Segment Information | Note 5— Segment Information The Company reports financial information based on the organizational structure used by the Company’s chief operating decision makers for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. The Company’s reportable business segments consist of: (1) United States; (2) Canada and (3) Europe. As described below, the activities of the Company’s Asian operations are closely linked to those of the U.S. operations; accordingly, the Company’s chief operating decision makers review the financial results of both on a consolidated basis, and the results of the Asian operations have been aggregated with the results of the United States operations to form one reportable segment called the “United States segment” or “U.S. segment”. Each reportable segment derives its revenue from the sales of cutting devices, measuring instruments and safety products for school, office, home, hardware, sporting and industrial use. Domestic sales orders are filled primarily from the Company’s distribution center in North Carolina. The Company is responsible for the costs of shipping, insurance, customs clearance, duties, storage and distribution related to such products. Orders filled from the Company’s inventory are generally for less than container-sized lots. Direct import sales are products sold by the Company’s Asian subsidiary, directly to major U.S. retailers, who take ownership of the products in Asia. These sales are completed by delivering product to the customers’ common carriers at the shipping points in Asia. Direct import sales are made in larger quantities than domestic sales, typically full containers. Direct import sales represented approximately 15% and 19% of the Company’s total net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 compared to 15% and 18% for the comparable periods in 2015. The chief operating decision maker evaluates the performance of each operating segment based on segment revenues and operating income. Segment amounts are presented after converting to U.S. dollars and consolidating eliminations. Financial data by segment: (in thousands) Three months ended Nine months ended Sales to external customers: 2016 2015 2016 2015 United States $ 28,489 $ 26,160 $ 87,311 $ 75,943 Canada 1,585 1,669 5,623 5,726 Europe 1,839 2,074 5,264 5,025 Consolidated $ 31,913 $ 29,903 $ 98,198 $ 86,694 Operating income (loss): United States $ 1,974 $ 1,849 $ 7,165 $ 6,405 Canada 148 30 558 202 Europe 18 112 12 86 Consolidated $ 2,140 $ 1,991 $ 7,735 $ 6,693 Interest expense, net 247 149 642 420 Other expense, net 65 92 38 149 Consolidated income before income taxes $ 1,829 $ 1,750 $ 7,055 $ 6,124 Assets by segment: ( in thousands ) September 30, December 31, 2016 2015 United States $ 90,518 $ 73,688 Canada 4,559 3,709 Europe 4,295 4,024 Consolidated $ 99,372 $ 81,421 |