UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 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)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Class A Common Stock, $0.10 par value; Class B Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
o Yes x No
Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports to Section 13 or 15(d) f the Act. o Yes x No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a small reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “small reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer x | Non-accelerated filer o | Small reporting company o |
| | (Do not check if a small reporting company) | |
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
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates (for this purpose, persons and entities other than executive officers and directors) of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2007), was $377.9 million.
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 10, 2008: 2,533,437 Class A Common Stock; 9,284,127 Class B Common Stock
Documents incorporated by reference:
Bel Fuse Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference into Part III.
Forward Looking Information | Page |
Part I | | | |
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| Item 1. | Business | 1 |
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| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 9 |
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| Item 1B. | Unresolved Staff Comments | 14 |
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| Item 2. | Properties | 14 |
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| Item 3. | Legal Proceedings | 16 |
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| Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 18 |
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Part II | | | |
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| Item 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | 19 |
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| Item 6. | Selected Financial Data | 22 |
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| Item 7. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 24 |
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| Item 7A. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 45 |
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| Item 8. | Financial Statements and Supplementary Data | 45 |
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| Item 9. | Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure | 46 |
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| Item 9A. | Controls and Procedures | 46 |
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| Item 9B. | Other Information | 48 |
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Part III | | | |
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| Item 10. | Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance | 48 |
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| Item 11. | Executive Compensation | 48 |
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| Item 12. | Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters | 48 |
| BEL FUSE INC. |
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| INDEX (Con't) |
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Part III (Con't) | | |
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| Item 13. | Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence | 48 |
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| Item 14. | Principal Accounting Fees and Services | 48 |
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Part IV | | | |
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| Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules | 49 |
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Signatures | 52 |
* Page F-1 follows page 45
FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
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 Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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 mentioned above, and those detailed in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, 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 hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. An investment in the Company involves various risks, including those mentioned above and those which are detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.
PART I
Item 1. Business
General
Bel Fuse Inc. ("Bel" or the "Company") is a leading producer of electronic products that help make global connectivity a reality. The Company is primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of products used in networking, telecommunications, high speed data transmission and consumer electronics. Products include magnetics (discrete components, power transformers and MagJack®s), modules (DC-DC converters, integrated analog front-end modules and custom designs, circuit protection (miniature, micro and surface mount fuses) and interconnect devices (passive jacks, plugs and cable assemblies). While these products are deployed primarily in the computer, networking and telecommunication industries, Bel’s portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical and consumer electronics markets. These products are designed to protect, regulate, connect, isolate or manage a variety of electronic circuits.
With over 58 years in the electronics industry, Bel has reliably demonstrated the ability to succeed in a variety of product areas across multiple industries. Founded in 1949, the Company has a strong track record of technical innovation working with the engineering communities of market leaders. Bel has consistently proven itself a valuable supplier to the foremost companies in its chosen industries by developing cost-effective solutions for the challenges of new product development. By combining our strength in product design with our own specially-designed manufacturing facilities, Bel has established itself as a formidable competitor on a global basis.
The Company, which is organized under New Jersey law, operates in one industry with three geographic reporting segments as defined in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". Bel’s principal executive offices are located at 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302; (201) 432-0463. The Company operates other facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (BELFA and BELFB). For information regarding Bel's three geographic reporting units, see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The terms “Company” and “Bel” as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to Bel Fuse Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise specified.
Product Groups
Magnetics
| · | MagJack® integrated connector modules |
The Company, a leading producer of discrete magnetics, markets an extensive line of products (transformers, diplex filters and common mode chokes) used in networking, telecommunications and broadband applications. These magnetic devices condition, filter and isolate the signal as it travels through network equipment helping to ensure accurate data/voice/video transmission. Bel’s magnetic components are also used in the consumer electronics marketplace.
Power transformer products include standard and custom designs produced by the Company’s Signal Transformer division. Manufactured for use in alarm, security and medical products, these devices are designed to comply with the international safety standards governing transformers including UL, CSA, IEC, TUV and VDE.
Marketed under the MagJack® brand, Bel’s connectors with integrated magnetics provide the signal conditioning, electromagnetic interference suppression and signal isolation previously performed by multiple discrete magnetics.
Modules
| · | Power conversion modules |
Bel’s Power conversion products include standard and custom isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters designed specifically to power low voltage silicon devices. The need for converting one DC voltage to another is growing rapidly as developers of integrated circuits commonly adjust the supply voltage as a means of optimizing device performance. The DC-DC converters are used in data networking equipment, distributed power architecture and telecommunication devices, as well as computers and peripherals.
The Company develops highly integrated, IC-compatible modules for broadband, home networking and telecommunication applications. These modules eliminate the need for several discrete components by providing enhanced functionality in a single, compact device.
The Company continues to pursue market opportunities where it can supply customized, value-added modules that capitalize on the Company’s manufacturing capabilities in surface mount assembly, automatic winding, hybrid fabrication and component encapsulation.
Circuit Protection
| · | Surface mount PTC devices and fuses |
| · | Radial PTC devices and micro fuses |
The Company's circuit protection products include board level fuses (miniature, micro and surface mount) and Polymeric PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) devices, designed for the global electronic and telecommunication markets. Fuses and PTC devices prevent currents in an electrical circuit from exceeding certain predetermined levels, acting as a safety valve to protect expensive components from damage by cutting off high currents before they can generate enough heat to cause smoke or fire. Additionally, PTC devices are resettable and do not have to be replaced before normal operation of the end product can resume.
While the Company continues to manufacture traditional fuse types, its surface mount chip fuses are used in space-critical applications such as mobile phones and computers. Like all of Bel's fuse products, the chip fuses comply with RoHS6 standards for the elimination of lead and other hazardous materials.
The Company's circuit protection devices are used extensively in products such as televisions, consumer electronics, power supplies, computers, telephones and networking equipment.
Interconnect
The Company has a comprehensive line of modular connectors including RJ45 and RJ11 passive jacks, plugs and cable assemblies. Passive jacks serve primarily as the connectivity device in networking equipment such as routers, hubs, switches and patch panels. Modular plugs and cable assemblies are utilized within the structured cabling system, often referred to as premise wiring. The Company’s connector products are designed to meet all major performance standards for Category 5e, 6, 6a and Category 7a compliant devices used within Gigabit Ethernet and 10Gigabit Ethernet networks.
The following table describes, for each of Bel's product groups, the principal functions and applications associated with such product groups.
Product Group | | Function | | Applications |
Magnetics |
Discrete Components | | Condition, filter and isolate the electronic signal to ensure accurate data/voice/video transmission. | | Network switches, routers, hubs and PCs used in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, Power over Ethernet (PoE), home networking and cable modem applications. |
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Power Transformers | | Safety isolation and distribution. | | Power supplies, alarm, fire detection and security systems, HVAC, lighting and medical equipment. |
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MagJack® Integrated Connectors | | Condition, filter and isolate the electronic signal to ensure accurate data/voice/video transmission and provide RJ45 and USB connectivity. | | Network switches, routers, hubs and PCs used in 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, Power over Ethernet (PoE), home networking and cable modem applications. |
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Modules |
Power Conversion Modules (DC-DC Converters) | | Convert DC voltage level to other DC level as required to meet the power needs of low voltage silicon devices. | | Networking equipment, distributed power architecture, telecom devices, computers and peripherals. |
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Integrated Modules | | Condition, filter and isolate the electronic signal to ensure accurate data/voice/video transmission. | | Broadband, home networking and telecom equipment supporting ISDN, T1E1 and DSL technologies. |
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Circuit Protection |
Miniature Fuses | | Protects devices by preventing current in an electrical circuit from exceeding acceptable levels. | | Power supplies, electronic ballasts and consumer electronics. |
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Surface mount PTC devices and fuses | | Protects devices by preventing current in an electrical circuit from exceeding acceptable levels. PTC devices can be reset to resume functionality. | | Cell phone chargers, consumer electronics, power supplies and set top boxes. |
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Radial PTC devices and micro fuses | | Protects devices by preventing current in an electrical circuit from exceeding acceptable levels. PTC devices can be reset to resume functionality. | | Cell phones, mobile computers, IC and battery protection, power supplies and telecom line cards. |
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Interconnect |
Passive Jacks | | RJ45 and RJ11 connectivity for data/voice/video transmission. | | Network routers, hubs, switches and patch panels deployed in Category 5e, 6, 6a and 7a cable systems. |
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Plugs | | RJ45 and RJ11 connectivity for data/voice/video transmission. | | Network routers, hubs, switches and patch panels deployed in Category 5e, 6, 6a and 7a cable systems. |
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Cable Assemblies | | RJ45 and RJ11 connectivity for data/voice/video transmission. | | Structured Category 5e, 6, 6a and 7a cable systems (premise wiring). |
Acquisitions
Acquisitions have played a critical role in the growth of Bel and the expansion of both its product portfolio and its customer base. Furthermore, acquisitions continue to be a key element in the Company’s growth strategy. As part of the Company’s acquisition strategy, it may, from time to time, purchase equity positions in companies that are potential merger candidates. The Company frequently evaluates possible merger candidates that would provide an expanded product and technology base that will allow the Company to further penetrate its strategic customers and/or an opportunity to reduce overall operating expense as a percentage of revenue. Bel also looks at whether the merger candidates are positioned to take advantage of the Company's low cost manufacturing facilities; and whether a cultural fit will allow the acquired company to be integrated smoothly and efficiently.
For information regarding the Company’s acquisitions of Netwatch s.r.o. and Galaxy Power Inc. (“Galaxy”) in 2005, see the Liquidity and Capital Resources section in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company owned a total of 1,840,919 shares, or approximately 1.9% of the outstanding shares, of the common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total cost of $5.6 million. Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $172.9 million as of December 31, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as marketable securities. These marketable securities are considered to be available for sale under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Thus, as of December 31, 2007, the Company has recorded an unrealized loss, net of income tax benefit, of approximately $1.5 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. The Company’s investment in Toko has been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”, the Company periodically reviews its marketable securities and determines whether the investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviewed various factors in making its determination, including volatility of the Toko share price over the last year, Toko’s recent financial results and the Company’s intention and ability to hold the investment. The Toko share price has been extremely volatile over the last year, ranging from $1.22 - $4.20 (the Company’s cost basis in its remaining shares of Toko stock is $3.07 per share). As discussed below, in the second quarter of 2007, a gain was recognized on the disposition of the majority of the Company’s holdings of Toko stock. Toko recently issued its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and it showed a quarter over quarter increase in sales of 5.6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 and increased profitability. The Company has the intention and the ability to hold the investment until it is in a gain position. As a result of these factors, management believes that the investment in Toko is not other-than-temporarily impaired.
During April 2007, the Company sold 4,034,000 shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain of approximately $2.5 million, net of investment banker fees and other expenses in the amount of $0.8 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $0.5 million in connection with this gain which were paid in January 2008. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million has been classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
During 2004, the Company acquired a total of 2,037,500 shares of the common stock of Artesyn Technologies, Inc. (“Artesyn”) at a total purchase price of $16.3 million. On April 28, 2006, Artesyn was acquired by Emerson Network Power for $11.00 per share in cash. During the second quarter of 2006, in connection with the Company's sale of its Artesyn common stock, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $5.2 million, net of investment banker advisory fees of $0.9 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $1.0 million in connection with the gain. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million was classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, and was paid to key employees in January 2007.
On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it had acquired 4,370,052 shares of Power-One, Inc. (“Power-One”) common stock representing, to the Company’s knowledge, 5% of Power-One’s outstanding common stock, at a total purchase price of $10.1 million. Power-One’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. Power-One is a designer and manufacturer of power conversion and power management products.
Sales and Marketing
The Company sells its products to customers throughout North America, Western Europe and Asia. Sales are made through one of three channels: direct strategic account managers, regional sales managers working with independent sales representative organizations or authorized distributors. Bel's strategic account managers are assigned to handle major accounts requiring global coordination.
Independent sales representatives and authorized distributors are overseen by the Company's sales management personnel located throughout the world. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had a sales and support staff of 50 persons that supported a network of 82 sales representative organizations and non-exclusive distributors. The Company has written agreements with all of its sales representative organizations and major distributors. These written agreements, terminable on short notice by either party, are standard in the industry.
Sales support functions have also been established and located in Bel international facilities to provide timely, efficient support for customers. This supplemental level of service, in addition to first-line sales support, enables the Company to be more responsive to customers’ needs on a global level. The Company’s marketing capabilities include product management which drives new product development, application engineering for technical support and marketing communications. Product marketing managers facilitate technical partnerships for engineering development of IC-compatible components and modules.
Research and Development
The Company’s engineering groups are strategically located around the world to facilitate communication with and access to customers’ engineering personnel. This collaborative approach enables partnerships with customers for technical development efforts. On occasion, Bel executes non-disclosure agreements with customers to help develop proprietary, next generation products destined for rapid deployment.
The Company also sponsors membership in technical organizations that allow Bel’s engineers to participate in developing standards for emerging technologies. It is management’s opinion that this participation is critical in establishing credibility and a reputable level of expertise in the marketplace, as well as positioning the Company as an industry leader in new product development.
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and are included in cost of sales. Generally, research and development is performed internally for the benefit of the Company. Research and development costs include salaries, building maintenance and utilities, rents, materials, administration costs and miscellaneous other items. Research and development expenses for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $7.2 million, $6.6 million and $7.3 million, respectively. The increase in 2007 compared to 2006 was attributable to various factors including an increase in headcount at the Hangzhou research and development facility related to the DC-DC power products, an unfavorable change in associated exchange rates for research and development expenses in the PRC and United Kingdom, and general wage increases at the various research and development facilities. The decrease from 2005 to 2006 is principally attributed to less research and development costs in the United States due to the consolidation of the Bel Power and Galaxy facilities in Massachusetts. This was offset in part by increased expenses at the Company’s PRC research and development facility which has a lower cost structure.
Competition
The Company operates in a variety of markets all of which are highly competitive. There are numerous independent companies and divisions of major companies that manufacture products that are competitive with one or more of Bel’s products.
The Company's ability to compete is dependent upon several factors including product performance, quality, reliability, depth of product line, customer service, technological innovation, design, delivery time and price. Overall financial stability and global presence also play a role and give Bel a favorable position in relation to many of its competitors. Management intends to maintain a strong competitive posture in the Company's markets by continued expansion of the Company’s product lines and ongoing investment in research, development and manufacturing resources.
Associates
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had 1,948 full-time associates. The Company employed 697 people at its North American facilities, 1,175 people at its Asian facilities and 76 people at its European facilities, excluding workers supplied by independent contractors. The Company's manufacturing facility in New York is represented by a labor union and all factory workers in the PRC are represented by unions. At December 31, 2007, 36 of our workers in the New York facility were covered by a collective bargaining agreement, which expires on March 31, 2009. The Company believes that its relations with its associates are satisfactory.
Suppliers
The Company has multiple suppliers for most of the raw materials that it purchases. Where possible, the Company has contractual agreements with suppliers to assure a continuing supply of critical components.
With respect to those items which are purchased from single sources, the Company believes that comparable items would be available in the event that there was a termination of the Company's existing business relationships with any such supplier. While such a termination could produce a disruption in production, the Company believes that the termination of business with any one of its suppliers would not have a material adverse effect on its long-term operations. Actual experience could differ materially from this belief as a result of a number of factors, including the time required to locate an alternative supplier, and the nature of the demand for the Company’s products. In the past, the Company has experienced shortages in certain raw materials, such as capacitors, ferrites and integrated circuits (“IC’s”), when these materials were in great demand. Even though the Company may have more than one supplier for certain materials, it is possible that these materials may not be available to the Company in sufficient quantities or at the times desired by the Company.
Backlog
The Company typically manufactures products against firm orders and projected usage by customers. Cancellation and return arrangements are either negotiated by the Company on a transactional basis or contractually determined. The Company's backlog of orders as of February 29, 2008 was approximately $73.7 million, as compared with a backlog of $47.1 million as of February 28, 2007. Management expects that all of the Company's backlog as of February 29, 2008 will be shipped by December 31, 2008. Such expectation constitutes a Forward-Looking Statement. Factors that could cause the Company to fail to ship all such orders by year-end include unanticipated supply difficulties, changes in customer demand and new customer designs. The Company's major customers have negotiated reduced lead times on purchase orders with the goal of reducing their inventories. Accordingly, backlog may not be a reliable indicator of the timing of future sales. See Item 1A of this Annual Report- "Risk Factors - Our backlog figures may not be reliable indicators."
Intellectual Property
The Company has been granted a number of patents in the U.S., Europe and Asia and has additional patent applications pending relating to its products. While the Company believes that the issued patents are defendable and that the pending patent applications relate to patentable inventions, there can be no assurance that a patent will be obtained from the applications or that its existing patents can be successfully defended. It is management's opinion that the successful continuation and operation of the Company's business does not depend upon the ownership of patents or the granting of pending patent applications, but upon the innovative skills, technical competence and marketing and managerial abilities of its personnel. The patents have a life of seventeen years from the date of issue or twenty years from filing of patent applications. The Company's existing patents expire on various dates from August 25, 2009 to February 15, 2021.
The Company utilizes registered trademarks in the U.S., Europe and Asia to identify various products that it manufactures. The trademarks survive as long as they are in use and the registrations of these trademarks are renewed.
Available Information
The Company maintains a website at www.belfuse.com where it makes available the proxy statements, press releases and reports on Form 4, 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q that it and its insiders file with the SEC. These forms are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Press releases are also issued via electronic transmission to provide access to the Company’s financial and product news. In addition, the Company provides notification of and access to voice and Internet broadcasts of its quarterly and annual results.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the risks described below, together with all other information contained in this Annual Report before making investment decisions with respect to our common stock.
We do business in a highly competitive industry
Our business is highly competitive worldwide, with relatively low barriers to competitive entry. We compete principally on the basis of product performance, quality, reliability, depth of product line, customer service, technological innovation, design, delivery time and price. The electronic components industry has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years and our major competitors, some of which are larger than us, have significant financial resources and technological capabilities.
Our backlog figures may not be reliable indicators.
Many of the orders that comprise our backlog may be canceled by customers without penalty. Customers may on occasion double order from multiple sources to ensure timely delivery when backlog is particularly long. Customers often cancel orders when business is weak and inventories are excessive. Therefore, we cannot be certain that the amount of our backlog equals or exceeds the level of orders that will ultimately be delivered. Our results of operations could be adversely impacted if customers cancel a material portion of orders in our backlog.
There are several factors which can cause us to lower our prices.
a) The average selling prices for our products tend to decrease rapidly over their life cycle, and customers are increasingly putting pressure on suppliers to lower prices. Our profits suffer if we are not able to reduce our costs of production or induce technological innovations as sales prices decline.
b) Any drop in demand or increase in supply of our products due to the overcapacity of our competitors could cause a dramatic drop in our average sales prices causing a decrease in our gross margins.
c) Increased competition from low cost suppliers around the world has put further pressures on pricing. We continually strive to lower our costs, negotiate better pricing for components and raw materials and improve our operating efficiencies. Profit margins will be materially and adversely impacted if we are not able to reduce our costs of production or introduce technological innovations as sales prices decline.
We are dependent on our ability to develop new products.
Our future operating results are dependent, in part, on our ability to develop, produce and market new and more technologically advanced products. There are numerous risks inherent in this process, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of technological change or that we will be unable to timely develop and bring to market new products and applications to meet customers’ changing needs.
Our acquisitions may not produce the anticipated results.
A significant portion of our growth is from acquisitions. We cannot assure you that we will identify or successfully complete transactions with suitable acquisition candidates in the future. If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or cannot be successfully integrated with our other businesses, our results of operations, enterprise value, market value and prospects could all be materially and adversely affected.
If our acquisitions fail to perform up to our expectations, or as the value of goodwill decreases, we could be required to record a loss from the impairment of assets. Integration of new acquisitions into our consolidated operations may result in lower average operating results for the group as a whole.
Our strategy also focuses on the reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses through the integration or elimination of redundant sales facilities and administrative functions at acquired companies. Our inability to achieve these goals could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations.
If we were to undertake a substantial acquisition for cash, the acquisition would likely need to be financed in part through bank borrowings or the issuance of public or private debt or equity. If we borrow money to finance acquisitions, this would likely decrease our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other leverage criteria and could result in the imposition of material restrictive covenants. Under our existing credit facility, we are required to obtain our lenders’ consent for certain additional debt financing, to comply with other covenants including the application of specific financial ratios, and may be restricted from paying cash dividends on our capital stock. We cannot assure you that the necessary acquisition financing would be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all, when required. If we issue a substantial amount of stock either as consideration in an acquisition or to finance an acquisition, such issuance may dilute existing stockholders and may take the form of capital stock having preferences over our existing common stock.
We are exposed to weaknesses in international markets and other risks inherent in foreign trade.
We have operations in six countries around the world outside the United States, and approximately 70% of our revenues during 2007 were derived from sales to customers outside the United States. Some of the countries in which we operate have in the past experienced and may continue to experience political, economic, medical epidemic and military instability or unrest. These conditions could have a material and adverse impact on our ability to operate in these regions and, depending on the extent and severity of these conditions, could materially and adversely affect our overall financial condition and operating results.
Although our operations have traditionally been largely transacted in U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar linked currencies, recent world financial instability may cause additional foreign currency risks in the countries we operate in. The decoupling of the Chinese Yuan from the U.S. dollar has and will continue to increase financial risk.
Other risks inherent in doing trade internationally include: expropriation and nationalization, trade restrictions, transportation delays, and changes in United States laws that may inhibit or restrict our ability to manufacture in or sell to any particular country. For information regarding risks associated with our presence in Hong Kong and Macao, see "Item 2 - Properties" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
While we have benefited from favorable tax treatment in many of the countries where we operate, the benefits we currently enjoy could change if laws or rules in the United States or those foreign jurisdictions change, incentives are changed or revoked, or we are unable to renew current incentives.
We may experience labor unrest.
As we implement transfers of certain of our operations, we may experience strikes or other types of labor unrest as a result of lay-offs or termination of employees in higher labor cost countries. Our manufacturing facility in New York is represented by a labor union and all factory workers in the PRC are represented by unions.
We may experience labor shortages.
Government economic, social and labor policies in the PRC may cause shortages of factory labor in areas where we have our products manufactured.
Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted by environmental and other regulations.
Our manufacturing operations, products and/or product packaging are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances, wastes and certain chemicals used or generated in our manufacturing processes, employee health and safety labeling or other notifications with respect to the content or other aspects of our processes, products or packaging, restrictions on the use of certain materials in or on design aspects of our products or product packaging and responsibility for disposal of products or product packaging. More stringent environmental regulations may be enacted in the future, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our operations that any such future regulations might require, or the cost of compliance with these regulations.
Our results may vary substantially from period to period.
Our revenues and expenses may vary significantly from one accounting period to another accounting period due to a variety of factors, including customers' buying decisions, our product mix and general market and economic conditions. Such variations could significantly impact our stock price.
A shortage of availability or an increase in the cost of raw materials and components and our ability to procure high quality raw materials at cost effective prices may negatively impact profit margins.
Our results of operations may be adversely impacted by difficulties in obtaining raw materials, supplies, power, labor, natural resources and any other items needed for the production of our products, as well as by the effects of quality deviations in raw materials and the effects of significant fluctuations in the prices on existing inventories and purchase commitments for these materials. Many of these materials and components are produced by a limited number of suppliers and may be constrained by supplier capacity.
As product life cycles shorten and during periods of market slowdowns, the risk of materials obsolescence increases and this may materially and adversely impact our financial results.
Rapid shifts in demand for various products may cause some of our inventory of raw materials, components or finished goods to become obsolete.
The life cycles and demand for our products are directly linked to the life cycles and demand for the end products into which they are designed. Rapid shifts in the life cycles or demand for these end products due to technological shifts, economic conditions or other market trends may result in material amounts of inventory of either raw materials or finished goods becoming obsolete. While the Company works diligently to manage inventory levels, rapid shifts in demand may result in obsolete or excess inventory and materially impact financial results.
A loss of the services of the Company’s executive officers or other skilled associates could negatively impact our operations and results.
The success of the Company’s operations is largely dependent upon the performance of its executive officers, managers, engineers and sales people. Many of these individuals have a significant number of years of experience within the Company and/or the industry in which we compete and would be extremely difficult to replace. The loss of the services of any of these associates may materially and adversely impact our results of operations if we are unable to replace them in a timely manner.
Our stock price, like that of many technology companies, has been and may continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate as a result of variations in our quarterly operating results and other factors beyond our control. These fluctuations may be exaggerated if the trading volume of our common stock is low. In addition, the market price of our common stock may rise and fall in response to a variety of factors, including:
· | announcements of technological or competitive developments; |
· | acquisitions or strategic alliances by us or our competitors; |
· | the gain or loss of a significant customer or order; |
· | changes in estimates of our financial performance or changes in recommendations by securities analysts regarding us or our industry; or |
· | general market or economic conditions. |
In addition, equity securities of many technology companies have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These price and volume fluctuations often have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies.
Our intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected under the current state of the law.
We cannot assure you we will be successful in protecting our intellectual property through patent or other laws. As a result, other companies may be able to develop and market similar products which could materially and adversely affect our business.
We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights and we may incur defense costs and possibly royalty obligations or lose the right to use technology important to our business.
From time to time, we receive claims by third parties asserting that our products violate their intellectual property rights. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be time consuming and expensive to litigate or settle and could divert management attention from administering our business. A third party asserting infringement claims against us or our customers with respect to our current or future products may materially and adversely affect us by, for example, causing us to enter into costly royalty arrangements or forcing us to incur settlement or litigation costs.
Our investments in marketable securities could have a negative impact on our profitability.
As part of our acquisition strategy, we have, from time to time, acquired equity positions in companies that could be attractive acquisition candidates or could otherwise be potential co-venturers in potential business transactions with us. As a result of market declines occurring subsequent to our investments, our profitability could suffer as a result of losses that we may be required to recognize. We currently are monitoring our investments in Toko and in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio as a result of recent market declines. See Item 7A - “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk”.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not applicable.
Item 2. Properties
The Company is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey where it currently owns 53,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. During May 2007, the Company sold a parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey for $6.0 million. The Company had previously estimated that approximately $0.8 million of the proceeds would be payable to the State of New Jersey as a portion of the property is subject to tideland claims. In December 2007, the Tidelands Resource Council voted to approve the Bureau of Tideland’s Management’s recommendation for a Statement of No Interest. As final approval of the Statement of No Interest is still pending, the Company has continued to defer the estimated gain on sale of the land, in the amount of $4.6 million. The Company anticipates resolution of this sale, release of the escrow and corresponding guarantees and recognition of the gain during fiscal 2008. Of the $6.0 million sales price, the Company received cash of $1.5 million before closing costs, and $4.6 million (including interest) is being held in escrow pending final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland claim and certain environmental costs the Company is liable for in the maximum amount of approximately $0.4 million. As the timing of the release of the escrow of $4.6 million is not under the Company’s control, it has been classified in non-current assets as restricted cash and the deferred gain of $4.6 million has been classified in deferred gain on the sale of property in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007. Additionally, the Company realized a $5.5 million pre-tax gain from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao during the year ended December 31, 2007.
The Company operated 12 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries as of December 31, 2007. An additional 117,000 square foot manufacturing facility has been constructed in the PRC to meet customer demand. This manufacturing facility was completed during November 2006 and was operational by December 31, 2006.
The following is a list of the locations of the Company's principal manufacturing facilities at December 31, 2007.
Location | | Approximate Square Feet | | Owned/ Leased | | Percentage Used for Manufacturing | |
Dongguan, People's | | | | | | | |
Republic of China | | | 346,000 | | | Leased | | | 61 | % |
Zhongshan, People's | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of China | | | 365,000 | | | Leased | | | 67 | % |
Zhongshan, People's | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of China | | | 117,000 | | | Owned | | | 100 | % |
Zhongshan, People's | | | | | | | | | | |
Republic of China | | | 78,000 | | | Owned | | | 100 | % |
Hong Kong | | | 43,000 | | | Owned | | | 7 | % |
Praha, Czech Republic | | | 4,800 | | | Leased | | | 11 | % |
Louny, Czech Republic | | | 11,000 | | | Owned | | | 75 | % |
Dominican Republic | | | 41,000 | | | Leased | | | 85 | % |
Cananea, Mexico | | | 28,000 | | | Leased | | | 65 | % |
Inwood, New York | | | 39,000 | | | Owned | | | 40 | % |
Glen Rock, Pennsylvania | | | 74,000 | | | Owned | | | 60 | % |
Westboro, MA | | | 22,000 | | | Leased | | | 85 | % |
| | | 1,168,800 | | | | | | | |
Of the space described above, 125,000 square feet is used for engineering, warehousing, sales and administrative support functions at various locations and 250,000 square feet is used for dormitories, canteen and other employee related facilities in the PRC.
The Territory of Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (“SAR”) of the PRC during 1997. The territory of Macao became a SAR of the PRC at the end of 1999. Management cannot presently predict what future impact, if any, this will have on the Company or how the political climate in the PRC and the Dominican Republic will affect its contractual arrangements in the PRC or labor relationships in the Dominican Republic. A significant portion of the Company's manufacturing operations and approximately 42% of its identifiable assets are located in Asia. Accordingly, events resulting from any change in the "Most Favored Nation" status granted to the PRC by the U.S. could have a material and adverse effect on the Company.
Approximately 32% of the 1.3 million square feet the Company occupies is owned while the remainder is leased. See Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information pertaining to leases.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Synqor, Inc. v. Artesyn Technologies, Inc., Astec America, Inc., Emerson Network Power, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Bel Fuse Inc., Cherokee International Corp., Delta Electronics, Inc., Delta Products Corp., Murata Electronics North America, Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Power-One, Inc., Tyco Electronics Corp. and Tyco Electronics Ltd. brought in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas in November 2007. Plaintiff claims the Company infringed its patents covering certain power products. Synqor is seeking unspecified damages. The Company filed an Answer to Synqor’s complaint, denying the allegations of infringement and asserting invalidity of the patents.
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 unspecified damages, which it claims should be trebled. In December 2007, this case was dismissed by the Nevada Federal District Court for lack of personal jurisdiction. Halo then re-filed this suit in the Northern California Federal District Court, captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., Elec & Eltek (USA) Corporation, Wurth Electronics Midcom, Inc., and Xfmrs, Inc.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc. 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 integrated connector modules made by Halo. The Company is seeking unspecified damages plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
The Company and two of its officers were 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. During July 2007, this lawsuit was settled for approximately $0.5 million. The Company had provided for this liability in its financial statements prior to the settlement.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc. and Bel Power, Inc. v. Andrew Ferencz, Gregory Zvonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., 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 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 $.05 million; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's with the third party's patent number. The Company is 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 $0.5 million 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 dismissing 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 December 31, 2007, no amounts have been accrued in connection with these lawsuits, 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 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2007.
PART II
Item 5. | Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
(a) Market Information
The Company’s voting Class A Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, and non-voting Class B Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share ("Class A" and "Class B," respectively), are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The following table sets forth the high and low closing sales price range (as reported by The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.) for the Common Stock on NASDAQ for each quarter during the past two years.
| | Class A | | Class A | | Class B | | Class B | |
| | High | | Low | | High | | Low | |
Year Ended December 31, 2006 | | | | | | | | | |
First Quarter | | $ | 34.50 | | $ | 24.59 | | $ | 40.16 | | $ | 31.83 | |
Second Quarter | | | 29.00 | | | 25.75 | | | 34.85 | | | 29.24 | |
Third Quarter | | | 31.25 | | | 24.95 | | | 37.61 | | | 29.49 | |
Fourth Quarter | | | 32.95 | | | 25.99 | | | 37.92 | | | 30.90 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year Ended December 31, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
First Quarter | | | 38.11 | | | 27.36 | | | 38.71 | | | 31.22 | |
Second Quarter | | | 39.47 | | | 34.10 | | | 39.88 | | | 33.42 | |
Third Quarter | | | 38.17 | | | 32.60 | | | 36.59 | | | 29.55 | |
Fourth Quarter | | | 38.08 | | | 31.81 | | | 36.19 | | | 27.19 | |
The Common Stock is reported under the symbols BELFA and BELFB in the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Effective April 7, 2008, the NASDAQ will be converting the format of all 5-character trading symbols. As such, the Company’s Common Stock will be reported under the symbols BELF.A and BELF.B after such date.
(b) Holders
As of February 29, 2008 there were 81 registered shareholders of the Company's Class A Common Stock and 334 registered shareholders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. The Company estimates that there were 1,037 beneficial shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and 2,480 beneficial shareholders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock as of February 29, 2008.
(c) Dividends
There are no contractual restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends provided the Company is not in default immediately before such payment and after giving effect to such payment. On February 1, 2007, May 1, 2007 and August 1, 2007 the Company paid a $0.05 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock in the total amount of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. On February 1, 2007, May 1, 2007 and August 1, 2007 the Company paid a $0.04 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class A Common Stock in the total amount of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. During July 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an increase in the dividends by $.02 per share per quarter for both Class A and B common shares effective with the November 2007 dividend payment. As a result, on November 1, 2007, the Company paid a $0.06 and $0.07 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at October 15, 2007 of Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively, in the total amount of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. On February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the Company paid a $0.05 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock in the total amount of $0.4 million, $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. On February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the Company paid a $0.04 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class A Common Stock in the total amount of $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
On February 1, 2008 the Company paid a $0.06 and $0.07 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at January 15, 2008 of Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively, in the total amount of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The Company currently anticipates paying these dividends in the future.
(d) | Securities authorized for issuance under the Equity Compensation Plans |
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category | | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights | | Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) | |
| | (a) | | (b) | | (c) | |
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders | | | 70,000 | | $ | 28.42 | | | 816,285 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Totals | | | 70,000 | | $ | 28.42 | | | 816,285 | |
(e) | Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
Issuer purchases of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock were as follows for the three month period ended December 31, 2007:
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (a) | | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |
October 1, 2007 - October 31, 2007 | | | 21,071 | | $ | 36.18 | | | 21,071 | | | 121,880 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
November 1, 2007 - November 30, 2007 | | | 10,595 | | | 34.31 | | | 10,595 | | | 110,225 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
December 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007 | | | 14,267 | | | 33.81 | | | 14,267 | | | 94,531 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Totals | | | 45,933 | | $ | 35.01 | | | 45,933 | | | 94,531 | |
(a) | These share repurchases were made as part of a plan authorized by the Board of Directors during 2000 whereby the Company is authorized to purchase up to 10% of the Company's outstanding common shares. |
As of December 31, 2007, the Company had cumulatively purchased and retired 23,600 shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2007. The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plan as of October 31, 2007, November 30, 2007 and December 31, 2007 were 905,198, 905,063 and 905,063, respectively.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 (a) | | 2004 | | 2003 (a) | |
| | (In thousands of dollars, except per share data) | |
Selected Statements of Operations Data: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 259,137 | | $ | 254,933 | | $ | 215,916 | | $ | 190,022 | | $ | 158,498 | |
Cost of sales | | | 203,007 | | | 192,985 | | | 156,147 | | | 132,776 | | | 113,813 | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | | 36,117 | | | 37,800 | | | 33,152 | | | 31,302 | | | 26,757 | |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | (5,499 | ) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Casualty loss/fixed asset impairment (c) (d) | | | - | | | 1,030 | | | - | | | 1,033 | | | - | |
Interest income - net | | | 4,046 | | | 2,780 | | | 1,098 | | | 525 | | | 249 | |
Gain on sale of marketable securities, net of | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
impairment | | | 2,146 | | | 5,150 | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
Lawsuit proceeds (b) | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 2,935 | | | - | |
Earnings before provision | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
for income taxes | | | 31,704 | | | 31,048 | | | 27,715 | | | 28,371 | | | 18,177 | |
Income tax provision | | | 5,368 | | | 5,845 | | | 7,482 | | | 3,649 | | | 4,413 | |
Net earnings | | | 26,336 | | | 25,203 | | | 20,233 | | | 24,722 | | | 13,764 | |
Earnings per Class A common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
share - basic | | | 2.11 | | | 2.03 | | | 1.67 | | | 2.10 | | | 1.15 | |
Earnings per Class A common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
share - diluted | | | 2.11 | | | 2.03 | | | 1.67 | | | 2.10 | | | 1.15 | |
Earnings per Class B common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
share - basic | | | 2.25 | | | 2.16 | | | 1.79 | | | 2.22 | | | 1.28 | |
Earnings per Class B common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
share - diluted | | | 2.24 | | | 2.15 | | | 1.77 | | | 2.16 | | | 1.27 | |
Cash dividends declared per | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A common share | | | 0.20 | | | 0.16 | | | 0.16 | | | 0.16 | | | 0.08 | |
Cash dividends declared per | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B common share | | | 0.24 | | | 0.20 | | | 0.20 | | | 0.20 | | | 0.20 | |
| | As of December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | (In thousands of dollars, except per share data and percentages) | |
Selected Balance Sheet Data and Ratios: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Working capital | | $ | 173,171 | | $ | 144,677 | | $ | 128,203 | | $ | 127,624 | | $ | 102,370 | |
Total assets | | | 293,860 | | | 268,497 | | | 242,056 | | | 217,777 | | | 181,817 | |
Long term debt | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 6,500 | | | 8,500 | |
Stockholders' equity | | | 244,527 | | | 222,150 | | | 201,577 | | | 178,461 | | | 146,855 | |
Return on average | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
total assets (e) | | | 9.34 | % | | 9.65 | % | | 8.83 | % | | 12.37 | % | | 7.95 | % |
Return on average | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
stockholders' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
equity (e) | | | 11.30 | % | | 11.81 | % | | 10.75 | % | | 15.20 | % | | 9.93 | % |
(a) | See Item 1 for information regarding the acquisitions during 2005 of Galaxy and Netwatch. Further, during 2003, the Company acquired Advanced Power Components plc (“APC”) and the Passive Components Group of Insilco Technologies, Inc. These transactions were accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations of Galaxy, Netwatch, the Passive Components Group of Insilco and APC have been included in the Company's financial statements since their respective dates of acquisition. |
(b) | The Company was a party to an arbitration proceeding related to the acquisition of its Telecom Components business in 1998. The Company asserted that the seller breached the terms of a related Global Procurement Agreement dated October 2, 1998 and sought damages related thereto. During December 2004, the Company and the seller settled this matter. The settlement resulted in a payment to the Company and an unconditional release by the seller of all counterclaims against the Company. The net gain of $2.9 million from the settlement is included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2004. |
(c) | During 2006, the Company incurred a loss of $1.0 million 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. |
(d) | During the year ended December 31, 2004 the Company wrote down fixed assets, principally machinery and equipment, with a net book value of $1.0 million, at its Asia manufacturing facilities. The Company considered these fixed assets to be surplus equipment which was replaced by equipment with more advanced technology. |
(e) | Returns on average total assets and stockholders’ equity are computed for any year by dividing net income for such year by the average balances of total assets or stockholders’ equity on the last day of each quarter during such year and on the last day of the immediately preceding year. |
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes related thereto. The discussion of results, causes and trends should not be construed to imply any conclusion that such results, causes or trends will necessarily continue in the future.
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 and manufacturing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders from customers, projected customer requirements and the availability and pricing of raw materials. 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 3 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. Valuation allowances are provided for deferred tax assets where it is considered more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefit of such asset. In the ordinary course of a global business, the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain for many transactions. Effective January 1, 2007, uncertain tax positions are accounted for in accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”). 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. 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” and other relevant accounting literature. 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 $40.3 million (15.6%) in 2007. The loss of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.
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.
Our revenues are primarily driven by the designs of our products for customer applications and by working closely with our customer’s engineering staffs and aligning them with the industry standards committees and various integrated circuit (IC) manufacturers.
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 Asia 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’s sales increased by $4.2 million or 1.6% from 2006 to 2007. The increase in sales is primarily due to an increase in the Company’s power products revenue by $16.3 million from 2006 to 2007. The Company’s power products used mainly in data storage and super computer applications that had been in the design phase for the past two years went into production at large OEM customers in 2007, driving this increase in sales from 2006. This was offset by a decrease in ICM sales of $12.3 million from 2006 to 2007 as a result of the Company’s de-emphasizing certain lower margin business.
Gross profit margins were lower during 2007 compared to 2006, principally due to a change in the mix of product sales. Sales of the Company’s module products have increased by $20.7 million in 2007 as compared to 2006. 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.
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 year ended December 31, 2007, the expense for uncertain tax positions, including penalties and interest, was $0.6 million.
During 2007, the Company incurred severance and related expenses of approximately $0.8 million; wrote off approximately $0.1 million 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 $1.5 million; accrued $0.5 million of interest and penalties in connection with uncertain tax positions; and experienced a $1.0 million reduction in amortization of intangibles compared to 2006 due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized. Additionally, the Company realized a pretax gain from the sale of real estate in the amount of $5.5 million and a pretax gain from the sale of Toko common shares in the amount of $2.5 million.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the past three years, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.
| | Percentage of Net Sales | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Net sales | | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of sales | | | 78.3 | | | 75.7 | | | 72.3 | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | | 13.9 | | | 14.8 | | | 15.4 | |
Gain on sale of property, plant | | | | | | | | | | |
and equipment | | | (2.1 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 0.4 | | | - | |
Interest expense and other costs | | | | | | | | | | |
(interest income) | | | (1.6 | ) | | (1.1 | ) | | (0.5 | ) |
Gain on sale of marketable | | | | | | | | | | |
securities, net of impairment charge | | | (0.8 | ) | | (2.0 | ) | | - | |
Earnings before provision for | | | | | | | | | | |
income taxes | | | 12.2 | | | 12.2 | | | 12.8 | |
Income tax provision | | | 2.1 | | | 2.3 | | | 3.5 | |
Net earnings | | | 10.2 | | | 9.9 | | | 9.4 | |
The following table sets forth the year over year percentage increases or decreases of certain items included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.
| | Increase (Decrease) from Prior Period | |
| | 2007 compared with 2006 | | 2006 compared with 2005 | |
Net sales | | | 1.6 | % | | 18.1 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | | 5.2 | | | 23.6 | |
| | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | (4.5 | ) | | 14.0 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 4.5 | | | 24.6 | |
Sales
Net sales increased by $4.2 million or 1.6% from $254.9 million during 2006 to $259.1 million during 2007. The increase in sales is primarily due to an increase in the Company’s power products revenue by $16.3 million from 2006 to 2007. The Company’s power products used mainly in data storage and super computer applications that had been in the design phase for the past two years went into production at large OEM customers in 2007, driving this increase in sales from 2006. This was offset by a decrease in ICM sales of $12.3 million from 2006 to 2007 as a result of the Company’s de-emphasizing certain lower margin business.
The significant components of the Company's revenues for 2007 were magnetic products of $125.5 million (as compared with $141.5 million during 2006), interconnect products of $44.3 million (as compared with $44.5 million during 2006), module products of $70.2 million (as compared with $49.5 million during 2006), and circuit protection products of $19.1 million (as compared with $19.4 million during 2006.)
Based in part on conflicting opinions the Company received from customers and competitors in the electronics industry pertaining to revenue growth during 2007, the Company cannot predict with any degree of certainty sales revenue for 2008. Although the Company's backlog has been stable, the Company feels that such backlog is not a good indicator of revenues. The Company continues to have limited visibility as to future customer requirements. The Company had one customer with sales in excess of 10% (15.6%) of total sales during the year ended December 31, 2007. The loss of this customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
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.
Net sales increased by 18.1% from $215.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2005 to $254.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company attributes the increase to increased module sales of $21.3 million of which $3.4 million is attributable to the acquisition of Galaxy, which was included in our sales for a full year in 2006 as compared with nine months in 2005, strong demand for interconnect products resulting in an increase of $3.8 million in such sales, of which $1.2 million is attributable to the acquisition of Netwatch, and strong demand for magnetic sales resulting in an increase of $14.3 million in such sales, while circuit protection sales decreased by $0.4 million. Bel had an organic sales increase of 16.0% for the year.
The significant components of the Company's revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were magnetic products of $141.5 million (as compared with $127.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2005), interconnect products of $44.5 million (as compared with $40.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2005), module products of $49.5 million (as compared with $28.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2005) and circuit protection products of $19.4 million (as compared with $19.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2005).
During the fourth quarter of 2006, the Company experienced a decrease in sales compared to the third quarter of 2006 of approximately $12.7 million across almost all product lines. The Company attributes the decrease in sales to increased customer inventories and uncertainty by customers relating to inventory management practices related to the annual first quarter of 2007 Lunar New Year factory closedowns.
Cost of Sales
Bel generally enters into processing arrangements with five independent third party contractors in Asia. 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, Mexico and the Czech Republic.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 75.7% during the year ended December 31, 2006 to 78.3% during the year ended December 31, 2007. The increase in the cost of sales percentage is primarily attributable to the following:
· | The Company established a $1.2 million warranty accrual for a defective part, including a $0.4 million inventory write-off of materials on hand related to this matter which are deemed to be unusable. |
· | The Company incurred a 4.5% 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, gold and plastic resin and increased transportation costs. Since the majority of the manufacturing is conducted in Asia, the increased material costs negatively impact the Company’s operating profits in Asia. |
· | The Company is currently paying higher wage rates and benefits to its production workers in the PRC than it paid in prior periods. These higher rates and benefits are reflected in the Company’s cost of sales and result from new labor regulations and a continuing tightening of the labor market. |
· | Sales of the Company’s DC-DC power products have increased by $16.3 million in 2007 compared to 2006. 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 $7.2 million and $6.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in 2007 compared to 2006 was attributable to various factors including an increase in headcount at the Hangzhou research and development facility related to the DC-DC power products, an unfavorable change in associated exchange rates for research and development expenses in the PRC and United Kingdom, and general wage increases at the various research and development facilities.
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased from 72.3% during the year ended December 31, 2005 to 75.7% during the year ended December 31, 2006. The increase in the cost of sales percentage is primarily attributable to the same factors that led to the increase in the cost of sales as a percentage of net sales from 2006 to 2007, with the exception of the 2007 warranty accrual.
Included in cost of sales are research and development expenses of $6.6 million and $7.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The principal reason for the decrease is less research and development in the United States due to the consolidation of the Bel Power and the Galaxy facilities in Massachusetts. This was offset in part by increased expenses at the Company’s PRC research and development facility which has a lower cost structure.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses to net sales decreased from 14.8% during the year ended December 31, 2006 to 13.9% during the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006 was approximately $1.7 million. The decrease is principally attributed to the following:
| · | Legal and professional fees decreased by $1.0 million from 2006 principally due to the implementation of an internal audit and SOX function which reduced audit and external consultant fees significantly. |
| · | A reduction in depreciation and amortization expense of $0.7 million was primarily due to lower amortization of intangibles due to certain intangibles becoming fully amortized. |
| · | Sales commissions decreased by $0.3 million during 2007, due to higher sales volume in house accounts during 2007 as compared to 2006. In addition, there was a $0.2 million reduction in travel and tradeshow expenses in 2007. |
| · | Offsetting these factors in part, administrative salaries and related benefits increased by $0.5 million as a result of increased bonus expense in 2007. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company modified its bonus structure for 2008 such that bonuses are now earned based on performance and service during the fourth quarter of the previous calendar year and the first three quarters of the current calendar year, as opposed to the prior structure whereby it was based on performance and service of the four calendar quarters of the current year. This resulted in the Company recording bonus expense in 2007 for the 2007 calendar year, plus an additional accrual for the first quarter of the 2008 bonus period. Such additional accrual amounted to approximately $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2007. |
The percentage relationship of selling, general and administrative expenses to net sales decreased from 15.4% during the year ended December 31, 2005 to 14.8% during the year ended December 31, 2006, in part as a result of the Company's ability to leverage general and administrative expenses over a larger revenue base. The $4.6 million increase in the dollar amount of such expenses included increased selling expenses of approximately $1.4 million, including $.2 million in Bel Power related expenses. The $3.2 million increase in general and administrative expenses included $1.0 million related to Bel Power, additional salaries, wages and bonuses of $2.3 million, principally attributable to the $1.0 million bonus approved by the Board of Directors in connection with the gain from the sale of Artesyn stock, additional stock compensation expense of $.8 million, partially arising from the Company’s implementation of SFAS No. 123 (R) during 2006 (See below and Notes 1 and 10 of the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements), and additional professional fees of $1.0 million principally related to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance and legal expenses in connection with various lawsuits in which the Company is involved. These increases were offset in part by other net decreases in several expense accounts totaling $1.9 million.
Interest Income
Interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $1.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2007, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2006. Interest income earned on cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $1.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2006 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2005. The increases in both 2007 and 2006 were 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 $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2007 related primarily to the write off of financing expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s credit facility. During the year ended December 31, 2006, interest expense amounted to $0.1 million, representing financing expenses related to the Company's credit facility in the United States.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the interest expense of $0.3 million related to a $10 million term loan for the acquisition of Insilco's Passive Components Group. The loan bore interest at LIBOR plus 1.50%, payable quarterly, and was completely paid off by June 30, 2005.
Gain on Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company realized gains from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao in the amount of $5.5 million. The sale of the Company's real estate in Macao reflects the Company's decision to cease manufacturing in Macao and to consolidate manufacturing in larger more efficient facilities. During the fourth quarter of 2007 the Company ceased manufacturing in a small plant in the PRC.
Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities, net of Impairment Charge
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company realized gains from the sale of Toko common stock in the amount of $2.5 million, offset by an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $0.3 million related to its investment in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio. See the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 7. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company realized a gain principally from the sale of Artesyn common stock in the amount of $5.2 million.
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 year ended December 31, 2007 was $5.4 million compared to a $5.8 million provision for the year ended December 31, 2006. The Company's earnings before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2007 are approximately $0.7 million higher than in 2006. The Company’s effective tax rate, the income tax provision as a percentage of earnings before provision for income taxes, was 16.9% and 18.8% for the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. During 2007 certain statutes of limitations expired, which resulted in a reversal of certain liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $1.4 million. During 2007 a tax assessment was paid to the Inland Revenue Department (“IRD”) in Hong Kong in the amount of $3.8 million, which resulted in a reduction in the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $3.8 million. The payment of this Hong Kong IRD assessment resulted in higher foreign tax credits being available for U.S. tax purposes. This resulted in a $0.7 million reduction in the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions during the year ended December 31, 2007. Additionally, there were certain changes in estimates for prior year taxes, upon finalization of 2006 tax returns.
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $5.8 million compared to $7.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2005. The Company's earnings before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2006 were approximately $3.3 million higher than in 2005. During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company incurred lower taxes of approximately $1.7 million principally as a result of lower foreign taxes in Asia due to the implementation by the Company of its Macao Commercial Offshore Company (“MCO”), which is not subject to Macao corporate income taxes. This was offset in part by higher United States taxes resulting principally from the gain from the sale of marketable securities (Artesyn). This had an impact of reducing the effective tax rate from 27.0% for the year ended December 31, 2005 to 18.8% for the year ended December 31, 2006 (measured by reflecting the tax provision as a percentage of earnings before provision for income taxes). Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company repatriated $70.6 million of foreign earnings which resulted in higher taxes of $3.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2005.
The Company has the majority of its products manufactured on the mainland of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), and has not been subject to corporate income tax on manufacturing services provided by third parties in the PRC. The Company no longer conducts manufacturing activities in Hong Kong or Macau. 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 maximum corporate income tax rate of 12 percent. Since most of the Company's operations are conducted in Asia, the majority of its profits are sourced in these three jurisdictions in Asia. Accordingly, the profits earned in the U.S. are comparatively small in relation to its profits earned in Asia. 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 Asia, such funds would be subject to United States Federal income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2005, management repatriated foreign earnings of approximately $70.6 million which were eligible for the reduced tax rate of 5.25% under the American Jobs Creations Act of 2004. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $0.5 million in interest and penalties in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company has approximately $1.8 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2007, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet.
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 Company is currently being audited by the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation (“New Jersey”) for the years ended December 31, 2003 through 2006. This examination is in its early stages and to date no adjustments have been proposed by New Jersey.
During February 2008, the Company received correspondence from the State of California Franchise Tax Board. They are requesting copies of U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2005 and 2006 for further analysis to determine if the tax returns will be selected for audit.
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. However, the Chinese Renminbi has appreciated in value significantly during 2007 and 2006. Further appreciation of the Renminbi would result in the Company’s incurring higher costs for all expenses incurred in the PRC. Commencing with the Company’s acquisition of its Passive Components Group in 2005, 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 a currency exchange loss of ($0.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was charged to expense, and approximately $1.0 million, $0.4 million and ($0.7) million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, in unrealized exchange gains (losses) relating to the translation of foreign subsidiary financial statements which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized currency gains (losses) during the years ended December 31, 2007 or 2005 were not material. Any change in the linkage of the U.S. Dollar and the Hong Kong Dollar 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 at least the next twelve months. 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.
As of December 31, 2006, a $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. The loan was collateralized with a first priority security interest in 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company's material domestic subsidiaries and 65% of all the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of certain of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company. During February 2007, 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 December 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 had an unsecured line of credit of approximately $2 million, which was unused at December 31, 2007. The line of credit expires during July 2008. Borrowing on the line of credit was 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 the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded interest expense of approximately $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
For information regarding further commitments under the Company’s operating leases, see Note 15 of the Notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
The Company completed construction of a 117,000 square foot manufacturing facility, during November 2006, in Zhongshan City, PRC for approximately $1.3 million.
During May 2007, the Company sold a parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey for $6.0 million. The Company had previously estimated that approximately $0.8 million of the proceeds would be payable to the State of New Jersey as a portion of the property is subject to tideland claims. In December 2007, the Tidelands Resource Council voted to approve the Bureau of Tideland’s Management’s recommendation for a Statement of No Interest. As final approval of the Statement of No Interest is still pending, the Company has continued to defer the estimated gain on sale of the land, in the amount of $4.6 million. Of the $6.0 million sales price, the Company received cash of $1.5 million before closing costs, and $4.6 million (including interest) is being held in escrow pending final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland claim and certain environmental costs the Company is liable for in the maximum amount of $0.4 million. The Company anticipates resolution of this sale, release of the escrow and corresponding guarantees and recognition of the gain during fiscal 2008. As the timing of the release of the escrow of $4.6 million is not under the Company’s control, it has been classified in non-current assets as restricted cash and the deferred gain of $4.6 million has been classified in deferred gain on the sale of property in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007. Additionally, the Company realized a $5.5 million pre-tax gain from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao during the year ended December 31, 2007.
At December 31, 2007, the Company has an investment consisting of a private placement of units of beneficial interest in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio (the “Columbia Portfolio”), which is an enhanced cash fund sold as an alternative to money-market funds. Since June 2007, the Company has invested a portion of its cash balances on hand in this fund; during the second and third quarters of 2007, the amounts were appropriately classified as cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet as the fund was considered both short-term and highly liquid in nature. These investments are subject to credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risk. For example, the Columbia Portfolio includes investments in certain asset backed securities and structured investment vehicles that are collateralized by sub-prime mortgage securities or related to mortgage securities, among other assets. As a result of adverse market conditions that have unfavorably affected the fair value and liquidity availability of collateral underlying the Columbia Portfolio, the Columbia Portfolio was overwhelmed with withdrawal requests from investors and it was closed with a restriction placed upon the cash redemption ability of its holders in the fourth quarter of 2007. At that time, the Company had $25.7 million invested in this fund, including $0.7 million of reinvested interest. As such, the Company redesignated the Columbia Portfolio units from cash equivalents to short-term investments or long-term investments based upon the liquidation schedule provided by the fund in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007.
On December 21, 2007, the Company received a cash payment of $2.3 million as redemption for 2,311,635 shares (9%). A realized loss of less than $0.1 million was recorded and is included in Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities, net in the accompanying Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, the closing net asset value (“NAV”) of the Columbia Portfolio was $0.9874. Subsequent to the Company’s December 31, 2007 year end and through February 29, 2008, the Company has received additional cash redemptions of $7.8 million at approximately $.9857 per unit.
As a result of these circumstances, the Company deemed a portion of its carrying value in the Columbia Portfolio to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2007. Accordingly, the Company wrote down the carrying value of the investments to their then current market value at December 31, 2007 and the reduction in value of $0.3 million was recorded as an impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2007. This is included in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. Information and the markets relating to these investment remain dynamic, and there may be further declines in the value of these investments, the value of the collateral held by these entities, and the liquidity of the Company’s investments. To the extent the Company determines there is a further decline in fair value, the Company may recognize additional impairment charges in future periods up to the aggregate amount of these investments.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company owned a total of 1,840,919 shares, or approximately 1.9% of the outstanding shares, of the common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total cost of $5.6 million. Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $172.9 million as of December 31, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets 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 December 31, 2007, the Company has recorded an unrealized loss, net of income tax benefit, of approximately $1.5 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. The Company’s investment in Toko has been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. In accordance with FASB Staff Position Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”, the Company periodically reviews its marketable securities and determines whether the investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviewed various factors in making its determination, including volatility of the Toko share price over the last year, Toko’s recent financial results and the Company’s intention and ability to hold the investment. The Toko share price has been extremely volatile over the last year, ranging from $1.22 - $4.20 (the Company’s cost basis in its remaining shares of Toko stock is $3.07 per share). As discussed below, in the second quarter of 2007, a gain was recognized on the disposition of the majority of the Company’s holdings of Toko stock. Toko recently issued its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and it showed a quarter over quarter increase in sales of 5.6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 and increased profitability. The Company has the intention and the ability to hold the investment until it is in a gain position. As a result of these factors, management believes that the investment in Toko is not other-than-temporarily impaired.
During April 2007, the Company sold 4,034,000 shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain of approximately $2.5 million, net of investment banker fees and other expenses in the amount of $0.8 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $0.5 million in connection with this gain which were paid in January 2008. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million has been classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
During 2004, the Company acquired a total of 2,037,500 shares of the common stock of Artesyn Technologies, Inc. (“Artesyn”) at a total purchase price of $16.3 million. On April 28, 2006, Artesyn was acquired by Emerson Network Power for $11.00 per share in cash. During the second quarter of 2006, in connection with the Company's sale of its Artesyn common stock, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $5.2 million, net of investment banker advisory fees of $0.9 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $1.0 million in connection with the gain. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million was classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, and was paid to key employees in January 2007.
On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it had acquired 4,370,052 shares of Power-One, Inc. (“Power-One”) common stock representing, to the Company’s knowledge, 5% of Power-One’s outstanding common stock, at a total purchase price of $10.1 million. Power-One’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. Power-One is a designer and manufacturer of power conversion and power management products.
During 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up to ten percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common shares at a cost of approximately $.8 million and had purchased and retired 160,033 Class A common shares at a cost of approximately $5.7 million. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2007 and 160,033 Class A shares were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2007. During January 2008, the Company purchased an additional 12,207 Class A common shares at a cost of $0.4 million.
During July 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an increase in the dividends by $.02 per share per quarter for both Class A and B common shares effective with the November 2007 dividend payment. As such, on November 1, 2007, the Company paid a $0.06 and $0.07 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at October 15, 2007 of Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively, in the total amount of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company's cash and cash equivalents increased by $7.1 million, reflecting approximately $19.8 million provided by operating activities (principally as a result of net income of $26.3 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $7.9 million offset principally by $7.6 million from gains on sale of marketable securities and property, plant and equipment and changes in deferred income taxes of $2.0 million), offset by approximately $6.5 million used in investing activities (primarily as a result of the redesignation of the Columbia Portfolio funds of $25.7 million from a cash equivalent to an investment, $11.8 million used for purchases of marketable securities and $9.2 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment offset, in part, by $26.7 million from the sale of marketable securities and $11.3 million from the sale of property, plant and equipment) and approximately $6.6 million used in financing activities (principally reflecting $5.7 million for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock and $2.5 million for payments of dividends, partially offset by $1.5 million from the exercise of stock options).
During the year ended December 31, 2006, the Company's cash and cash equivalents increased by approximately $24.8 million, reflecting approximately $19.0 million provided by operating activities (principally as a result of net income of $25.2 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $9.0 million offset in part by a gain on the sale of marketable securities of $5.1 million), proceeds of $24.5 million from the sale of marketable securities and proceeds of $3.2 million from the exercise of stock options, offset in part by expenditures of $9.4 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, $7.0 million used principally for acquisitions, $3.6 million for the purchase of marketable securities and $2.2 million for payments of dividends.
During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company's cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $19.2 million, reflecting approximately $20.8 million used principally for acquisitions, $19.4 million for loan repayments, $18.0 million for the purchase of marketable securities, $7.7 million for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, and $2.2 million for payments of dividends, offset, in part, by $31.3 million provided by operating activities (principally as a result of net income of $20.2 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $10.1 million), borrowings of $12.0 million, proceeds of $4.1 million from the exercise of stock options and $1.6 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities.
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, short-term investments and accounts receivable comprised approximately 54.4% and 50.7% of the Company's total assets at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively. The Company's current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 6.2 to 1 and 4.5 to 1 at December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively.
Accounts receivable, net of allowances, were $52.2 million at December 31, 2007, as compared with $43.8 million at December 31, 2006. The increase in accounts receivable is primarily due to a 14.5% increase in fourth quarter sales for 2007 as compared to 2006. The Company’s days sales outstanding (DSO) has remained consistent from last year. Inventories were $39.0 million at December 31, 2007, as compared with $46.3 million at December 31, 2006. Inventory levels at December 31, 2007 were lower due to high demand leading up to the Lunar New Year holidays in the PRC. Short-term investments were $20.5 million at December 31, 2007 as compared with $0 at December 31, 2006. This increase relates to the redesignation of the Company’s investment in the Columbia Portfolio from a cash equivalent to an investment as previously discussed in this section. Income taxes payable was $4.0 million at December 31, 2007 as compared with $11.1 million at December 31, 2006. With the adoption of FIN 48, a portion of the income taxes payable which related to the liability for uncertain tax positions was reclassified to a long-term liability.
The following table sets forth at December 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 $2.3 million included in income taxes payable and $6.9 million included in liability for uncertain tax positions, as of December 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 | | $ | 4,546 | | $ | 4,546 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
Operating leases | | | 5,255 | | | 1,595 | | | 1,899 | | | 1,317 | | | 444 | |
Raw material purchase obligations | | | 22,309 | | | 22,309 | | | - | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 32,110 | | $ | 28,450 | | $ | 1,899 | | $ | 1,317 | | $ | 444 | |
The Company is required to pay SERP obligations at the occurrence of certain events. As of December 31, 2007, the SERP had an unfunded benefit obligation of approximately $1.2 million, net of deferred income tax benefit. The gross minimum pension obligation and unfunded benefit obligation in the amount of $4.7 million is included in long-term liabilities as an unfunded pension obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in other assets at December 31, 2007 are marketable securities with an estimated value of $4.9 million, which have been designated by the Company to be utilized to fund the Company’s SERP obligations.
Other Matters
The Company believes that it has sufficient cash reserves to fund its foreseeable working capital needs. It may, however, seek to expand such resources through bank borrowings, at favorable lending rates, from time to time. If the Company were to undertake a substantial acquisition for cash, the acquisition would likely need to be financed in part through bank borrowings or the issuance of public or private debt or equity. If the Company borrows money to finance acquisitions, this would likely decrease the Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other leverage criteria and could result in the imposition of material restrictive covenants. Under its existing credit facility, the Company is required to obtain its lender’s consent for certain additional debt financing, to comply with other covenants including the application of specific financial ratios, and may be restricted from paying cash dividends on its common stock. The Company cannot assure that the necessary acquisition financing would be available to it on acceptable terms, or at all, when required. If the Company issues a substantial amount of stock either as consideration in an acquisition or to finance an acquisition, such issuance may dilute existing stockholders and may take the form of capital stock having preferences over its existing common stock.
New Financial Accounting Standards
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” ("FIN 48"). The interpretation requires a two step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits based on a recognition threshold of “more likely than not”. The FASB also requires explicit disclosures about uncertainties in tax positions including a detailed rollforward of tax benefits that do not qualify for financial statement recognition. The adoption of FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On January 1, 2007, the Company implemented FIN 48. At that date, the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions amounted to $12.4 million, of which $7.2 million was classified as a noncurrent liability and the remainder was classified as a current liability as a component of income tax payable. There was no charge to equity upon adoption. For additional information regarding the accounting treatment and effect of FIN 48, see Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans”, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). SFAS 158 requires employers to recognize their defined benefit plans’ overfunded or underfunded status in their balance sheets, requires employers to measure plan assets and plan obligations as of the balance sheet date, immediately recognize any remaining transition obligation currently being deferred, and recognize actuarial gains and losses through other comprehensive income. The statement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. For additional information regarding the accounting treatment and effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of SFAS No. 158, see Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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, as amended by FASB Staff Position 157-2, is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, 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 does not believe that SFAS 159 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 07-3, "Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services Received for Use in Future Research and Development Activities," which is effective for calendar year companies on January 1, 2008. The Task Force concluded that nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized. Such amounts should be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be provided. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of implementing this standard.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141 “Business Combinations”. This Statement is intended to improve the relevance, completeness and representational faithfulness of the information provided in financial reports about the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in a business combination. This Statement requires an acquirer to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the Statement. Under SFAS 141(R), acquisition-related costs, including restructuring costs, must be recognized separately from the acquisition and will generally be expensed as incurred. That replaces SFAS 141’s cost-allocation process, which required the cost of an acquisition to be allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. SFAS 141(R) shall be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual report period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company will implement this Statement in 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160 (“SFAS 160”) “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”, which is effective on January 1, 2009 for calendar year companies. SFAS 160 amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also amends certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141(R). The Company does not believe that SFAS 160 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
Item 7A. 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. At December 31, 2007, two of the Company’s investments - the Company’s investment in Toko stock and the Company’s investment in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio (the “Columbia Portfolio”) have been subject to recent market declines and if this trend continues, it could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations. If the per share fair market value of the remaining 1.8 million shares of Toko stock were to decrease by $0.18 per share (10% of the December 31, 2007 Toko stock price), this would result in an additional unrealized loss of $0.3 million. This investment has been in a loss position since April 2007. While the Company has the ability and intent to hold the stock for an indefinite period of time, if the stock price does not regain a positive position within the next three to six months, this investment may be deemed other-than-temporarily impaired. This would result in recognition of a realized loss on the Toko investment (the associated pre-tax unrealized loss at December 31, 2007 is $2.4 million). The Company’s investment in the Columbia portfolio has also been sensitive to the recent market decline. In December 2007, the Company was notified that its $25.7 million investment in the Columbia Portfolio was being liquidated and that the fund was converting from a fixed net asset value (“NAV”) to a floating NAV, which resulted in the Company’s recording a $0.3 million impairment charge. See Note 4 of the Notes to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has a total of $23.1 million invested in the Columbia portfolio. If the NAV were to decline by 0.0987 (10% of the NAV of $0.9874 at December 31, 2007), the net impact to the Company’s results of operations and cash flows would be a decrease of income before provision for income taxes and cash flows from operating activities of approximately $2.3 million.
The Company enters into transactions denominated in U.S. Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, the Macao Pataca, the Chinese Renminbi, Euros, British Pounds and the Czech Koruna. 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 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements for the information required by this item.
BEL FUSE INC. |
INDEX |
| | |
Financial Statements | | Page |
| | |
Report of Independent Registered | | |
Public Accounting Firm | | F-1 - F-2 |
| | |
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of | | |
December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | F-3 - F-4 |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Operations for Each | | |
of the Three Years in the Period Ended | | |
December 31, 2007 | | F-5 |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity | | |
for Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended | | |
December 31, 2007 | | F-6 - F-7 |
| | |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for | | |
Each of the Three Years in the Period Ended | | |
December 31, 2007 | | F-8 - F-10 |
| | |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | F-11 - F-44 |
| | |
Condensed Selected Quarterly Financial Data - | | |
Years Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | |
(Unaudited) | | F-45 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Bel Fuse Inc.
Jersey City, New Jersey
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule, and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
As discussed in Note 1 and Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” effective January 1, 2007. In addition, as discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R),” effective December 31, 2006 and SFAS No. 123(R), “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
March 14, 2008
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
ASSETS | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 83,875 | | $ | 76,761 | |
Marketable securities | | | 3,273 | | | 15,576 | |
Short-term investment | | | 20,542 | | | - | |
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful | | | | | | | |
accounts of $977 and $1,087 at December 31, | | | | | | | |
2007 and 2006, respectively | | | 52,217 | | | 43,766 | |
Inventories | | | 39,049 | | | 46,297 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current | | | | | | | |
assets | | | 1,446 | | | 1,382 | |
Refundable income taxes | | | 3,168 | | | - | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 2,661 | | | 1,666 | |
Assets held for sale | | | - | | | 848 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Current Assets | | | 206,231 | | | 186,296 | |
| | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment - net | | | 41,113 | | | 44,289 | |
| | | | | | | |
Restricted cash | | | 4,553 | | | - | |
Long-term investment | | | 2,536 | | | - | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 4,364 | | | 3,425 | |
Intangible assets - net | | | 1,181 | | | 1,892 | |
Goodwill | | | 28,447 | | | 28,117 | |
Other assets | | | 5,435 | | | 4,478 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 293,860 | | $ | 268,497 | |
| | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS |
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) |
| | | | | |
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 16,145 | | $ | 17,245 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 12,113 | | | 12,713 | |
Income taxes payable | | | 4,007 | | | 11,094 | |
Dividends payable | | | 795 | | | 567 | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 33,060 | | | 41,619 | |
| | | | | | | |
Long-term Liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Deferred gain on sale of property | | | 4,645 | | | - | |
Liability for uncertain tax positions | | | 6,930 | | | - | |
Minimum pension obligation and | | | | | | | |
unfunded pension liability | | | 4,698 | | | 4,728 | |
Total Long-term Liabilities | | | 16,273 | | | 4,728 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 49,333 | | | 46,347 | |
| | | | | | | |
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 | | | | | | | |
2,545,644 and 2,702,677 shares, respectively | | | | | | | |
(net of 1,072,770 treasury shares) | | | 255 | | | 270 | |
Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share - | | | | | | | |
authorized 30,000,000 shares; outstanding | | | | | | | |
9,286,627 and 9,167,665 shares, respectively | | | | | | | |
(net of 3,218,310 treasury shares) | | | 929 | | | 917 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 29,107 | | | 31,826 | |
Retained earnings | | | 214,580 | | | 190,953 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (344 | ) | | (1,816 | ) |
Total Stockholders' Equity | | | 244,527 | | | 222,150 | |
| | | | | | | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND | | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | | $ | 293,860 | | $ | 268,497 | |
| | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) |
| | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | | |
Net Sales | | $ | 259,137 | | $ | 254,933 | | $ | 215,916 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of sales | | | 203,007 | | | 192,985 | | | 156,147 | |
Selling, general and administrative | | | 36,117 | | | 37,800 | | | 33,152 | |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | (5,499 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 1,030 | | | - | |
| | | 233,625 | | | 231,815 | | | 189,299 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income from operations | | | 25,512 | | | 23,118 | | | 26,617 | |
Interest expense and other costs | | | (123 | ) | | (71 | ) | | (325 | ) |
Gain on sale of marketable securities, net of impairment | | | 2,146 | | | 5,150 | | | - | |
Interest income | | | 4,169 | | | 2,851 | | | 1,423 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings before provision for income taxes | | | 31,704 | | | 31,048 | | | 27,715 | |
Income tax provision | | | 5,368 | | | 5,845 | | | 7,482 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 26,336 | | $ | 25,203 | | $ | 20,233 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class A common share | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 2.11 | | $ | 2.03 | | $ | 1.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted | | $ | 2.11 | | $ | 2.03 | | $ | 1.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class A common shares | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding - basic | | | 2,637,409 | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class A common shares | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding - diluted | | | 2,637,409 | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class B common share | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 2.25 | | $ | 2.16 | | $ | 1.79 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted | | $ | 2.24 | | $ | 2.15 | | $ | 1.77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class B common shares | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding - basic | | | 9,244,198 | | | 9,104,897 | | | 8,807,498 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average Class B common shares | | | | | | | | | | |
outstanding - diluted | | | 9,266,016 | | | 9,149,445 | | | 8,890,581 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
(dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Compre- | | | | Other | | Class A | | Class B | | Additional | | Stock- | |
| | | | hensive | | Retained | | Comprehensive | | Common | | Common | | Paid-In | | Based | |
| | Total | | Income | | Earnings | | Income (loss) | | Stock | | Stock | | Capital | | Compensation | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 1, 2005 | | $ | 178,461 | | | | | $ | 149,949 | | $ | 5,387 | | $ | 270 | | $ | 866 | | $ | 21,989 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | | | 4,116 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | 4,096 | | | | |
Tax benefits arising from the disposition of non-qualified incentive stock options | | | 430 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 430 | | | - | |
Cash dividends declared on Class A common stock | | | (431 | ) | | | | | (431 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared on Class B common stock | | | (1,760 | ) | | | | | (1,760 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of restricted common stock | | | 5,214 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | 5,199 | | | | |
Deferred stock-based compensation | | | (3,742 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (3,742 | ) |
Currency translation adjustment | | | (669 | ) | $ | (669 | ) | | | | | (669 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities - net of taxes | | | (454 | ) | | (454 | ) | | | | | (454 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 179 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 179 | |
Net earnings | | | 20,233 | | | 20,233 | | | 20,233 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | $ | 19,110 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2005 | | | 201,577 | | | | | | 167,991 | | | 4,264 | | | 270 | | | 901 | | | 31,714 | | | (3,563 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | | | 3,187 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | | 3,173 | | | | |
Tax benefits arising from the disposition of non-qualified incentive stock options | | | 336 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 336 | | | - | |
Cash dividends declared on Class A common stock | | | (431 | ) | | | | | (431 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared on Class B common stock | | | (1,810 | ) | | | | | (1,810 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of restricted common stock | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | | (2 | ) | | | |
Deferred stock-based compensation | | | (1,403 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1,403 | ) | | - | |
Currency translation adjustment | | | 387 | | $ | 387 | | | | | | 387 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Change in unrealized gain or loss on marketable securities - net of taxes | | | (4,820 | ) | | (4,820 | ) | | | | | (4,820 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 1,571 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,571 | | | - | |
Adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R) | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,563 | ) | | 3,563 | |
Unfunded SERP liability-net of taxes upon adoption of SFAS No. 158 | | | (1,647 | ) | | | | | | | | (1,647 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 25,203 | | | 25,203 | | | 25,203 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | $ | 20,770 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | | | 222,150 | | | | | | 190,953 | | | (1,816 | ) | | 270 | | | 917 | | | 31,826 | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | Accumulated | | | | | | | |
| | | | Compre- | | | | Other | | Class A | | Class B | | Additional | |
| | | | hensive | | Retained | | Comprehensive | | Common | | Common | | Paid-In | |
| | Total | | Income | | Earnings | | Income (loss) | | Stock | | Stock | | Capital | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | | $ | 222,150 | | | | | $ | 190,953 | | $ | (1,816 | ) | $ | 270 | | $ | 917 | | $ | 31,826 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exercise of stock options | | | 1,452 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | | | 1,446 | |
Tax benefits arising from the disposition of non-qualified incentive stock options | | | 149 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 149 | |
Cash dividends declared on Class A common stock | | | (534 | ) | | | | | (534 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared on Class B common stock | | | (2,175 | ) | | | | | (2,175 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuance of restricted common stock | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 | | | (7 | ) |
Termination of restricted common stock | | | - | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (1 | ) | | 1 | |
Repurchase/retirement of Class A common stock | | | (5,733 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | (15 | ) | | | | | (5,718 | ) |
Currency translation adjustment | | | 960 | | | 960 | | | | | | 960 | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securites arising during the year, net of taxes | | | 2,077 | | | 2,077 | | | | | | 2,077 | | | | | | | | | | |
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings, net of taxes | | | (2,058 | ) | | (2,058 | ) | | | | | (2,058 | ) | | | | | | | | | |
Stock-based compensation expense | | | 1,410 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1,410 | |
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes | | | 493 | | | 493 | | | | | | 493 | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 26,336 | | | 26,336 | | | 26,336 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive income | | | | | $ | 27,808 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | �� | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2007 | | $ | 244,527 | | | | | $ | 214,580 | | $ | (344 | ) | $ | 255 | | $ | 929 | | $ | 29,107 | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS |
(dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 26,336 | | $ | 25,203 | | $ | 20,233 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net | | | | | | | | | | |
cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 7,921 | | | 9,027 | | | 10,104 | |
Casualty loss | | | - | | | 1,030 | | | - | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 1,465 | | | 1,571 | | | 248 | |
Excess tax benefits from share-based | | | | | | | | | | |
payment arrangements | | | (149 | ) | | (336 | ) | | - | |
Gain on sale of marketable securities, net of | | | | | | | | | | |
impairment charge in 2007 of $294 | | | (2,146 | ) | | (5,150 | ) | | - | |
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment | | | (5,499 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Other, net | | | 207 | | | 678 | | | 1,464 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (2,039 | ) | | (988 | ) | | (3,602 | ) |
Changes in operating assets | | | | | | | | | | |
and liabilities (net of acquisitions) | | | (6,250 | ) | | (12,003 | ) | | 2,825 | |
Net Cash Provided by | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Activities | | | 19,846 | | | 19,032 | | | 31,272 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | | | (9,169 | ) | | (9,364 | ) | | (7,746 | ) |
Purchase of intangible asset | | | (100 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Purchase of marketable securities | | | (11,801 | ) | | (3,634 | ) | | (17,999 | ) |
Redesignation of cash equivalent to | | | | | | | | | | |
investment (Note 4) | | | (25,684 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Redemption of investment | | | 2,284 | | | - | | | - | |
Payment of investment banking advisory fee | | | - | | | (300 | ) | | - | |
Payment for acquisitions - net of cash acquired | | | - | | | (6,961 | ) | | (20,807 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities | | | 26,647 | | | 24,490 | | | 1,622 | |
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | | | 11,332 | | | - | | | 253 | |
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by | | | | | | | | | | |
Investing Activities | | | (6,491 | ) | | 4,231 | | | (44,677 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued) |
(dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from borrowings | | | - | | | - | | | 12,000 | |
Loan repayments | | | - | | | - | | | (19,361 | ) |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | | 1,452 | | | 3,187 | | | 4,116 | |
Dividends paid to common shareholders | | | (2,473 | ) | | (2,223 | ) | | (2,183 | ) |
Purchase and retirement of Class A | | | | | | | | | | |
common stock | | | (5,733 | ) | | - | | | - | |
Excess tax benefits from share-based | | | | | | | | | | |
payment arrangements | | | 149 | | | 336 | | | - | |
Net Cash (Used In) Provided by | | | | | | | | | | |
Financing Activities | | | (6,605 | ) | | 1,300 | | | (5,428 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 364 | | | 200 | | | (367 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net Increase (decrease) in | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | 7,114 | | | 24,763 | | | (19,200 | ) |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | | | | |
- beginning of year | | | 76,761 | | | 51,998 | | | 71,198 | |
Cash and Cash Equivalents | | | | | | | | | | |
- end of year | | $ | 83,875 | | $ | 76,761 | | $ | 51,998 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Changes in operating assets | | | | | | | | | | |
and liabilities (net of acquisitions) consist of: | | | | | | | | | | |
Increase in accounts | | | | | | | | | | |
receivable | | $ | (7,934 | ) | $ | (4,280 | ) | $ | (2,638 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in inventories | | | 7,482 | | | (13,501 | ) | | (1,145 | ) |
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
and other current assets | | | (1 | ) | | 288 | | | 809 | |
Increase in other assets | | | (1,135 | ) | | (499 | ) | | (384 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable | | | (1,184 | ) | | 2,658 | | | 3,630 | |
(Decrease) increase in income taxes | | | (3,194 | ) | | 1,590 | | | 3,072 | |
(Decrease) increase in | | | | | | | | | | |
accrued expenses | | | (284 | ) | | 1,741 | | | (519 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (6,250 | ) | $ | (12,003 | ) | $ | 2,825 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Concluded) |
(dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
| | | | | | | |
Supplementary information: | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the year for: | | | | | | | | | | |
Income taxes | | $ | 10,809 | | $ | 4,451 | | $ | 6,578 | |
Interest | | $ | - | | $ | 71 | | $ | 325 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Details of acquisitions: | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of assets acquired (excluding | | | | | | | | | | |
cash acquired of $312 in 2005) | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 6,077 | |
Intangibles | | | - | | | 447 | | | 2,658 | |
Goodwill | | | - | | | 6,000 | | | 12,546 | |
| | | - | | | 6,447 | | | 21,281 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Amounts paid (held back) on | | | | | | | | | | |
acquisition payment | | | - | | | 514 | | | (474 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid for acquisitions | | $ | - | | $ | 6,961 | | $ | 20,807 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See notes to consolidated financial statements. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005
1. 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 December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, cash equivalents approximated $33.4 million and $35.8 million, respectively.
MARKETABLE SECURITIES - The Company generally 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. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Staff Position Nos. FAS 115-1 and FAS 124-1 “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (“FSP 115-1”), the Company periodically reviews its marketable securities and determines whether the investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. If the investments are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired, the investments are written down to their then current fair market value. See Note 4 for further discussion regarding an impairment charge taken in the fourth quarter of 2007.
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 currently 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. Effective January 1, 2009, acquisition-related costs, including restructuring costs, will be recognized separately from the acquisition and will generally be expensed as incurred in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141(R), “Business Combinations”.
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 losses were ($0.2) million for the year ended December 31, 2006, and have been expensed as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Realized foreign currency gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2007 or 2005 were not material.
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. In December 2007, the Company was notified that a $25.7 million investment in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio was being liquidated and the fund was converting from a fixed net asset value (NAV) to a floating NAV. As a result, the Company recorded a $0.3 million impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2007. See Note 4 for additional information regarding this liquidation.
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. DDP is defined as Delivered Duty Paid by the Company and DDU is Delivered Duty Unpaid by the Company.
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, 2006 and 2005, inventory on consignment was immaterial.
The Company typically has a twelve-month warranty policy for workmanship defects. During June 2007, the Company established a warranty accrual related to certain defective parts sold to a customer primarily within the same quarter, which the Company is replacing, in the amount of approximately $1.2 million, which included a $0.4 million inventory write off of inventory on hand. Such accrual has been classified within cost of sales. As of December 31, 2007, the Company has a remaining warranty accrual related to these defective parts in the amount of $0.9 million. The Company believes that this liability will be utilized in 2008. As the Company has not historically had significant warranty claims, 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 sales and provided for at the time revenue is recognized.
GOODWILL - The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually during the 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. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The principal items giving rise to deferred taxes are deferred gains on property sales, unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities available for sale, foreign tax credits, 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 8 for further discussion.
EARNINGS PER SHARE - The Company utilizes the two-class method to report its earnings per share. 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 dividends declared to Class A and Class B based on amounts actually declared for each class of stock and 5% more of the undistributed earnings have been allocated to Class B shares than to the Class A shares on a per share basis. 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.
The earnings and weighted average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data):
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | $ | 26,336 | | $ | 25,203 | | $ | 20,233 | |
Less Dividends declared: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | | 534 | | | 431 | | | 431 | |
Class B (1) | | | 2,217 | | | 1,810 | | | 1,760 | |
Undistributed earnings | | $ | 23,585 | | $ | 22,962 | | $ | 18,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Undistributed earnings allocation - basic: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A undistributed earnings | | $ | 5,039 | | $ | 5,061 | | $ | 4,080 | |
Class B undistributed earnings | | | 18,546 | | | 17,901 | | | 13,962 | |
Total undistributed earnings | | $ | 23,585 | | $ | 22,962 | | $ | 18,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Undistributed earnings allocation - diluted: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A undistributed earnings | | $ | 5,030 | | $ | 5,041 | | $ | 4,051 | |
Class B undistributed earnings | | | 18,555 | | | 17,921 | | | 13,991 | |
Total undistributed earnings | | $ | 23,585 | | $ | 22,962 | | $ | 18,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings allocation - basic: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A undistributed earnings | | $ | 5,573 | | $ | 5,492 | | $ | 4,511 | |
Class B undistributed earnings | | | 20,763 | | | 19,711 | | | 15,722 | |
Net earnings | | $ | 26,336 | | $ | 25,203 | | $ | 20,233 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings allocation - diluted: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A undistributed earnings | | $ | 5,564 | | $ | 5,472 | | $ | 4,482 | |
Class B undistributed earnings | | | 20,772 | | | 19,731 | | | 15,751 | |
Net earnings | | $ | 26,336 | | $ | 25,203 | | $ | 20,233 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A - basic and diluted | | | 2,637,409 | | | 2,702,677 | | | 2,702,677 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Class B - basic | | | 9,244,198 | | | 9,104,897 | | | 8,807,498 | |
Dilutive impact of stock options and | | | | | | | | | | |
unvested restricted stock awards | | | 21,818 | | | 44,548 | | | 83,083 | |
Class B - diluted | | | 9,266,016 | | | 9,149,445 | | | 8,890,581 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per share: | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A - basic | | $ | 2.11 | | $ | 2.03 | | $ | 1.67 | |
Class A - diluted | | $ | 2.11 | | $ | 2.03 | | $ | 1.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Class B - basic | | $ | 2.25 | | $ | 2.16 | | $ | 1.79 | |
Class B - diluted | | $ | 2.24 | | $ | 2.15 | | $ | 1.77 | |
(1) | Includes dividends on restricted shares which were expensed in the fourth quarter of 2007 |
During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, 14,000, 14,000, and 20,000 outstanding options were not included in the foregoing computations for Class B common shares because they were antidilutive.
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 SFAS No. 123 (R), "Share-Based Payment". The Company adopted SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective method. Under modified prospective application, SFAS 123(R) 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 SFAS 123(R) using the attribution method that was used under SFAS 123, except that the method of recognizing forfeitures only as they occur was not continued.
During the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company issued 74,200, 21,600 and 152,400 class B common shares, respectively, under a restricted stock plan to various employees and directors. For additional information regarding the accounting treatment and effect on the Consolidated Financial Statements see Note 13 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Prior to January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock option grants issued to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees", and had adopted the disclosure only requirements of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation", as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123”. As such, for periods prior to January 1, 2006, the Company presents pro forma net earnings and earnings per share as if the fair-value-based method of accounting had been applied under SFAS No. 123 (dollars in thousands, except per share data).
| | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2005 | |
Net earnings - as reported | | $ | 20,233 | |
Add: Stock-based compensation | | | | |
expense included in net earnings, | | | | |
net of taxes, as reported | | | 179 | |
Deduct: Total stock-based | | | | |
employee compensation expense | | | | |
determined under fair value based | | | | |
method for all awards, | | | | |
net of taxes | | | (643 | ) |
Net earnings- pro forma | | $ | 19,769 | |
Earnings per Class A common share - | | | | |
basic-as reported | | $ | 1.67 | |
Earnings per Class A common share - | | | | |
basic-pro forma | | $ | 1.63 | |
Earnings per Class A common share - | | | | |
diluted-as reported | | $ | 1.67 | |
Earnings per Class A common share - | | | | |
diluted-pro forma | | $ | 1.63 | |
Earnings per Class B common share - | | | | |
basic-as reported | | $ | 1.79 | |
Earnings per Class B common share - | | | | |
basic-pro forma | | $ | 1.74 | |
Earnings per Class B common share - | | | | |
diluted-as reported | | $ | 1.77 | |
Earnings per Class B common share - | | | | |
diluted-pro forma | | $ | 1.73 | |
No options were granted during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005.
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 years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $7.2 million, $6.6 million and $7.3 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.
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 approximates fair value because of the short maturities of such instruments.
RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current year presentation, principally in the detailed disclosures within the footnote pertaining to Property, Plant and Equipment.
NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” ("FIN 48"). The interpretation requires a two step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits based on a recognition threshold of “more likely than not”. The FASB also requires explicit disclosures about uncertainties in tax positions including a detailed rollforward of tax benefits that do not qualify for financial statement recognition. The adoption of FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. On January 1, 2007, the Company implemented FIN 48. At that date, the Company’s liability for uncertain tax positions amounted to $12.4 million, of which $7.2 million was classified as a noncurrent liability and the remainder was classified as a current liability as a component of income tax payable. There was no charge to equity upon adoption. For additional information regarding the accounting treatment and effect of FIN 48, see Note 8 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans”, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). SFAS 158 requires employers to recognize their defined benefit plans’ overfunded or underfunded status in their balance sheets, requires employers to measure plan assets and plan obligations as of the balance sheet date, immediately recognize any remaining transition obligation currently being deferred, and recognize actuarial gains and losses through other comprehensive income. The statement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. For additional information regarding the accounting treatment and effect on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of SFAS No. 158, see Note 12 of Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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, as amended by FASB Staff Position 157-2, is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, 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 does not believe that SFAS No. 159 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB issued EITF Issue No. 07-3, "Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services Received for Use in Future Research and Development Activities," which is effective for calendar year companies on January 1, 2008. The Task Force concluded that nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services that will be used or rendered for future research and development activities should be deferred and capitalized. Such amounts should be recognized as an expense as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed, or when the goods or services are no longer expected to be provided. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of implementing this standard.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), which replaces SFAS 141 “Business Combinations”. This statement is intended to improve the relevance, completeness and representational faithfulness of the information provided in financial reports about the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in a business combination. This Statement requires an acquiror to recognize the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date, with limited exceptions specified in the Statement. Under SFAS 141(R), acquisition-related costs, including restructuring costs, must be recognized separately from the acquisition and will generally be expensed as incurred. That replaces SFAS 141’s cost-allocation process, which required the cost of an acquisition to be allocated to the individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. SFAS 141(R) shall be applied prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual report period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company will implement this statement in 2009.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160 (“SFAS 160”) “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements”, which is effective on January 1, 2009 for calendar year companies. SFAS 160 amends ARB 51 to establish accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. It also amends certain of ARB 51’s consolidation procedures for consistency with the requirements of SFAS 141(R). The Company does not believe that SFAS 160 will have a material impact on its financial statements.
On June 30, 2005, the Company acquired the common stock of Netwatch s.r.o., located in Prague, the Czech Republic, for approximately $1.9 million in cash, of which $0.5 million was due to the sellers and was paid by the Company during June 2006. Netwatch s.r.o. is a designer and manufacturer of high-performance fiber optic and copper cable assemblies for data and telecommunication applications. Approximately $1.0 million of goodwill arose from the transaction which goodwill is included in the Company’s European reporting unit.
The acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of operation of Netwatch s.r.o. have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from June 30, 2005.
There was no in process research and development acquired as part of this acquisition.
On March 22, 2005, the Company acquired the common stock of Galaxy Power Inc. ("Galaxy"), located in Westborough, Massachusetts, for approximately $19.0 million in cash including transaction costs of approximately $0.4 million. Galaxy is a designer and manufacturer of high-density DC-DC converters for distributed power and telecommunication applications. The purchase price has been allocated to both tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values after considering an independent formal appraisal. Approximately $11.5 million of goodwill and $2.6 million of identifiable intangible assets arose from the transaction and are included in the Company’s North American reporting unit. The identifiable intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
The acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations of Galaxy have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from March 22, 2005.
There was no in process research and development acquired as part of this acquisition.
The following unaudited pro forma summary results of operations assume that Galaxy and Netwatch s.r.o. had been acquired as of January 1, 2005 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
| | Year Ended | |
| | December 31, 2005 | |
Net sales | | $ | 221,227 | |
Net earnings | | | 20,026 | |
Earnings per share - diluted | | | | |
Class A | | | 1.65 | |
Class B | | | 1.75 | |
The information above is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have occurred if the acquisitions had been consummated as of January 1, 2005. Such information should not be construed as a representation of the future results of operations of the Company.
3. 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 $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, 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. During the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company paid approximately $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, in contingent purchase price payments to Current Concepts. The contingent purchase price payments for Current Concepts were accounted for as additional purchase price and as an increase to covenants not to compete within intangible assets when such payment obligations were incurred. No additional payments will be made under the Current Concepts agreement.
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill classified by geographic reporting units, net of accumulated amortization, for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | Total | | Asia | | North America | | Europe | |
Balance, January 1, 2006 | | $ | 22,428 | | $ | 6,407 | | $ | 14,413 | | $ | 1,608 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Goodwill related to contingent | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
purchase price payments | | | 6,000 | | | 6,000 | | | - | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchase price adjustment - | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
reclassification to intangible assets | | | (670 | ) | | - | | | (670 | ) | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other purchase price and foreign | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
exchange adjustments | | | 359 | | | - | | | 323 | | | 36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2006 | | | 28,117 | | | 12,407 | | | 14,066 | | | 1,644 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign exchange | | | 330 | | | - | | | - | | | 330 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2007 | | $ | 28,447 | | $ | 12,407 | | $ | 14,066 | | $ | 1,974 | |
The components of intangible assets other than goodwill by geographic reporting unit are as follows (dollars in thousands):
December 31, 2007 |
|
| | Total | | Asia | | North America | |
| | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | |
| | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amortization | |
Patents and Product | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information | | $ | 2,750 | | $ | 2,385 | | $ | 2,468 | | $ | 2,150 | | $ | 282 | | $ | 235 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships | | | 1,830 | | | 1,014 | | | - | | | - | | | 1,830 | | | 1,014 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 4,580 | | $ | 3,399 | | $ | 2,468 | | $ | 2,150 | | $ | 2,112 | | $ | 1,249 | |
December 31, 2006 |
| | Total | | Asia | | North America | |
| | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | |
| | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amortization | |
Patents and Product | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information | | $ | 2,935 | | $ | 2,251 | | $ | 2,653 | | $ | 2,044 | | $ | 282 | | $ | 207 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer relationships | | | 1,830 | | | 648 | | | - | | | - | | | 1,830 | | | 648 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Covenants not-to-compete | | | 5,300 | | | 5,274 | | | 4,500 | | | 4,500 | | | 800 | | | 774 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 10,065 | | $ | 8,173 | | $ | 7,153 | | $ | 6,544 | | $ | 2,912 | | $ | 1,629 | |
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Year Ending | | Amortization | |
December 31, | | Expense | |
2008 | | $ | 536 | |
2009 | | | 432 | |
2010 | | | 131 | |
2011 | | | 24 | |
2012 | | | 10 | |
The weighted-average estimated life of each major intangible asset class as of December 31, 2007 is as follows:
| | Weighted-Average |
Intangible Asset | | Estimated Life |
Patents and product information | | 1.3 years |
Customer relationships | | 2.2 years |
The weighted-average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2007 is 1.7 years.
4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
At December 31, 2007, the Company has an investment consisting of a private placement of units of beneficial interest in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio (the “Columbia Portfolio”), which is an enhanced cash fund sold as an alternative to money-market funds. Since June 2007, the Company has invested a portion of its cash balances on hand in this fund; during the second and third quarters of 2007, the amounts were appropriately classified as cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheet as the fund was considered both short-term and highly liquid in nature. These investments are subject to credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risk. For example, the Columbia Portfolio includes investments in certain asset backed securities and structured investment vehicles that are collateralized by sub-prime mortgage securities or related to mortgage securities, among other assets. As a result of adverse market conditions that have unfavorably affected the fair value and liquidity availability of collateral underlying the Columbia Portfolio, the Columbia Portfolio was overwhelmed with withdrawal requests from investors and it was closed with a restriction placed upon the cash redemption ability of its holders in the fourth quarter of 2007. At that time, the Company had $25.7 million invested in this fund, including $0.7 million of reinvested interest. As such, the Company redesignated the Columbia Portfolio units from cash equivalents to short-term investments or long-term investments based upon the liquidation schedule provided by the fund.
On December 21, 2007, the Company received a cash payment of $2.3 million as redemption for 2,311,635 shares (9%). A realized loss of less than $0.1 million was recorded and is included in Gain on Sale of Marketable Securities, net in the accompanying Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. At December 31, 2007, the closing net asset value (“NAV”) of the Columbia Portfolio was $0.9874. Subsequent to the Company’s December 31, 2007 year end and through February 29, 2008, the Company has received additional cash redemptions of $7.8 million at approximately $.9857 per unit.
As a result of these circumstances, the Company deemed a portion of its carrying value in the Columbia Portfolio to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2007. Accordingly, the Company wrote down the carrying value of the investments to their then current market value at December 31, 2007 and the reduction in value of $0.3 million was recorded as an impairment charge during the fourth quarter of 2007. This is included in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2007. Information and the markets relating to these investment remain dynamic, and there may be further declines in the value of these investments, the value of the collateral held by these entities, and the liquidity of the Company’s investments. To the extent the Company determines there is a further decline in fair value, the Company may recognize additional impairment charges in future periods up to the aggregate amount of these investments.
As of December 31, 2007, the Company owned a total of 1,840,919 shares, or approximately 1.9% of the outstanding shares, of the common stock of Toko, Inc. (“Toko”) at a total cost of $5.6 million. Toko had a market capitalization of approximately $172.9 million as of December 31, 2007. These shares are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets 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 December 31, 2007, the Company has recorded an unrealized loss, net of income tax benefit, of approximately $1.5 million which is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. The Company’s investment in Toko has been in an unrealized loss position for less than twelve months. In accordance with FSP 115-1, the Company periodically reviews its marketable securities and determines whether the investments are other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company reviewed various factors in making its determination, including volatility of the Toko share price over the last year, Toko’s recent financial results and the Company’s intention and ability to hold the investment. The Toko share price has been extremely volatile over the last year, ranging from $1.22 - $4.20 (the Company’s cost basis in its remaining shares of Toko stock is $3.07 per share). As discussed below, in the second quarter of 2007, a gain was recognized on the disposition of the majority of the Company’s holdings of Toko stock. Toko recently issued its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 and it showed a quarter over quarter increase in sales of 5.6% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 and increased profitability. The Company has the intention and the ability to hold the investment until it is in a gain position. As a result of these factors, management believes that the investment in Toko is not other-than-temporarily impaired.
During April 2007, the Company sold 4.0 million shares of common stock of Toko on the open market which resulted in a gain of approximately $2.5 million, net of investment banker fees and other expenses in the amount of $0.8 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $0.5 million in connection with this gain which were paid in January 2008. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.4 million and $0.1 million has been classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively.
During 2004, the Company acquired a total of 2,037,500 shares of the common stock of Artesyn Technologies, Inc. (“Artesyn”) at a total purchase price of $16.3 million. On April 28, 2006, Artesyn was acquired by Emerson Network Power for $11.00 per share in cash. During the second quarter of 2006, in connection with the Company's sale of its Artesyn common stock, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $5.2 million, net of investment banker advisory fees of $0.9 million. The Company accrued bonuses of $1.0 million in connection with the gain. For financial statement purposes approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million was classified within cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, and was paid to key employees in January 2007.
At December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, marketable securities had a cost of approximately $5.6 million and $18.0 million, an estimated fair value of approximately $3.3 million and $15.6 million and gross unrealized losses of approximately $(2.3) million and $(2.4) million. Such unrealized losses are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company had no realized losses for the year ended December 31, 2007, 2006 or 2005. Included in other assets at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are marketable securities designated for utilization in accordance with the Company’s SERP plan with a cost of approximately $4.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, and an estimated fair value of approximately $4.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively. The unrealized net gains of $0.3 million in each of 2007 and 2006 are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.
The components of inventories are as follows (dollars in thousands):
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Raw materials | | $ | 24,089 | | $ | 24,374 | |
Work in progress | | | 2,434 | | | 3,531 | |
Finished goods | | | 12,526 | | | 18,392 | |
| | $ | 39,049 | | $ | 46,297 | |
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 for raw materials and equipment in excess of estimated insurance proceeds. The production at this facility was substantially restored during July 2006.
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Land | | $ | 3,239 | | $ | 3,585 | |
Buildings and improvements | | | 27,035 | | | 25,167 | |
Machinery and equipment | | | 55,425 | | | 59,083 | |
Construction in progress | | | 3,431 | | | 1,881 | |
| | | 89,130 | | | 89,716 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | | 48,017 | | | 45,427 | |
| | $ | 41,113 | | $ | 44,289 | |
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $7.1 million, $7.2 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
During May 2007, the Company sold a parcel of land located in Jersey City, New Jersey for $6.0 million. The Company had previously estimated that approximately $0.8 million of the proceeds would be payable to the State of New Jersey as a portion of the property is subject to tideland claims. In December 2007, the Tidelands Resource Council voted to approve the Bureau of Tideland’s Management’s recommendation for a Statement of No Interest. As final approval of the Statement of No Interest is still pending, the Company has continued to defer the estimated gain on sale of the land, in the amount of $4.6 million. Of the $6.0 million sales price, the Company received cash of $1.5 million before closing costs, and $4.6 million (including interest) is being held in escrow pending final resolution of the State of New Jersey tideland claim and certain environmental costs the Company is liable for in the maximum amount of $0.4 million. The Company anticipates resolution of this sale, release of the escrow and corresponding guarantees and recognition of the gain during fiscal 2008. As the timing of the release of the escrow of $4.6 million is not under the Company’s control, it has been classified in non-current assets as restricted cash and the deferred gain of $4.6 million has been classified in deferred gain on the sale of property in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007. Additionally, the Company realized a $5.5 million pre-tax gain from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Hong Kong and Macao during the year ended December 31, 2007.
8. INCOME TAXES
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 total amount of the Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions, which amounted to $12.4 million at January 1, 2007, the Company separately recognizes the liability for uncertain tax positions on its balance sheet. Included in the liabilities for uncertain tax positions at the date of adoption is $1.4 million for interest and penalties.
At December 31, 2007, the Company has approximately $9.2 million of liabilities for uncertain tax positions ($2.3 million included in income tax payable and $6.9 million included in liability 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 2004 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 Company is currently being audited by the State of New Jersey, Department of the Treasury, Division of Taxation (“New Jersey”) for the years ended December 31, 2003 through 2006. This examination is in its early stages and to date no adjustments have been proposed by New Jersey.
During February 2008, the Company received correspondence from the State of California Franchise Tax Board. They are requesting copies of U.S. federal income tax returns for the years 2005 and 2006 for further analysis to determine if the tax returns will be selected for audit.
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 years 2000 through 2005 and issued a notice of additional assessment during 2007 and demand for tax in the amount of $3.8 million. This was paid in May and August 2007. There is no interest or penalties in connection with this assessment. The IRD proposed certain adjustments to the Company’s offshore income tax claim position which Company management agreed with.
Based on possible outcomes of the examinations mentioned above, or as a result of the expiration of the statute 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 December 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. It is not possible to estimate the effect of changes, if any that will occur to previously recorded uncertain tax positions over the next year.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (dollars in thousands):
Balance January 1, 2007 | | $ | 12,396 | |
Additions based on tax positions | | | | |
related to the current year | | | 1,669 | |
Additions for tax positions of prior years | | | 1,000 | |
Expiration of statutes of limitations | | | (1,382 | ) |
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | | | (699 | ) |
Settlements | | | (3,793 | ) |
Balance December 31, 2007 | | $ | 9,191 | |
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 year ended December 31, 2007, the Company recognized approximately $0.5 million in interest and penalties in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. This amount is included in the $1.7 million noted above, related to additions based on tax provisions related to the current year. The Company has approximately $1.8 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2007, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheet.
The provision for income taxes consists of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Current: | | | | | | | |
Federal | | $ | 4,294 | | $ | 4,784 | | $ | 4,590 | |
Foreign | | | 2,598 | | | 1,619 | | | 6,250 | |
State | | | 515 | | | 430 | | | 244 | |
| | | 7,407 | | | 6,833 | | | 11,084 | |
Deferred: | | | | | | | | | | |
Federal and state | | | (2,119 | ) | | (928 | ) | | (1,420 | ) |
Foreign | | | 80 | | | (60 | ) | | (2,182 | ) |
| | | (2,039 | ) | | (988 | ) | | (3,602 | ) |
| | $ | 5,368 | | $ | 5,845 | | $ | 7,482 | |
A reconciliation of taxes on income computed at the federal statutory rate to amounts provided is as follows (dollars in thousands).
| | Years Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Tax provision | | | | | | | | | | |
computed at the Federal | | | | | | | | | | |
statutory rate of 35%, 34% and 34% | | $ | 11,096 | | $ | 10,556 | | $ | 9,423 | |
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from: | | | | | | | | | | |
Repatriation of foreign earnings | | | | | | | | | | |
net of foreign tax credit of $520 (1) | | | - | | | - | | | 3,100 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Different tax rates and permanent differences | | | | | | | | | | |
applicable to foreign operations | | | (4,992 | ) | | (4,816 | ) | | (5,128 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Utilization of net operating loss carryforward | | | - | | | (66 | ) | | (122 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Utilization of research and development tax credits | | | (365 | ) | | (409 | ) | | (630 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
State taxes, net of federal benefit | | | 335 | | | 279 | | | 161 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Other, including qualified production activity credits, | | | | | | | | | | |
non-qualified disposition of incentive stock options, | | | | | | | | | | |
fair value of vested stock awards over accruals and | | | | | | | | | | |
amortization of purchase accounting intangibles | | | (706 | ) | | 301 | | | 678 | |
| | $ | 5,368 | | $ | 5,845 | | $ | 7,482 | |
(1) Under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Act"), the Company has repatriated earnings from controlled foreign corporations ("CFC's") in the amount of $70.6 million in order to take advantage of the temporary 85 percent dividends received deduction for cash dividends in excess of the historical "base-period" average. This results in an effective federal tax rate of approximately 5.0%. The election to repatriate these CFC earnings expired on December 31, 2005 and the dividend proceeds must meet a number of criteria as outlined in the Act to be eligible for the favorable tax rate.
Prior to the enactment of the Act, it was management’s intention to permanently reinvest the majority of the earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the expansion of its foreign operations. Unrepatriated earnings, upon which U.S. income taxes have not been accrued, are approximately $100.0 million at December 31, 2007. Such unrepatriated earnings are deemed by management to be permanently reinvested. Estimated income taxes (net of estimated foreign tax credits) related to unrepatriated foreign earnings are $25.8 million under the current tax law as the Act has expired.
Components of deferred income tax assets are as follows (dollars in thousands).
| | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | Tax Effect | | Tax Effect | |
Deferred Tax Assets - current: | | | | | |
Unrealized depreciation in | | | | | | | |
marketable securities | | $ | 1,007 | | $ | 801 | |
United States net operating loss | | | | | | | |
carryforward | | | 241 | | | - | |
Foreign tax credits carryforward | | | 564 | | | - | |
Reserves and accruals | | | 849 | | | 865 | |
| | $ | 2,661 | | $ | 1,666 | |
Deferred Tax Assets - noncurrent: | | | | | | | |
Deferred gain on sale of property, | | | | | | | |
plant and equipment | | $ | 1,765 | | $ | - | |
United States net operating loss | | | | | | | |
carryforward | | | - | | | 887 | |
Unfunded pension liability | | | 481 | | | 686 | |
Depreciation | | | 222 | | | 188 | |
Amortization | | | 773 | | | 519 | |
State net operating loss and | | | | | | | |
credits carryforward | | | 331 | | | 338 | |
Other accruals | | | 1,123 | | | 1,145 | |
Valuation allowances | | | (331 | ) | | (338 | ) |
| | $ | 4,364 | | $ | 3,425 | |
The tax rate in Macao for the year ended December 31, 2007 is 12%. During the year ended December 31, 2005, the Company used a $0.8 million net operating loss which resulted in a tax savings of approximately $0.1 million.
Galaxy, at the time of the acquisition, had a net operating loss carry forward of approximately $5.4 million. The remaining net operating loss carry forward of approximately $0.2 million at December 31, 2007, arose principally from the non-qualified dispositions of stock options and warrants and expires during 2024. The use of the operating loss is limited, due to the change of ownership, but the Company expects to use the $0.2 million over the next year. The Company has set up a valuation allowance for losses for certain state carryforwards that it believes will not be realized.
During 2005, the Company was granted an offshore operating license from the government of Macao to set up a Commercial Offshore Company ("MCO") named Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited. 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 corporation income taxes.
9. DEBT
Short-term debt
As of December 31, 2006, a $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. The loan was collateralized with a first priority security interest in 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company's material domestic subsidiaries and 65% of all the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of certain of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company. During February 2007, the Company entered into a new unsecured credit agreement in the amount of $20 million, which expires on July 21, 2008. There were no borrowings under the credit agreement during 2007 and as such, there was no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2007. At that date, the entire $20 million line of credit was available to the Company to borrow. Loans under the new credit agreement will bear 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 $2.0 million which was unused as of December 31, 2007. The line of credit expires on July 21, 2008. 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.
For the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded interest expense and other costs of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Included in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2007 is the write-off of approximately $0.1 million of previously unamortized deferred financing charges in connection with a credit facility that has been superseded.
10 ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following (dollars in thousands):
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Sales commissions | | $ | 2,930 | | $ | 1,716 | |
Subcontracting labor | | | 1,723 | | | 2,033 | |
Salaries, bonuses and | | | | | | | |
related benefits | | | 4,208 | | | 4,147 | |
Other | | | 3,252 | | | 4,817 | |
| | $ | 12,113 | | $ | 12,713 | |
11. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
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 (dollars in thousands):
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Net sales from unrelated | | | | | | | |
entities and country | | | | | | | |
of Company's domicile: | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 78,091 | | $ | 73,241 | | $ | 69,089 | |
Asia | | | 151,550 | | | 153,037 | | | 131,104 | |
Europe | | | 29,496 | | | 28,655 | | | 15,723 | |
| | $ | 259,137 | | $ | 254,933 | | $ | 215,916 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales: | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 90,939 | | $ | 80,860 | | $ | 80,836 | |
Asia | | | 182,301 | | | 182,808 | | | 151,992 | |
Europe | | | 30,680 | | | 30,105 | | | 16,967 | |
Less intergeographic | | | | | | | | | | |
revenues | | | (44,783 | ) | | (38,840 | ) | | (33,879 | ) |
| | $ | 259,137 | | $ | 254,933 | | $ | 215,916 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income from Operations: | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 6,515 | | $ | 2,658 | | $ | 4,020 | |
Asia | | | 17,488 | | | 19,622 | | | 22,391 | |
Europe | | | 1,509 | | | 838 | | | 206 | |
| | $ | 25,512 | | $ | 23,118 | | $ | 26,617 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Long Lived Assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 18,786 | | $ | 18,026 | | | | |
Asia | | | 26,757 | | | 30,050 | | | | |
Europe | | | 1,005 | | | 690 | | | | |
| | $ | 46,548 | | $ | 48,766 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Capital Expenditures: | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 1,453 | | $ | 2,823 | | $ | 1,328 | |
Asia | | | 7,069 | | | 6,783 | | | 6,322 | |
Europe | | | 196 | | | 227 | | | 96 | |
| | $ | 8,718 | | $ | 9,833 | | $ | 7,746 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and Amortization | | | | | | | | | | |
expense: | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 1,841 | | $ | 2,314 | | $ | 2,526 | |
Asia | | | 5,887 | | | 6,476 | | | 7,364 | |
Europe | | | 193 | | | 237 | | | 214 | |
| | $ | 7,921 | | $ | 9,027 | | $ | 10,104 | |
Net sales from external customers are attributed to individual segments based on the geographic source of the billing for such customer sales. Transfers between geographic areas include finished products manufactured in foreign countries which are then transferred to the United States and Europe for sale; finished goods manufactured in the United States which are transferred to Europe and Asia for sale; and semi-finished components manufactured in the United States which are sold to Asia for further processing. Income from operations represents gross profit less operating expenses.
Long lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, net and other assets of the Company that are identified with the operations of each geographic area.
The territory of Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (“SAR”) of the PRC in the middle of 1997. The territory of Macao became a SAR of the PRC at the end of 1999. Management cannot presently predict what future impact this will have on the Company, if any, or how the political climate in the PRC will affect the Company's contractual arrangements in the PRC. Substantially all of the Company's manufacturing operations and approximately 42% of its identifiable assets are located in Asia. Accordingly, events resulting from any change in the "Most Favored Nation" status granted to the PRC by the U.S., could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company had sales to one customer in excess of ten percent of consolidated net sales in 2007, 2006 and 2005. The amount and percentages of the Company's sales to this customer in each year was $40.3 million (15.6%) in 2007, $42.2 million (16.5%) in 2006 and $32.8 million (15.2%) in 2005 and were derived primarily in Asia. Management believes that the loss of such customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
The Company realized a $5.5 million pre-tax gain from the sale of property, plant and equipment in Asia related to the sale of facilities in Hong Kong and Macao during the year ended December 31, 2007.
12. 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 years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to approximately $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the plans owned 17,136 and 149,450 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
The Company's subsidiaries in Asia 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 must contribute a minimum of 5% of eligible salary, as determined by Hong Kong government regulations. The Company currently contributes 7% of eligible salary, in cash or Company stock. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to approximately $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2007, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
The Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP" or the “Plan”) 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. The Plan is unfunded. 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 benefits available under the Plan vary according to when and how the participant terminates employment with the Company. If a participant retires (with the prior written consent of the Company) on his normal retirement date (65 years old, 20 years of service, and 5 years of Plan participation), his normal retirement benefit under the Plan would be annual payments equal to 40% of his average base compensation (calculated using compensation from the highest 5 consecutive calendar years of Plan participation), payable in monthly installments for the remainder of his life. If a participant retires early from the Company (55 years old, 20 years of service, and 5 years of Plan participation), his early retirement benefit under the Plan would be an amount (i) calculated as if his early retirement date were in fact his normal retirement date, (ii) multiplied by a fraction, with the numerator being the actual years of service the participant has with the Company and the denominator being the years of service the participant would have had if he had retired at age 65, and (iii) actuarially reduced to reflect the early retirement date. If a participant dies prior to receiving 120 monthly payments under the Plan, his beneficiary would be entitled to continue receiving benefits for the shorter of (i) the time necessary to complete 120 monthly payments or (ii) 60 months. If a participant dies while employed by the Company, his beneficiary would receive, as a survivor benefit, an annual amount equal to (i) 100% of the participant’s annual base salary at date of death for one year, and (ii) 50% of the participant’s annual base salary at date of death for each of the following 4 years, each payable in monthly installments. The Plan also provides for disability benefits, and a forfeiture of benefits if a participant terminates employment for reasons other than those contemplated under the Plan. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to approximately $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations, the funded status of the SERP and a summary of significant assumptions (dollars in thousands):
December 31, | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | |
Change in benefit obligation: | | | | | | | |
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year | | $ | 4,728 | | $ | 4,476 | | $ | 2,890 | |
Service cost | | | 313 | | | 325 | | | 332 | |
Interest cost | | | 282 | | | 243 | | | 212 | |
Plan amendments | | | - | | | - | | | 445 | |
Benefits paid | | | (75 | ) | | (131 | ) | | (38 | ) |
Actuarial (gains) losses | | | (550 | ) | | (185 | ) | | 635 | |
Minimum pension obligation and | | | | | | | | | | |
unfunded pension liability | | $ | 4,698 | | $ | 4,728 | | $ | 4,476 | |
Funded status of plan: | | | | | | | | | | |
Under funded status | | $ | (4,698 | ) | $ | (4,728 | ) | $ | (4,476 | ) |
Unrecognized net loss | | | - | | | - | | | 870 | |
Unrecognized prior service costs | | | - | | | - | | | 1,811 | |
Accrued pension cost | | $ | (4,698 | ) | $ | (4,728 | ) | $ | (1,795 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Change in plan assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
Company contributions | | | 75 | | | 131 | | | 38 | |
Benefit paid | | | (75 | ) | | (131 | ) | | (38 | ) |
Fair value of plan assets, end of year | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance sheet amounts: | | | | | | | | | | |
Minimum pension obligation and | | | | | | | | | | |
unfunded pension liability | | $ | 4,698 | | $ | 4,728 | | | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | (1,154 | ) | $ | (1,647 | ) | | | |
The components of SERP expense are as follows: |
Year Ended December 31, | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
Service cost | | $ | 313 | | $ | 325 | | $ | 332 | |
Interest cost | | | 282 | | | 243 | | | 212 | |
Net amortization and deferral | | | 146 | | | 161 | | | 155 | |
Total SERP expense | | $ | 741 | | $ | 729 | | $ | 699 | |
Assumption percentages: | | | | | | | | | | |
Discount rate | | | 6.50 | % | | 6.00 | % | | 5.50 | % |
Rate of compensation increase | | | 3.00 | % | | 3.00 | % | | 3.00 | % |
The accumulated benefit obligation for the SERP was $3.6 million and $3.5 million as of December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Post Retirement Plans”, (“SFAS No. 158”). This statement is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006 and is applicable for the Company’s SERP Plan.
The amount of net gain and prior service cost on a pretax basis included in Other Comprehensive Income was $0 and $0.1 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2007 and $0.7 million and $1.7 million, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2006. The estimated portion of net periodic gain and prior service cost that will be recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $0 and $0.1 million, respectively. The Company expects to contribute $0.8 million to the SERP in 2008.
The Company had no net transition assets or obligations recognized as an adjustment to Other Comprehensive Income and does not anticipate any plan assets being returned to the Company during 2008, as the plan has no assets.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (dollars in thousands):
Years Ending | | | |
December 31, | | | |
2008 | | $ | 75 | |
2009 | | | 75 | |
2010 | | | 130 | |
2011 | | | 74 | |
2012 | | | 74 | |
2013 - 2017 | | | 1,168 | |
13. 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 stock-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 stock-based payment arrangements.
The Company recognizes the cost of all employee stock options on a straight-line attribution basis over their respective vesting periods, net of estimated forfeitures. The Company has selected the modified prospective method of transition; accordingly, prior periods have not been restated. Prior to adopting SFAS No. 123(R), the Company applied APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. All employee stock options were granted at or above the grant date market price. Accordingly, prior to 2006 no compensation cost was recognized for fixed stock option grants.
On December 31, 2007, the Company has one stock-based compensation plan, which is described below. During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) resulted in incremental stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The incremental stock-based compensation expense caused both the basic and diluted earnings per common share to each decrease by $.04 and $.04 per share for Class A common stock and $.03 and $.03 per share for Class B common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2006 and by $.01 and $.01 per share for Class A common stock and $.01 and $.01 per share for Class B common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2007. In addition, in connection with the adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R), net cash provided by operating activities decreased and net cash provided by financing activities increased during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 by $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to excess tax benefits from stock-based payment arrangements.
The aggregate pretax 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 $1.5 million, $1.6 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. The Company did not use any cash to settle any equity instruments granted under share based arrangements during the years ended December 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, at January 1, 2006, the amount that had been in "Deferred compensation" in the Consolidated Balance Sheet was reversed to zero and is currently included in additional paid in capital.
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 2.4 million 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.
No incentive stock options were granted in 2007, 2006 or 2005. Expected lives of options previously granted were estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees. Expected volatilities were based on implied volatilities from historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate employee forfeitures. The risk free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
Information regarding the Company’s stock options for the year ended December 31, 2007 is as follows. All of the stock options noted below relate to options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class B common stock.
Stock Options | | Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in 000's) | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 | | | 137,813 | | $ | 25.59 | | | | | | | |
Exercised | | | (63,313 | ) | | 22.94 | | | | | | | |
Granted | | | - | | | - | | | | | | | |
Cancelled | | | (4,500 | ) | | 18.89 | | | | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 | | | 70,000 | | $ | 28.42 | | | 1.8 years | | $ | 177 | |
Exercisable at December 31, 2007 | | | 36,500 | | $ | 26.72 | | | 1.2 years | | $ | 177 | |
During the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 the Company received $1.5 million and $3.2 million from the exercise of stock options and realized tax benefits of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was $0.9 million, $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Stock compensation expense applicable to stock options for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005 was approximately $0.1 million, $0.5 million and $0, respectively.
A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested options as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2007 is presented below:
Nonvested options | | Options | | Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value | |
Nonvested at December 31, 2006 | | | 91,000 | | $ | 25.78 | |
| | | | | | | |
Granted | | | - | | | - | |
Vested | | | (53,000 | ) | $ | 23.09 | |
Forfeited | | | (4,500 | ) | $ | 18.89 | |
| | | | | | | |
Nonvested at December 31, 2007 | | | 33,500 | | $ | 30.28 | |
At December 31, 2007 there was less than $0.1 million 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 one year. The fair value of options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 was $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options vested during 2007 was $0.4 million. 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 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company issued 74,200, 21,600 and 152,400 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. This resulted in pre-tax compensation expense of $1.3 million, $1.1 million and $0.2 million ($0.9 million, $0.8 million and $0.2 million, after tax benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
A summary of the activity under the Restricted Stock Awards Plan as of December 31, 2007 is presented below:
Restricted Stock Awards | | Shares | | Weighted Average Award Price | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term | |
Outstanding at January 1, 2007 | | | 167,000 | | $ | 34.93 | | | | |
Granted | | | 74,200 | | $ | 36.40 | | | | |
Vested | | | (34,250 | ) | $ | 35.49 | | | | |
Forfeited | | | (11,550 | ) | $ | 36.95 | | | | |
Outstanding at December 31, 2007 | | | 195,400 | | $ | 35.31 | | | 3.43 | |
As of December 31, 2007, there was $5.4 million of total pre-tax unrecognized compensation cost included within additional paid-in-capital related to non-vested stock based compensation arrangements granted under the restricted stock award plan; that cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 4.4 years.
The Company's policy is to issue new shares to satisfy Restricted Stock Awards and stock option exercises. Currently the Company believes that substantially all restricted stock awards will vest.
14. COMMON STOCK
During 2000, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the purchase of up to ten percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares. As of December 31, 2007, the Company had purchased and retired 23,600 Class B common shares at a cost of approximately $0.8 million and had purchased and retired 160,033 Class A common shares at a cost of approximately $5.7 million. No shares of Class B common stock were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2007 and 160,033 shares of Class A common stock were repurchased during the year ended December 31, 2007.
There are no contractual restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends provided the Company is not in default immediately before such payment and after giving effect to such payment. On February 1, 2007, May 1, 2007 and August 1, 2007 the Company paid a $0.05 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock in the total amount of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. On February 1, 2007, May 1, 2007 and August 1, 2007 the Company paid a $0.04 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class A Common Stock in the total amount of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively. During July 2007 the Board of Directors of the Company authorized an increase in the dividends by $.02 per share per quarter for both Class A and B common shares effective with the November 2007 dividend payment. As a result, on November 1, 2007, the Company paid a $0.06 and $0.07 per share dividend to all shareholders of record at October 15, 2007 of Class A and Class B Common Stock, respectively, in the total amount of $0.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. On February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the Company paid a $0.05 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class B Common Stock in the total amount of $0.4 million, $0.4 million, $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. On February 1, 2006, May 1, 2006, August 1, 2006 and November 1, 2006 the Company paid a $0.04 per share dividend to all shareholders of record of Class A Common Stock in the total amount of $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases various facilities. Some of these leases require the Company to pay certain executory costs (such as insurance and maintenance).
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases are approximately as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years Ending | | | |
December 31, | | | |
2008 | | $ | 1,595 | |
2009 | | | 1,107 | |
2010 | | | 792 | |
2011 | | | 695 | |
2012 | | | 622 | |
Thereafter | | | 444 | |
| | $ | 5,255 | |
Rental expense was approximately $2.0 million, $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2006, and 2005, respectively.
Other Commitments
The Company submits purchase orders for raw materials to various vendors throughout the year for current production requirements, as well as forecasted requirements. Certain of these purchase orders relate to special purpose material, and as such, the Company may incur penalties if the order is cancelled. At December 31, 2007, the Company has outstanding purchase orders related to the purchase of raw materials in the aggregate amount of $22.3 million.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned Synqor, Inc. v. Artesyn Technologies, Inc., Astec America, Inc., Emerson Network Power, Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Bel Fuse Inc., Cherokee International Corp., Delta Electronics, Inc., Delta Products Corp., Murata Electronics North America, Inc., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Power-One, Inc., Tyco Electronics Corp. and Tyco Electronics Ltd. brought in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas in November 2007. Plaintiff claims the Company infringed its patents covering certain power products. Synqor is seeking unspecified damages. The Company filed an Answer to Synqor’s complaint, denying the allegations of infringement and asserting invalidity of the patents.
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 unspecified damages, which it claims should be trebled. In December 2007, this case was dismissed by the Nevada Federal District Court for lack of personal jurisdiction. Halo then re-filed this suit in the Northern California Federal District Court, captioned Halo Electronics, Inc. v. Bel Fuse Inc., Elec & Eltek (USA) Corporation, Wurth Electronics Midcom, Inc., and Xfmrs, Inc.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc. 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 integrated connector modules made by Halo. The Company is seeking unspecified damages plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
The Company and two of its officers were 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. During July 2007, this lawsuit was settled for approximately $0.5 million. The Company had provided for this liability in its financial statements prior to the settlement.
The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc. and Bel Power, Inc. v. Andrew Ferencz, Gregory Zvonar, Bernhard Schroter, EE2GO, Inc., 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 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 $0.5 million; payment of all attorney fees; and marking of all licensed ICM's with the third party's patent number. The Company is 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 $0.5 million 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 dismissing 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 December 31, 2007, no amounts have been accrued in connection with these lawsuits, 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 December 31, 2007 and 2006 are summarized below (dollars in thousands)
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | $ | 2,101 | | $ | 1,141 | |
Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale | | | | | | | |
securities under SFAS No. 115, net of | | | | | | | |
taxes of $(789) and $(801) as of | | | | | | | |
December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | | (1,291 | ) | | (1,310 | ) |
Unfunded SERP liability related to SFAS | | | | | | | |
No. 158, net of taxes of $(483) and $(686) | | | | | | | |
as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 | | | (1,154 | ) | | (1,647 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | $ | (344 | ) | $ | (1,816 | ) |
17. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On February 25, 2008, the Company announced that it had acquired 4,370,052 shares of Power-One, Inc. (“Power-One”) common stock representing, to the Company’s knowledge, 5% of Power-One’s outstanding common stock, at a total purchase price of $10.1 million. Power-One’s common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market. Power-One is a designer and manufacturer of power conversion and power management products.
CONDENSED SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA |
(Unaudited) |
(In thousands, except per share data) |
| | | | | | | | | | Total Year | |
| | Quarter Ended | | Ended | |
| | March 31, | | June 30, | | September 30, | | December 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2007 | | 2007 | | 2007 | | 2007 (1) | |
Net sales | | $ | 61,807 | | $ | 61,612 | | $ | 66,379 | | $ | 69,339 | | $ | 259,137 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 13,916 | | | 13,014 | | | 14,091 | | | 15,109 | | | 56,130 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 4,009 | | | 6,158 | | | 5,914 | | | 10,255 | | | 26,336 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class A common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.49 | | $ | 0.47 | | $ | 0.83 | | $ | 2.11 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.49 | | $ | 0.47 | | $ | 0.83 | | $ | 2.11 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class B common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.34 | | $ | 0.52 | | $ | 0.50 | | $ | 0.88 | | $ | 2.25 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.34 | | $ | 0.52 | | $ | 0.50 | | $ | 0.88 | | $ | 2.24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | Total Year | |
| | Quarter Ended | | Ended | |
| | March 31, | | June 30, | | September 30, | | December 31, | | December 31, | |
| | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2006 | | 2006 | |
Net sales | | $ | 54,626 | | $ | 66,474 | | $ | 73,260 | | $ | 60,573 | | $ | 254,933 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 14,639 | | | 16,212 | | | 17,450 | | | 13,647 | | | 61,948 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings | | | 3,997 | | | 8,763 | | | 7,745 | | | 4,698 | | | 25,203 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class A common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.71 | | $ | 0.62 | | $ | 0.38 | | $ | 2.03 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.32 | | $ | 0.71 | | $ | 0.62 | | $ | 0.38 | | $ | 2.03 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per Class B common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | $ | 0.35 | | $ | 0.75 | | $ | 0.66 | | $ | 0.40 | | $ | 2.16 | |
Diluted | | $ | 0.34 | | $ | 0.75 | | $ | 0.66 | | $ | 0.40 | | $ | 2.15 | |
(1) | Quarterly amounts of earnings per share may not agree to the total for the year due to rounding. |
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS |
(Amounts in thousands) |
Column A | | Column B | | Column C | | Column D | | Column E | | Column F | |
| | | | Charged | | Additions | | | | | |
| | Balance at | | to profit | | Charged | | | | Balance | |
| | beginning | | and loss | | to other | | (describe) | | at close | |
Description | | of period | | or income | | accounts (b) | | (a) | | of period | |
Year ended December 31, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
accounts | | $ | 1,087 | | $ | (50 | ) | $ | 48 | | $ | 108 | | $ | 977 | |
Allowance for excess and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
obsolete inventory | | $ | 5,004 | | $ | (1,134 | ) | $ | 17 | | $ | 621 | | $ | 3,266 | |
Year ended December 31, 2006 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
accounts | | $ | 1,107 | | $ | 707 | | $ | 109 | | $ | 836 | | $ | 1,087 | |
Allowance for excess and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
obsolete inventory | | $ | 5,017 | | $ | 1,470 | | $ | (65 | ) | $ | 1,418 | | $ | 5,004 | |
Year ended December 31, 2005 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Allowance for doubtful | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
accounts | | $ | 1,610 | | $ | 275 | | $ | 25 | | $ | 803 | | $ | 1,107 | |
Allowance for excess and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
obsolete inventory | | $ | 5,471 | | $ | 867 | | $ | 475 | | $ | 1,796 | | $ | 5,017 | |
(b) | Includes foreign currency translation adjustments |
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.
Not applicable
Item 9A Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) related to the recording, processing, summarization, and reporting of information in the Company’s periodic reports that the Company files with the SEC. These disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s management, including these officers, by other of the Company’s employees, and that this information is recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated, and reported, as applicable, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The Company’s controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have been met. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Company believes that its disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurances of achieving their objectives.
Based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2007, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2007.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007 and has expressed an unqualified opinion in their report which is included herein.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter to which this Annual Report on Form 10-K relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9b. Other Information
Not applicable.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this item.
The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics for its directors, executive officers and all other senior financial personnel. The Registrant will make copies of its code of ethics available to investors upon request. Any such request should be sent by mail to Bel Fuse Inc., 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Attn: Colin Dunn or should be made by telephone by calling Colin Dunn at 201-432-0463.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
PART IV
Item 15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules |
| | | | Page |
(a) | | Financial Statements | | |
| | | | |
1. | | Financial statements filed as a part of this | | |
| | Annual Report on Form 10-K: | | |
| | | | |
| | Report of Independent Registered | | |
| | Public Accounting Firm | | F-1 - F-2 |
| | | | |
| | Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, | | |
| | 2007 and 2006 | | F-3 - F-4 |
| | | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Operations for Each | | |
| | of the Three Years in the Period Ended | | |
| | December 31, 2007 | | F-5 |
| | | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity | | |
| | for Each of the Three Years in the Period | | |
| | Ended December 31, 2007 | | F-6 - F-7 |
| | | | |
| | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Each | | |
| | of the Three Years in the Period Ended | | |
| | December 31, 2007 | | F-8 - F-10 |
| | | | |
| | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | F- 11 - F-44 |
| | | | |
| | Condensed Selected Quarterly Financial Data - Years | | |
| | Ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 (Unaudited) | | F-45 |
| | | | |
2. | | Financial statement schedules filed as part of | | |
| | this report: | | |
| | | | |
| | Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts | | S-1 |
| | | | |
| | All other schedules are omitted because they are | | |
| | inapplicable, not required or the information is | | |
| | included in the consolidated financial statements or notes | | |
| | thereto. | | |
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit No.:
| 3.1 | Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. |
| 3.2 | By-laws, as amended, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Registration No. 33-16703) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 25, 1987. |
| 10.1 | Agency agreement dated October 1, 1988 between Bel Fuse Ltd. and Rush Profit Ltd. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994. |
| 10.2 | 2002 Equity Compensation Program. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2002 annual meeting of shareholders. |
| 10.3 | Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 12, 2007, by and among Bel Fuse, Inc., as Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Bank of America, N.A., as Lender. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 16, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 10.4 | Amended and Restated Bel Fuse Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, dated as of April 17, 2007. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference. |
| 10.5 | Contract for Purchase and Sale of Real Estate dated July 15, 2004 between Bel Fuse Inc. and Fields Development Group Co. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. |
| 11.1 | A statement regarding the computation of earnings per share is omitted because such computation can be clearly determined from the material contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. |
| 14.1 | Bel Fuse Inc. Code of Ethics, adopted February 11, 2004 |
Item15. | Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K (continued) |
Exhibit No.:
| 21.1 | Subsidiaries of the Registrant. |
| 23.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
| 24.1 | Power of attorney (included on the signature page) |
| 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 Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
BEL FUSE INC.
| | | | |
BY: | /s/ Daniel Bernstein | | | |
| Daniel Bernstein, President, Chief Executive | | | |
| Officer and Director | | | |
Dated: March 17, 2008
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Daniel Bernstein and Colin Dunn as his/her attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto and hereto, and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/S/ Daniel Bernstein | | President, Chief | | March 17, 2008 |
Daniel Bernstein | | Executive Officer andDirector | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Howard Bernstein | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
Howard B. Bernstein | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Robert H. Simandl | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
Robert H. Simandl | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Peter Gilbert | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
Peter Gilbert | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ John Tweedy | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
John Tweedy | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ John Johnson | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
John Johnson | | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Avi Eden | | Director | | March 17, 2008 |
Avi Eden | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
/s/ Colin Dunn | | Vice-President - | | |
Colin Dunn | | Finance and Secretary | | March 17, 2008 |