ITEM 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
This Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements in this Report are indicated by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategies” and similar expressions. These statements represent our expectations based on current information and assumptions and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those which are anticipated or projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, changes or loss in business relationships with our major customers and in the timing, size and continuation of our customers’ programs; changes in our supply chain financing arrangements, such as changes in terms, termination of contracts and/or the impact of rising interest rates; the ability of our customers to achieve their projected sales; competitive product and pricing pressures; increases in production or material costs, including procurement costs resulting from higher tariffs, and inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation, that cannot be recouped in product pricing; the performance of the aftermarket, heavy duty, industrial equipment and original equipment markets; changes in the product mix and distribution channel mix; economic and market conditions; successful integration of acquired businesses; our ability to achieve benefits from our cost savings initiatives; product liability and environmental matters (including, without limitation, those related to asbestos-related contingent liabilities and remediation costs at certain properties); the effects of a widespread public health crisis, including the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; the effects of disruptions in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and resultant sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments and the recent lockdowns in China; climate-related risks, such as physical and transition risks; as well as other risks and uncertainties, such as those described under Risk Factors, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk and those detailed herein and from time to time in the filings of the Company with the SEC. Forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, historical information should not be considered as an indicator of future performance. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, included elsewhere in this Report.
Overview
We are a leading manufacturer and distributor of premium replacement parts utilized in the maintenance, repair and service of vehicles in the automotive aftermarket industry. In addition, we continue to increase our supplier capabilities with a complementary focus on specialized original equipment parts for manufacturers across multiple industries such as agriculture, heavy duty, and construction equipment. We believe that our extensive design and engineering capabilities have afforded us opportunities to expand our product coverage in our aftermarket business and enter newer specialized markets that require application-specific knowledge, such as those mentioned above.
We are organized into two operating segments. Each segment is focused on different product categories and with providing our customers with full-line coverage of its products, a full suite of complementary services that are tailored to our customers’ business needs, and with driving end-user demand for our products. We sell our products primarily to automotive aftermarket retailers, program distribution groups, warehouse distributors, original equipment manufacturers and original equipment service part operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, Mexico and other Latin American countries.
Overview of Financial Performance
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our results of operations and the financial condition of our business during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
(In thousands, except per share data) | | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 322,831 | | | $ | 276,553 | |
Gross profit | | | 89,840 | | | | 83,784 | |
Gross profit % | | | 27.8 | % | | | 30.3 | % |
Operating income | | | 26,915 | | | | 29,324 | |
Operating income % | | | 8.3 | % | | | 10.6 | % |
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes | | | 27,559 | | | | 29,750 | |
Provision for income taxes | | | 7,005 | | | | 7,586 | |
Earnings from continuing operations | | | 20,554 | | | | 22,164 | |
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | | | (1,116 | ) | | | (1,164 | ) |
Net earnings | | | 19,438 | | | | 21,000 | |
Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest | | | (8 | ) | | �� | — | |
Net earnings attributable to SMP | | | 19,446 | | | | 21,000 | |
Per share data attributable to SMP – Diluted: | | | | | | | | |
Earnings from continuing operations | | $ | 0.91 | | | $ | 0.97 | |
Discontinued operations | | | (0.04 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) |
Net earnings per common share | | $ | 0.87 | | | $ | 0.92 | |
Consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $322.8 million, an increase of $46.2 million, or 16.7% compared to net sales of $276.6 million in the same period in 2021. Consolidated net sales increased in both our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments.
The increase in net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2022 when compared to the comparable period in the prior year reflects the favorable impact of multiple factors including:
| • | incremental net sales from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions, |
| • | continued momentum from the strong 2021 net sales resulting from successful customer initiatives in the marketplace and new customer business wins, |
| • | continued strong customer demand fueled by the replenishment of customer inventory levels, and |
| • | the impact of price increases designed to pass through inflationary cost increases in raw materials, freight and labor. |
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 27.8% as compared to 30.3% for the same period in 2021. Gross margins in the first three months of 2022 were negatively impacted by lower fixed cost absorption due to lower, and more normalized, production levels than those achieved in the same period in 2021, the higher mix of heavy duty parts sales from our recent acquisitions, which have a different margin profile than our aftermarket business with lower gross margins but comparable operating margin, and inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation expense, which were somewhat offset by increased pricing. While we anticipate continued margin pressure resulting from inflationary headwinds, we believe that our annual cost initiatives coupled with our ability to pass through higher prices to our customers should help to offset much of this impact to our margins.
Operating margin as a percentage of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 8.3% as compared to 10.6% for the same period in 2021. Included in our operating margin were selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) of $62.9 million, or 19.5% of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 compared to $54.5 million, or 19.7% of net sales, for the same period in 2021. The higher SG&A expenses in 2022 resulted principally from elevated costs associated with higher sales volumes, as well as the impact of increased freight costs, higher costs incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, and incremental expenses from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions.
Overall, continuing the momentum from a strong 2021, we posted strong net sales during the first three months of 2022, reflecting the impact of acquisitions made in 2021, continued strong customer demand, and the impact of successful initiatives in the marketplace, new customer business wins and the impact of price increases. Our core automotive aftermarket business remains strong and we continue to make major strides into new complementary markets with upside potential.
Impact of Russia’s Invasion of the Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine, and the resultant sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments, have created risks, uncertainties and disruptions impacting business continuity, liquidity and asset values not only in the Ukraine and Russia, but in markets worldwide. Significant price increases have occurred in gas and energy markets, as well as in other commodities. Although we have no facilities or business operations in either the Ukraine or Russia, have historically had only minor sales to customers in Russia, which we have subsequently discontinued, and have not experienced additional significant disruptions in the supply chain, the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding the invasion are being closely monitored. We have manufacturing and distribution facilities in Bialystok, Poland and Pecel, Hungary. Our facility in Bialystok, Poland does not use natural gas in its production process, or for heating, and, as such, is not impacted by Russia’s decision to halt the export of all natural gas to Poland and Bulgaria. While we have not been impacted by the war to date, there can be no assurances that any escalation of the invasion will not have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Impact of Global Supply Chain Disruption and Inflation
Disruptions in the global economy have impeded global supply chains, resulted in longer lead times and delays in procuring component parts and raw materials, and resulted in inflationary cost increases in certain raw materials, labor and transportation. In response to the global supply chain volatility and inflationary cost increases, we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact by working closely with our suppliers and customers to minimize any potential adverse impacts on our business, including implementing cost savings initiatives and the pass through of higher costs to our customers in the form of price increases, and increasing inventory levels to minimize the obvious disruptions from out-of-stock raw materials and components to ensure higher fill rates with our customers. We believe that we have also benefited from our geographically diversified manufacturing footprint and our strategy to bring more product manufacturing in-house, especially with respect to product availability and fill rates. We expect these inflationary trends to continue for some time, and while we believe that we will be able to somewhat offset the impact, there can be no assurances that unforeseen future events in the global supply chain affecting the availability of materials and components, and/or increasing commodity pricing, will not have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Impact of Changes in U.S. Trade Policy
Changes in U.S. trade policy, particularly as it relates to China, as with much of our industry, have resulted in the assessment of increased tariffs on goods that we, as with much of our industry, import into the United States. Although our operating results in the three months ended March 31, 2022 have been only slightly impacted by the tariff costs associated with Chinese sourced products (due to our diversified manufacturing and distribution footprint), we have taken, and continue to take, several actions to mitigate the impact of the increased tariffs, including but not limited to, price increases to our customers. We do not anticipate that the increased tariffs will have a significant impact on our future operating results. Although we are confident that we will be able to pass along the impact of the increased tariffs to our customers, there can be no assurances that we will be able to pass on the entire increased costs imposed by the tariffs.
Environmental, Social, & Governance (“ESG”)
Our Company was founded in 1919 on the values of integrity, common decency and respect for others. These values continue to this day and are embodied in our Code of Ethics, which has been adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company to serve as a statement of principles to guide our decision-making and reinforce our commitment to these values in all aspects of our business. These values also serve as the foundation for our increased focus on many important environmental, social and governance issues, such as environmental stewardship and our efforts to identify and implement practices that reduce our environmental impact while achieving our business goals; our attention to diversity, equity and inclusion, employee development, retention, and health and safety; and our community engagement initiatives, to name a few.
We have made significant strides with respect to our ESG initiatives, building awareness of the environmental impact of our operations, and challenging ourselves to reduce our impact by reducing our usage of energy and water, reducing our generation of waste, increasing our recycling efforts and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”), with the ambition of achieving net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. With each year, we intend to further our commitment to improving our environmental stewardship and finding ways to give back to our communities. Information on our ESG initiatives can be found on our corporate website at ir.smpcorp.com under “Environmental & Social Responsibility” and at smpcares.smpcorp.com. Information on our corporate websites regarding our ESG initiatives are referenced for general information only and are not incorporated by reference in this Report.
Interim Results of Operations
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Sales. Consolidated net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $322.8 million, an increase of $46.2 million, or 16.7%, compared to $276.6 million in the same period of 2021, with the majority of our net sales to customers located in the United States. Consolidated net sales increased in both our Engine Management and Temperature Control Segments.
The following table summarizes consolidated net sales by segment and by major product group within each segment for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Engine Management: | | | | | | |
Ignition, Emission Control, Fuel and Safety Related System Products | | $ | 200,354 | | | $ | 173,666 | |
Wire and Cable | | | 38,903 | | | | 38,352 | |
Total Engine Management | | | 239,257 | | | | 212,018 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Temperature Control: | | | | | | | | |
Compressors | | | 43,277 | | | | 33,374 | |
Other Climate Control Parts | | | 38,044 | | | | 29,099 | |
Total Temperature Control | | | 81,321 | | | | 62,473 | |
| | | | | | | | |
All Other | | | 2,253 | | | | 2,062 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 322,831 | | | $ | 276,553 | |
Engine Management’s net sales increased $27.2 million, or 12.8%, to $239.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Net sales in ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system products for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $200.4 million, an increase of $26.7 million, or 15.4%, compared to $173.7 million in the same period of 2021. Net sales in the wire and cable product group for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were essentially flat at $38.9 million, when compared to $38.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. Engine Management’s increase in net sales for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 reflects the impact of incremental net sales from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions, the continued momentum from the strong 2021 net sales resulting from successful initiatives in the marketplace and new customer business wins, along with continued strong customer demand, and the impact of price increases, which were implemented to pass through inflationary increases in raw materials, freight and labor costs.
Incremental net sales from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions of $24.7 million were included in the net sales of the ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related system product group for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, excluding the incremental net sales from the acquisitions, net sales in the ignition, emission control, fuel and safety related product group increased $2 million, or 1.2%, and Engine Management net sales increased $2.5 million, or 1.2%.
Temperature Control’s net sales increased $18.8 million, or 30.1%, to $81.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Net sales in the compressors product group for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $43.3 million, an increase of $9.9 million, or 29.7%, compared to $33.4 million in the same period of 2021. Net sales in the other climate control parts product group for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were $38 million, an increase of $8.9 million, or 30.7%, compared to $29.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2021. Temperature Control’s increase in net sales for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 reflects the impact of strong pre-season orders in the first quarter of 2022 as customers replenished their inventory levels after very warm summer weather conditions in 2021. Although we experienced strong first quarter 2022 customer demand for our Temperature Control products, full year results will be dependent upon upcoming summer weather conditions and customer inventory levels.
Gross Margins. Gross margins, as a percentage of consolidated net sales, decreased to 27.8% in the first quarter of 2022, compared to 30.3% in the first quarter of 2021. The following table summarizes gross margins by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31, | | Engine Management | | | Temperature Control | | | Other | | | Total | |
2022 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 239,257 | | | $ | 81,321 | | | $ | 2,253 | | | $ | 322,831 | |
Gross margins | | | 65,535 | | | | 19,986 | | | | 4,319 | | | | 89,840 | |
Gross margin percentage | | | 27.4 | % | | | 24.6 | % | | | — | | | | 27.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2021 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 212,018 | | | $ | 62,473 | | | $ | 2,062 | | | $ | 276,553 | |
Gross margins | | | 65,070 | | | | 15,995 | | | | 2,719 | | | | 83,784 | |
Gross margin percentage | | | 30.7 | % | | | 25.6 | % | | | — | | | | 30.3 | % |
Compared to the first three months of 2021, gross margins at Engine Management decreased 3.3 percentage points from 30.7% to 27.4%, while gross margins at Temperature Control decreased 1 percentage point from 25.6% to 24.6%. The gross margin percentage decrease in Engine Management compared to the prior year reflects the impact of lower fixed cost absorption due to lower, and more normalized, production levels than those achieved in the first three months of 2021, inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation, which were somewhat offset by increased pricing, and the higher mix of heavy duty parts sales from recent acquisitions, which have a different profile than our aftermarket business with lower gross margins but comparable operating margins. The higher production volumes at Engine Management in the first three months of 2021 was reflective of our effort to rebuild finished goods inventory in response to strong customer demand after the uneven impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on net sales in 2020, whereas inventory increases in 2022 mainly reflect both the cost of materials inflation and higher safety stocks of raw materials given the volatility in the supply chain.
The gross margin percentage decrease in Temperature Control in the first three months of 2022, compared to the prior year, reflects the impact of inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation, which were somewhat offset by increased pricing, and net year-over-year unfavorable production variances, as we no longer had the enhanced production benefit resulting from the sales surge occurring from the post-COVID lockdowns. While we anticipate continued margin pressures at both Engine Management and Temperature Control resulting from inflationary cost increases, we believe that our annual cost initiatives, and our ability to pass through higher prices to our customers, will help to offset the impact of the inflationary increases on our margins.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $62.9 million, or 19.5% of consolidated net sales, in the first quarter of 2022, as compared to $54.5 million, or 19.7% of consolidated net sales in the first quarter of 2021. The $8.4 million increase in SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2022 as compared to the first quarter of 2021 is principally due to (1) higher costs associated with higher sales volumes and the impact of an increase in freight costs, (2) higher costs incurred in our supply chain financing arrangements, and (3) the impact of incremental expenses of $3.6 million from our soot sensor, Trombetta and Stabil acquisitions, including amortization of intangible assets acquired. The lower year-over-year SG&A expense percentage of consolidated net sales reflects the impact of higher year-over-year sales volumes, and the higher mix of heavy duty parts sales from recent acquisitions, which have a different profile than our aftermarket business with lower SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales.
Restructuring and Integration Expenses. Restructuring and integration expenses were $41,000 in first three months of 2022. Restructuring and integration expenses incurred in the first three months of 2022 relate to the relocation, in our Engine Management Segment, of certain inventory, machinery, and equipment acquired in our March 2021 soot sensor acquisition. We anticipate that the soot sensor product line relocation will be completed by the end of the second quarter of 2022.
Operating Income. Operating income was $26.9 million, or 8.3% of consolidated net sales, in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $29.3 million, or 10.6% of consolidated net sales, in the first quarter of 2021. The year-over-year decrease in operating income of $2.4 million is the result of the impact of lower gross margins as a percentage of consolidated net sales, and higher SG&A expenses offset, in part, by higher consolidated net sales.
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net. Other non-operating income, net was $1.4 million in the first quarter of 2022, compared to other non-operating income, net of $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2021. The year-over-year increase in other non-operating income (expense), net results from the increase in year-over-year equity income from our joint ventures and the favorable impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $0.2 million in the same period of 2021. The year-over-year increase in interest expense reflects the impact of higher average outstanding borrowings in the first quarter of 2022 when compared to the first quarter of 2021, and slightly higher year-over-year average interest rates on our revolving credit facility.
Income Tax Provision. The income tax provision in the first quarter of 2022 was $7 million at an effective tax rate of 25.4% compared to $7.6 million at an effective tax rate of 25.5% for the same period in 2021. The effective tax rate was flat year-over-year.
Loss from Discontinued Operations. During the first quarter of 2022 and 2021, the loss from discontinued operations, net of tax was $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, reflects legal expenses associated with our asbestos-related liability. As discussed more fully in Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited), we are responsible for certain future liabilities relating to alleged exposure to asbestos containing products.
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest. In May 2021, we acquired the Trombetta business for $111.7 million. As part of the acquisition, we acquired a 70% ownership in a joint venture in Hong Kong, with operations in Shanghai and Wuxi, China (“Trombetta Asia, Ltd.”). Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $8,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 represents 30% of the net loss of Trombetta Asia, Ltd.
Restructuring and Integration Programs
For a detailed discussion on the restructuring and integration costs, see Note 4, “Restructuring and Integration Expenses,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Operating Activities. During the first three months of 2022, cash used in operating activities was $104.1 million compared to $11.4 million in the same period of 2021. The increase in cash used in operating activities resulted primarily from the increase in accounts receivable compared to a decrease in accounts receivable in the prior year, the larger year-over-year increase in inventories, the smaller year-over-year increase in accounts payable, the smaller year-over-year decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets and, the decrease in net earnings, partially offset by the smaller year-over-year decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses.
Net earnings during the first quarter of 2022 were $19.4 million compared to $21 million in the first quarter of 2021. During the first three months of 2022, (1) the increase in accounts receivable was $44.7 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in accounts receivable of $23.5 million in 2021; (2) the increase in inventories was $67.7 million compared to the year-over-year increase in inventories of $46.3 million in 2021; (3) the increase in accounts payable was $1.9 million compared to the year-over-year increase in accounts payable of $8.4 million in 2021; (4) the decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets was $2.2 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $3.8 million in 2021; and (5) the decrease in sundry payables and accrued expenses was $21.2 million compared to the year-over-year decrease in sundry payables of $29.5 million in 2021. The increase in inventories during the first quarter of 2022 reflects actions taken to meet continued strong customer demand, the timing of inventory purchases at our Temperature Control segment in anticipation of the upcoming summer selling season, and to serve as a hedge against the continuing global disruptions in the supply chain. We continue to actively manage our working capital to maximize our operating cash flow.
Investing Activities. Cash used in investing activities was $6.4 million in the first three months of 2022, compared to $7 million in the same period of 2021. Investing activities during the first three months of 2022 consisted of capital expenditures of $6.4 million; while investing activities during the first three months of 2021 consisted of the payment of $2.1 million for our acquisition of certain assets of the soot sensor product lines from Stoneridge, Inc. and capital expenditures of $4.9 million.
Financing Activities. Cash provided by financing activities was $108.3 million in the first three months of 2022 as compared to $16.1 million in the same period of 2021. During the first three months of 2022, (1) we increased borrowings under our revolving credit facility by $120.2 million as compared to the increase in borrowings under our revolving credit facility of $31 million in 2021; (2) we made cash payments in the first three months of 2022 for the repurchase of shares of our common stock of $6.5 million as compared to $11.1 million in 2021; and (3) we paid dividends of $5.9 million in the first three months of 2022 as compared to $5.6 million in 2021. Cash provided by borrowings under our revolving credit facility in the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were used to fund our operating activities, investing activities, purchase of our common shares and pay dividends. In February 2022, our Board of Directors voted to increase our quarterly dividend from $0.25 per share in 2021 to $0.27 per share in 2022.
Liquidity.
Our primary cash requirements include working capital, capital expenditures, regular quarterly dividends, stock repurchases, principal and interest payments on indebtedness and acquisitions. Our primary sources of funds are ongoing net cash flows from operating activities and availability under our amended secured revolving credit facility (as detailed below).
In March 2022, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, SMP Motor Products Ltd. and Trumpet Holdings, Inc., entered into an amendment to our Credit Agreement, dated as of October 28, 2015 (as amended by the First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2018), with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, and a syndicate of lenders for our senior secured revolving credit facility. The amendment provides for the drawdown of an additional $50 million from the agreement’s accordion feature to increase the line of credit under the revolving credit facility from $250 million to $300 million, and updates the benchmark provisions to replace LIBOR with Term SOFR as the reference rate. The amended credit agreement has a maturity date of December 10, 2023, and allows for a $10 million line of credit to Canada as part of the $300 million available for borrowing.
Direct borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest at SOFR for the selected term (adjusted to include a 0.10% credit spread adjustment) plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% based on our borrowing availability, or floating at the alternate base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% based on our borrowing availability, at our option. The amended credit agreement is guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries and secured by certain of our assets.
Borrowings under the amended credit agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets, including accounts receivable, inventory and certain fixed assets, and those of certain of our subsidiaries. Availability under the amended credit agreement is based on a formula of eligible accounts receivable, eligible drafts presented to the banks under our supply chain financing arrangements and eligible inventory. After taking into account outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement, there was an additional $52 million available for us to borrow pursuant to the formula at March 31, 2022. The loss of business of one or more of our key customers or, a significant reduction in purchases of our products from any one of them, could adversely impact availability under our amended revolving credit facility.
Outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement, which are classified as current liabilities, were $245.5 million and $125.3 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively; while letters of credit outstanding under the credit agreement were $2.6 million at both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Borrowings under the credit agreement have been classified as current liabilities based upon accounting rules and certain provisions in the agreement.
At March 31, 2022, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 1.8%, which consisted of $230 million in direct borrowings at 1.5% and an alternative base rate loan of $15.5 million at 3.75%. At December 31, 2021, the weighted average interest rate on our amended credit agreement was 1.4%, which consisted of $125 million in direct borrowings at 1.4% and an alternative base rate loan of $0.3 million at 3.5%. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, our average daily alternative base rate loan balance was $2.6 million compared to a balance of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and a balance of $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
At any time that our borrowing availability is less than the greater of either (a) $25 million, or 10% of the commitments if fixed assets are not included in the borrowing base, or (b) $31.25 million, or 12.5% of the commitments if fixed assets are included in the borrowing base, the terms of the amended credit agreement provide for, among other provisions, a financial covenant requiring us, on a consolidated basis, to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1:1 at the end of each fiscal quarter (rolling four quarters). As of March 31, 2022, we were not subject to these covenants. Additionally, the amended credit agreement permits us to pay cash dividends of $25 million in any fiscal year, so long as after giving effect to the payment (a) our borrowing availability is greater than, or equal to, the greater of $25 million or 10% of the commitments, or (b) our borrowing availability is greater than $15 million and our fixed charge coverage ratio is at least 1.15 to 1; and to make stock repurchases of $20 million in any fiscal year, so long as after giving effect to the repurchases our borrowing availability is greater than, or equal to, the greater of $25 million or 10% of the commitments. Provided specific conditions are met, the amended credit agreement also permits acquisitions, permissible debt financing, capital expenditures, cash dividend payments greater than $25 million, and stock repurchases of greater than $20 million.
In February 2022, our Polish subsidiary, SMP Poland sp. z.o.o., amended its overdraft facility with HSBC Continental Europe (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce, formerly HSBC France (Spolka Akcyjna) Oddzial w Polsce. The amended overdraft facility provides for borrowings of up to Zloty 30 million (approximately $7.2 million). Availability under the amended facility commences in March 2022 and ends in June 2022, with automatic three-month renewals until June 2027, subject to cancellation by either party, at its sole discretion, at least 30 days prior to the commencement of the three-month renewal period. Borrowings under the overdraft facility will bear interest at a rate equal to WIBOR + 1.5% and are guaranteed by Standard Motor Products, Inc., the ultimate parent company. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, borrowings under the overdraft facility were Zloty 13.2 million (approximately $3.2 million) and Zloty 12.3 million (approximately $3 million), respectively.
In order to reduce our accounts receivable balances and improve our cash flow, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. Under the terms of the agreements, we retain no rights or interest, have no obligations with respect to the sold receivables, and do not service the receivables after the sale. As such, these transactions are being accounted for as a sale.
Pursuant to these agreements, we sold $155.7 million and $191.4 million of receivables during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Receivables presented at financial institutions and not yet collected as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were approximately $9.6 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and remained in our accounts receivable balance for those periods. All receivables sold were reflected as a reduction of accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheet at the time of sale. A charge in the amount of $3.5 million and $2.7 million related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
To the extent that these arrangements are terminated, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected by extended payment terms, delays or failures in collecting trade accounts receivables. The utility of the supply chain financing arrangements also depends upon the LIBOR rate, or an alternative benchmark reference rate, as it is a component of the discount rate applicable to each arrangement. If the LIBOR rate, or alternative benchmark reference rate, increases significantly, we may be negatively impacted as we may not be able to pass these added costs on to our customers, which could have a material and adverse effect upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In October 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $30 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program, during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021 were 150,427 shares and 7,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, at a total cost of $6.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, there was approximately $22.8 million available for future stock purchases under the program. During the period from April 1, 2022 through April 29, 2022, we have repurchased an additional 96,028 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $4.1 million, thereby reducing the availability under the program to $18.7 million. Stock will be purchased under the program from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant.
Material Cash Commitments
Material cash commitments as of March 31, 2022 consist of required cash payments to service our outstanding borrowings of $245.5 million under our amended revolving credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent, and the future minimum cash requirements of $45.6 million through 2031 under operating leases. All of our other cash commitments as of March 31, 2022 are not material. For additional information related to our material cash commitments, see Note 8, “Leases,” and Note 9, “Credit Facilities and Long-Term Debt,” in the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
We anticipate that our cash flow from operations, available cash, and available borrowings under our amended revolving credit facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among other things, that we will be able to mitigate the future impact, if any, of disruptions in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and resultant sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments and the recent lockdowns in China, and significant inflationary cost increases in raw materials, labor and transportation that we are unable to pass through to our customers, and that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. If material adverse developments were to occur in any of these areas, there can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available to us under our amended revolving credit facility in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. In addition, if we default on any of our indebtedness, or breach any financial covenant in our amended revolving credit facility, our business could be adversely affected.
For further information regarding the risks in our business, refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We have identified the accounting policies and estimates surrounding the “Valuation of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets and Goodwill,” and “Asbestos Litigation” as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies and estimates on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” where such policies and estimates affect our reported and expected financial results. There have been no material changes to these and other accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Note 1 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
You should be aware that preparation of our consolidated quarterly financial statements in this Report requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We can give no assurances that actual results will not differ from those estimates. Although we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates, or in the assumptions that we use in calculating the estimates, the uncertain future effects, if any, of disruptions in the supply chain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and resultant sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other governments, and the recent lockdowns in China, and other unforeseen changes in the industry, or business, could materially impact the estimates, and may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
For a detailed discussion on recently issued accounting pronouncements and their impact on our consolidated financial statements, see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
ITEM 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign currency exchange and interest rates. These exposures are actively monitored by management. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is due to certain costs, revenues and borrowings being denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiary’s functional currency. Similarly, we are exposed to market risk as the result of changes in interest rates, which may affect the cost of our financing. It is our policy and practice to use derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to manage exposures. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. As of March 31, 2022, we do not have any derivative financial instruments.
Exchange Rate Risk
We have exchange rate exposure, primarily, with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the British Pound, the Polish Zloty, the Hungarian Forint, the Mexican Peso, the Taiwan Dollar, the Chinese Yuan Renminbi and the Hong Kong Dollar. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our monetary assets and liabilities which are subject to this exposure are immaterial, therefore, the potential immediate loss to us that would result from a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows. This sensitivity analysis assumes an unfavorable 10% fluctuation in the exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies in which monetary assets and liabilities are denominated and does not take into account the incremental effect of such a change on our foreign currency denominated revenues.
Interest Rate Risk
We manage our exposure to interest rate risk through the proportion of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt in our debt portfolio. To manage a portion of our exposure to interest rate changes, we have in the past entered into interest rate swap agreements. We invest our excess cash in highly liquid short-term investments. Substantially all of our debt is variable rate debt as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. Based upon our current level of borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our Poland overdraft facility, and our excess cash, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the interest rate may have an approximate $2.3 million annualized negative impact on our earnings or cash flows.
In addition, we are party to several supply chain financing arrangements, in which we may sell certain of our customers’ trade accounts receivable to such customers’ financial institutions. We sell our undivided interests in certain of these receivables at our discretion when we determine that the cost of these arrangements is less than the cost of servicing our receivables with existing debt. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we sold $155.7 million of receivables. Depending upon the level of sales of receivables pursuant these agreements, the effect of a hypothetical, instantaneous and unfavorable change of 100 basis points in the margin rate may have an approximate $1.6 million annualized negative impact on our earnings or cash flows based upon receivables sold in the three months ended March 31, 2022. The charge related to the sale of receivables is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Other than the aforementioned, there have been no significant changes to the information presented in Item 7A (Market Risk) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Report.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2022, we have not made any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2021, we completed the stock acquisitions of Stabil and Trombetta, and are in the process of integrating the acquired companies and evaluating their internal controls over financial reporting.
We review, document and test our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in the 2013 Internal Control – Integrated Framework. We may from time to time make changes aimed at enhancing their effectiveness and to ensure that our systems evolve with our business. These efforts may lead to various changes in our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information set forth in Item 1, “Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Report under the captions “Asbestos” and “Other Litigation” appearing in Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of the notes to our consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
ITEM 2. | UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
The following table provides information relating to the Company’s purchases of its common stock for the first quarter of 2022:
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) | | | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that may yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
January 1 – 31, 2022 | | | 27,543 | | | $ | 46.95 | | | | 27,543 | | | $ | 28,362,897 | |
February 1 – 28, 2022 | | | 66,284 | | | | 46.06 | | | | 66,284 | | | | 25,309,836 | |
March 1 – 31, 2022 | | | 56,600 | | | | 44.25 | | | | 56,600 | | | | 22,805,553 | |
Total | | | 150,427 | | | $ | 45.54 | | | | 150,427 | | | $ | 22,805,553 | |
| (1) | All shares were purchased through the publicly announced stock repurchase programs in open-market transactions. |
| (2) | In October 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the purchase of up to $30 million of our common stock under a stock repurchase program. Stock repurchases under this program, during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021 were 150,427 shares and 7,000 shares of our common stock, respectively, at a total cost of $6.9 million and $0.3 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, there was approximately $22.8 million available for future stock purchases under the program. During the period from April 1, 2022 through April 29, 2022, we have repurchased an additional 96,028 shares of our common stock at a total cost of $4.1 million, thereby reducing the availability under the program to $18.7 million. Stock will be purchased under the program from time to time, in the open market or through private transactions, as market conditions warrant. |
Exhibit Number | |
| | |
| 31.1 | |
| | |
| 31.2 | |
| | |
| 32.1 | |
| | |
| 32.2 | |
| 101.INS** | Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |
| 101.SCH** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| 101.CAL** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.LAB** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
| 101.PRE** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF** | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
** | In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibit 101 to the Original Filing shall be deemed to be “furnished” and not “filed.” |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, INC. |
| (Registrant) | |
|
|
Date: May 4, 2022 | /s/ Nathan R. Iles |
| Nathan R. Iles |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial and |
| Accounting Officer) |
39