UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________________ to ___________________________________
Commission File Number:0-11676
BEL FUSE INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
NEW JERSEY | 22-1463699 |
(State of other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
206 Van Vorst Street | Jersey City, New Jersey | 07302 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(201) 432-0463
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
_______________________________________________________________
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. xYes oNo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-12 of the Exchange Act.
o Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes x No
At May 1, 2007, there were 2,687,921 shares of Class A Common Stock, $0.10 par value, outstanding and 9,198,477 shares of Class B Common Stock, $0.10 par value, outstanding.
BEL FUSE INC.
INDEX
| | | Page |
Part I | | Financial Information | |
| | | |
| Item 1. | Financial Statements | 1 |
| | | |
| | Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2007 | |
| | (unaudited) and December 31, 2006 | 2-3 |
| | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Operations for the | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) | 4 |
| | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for | |
| | the Year Ended December 31, 2006 and | |
| | the Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 (unaudited) | 5-6 |
| | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three | |
| | Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) | 7-9 |
| | | |
| | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | 10-29 |
| | | |
| Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of | |
| | Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 30-45 |
| | | |
| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About | |
| | Market Risk | 46 |
| | | |
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 47 |
| | | |
Part II | Other Information | |
| | | |
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 48-49 |
| | | |
| Item 6. | Exhibits | 50 |
| | | |
| Signatures | 51 |
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Certain information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted from the following consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. It is suggested that the following consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the year-end consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or for any other period.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | |
ASSETS | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 69,071,260 | | $ | 76,760,543 | |
Marketable securities | | | 34,251,254 | | | 15,576,212 | |
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful | | | | | | | |
accounts of $972,000 and $1,087,000 at | | | | | | | |
March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively | | | 42,465,718 | | | 43,765,750 | |
Inventories | | | 44,592,305 | | | 46,297,208 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current | | | | | | | |
assets | | | 1,486,067 | | | 1,382,807 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | - | | | 1,665,857 | |
Assets held for sale | | | 961,049 | | | 848,049 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Current Assets | | | 192,827,653 | | | 186,296,426 | |
| | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment - net | | | 45,044,484 | | | 44,289,159 | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 3,656,814 | | | 3,425,375 | |
Intangible assets - net | | | 1,668,074 | | | 1,892,417 | |
Goodwill | | | 28,117,143 | | | 28,117,143 | |
Other assets | | | 5,190,136 | | | 4,476,990 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 276,504,304 | | $ | 268,497,510 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 16,230,342 | | $ | 17,244,937 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 10,745,206 | | | 12,713,417 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 869,771 | | | - | |
Income taxes payable | | | 6,764,603 | | | 11,094,107 | |
Dividends payable | | | 574,900 | | | 566,583 | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 35,184,822 | | | 41,619,044 | |
| | | | | | | |
Long-term Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Liability for uncertain tax positions | | | 5,064,000 | | | - | |
Minimum pension obligation and | | | | | | | |
unfunded pension liability | | | 5,044,669 | | | 4,728,286 | |
Total Long-term Liabilities | | | 10,108,669 | | | 4,728,286 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 45,293,491 | | | 46,347,330 | |
| | | | | | | |
Commitments and Contingencies | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Stockholders' Equity: | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, no par value, | | | | | | | |
authorized 1,000,000 shares; | | | | | | | |
none issued | | | - | | | - | |
Class A common stock, par value | | | | | | | |
$.10 per share - authorized | | | | | | | |
10,000,000 shares; outstanding | | | | | | | |
2,702,677 and 2,702,677 shares, respectively | | | | | | | |
(net of 1,072,770 treasury shares) | | | 270,268 | | | 270,268 | |
Class B common stock, par value | | | | | | | |
$.10 per share - authorized | | | | | | | |
30,000,000 shares; outstanding 9,188,977 | | | | | | | |
and 9,167,665 shares, respectively | | | | | | | |
(net of 3,218,310 treasury shares) | | | 918,898 | | | 916,767 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 32,779,197 | | | 31,826,046 | |
Retained earnings | | | 194,403,890 | | | 190,952,754 | |
Cumulative other comprehensive | | | | | | | |
income (loss) | | | 2,838,560 | | | (1,815,655 | ) |
Total Stockholders' Equity | | | 231,210,813 | | | 222,150,180 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND | | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | $ | 276,504,304 | | $ | 268,497,510 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Net Sales | | $ | 61,806,676 | | $ | 54,626,248 | |
| | | | | | | |
Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | | 47,891,326 | | | 39,986,889 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 9,482,520 | | | 9,377,185 | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 963,791 | |
| | | 57,373,846 | | | 50,327,865 | |
| | | | | | | |
Income from operations | | | 4,432,830 | | | 4,298,383 | |
Interest expense and other costs | | | (121,937 | ) | | (115,680 | ) |
Interest income | | | 833,243 | | | 512,596 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings before provision for income taxes | | | 5,144,136 | | | 4,695,299 | |
Income tax provision | | | 1,135,000 | | | 698,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 4,009,136 | | $ | 3,997,299 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per share (2006, as restated, see Note 1) | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class A common share | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.32 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.32 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class A common shares | | | | | | | |
outstanding - basic | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
Weighted average Class A common shares | | | | | | | |
outstanding - diluted | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class B common share | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.34 | | $ | 0.35 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.34 | | $ | 0.34 | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class B common shares | | | | | | | |
outstanding - basic | | | 9,172,736 | | | 9,046,968 | |
Weighted average Class B common shares | | | | | | | |
outstanding - diluted | | | 9,206,463 | | | 9,110,340 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Other | | | | | | | | Deferred | |
| | | | Compre- | | | | Compre- | | Class A | | Class B | | Additional | | Stock- | |
| | | | hensive | | Retained | | hensive | | Common | | Common | | Paid-In | | Based | |
| | Total | | Income | | Earnings | | Income | | Stock | | Stock | | Capital | | Compensation | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 1, 2006 | | $ | 201,576,549 | | | | | $ | 167,991,188 | | $ | 4,262,867 | | $ | 270,268 | | $ | 901,327 | | $ | 31,713,608 | | $ | (3,562,709 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
options | | | 3,186,587 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13,280 | | | 3,173,307 | | | | |
Tax benefits arising | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
from the disposition of | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
non-qualified | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
incentive stock options | | | 336,456 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 336,456 | | | - | |
Cash dividends declared on Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common stock | | | (430,940 | ) | | | | | (430,940 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared on Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common stock | | | (1,810,847 | ) | | | | | (1,810,847 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of restricted common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
stock | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,160 | | | (2,160 | ) | | | |
Deferred stock-based | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
compensation | | | (1,403,157 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,403,157 | ) | | - | |
Currency translation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
adjustment | | | 387,822 | | $ | 387,822 | | | | | | 387,822 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain or loss on | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
marketable securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
-net of taxes | | | (4,819,632 | ) | | (4,819,632 | ) | | | | | (4,819,632 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
expense | | | 1,570,701 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,570,701 | | | - | |
Adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R) | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,562,709 | ) | | 3,562,709 | |
Unfunded SERP liability-net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
of taxes upon adoption of SFAS No. 158 | | | (1,646,712 | ) | | | | | | | | (1,646,712 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 25,203,353 | | | 25,203,353 | | | 25,203,353 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | | 20,771,543 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | | | 222,150,180 | | | | | | 190,952,754 | | | (1,815,655 | ) | | 270,268 | | | 916,767 | | | 31,826,046 | | | - | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Other | | | | | | | |
| | | | Compre- | | | | Compre- | | Class A | | Class B | | Additional | |
| | | | hensive | | Retained | | hensive | | Common | | Common | | Paid-In | |
| | Total | | Income | | Earnings | | Income | | Stock | | Stock | | Capital | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
options | | | 488,958 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2,131 | | | 486,827 | |
Tax benefits arising | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
from the disposition of | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
non-qualified | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
incentive stock options | | | 62,491 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 62,491 | |
Cash dividends declared on Class A | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common stock | | | (107,735 | ) | | | | | (107,735 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared on Class B | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
common stock | | | (450,265 | ) | | | | | (450,265 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Currency translation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
adjustment | | | 358,024 | | $ | 358,024 | | | | | | 358,024 | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain or | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
loss on marketable securities | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
-net of taxes | | | 4,296,191 | | | 4,296,191 | | | | | | 4,296,191 | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
expense | | | 403,833 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 403,833 | |
Net earnings | | | 4,009,136 | | | 4,009,136 | | | 4,009,136 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | $ | 8,663,351 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, March 31, 2007 | | $ | 231,210,813 | | | | | $ | 194,403,890 | | $ | 2,838,560 | | $ | 270,268 | | $ | 918,898 | | $ | 32,779,197 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31 | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Cash flows from operating | | | | | |
activities: | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 4,009,136 | | $ | 3,997,299 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net | | | | | | | |
income to net cash provided | | | | | | | |
by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1,915,952 | | | 2,519,445 | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 963,791 | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 403,833 | | | 373,970 | |
Excess tax benefits from share-based | | | | | | | |
payment arrangements | | | (62,491 | ) | | (107,105 | ) |
Other | | | 185,296 | | | 297,874 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (224,000 | ) | | (638,000 | ) |
Changes in operating assets | | | | | | | |
and liabilities | | | 676,640 | | | (2,545,566 | ) |
Net Cash Provided by | | | | | | | |
Operating Activities | | | 6,904,366 | | | 4,861,708 | |
| | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property, plant | | | | | | | |
and equipment | | | (2,826,854 | ) | | (2,472,483 | ) |
Purchase of marketable | | | | | | | |
securities | | | (11,801,386 | ) | | - | |
Payment for acquisitions - net of | | | | | | | |
cash acquired | | | - | | | (2,178,276 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of | | | | | | | |
marketable securities | | | - | | | 93,500 | |
Net Cash Used in | | | | | | | |
Investing Activities | | | (14,628,240 | ) | | (4,557,259 | ) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Cash flows from financing | | | | | |
activities: | | | | | |
Proceeds from exercise of | | | | | | | |
stock options | | | 488,958 | | | 1,358,556 | |
Dividends paid to common | | | | | | | |
shareholders | | | (558,139 | ) | | (552,000 | ) |
Excess tax benefits from share-based | | | | | | | |
payment arrangements | | | 62,491 | | | 107,105 | |
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) | | | | | | | |
Financing Activities | | | (6,690 | ) | | 913,661 | |
| | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 41,281 | | | 34,695 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Increase (decrease) in | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | (7,689,283 | ) | | 1,252,805 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | |
- beginning of year | | | 76,760,543 | | | 51,997,634 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | |
- end of year | | $ | 69,071,260 | | $ | 53,250,439 | |
| | | | | | | |
Changes in operating assets | | | | | | | |
and liabilities consist of: | | | | | | | |
Decrease (increase) in accounts | | | | | | | |
receivable | | $ | 1,525,056 | | $ | (572,712 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in inventories | | | 1,771,589 | | | (2,849,918 | ) |
Increase in prepaid expenses and other | | | | | | | |
current assets | | | (103,260 | ) | | (1,510,540 | ) |
(Increase) in other assets | | | (163,143 | ) | | (574,188 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable | | | (1,017,025 | ) | | 2,500,286 | |
Increase in income taxes payable | | | 796,987 | | | 444,488 | |
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses | | | (2,133,564 | ) | | 17,018 | |
| | $ | 676,640 | | $ | (2,545,566 | ) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Concluded) | |
(Unaudited) | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Supplementary information: | | | | | |
Cash paid during the quarter for: | | | | | | | |
Income taxes | | $ | 493,000 | | $ | 556,000 | |
Interest | | $ | - | | $ | 27,232 | |
| | | | | | | |
Details of acquisitions: | | | | | | | |
Intangibles | | $ | - | | $ | 178,276 | |
Goodwill | | | - | | | 2,000,000 | |
| | | | | | | |
Cash paid for acquisitions | | $ | - | | $ | 2,178,276 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007, and the consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the periods presented herein have been prepared by Bel Fuse Inc. (the "Company" or "Bel") and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows for all periods presented have been made. The information for the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 was derived from audited financial statements.
Accounting Policies
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries operate in one industry with three geographic reporting segments and are engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of products used in local area networking, telecommunication, business equipment and consumer electronic applications. The Company manages its operations geographically through its three reporting units: North America, Asia and Europe. Sales are predominantly in North America, Europe and Asia.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including businesses acquired since their respective dates of acquisition. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash equivalents include short-term investments in U.S. treasury bills and commercial paper with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, cash equivalents approximated $24,486,000 and $35,843,000, respectively.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES - The Company classifies its equity securities as "available for sale", and accordingly, reflects unrealized gains and losses, net of deferred income taxes, as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.
The fair values of marketable securities are based on quoted market prices. Realized gains or losses from the sale of marketable securities are based on the specific identification method.
ACQUISITION EXPENSES - The Company capitalizes all direct costs associated with proposed acquisitions. If the proposed acquisition is consummated, such costs will be included as a component of the overall cost of the acquisition. Such costs are expensed at such time as the Company deems the consummation of a proposed acquisition to be unsuccessful.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION - The functional currency for some foreign operations is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at exchange rates as of the balance sheet date, and income, expense and cash flow items are translated at the average exchange rate for the applicable period. Translation adjustments are recorded in Other Comprehensive Income. The U.S. Dollar is used as the functional currency for certain foreign operations that conduct their business in U.S. Dollars. Realized foreign currency (gains) losses were $(2,800) and $41,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and have been expensed in the consolidated statements of operations.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK - Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable and temporary cash investments. The Company grants credit to customers that are primarily original equipment manufacturers and to subcontractors of original equipment manufacturers based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition, without requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer's financial condition. The Company controls its exposure to credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures and establishes allowances for anticipated losses.
The Company places its temporary cash investments with quality financial institutions and commercial issuers of short-term paper and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure in any one financial instrument.
INVENTORIES - Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or market.
REVENUE RECOGNITION - The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the guidance contained in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements". Revenue is recognized when the product has been delivered and title and risk of loss has passed to the customer, collection of the resulting receivable is deemed reasonably assured by management, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed and determinable. Substantially all of the Company's shipments are FCA (free carrier) which provides for title to pass upon delivery to the customer's freight carrier. Some product is shipped DDP/DDU with title passing when the product arrives at the customer's dock.
For certain customers, the Company provides consigned inventory, either at the customer’s facility or at a third party warehouse. Sales of consigned inventory are recorded when the customer withdraws inventory from consignment. During all periods in 2007 and 2006, inventory on consignment was immaterial.
The Company typically has a twelve-month warranty policy for workmanship defects. Warranty returns have historically averaged at or below 1% of annual net sales. The Company establishes warranty reserves when a warranty issue becomes known as warranty claims have historically been immaterial. No general reserves for warranties have been established.
The Company is not contractually obligated to accept returns except for defective product or in instances where the product does not meet the customer's quality specifications. However, the Company may permit its customers to return product for other reasons. In these instances, the Company would generally require a significant cancellation penalty payment by the customer. The Company estimates such returns, where applicable, based upon management's evaluation of historical experience, market acceptance of products produced and known negotiations with customers. Such estimates are deducted from gross sales and provided for at the time revenue is recognized.
GOODWILL - The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (fourth quarter), using a fair value approach at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment for which discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly by management. Assets and liabilities of the Company have been assigned to the reporting units to the extent that they are employed in or are considered a liability related to the operations of the reporting unit and were considered in determining the fair value of the reporting unit.
DEPRECIATION - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated primarily using the declining-balance method for machinery and equipment and the straight-line method for buildings and improvements over their estimated useful lives.
INCOME TAXES - The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach under which deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted tax rates applicable to future years to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of reported assets and liabilities.
For that portion of foreign earnings that have not been repatriated, an income tax provision has not been recorded for U.S. federal income taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries as such earnings are intended to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Such earnings would become taxable upon the sale or liquidation of these foreign subsidiaries or upon the repatriation of earnings.
The principal items giving rise to deferred taxes are unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities available for sale, the use of accelerated depreciation methods for machinery and equipment, timing differences between book and tax amortization of intangible assets and goodwill and certain expenses including the SERP which have been deducted for financial reporting purposes which are not currently deductible for income tax purposes.
Effective January 1, 2007, uncertain tax positions are accounted for in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” See Note 7 for further discussion.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - The Company has one stock-based compensation plan under which both incentive stock-options and restricted stock awards are granted to employees and directors. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company accounts for stock-based compensation under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123 (R), "Share-Based Payment". The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method. Under modified prospective application, this SFAS applies to new awards and to awards modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the required effective date. Additionally, compensation costs for the portion of the awards for which the requisite service has not been rendered that are outstanding as of the required effective date are being recognized as the requisite service is rendered after the required effective date. The compensation cost for the portion of awards is based on the grant-date fair value of those awards as calculated for either recognition or pro forma disclosures under SFAS 123. Changes to the grant-date fair value of equity awards granted before the required effective date of this Statement are precluded. The compensation cost for those earlier awards is attributed to periods beginning on or after the required effective date of this SFAS using the attribution method that was used under SFAS 123, except that the method of recognizing forfeitures only as they occur was not continued.
No options or other stock based compensation were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and are included in cost of sales. Generally all research and development is performed internally for the benefit of the Company. The Company does not perform such activities for others. Research and development costs include salaries, building maintenance and utilities, rents, materials, administration costs and miscellaneous other items. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
EVALUATION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS - The Company reviews property and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable in accordance with guidance in SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” If the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the present value of the related estimated future cash flows, the asset would be adjusted to its fair value and an impairment loss would be charged to operations in the period identified.
CASUALTY LOSS - During February 2006, the Company incurred a $964,000 pre-tax casualty loss primarily for raw materials destroyed by a fire at the Company's leased manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (RESTATED) - Subsequent to the issuance of its Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company determined that the method it uses to report earnings per share should utilize the two-class method, displaying earnings per share separately for both Class A and Class B common stock, rather than only one class as previously reported. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, states that Class B common shares are entitled to dividends at least 5% greater than dividends paid to Class A common shares, resulting in the two-class method of computing earnings per share. In computing earnings per share, the Company has allocated actual dividends declared to Class A and Class B based on amounts actually declared. In computing earnings per share, 5% more of the undistributed earnings have been allocated to Class B shares than to the Class A shares on a per share basis. Previously, all shareholders were assumed to share in the earnings equally. As a result, the earnings per share disclosures in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2006, have been restated to reflect the two-class method of computing earnings per share. Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share, for each class of common stock, are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares used in computing diluted earnings per share relate to stock options for Class A and B common shares which, if exercised, would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.
Three Months Ended | | As Previously | | | |
March 31, 2006 | | Reported | | As Restated | |
| | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.34 | | | | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.34 | | | | |
Class A - Basic | | | | | $ | 0.32 | |
Class B- Basic | | | | | $ | 0.32 | |
Class A- Diluted | | | | | $ | 0.35 | |
Class B - Diluted | | | | | $ | 0.34 | |
The previously reported weighted average shares outstanding for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 were as follows:
| | 2006 | |
Basic | | | 11,749,645 | |
Diluted | | | 11,813,017 | |
The following table includes a reconciliation of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A and Class B common shares for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006:
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | (As restated) | |
Class A Common Shares | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | |
Dilutive impact of stock options and | | | | | | | |
unvested restricted stock awards | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares oustanding - diluted | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | |
Class B Common Shares | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | | 9,172,736 | | | 9,046,968 | |
| | | | | | | |
Dilutive impact of stock options and | | | | | | | |
unvested restricted stock awards | | | 33,727 | | | 63,372 | |
Weighted average shares oustanding - diluted | | | 9,206,463 | | | 9,110,340 | |
During the quarter ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, 14,000 and 16,000 outstanding options, respectively, were not included in the foregoing computations for Class B common shares because they were antidilutive.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS - For financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, the carrying amount of bank debt is a reasonable estimate of its fair value.
2. | GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES |
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related acquisition costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and other intangible assets with finite lives acquired in a business acquisition.
Other intangibles include patents, product information, covenants not-to-compete and supply agreements. Amounts assigned to these intangibles have been determined by management. Management considered a number of factors in determining the allocations, including valuations and independent appraisals. Other intangibles are being amortized over 1 to 10 years. Amortization expense was $224,000 and $795,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Under the terms of the E-Power LTD (“E-Power”) and Current Concepts, Inc. (“Current Concepts”) acquisition agreements of May 11, 2001, the Company was required to make contingent purchase price payments up to an aggregate of $7.6 million should the acquired companies attain specified related sales levels. E-Power was to be paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments if sales reached $15.0 million and an additional $4.0 million if sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis through May 2007. During January 2006, the $2.0 million of contingent purchase price consideration was earned by E-Power and during February 2006, E-Power was paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments. During September 2006, an additional $4.0 million was earned when sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis and, as a result, $4.0 million was paid in November 2006, and accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase to goodwill. No additional payments will be made under the E-Power agreement. Current Concepts was to be paid 16% of the first $10.0 million in sales through May 2007. This $10.0 million benchmark was reached during the second quarter of 2006 and therefore, no additional payments will be made. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the Company paid approximately $178,000 in contingent purchase price payments to Current Concepts. The contingent purchase price payments for Current Concepts are accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase to covenants not to compete within intangible assets when such payment obligations are incurred.
The Company has cumulatively acquired a total of 5,874,919 shares, or approximately 6% of the outstanding shares, of the common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total purchase price of $18.0 million. Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $373 million as of March 31, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as marketable securities. These marketable securities are considered to be available for sale under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Thus, as of March 31, 2007, the Company has recorded an unrealized gain, net of income taxes of approximately $2.7 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Subsequent to the balance sheet date, the Company sold 4,034,000 shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain, net of investment banker fees and other expenses and income tax expense, of approximately $1.5 million.
At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, marketable securities have a cost of approximately $29,836,000 and $18,031,000, an estimated fair value of approximately $34,251,000 and $15,576,000 and gross unrealized gains (losses) of approximately $4,415,000 and $(2,455,000). Such unrealized gains (losses) are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company had no realized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and $88,000 of realized losses for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Included in other assets at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are marketable securities designated for utilization in accordance with the Company’s SERP plan with a cost of approximately $3,420,000, respectively, and an estimated fair value of approximately $3,820,000 and $3,766,000, respectively. Such unrealized net gains are included, net of tax expense, in other comprehensive income.
The components of inventories are as follows:
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Raw materials | | $ | 25,377,407 | | $ | 24,374,438 | |
Work in progress | | | 3,525,001 | | | 3,531,148 | |
Finished goods | | | 15,689,897 | | | 18,391,622 | |
| | $ | 44,592,305 | | $ | 46,297,208 | |
The Company operates in one industry with three reportable segments. The segments are geographic and include North America, Asia and Europe. The primary criteria by which financial performance is evaluated and resources are allocated are revenues and operating income. The following is a summary of key financial data:
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Total segment revenues | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 18,430,528 | | $ | 18,494,886 | |
Asia | | | 46,036,465 | | | 38,905,599 | |
Europe | | | 9,134,152 | | | 5,684,833 | |
Total segment revenues | | | 73,601,145 | | | 63,085,318 | |
Reconciling items: | | | | | | | |
Intersegment revenues | | | (11,794,469 | ) | | (8,459,070 | ) |
Net sales | | $ | 61,806,676 | | $ | 54,626,248 | |
| | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from Operations: | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 1,102,011 | | $ | (893,902 | ) |
Asia | | | 3,156,751 | | | 4,840,319 | |
Europe | | | 174,068 | | | 351,966 | |
| | $ | 4,432,830 | | $ | 4,298,383 | |
Short-term debt
In the current quarter the Company entered into a new unsecured credit agreement in the amount of $20 million, which expires on July 21, 2008. There was no balance outstanding as of March 31, 2007. At that date, the entire $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. The credit agreement bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.
The Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary has an unsecured line of credit of approximately $2 million which was unused as of March 31, 2007. The line of credit expires July 31, 2007. Borrowing on the line of credit is guaranteed by the U.S. parent. The line of credit bears interest at a rate determined by the bank as the financing is extended.
Included in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is the write-off of approximately $100,000 of previously unamortized deferred financing charges in connection with the old credit facility.
The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainties in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”), on January 1, 2007. Although the implementation of FIN 48 did not impact the amount of the Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions, approximately $5.1 million of the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions was reclassified to non-current liabilities.
The Company has approximately $12.6 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions all of which, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate.
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 2003 and for state examinations before 2003. Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2000. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2004 and reviewed 2003 and 2005 during the fourth quarter of 2006. During April 2007, the IRS wrote a preliminary letter to the Company accepting the tax return as originally filed for 2004.
The Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) of Hong Kong commenced an examination of one of the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiaries’ income tax returns for the year 2000 and issued a notice of additional assessment during the first quarter of 2007 and demand for tax in the amount of $1.4 million. There is no interest or penalties in connection with this assessment. The IRD has proposed certain adjustments to the Company’s offshore income tax claim position. Management is currently evaluating these adjustments to determine if it agrees, but if accepted, the Company does not anticipate the adjustment would result in a material change to its consolidated financial position or results of operations. However, the Company anticipates that it is more likely than not that additional tax will be due upon completion of the audit currently being conducted by the IRD for the 2001 through 2005 tax years. The Company’s estimate has been accrued as a component of the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions.
Based on possible outcomes of the examinations mentioned above, or as a result of the expiration of the statue 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 consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2007. Based on the number of tax years currently under audit by the relevant tax authorities, the Company anticipates that several of these audits may be finalized in the next twelve months. However, based on the current status of the examinations it is not possible to estimate the effect of any amount of such change to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.
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. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $92,000 in interest and penalties in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has approximately $1.5 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at March 31, 2007, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet.
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Sales commissions | | $ | 1,566,666 | | $ | 1,715,816 | |
Investment banking commissions | | | 550,000 | | | - | |
Subcontracting labor | | | 2,026,530 | | | 2,032,763 | |
Salaries, bonuses and | | | | | | | |
related benefits | | | 3,260,630 | | | 4,147,135 | |
Other | | | 3,341,380 | | | 4,817,703 | |
| | $ | 10,745,206 | | $ | 12,713,417 | |
9. | RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN |
The Company maintains a domestic profit sharing plan and a contributory stock ownership and savings 401(K) plan, which combines stock ownership and individual voluntary savings provisions to provide retirement benefits for plan participants. The plan provides for participants to voluntarily contribute a portion of their compensation, subject to certain legal maximums. The Company will match, based on a sliding scale, up to $350 for the first $600 contributed by each participant. Matching contributions plus additional discretionary contributions are made with Company stock purchased in the open market. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to approximately, $170,000 and $136,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2007, the plans owned 17,300 and 141,623 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
The Company's Far East subsidiaries have a retirement fund covering substantially all of their Hong Kong based full-time employees. Eligible employees contribute up to 5% of salary to the fund. In addition, the Company may contribute an amount up to 7% of eligible salary, as determined by Hong Kong government regulations, in cash or Company stock. The expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 amounted to approximately $107,000 and $126,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2007, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,756 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) is designed to provide a limited group of key management and highly compensated employees of the Company with supplemental retirement and death benefits. Participants in the SERP are selected by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The SERP initially became effective in 2002 and was amended and restated in April 2007 to conform with applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and to modify the provisions regarding benefits payable in connection with a change in control of the Company. Benefits under the SERP are payable from the general assets of the Company, but the Company has certain life insurance policies in effect on participants to partially cover the Company’s obligations under the Plan. The Plan also allows the Company to establish a grantor trust to provide for the payment of Plan benefits.
The components of SERP expense are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Service cost | | $ | 140,000 | | $ | 313,000 | |
Interest cost | | | 27,000 | | | 61,000 | |
Amortization of adjustments | | | 18,000 | | | 40,000 | |
Total SERP expense | | $ | 185,000 | | $ | 414,000 | |
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Balance sheet amounts: | | | | | |
Minimum pension obligation | | | | | |
and unfunded liability | | $ | 5,044,669 | | $ | 4,728,286 | |
10. | SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION |
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123 (R) "Share-Based Payment" requiring the recognition of compensation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the fair value of its employee share-based options and awards. SFAS No. 123 (R) revises SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees." SFAS No. 123(R) is supplemented by SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 107 "Share-Based Payment." SAB No. 107 expresses the SEC staff's views regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations including the valuation of share-based payment arrangements.
The aggregate compensation cost recognized in net earnings for stock based compensation (including incentive stock options, restricted stock and dividends on restricted stock, as further discussed below) amounted to approximately $404,000 and $374,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company did not use any cash to settle any equity instruments granted under share based arrangements during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006.
Under the provisions of SFAS 123 (R), the recognition of deferred compensation, representing the amount of unrecognized restricted stock expense that is reduced as expense is recognized, at the date restricted stock is granted, is no longer required. Therefore, in the first quarter of 2006, the amount that had been in "Deferred compensation" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet was reversed to zero.
Stock Options
The Company has an equity compensation program (the "Program") which provides for the granting of "Incentive Stock Options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, non-qualified stock options and restricted stock awards. The Company believes that such awards better align the interest of its employees with those of its shareholders. The Plan provides for the issuance of 2,400,000 common shares. Unless otherwise provided at the date of grant or unless subsequently accelerated, options granted under the Program become exercisable twenty-five percent (25%) one year from the date of grant and twenty-five percent (25%) for each year of the three years thereafter. Upon exercise the Company will issue new shares. The exercise price of incentive stock options granted pursuant to the Plan is not to be less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. In general, no option will be exercisable after ten years from the date granted.
A summary of option activity under the plan as of December 31, 2006 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2007 is presented below:
| | | | | | Weighted | | | |
| | | | | | Average | | | |
| | | | Weighted | | Remaining | | Aggregate | |
| | | | Average | | Contractual | | Intrinsic | |
Options | | Shares | | Exercise Price | | Term | | Value | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 | | | 137,813 | | $ | 25.59 | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | - | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | | (21,313 | ) | | 22.94 | | | | | $ | 340,103 | |
Forfeited or expired | | | - | | | - | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 | | | 116,500 | | $ | 26.08 | | | 2.2 years | | $ | 1,471,940 | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2007 | | | 25,500 | | $ | 27.85 | | | | | $ | 282,450 | |
During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 the Company received $488,958 and $1,358,556 from the exercise of share options and realized tax benefits of approximately $62,000 and $107,000, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $340,103 and $565,102, respectively. Stock compensation expense applicable to stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was approximately $113,357 and $113,357, respectively.
A summary of the status of the Company's nonvested shares as of December 31, 2006 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2007 is presented below:
| | | | Weighted-Average | |
| | | | Grant-Date | |
Nonvested Shares | | Shares | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | |
Nonvested at December 31, 2006 | | | 91,000 | | $ | 25.53 | |
Granted | | | - | | | - | |
Vested | | | - | | | - | |
Forfeited | | | - | | | - | |
Nonvested at March 31, 2007 | | | 91,000 | | $ | 25.53 | |
At March 31, 2007, there was $392,036 of total unrecognized cost related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements under the Program. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.3 years. There were no options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2007. Currently, the Company believes that substantially all options will vest.
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company provides common stock awards to certain officers and key employees. The Company grants these awards, at its discretion, from the shares available under the Program. Unless otherwise provided at the date of grant or unless subsequently accelerated, the shares awarded are earned in 25% increments on the second, third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the award, respectively, and are distributed provided the employee has remained employed by the Company through such anniversary dates; otherwise the unearned shares are forfeited. The market value of these shares at the date of award is recorded as compensation expense on the straight-line method over the five year periods from the respective award dates, as adjusted for forfeitures of unvested awards. During 2005 and 2006, the Company issued 152,400 and 21,600 class B common shares, respectively, under a restricted stock plan to various officers and employees. The shares vest 25% after two years of employment with an additional 25% vesting in each of years three through five. Deferred stock-based compensation expense of $4.2 million associated with unearned shares under this plan as of March 31, 2007, is reported within Stockholders' equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Pretax compensation expense was $290,000 and $261,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
A summary of the activity regarding restricted stock awards under the Program as of December 31, 2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2007 is presented below:
| | | | | | Weighted | | | |
| | | | Weighted | | Average | | | |
| | | | Average | | Remaining | | Aggregate | |
Restricted Stock | | | | Award | | Contractual | | Intrinsic | |
Awards | | Shares | | Price | | Term | | Value | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 | | | 167,000 | | $ | 34.93 | | | 3.85 years | | | | |
Granted | | | - | | | - | | | | | | | |
Awarded | | | - | | | - | | | | | | | |
Forfeited | | | - | | | - | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 | | | 167,000 | | | | | | - | | $ | 623,934 | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2007 | | | - | | | | | | - | | $ | - | |
The Company's policy is to issue new shares to satisfy Restricted Stock Awards and incentive stock option exercises.
Currently the Company believes that substantially all restricted stock awards will vest.
During 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up to ten percent (10%) of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common shares at a cost of approximately $808,000 which reduced the number of Class B common shares outstanding. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2007.
No shares of Class A common stock were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2007. During April and May 2007, the Company purchased 36,542 Class A common shares at a cost of approximately $1,369,916 which will reduce the number of Class A common shares outstanding.
Comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 consists of:
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Net earnings | | $ | 4,009,136 | | $ | 3,997,299 | |
Currency translation adjustment- | | | | | | | |
net of taxes | | | 358,024 | | | 91,879 | |
Increase in unrealized | | | | | | | |
gain on marketable securities | | | | | | | |
- net of taxes | | | 4,296,191 | | | 2,507,671 | |
| | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | $ | 8,663,351 | | $ | 6,596,849 | |
On July 15, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of a certain parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The sales agreement is subject to a due diligence period by the buyer. The sales agreement expired during January 2006. The buyer and seller are continuing to negotiate about certain environmental matters among themselves and with the State of New Jersey. The seller and buyer are aware that a portion of the property may be subject to tidelands claims by the State of New Jersey. Additionally, the Company is obligated for environmental remediation costs of up to $350,000. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had also paid or accrued $353,000 of legal, site testing and State of New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency Fees, which is included in assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. As these costs are incurred, the Company has capitalized them on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as assets held for sale. The Company has classified the asset as held for sale with a net book value of approximately $961,049 on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2007 and expects to sell the property before the end of 2007.
14. | NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS |
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which enhances existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair value. This Standard provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe that SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”) “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The Standard’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Statement on its financial statements.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. (“Halo”) v. Bel Fuse Inc., Pulse Engineering, Inc. and Technitrol, Inc. brought in Nevada Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that the Company has infringed its patents covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by the Company. Halo is seeking unnamed damages plus treble damages awarded and demands a trial by jury.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey Corporation v. Halo Electronics, Inc. brought in the United States District Court of New Jersey during May 2007. The Company claims that Halo has infringed a patent covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by Halo. The Company is seeking unnamed damages plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
The Company and two of its officers are defendants in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought in the District Court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany by a former employee at a foreign subsidiary of the Company. The Company believes it has adequately accrued sufficient amounts for this liability in accordance with the terms of the ex-employee's employment agreement.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and Bel Power, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, v. Andrew Ferencz, Gregory Zovonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Howard E. Kaepplein and William Ng, brought in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company was granted injunctive relief and is seeking damages against the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc., key employees of Galaxy and a corporation formed by some or all of the individual defendants. The Company has alleged that the defendants violated their written non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements, diverted business and usurped substantial business opportunities with key customers, misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets, and harmed the Company’s business.
In a related matter, the Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Robert Chimielnski, P.C. on behalf of the stockholder representatives and the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al. brought in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This complaint for damages and injunctive relief is based on an alleged breach of contract and other allegedly illegal acts in a corporate context arising out of the Company’s objection to the release of nearly $2.0 million held in escrow under the terms of the stock purchase agreement between Galaxy and the Company. The Company believes it has adequate defenses regarding this lawsuit and accordingly has not accrued any liability in connection with such lawsuit.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Murata Manufacturing Company, Ltd. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al, brought in Illinois Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers all of the Company's modular jack products. That party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a non-exclusive license to the Company under the patent for a 3% royalty on all future gross sales of ICM products; payment of a lump sum of 3% of past sales including sales of applicable Insilco products; an annual minimum royalty of $500,000; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's with the third party's patent number. The Company was also a defendant in a lawsuit, captioned Regal Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., brought in California Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers certain of the Company's modular jack products. That party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a non-transferable license to the Company for an up front fee of $500,000 plus a 6% royalty on future sales. The District Court has granted summary judgment in the Company's favor dismissing Regal Electronics' infringement claims, while at the same time the Court dismissed the Company's invalidity counterclaim against Regal Electronics. Regal has appealed the Court's rejection of its infringement claims to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The case was heard on February 6, 2007 and the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s ruling in favor of the Company.
The Company cannot predict the outcome of the unresolved matters; however, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. As of March 31, 2007, no amounts have been accrued in connection with these lawsuits, except for the Germany lawsuit, as described above, as the amounts are not determinable.
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 results of operations.
16. | ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) |
The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are summarized below:
| | March 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Foreign currency translation | | | | | | | |
adjustment | | $ | 1,498,908 | | $ | 1,140,884 | |
Unrealized holding gain (loss) | | | | | | | |
on available-for-sale securities | | | | | | | |
under SFAS No. 115, net of | | | | | | | |
taxes of $1,829,912 and $(802,797) | | | | | | | |
as of March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 | | | 2,986,364 | | | (1,309,827 | ) |
Unfunded SERP liability net of taxes | | | | | | | |
of $(686,000) as of March 31, 2007 | | | | | | | |
and December 31, 2006 | | | (1,646,712 | ) | | (1,646,712 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive | | | | | | | |
income (loss) | | $ | 2,838,560 | | $ | (1,815,655 | ) |
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company’s quarterly and annual 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 the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. 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, financial condition, operating results, and stock prices. Furthermore, this document and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) contain certain forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Forward-Looking Statements”) with respect to the business of the Company. These Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these Forward-Looking Statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these Forward-Looking Statements which may be necessary to reflect events or circumstances after the date such statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. An investment in the Company involves various risks, including those which are detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.
Overview
Bel is a leading producer of electronic products that help make global connectivity a reality. The Company designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of magnetics, modules, circuit protection devices and interconnect products. While these products are deployed primarily in the computer, networking and telecommunication industries, Bel’s expanding portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical and consumer electronics markets. Bel's products are designed to protect, regulate, connect, isolate or manage a variety of electronic circuits.
We design our products to enhance the systems in which they operate. As our products typically become components in other third-party’s systems, our revenues are largely driven by the extent to which our customers can design and develop new applications and the extent to which those customers have needs for the types of components that we can provide. We are problem-solvers; we design most of our products to combine various discrete components in a manner that will allow the systems designer to save space and to offer a more efficient product.
Our expenses are driven principally by the cost of the materials that we use and the cost of labor where our factories are located. In recent years, the increasing cost of copper, steel and petroleum-based products and an increased wage structure in the Far East have contributed to increases in manufacturing costs. Effective September 1, 2006, local PRC authorities implemented a new revised standard work week, and new minimum wages and overtime rates, for areas where our factories are located.
The Company had an organic sales increase of $7.2 million or 13.1% for the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the first quarter of 2006.
Gross profit margins were lower during the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006, principally due to increased costs for raw material such as mosfets, steel, integrated circuits, PBC and petroleum-based products as well as increased transportation costs. Sales of the Company’s DC-DC power products have increased. While these products are strategic to Bel’s growth and important to total earnings, they return lower gross profit percentage margins as a larger percentage of their bills of material are purchased components. As these sales continue to increase, the Company’s average gross profit percentage will likely decrease unless offset by increased sales of higher margin products. Gross profit margins are also adversely affected to the extent that the Company manufactures lead-free products, as the Company has additional labor and manufacturing costs associated with operating duplicate production lines but cannot attain premium pricing for such products.
On January 1, 2007, the Company implemented FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, (“FIN 48”) which resulted in no adjustment in the liability for uncertain tax positions.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company incurred severance expenses of approximately $225,000; wrote off approximately $122,000 in deferred financing fees related to a credit facility no longer available because of a change in the Company’s banking relationship; incurred stock based compensation expense of $404,000 and incurred less amortization of intangibles compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2006 of $571,000 due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets, investments, SERP expense, income taxes and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which 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.
The Company believes the following critical accounting policies affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company determines its reserves by both specific identification of customer accounts where appropriate and the application of historical loss experience to non-specific accounts. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Inventory
The Company makes purchasing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders from customers, the availability and pricing of raw materials and projected customer requirements. Future events that could adversely affect these decisions and result in significant charges to the Company’s operations include miscalculating customer requirements, technology changes which render certain raw materials and finished goods obsolete, loss of customers and/or cancellation of sales orders, stock rotation with distributors and termination of distribution agreements. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon the aforementioned assumptions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.
When inventory is written-off, it is never written back up; the cost remains at zero or the level to which it has been written-down. When inventory that has been written-off is subsequently used in the manufacturing process, the lower adjusted cost of the material is charged to cost of sales. Should any of this inventory be used in the manufacturing process for customer orders, the improved gross profit will be recognized at the time the completed product is shipped and the sale is recorded.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are recorded under the purchase method of accounting at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses.
Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are subject to annual impairment testing. The identification and measurement of goodwill impairment involves the estimation of the fair value of geographic reporting units. The estimates of fair value of geographic reporting units are based on the best information available as of the date of the assessment, which primarily incorporate management assumptions about expected future cash flows and contemplate other valuation techniques. Future cash flows can be affected by changes in industry or market conditions or the rate and extent to which anticipated synergies or cost savings are realized with newly acquired entities. There can be no assurances that goodwill impairments will not occur in the future. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” In accordance with SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as measured by enacted tax rates that are expected to be in effect in the periods when the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provisions for income taxes. In the ordinary course of a global business, the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain for many transactions. It is the Company’s policy to establish provisions for taxes that may become payable in future years as a result of an examination by tax authorities. The Company establishes the provisions based upon management’s assessment of exposure associated with permanent tax differences and tax credits applied to temporary difference adjustments. The tax provisions are analyzed periodically (at least quarterly) and adjustments are made as events occur that warrant adjustments to those provisions.
Our accounting policy for income taxes was recently modified due to the adoption of FIN 48. FIN 48 requires significant judgment in determining what constitutes an individual tax position as well as assessing the outcome of each tax position. Changes in judgment as to recognition or measurement of tax positions can materially affect the estimate of the effective tax rate and consequently, affect our operating results.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the guidance contained in SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements”. Revenue is recognized when the product has been delivered and title and risk of loss have passed to the customer, collection of the resulting receivable is deemed reasonably assured by management, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sale price is fixed and determinable.
Historically the Company has been successful in mitigating the risks associated with its revenue. Some issues relate to product warranty, credit worthiness of its customers and concentration of sales among a few major customers.
The Company is not contractually obligated to accept returns from non-distributor customers except for defective product or in instances where the product does not meet the Company’s quality specifications. If these conditions existed, the Company would be obligated to repair or replace the defective product or make a cash settlement with the customer. Distributors generally have the right to return up to 5% of their purchases over the previous three to six months and are obligated to purchase an amount at least equal to the return. If the Company terminates a distributor, the Company is obligated to accept as a return all of the distributor’s inventory from the Company. The Company accrues an estimate for anticipated returns based on historical experience at the time revenue is recognized and adjusts such estimate as specific anticipated returns are identified. If a distributor terminates its relationship with the Company, the Company is not obligated to accept any inventory returns. The Company has a significant amount of sales with several customers, including one major customer with sales of $11,189,000 (18.1% of net sales) in the first quarter of 2007. The loss of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the first quarters of 2007 and 2006, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
| | Percentage of Net Sales | |
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Net sales | | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of sales | | | 77.5 | | | 73.2 | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | | 15.3 | | | 17.2 | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 1.8 | |
Interest expense and other costs | | | (0.2 | ) | | (0.2 | ) |
Interest income | | | 1.3 | | | 0.9 | |
Earnings before provision | | | | | | | |
for income taxes | | | 8.3 | | | 8.5 | |
Income tax provision | | | 1.8 | | | 1.3 | |
Net earnings | | | 6.5 | | | 7.2 | |
The following table sets forth the year over year percentage increase or decrease of certain items included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
| | | | Increase (decrease) from | |
| | | | Prior Period | |
| | | | Three Months Ended | |
| | | | March 31, 2007 | |
| | | | compared with Three | |
| | | | Months Ended March 31, | |
| | | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
Net sales | | | | | | 13.1 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | | | | | 19.8 | |
| | | | | | | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | | | | | 1.1 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | | | | 0.3 | |
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 VERSUS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
Sales
Net sales increased 13.1% from $54.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 to $61.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The Company attributes the increase to increased module sales of $7.4 million, offsetting a slight decrease in magnetic sales of $0.2 million, while interconnect and circuit protection sales remained unchanged.
The significant components of the Company's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were magnetic products of $31.6 million (as compared with $31.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006), interconnect products of $11.1 million (as compared with $11.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006), module products of $14.8 million (as compared with $7.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006), and circuit protection products of $4.3 million (as compared with $4.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006.)
Based in part on conflicting opinions the Company received from customers and competitors in the electronics industry pertaining to revenue growth during 2006, the Company cannot predict with any degree of certainty sales revenue for 2007. Although the Company's backlog has been stable, the Company feels that this is not a good indicator of revenues. The Company continues to have limited visibility as to future customer requirements.
The Company cannot quantify the extent of sales growth arising from unit sales mix and/or price changes. Given the change in the nature of the products purchased by customers from period to period, the Company believes that neither unit changes nor price changes are meaningful. Over the past year, newer and more sophisticated products with higher unit selling prices have been introduced. Through the Company's engineering and research effort, the Company has been successful in adding additional value to existing product lines, which tends to increase sales prices initially until that generation of products becomes mature and sales prices experience price degradation. In general, as products become mature, average selling prices decrease.
Cost of Sales
Bel generally enters into processing arrangements with five independent third party contractors in the Far East. Costs are recorded as incurred for all products manufactured either at third party facilities or at the Company's own manufacturing facilities. Such amounts are determined based upon the estimated stage of production and include labor cost and fringes and related allocations of factory overhead. The Company manufactures finished goods at its own manufacturing facilities in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania, Inwood, New York, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 73.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2006 to 77.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase in the cost of sales percentage is primarily attributable to the following:
· | The Company incurred a 2.6% increase in material costs as a percentage of net sales. The increase in raw material costs is principally related to increased manufacturing of value-added products, which have a higher raw material content than the Company’s other products, increased costs for raw materials such as copper, steel and petroleum-based products and increased transportation costs. |
· | The Company is currently paying higher wage rates and benefits to its production workers in China, which resulted in a 1.8% increase in direct labor costs as a percentage of net sales. These higher rates and benefits are reflected in the Company’s cost of sales. |
· | Sales of the Company’s DC-DC power products have increased. While these products are strategic to Bel’s growth and important to total earnings, they return lower gross profit percentage margins as a larger percentage of their bills of materials are purchased components. As these sales continue to increase, the Company’s average gross profit percentage will likely decrease. |
Included in cost of sales are research and development expenses of $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses to net sales decreased from 17.2 % during the three months ended March 31, 2006 to 15.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The Company attributes the percentage decrease to increased sales without a corresponding increase in corporate overhead. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006 was approximately $105,000.
Interest Income
Interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $321,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the comparable period in 2006. The increase is due primarily to increased balances of cash and cash equivalent balances and marketable securities and increased yields on such balances.
Interest Expense and Other Costs
Interest expense and other costs amounted to $122,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2007 related primarily to the write off of financing expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s credit facility. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, interest and other expenses included $27,000 of amortization of financing expenses related to the Company's credit facility in the United States and $88,000 related to the loss from the sale of marketable securities.
Casualty Loss
During 2006, the Company incurred a $1.0 million pre-tax casualty loss as a result of a fire at its leased manufacturing facility in the Dominican Republic. The loss was for raw materials and equipment in excess of estimated insurance proceeds. The production at this facility was substantially restored during July 2006.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 was $1.1 million compared to $0.7 million provision for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The Company's earnings before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2007 are approximately $.4 million higher than in 2006. The increased provision in 2007 is principally the result of higher taxable income in the U.S. and an increase in foreign deferred income taxes arising from various temporary differences. During the first quarter of 2006, the Company incurred a $1.0 million casualty loss in the U.S. which reduced U.S. income tax expense.
The Company conducts manufacturing activities in the Far East. More specifically, the Company has the majority of its products manufactured in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Hong Kong and Macao and has not been subject to corporate income tax in the PRC. The Company's activities in Hong Kong have generally consisted of administration, quality control and accounting, as well as some limited manufacturing activities. Hong Kong imposes corporate income tax at a rate of 17.5 percent solely on income sourced to Hong Kong. That is, its tax system is a territorial one which only seeks to tax activities conducted in Hong Kong.
Macao currently has a statutory corporate income tax rate of 12 percent. Since most of the Company's operations are conducted in the Far East, the majority of its profits are sourced in these three Far East jurisdictions. Accordingly, the profits earned in the U.S. are comparatively small in relation to its profits earned in the Far East. Therefore, there is generally a significant difference between the statutory U.S. tax rate and the Company's effective tax rate.
During 2005, the Company was granted an offshore operating license from the government of Macao to set up an MCO named Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited with the intent to handle all of the Company’s sales to third party customers in Asia. Sales to third party customers commenced during the first quarter of 2006. Sales consist of products manufactured in the PRC. The MCO is not subject to Macao corporate income taxes.
The Company has historically followed a practice of reinvesting a portion of the earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the expansion of its foreign operations. If the unrepatriated earnings were distributed to the parent corporation rather than reinvested in the Far East, such funds would be subject to United States Federal income taxes.
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. During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $92,000 in interest and penalties in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has approximately $1.5 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at March 31, 2007, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet.
Inflation and Foreign Currency Exchange
During the past two years, the effect of inflation on the Company's profitability was not material. Historically, fluctuations of the U.S. Dollar against other major currencies have not significantly affected the Company's foreign operations as most sales have been denominated in U.S. Dollars or currencies directly or indirectly linked to the U.S. Dollar. Most significant expenses, including raw materials, labor and manufacturing expenses, are either incurred in U.S. Dollars or the currencies of the Hong Kong Dollar, the Macao Pataca or the Chinese Renminbi. The Chinese Renminbi has appreciated in value during 2006. Further appreciation of the Renminbi would result in the Company’s incurring higher costs for all expenses incurred in China. Commencing with the acquisition of the Passive Components Group, the Company's European entity has sales transactions which are denominated principally in Euros and British Pounds. Conversion of these transactions into U.S. dollars has resulted in currency exchange (gains) losses of $(2,800) and $41,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, which were charged to expense, and approximately $358,000 and $92,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, in unrealized exchange gains relating to the translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Any change in linkage of the U.S. Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar, the Chinese Renminbi or the Macao Pataca could have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, the Company has financed its capital expenditures primarily through cash flows from operating activities and has financed acquisitions both through cash flows from operating activities and borrowings. Management believes that the cash flow from operations after payments of dividends combined with its existing capital base and the Company's available lines of credit, will be sufficient to fund its operations for the near term. Such statement constitutes a Forward Looking Statement. Factors which could cause the Company to require additional capital include, among other things, a softening in the demand for the Company’s existing products, an inability to respond to customer demand for new products, potential acquisitions requiring substantial capital, future expansion of the Company's operations and net losses that would result in net cash being used in operating, investing and/or financing activities which result in net decreases in cash and cash equivalents. Net losses may result in the loss of domestic and foreign credit facilities and preclude the Company from raising debt or equity financing in the capital markets on affordable terms or otherwise.
In the current quarter the Company entered into a new unsecured credit agreement in the amount of $20 million, which expires on June 30, 2008. There was no balance outstanding as of March 31, 2007. At that date, the entire $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. The loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.
The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary has an unsecured line of credit of approximately $2 million, which was unused at March 31, 2007. This line of credit expires during July 2007. Borrowing on this line of credit is guaranteed by the U.S. parent. The line of credit bears interest at a rate determined by the bank as the financing is extended.
For information regarding further commitments under the Company's operating leases, see Note 15 of Notes to Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company completed construction of a 117,000 square foot manufacturing facility, during November 2006, in Zhongshan City, PRC for approximately $1.3 million.
On July 15, 2004, the Company entered into an agreement for the sale of a certain parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey. The sales agreement is subject to a due diligence period by the buyer. The sales agreement expired during January 2006. The buyer and seller are continuing to negotiate about certain environmental matters among themselves and with the State of New Jersey. The seller and buyer are aware that a portion of the property may be subject to tidelands claims by the State of New Jersey. Additionally, the Company is obligated for environmental remediation costs of up to $350,000. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had also paid or accrued $353,000 of legal, site testing and State of New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency Fees. As these costs are incurred, the Company has capitalized them on the Company's consolidated balance sheet as assets held for sale. The Company has classified the asset as held for sale with a net book value of approximately $961,049 on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2007 and expects to sell the property before the end of 2007.
The Company has cumulatively acquired a total of 5,874,919 shares, or approximately 6% of the outstanding shares, of the common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total purchase price of $18.0 million. Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $373 million as of March 31, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as marketable securities. These marketable securities are considered to be available for sale under SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Thus, as of March 31, 2007, the Company has recorded an unrealized gain, net of income tax expense, of approximately $2.7 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Subsequent to the balance sheet date the Company sold 4,034,000 shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain, net of investment banker fees and other expenses and income taxes of approximately $1.5 million.
Under the terms of the E-Power LTD (“E-Power”) and Current Concepts, Inc. (“Current Concepts”) acquisition agreements of May 11, 2001, the Company was required to make contingent purchase price payments up to an aggregate of $7.6 million should the acquired companies attain specified related sales levels. E-Power was to be paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments if sales reached $15.0 million and an additional $4.0 million if sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis through May 2007. During January 2006, the $2.0 million of contingent purchase price consideration was earned by E-Power and during February 2006, E-Power was paid $2.0 million in contingent purchase price payments. During September 2006, an additional $4.0 million was earned when sales reached $25.0 million on a cumulative basis and, as a result, $4.0 million was paid in November 2006, and accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase to goodwill. No additional payments will be made under the E-Power agreement. Current Concepts is to be paid 16% of the first $10.0 million in sales through May 2007. This $10.0 million benchmark was reached during the second quarter of 2006 and therefore, no additional payments will be made. During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company paid approximately $-0- and $178,000, respectively, in contingent purchase price payments to Current Concepts. The contingent purchase price payments for Current Concepts are accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase to covenants not to compete within intangible assets when such payment obligations are incurred.
During 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up to ten percent (10%) of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common shares at a cost of approximately $808,000 which reduced the number of Class B common shares outstanding. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2007. During April and May 2007, the Company purchased 36,542 Class A common shares at a cost of approximately $1,369,916 which will reduce the number of Class A common shares outstanding.
During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by $7.7 million reflecting approximately $11.8 million used principally for purchases of marketable securities, $2.8 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, and $.6 million for payments of dividends offset, in part, by $6.9 million provided by operating activities (principally as a result of net income of $4 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $1.9 million), and proceeds of $.5 million from the exercise of stock options.
Cash, marketable securities and cash equivalents and accounts receivable comprised approximately 52.7% and 50.7% of the Company's total assets at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The Company's current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 5.5 to 1 and 4.5 to 1 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
The following table sets forth at March 31, 2007 the amounts of payments due under specific types of contractual obligations, aggregated by category of contractual obligation, for the time periods described below. This table excludes liabilities recorded relative to uncertain income tax positions under FIN 48, amounting to $12.6 million, as of March 31, 2007 due to the uncertain timing of the resolution of such matters.
| | Payments due by period | |
Contractual Obligations | | Total | | Less than 1 year | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | More than 5 years | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital expenditure obligations | | $ | 3,095,709 | | $ | 3,095,709 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
Operating leases | | | 5,066,711 | | | 1,789,440 | | | 2,133,695 | | | 1,143,576 | | | - | |
Raw material purchase obligations | | | 16,527,235 | | | 16,527,235 | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 24,689,655 | | $ | 21,412,384 | | $ | 2,133,695 | | $ | 1,143,576 | | $ | - | |
The Company is required to pay SERP obligations at the occurrence of certain events. As of March 31, 2007, the SERP had an unfunded benefit obligation of approximately $1.6 million, net of deferred income tax benefit. The gross unfunded benefit obligation in the amount of $5.0 million is included in long-term liabilities as an unfunded pension obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The unfunded benefit obligation, net of deferred income tax benefits, is included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as a component of “Other Comprehensive Income.”
New Financial Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which enhances existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair value. This Standard provides a single definition of fair value, together with a framework for measuring it, and requires additional disclosure about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not believe that SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159 (“SFAS 159”) “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, providing companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. The Standard’s objective is to reduce both complexity in accounting for financial instruments and the volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently. It also requires entities to display the fair value of those assets and liabilities for which the Company has chosen to use fair value on the face of the balance sheet. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this Statement on its financial statements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The estimated fair values of financial instruments have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies.
The Company has not entered into, and does not expect to enter into, financial instruments for trading or hedging purposes. The Company does not currently anticipate entering into interest rate swaps and/or similar instruments.
The Company's carrying values of cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are a reasonable approximation of their fair value.
The Company enters into transactions denominated in U.S. Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, the Macao Pataca, the Chinese Renminbi, Euros and British Pounds. Fluctuations in the U.S. dollar exchange rate against these currencies could significantly impact the Company's consolidated results of operations.
The Company believes that a change in interest rates of 1% or 2% would not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated statement of operations or balance sheet.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
a) | Disclosure controls and procedures. As of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter 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 vice president of finance, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and vice president of finance concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. |
b.) | Changes in internal controls over financial reporting: There have been no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonable likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. |
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. (“Halo”) v. Bel Fuse Inc., Pulse Engineering, Inc. and Technitrol, Inc. brought in Nevada Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that the Company has infringed its patents covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by the Company. Halo is seeking unnamed damages plus treble damages awarded and demands a trial by jury.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey Corporation v. Halo Electronics, Inc. brought in the United States District Court of New Jersey during May 2007. The Company claims that Halo has infringed a patent covering certain surface mount discrete magnetic products made by Halo. The Company is seeking unnamed damages plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
The Company and two of its officers are defendants in a wrongful termination lawsuit brought in the District Court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany by a former employee at a foreign subsidiary of the Company. The Company believes it has adequately accrued sufficient amounts for this liability in accordance with the terms of the ex-employee's employment agreement.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc., a New Jersey corporation, and Bel Power, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, v. Andrew Ferencz, Gregory Zovonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, Howard E. Kaepplein and William Ng, brought in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company was granted injunctive relief and is seeking damages against the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc., key employees of Galaxy and a corporation formed by some or all of the individual defendants. The Company has alleged that the defendants violated their written non-competition, non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements, diverted business and usurped substantial business opportunities with key customers, misappropriated confidential information and trade secrets, and harmed the Company’s business.
In a related matter, the Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Robert Chimielnski, P.C. on behalf of the stockholder representatives and the former stockholders of Galaxy Power, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al. brought in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This complaint for damages and injunctive relief is based on an alleged breach of contract and other allegedly illegal acts in a corporate context arising out of the Company’s objection to the release of nearly $2.0 million held in escrow under the terms of the stock purchase agreement between Galaxy and the Company. The Company believes it has adequate defenses regarding this lawsuit and accordingly has not accrued any liability in connection with such lawsuit.
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Murata Manufacturing Company, Ltd. v. Bel Fuse Inc. et al, brought in Illinois Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers all of the Company's modular jack products. That party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a non-exclusive license to the Company under the patent for a 3% royalty on all future gross sales of ICM products; payment of a lump sum of 3% of past sales including sales of applicable Insilco products; an annual minimum royalty of $500,000; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's with the third party's patent number. The Company was also a defendant in a lawsuit, captioned Regal Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., brought in California Federal District Court. Plaintiff claims that its patent covers certain of the Company's modular jack products. That party had previously advised the Company that it was willing to grant a non-transferable license to the Company for an up front fee of $500,000 plus a 6% royalty on future sales. The District Court has granted summary judgment in the Company's favor dismissing Regal Electronics' infringement claims, while at the same time the Court dismissed the Company's invalidity counterclaim against Regal Electronics. Regal has appealed the Court's rejection of its infringement claims to the U.S. Court of Appeals. The case was heard on February 6, 2007 and the U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s ruling in favor of the Company.
The Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters; however, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations. As at March 31, 2006, no amounts have been accrued in connection with these lawsuits, except for the Germany lawsuit, as described above, as the amounts are not determinable.
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 results of operations.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
| 31.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| 31.2 | Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.1 | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32.2 | Certification of the Vice-President of Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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. |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Daniel Bernstein |
|
Daniel Bernstein, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Colin Dunn |
|
Colin Dunn, Vice President of Finance |
Dated: May 10, 2007
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit 31.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2 - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1 - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.2 - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.