Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co (HBB) FY 2023 MD&A

Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and related notes thereto and the other disclosures contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion and analysis focuses on our financial results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 and year-to-year comparisons between these years. A discussion of our results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the year ended December 31, 2021 is included in Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities (if any). Actual results could differ from those estimates.

We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Sales taxes are excluded from revenue. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify a performance obligation for each promised good or service that is distinct. We have elected to account for shipping and handling activities performed after a customer obtains control of the goods as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the goods, and therefore these activities are not assessed as a separate service to customers. The amount of revenue recognized varies primarily with price concessions and changes in returns. We offer price concessions to our customers for incentive offerings, special pricing agreements, price competition, promotions or other volume-based arrangements. We determine whether price concessions offered to our customers are a reduction of the transaction price and revenue or are advertising expense, depending on whether we receive a distinct good or service from our customers and, if so, whether we can reasonably estimate the fair value of that distinct good or service. We evaluated such agreements with our customers and determined they should be accounted for as variable consideration.

To estimate variable consideration, we apply both the expected value method and most likely amount method based on the form of variable consideration, according to which method would provide the better prediction. The expected value method involves a probability weighted determination of the expected amount, whereas the most likely amount method identifies the single most likely outcome in a range of possible amounts.

We monitor our estimates of variable consideration, which includes returns and price concessions, and periodically make adjustments to the carrying amounts as appropriate. During 2023, there were no material adjustments to the aforesaid estimates and our past results of operations have not been materially affected by a change in these estimates. Although there can be no assurances, we are not aware of any circumstances that would be reasonably likely to materially change these estimates in the future.

Retirement Benefit Plans: We maintain two defined benefit pension plans that provide benefits based on years of service and average compensation during certain periods. Our policy is to periodically make contributions to fund the defined benefit pension plans within the range allowed by applicable regulations. The defined benefit pension plan assets consist primarily of government and corporate bonds. There is no guarantee the actual return on the plans’ assets will equal the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets or that the plans will not incur investment losses.

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

Historically, we employed a total return on investment approach whereby a mix of equities and fixed income investments were used to maximize the long-term return of plan assets for a prudent level of risk. During 2022, our Board approved the termination of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan (the “Plan”) with an effective date of September 30, 2022. The termination process is still ongoing and is expected to be completed in 2024. In light of the Plan termination process, volatility in the market and the funding status, the Plan transferred a significant portion of its assets to lower risk investments in 2022 to move towards a liability driven investing strategy whereby the assets are primarily fixed income investments. The fixed income investments that were chosen under this strategy, while not precisely the same, are meant to parallel the investments selected in determining the discount rate used to calculate our pension liability.

For the Non-U.S. Plan, the expected long-term rate of return on defined benefit plan assets reflects our expectations of long-term rates of return on funds invested to provide for benefits included in the projected benefit obligations. In establishing the expected long-term rate of return assumption for plan assets, we consider the historical rates of return over a period of time that is consistent with the long-term nature of the underlying obligations of these plans as well as a forward-looking rate of return. The historical and forward-looking rates of return are used to determine our estimated rate of return assumption.

Expected returns for the U.S. pension plan are based on a calculated market-related value for U.S. pension plan assets. Expected returns for the non-U.S. pension plan are based on fair market value for non-U.S. pension plan assets. Under this methodology, asset gains and losses resulting from actual returns that differ from our expected returns which are recognized ratably in the market-related value of assets over three years.

The basis for the selection of the discount rate for each plan is determined by matching the timing of the payment of the expected obligations under the defined benefit plans against the corresponding yield of high-quality corporate bonds of equivalent maturities.

Changes to the estimate of any of these factors could result in a change to our pension obligation causing a related increase or decrease in reported net operating results in the period of change in the estimate. Because the 2023 assumptions are used to calculate 2024 pension expense amounts, a one percentage-point change in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets would result in a change in pension expense for 2024 of approximately $0.3 million for the plans. A one percentage-point change in the discount rate would result in a change in pension expense for 2024 of less than $0.1 million. A one percentage-point increase in the discount rate would have lowered the plans’ projected benefit obligation as of the end of 2023 by approximately $1.0 million; while a one percentage-point decrease in the discount rate would have raised the plans’ projected benefit obligation as of the end of 2023 by approximately $1.1 million.

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our results of operations were as follows for the years ended December 31:

2023 Compared with 2022

The following table identifies the components of the change in revenue for 2023 compared with 2022:

Revenue - Revenue decreased $15.3 million, or 2.4% over the prior year due primarily to lower average selling price. Revenue decreased in the U.S., Canadian, and Latin American Consumer markets. Partially offsetting these revenue decreases was an increase in the Mexican Consumer market. The Global Commercial market had decreased revenue compared to 2022, when revenue grew 50% due to a continued strong rebound in the food service and hospitality industries from pandemic-driven demand softness, as well as the Company's new products, line extensions and sales initiatives.

Gross profit - Gross profit margin increased to 23.0% in the current year compared to 20.1% in the prior year due to lower product costs and favorable product mix.

Selling, general and administrative expenses - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.3 million due primarily to the $10.0 million insurance recovery recognized during the first quarter of 2022 which did not recur. Additionally, there was an increase in employee-related costs in the current year that was partially offset by a decrease in outside services.

Interest expense - Interest expense, net decreased $1.6 million due to decreased average borrowings outstanding under the HBB Facility, partially offset by higher interest rates.

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

Other expense (income), net - Other expense (income), net decreased $1.4 million. In 2023, other expense (income), net includes currency gains of $0.3 million in the current year compared to currency losses of $1.9 million in 2022. This decrease is driven by the liquidation of the Brazilian subsidiary, which resulted in $2.1 million of accumulated other comprehensive losses being released into other expense (income), net during the first quarter of 2022. Additionally, during 2022, we recorded a $0.3 million pension settlement charge which did not recur.

Income tax expense - The effective tax rate on income was 20.4% and 22.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The effective tax rate was lower for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due to the favorable impact of foreign operations in the current year.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our cash flows are provided by dividends paid or distributions made by HBB. The only material assets held by us are the investment in our consolidated subsidiary. As a result, certain statutory limitations or regulatory or financing agreements could affect the levels of distributions allowed to be made by its subsidiary. We have not guaranteed any of the obligations of HBB.

Our principal sources of cash to fund liquidity needs are: (1) cash generated from operations and (2) borrowings available under the HBB Facility. Our primary use of funds consists of working capital requirements, operating expenses, payment of dividends, repurchase of shares, capital expenditures and payments of principal and interest on debt. As of December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents of $15.4 million, compared to $0.9 million as of December 31, 2022. We believe our liquidity and access to capital markets will be adequate to fund our cash requirements for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future.

The Company has an agreement with a third-party administrator to provide an accounts payable tracking system which facilitates a participating supplier’s ability to monitor and voluntarily elect to sell payment obligations owed by the Company to the designated third-party financial institution. Participating suppliers can sell one or more of the Company’s payment obligations at their sole discretion. The Company has no economic interest in a supplier’s decision to sell one or more of its payment obligations. The Company’s rights and obligations with respect to such payment obligations, including amounts due and scheduled payment terms, are not impacted by suppliers’ decisions to sell amounts under these arrangements. The agreement has a limit of $60.0 million in payment obligations ($85.0 million during peak season from August to January). There is no requirement to provide assets pledged as security or other forms of guarantees under the agreement. The Company pays the third-party administrator based upon the original payment terms negotiated with participating suppliers. The payment of these obligations by the Company is included in cash used in operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company has $55.0 million and $23.3 million, respectively, in outstanding payment obligations that are presented in Accounts payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of these totals, the third-party financial institution has made payments to participating suppliers to settle $48.9 million and $23.3 million, respectively, of our outstanding payment obligations.

We do not rely on the supplier finance program as a means to manage our cash flow, as our payment terms to the third-party financial institution are the same as our terms to our participating suppliers. Therefore, we do not face a material risk if any party terminates the agreement. Our participation has not had a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, Statement of Cash Flows or liquidity.

The following table presents selected cash flow information:

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

December 31, 2023 Compared with December 31, 2022

Operating activities - Net cash provided by operating activities was $88.6 million compared to cash used for operating activities of $3.4 million in 2022 primarily due to our focus on net working capital improvement. Net working capital provided cash of $49.5 million in 2023 compared to a use of cash of $39.0 million in 2022. Net cash provided by accounts payable was $37.5 million in 2023 compared to $69.9 million used in 2022. Net cash provided by inventory was $30.8 million in 2023 compared to $26.4 million provided in 2022. Trade receivables used net cash of $18.8 million during 2023 compared to $4.5 million provided in the prior year due to timing of collections.

Investing activities - Net cash used for investing activities increased in 2023 compared to 2022 related to $1.6 million in secure loan payments made to HealthBeacon and internal-use software development costs.

Financing activities - Net cash used for financing activities was $70.1 million in 2023 compared to cash provided by financing activities of $5.6 million in 2022. The change is due to our focus on net working capital improvement and a significant reduction in borrowings outstanding on the HBB Facility.

Capital Resources

The HBB Facility expires in June 2025. We expect to continue to borrow against the facility and make voluntary repayments within the next twelve months. Repayment of the HBB Facility is due on June 30, 2025, therefore all borrowings are classified as long term debt as of December 31, 2023. The obligations under the HBB Facility are secured by substantially all of HBB’s assets.

As of December 31, 2023, the borrowing base under the HBB Facility was $148.1 million and borrowings outstanding were $50.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, the excess availability under the HBB Facility was $98.1 million.

The maximum availability under the HBB Facility is governed by a borrowing base derived from advance rates against eligible trade receivables, inventory and trademarks of the borrowers, as defined in the HBB Facility. Borrowings bear interest at a floating rate, which can be a base rate, Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or bankers’ acceptance rate, as defined in the HBB Facility, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margins, effective December 31, 2023, for base rate loans and SOFR loans denominated in U.S. dollars were 0.00% and 1.55%, respectively. The applicable margins, effective December 31, 2023, for base rate loans and bankers’ acceptance loans denominated in Canadian dollars were 0.00% and 1.55%, respectively. The HBB Facility also requires a fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused commitment. The margins and unused commitment fee under the HBB Facility are subject to quarterly adjustment based on average excess availability. The weighted average interest rate applicable to the HBB Facility for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 4.25%, including the floating rate margin and the effect of the interest rate swap agreements described below.

To reduce the exposure to changes in the market rate of interest, we have entered into interest rate swap agreements for a portion of the HBB Facility. Terms of the interest rate swap agreements require us to receive a variable interest rate and pay a fixed interest rate.

The HBB Facility includes restrictive covenants, which, among other things, limit the payment of dividends, subject to achieving availability thresholds. Dividends are not to exceed $7.0 million during any calendar year to the extent that for the thirty days prior to the dividend payment date, and after giving effect to the dividend payment, HBB maintains excess availability of at least $18.0 million. Dividend amounts are discretionary to the extent that for the thirty days prior to the dividend payment date, and after giving effect to the dividend payment, HBB maintains excess availability of at least $30.0 million. The HBB Facility also requires HBB to achieve a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio in certain circumstances, as defined in the HBB Facility. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all financial covenants in the HBB Facility.

We maintain an arrangement with a financial institution to sell certain U.S. trade receivables on a non-recourse basis.

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

Contractual Obligations, Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

Following is a table which summarizes the contractual obligations of Hamilton Beach Holding as of December 31, 2023:

Our variable interest payments are calculated based upon our anticipated payment schedule and the December 31, 2023 base rate and applicable margins, as defined in the HBB Facility. A 0.25% increase in the base rate would increase our estimated total annual interest payments on the HBB Facility by approximately $0.3 million.

Our purchase and other obligations are primarily for accounts payable, open purchase orders and accrued payroll and incentive compensation.

An event of default, as defined in the HBB Facility and in our operating and finance lease agreements, could cause an acceleration of the payment schedule. No such event of default for us has occurred or is anticipated to occur.

Given the funded status of the two defined benefit pension plans, we do not expect to contribute to the pension plans in 2024. Pension benefit payments are made from assets of the pension plans.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off balance sheet financing arrangements.

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements for discussion of recently issued and adopted accounting standards.

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Item 7.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY

(Tabular Amounts in Thousands, Except Per Share and Percentage Data)

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those presented. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: (1) uncertain or unfavorable global economic conditions and impacts from global military conflicts; (2) the Company’s ability to source and ship products to meet anticipated demand; (3) the Company’s ability to successfully manage constraints throughout the global transportation supply chain; (4) changes in the sales prices, product mix or levels of consumer purchases of small electric and specialty housewares appliances; (5) changes in consumer retail and credit markets, including the increasing volume of transactions made through third-party internet sellers; (6) bankruptcy of or loss of major retail customers or suppliers; (7) changes in costs, including transportation costs, of sourced products; (8) delays in delivery of sourced products; (9) changes in or unavailability of quality or cost effective suppliers; (10) exchange rate fluctuations, changes in the import tariffs and monetary policies and other changes in the regulatory climate in the countries in which the Company operates or buys and/or sells products; (11) the impact of tariffs on customer purchasing patterns; (12) product liability, regulatory actions or other litigation, warranty claims or returns of products; (13) customer acceptance of, changes in costs of or delays in the development of new products; (14) increased competition, including consolidation within the industry; (15) changes in customers’ inventory management strategies; (16) shifts in consumer shopping patterns, gasoline prices, weather conditions, the level of consumer confidence and disposable income as a result of economic conditions, unemployment rates or other events or conditions that may adversely affect the level of customer purchases of the Company’s products; (17) changes mandated by federal, state and other regulation, including tax, health, safety or environmental legislation; (18) the Company’s ability to identify, acquire or develop, and successfully integrate, new businesses or new product lines; and (19) other risk factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Furthermore, the future impact of unfavorable economic conditions, including inflation, changing interest rates, availability of capital markets and consumer spending rates remains uncertain. In uncertain economic environments, we cannot predict whether or when such circumstances may improve or worsen, or what impact, if any, such circumstances could have on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

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