Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co (HBB) Business
This page reproduces the company's own Item 1 Business text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Informational only - not investment advice. See Disclaimer.
Item 1. BUSINESS
General
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the notes to consolidated financial statements, references to “Hamilton Beach Holding”, “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” and similar references are to Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis unless otherwise noted or as the context otherwise requires. Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Company is a holding company and operates through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“HBB”).
We are a leading designer, marketer and distributor of a wide range of brand name small electric household and specialty housewares appliances, and commercial products for restaurants, fast food chains, bars and hotels, and a provider of connected devices and software for home healthcare management.
Our operations are managed and reported in two operating segments, each of which is a reportable segment for financial reporting purposes: (1) Home and Commercial Products and (2) Health. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company had one operating and one reportable segment.
Home and Commercial Products
Our Home and Commercial Products segment includes consumer product revenue, primarily concentrated in North America, consisting of sales of small electric household and specialty housewares appliances to traditional brick and mortar and ecommerce retailers, distributors and directly to the end consumer. Also included in this segment is commercial product revenue consisting of sales of products for restaurants, fast-food chains, bars and hotels. Approximately two-thirds of the Company’s commercial sales are in the United States (“U.S.”) and the remaining is in markets across the globe.
Health
Our Health segment includes lease revenue in the U.S. and globally associated with leases of connected devices to specialty pharmacy networks and pharmaceutical companies, as well as licensing revenue associated with agreements which grant customers the right to use software for healthcare management.
We make our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) available, free of charge, through our website, www.hamiltonbeachbrands.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The content of our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our website is intended to be inactive textual references only.
Sales and Marketing
We design, market and distribute a wide range of brand name small electric household and specialty housewares appliances, including air fryers, blenders, coffee makers, food processors, indoor electric grills, irons, juicers, mixers, slow cookers, toasters and toaster ovens. We also design, market and distribute commercial products for restaurants, fast food chains, bars and hotels. We generally market our “good” and “better” consumer products under the Hamilton Beach®, Proctor Silex®,and Weston® brands. We participate in the consumer premium market with our owned brands Hamilton Beach® Professional and Lotus® and license the brands for CHI® premium garment care products and Clorox™ home appliances. The Lotus® brand launched in September 2025 and offers high-end, premium small kitchen appliances. We market our commercial products under the Hamilton Beach Commercial® and the Proctor Silex Commercial® brands and we have multi-year license agreements to design, sell and distribute Sunkist® commercial juicers and sectionizers and Numilk® plant-based milk makers. We also license certain of our trademarks to various licensees in categories such as microwave ovens, among others. We continue to expand in the home, health and wellness markets. In February 2024, the Company acquired HealthBeacon Limited (“HealthBeacon”) a medical technology firm and strategic partner of the Company. HealthBeacon develops digitally connected devices that enable patients to manage at home chronic conditions that require the use of injectable medications, and it provides other health services. The primary system offered is the Smart Sharps Bin™ from Hamilton Beach Health®.
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Customers
Sales from our Home and Commercial Products segment are generated predominantly by a network of inside sales employees to mass merchandisers, ecommerce retailers, department stores, warehouse clubs, specialty home retailers, distributors, restaurants, bars, hotels and other retail outlets. Sales from our Health segment are generated through specialty pharmacy and pharmaceutical companies.
Walmart Inc. and its global subsidiaries (“Walmart”) accounted for approximately 29%, 29% and 27% of our revenue in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amazon.com, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Amazon.com”) accounted for approximately 19%, 24% and 24% of our revenue in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our five largest customers accounted for approximately 62%, 65% and 64% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Product Warranty
Our warranty program to the consumer consists generally of an assurance-type limited warranty lasting for varying periods of up to ten years for electric appliances, with the majority of products having a warranty of one to three years. There is no guarantee to the consumer as we may repair or replace, at our option, those products returned under warranty.
Seasonality and Working Capital
The market for small electric household and specialty housewares appliances is fairly steady throughout the year, however our revenue typically increases during the second half of the year and peaks during the fourth quarter due to the fall holiday-selling season. We generally use cash on hand or borrowings under our $125 million senior secured floating-rate revolving credit facility (the “HBB Facility”) to finance inventory over the course of the year in anticipation of the fall holiday-selling season.
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses
We hold patents and trademarks registered in the U.S. and foreign countries for various products. We believe that our business is not dependent upon any individual patent, copyright or license, but that the Hamilton Beach® trademark is material to our business.
Product Design and Development
We incurred $13.2 million, $13.7 million and $12.4 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in expenses on product design and development activities.
Key Suppliers and Raw Material
Our products are produced to our specifications by third-party suppliers. We do not maintain long-term purchase contracts with suppliers and operate mainly on a purchase order basis. We negotiate the purchases from our foreign suppliers in U.S. dollars.
During 2025, we continued to diversify our sourcing base across the Asia-Pacific region, enabling us to shift procurement to countries that best serve our economic interests. While we continued to purchase a majority of our finished products from suppliers in China, this supply chain expansion allows the Company the necessary flexibility in the future. We purchase our inventory from approximately 70 suppliers, one of which represented more than 10% of purchases during the year ended December 31, 2025. We believe the loss of any one supplier would not have a long-term material adverse effect on our business because there are adequate supplier choices available that can meet our production and quality requirements. However, the loss of a supplier could, in the short term, adversely affect our business until alternative supply arrangements are secured.
The principal raw materials used by our third-party suppliers to manufacture our products are plastic, glass, steel, copper, aluminum and packaging materials. We believe adequate quantities of raw materials are available from various suppliers.
Competition
We believe the principal areas of competition with respect to all of our products are product design and innovation, quality, price and product features. We compete with many manufacturers and distributors of consumer housewares products. As brick-and-mortar retailers generally purchase a limited selection of brand name, small electric appliances, we compete with other suppliers for retail shelf space. In the consumer ecommerce channel, we must compete with a broad list of competitors for brand reputation through compelling content, strong ratings and reviews from consumers.
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To meet these competitive challenges, we have focused on continued innovation in our leading brands as well as expanding into new categories using existing core competencies. Our presence in a significant number of consumer housewares product categories across various price points allows us to meet the needs of a wide range of retailers and consumers. Based on publicly available information about the industry, we are one of the largest full-line distributors and marketers of small electric and specialty housewares appliances in North America, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America, based on key product categories. Hamilton Beach® is the #2 small kitchen appliance national brand in the U.S. based on units sold and grew to #4 by dollars sold. To a lesser degree, our retail product lines compete outside of North America.
Our commercial products compete globally and have generated a strong position in these markets.
Our Hamilton Beach Health® brand competes primarily in the U.S. with additional operations in Europe. The intellectual property of our Hamilton Beach Health® business is important to the operations of our Health segment. Any unauthorized use of, or third-party claim against, our intellectual property rights could harm our business or our ability to compete in the home, health and wellness markets.
Government Regulation
Our operations are subject to various laws and regulations administered by federal, state, local and foreign government agencies, including laws and regulations related to health, safety and environmental matters. Based on current information, we do not expect compliance with environmental requirements to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
As a marketer and distributor of consumer products, we are subject to the Consumer Products Safety Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, which empowers the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) to seek to exclude products that are found to be unsafe or hazardous from the market. Under certain circumstances, the CPSC could require us to repair, replace or refund the purchase price of one or more of our products, or we may voluntarily do so. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”), and other governmental authorities regulate the development, manufacture, sale and distribution of certain of our products. For certain products in our Hamilton Beach Health® business, government regulations may require detailed inspection of, and controls over, research and development, clinical investigations, product approvals and manufacturing, marketing and promotion, sampling, distribution, record-keeping, storage and disposal practices. We are also subject to data privacy and security regulations, tax and securities regulations, accounting and reporting standards and other financial laws and regulations.
Past, current or future regulations, their interpretation, or their application could have a material adverse impact on our operations. For example, current or future regulations may be passed that could prevent, delay, revoke or result in the rejection of regulatory clearance of certain of our products. We cannot predict the effect on our operations resulting from current or future governmental regulation or the interpretation or application of these regulations. In addition, if we fail to comply with any applicable regulatory requirements, penalties could be imposed on us.
In addition, electrical appliances are subject to various mandatory and voluntary standards, including requirements in some jurisdictions that products be listed by Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. (“UL”) or other similar recognized laboratories. We endeavor to design our products to meet the certification requirements of, and to be certified in, each of the jurisdictions in which they are sold.
For more information about the risks we face regarding regulatory requirements, see Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report titled, “Risk Factors - Government regulations could impose costly requirements on our business.”
Human Capital Resources
Our business thrives on people—our employees, customers, consumers who enjoy our appliances, and the communities we serve. At the heart of our culture is Good Thinking®, a philosophy that embodies teamwork, service, and inspires innovation in every aspect of our business. This values-driven culture is a key strength, shaping our workplace environment and empowering our employees. Good Thinking® extends beyond product innovation—it influences everything we do.
Our people are our greatest asset, and we believe they will remain the driving force behind our success for years to come. We are committed to fostering an environment that attracts, engages, and nurtures talent by offering competitive compensation and benefits, creating professional growth opportunities, and ensuring every individual is treated with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity. That’s why we strive to cultivate a workplace where our employees are passionate about our mission, have a voice in shaping our future, and find meaning in their work.
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Diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthens our Company, especially within a culture of trust where differing ideas are not just welcomed but encouraged. We believe this dynamic environment fosters creativity, initiative, engagement, and retention—ultimately driving long-term competitive advantage and value creation. As one team, guided by our Good Thinking® philosophy, we aim to enrich the lives of our customers and consumers through innovative solutions that enhance everyday life, while making a lasting, positive impact on our employees and the communities we serve.
We are unwavering in our commitment to the highest legal and ethical standards, including the protection of human rights and fair treatment for all employees. Our policies—including our Code of Corporate Conduct, compliance guidelines, employment policies, and Human Rights Policy—are designed to uphold this commitment.
As of December 31, 2025, we had a workforce of approximately 660 employees across five countries—Canada, China, Mexico, Ireland, and the United States. About 97% of our employees were full-time, with the remaining working part-time. Roughly 2% of our workforce, all based in Canada, are covered by collective bargaining agreements.
In the United States, we employ approximately 470 people, with about half located at our headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. This facility houses our product design, development and marketing teams, along with a state-of-the-art test kitchen and a UL-certified test laboratory. The majority of our remaining U.S. employees support operations at our distribution center in Byhalia, Mississippi. Overall, we maintain strong and positive employee relations.
Occupational Health and Safety
Protecting the health and safety of our employees is a top priority. We are dedicated to providing a safe working environment and ensuring that our operations are carried out responsibly, securely, and in compliance with all relevant legal requirements. We expect all employees to perform their duties in a way that mitigates risks and protects the well-being of everyone. Our occupational health and safety efforts include maintaining safe equipment and facilities, implementing safety training programs, and enforcing safety procedures. We actively encourage employees to suggest safety improvements, join safety committees, and consistently practice safe behaviors.
Talent Acquisition, Development, and Retention
The long-term success and growth of our Company largely depends on our ability to attract, engage, and nurture a talented, dedicated workforce that drives performance and innovation. To meet our talent requirements, we focus on strategic recruitment and continually improve our onboarding and employee development programs. We carefully monitor compensation and benefits to stay competitive and minimize turnover, helping us attract and retain top talent. Through our total rewards programs, we offer comprehensive compensation packages that include incentive plans, recognition programs, retirement benefits, healthcare, tax-advantaged spending accounts, employee assistance programs, and paid time off for sick leave, vacation, and holidays.
As a learning-focused organization, we are committed to continuous improvement and fostering the growth of our team. We support employee development through various training opportunities and resources, such as “Hamilton Beach University.” This cross-functional learning program provides employees with a deeper understanding of our company, products, and industry, while also equipping them with the skills needed to adapt to emerging trends and excel in their roles.
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Information about our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth, as of February 25, 2026, the name, age, current position and principal occupation and employment during the past five years of the Company’s executive officers.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
| Name | Age | Positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R. Scott Tidey | 61 | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hamilton Beach Holding (from October 2024), President of Hamilton Beach Holding (from February 2024 to September 2024), Senior Vice President, Global Sales of HBB (from January 2023 to February 2024), Senior Vice President, Consumer Sales & Marketing of HBB (from March 2021 to January 2023), Senior Vice President, North America Sales and Marketing of HBB (from prior to 2021 to March 2021) | ||
| Sally M. Cunningham | 51 | Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Hamilton Beach Holding (from May 2023), Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hamilton Beach Holding (from March 2023 to May 2023),Operating Partner of One Rock Capital Partners (a private equity firm) (from November 2021 to February 2023), Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ascent Industries Co. (a steel and chemical production and distribution company) (from prior to 2021 to August 2021) | ||
| Andrew C. Carington | 57 | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Hamilton Beach Holding (from May 2025), Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Hamilton Beach Holding (from March 2025 to May 2025), Chief Legal Officer and Secretary of MediaCo Holding Inc. (a multimedia company focused on radio and digital advertising, premium programming and events) (from October 2024 to March 2025), Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Standard Media Group LLC (a diversified national media company) (from prior to 2021 to March 2025) |