Segment Information | 6. 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 centers in North Carolina, Washington and Massachusetts. 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 7% of the Company’s total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and for the comparable period in 2017. 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. The following table sets forth certain financial data by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017: Financial data by segment: (in thousands) Three months ended Sales to external customers: 2018 2017 United States $ 27,777 $ 24,475 Canada 1,552 1,391 Europe 2,380 1,879 Consolidated $ 31,709 $ 27,745 Operating income: United States $ 1,116 $ 1,130 Canada 139 32 Europe 110 52 Consolidated $ 1,365 $ 1,214 Interest expense, net 405 263 Other (income) expense, net (13 ) 13 Consolidated income before income taxes $ 973 $ 938 Assets by segment: March 31 December 31 2018 2017 United States $ 97,372 $ 104,431 Canada 4,323 4,926 Europe 5,551 5,373 Consolidated $ 107,246 $ 114,730 |