

  78   127   234   382   18   78   53   234 

Net periodic benefit cost

 $363  $431  $1,088  $1,295  $331  $363  $994  $1,088 

 

15

 

The service cost component of net benefit cost is presented within cost of sales, research and development costs or selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, in accordance with where compensation cost for the related associate is reported.  All other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost and net amortization noted above, are presented within other (expense) income,expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

The following amounts are recognized net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive loss:

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

  

September 30,

 

December 31,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

 

Prior service cost

 $365  $460  $242  $334 

Net loss

  1,252   1,391   (2,177)  (2,216)
 $1,617  $1,851  $(1,935) $(1,882)

  

 

13.14.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 20212022 are summarized below:

 

  

September 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2022

  

2021

 
         

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($334) at September 30, 2022 and ($417) at December 31, 2021

 $(31,263) $(14,911)

Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swap cash flow hedge, net of taxes of $0 at September 30, 2022 and $0 at December 31, 2021

  5,945   (116)

Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of ($7) at September 30, 2022 and ($7) at December 31, 2021

  18   29 

Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($451) at September 30, 2022 and ($502) at December 31, 2021

  (3,683)  (3,865)
         

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(28,983) $(18,863)
  

September 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 
         

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($260) at September 30, 2023 and ($369) at December 31, 2022

 $(25,964) $(23,107)

Unrealized gains on interest rate swap cash flow hedge, net of taxes of $0 at September 30, 2023 and $0 at December 31, 2022

  5,530   5,539 

Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities, net of taxes of ($7) at September 30, 2023 and ($7) at December 31, 2022

  19   18 

Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $891 at September 30, 2023 and $879 at December 31, 2022

  1,045   1,004 
         

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 $(19,370) $(16,546)

 

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 are as follows.  All amounts are net of tax.

 

   

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

          

Unrealized

 

Unrealized

       
 

Foreign Currency

 

Gains (Losses) on

 

Holding Gains

        

Foreign Currency

 

Gains (Losses) on

 

Holding Gains

       
 

Translation

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

(Losses) on

 

Unfunded

      

Translation

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

on

 

Unfunded

     
 

Adjustment

  

Cash Flow Hedge

  

Marketable Securities

  

SERP Liability

   

Total

  

Adjustment

  

Cash Flow Hedge

  

Marketable Securities

  

SERP Liability

   

Total

 
                          

Balance at December 31, 2021

 $(14,911) $(116) $29  $(3,865)  $(18,863)

Balance at December 31, 2022

 $(23,107) $5,539  $18  $1,004   $(16,546)

Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications

 (16,733) 5,939  (11) (7)  (10,812) (3,054) 1,641  1  -   (1,412)

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

  381   122   -   189 

(a)

  692   197   (1,650)  -   41 

(a)

  (1,412)

Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income

  (16,352)  6,061   (11)  182    (10,120)  (2,857)  (9)  1   41    (2,824)
                          

Balance at September 30, 2022

 $(31,263) $5,945  $18  $(3,683)  $(28,983)

Balance at September 30, 2023

 $(25,964) $5,530  $19  $1,045   $(19,370)

 

(a) This reclassification relates to the amortization of prior service costs and gains/losses associated with the Company's SERP Plan. This expense is reflected in other (expense) income,expense, net on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

16

 

14.15.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Legal Proceedings

The Company is party to a number of legal actions and claims, none of which individually or in the aggregate, in the opinion of management, are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

 

On June 23, 2021, a patent infringement lawsuit styled Bel Power Solutions, Inc. v. Monolithic Power Systems, Inc., Case Number 6:21cv00655, was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas (Waco Division) by Bel Power Solutions, Inc. against Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. ("MPS") for infringement of various patents directed towards systems, methods and articles of manufacture that provide a substantial improvement in power control for circuits, including novel and unique point-of-load regulators. MPS filed a Motion to Dismiss and a Motion to Transfer Venue to the Northern District of California in September 2021.  On May 5, 2022,July 27, 2023, the Western District of Texas court deniedfiled an Order granting MPS’s motion to dismissfor summary judgment of non-infringement. The Court’s memorandum and its efforts to challenge venue.  As such, the suit shall remain and continue in the Western District of Texas. opinion is forthcoming. The Company has made a demandis evaluating its options for a jury trial.​appeal.

 

In connection with the Company's 2014 acquisition of the Power-One Power Solutions business ("Power Solutions") of ABB Ltd., there is an ongoing claim by the Arezzo Revenue Agency in Italy concerning certain tax matters related to what was then Power-One Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd. (now Bel Power Solutions Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd, or “BPS China”) for the years 2004 to 2006.  In September 2012, the Tax Court of Arezzo ruled in favor of BPS China and cancelled the claim.  In February 2013, the Arezzo Revenue Agency filed an appeal of the Tax Court’s ruling. The hearing of the appeal was held on October 2, 2014.  On October 13, 2014, BPS China was informed of the Regional Tax Commission of Florence ruling which was in favor of the Arezzo Revenue Agency and against BPS China.  An appeal was filed on July 18, 2015 before the Regional Tax Commission of Florence and rejected. On December 5, 2016, the Arezzo Revenue Agency filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and BPS China filed a counter-appeal on January 4, 2017.  The Supreme Court has yet to render its judgment. The estimated liability related to this matter is approximately $12.0$12.0 million andand has been included as a liability for uncertain tax positions on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets atSeptember 30, 20222023and December 31, 20212022. As Bel is fully indemnified in this matter per the terms of the stock purchase agreement with ABB, a corresponding other asset for indemnification is also included in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

In connection with the Company's 2021 acquisition of EOS Power ("EOS"), there is an ongoing claim asserted with respect to EOS by the Principal Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Mumbai related to customs duties and imposed fines and penalties dating back to 1994. The original demand was in the amount of approximately$1.4 million, of which EOS has paid $0.5 million.EOS filed an Appeal in 2016 which is pending with the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal in Mumbai related to the $0.9 million balance of the original demand net of EOS' payment. As part of the EOS acquisition agreement entered into in March 2021, the Company is indemnified for this matter for a period of 7 years from the acquisition date. The Company is unable to determine at this time what amount, if any, may ultimately be due in connection with this claim. As such, no estimate was accrued as of September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 2021.

 

The Company is not a party to any other legal proceeding, the adverse outcome of which is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of operations.

  

 

15.16.

SEGMENTS

 

The Company operates in one industry with three reportable operating segments, which represent the Company's three product groups, and a corporate segment.  The segments consist of Connectivity Solutions, Power Solutions and Protection, Magnetic Solutions and athe aforementioned Corporate segment.  The primary criteria by which financial performance is evaluated and resources are allocated are revenue and gross profit.  The following is a summary of key financial data:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

 
 

Connectivity

 

Power Solutions

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

    

Power Solutions

 

Connectivity

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

   
 

Solutions

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

 

Revenue

 $50,253  $76,433  $51,053  $-  $177,739  $74,862  $51,771  $32,049  $-  $158,682 

Gross Profit

 13,099 24,801 15,501 (1,867) 51,534  31,206 18,510 7,051 (1,302) 55,465 

Gross Profit %

 26.1% 32.4% 30.4% nm  29.0% 41.7% 35.8% 22.0% nm  35.0%

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021

  

Three Months Ended September 30, 2022

 
 

Connectivity

 

Power Solutions

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

    

Power Solutions

 

Connectivity

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

   
 

Solutions

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

 

Revenue

 $40,344  $60,281  $46,341  $-  $146,966  $76,433  $50,253  $51,053  $-  $177,739 

Gross Profit

 10,003  15,762  10,722  (513) 35,974  24,801  13,099  15,501  (1,867) 51,534 

Gross Profit %

 24.8% 26.1% 23.1% nm  24.5% 32.4% 26.1% 30.4% nm  29.0%

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

 
 

Connectivity

 

Power Solutions

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

    

Power Solutions

 

Connectivity

 

Magnetic

 

Corporate

   
 

Solutions

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

 

Revenue

 $140,062  $206,247  $138,721  $-  $485,030  $245,134  $160,010  $94,659  $-  $499,803 

Gross Profit

 37,414  60,775  37,476  (4,719) 130,946  92,010  57,218  21,814  (6,376) 164,666 

Gross Profit %

 26.7% 29.5% 27.0% nm  27.0% 37.5% 35.8% 23.0% nm  32.9%

 

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021

 
  

Connectivity

  

Power Solutions

  

Magnetic

  

Corporate

     
  

Solutions

  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

 

Revenue

 $121,446  $159,312  $115,593  $-  $396,351 

Gross Profit

  32,826   40,917   24,026   (2,652)  95,117 

Gross Profit %

  27.0%  25.7%  20.8%  nm   24.0%

  

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022

 
  

Power Solutions

  

Connectivity

  

Magnetic

  

Corporate

     
  

and Protection

  

Solutions

  

Solutions

  

Segment

  

Total

 

Revenue

 $206,247  $140,062  $138,721  $-  $485,030 

Gross Profit

  60,775   37,414   37,476   (4,719)  130,946 

Gross Profit %

  29.5%  26.7%  27.0%  nm   27.0%

 

17

  

 

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

 

The information in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes set forth in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our MD&A set forth in Item 7 of Part II of our 20212022 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our consolidated financial statements and related notes set forth in Item 8 of Part II of our 20212022 Annual Report on Form 10-K. See Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” below and “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information,” above, and the information referenced therein, for a description of risks that we face and important factors that we believe could cause actual results to differ materially from those in our Forward-Looking Statements. All statements herein regarding the anticipated or likely impact of COVID-19 constitute including regarding the continuing, lasting, consequential or related impacts and uncertainties resulting from the associated pandemic constitute Forward-Looking Statements. All amounts and percentages are approximate due to rounding and all dollars in the text are in millions, except per share amounts or where otherwise noted. When we cross-reference to a “Note,” we are referring to our “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements,” unless the context indicates otherwise.  All amounts noted within the tables are in thousands and amounts and percentages are approximate due to rounding.


Overview

 

Our Company

 

Bel designs, manufacturesWe design, manufacture and marketsmarket a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits.  These products are primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, general industrial, high-speed data transmission, military, commercial aerospace, transportation and e-MobilityeMobility industries.  Bel’sOur portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical, broadcasting and consumer electronics markets.

 

The Company operatesWe operate through three product group segments, in addition to a Corporate segment. In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 42%2023, 49% of the Company’sour revenues were derived from Power Solutions and Protection, 29%32% from Connectivity Solutions and 29%19% from itsour Magnetic Solutions operating segment.  segment.

 

Our operating expenses are driven principally by the cost of labor where the factories that Bel useswe use are located, the cost of the materials that we use and our ability to effectively and efficiently manage overhead costs.  As labor and material costs vary by product line and region, any significant shift in product mix can have an associated impact on our costs of sales.  Costs are recorded as incurred for all products manufactured.  Such amounts are determined based upon the estimated stage of production and include materials, labor cost and fringes and related allocations of factory overhead. Our products are manufactured at various facilities in the U.S.,United States, Mexico, Dominican Republic, England, Czech Republic,United Kingdom, Slovakia, India and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

 

We have little visibility into the ordering habits of our customers and we can be subjected to large and unpredictable variations in demand for our products.  Accordingly, we must continually recruit and train new workers to replace those lost to attrition and be able to address peaks in demand that may occur from time to time.  These recruiting and training efforts and related inefficiencies, and overtime required in order to meet any increase in demand, can add volatility to the labor costs incurred by us.

 

The Effects of COVID-19 on Bel’s Business

 

The Company continuesWe continue to be focused on the safety and well-being of itsour associates around the world in light of COVID-19 and the variants of COVID that have followed. A significant amount of products manufactured by Bel are utilized in military, medical and networking applications, and are therefore deemed essential by many of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Our management team closely monitors the situation at each of Bel'sour facilities and has been able to effectively respond in implementing our business continuity plans around the world.  Protectiveprotective measures, where possible and as applicable under governing regulations, remain in place throughout our facilities. The majority of our office staff now follow a hybrid work schedule.  The combination of protective measures at our factories coupled with remote work arrangements have enabled us to maintain operations, including financial reporting systems, internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. 

 

On March 13,Throughout 2022, the PRC government issued a notice with immediate effect whereby certain regions were temporarily shut down to perform widespread testing in response to a COVID-19 outbreak in those regions and in accordance with Beijing’s "zero-tolerance" policy.  Our Bel Power Solutions manufacturing facility in Shenzhen, China and our Magnetics TRP manufacturing facility in Changping, China were closed for approximately one week during the month of March 2022 while residents underwent testing.  Further, certain of Bel’s customers and suppliers are also located within these regions, which caused a temporary disruption in the related supply chain.  Although all of our manufacturing sites are running at normal workforce levels as of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, COVID-19 remains a potential supply continuity risk due to the unknown nature of future outbreaks. Given the general uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 on our manufacturing capability, on our customers and our suppliers, we are unable to quantify the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our future results at this time.

18

Beginning in the third quarter of 2021, pandemic-related issues have created additional port congestion and intermittent supplier shutdowns and delays, resulting in additional expenses to expedite delivery of critical parts. In order to better control our costs, the expediting of raw material deliveries has been generally reserved for customer-specific requests for expedited timing whereby our end customer has agreed to pay the incremental fee.  Further, The requests to expedite shipments has continued into the majorityfirst nine months of 2023 but to a lesser extent.  Upon the discontinuation of COVID protocols in the PRC in late 2022, we experienced approximately 3-4 weeks between December 2022 and January 2023 where the attendance rate of workers at our factories in the PRC were very low due to COVID outbreaks in the regions in which we operate. As of September 30, 2023, attendance rates at all of our product is shipped via air, and we have therefore been minimally impacted by ocean-related logistic constraints. While there are some delays within the supply chainfactories in the movementPRC were at normal levels. We do not believe the aforementioned low attendance rates had a material impact on Bel's financial results during the first nine months of products related to border closures2023. To date, the COVID-related transportation delays and government monitoring/treatment of goods being transported across borders, to date such delayslocal outbreaks have not materially impacted our ability to operate our business or achieve our business goals.   

18

 

Based on our analysis of ASCAccounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350 and ASC 360 during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, 2023, we are not aware of any potential triggering events for impairment of our goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets or finite-lived assets.  The CompanyWe will continue to assess the relevant criteria on a quarterly basis based on updated cash flow and market assumptions.  Unfavorable changes in cash flow or market assumptions could result in impairment of these assets in future periods.

 

As our operations have continued albeit at slightly reduced production and efficiency rates, we have not experienced a negative impact on our liquidity to date. Our balance of cash on hand continues to be strong at $70.9 $100.2 million at September 30, 20222023 as compared to $61.8$70.3 million atat December 31, 2021.  The Company2022. We also hashave availability under itsour current revolving credit facility; as of September 30, 2022, the Company2023, we could borrow an additional $65.0 115.0 mmillionillion while still being in compliance with itsour debt covenants.  However, any further pressure orsignificant negative impact to our financial results related to COVID-19COVID or otherwise would have a related negative impact on our financial covenants outlined in our credit agreement, which would impact the amount available to borrow under our revolving credit facility.  TheOur management team closely monitors the rapidly changingongoing COVID situation and its continuing and consequential or related effects and uncertainties including upon our industry, suppliers and customers, and has developed plans which could be implemented to minimize the impact to theour Company in the event prior or similar pandemic conditions reemerge or recur or the current situation otherwise deteriorates.

 

Our statements regarding the future impact of COVID-19 including regarding the continuing, lasting, consequential or related impacts and uncertainties resulting from the associated pandemic represent Forward-Looking Statements.  See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”

 

Other Key Factors Affecting our Business

 

The Company believesWe believe that, in addition to uncertainties around COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine conflictCOVID-19 and resulting pandemic-related uncertainties and effects, recent global inflationary pressures on the costs of goods and services in general, and ongoing conflicts/political unrest in or near the countries in which Bel operates, the key factors affecting Bel’sand/or potentially affecting our results for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and/or future results include the following:

 

 

Revenues – The Company’sOur revenues in the first nine months of 20222023 were up $88.7$14.8 million, or 22.4%, 3.0%as compared to the same period of 2021.2022.  The increase waswas primarily seen within our Power Solutions and Protection group from incremental revenue associated with the EOS acquisition, increased demand for our CUI and circuit protection products, and recent power design wins moving into production within the e-Mobility end market.  In addition, eachhigher sales of our three product groups experienced an increasepower products utilized in networking and eMobility end applications. Our Connectivity Solutions group was also a significant contributor to our sales growth in the first nine months of 2023, driven by increased sales to customers in the commercial aerospace and military end markets. These increases were offset in part by a decline in sales throughof our distribution partnersMagnetic Solutions products during the first nine months of 2022 as compared to 2021.  Our Connectivity Solutions group is also benefiting from a rebound within the commercial aerospace end market, which contributed to higher sales for this group2023 as compared to the first nine monthssame period of 2021.2022, we believe primarily due to our Magnetic Solutions networking customers continuing to work through inventory on hand.

 

 

Backlog – Our backlog of orders amounted to $582.8$407.6 million at September 30, 2022, an increase of $115.02023, a decreaseof $157.8 million, or 25%27.9%, from December 31, 2021.2022.  From year-end 20212022 to September 30, 2022,2023, we saw a 48% increase28.5% decrease in the backlog for our Power Solutions and Protection business, due to increased demand across the majority of our Power product lines.  At quarter-end, thea decline in backlog of orders for2.0% in our Connectivity Solutions products grew by 37% from year-end, primarily due to higher demand from our distributionbusiness and premise wiring customers and continued recoverya 59.2% decrease in demand from our direct and after-market commercial aerospace customers.  During the first nine months of 2022, the backlog forlevel at our Magnetic Solutions products decreased by 22% from the 2021 year-end levels, largely driven by the ordering pattern of one large networking customer.business.  Order volumes in general have been lower in recent quarters which we believe to be due in part to our customers' working through inventory on hand.

 

19

 

 

Product Mix – Material and labor costs vary by product line and any significant shift in product mix between higher- and lower-margin product lines will have a corresponding impact on the Company’sour gross margin percentage.  In general, our Connectivity products have historically had the highest contributionhighest-contribution margins of our three product groups though margins for this group in 2022 have been challenged due to costsgiven the harsh environment and inefficiencies associated withhigh-reliability nature of these products and the ramp-up in commercial aerospace.end markets they serve.  Our Power products have a higher costhigher-cost bill of materials and are impacted to a greater extent by changes in material costs.  As our Magnetic Solutions products are more labor intensivelabor-intensive in nature, margins on these products are impacted to a greater extent by minimum and market-based wage increases in the PRC and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. Dollar and the Chinese Renminbi.  Fluctuations in revenue volume among our product groups will have a corresponding impact on Bel’sour profit margins.  See "Results of Operations - Summary by Operating Segment - Revenue and Gross Margin" below for further details.

 

 

Pricing and Availability of Materials –  – There haveOver the second half of 2023 to date, while there has been ongoing some stabilization of raw materials pricing, overall our cost of materials remain elevated. With the exception of discrete semiconductors, supply constraints have eased related to components that constitute raw materials in our manufacturing processes, particularly with resistors, capacitors, discrete semiconductors, plastic resinresistors and copper. Lead times have been extended andare still above normal though suppliers are now meeting the reduction in supply also caused an increase in prices for certain of these components. Beginning in the third quarter of 2022, there has been some stabilization of raw material pricing and availability for a portion of the components that Bel's purchases, but in general supply constraints continue to be a challenge. The Company’sagreed delivery deadlines with more regularity. Our material costs as a percentage of revenue were45.9% 41.8% of sales during the first nine months of 2022,2023, down slightly from 46.6%45.9% during the same period of 20212022 as a result of a favorable shift in product mix and the impact of Bel's recentour pricing actions over the past year, offset in part by higher material costs in the 2022 period.2023.

 

 

Labor Costs – Labor costs represented 8.4%6.5% of revenue during the first nine months of 20222023 as compared to 9.0%8.4% of revenue during the same period of 20212022.  The reduction in labor costs as a percentage of sales for the first nine months of 20222023 was largely impacted by recent pricing actionsvarious internal initiatives taken by our Company over the Company and favorable exchange rate fluctuationspast year to mitigate the increase in 2022 leadingwage rates at our factories that we had absorbed over the past several years.  Effective October 1, 2023, the PRC issued a regulation mandating an 18.2% increase to lowerthe minimum wage in a region where two of Bel's factories are located. We anticipate this increase in minimum wage to result in higher labor costs of approximately $0.5 million per year in the aggregate at our PRC factories.these facilities going forward. This and any future increases in minimum wage rates will have an unfavorable impact on Bel's profit margins. The preceding two sentences represent Forward-Looking Statements. See "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information."

   
 Inflationary Pressures - Inflationary pressures could continue to result in higher input costs, including those related to our raw materials, labor, freight, utilities, healthcare and other expenses. Our future operating results will depend, in part, on our continued ability to manage these fluctuations through pricing actions, cost savings initiatives and sourcing decisions. The preceding two sentences represent Forward-Looking Statements. See "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information."

 

 

Restructuring – During the third quarter of 2022, we launched a series of initiatives to simplify our operational footprint. In a project expected to be completed by mid-2023, we will initially be consolidating two of our Magnetics sites in Zhongshan and Pingguo, China, spread across 9 manufacturing buildings in total, and bringing them together into a single centralized site in the Binyang county of Southwestern China. Restructuring costs of approximately $9 million are expected related to the China initiative. Of this amount, $3.6 million (including $1.1 million of severance costs) was recognized in the third quarter, and we expect the balance, which is largely severance costs, to be recognized ratably through the third quarter of 2023. Incremental capex spend of approximately $3 million is expected over the next 12 months.  We expect to realize annualized cost savings of approximately $3 million on the China initiative, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023. Within our Connectivity Solutions group, the Company incurred $0.2 million of severance costs in connection with the reorganization of this group's sales and product management teams during the third quarter of 2022. Further, facility consolidation actions arehave been underway in both the U.S. and Europe. InDuring the U.S.,nine months ended September 30, 2023, we completed the transitions our of our Tempe, Arizona and Sudbury, UK sites, moving those operations into other existing Bel facilities. Our Connectivity site in Melbourne, Florida sites will transition theiris in the process of transitioning its manufacturing operations intoto our existing site in Waseca, Minnesota. These U.S. actions are expected to result in restructuring costs (largely severance costs), of $0.6 million, primarily overMinnesota and this initiative is scheduled for completion by the next two quarters, with estimated incremental capex spend of $0.4 million. We expect to realize annualized cost savings of approximately $1.1 million on this U.S. initiative, beginning in the second quarterend of 2023. In Europe, we plan to exitWithin our Magnetic Solutions group, our facility consolidation efforts in Sudbury, UK and consolidate those operations into our existing site in Chelmsford, UK. These UK actions are expected to result in restructuring costsChina were largely complete by the end of approximately $0.3 million spread over the next two quarters with incremental capex spend of $1.0 million. We expect to realize annualized cost savings of approximately $0.7 million on this UK initiative, beginning in the third quarter of 2023. The Company2023 with the final aspects expected to transition by year-end. Aggregate annual cost savings are estimated at approximately $6.9 million, of which we anticipate to realize approximately $1.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. We will continuecontinue to review itsour operations to optimize theour business, which may result in restructuring costs being recognized in future periods. The preceding sentences represent Forward-Looking Statements. See "Cautionary Notice RegardingRegarding Forward-Looking Information."

 

 

Impact of Foreign Currency – As further described below, during the nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, labor and overhead costs were $2.6$0.4 million lower than the samecorresponding 2022 period of 2021primarily due to a favorable foreign exchange environment involving the Chinese Renminbi, and Eurolargely offset by an unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations in the Mexican Peso, as compared to the prior year period.  Also as described below, the CompanyWe realized foreign exchange transactional gainslosses of $0.5$0.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, due to the fluctuation of the spot rates of certain currencies in effect when translating our balance sheet accounts at September 30, 20222023 versus those in effect at December 31, 2021.2022. Since we are a U.S. domiciled company, we translate our foreign currency-denominated financial resultsresults into U.S. dollars.  Due to the changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, translating our financial results and the revaluation of certain intercompany as well as third-party transactions to and from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars may result in a favorable or unfavorable impact to our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows.  The Company wasWe were favorably impacted by transactional foreign exchange gains in the first nine months of 20222023 due to the depreciation of the Chinese Renminbi and Euroagainst the U.S. dollar, which was largely offset by an appreciation of the Mexican Peso against the U.S. dollar, as compared to exchange rates in effect during 2021.  The Company has2022.  We have significant manufacturing operations located in in the PRC and Mexico where labor and overhead costs are paid in local currency.  As a result, the U.S. Dollar equivalent costs of these operations were $2.6approximately $2.5 million lower in the PRC, largely offset by higher costs in Mexico of approximately $1.8 million, in the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 as compared to the samecomparable period of 2021.  The Company monitorsin 2022.  We monitor changes in foreign currencies and in 2022have historically implemented additional foreign currency forward contracts, and may continue to implement pricing actions to help mitigate the impact that changes in foreign currencies may have on its consolidatedour consolidated operating results. The preceding sentence represents a Forward-Looking Statement.  See "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information."

 

 

Effective Tax Rate – The Company’sOur effective tax rate will fluctuate based on the geographic regions in which theour pretax profits are earned.  Of the geographic regions in which the Company operates,we operate, the U.S. and Europe’s tax rates are generally equivalent; and Asia has the lowest tax rates of the Company’sour three geographical regions.  See Note 11,12, “Income Taxes”.

The strategic initiatives we put in place earlier in the year continue to show steady progress as we look to streamline the way we do business, optimize our operational footprint and drive increased profit margins. The preceding sentences represent Forward-Looking Statements.  See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information.”

 

20

 

Results of Operations - Summary by Operating Segment

 

Revenue and Gross Margin

 

The Company’sOur revenue and gross margin by operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

Revenue

  

Gross Margin

  

Revenue

  

Gross Margin

  

Revenue

  

Gross Margin

  

Revenue

  

Gross Margin

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Power solutions and protection

 $74,862  $76,433  41.7% 32.4% $245,134  $206,247  37.5% 29.5%

Connectivity solutions

 $50,253  $40,344  26.1% 24.8% $140,062  $121,446  26.7% 27.0%  51,771   50,253  35.8% 26.1%  160,010   140,062  35.8% 26.7%

Magnetic solutions

 51,053  46,341  30.4% 23.1% 138,721  115,593  27.0% 20.8%  32,049   51,053   22.0%  30.4%  94,659   138,721   23.0%  27.0%

Power solutions and protection

  76,433   60,281   32.4%  26.1%  206,247   159,312   29.5%  25.7%
 $177,739  $146,966   29.0%  24.5% $485,030  $396,351   27.0%  24.0% $158,682  $177,739   35.0%  29.0% $499,803  $485,030   32.9%  27.0%

Power Solutions and Protection:

Sales of our Power Solutions and Protection products were lower by $1.6 million (2.1%) during the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022. The decrease resulted primarily from a decline in sales of our CUI products of $8.1 million and a reduction in sales of our circuit protection products by $2.2 million during the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, both of which categories were largely impacted by lower demand from our distribution customers as we believe they continue to work through excess inventory on hand. Further, raw material expedite fee revenue for our Power segment totaled $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to $9.4 million in the third quarter of 2022.These areas of decline were partially offset by higher sales of our front-end power products of $7.5 million and board mount power products of $1.9 million during the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, both of which are used in networking and datacenter applications. Further, sales of product into the eMobility end market increased by $3.8 million (119%) and sales of products into the rail end market increased by $2.5 million (66%) in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022. 

Power Solution and Protection sales were up by $38.9 million (18.9%) during the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the same period of 2022. This increase was primarily due to higher sales of our front-end power products and board mount power products of $39.5 million and $7.9 million, respectively, both of which are used in networking and datacenter applications. Further, sales of product into the eMobility end market increased by $9.8 million (79.2%) and sales of product into the rail end market increased by $5.3 million (33.0%) in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the same period of 2022. These increases were offset in part by a reduction in sales of our CUI products of $8.7 million and a decline in sales of our circuit protection products of $7.4 million, both of which were largely impacted by the lower demand from our distribution customers as noted above.Raw material expedite fee revenue for this segment totaled $14.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to $22.0 million in the same period of 2022.

Gross margin improved in the 2023 periods presented versus those from the same periods of 2022 as pricing actions, higher sales volume, favorable exchange rates with the Chinese Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar, a lower volume of low-margin expedite fees and a favorable shift in product mix offset the impact of increased material costs.

 

Connectivity Solutions:

 

Sales of our Connectivity Solutions products increased by $9.9$1.5 million (3.0%) and $18.6$19.9 million (14.2%) during three and nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2021.  This increase was2022.  These increases were primarily due to the continued reboundan increase in demand from direct and after-marketsales into the commercial aerospace customersend market of $5.2$3.3 million (135%(41.1%) during the three months ended September 30, 2022third quarter of 2023 and $10.5$19.7 million (83%(89.4%) during the first nine months ended September 30, 2022of 2023 as compared to the same periods of 2021.   Other increases2022. Sales into our military end market also grew in sales relatedthe 2023 periods by $3.6 million (44.5%) during the third quarter and $7.0 million (25.9%) during the first nine months of 2023 as compared to higher demand for our passive connector and cabling products for use in premise wiring applications andthe same periods of 2022. We also experienced an increased volume of Connectivity Solutions products sold through our distribution channels.channels in the 2023 periods compared to last year.  These sales increases were partially offset in part by a decline in military sales of $0.9passive connector and cabling products used in the industrial premise wiring and 5G/IOT markets of $4.4 million (10%(39.6%) during the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and a decline in military sales of $3.2$8.2 million (11%(28.0%) during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 as compared to the prior year periods. Gross margins for the 20222023 periods presented above were unfavorablyfavorably impacted by incremental coststhe higher overall sales volume, pricing actions and operational inefficiencies relatedefficiencies implemented during the first nine months of 2023, partially offset by higher wage rates in Mexico and an unfavorable fluctuation in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Mexican peso in the 2023 periods as compared to the ramp-up in commercial aerospace demand.2022 periods presented.  

 

Magnetic Solutions:

 

Sales of our Magnetic Solutions products improveddeclined by $4.7$19.0 million (37.2%) and $23.1$44.0 million (31.8%) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, respectively, as compared to the same periods of 2021. Demand2022. Reduced demand for our Magnetic Solutions products from our networking customers and through our distribution channels has been the primary driver of the sales increase.lower demand as we believe by these customers continue to work through inventory on hand. The higherlower sales volume, coupled withpartially offset by pricing actions and favorable exchange rates with the Chinese Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar, were the primary drivers of gross margin improvementreduction for this product group from last year's periods.  

 

Power Solutions and Protection:

Sales of our Power Solutions and Protection products were higher by $16.2 million during the third quarter of 2022 and by $46.9 million during the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the same periods of 2021.  The sales increase for the third quarter was primarily driven by $9.4 million in raw material surcharge invoicing, a $2.5 million (104%) increase in sales of product going into the e-Mobility end market, and a $3.0 million (18%) increase in CUI sales.  The sales increase for the first nine months of 2022 was led by approximately $22.0 million in raw material surcharge invoicing, the inclusion of EOS, acquired in March 2021, which contributed incremental sales of $5.5 million, a $4.8 million (28%) increase in circuit protection product sales, a $8.6 million (21%) increase in CUI sales, and a $7.3 million (110%) increase in sales of product going into the e-Mobility end market.  Gross margin improved in the 2022 periods above as compared to the 2021 periods as pricing actions, higher sales volume, favorable exchange rates with the Chinese Renminbi versus the U.S. dollar, and a favorable shift in product mix offset the impact of increased material costs.

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 20212022 consisted of the following:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

September 30,

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Material costs

 46.1% 47.6% 45.9% 46.6% 40.5% 46.1% 41.8% 45.9%

Labor costs

 7.9% 8.5% 8.4% 9.0% 6.2% 7.9% 6.5% 8.4%

Other expenses

  17.0%  19.4%  18.7%  20.4%  18.3%  17.0%  18.8%  18.7%

Total cost of sales

  71.0%  75.5%  73.0%  76.0%  65.0%  71.0%  67.1%  73.0%

 

Material costs as a percentage of sales during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20222023 were fairly stabledown compared to the same periods of 2021,2022, as recent pricing actions taken over the past year are helping to offset the continued heightened cost of certain raw materials.Labor costs in 2023 as a percentage of sales have decreased significantly from the 20212022 periods notedpresented due to a variety of factors, including the shift in the table aboveproduct mix resulting in a lower consolidated percentage of sales from of our labor-intensive Magnetic products, lower labor costs in China due to the favorable fluctuation in the Chinese Renminbi exchange rate versus the U.S. Dollar.  These lowerDollar, and the restructuring and efficiency programs implemented throughout 2023 in our Connectivity Solutions segment. The reduction in labor costs as a percentagewere partially offset by the unfavorable fluctuation of sales were offset,the Mexican Peso exchange rate versus the U.S. Dollar in part, by incremental labor costs at our Connectivity group related to recruiting and training of new factory associates to accommodate the increase in demand from2023 periods presented versus the commercial aerospace end market in 2022. prior year periods.   

 

The other expenses noted in the table above include fixed cost items such as support labor and fringe, depreciation and amortization, and facility costs (rent, utilities, insurance). In total, these other expenses increased duringexpenses decreased by $1.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same period of 2022. The declines were largely related to reductions in support labor and overhead costs as a result of efficiency programs implemented at several of our factories throughout 2023.  For the nine months ended September 30, 20222023, other expenses increased by $1.9$2.4 million and $10.1 million, respectively, as compared to the same periodsperiod of 2021 due2022, as prior to a varietythe implementation of factors.  The recent ramp-up in commercial aerospace demand has resulted in significant headcount increasesefficiency-related programs at our factories, that support this end market, restoring some of the indirect labor and overhead expenses that had been previously reduced when demand was lower.  Further, certain of our other factories have started to run additional shifts to accommodate the increase in demand from our customers, resulting in higher overhead costs.  In addition to an increase in support labor headcount,global wage rate increases, both inflationary and government-mandated increases to minimum wage rates, havecoupled with increased overhead costs to accommodate additional demand from our commercial aerospace customers led to higher fixed costs in the 2022 periods2023 period as compared to 2021.2022.

 

21

 

Research and Development ("R&D") Expense

 

R&D expense amounted to $4.9$5.3 million and $5.9$4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively, and $16.5 million and $14.4 million and $16.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively. The lower R&D expense inincreases noted for the 20222023 periods as compared to the same periods of 2021 is largelywere primarily due to the favorable exchange rate environment related to the Eurohigher salaries, benefits and Chinese Renminbi versus the U.S. Dollar in 2022.  product development costs.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expense (“SG&A”)

 

SG&A expenses were $22.2$23.7 million for the third quarter of 2022,2023, up from $21.2$22.2 million in the third quarter of 2021.  Increases2022. This increase in sales commissions to repsSG&A was largely the result of $1.0 million and higher SG&A salaries and fringe benefits of $0.4 million were offset in part by a $0.5 million reduction in legal and professional fees as compared to the third quarter of 2021. 

SG&A expenses were $67.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, up from $64.8 million during the same period of 2021. Within SG&A, increases in sales commissions to reps of $1.7 million, SG&A salaries and fringe benefits of $1.1 million a $0.7and incremental litigation costs of $0.5 million. SG&A expenses were $74.1 million increase in property insurance and $0.6 million of higher advertising costs were partially offset by a $1.6 million reduction in legal and professional fees as compared tofor the first nine months of 2022.  2023, up from $67.2 million in the same period of 2022, primarily due to higher SG&A salaries and fringe benefits of $5.3 million and litigation costs of $2.9 million primarily associated with the MPS patent infringement lawsuit further described in Note 15, "Commitments and Contingencies".

 

Other (Expense) Income,Expense, Net

 

Other (expense) income,expense, net was expense of $0.4$0.1 million and $0.2$0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021, respectively,2022, respectively. The year-over-year change within this line item was largely driven by the Company recording $0.3 million of losses associated with its investment in innolectric during the third quarter of 2023. Other expense, net was $0.3 million and expense$2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The year-over-year fluctuation was primarily due to market fluctuations in our SERP investments which resulted in a gain of $0.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 versus a loss of $2.9 million and income of $0.6 million forin the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The year-over-year movements within this line item were largely driven by market fluctuations in the Company's SERP investments which resulted in losses of $0.6 million and $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. During the year-to-date periods, the Company recorded a loss of $2.9 million related to its SERP investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as compared to a gain of $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. 

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company’s effective tax rate will fluctuate based on the geographic regions in which the pretax profits are earned.  Of the geographic regionsjurisdictions in which the Company operates, the U.S. and Europe’s tax rates are generally equivalent; and Asia has the lowest tax rates of the Company’s three geographicalgeographic regions.  See Note 11,12, “Income Taxes”.

 

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and 2021 was $4.1$4.3 million and $1.4$4.1 million, respectively.  The Company’s earnings before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2022,2023, were $13.5$3.1 million higher thanwhen compared with the same period in 2021,2022, primarily attributable to an increase in the income from the North America and Europe regions, offset by a decrease in the Asia regions.region. The Company’s effective tax rate was consistent at18.2% and 20.0% and 20.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and 2021, respectively.  The change in the effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, is primarily attributable to a net benefit resulting from the impact of permanent differences on U.S. activities, as well as a decrease in the U.S. tax credits. See Note 12, “Income Taxes.”

 

The provision for income taxes was $8.0 million and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021 was $3.0 million and $0.6 million,2022, respectively. The Company’s earnings before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022,2023, were approximately $24.2$28.2 million higher than the same period in 2021,2022, primarily attributable to an increase in the income fromin North America and Europe regions, offset by a decrease in the Asia region. The Company’s effective tax rate was 7.1% 11.5% and 3.4%7.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 and 2021,2022, respectively.  The change in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 20222023 as compared to the same period in 2021,2022, is primarily attributable to an increasea decrease in the U.S. taxes relatedtax benefit resulting from the reversal of valuation allowances in 2023 compared to income from foreign subsidiaries taxed in the U.S. as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. 

2022. See Note 12, “Income Taxes.”

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our principal sources of liquidity include $70.9$100.2 million of cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2022,2023, cash provided by operating activities and borrowings available under our credit facility.  We expect to use this liquidity for operating expenses, investments in working capital, capital expenditures, interest, taxes, dividends, debt obligations and other long-term liabilities. We believe that our current liquidity position and future cash flows from operations will enable us to fund our operations, both in the next twelve months and in the longer term.

 

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Cash Flow Summary

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company’s2023, our cash and cash equivalents increased by $9.1$30.0 million.  This increase was primarily due to the following:

 

 net cash provided by operating activities of $24.1 million; and $81.4 million;
 proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment of $1.8 million; partially offset by$5.4 million
 

proceeds from the sale of our business in the Czech Republic of $5.1 million; partially offset primarily by

net repayments under our revolving credit facility of $35.0 million; and
payments for our equity method investment in innolectric of $10.0 million;
purchases of property, plant and equipment of $5.6 million;

dividend payments of $2.5$9.7 million; and

 repayments of long-term debtdividend payments of $2.5 million

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, accounts2023, our accounts receivable increaseddecreased by $17.9$11.9 million due to higherlower sales volume in the third quarter. Days sales outstanding (DSO) decreased slightly to 53 dayswas 55 days at September 30, 20222023 as compared to 5458 days at December 31, 2021.2022.  Inventory increaseddecreased by $32.6$29.3 million at September 30, 20222023 compared to December 31, 2021,2022, as component availability has started to accommodate the continued increase in product orders.ease and we have worked to consume our inventory on hand.  Inventory turns were 3.1 at each ofwere 2.9 at September 30, 2022 and2023 as compared to 2.6 at December 31, 2021.  2022.

 

Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable comprised approximately 31.4%34.8% of the Company’sour total assets at September 30, 20222023 and 29.1%31.7% of total assets at December 31, 2021. The Company’s2022. Our current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 2.8 3.1 to 1 at September 30, 20222023 and 2.92.8 to 1 at December 31, 2021.2022. At September 30, 20222023 and December 31, 2021, $49.92022, $45.6 million and $42.0$50.1 million, respectively (or 70%45% and 68%71%, respectively), of our cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries of the Company.  During the first nine months of 2022, the Companysubsidiaries.  We repatriated $5.0 $33.5 million of funds from outside of the U.S. during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. We continue to analyze our global working capital and cash requirements and the potential tax liabilities attributable to further repatriation, and we have yet to make any further determination regarding repatriation of funds from outside the U.S. to fund the Company’sour U.S. operations in the future.  In the event these funds were needed for Bel’sour U.S. operations, the Companywe would be required to accrue and pay U.S. state taxes and any applicable foreign withholding taxes to repatriate these funds.

 

Future Cash Requirements

 

The Company expectsWe expect foreseeable liquidity and capital resource requirements to be met through existing cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flows from operations, as well as borrowings available under itsour revolving credit facility, if needed.  The Company'sOur material cash requirements arising in the normal course of business are outlined in Item 7A, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.2022.  There were no material changes to the Company'sour future cash requirements during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.2023.

 

Credit Facility

 

In September 2021, the Companywe entered into the CSA, as further described in Note 10,11, "Debt".  During January 2023, we amended our CSA and related interest rate swap agreements to transition the reference rate from LIBOR to a Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") effective January 31, 2023. The CSA contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default.  In addition, the CSA contains financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of the Company’sour total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, less the aggregate amount of all unencumbered cash and cash equivalents, to the amount of the Company’sour consolidated EBITDA (“Leverage Ratio”) and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company’sour consolidated EBITDA to the Company’sour consolidated fixed charges (“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”).  If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the CSA would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured creditor.  At September 30, 2022, the Company was2023, we were in compliance with itsour debt covenants, including itsthe most restrictive covenant, thethe Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The unusedunused credit available under the credit facility at September 30, 20222023 was $65.0$115.0 million, all of which we had the ability to borrow without violating our Leverage Ratio covenant based on the Company'sour existing consolidated EBITDA. Subsequent to September 30, 2022, the Company made a voluntary payment of $10.0 million towards its Revolver balance, bringing the outstanding borrowings under the Revolver to $100.0 million as of October 31, 2022.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company'sOur condensed consolidated financial statements include certain amounts that are based on management's best estimates and judgments.  The Company bases itsWe base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions, including in some cases future projections, that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  Different assumptions and judgments could change the estimates used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements, which, in turn, could change the results from those reported.  Management evaluates its estimates, assumptions and judgments on an ongoing basis.

 

Based on the above, we have determined that our most critical accounting estimates are those related to business combinations, inventory valuation, goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, and those related to our pension benefit obligations. For a detailed discussion of the Company’sour critical accounting estimates, refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Item 7 of the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.2022. There have been no material changes in the Company’sour critical accounting policies, judgments and estimates, including assumptions or estimation techniques utilized, as compared to those disclosed in the Company’s 2021our 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The discussion of new financial accounting standards applicable to theour Company is incorporated herein by reference to Note 1 to the Company’s Financial Statements, “Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

The Company is not required to provide the information called for by this Item as it is a "smaller reporting company," as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

Disclosure controls and procedures:  As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting:  There has not been any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.     Other Information

 

Item 1.   Legal Proceedings

 

The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 14,15, "Commitments and Contingencies" of the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, under “Legal Proceedings”, as set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We are also involved in various other legal actions incidental to our business. We believe, after consulting with counsel, that the disposition of these other legal proceedings and matters will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

The risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20212022 should be carefully considered before making an investment decision. These are the risk factors that we consider to be the most significant risk factors, but they are not the only risk factors that should be considered in making an investment decision. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q also contains Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information," above. Our business, consolidated financial condition and consolidated results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of the risk factors described, under "Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information" or with respect to specific Forward-Looking Statements presented herein. The trading price of our securities could decline due to any of these risks, and investors in our securities may lose all or part of their investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business in the future.  Except as required by the federal securities law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

24

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, and Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.  Other Information

 

The discussion captioned “Overview – Other Key Factors Affecting our Business – Restructuring,” as set forth in Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” above, is hereby incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 5, of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.Not applicable.

 

25

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

 

 

Exhibits:

 

 

 

10.1*†3.1Offer Letter, dated July 27, 2022, betweenAmended and Restated By-Laws of Bel Fuse Inc. and Kenneth Lai(Adopted October 25, 2023), are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 25, 2023.
  

31.1*

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2*

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 32.1**

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 32.2**

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

101.INS*

Inline XBRL Instance Document (the Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

101.SCH*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE*

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

  
104*Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibits 101)

 

*   Filed herewith.

** Submitted herewith.

 †   Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

26

 

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.

 

 

BEL FUSE INC.

November 4,3, 20222023

 

By:

/s/ Daniel Bernstein

 

Daniel Bernstein

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

By:

/s/ Farouq Tuweiq

 

Farouq Tuweiq

 

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

27