LITTELFUSE INC /DE (LFUS)
SIC breadcrumb: Manufacturing > Electronic And Other Electrical Equipment And Components, Except Computer Equipment > SIC 3613 Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=889331. Latest filing source: 0001628280-26-009585.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read LFUS's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read LFUS's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,386,294,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Net income | -71,700,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
| Assets | 3,956,796,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-19 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-19. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000889331.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,056,159,000 | 1,221,534,000 | 1,718,468,000 | 1,503,873,000 | 1,445,695,000 | 2,513,897,000 | 2,362,657,000 | 2,190,768,000 | 2,386,294,000 | |||||
| Net income | 87,024,000 | 75,332,000 | 88,784,000 | 98,100,000 | 104,488,000 | 129,986,000 | 373,306,000 | 259,485,000 | 100,190,000 | -71,700,000 | ||||
| Operating income | 133,830,000 | 130,644,000 | 218,511,000 | 225,049,000 | 192,791,000 | 162,372,000 | 500,826,000 | 360,862,000 | 158,780,000 | 37,528,000 | ||||
| Gross profit | 324,428,000 | 413,117,000 | 506,533,000 | 653,415,000 | 546,295,000 | 501,172,000 | 1,006,913,000 | 900,241,000 | 787,542,000 | 906,043,000 | ||||
| Diluted EPS | 4.32 | 4.60 | 5.21 | 6.52 | 5.60 | 5.29 | 14.94 | 10.34 | 4.00 | -2.89 | ||||
| Operating cash flow | 153,141,000 | 180,133,000 | 269,170,000 | 331,828,000 | 245,328,000 | 258,031,000 | 419,718,000 | 457,387,000 | 367,621,000 | 433,764,000 | ||||
| Capital expenditures | 32,281,000 | 46,228,000 | 65,925,000 | 74,753,000 | 61,895,000 | 56,191,000 | 104,341,000 | 86,188,000 | 75,877,000 | 67,637,000 | ||||
| Dividends paid | 21,175,000 | 27,866,000 | 31,770,000 | 39,993,000 | 44,689,000 | 46,839,000 | 55,911,000 | 62,161,000 | 67,061,000 | 71,991,000 | ||||
| Share buybacks | 14,283,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 63,564,000 | 99,387,000 | 22,927,000 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 40,862,000 | 27,553,000 | ||||
| Assets | 1,070,826,000 | 1,491,194,000 | 1,740,102,000 | 2,614,306,000 | 2,559,898,000 | 2,747,593,000 | 3,903,734,000 | 3,995,275,000 | 3,891,779,000 | 3,956,796,000 | ||||
| Liabilities | 1,692,356,000 | 1,514,794,000 | 1,478,167,000 | 1,530,762,000 | ||||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | 727,522,000 | 814,788,000 | 927,419,000 | 1,478,211,000 | 1,495,883,000 | 1,608,642,000 | 2,211,194,000 | 2,480,169,000 | 2,413,257,000 | 2,426,034,000 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 297,571,000 | 275,124,000 | 429,676,000 | 489,733,000 | 531,139,000 | 687,525,000 | 562,588,000 | 555,513,000 | 724,924,000 | 563,391,000 | ||||
| Free cash flow | 120,860,000 | 133,905,000 | 203,245,000 | 257,075,000 | 183,433,000 | 201,840,000 | 315,377,000 | 371,199,000 | 291,744,000 | 366,127,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 9.89% | 8.99% | 14.85% | 10.98% | 4.57% | -3.00% | ||||||||
| Operating margin | 12.37% | 17.89% | 13.10% | 12.82% | 11.23% | 19.92% | 15.27% | 7.25% | 1.57% | |||||
| Return on equity | 13.48% | 12.82% | 8.08% | 16.88% | 10.46% | 4.15% | -2.96% | |||||||
| Return on assets | 9.16% | 7.01% | 4.73% | 9.56% | 6.49% | 2.57% | -1.81% | |||||||
| Liabilities / equity | 0.77 | 0.61 | 0.61 | 0.63 | ||||||||||
| Current ratio | 2.71 | 3.26 | 3.52 | 3.50 | 4.45 | 4.42 | 2.64 | 3.75 | 3.58 | 2.69 |
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax; source concepts us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax | Gross profit: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment | Free cash flow: accession 0001628280-26-009585; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: PaymentsOfDividends. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-27; accession 0001628280-26-009585; filed 2026-02-19. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0000889331.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-07-02 | 3.48 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-10-01 | 3.02 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-04-01 | 3.54 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-04-01 | 88,745,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-07-01 | 611,997,000 | 2.79 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-07-01 | 70,071,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 607,071,000 | 2.30 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-30 | 533,807,000 | 42,881,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-30 | 535,385,000 | 48,452,000 | 1.93 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-30 | 48,452,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-29 | 558,489,000 | 1.82 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-29 | 45,466,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-28 | 567,390,000 | 2.32 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-28 | 529,505,000 | -51,786,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-29 | 554,307,000 | 43,571,000 | 1.75 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-29 | 43,571,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-28 | 613,413,000 | 2.30 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-28 | 57,342,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-27 | 624,640,000 | 2.77 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-27 | 593,934,000 | -242,135,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-28 | 656,969,000 | 75,147,000 | 2.96 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001628280-26-031041; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax. Source concepts: us-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerIncludingAssessedTax.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001628280-26-031041; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-28; accession 0001628280-26-031041; filed 2026-05-06. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-031041.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).
Certain statements in this section and other parts of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These statements include statements regarding the Company’s future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, intentions, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future. Such statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "estimates," "will," "should," "plans" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to general economic conditions; product demand and market acceptance; economic conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; product quality problems or product recalls; capacity and supply difficulties or constraints; coal mining exposures reserves; cybersecurity matters; failure of an indemnification for environmental liability; changes in import and export duty and tariff rates; exchange rate fluctuations; commodity price fluctuations; the effect of the Company's accounting policies; labor disputes and shortages; restructuring costs in excess of expectations; pension plan asset returns less than assumed; uncertainties related to political or regulatory changes; integration of acquisitions may not be achieved in a timely manner, or at all; limited realization of the expected benefits from investment and strategic plans; and other risks that may be detailed in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Item 3, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of Part I and Item 1, “Legal Proceedings” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of Part II of this Report, as well as Item 1A. "Risk Factors" and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” of Part II of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025, and the Company's other filings and submissions with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances, new information or otherwise.
This report, including the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, should be read in conjunction with information provided in the consolidated financial statements and the related Notes thereto appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide information that is supplemental to, and should be read together with, the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Information in MD&A is intended to assist the reader in obtaining an understanding of (i) the consolidated financial statements, (ii) the changes in certain key items within those financial statements from year-to-year, (iii) the primary factors that contributed to those changes, and (iv) any changes in known trends or uncertainties that the Company is aware of and that may have a material effect on future performance. In addition, MD&A provides information about the Company’s segments and how the results of those segments impact the results of operations and financial condition as a whole.
33
Table of Contents
Executive Overview
Founded in 1927, Littelfuse is a diversified, industrial technology manufacturing company empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Across more than 20 countries, and with approximately 17,000 global associates, we partner with customers to design and deliver innovative, reliable solutions. Serving over 100,000 end customers, our products are found in a variety of industrial, transportation and electronics end markets – everywhere, every day.
The Company maintains a network of global laboratories and engineering centers that develop new products and product enhancements, provide customer application support and test products for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. The Company conducts its business through three reportable segments: Electronics, Transportation, and Industrial. Within these segments, the Company designs, manufactures and sells components and modules empowering a sustainable, connected, and safer world. Our products protect against electrostatic discharge, power surges, short circuits, voltage spikes and other harmful occurrences, safely and efficiently control power and improve productivity and are used to identify and detect temperature, proximity, flow speed and fluid level in various applications.
Executive Summary
For the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized net sales of $657.0 million, an increase of $102.7 million, or 18.5% as compared to $554.3 million in the first quarter of 2025 including $33.2 million, or 6.0% of incremental net sales, from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment and $17.5 million, or 3.2% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume in the Electronics segment. The Company recognized net income of $75.1 million, or $2.96 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $43.6 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase in net income was primarily due to higher operating income of $23.5 million from the Electronics segment driven by increases in net sales and volume leverage.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $80.3 million for the three months ended March 28, 2026 compared to $65.8 million for the three months ended March 29, 2025. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities of $14.5 million was primarily due to higher cash earnings, partially offset by increases in working capital primarily resulting from higher annual incentive bonus payments made in 2026 as compared to 2025.
On March 12, 2026, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") to amend and restate and effect certain changes to its existing Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2022 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), including, among other changes: (i) paying off and eliminating the $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) increasing the size of the revolver from $700 million to $800 million; and (iii) extending the maturity date to March 12, 2031 (the “Maturity Date”). As a result of entering into the Credit Agreement, the Company paid off $62.5 million of the term loan and replaced $200 million of the term loan under the Existing Credit Agreement with $200 million borrowing under the revolver under the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Other Risk
In Item 1A. "Risk factors" of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2025, the Company disclosed its exposure to political, economic, and other risks that arise from operating a multinational business, including effects on the global economy due to geopolitical tensions. Among those tensions, is the ongoing military conflict among the U.S., Israel, Iran and Lebanon and the related disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which have led to significant volatility in global energy markets and could lead to prolonged increases in crude oil and natural gas prices. Disruptions in these markets may reduce supply availability and increase material costs, including petroleum-based plastic resins, which we use in some of our products and manufacturing processes. Energy price volatility may also increase transportation and logistics costs for the Company.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the periods presented. The first quarter of 2026 included $7.4 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. In addition, during the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $1.2 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions. During the first quarter of 2026, the Company recognized $5.4 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up adjustment related to the Basler acquisition.
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Table of Contents
The first quarter of 2025 included $8.9 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs, and $0.1 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment within the Electronics segment. See Note 7, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion. During the first quarter of 2025, the Company recognized $0.5 million of purchase accounting inventory step-down adjustment related to the Dortmund acquisition, and $0.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions.
| First Quarter | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | 2026 | 2025 | Change | % Change | |||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 656,969 | $ | 554,307 | $ | 102,662 | 18.5 | % | |||||||
| Cost of sales | 402,820 | 347,051 | 55,769 | 16.1 | % | ||||||||||
| Gross profit | 254,149 | 207,256 | 46,893 | 22.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | 152,984 | 137,106 | 15,878 | 11.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 101,165 | 70,150 | 31,015 | 44.2 | % | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 96,731 | 59,947 | 36,784 | 61.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Income taxes | 21,584 | 16,376 | 5,208 | 31.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | 75,147 | 43,571 | 31,576 | 72.5 | % |
Net Sales
Net sales increased $102.7 million, or 18.5%, for the first quarter of 2026 compared to the first quarter of 2025 including $33.2 million or 6.0% of incremental net sales from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment and $17.5 million or 3.2% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume of $38.2 million and $17.4 million in the electronics products and semiconductor businesses within the Electronics segment, respectively, driven by higher end market demand and favorable price.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $402.8 million, or 61.3% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2026 compared to $347.1 million, or 62.6% of net sales, in the first quarter of 2025. The increase of $55.8 million included $25.1 million of incremental cost of sales from the Basler acquisition within the Industrial segment. The remaining increase was due to higher volume across all segments. As a perc
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS
For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.
2025 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales were $2,386.3 million, which increased by $195.5 million, or 8.9%, in 2025 compared to 2024 including $49.0 million, or 2.2% of incremental net sales, from the Dortmund Fab acquisition (defined below) in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and $17.6 million or 0.8% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume of $104.5 million in the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and $32.8 million in the Industrial segment due to higher end market demand and favorable pricing. The Company recognized a net loss of $71.7 million, or $2.89 per diluted share, in 2025 compared to net income of $100.2 million, or $4.00 per diluted share in 2024. The net loss was primarily impacted by a $301.2 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge for the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment during the fourth quarter of 2025, partially offset by higher operating income of $50.2 million within the Electronics segment driven by the electronics products business and increases of $26.2 million and $16.7 million in operating income across the Transportation and Industrial segments, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $433.8 million in the fiscal year 2025, an increase of $66.1 million, compared to $367.6 million in the fiscal year 2024. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings compared to prior year.
On December 11, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Basler Electric Company ("Basler"). Basler is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electrical control and protection solutions for high-growth industrial markets including grid and utility infrastructure, power generation and data center. At the time of acquisition, Basler had annualized sales of approximately $130 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The total purchase consideration was $350.3 million, net of cash acquired, subject to a working capital adjustment.
On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab was approximately €94 million, of which a €37.2 million down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and €56.7 million (approximately $58.8 million) was paid at closing. The business is reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment.
Other Risk
The Company uses various metals in the manufacturing of its products, including copper, zinc, tin, gold, silver, and ruthenium. Worldwide demand, availability, and pricing of these raw materials have been volatile. In recent years, the prices of many of these raw materials continue to fluctuate, and in many cases increase, and fluctuations may persist in the future. Also in the fourth quarter and through the date of filing, precious metal commodity pricing has significantly increased. If the Company must pay more for certain materials, it could reduce our profit margin or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.
Recently, the U.S. government has imposed extensive tariffs on goods imported from several countries, including, without limitation, China, Mexico and Canada, as well as certain broad, product-specific tariffs on foreign goods and products. Tariffs may increase the cost of materials in our supply chain, incur reciprocal levies on components and finished products exported to or imported from affected countries, and have an adverse impact on our cost of goods sold in the U.S. and abroad. These factors in turn could require us to materially increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we do not or are unable to increase prices, could result in lower gross margins on products sold.
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Tariffs have resulted in China and other countries imposing reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods and ceasing sales of certain products to the U.S. and could result in more U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies, including making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. Sales to customers outside of the U.S., and to China in particular, comprise a significant portion of our net sales, and reciprocal tariffs may impact our business in China. Further, tariffs and trade policies may continue to change quickly and without warning, and we may not be able to accurately anticipate and mitigate the impacts.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.
The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.
Based on the results of the annual goodwill impairment test in 2025, in the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $301.2 million to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment, reflecting the amount by which the reporting unit’s estimated fair value was below its carrying value. The estimated fair value declined primarily due to updates to management’s forecasts that reduced revenue growth, profitability and cash flows. These forecasts require significant judgment and are inherently uncertain, particularly in light of the recent leadership transition and strategic reassessment in the semiconductor business. The reduction in projected cash flows was driven principally by lower projected volumes in the power semiconductor business, largely associated with the Dortmund fab, which reduced expected future cash generation for the reporting unit. Changes in future operating performance relative to these projections, or further changes in strategy, market conditions, or execution related to the Dortmund fab, could affect the reporting unit’s estimated fair value and may result in additional impairment charges in future periods.
As a result of the 2024 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The goodwill impairment charge for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit was due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test. These lower expectations were driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electric vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe.
There was no impairment charge recorded during the fiscal year of 2023.
Quantitative Assessment for Impairment
For the six reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. There was no goodwill remaining within the Automotive Sensors reporting unit. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. As a result of the impairment charge described above, the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit had $238.5 million of goodwill as of December 27, 2025. For the remainder of the Company's reporting units with goodwill: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Industrial Controls and Sensors, and Industrial Circuit Protection, the results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 28, 2025 indicated that their estimated fair values exceeded their respective carrying values.
As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.
Goodwill Impairment Assumptions
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. With the exception of the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment, the other five reporting units with goodwill passed the goodwill impairment test, with estimated fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 22% and 303%. As of the most recent annual test conducted on September 28, 2025, the Company noted that the excess of fair value over the carrying value was 87%, 153%, 99%, 22% and 303% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Industrial Controls and Sensors, and Industrial Circuit Protection, respectively.
Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no additional reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 12.0% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors reporting unit, 12.5% for the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit, 11.0% for the Passenger Car Products and Commercial Vehicle Products reporting units, 14.0% for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit, and 13.0% for Industrial Circuit Protection reporting unit. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, and a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or
more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value.
For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, the Company recognized impairment charges of $0.5 million and $0.4 million related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment and the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, respectively.
For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets, including $47.6 million related to the impairment of certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename intangible assets in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment. The impairment of the intangible assets resulted from lower expectations of future revenue and cash flows driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electrical vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment.
For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that the Company made the decision to donate, a $0.9 million impairment charge substantially related to certain patents in a business within the Industrial segment, and a $0.1 million impairment on certain machinery and equipment in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment.
Purchase Price Allocation
The Company records acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting. All of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The application of the purchase method of accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions in the determination of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, in order to properly allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized from goodwill. The fair value assigned to tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. Significant assumptions and estimates include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future, the appropriate weighted-average cost of capital, and the cost savings expected to be derived from acquiring an asset. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these estimates, the amounts recorded in the financial statements may be exposed to potential impairment of the intangible assets and goodwill, as discussed in the Goodwill and Long-lived Assets under the Critical Accounting Estimates section.
A significant portion of these fair value measurements relate to identifiable intangible assets, including customer relationships. The valuation of customer relationships is a critical accounting estimate due to the significant judgment required and the sensitivity of the estimate to changes in assumptions. Changes in these assumptions, particularly the attrition rate and discount rate, could have a material impact on the estimated fair value of customer relationships and the related amortization expense recognized in future periods.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
There are a number of estimates and assumptions inherent in calculating the various components of income taxes. Future events such as changes in tax legislation, jurisdictional mix of earnings, findings in tax audits, and earnings repatriation plans could have an impact on those estimates and our effective tax rate.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").
The Company elected to pay its 2017 Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. The eighth and final installment of the Toll Charge of $8.2 million was paid in 2025, and accordingly, there was no remaining liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 27, 2025.
In accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2025, December 28, 2024, and December 30, 2023, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.
On July 4, 2025, the United States enacted into law the legislation formally titled "An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14," and commonly referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBB"). The OBBB contains multiple business tax provisions, including the permanent extension of several expiring provisions of the Tax Act and multiple modifications to the international tax framework. The legislation has multiple effective dates with certain provisions effective in 2025 and others to be implemented in future years, and the Company determined the impact for the year ended December 27, 2025 was not significant. The Company will continue to monitor future administrative guidance and regulations that clarify the legislative text of the OBBB and the bill’s potential effect on the Company’s income taxes.
Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Pension Plans
The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return, and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024 were 6.1% and 5.6%, respectively.
On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to pay pension payments to the Company’s United Kingdom pension plan to match required pension payments until a later buyout, at which point the insurance company will directly pay and administer the
benefits to the plan's participants, or to their designated beneficiaries. The purchase of this group annuity contract will reduce the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by approximately $25 million, representing approximately 31% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans, and will be funded with pension plan assets and additional cash on hand. In connection with this transaction, the Company currently expects to record a one-time non-cash settlement charge in the second half of 2026 estimated between $6 million and $8 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. The actual settlement charge could differ from this estimate due to final data and plan wind-up expenses.
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units and performance share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock, and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in 2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units without rights to dividend equivalents is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period. The fair value of restricted share units with rights to dividend equivalents is based on the Company’s stock price on the grant date. The fair value of performance share units is estimated at the grant date using Monte Carlo simulation which includes assumptions for volatility, correlation, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatilities and correlation factors are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s and each peer company’s stock price. The risk-free rates are based on yields available at the time of grant on U.S. Treasury bonds with maturities consistent with the remaining performance period.
Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $28.6 million, $27.4 million, and $25.7 million in 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2025 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2024
Fiscal year 2025 included $302.1 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included a $301.2 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment. In addition, the Company recognized impairment charges of $0.5 million and $0.4 million related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment and the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, respectively. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $18.0 million, primarily for employee termination costs. These charges primarily related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the power semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business and automotive sensors business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.4 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $0.6 million of purchase accounting inventory adjustments related to the Basler and Dortmund Fab acquisitions, and a $0.3 million loss related to the sale of the Marine business within the Transportation segment.
Fiscal year 2024 included $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and
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the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2025 also included approximately $16.6 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2024 included approximately $9.2 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Korean won, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,386,294 | $ | 2,190,768 | $ | 195,526 | 8.9 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,480,251 | 1,403,226 | 77,025 | 5.5 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 906,043 | 787,542 | 118,501 | 15.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 868,515 | 628,762 | 239,753 | 38.1 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 37,528 | 158,780 | (121,252) | (76.4) | % | |||||||||
| Other income, net | (16,994) | (22,570) | (5,576) | (24.7) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 3,607 | 151,863 | (148,256) | (97.6) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 75,307 | 51,673 | 23,634 | 45.7 | % | |||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (71,700) | 100,190 | (171,890) | (171.6) | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,386.3 million, which increased by $195.5 million, or 8.9% compared to 2024, including $49.0 million or 2.2% of incremental net sales, from the Dortmund Fab acquisition in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and $17.6 million or 0.8% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2025 compared to 2024. The remaining increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume of $104.5 million in the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and $32.8 million in the Industrial segment due to higher end market demand and favorable price.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,480.3 million, or 62.0% of net sales, in 2025 compared to $1,403.2 million, or 64.1% of net sales, in 2024. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 2.1% primarily driven by higher volume in the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and across all businesses in the Industrial segment. Additionally, improved margin from the passenger car products within the Transportation segment driven by volume leverage, favorable price, and cost reduction initiatives favorably impacted the decrease in cost of sales as a percentage of net sales that was partially offset by lower margin from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment. During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that were corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The error that was identified by management related to the valuation and existence of inventory that originated in prior periods at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations within the Transportation and Industrial segments. As a result, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $13.5 million in the year ended December 28, 2024, of which $12.3 million was the cumulative out-of-period adjustment related to fiscal years prior to 2024. The out-of-period adjustment negatively impacted cost of sales as a percentage of net sales by 0.6%.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $906.0 million, or 38.0% of net sales, in 2025 compared to $787.5 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in 2024. The $118.5 million increase in gross profit was primarily from higher net sales of $104.5 million in the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, $15.3 million in the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, and improved margin in the industrial circuit protection products business within the Industrial segment, driven by higher volume, favorable price, and product mix. As mentioned above, the out-of-period adjustments of $13.5 million negatively impacted gross margin by 0.6% for the fiscal year 2024.
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Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $868.5 million, or 36.4% of net sales, for 2025 compared to $628.8 million, or 28.7% of net sales, for 2024. The increase in operating expenses of $239.8 million was primarily due to an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $211.6 million. The Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $301.2 million associated with the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment during 2025, while in 2024, the Company recorded $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. Additionally, the remaining increase in operating expenses in 2025 was due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $31.4 million driven by higher annual incentive compensation expenses and the Dortmund Fab acquisition.
Operating Income
Operating income in 2025 was $37.5 million, a decrease of $121.3 million or 76.4% compared to $158.8 million for 2024. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to the non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $301.2 million recognized in 2025 compared to the non-cash charge of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill in 2024 as noted above, partially offset by higher operating income of $50.2 million, $26.2 million and $16.7 million across the Electronics, Transportation and Industrial segments, respectively. Operating margins decreased from 7.2% in 2024 to 1.6% in 2025 primarily driven by higher non-cash impairment charge mentioned above. The non-cash charge of $301.2 million from the impairment of goodwill negatively impacted the 2025 operating margin by 12.6%, while the total non-cash charges of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill negatively impacted the 2024 operating margin by 4.2%.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes in 2025 was $3.6 million, or 0.2% of net sales compared to $151.9 million, or 6.9% of net sales for 2024. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily impacted by foreign exchange losses of $16.6 million in the fiscal year 2025 compared to foreign exchange gains of $9.2 million in the fiscal year 2024, and unrealized losses of $3.6 million during the fiscal year 2025 compared to unrealized gains of $0.1 million during the fiscal year 2024 related to the Company's equity investment, and higher loss of $1.0 million from investments under equity method and higher non-operating pension expense of $0.9 million.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense in 2025 was $75.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 2,087.8%, compared to income tax expense of $51.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.0% in 2024. The effective tax rate in 2025 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2024, primarily due to the increased impact of the goodwill impairment charge in 2025 with no related tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2025 is higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of the 2025 goodwill impairment with no related tax benefit as previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
| Net Sales | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,345.5 | $ | 1,186.8 | $ | 158.7 | 13.4 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 676.4 | 672.4 | 4.0 | 0.6 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 364.4 | 331.6 | 32.8 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,386.3 | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 195.5 | 8.9 | % |
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| Segment Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 220.1 | $ | 169.9 | $ | 50.2 | 29.6 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 84.8 | 58.6 | 26.2 | 44.7 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 59.0 | 42.3 | 16.7 | 39.5 | % | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 363.9 | 270.8 | 93.1 | |||||||||||
| Other (a) | (326.3) | (112.0) | (214.3) | |||||||||||
| Total operating income | $ | 37.5 | $ | 158.8 | $ | (121.2) | (76.4) | % |
(a) Fiscal year 2025 included $302.1 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included a $301.2 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge associated with the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit within the Electronics segment. In addition, the Company recognized impairment charges of $0.5 million and $0.4 million related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment and the electronics products business within the Electronics segment, respectively. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $18.0 million, primarily for employee termination costs. These charges primarily related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the power semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business and automotive sensors business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.4 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $0.6 million of purchase accounting inventory adjustments related to the Basler and Dortmund Fab acquisitions, and a $0.3 million loss related to the sale of the Marine business within the Transportation segment.
Fiscal year 2024 included $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Electronics segment increased $158.7 million, or 13.4%, in 2025 compared to 2024 and included $49.0 million or 4.1% of incremental sales from the Dortmund Fab acquisition in the semiconductor business and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $9.7 million or 0.8%. The net sales increase was primarily due to higher volume of $104.5 million from the electronics products business driven by higher end market demand.
Operating Income
Operating income was $220.1 million, representing an increase of $50.2 million, or 29.6%, in 2025 compared to $169.9 million in 2024. The increase in operating income was primarily from the electronics products business due to volume leverage. Operating margins increased from 14.3% in 2024 to 16.4% in 2025 primarily due to volume leverage from the electronics products business, partially offset by lower gross margin from the semiconductor business.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
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Net sales in the Transportation segment increased $4.0 million, or 0.6%, in 2025 compared to 2024 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $7.5 million or 1.1%. After factoring in the favorable changes in foreign exchange, net sales decreased by $3.5 million as the lower volume from automotive sensors driven by the strategic exit of certain lower margin products more than offset increases in the passenger car products business driven by solid demand for core passenger car products and favorable price.
Operating Income
Operating income was $84.8 million, representing an increase of $26.2 million, or 44.7%, in 2025 compared to $58.6 million in 2024. The increase in operating income was primarily from the passenger car products business due to favorable price, volume leverage, cost reduction initiatives, along with the 2024 out-of-period adjustment of $11.1 million. Operating margins increased from 8.7% in 2024 to 12.5% in 2025 primarily driven by improved gross margin from the passenger car products business, partially offset by lower gross margin in the automotive sensors business. In addition to the factors impacting operating income discussed above, the 2024 out-of-period adjustment of $11.1 million negatively impacted 2024 operating margins by 1.7%.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Industrial segment increased by $32.8 million, or 9.9%, in 2025 compared to 2024 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.4 million or 0.1%. The net sales increase was due to higher volume from industrial circuit protection and industrial control and sensor products driven by growth from energy storage, renewables, data center and HVAC end markets and favorable price.
Operating Income
Operating income was $59.0 million, representing an increase of $16.7 million, or 39.5%, in 2025 compared to $42.3 million in 2024. The increase in operating income was driven by higher volume from industrial circuit protection and industrial control and sensor products driven by increased end market demand, favorable price and cost reductions along with the 2024 out-of-period adjustment of $4.1 million. Operating margins increased from 12.8% in 2024 to 16.2% in 2025 primarily due to higher volume, favorable price and cost reductions. In addition to the factors impacting operating income discussed above, the 2024 out-of-period adjustment related to the Industrial segment negatively impacted the 2024 operating margin by 1.2%.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Americas | 947.9 | $ | 900.4 | $ | 47.6 | 5.3 | % | |||||||
| Asia-Pacific | 906.5 | 824.7 | 81.8 | 9.9 | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 531.9 | 465.7 | 66.1 | 14.2 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,386.3 | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 195.5 | 8.9 | % |
Americas
Net sales in the Americas increased $47.6 million, or 5.3%, in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and all businesses across the Industrial segment, partially offset by lower volume from the automotive sensors business within the Transportation segment and lower volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment compared to 2024.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $81.8 million, or 9.9%, in 2025 compared to 2024 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.3 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume from the Electronics segment,
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industrial circuit protection products within the Industrial segment and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by lower volume from the automotive sensors business within the Transportation segment compared to 2024.
Europe
Europe net sales increased $66.1 million, or 14.2%, in 2025 compared to 2024 and included $49.0 million or 10.5% of incremental net sales from the Dortmund Fab acquisition in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $18.9 million. After factoring in the favorable changes in exchange rates, net sales decreased due to lower power semiconductor volumes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2024 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023
Fiscal year 2024 included $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive Sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2024 also included approximately $9.2 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Korean won, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2023 included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,190,768 | $ | 2,362,657 | $ | (171,889) | (7.3) | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,403,226 | 1,462,416 | (59,190) | (4.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 787,542 | 900,241 | (112,699) | (12.5) | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 628,762 | 539,379 | 89,383 | 16.6 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 158,780 | 360,862 | (202,082) | (56.0) | % | |||||||||
| Other income, net | (22,570) | (19,901) | 2,669 | 13.4 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 151,863 | 328,598 | (176,735) | (53.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 51,673 | 69,113 | (17,440) | (25.2) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 100,190 | 259,485 | (159,295) | (61.4) | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,190.8 million, which decreased by $171.9 million, or 7.3% compared to 2023, including $7.9 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2024 compared to 2023. The net sales decrease was primarily due to lower
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volume of $163.7 million in the Electronics segment, primarily driven by reduced demand and inventory rebalancing in the semiconductor business.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,403.2 million, or 64.1% of net sales, in 2024 compared to $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.2% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. In addition, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that were corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The error that was identified by management related to the valuation and existence of inventory that originated in prior periods at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations within the Transportation and Industrial segments. As a result, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $13.5 million in the year ended December 28, 2024, of which $12.3 million was the cumulative out-of-period adjustment related to fiscal years prior to 2024. The out-of-period adjustment negatively impacted cost of sales as percentage of net sales by 0.6%.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $787.5 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in 2024, compared to $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023. The $112.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics and Industrial segments, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. As mentioned above, the out-of-period adjustments of $13.5 million negatively impacted gross margin by 0.6%.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $628.8 million, or 28.7% of net sales, for 2024 compared to $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023. The increase in operating expenses of $89.4 million was primarily due to an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $91.9 million, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred higher research and development expenses of $5.3 million. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by lower selling, general, and administrative expenses of $4.2 million as a result of lower legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and lower amortization expense of $3.7 million.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2024 was $158.8 million, a decrease of $202.1 million or 56.0% compared to $360.9 million for 2023. The decrease in operating income was due to lower operating income of $130.7 million from the Electronics segment and higher operating expenses due to the non-cash charge of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill as noted above, partially offset by higher operating income of $24.9 million from the Transportation segment. Operating margins decreased from 15.3% in 2023 to 7.2% in 2024 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the higher operating expenses mentioned above. The total non-cash charges of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill negatively impacted the 2024 operating margin by 4.2%.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2024 was $151.9 million, or 6.9% of net sales compared to $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales for 2023. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by foreign exchange gains of $9.2 million in the fiscal year 2024 compared to foreign exchange losses of $12.3 million in the fiscal year 2023, and higher interest income of $9.0 million from short-term investments in cash equivalents, partially offset by higher coal mine charges of $1.8 million and non-operating pension expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2024 was $51.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0% for 2023. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2023,
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primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit as previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
| Net Sales | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,186.8 | $ | 1,350.4 | $ | (163.7) | (12.1) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 672.4 | 678.3 | (5.9) | (0.9) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 331.6 | 334.0 | (2.4) | (0.7) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | (171.9) | (7.3) | % |
| Segment Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 169.9 | $ | 300.6 | $ | (130.7) | (43.5) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 58.6 | 33.7 | 24.9 | 73.9 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 42.3 | 54.8 | (12.5) | (22.8) | % | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 270.8 | 389.1 | (118.3) | |||||||||||
| Other (a) | (112.0) | (28.2) | (83.8) | |||||||||||
| Total Operating income | $ | 158.8 | $ | 360.9 | $ | (202.1) | (56.0) | % |
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2024 was $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
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Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $163.7 million, or 12.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $4.3 million or 0.3%. The net sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the semiconductor business of $152.0 million and to a lesser extent the electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, as well as industrial markets.
Operating Income
Operating income was $169.9 million, representing a decrease of $130.7 million, or 43.5%, in 2024 compared to $300.6 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume leverage and unfavorable product mix that were partially offset by cost control initiatives. Operating margins decreased from 22.3% in 2023 to 14.3% in 2024 primarily due to the lower volume from the semiconductor business.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $5.9 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.4 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was mainly driven by lower volume of $15.0 million and $3.2 million from the automotive sensors and the commercial vehicles businesses, respectively, due to the strategic exit of certain lower margin products and reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, partially offset by a sales increase of $12.3 million from the passenger car business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and vehicle content growth.
Operating Income
Operating income was $58.6 million, representing an increase of $24.9 million, or 73.9%, in 2024 compared to $33.7 million in 2023. The increase in operating income was primarily due to favorable price and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. Operating margins increased from 5.0% to 8.7% primarily driven by favorable price and product mix and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that were corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Transportation segment was $11.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.7%.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
The Industrial segment net sales decreased by $2.4 million, or 0.7%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.2 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was due to lower volume across industrial control products driven by softer end market demand in the first half of 2024.
Operating Income
Operating income was $42.3 million, representing a decrease of $12.5 million, or 22.8%, in 2024 compared to $54.8 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower volume due to reduced industrial end market demand across industrial control products and industrial circuit protection along with cost inflation. Operating margins were 12.8% in 2024 compared to 16.4% in 2023. The decrease in operating margin was due to cost inflation, partially offset by favorable price. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that were corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Industrial segment was $4.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.2%.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 900.4 | $ | 901.5 | $ | (1.1) | (0.1) | % | ||||||
| Asia-Pacific | 824.7 | 898.9 | (74.2) | (8.3) | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 465.7 | 562.3 | (96.6) | (17.2) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | (171.9) | (7.3) | % |
Americas
Net sales in the Americas decreased $1.1 million, or 0.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment, partially offset by higher volume from the Industrial segment and the commercial vehicle and passenger car products businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $74.2 million, or 8.3%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $9.2 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the industrial circuit protection business within the Industrial segment, partially offset by higher net sales from the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
Europe
Europe net sales decreased $96.6 million, or 17.2%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.0 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle and automotive sensors businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents were $563.4 million as of December 27, 2025, a decrease of $161.5 million as compared to December 28, 2024.
As of December 27, 2025, $419.1 million of the Company's $563.4 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $419.1 million, at least $230.4 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S. withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $188.7 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $114.4 million as of December 27, 2025 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions and tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the "Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company’s option, at either Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus 0.00% to 0.75%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.
Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company borrowed $300.0 million under a term loan on June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the term loans must be repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter in the amount of $1.9 million commencing September 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024, and in the amount of $3.8 million commencing September 30, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the remaining outstanding principal balance payable in full on the Maturity Date. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty. During the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025, the Company made term loan payments of $15.0 million. The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $266.3 million, respectively, as of December 27, 2025.
On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.
As of December 27, 2025, the effective interest rate on unhedged portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility was 4.82%, and 3.88% on the hedged portion.
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As of December 27, 2025, the Company had $1.1 million outstanding letters of credit and had available $598.9 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of December 27, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.
Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company paid off €117 million of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023. Interest on the Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028 is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030”) were funded. During the first fiscal quarter of 2025, the Company paid
off $50 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes Series B due 2030 is payable on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.
On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“2022 Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 (“U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032”) (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2022.
The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
The Senior Notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including limitations on the Company’s ability, with certain exceptions, to engage in mergers, consolidations, asset sales and transactions with affiliates, to engage in any business that would substantially change the general business of the Company, and to incur liens. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage. As of December 27, 2025, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Notes.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a make-whole amount to note holders and is required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at par following certain events, including a change of control.
Debt Covenants
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 27, 2025. As of December 27, 2025, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
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Acquisitions
On December 11, 2025, the Company completed the acquisition of Basler. Basler is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative electrical control and protection solutions for high-growth industrial markets including grid and utility infrastructure, power generation and data center. At the time of acquisition, Basler had annualized sales of approximately $130 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The total purchase consideration was $350.3 million, net of cash acquired, subject to a working capital adjustment. The acquisition was funded with the Company's cash on hand.
On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The Dortmund Fab will increase power semiconductor capacity to support opportunities across a broad base of industrial end markets including energy storage, automation, motor drives, renewables, power supplies, and charging infrastructure. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab was approximately €94 million, of which a €37.2 million down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and €56.7 million (approximately $58.8 million) was paid at closing. The business is reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s cash on hand.
On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
Cash Flow Overview
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes, and other operating activities.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 433.8 | $ | 367.6 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (468.9) | (65.8) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (149.3) | (112.4) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 23.0 | (20.1) | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (161.3) | 169.3 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 726.4 | 557.1 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 565.1 | $ | 726.4 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $433.8 million in the fiscal year 2025, an increase of $66.1 million, compared to $367.6 million in the fiscal year 2024. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $468.9 million in the fiscal year 2025, compared to $65.8 million in the fiscal year 2024. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $407.7 million for the Basler and Dortmund Fab acquisitions in the fiscal year 2025. Capital expenditures were $67.6 million, representing a decrease of $8.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2024. The Company also received proceeds of $5.6 million mainly from the sale of the Marine business within the Transportation segment in the fiscal year 2025 as compared to proceeds of $10.8 million from the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment and two buildings from the Transportation segment in the fiscal year 2024.
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Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $149.3 million in the fiscal year 2025 compared to $112.4 million in the fiscal year 2024. During the fiscal year 2025, the Company paid $50 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 and $15.0 million on the term loan under the Credit Facility. During the fiscal year 2024, the Company paid $7.5 million on the term loan. The Company paid dividends of $72.0 million, an increase of $4.9 million, in the fiscal year 2025 compared to $67.1 million in the fiscal year 2024. In addition, the Company repurchased 120,689 shares and 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $27.4 million and $40.9 million during the fiscal year 2025 and 2024, respectively. The Company paid a $0.2 million excise tax related to the share repurchases during the fiscal year 2025. Additionally, the Company received $22.6 million of net proceeds from stock option exercises and restricted stock units vesting activities during the fiscal year 2025 compared to $5.7 million in the fiscal year 2024.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 367.6 | $ | 457.4 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (65.8) | (284.3) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (112.4) | (185.7) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (20.1) | 4.8 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 169.3 | (7.8) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 557.1 | 564.9 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 726.4 | $ | 557.1 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $367.6 million for the fiscal year 2024, a decrease of $89.8 million, compared to $457.4 million during the fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash earnings.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $65.8 million for the fiscal year 2024, compared to $284.3 million during the fiscal year 2023. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Western Automation and Dortmund Fab acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023. Capital expenditures were $75.9 million, representing a decrease of $10.3 million compared to the fiscal year 2023. The Company also received proceeds of $10.8 million mainly from the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment and two buildings from the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2024 as compared to proceeds of $0.8 million from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $112.4 million for the fiscal year 2024 compared to $185.7 million during the fiscal year 2023. During the fiscal year 2024, the Company paid $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. The Company paid dividends of $67.1 million and $62.2 million for the fiscal year 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing an increase of $4.9 million from the fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million during the fiscal year 2024.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 27, 2025:
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| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Total debt(a) | $ | 804,460 | $ | 96,233 | $ | 483,227 | $ | 125,000 | $ | 100,000 | ||||||||
| Interest payments(b) | 86,960 | 32,270 | 32,447 | 15,748 | 6,495 | |||||||||||||
| Operating and finance lease payments(c) | 102,348 | 15,376 | 28,263 | 23,618 | 35,091 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(d) | 16,574 | 14,692 | 1,882 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,010,342 | $ | 158,571 | $ | 545,819 | $ | 164,366 | $ | 141,586 |
(a)Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $1.8 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of December 27, 2025 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at December 27, 2025:
The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy, and France. At December 27, 2025, the Company had a net unfunded status of $40.2 million. The Company expects to make approximately $1.5 million of contributions to the plans and pay $2.3 million of benefits directly in 2026. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
Cash dividends paid totaled $72.0 million, $67.1 million and $62.2 million for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. On January 28, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.75 per share, payable on March 5, 2026 to stockholders of record as of February 19, 2026.
Capital Resources
The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.
Share Repurchase Program
The Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024 ("2021 program"). On April 25, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new three-year program to repurchase up to $300.0 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company's stock for the period May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2027 ("2024 program") to replace the expired 2021 program.
During the fiscal year of 2025, the Company repurchased 120,689 shares of its common stock totaling $27.4 million pursuant to the 2024 program. There is $270.6 million of an authorized amount not yet purchased under the 2024 program as of December 27, 2025. During the fiscal year of 2024, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million, of which, $38.9 million was pursuant to the 2021 program and $2.0 million was pursuant to the 2024 program. During the fiscal year of 2023, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 27, 2025, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000889331-25-000039.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS
For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.
2024 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales were $2,190.8 million, which decreased by $171.9 million, or 7.3%, in 2024 compared to 2023 including $7.9 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume of $163.7 million in the Electronics segment primarily driven by reduced demand and inventory rebalancing in the semiconductor business. The Company recognized net income of $100.2 million, or $4.00 per diluted share, in 2024 compared to net income of $259.5 million, or $10.34 per diluted share in 2023. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower operating income of $130.7 million in the Electronics segment due to lower sales in the semiconductor business and $92.6 million of non-cash impairment charges. The non-cash impairment charges included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $367.6 million for the fiscal year 2024, a decrease of $89.8 million, compared to $457.4 million during the fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash earnings.
Based on the Company’s assessment, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that, as of December 28, 2024, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the identification of the material weaknesses described below. In making this assessment, management has concluded that we did not design and maintain an effective control environment commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Specifically, at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations we lacked sufficiently skilled operational and accounting personnel to ensure that internal control responsibilities were performed and aligned with internal control objectives.
The material weakness in the control environment contributed to an additional material weakness related to the design and operating effectiveness of control activities over the existence of inventory at these locations. The Company did not maintain effective controls related to inventory cycle counts to validate existence of inventory, and consequently, the completeness and accuracy of the data used in evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation of inventory and related reserves. These material weaknesses resulted in corrections through cumulative out-of-period adjustments as described in notes to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The material weaknesses resulted in immaterial corrections to previously released financial results. For a description of the material weaknesses identified by management and the remediation efforts being implemented for the material weaknesses, see “Part II, Item 9A - Controls and Procedures.” for further discussion.
On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany ("Dortmund Fab") from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab was approximately 94 million Euro, of which a 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was made in the third quarter of 2023 and recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets after regulatory approvals. The payment of 56.7 million Euro was paid at closing in the beginning of the fiscal year 2025. The transaction did not have any impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment.
On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to pay pension payments to the Company’s United Kingdom pension plan to match required pension payments until a later buyout, at which point the insurance company will directly pay and administer the
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benefits to the plan's participants, or to their designated beneficiaries. The purchase of this group annuity contract will reduce the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by approximately $23 million, representing approximately 33% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans, and was funded with pension plan assets and additional cash on hand. In connection with this transaction, the Company currently expects to record a one-time non-cash settlement charge in 2026 estimated between $6 million and $8 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. The actual settlement charge could differ from this estimate due to final data and plan wind-up expenses.
Other Risk
The Company has been notified by one of its customers of a product recall potentially due to certain fuses provided by Littelfuse and incorporated in such products. The Company is currently working with its customer to investigate the cause and level of responsibility for this recall. The Company has determined pursuant to ASC 450, "Contingencies" that a loss is reasonably possible. However, the Company continues to evaluate this matter and the ultimate costs of the recall and range of the potential loss cannot be determined at this time. Accordingly, no accrual has been made yet for this matter. Factors that will impact the amount of such losses include the per vehicle cost of fuse replacement, the determination of the relative liability among the customer, the Company, and any relevant third parties, as well as actual insurance recoveries.
Further, the global trade policies and tensions could create additional complexities. Our international presence subjects us to risks associated with international trade conflicts between the United States and its trade partners, including, without limitation, China, Mexico and Canada, particularly with regard to tariffs and import/export controls. These factors in turn could require us to materially increase prices to our customers which may reduce demand, or, if we do not or are unable to increase prices, could result in lower margins on products sold. Changes in U.S. trade policy have resulted in, and could result in more, U.S. trading partners adopting responsive trade policies making it more difficult or costly for us to export our products to those countries. Additionally, continued geo-political issues may result in customers outside the U.S. seeking to source products from local suppliers, which could result in lower sales or lost customers.
OUTLOOK
Vision and Strategy
The Company closely collaborates with strategic customers to design and manufacture innovative and reliable solutions to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world in virtually every market that uses electrical energy.
Within transportation end markets, the Company’s products are found in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, like material handling equipment, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, rail, marine and aerospace. The Company is a key enabler of electrification across these transportation applications. The Company is also a key enabler of electronification advancements across these transportation applications. The Company continues to advance its existing customer relationships with OEM, Tier One and channel partners while driving product content growth for advanced, high-growth applications.
Within industrial end markets, the Company’s products are found in renewable energy and energy storage applications, HVAC, factory automation and industrial safety, industrial motor drives and power conversion, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and heavy and general industrial type applications. The Company utilizes its deep technical engineering capabilities and design support to drive product content growth across high-growth applications like renewables, energy storage, HVAC, and industrial automation and safety.
Within electronics end markets, the Company’s products are found in data center, cloud storage and telecom infrastructure applications, building technologies and automation, appliances, medical devices, gaming and entertainment applications and mobile electronics. The Company leverages its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, coupled with its comprehensive product offerings, to drive product content growth across a broad range of applications.
The Company expects the ever-increasing advancements of application architectures, driven by ongoing electronification and electrification across these end markets, to drive increasing product content opportunities. Built upon that framework, the Company has positioned itself around the structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable solutions across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves.
The Company’s five-year strategic plan, built around these structural growth themes, is focused on delivering top-tier shareholder returns by driving double-digit sales growth, best-in-class profitability, earnings per share growth, strong cash flow
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generation, and deploying capital to drive value creation. The Company pursues the following major strategic objectives, which are summarized below, along with more specific areas of focus. The Company uses the financial measures below to gauge progress toward achieving these strategic objectives. These measures include organic sales growth, operating margins, cash flow from operations, and returns on invested capital.
| Strategic Objectives | Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-digit sales growth | ● | Increase product content with existing and new customers, and expand market share | |
| 5-7% average annual organic sales growth | ● | Expand presence (i.e. with portfolio and infrastructure) into new and underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets | |
| 5-7% average annual growth from strategic acquisitions | ● | Increase innovation capabilities and investments | |
| ● | Leverage breadth of go-to-market strategies | ||
| ● | Target mergers and acquisitions that enhance and sustain organic growth | ||
| EPS growth | ● | Focus on higher profitability growth opportunities | |
| Earnings per share growth greater than revenue growth | ● | Improve operating margins through operational and commercial excellence | |
| ● | Disciplined approach to balancing costs with long-term strategic investments | ||
| Capital allocation and returns | ● | Disciplined management of working capital | |
| Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures (free cash flow) is targeted to approximate or exceed net income | ● | Deployment of capital consistent with capital allocation priorities | |
| Target 40% of free cash flow returned to shareholders | ● | Mergers and acquisitions that align with strategy and financial metrics | |
| Remainder focused on strategic acquisitions | ● | Grow dividend in line with earnings | |
| Return on invested capital percentage in the high-teens | ● | Opportunistic share repurchases |
The Company’s strategy is focused on accelerating organic growth by increasing its product content in applications and share gains, enhancing technology efforts to drive innovation, expanding its digital presence, capitalizing on cross segment opportunities, and gaining traction in niche, high-growth end markets. The Company also leverages strategic acquisitions to enhance its organic growth. The Company will continue to make targeted strategic acquisitions that align to its strategy and financial metrics to drive growth across its businesses, products, markets, and technologies while leveraging existing customers and targeting new customers.
Management believes profitable growth through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions is critical to the Company’s competitiveness, while enhancing the value it delivers to all of its stakeholders. In addition, the Company continues to implement initiatives across all businesses to enhance productivity, and its commercial and operational capabilities, while managing its cost structure to align with business conditions, and the markets it serves. Primary areas of focus include optimizing its global operations, successfully integrating strategic acquisitions, and streamlining administrative and support activities to drive improved operating margins.
The Company seeks to deploy its capital consistent with its capital allocation priorities. These priorities include investments to drive increased organic growth, targeted acquisitions that align to the Company’s strategic and financial metrics, and enhance and sustain its organic growth, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
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Critical Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.
The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.
As a result of the 2024 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years of 2023 and 2022.
The goodwill impairment charge for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit was due to a reduction in the estimated fair value of the reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test. These lower expectations were driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electric vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe.
The goodwill impairment charge for the Automotive sensors reporting unit was due to reductions in the estimated fair value for the Automotive sensors reporting unit based on lower expectations for future revenue, profitability and cash flows as compared to the expectations of the 2023 annual goodwill impairment test. These lower future expectations were driven by projected declines in end market demand and reduced revenue and profitability with existing customers.
Quantitative Assessment for Impairment
For the seven reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. The results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 29, 2024 indicated that the estimated fair values for the Industrial controls and sensors and Automotive sensors reporting units were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, the Company recorded non-cash charges of $36.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively, to reflect the impairment of goodwill for the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment. As a result of the impairment charge, the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit had $115.2 million of goodwill
as of December 28, 2024. There was no goodwill remaining within the Automotive sensors reporting unit as of December 28, 2024. For the remainder of the Company's reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, and Industrial Circuit Protection, the results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 29, 2024 indicated that their estimated fair values exceeded their respective carrying values.
As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.
Goodwill Impairment Assumptions
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. With the exception of the Industrial controls and sensors and the Automotive sensors reporting units, the other five reporting units passed the goodwill impairment test, with estimated fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 44% and 409%. As of the most recent annual test conducted on September 29, 2024, the Company noted that the excess of fair value over the carrying value was 108%, 82%, 96%, 44%, and 409% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, and Industrial Circuit Protection, respectively. Relatively small changes in the Company’s key assumptions would not have resulted in any reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test.
Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 10.6% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, and Industrial Circuit Protection reporting units, 11.5% for the Passenger Car Products and Commercial Vehicle Products reporting units, 12.3% for the Automotive Sensors reporting unit, and 14.9% for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, and a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future
undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets, including $47.6 million related to the impairment of certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename intangible assets in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment. The impairment of the intangible assets resulted from lower expectations of future revenue and cash flows driven by lower-than-expected demand in the electrical vehicle end market as well as reduced government funding to support charging infrastructures for electric vehicles, primarily in Europe. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that the Company made the decision to donate, a $0.9 million impairment charge substantially related to certain patents in a business within the Industrial segment, and a $0.1 million impairment on certain machinery and equipment in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").
In accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2024, December 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.
Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Disaggregation
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:
| Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 615,372 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 615,372 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 571,401 | — | — | 571,401 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 320,549 | — | 320,549 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 278,332 | — | 278,332 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 73,553 | — | 73,553 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 331,561 | 331,561 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,186,773 | $ | 672,434 | $ | 331,561 | $ | 2,190,768 |
| Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 767,393 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 767,393 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 583,033 | — | — | 583,033 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 323,758 | — | 323,758 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 266,004 | — | 266,004 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 88,516 | — | 88,516 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 333,953 | 333,953 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,350,426 | $ | 678,278 | $ | 333,953 | $ | 2,362,657 |
| Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 802,281 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 802,281 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 690,538 | — | — | 690,538 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 374,707 | — | 374,707 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 249,470 | — | 249,470 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 91,963 | — | 91,963 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 304,938 | 304,938 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,492,819 | $ | 716,140 | $ | 304,938 | $ | 2,513,897 |
See Note 16, Segment Information, for net sales by segment and country.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s sales channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.
The Company has elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.
Revenue and Billing
The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue.
Ship and Debit Program
Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributors to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity, distributor inventory levels and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.
Return to Stock
The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from the Company's management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.
Volume Rebates
The Company offers volume-based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company currently measures the expected credit losses based on our historical credit loss experience. The Company has not experienced significant recent or historical credit losses and is not forecasting any significant credit losses which would require adjustments to our methodology. If current conditions and supportable forecasts indicate that our historical loss experience is not reasonable and no longer supportable, the Company may adjust its historical credit loss experience to reflect these conditions and forecasts. The Company regularly analyzes its significant customer accounts and, when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also analyzes all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical collection and loss experience. Historically, the allowance for credit losses has been adequate to cover bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
Inventory
The Company performs regular detailed assessments of inventory, which include a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, shelf life, and quality issues. Based on the analysis, the Company records adjustments to inventory for excess quantities, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect inventory at net realizable value.
Environmental Liabilities
Environmental liabilities are accrued based on estimates of the probability of potential future environmental exposure. Costs related to on-going maintenance of environmental sites are expensed as incurred. If actual or estimated probable future losses exceed the Company’s recorded liability for such claims, it would record additional charges as other expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred. The Company evaluates its reserve for coal mine remediation annually utilizing a third-party expert.
Pension Plans
The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return, and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023 were both 5.6%.
On October 4, 2024, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to pay pension payments to the Company’s United Kingdom pension plan to match required pension payments until a later buyout, at which point the insurance company will directly pay and administer the benefits to the plan's participants, or to their designated beneficiaries. The purchase of this group annuity contract will reduce the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by approximately $23 million, representing approximately 33% of the total obligations of the Company’s qualified pension plans, and will be funded with pension plan assets and additional cash on hand. In connection with this transaction, the Company currently expects to record a one-time non-cash settlement charge in 2026 estimated between $6 million and $8 million, reflecting the accelerated recognition of a portion of unamortized actuarial losses in the plan. The actual settlement charge could differ from this estimate due to final data and plan wind-up expenses.
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock, and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in 2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period.
Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $27.4 million, $25.7 million, and $24.6 million in 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2024 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023
Fiscal year 2024 included $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the
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Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2024 also included approximately $9.2 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Korean won, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2023 included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,190,768 | $ | 2,362,657 | $ | (171,889) | (7.3) | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,403,226 | 1,462,416 | (59,190) | (4.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 787,542 | 900,241 | (112,699) | (12.5) | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 628,762 | 539,379 | 89,383 | 16.6 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 158,780 | 360,862 | (202,082) | (56.0) | % | |||||||||
| Other income, net | (22,570) | (19,901) | 2,669 | 13.4 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 151,863 | 328,598 | (176,735) | (53.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 51,673 | 69,113 | (17,440) | (25.2) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 100,190 | 259,485 | (159,295) | (61.4) | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,190.8 million, which decreased by $171.9 million, or 7.3% compared to 2023, including $7.9 million of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2024 compared to 2023. The net sales decrease was primarily due to lower volume of $163.7 million in the Electronics segment, primarily driven by reduced demand and inventory rebalancing in the semiconductor business.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,403.2 million, or 64.1% of net sales, in 2024 compared to $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.2% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. In addition, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The error that was identified by management related to the valuation and existence of inventory that originated in prior periods at certain of our non-U.S. manufacturing locations within the Transportation and Industrial segments. As a result, the Company recorded an out-of-period adjustment of $13.5 million in the year ended December 28, 2024, of which $12.3 million was the cumulative out-of-period adjustment related to fiscal years prior to 2024. The out-of-period adjustment negatively impacted cost of sales as percentage of net sales by 0.6%.
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Gross Profit
Gross profit was $787.5 million, or 35.9% of net sales, in 2024, compared to $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023. The $112.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics and Industrial segments, partially offset by improved margin from all businesses within the Transportation segment driven by favorable price, product mix and cost reduction initiatives. As mentioned above, the out-of-period adjustments of $13.5 million negatively impacted gross margin by 0.6%.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $628.8 million, or 28.7% of net sales, for 2024 compared to $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023. The increase in operating expenses of $89.4 million was primarily due to an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $91.9 million, which included a non-cash impairment charge of $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. Additionally, the Company incurred higher research and development expenses of $5.3 million. These increases in operating expenses were partially offset by lower selling, general, and administrative expenses of $4.2 million as a result of lower legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and lower amortization expense of $3.7 million.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2024 was $158.8 million, a decrease of $202.1 million or 56.0% compared to $360.9 million for 2023. The decrease in operating income was due to lower operating income of $130.7 million from the Electronics segment and higher operating expenses due to the non-cash charge of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill as noted above, partially offset by higher operating income of $24.9 million from the Transportation segment. Operating margins decreased from 15.3% in 2023 to 7.2% in 2024 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the higher operating expenses mentioned above. The total non-cash charges of $92.6 million from the impairment of intangible assets and goodwill negatively impacted the 2024 operating margin by 4.2%.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2024 was $151.9 million, or 6.9% of net sales compared to $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales for 2023. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by foreign exchange gains of $9.2 million in the fiscal year 2024 compared to foreign exchange losses of $12.3 million in the fiscal year 2023, and higher interest income of $9.0 million from short-term investments in cash equivalents, partially offset by higher coal mine charges of $1.8 million and non-operating pension expense.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2024 was $51.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 34.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0% for 2023. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2023,
primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2024 is higher than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the impact of goodwill impairments and non-US losses with no related tax benefit as previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
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| Net Sales | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,186.8 | $ | 1,350.4 | $ | (163.7) | (12.1) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 672.4 | 678.3 | (5.9) | (0.9) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 331.6 | 334.0 | (2.4) | (0.7) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | (171.9) | (7.3) | % |
| Segment Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 169.9 | $ | 300.6 | $ | (130.7) | (43.5) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 58.6 | 33.7 | 24.9 | 73.9 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 42.3 | 54.8 | (12.5) | (22.8) | % | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 270.8 | 389.1 | (118.3) | |||||||||||
| Other (a) | (112.0) | (28.2) | (83.8) | |||||||||||
| Total Operating income | $ | 158.8 | $ | 360.9 | $ | (202.1) | (56.0) | % |
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2024 was $93.5 million of non-cash impairment charges, which included $47.8 million for the impairment of intangible assets primarily related to certain acquired customer relationships, developed technology, and tradename in the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment, and $36.1 million and $8.6 million of non-cash goodwill impairment charges associated with the Industrial controls and sensors reporting unit within the Industrial segment and the Automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, respectively. The remaining impairment charges included $0.2 million for patents and customer relationships related to the exit of a small business in China within the Industrial segment. In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a $0.9 million impairment charge related to certain machinery and equipment in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. The Company also recognized total restructuring charges of $14.9 million, primarily for employee termination costs related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the reorganization of certain selling and administrative functions in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Also included in "Other" Operating income was $5.1 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, a gain of $1.0 million for the sale of two buildings within the Transportation segment, and a gain of $0.5 million recorded for the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment.
Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $163.7 million, or 12.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $4.3 million or 0.3%. The net sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the semiconductor business of $152.0 million and to a lesser extent the electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, as well as industrial markets.
Operating Income
Operating income was $169.9 million, representing a decrease of $130.7 million, or 43.5%, in 2024 compared to $300.6 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume leverage and unfavorable product mix that were partially offset by cost control initiatives. Operating margins decreased from 22.3% in 2023 to 14.3% in 2024 primarily due to the lower volume from the semiconductor business.
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Transportation Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $5.9 million, or 0.9%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.4 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was mainly driven by lower volume of $15.0 million and $3.2 million from the automotive sensors and the commercial vehicles businesses, respectively, due to the strategic exit of certain lower margin products and reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, partially offset by a sales increase of $12.3 million from the passenger car business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and vehicle content growth.
Operating Income
Operating income was $58.6 million, representing an increase of $24.9 million, or 73.9%, in 2024 compared to $33.7 million in 2023. The increase in operating income was primarily due to favorable price and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. Operating margins increased from 5.0% to 8.7% primarily driven by favorable price and product mix and cost reduction initiatives from the commercial vehicle business. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Transportation segment was $11.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.7%.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
The Industrial segment net sales decreased by $2.4 million, or 0.7%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.2 million or 0.4%. The sales decrease was due to lower volume across industrial control products driven by softer end market demand in the first half of 2024.
Operating Income
Operating income was $42.3 million, representing a decrease of $12.5 million, or 22.8%, in 2024 compared to $54.8 million in 2023. The decrease in operating income was driven by lower volume due to reduced industrial end market demand across industrial control products and industrial circuit protection along with cost inflation. Operating margins were 12.8% in 2024 compared to 16.4% in 2023. The decrease in operating margin was due to cost inflation, partially offset by favorable price. In addition, as mentioned above, during the year ended December 28, 2024, the Company identified certain errors in its previously issued financial statements that have now been corrected through cumulative out-of-period adjustments in the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2024. The out-of-period adjustment related to the Industrial segment was $4.1 million, which negatively impacted operating margin by 1.2%.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 900.4 | $ | 901.5 | $ | (1.1) | (0.1) | % | ||||||
| Asia-Pacific | 824.7 | 898.9 | (74.2) | (8.3) | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 465.7 | 562.3 | (96.6) | (17.2) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,190.8 | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | (171.9) | (7.3) | % |
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Americas
Net sales in the Americas decreased $1.1 million, or 0.1%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment, partially offset by higher volume from the Industrial segment and the commercial vehicle and passenger car products businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $74.2 million, or 8.3%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $9.2 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the industrial circuit protection business within the Industrial segment, partially offset by higher net sales from the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
Europe
Europe net sales decreased $96.6 million, or 17.2%, in 2024 compared to 2023 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.0 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle and automotive sensors businesses within the Transportation segment compared to 2023.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2022 included $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses primarily associated with the C&K Switches and Carling acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million intangible asset impairment charge within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2023 also included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2022 included approximately $24.4 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,362,657 | $ | 2,513,897 | $ | (151,240) | (6.0) | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,462,416 | 1,506,984 | (44,568) | (3.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 900,241 | 1,006,913 | (106,672) | (10.6) | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 539,379 | 506,087 | 33,292 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 360,862 | 500,826 | (139,964) | (27.9) | % | |||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (19,901) | 7,207 | (27,108) | (376.1) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 328,598 | 443,044 | (114,446) | (25.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 69,113 | 69,738 | (625) | (0.9) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 259,485 | 373,306 | (113,821) | (30.5) | % |
Net Sales
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Net sales were $2,362.7 million, which decreased by $151.2 million, or 6.0% compared to 2022, including $0.7 million of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2023 compared to 2022. The sales decrease was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that more than offset $105.1 million or 4.2% of incremental net sales from the C&K Switches and Western Automation acquisitions and higher volume from the Industrial segment.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,507.0 million, or 59.9% of net sales, in 2022. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.0% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment compared to 2022, and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during 2022.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,006.9 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in 2022. The $106.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by the acquisition of C&K Switches within the Electronics segment, and volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during the first nine months of 2022.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023 compared to $506.1 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for 2022. The increase in operating expenses of $33.3 million was primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $9.8 million, higher amortization expense of $10.1 million and research and development expenses of $6.8 million mainly due to the C&K Switches and Western Automation acquisitions. Additionally, the Company incurred an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $6.5 million primarily related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions within the Transportation and Industrial segments and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. This increase in operating expenses was partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expense.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2023 was $360.9 million, a decrease of $140.0 million or 27.9% compared to $500.8 million for 2022. The decrease in operating income was due to lower gross profit from the Electronics and Transportation segments and higher
operating expenses as noted above. Operating margins decreased from 19.9% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2023 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics and Transportation segments and the higher operating expenses mentioned above.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2023 was $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales compared to $443.0 million, or 17.6% of net sales, for 2022. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by lower foreign exchange losses of $12.1 million and lower unrealized losses of $13.7 million related to one of the Company's equity investments for 2023 compared to 2022.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2023 was $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 15.7% for 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2022,
primarily due to less income earned in lower tax jurisdictions in 2023, as well as one-time tax benefits in 2022 resulting from losses on investments in the stock of two of the Company's affiliates. The effective tax rate for 2022 was lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions as well as the impact of the one-time deductions previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
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The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
| Net Sales | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,350.4 | $ | 1,492.8 | $ | (142.4) | (9.5) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 678.3 | 716.2 | (37.9) | (5.3) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 334.0 | 304.9 | 29.1 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | (151.2) | (6.0) | % |
| Segment Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 300.6 | $ | 431.6 | $ | (131.0) | (30.4) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 33.7 | 63.5 | (29.8) | (47.0) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 54.8 | 48.9 | 5.9 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||
| Total segment operating income | 389.1 | 544.0 | (154.9) | |||||||||||
| Other (a) | (28.2) | (43.2) | 15.0 | |||||||||||
| Total Operating income | $ | 360.9 | $ | 500.8 | $ | (139.9) | (30.9) | % |
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Included in “Other” Operating income for 2022 was $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $142.4 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.1 million or 0.1%. The sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the Electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, and telecom, which more than offset the incremental net sales of $91.9 million from the C&K Switches acquisition.
Operating Income
Operating income was $300.6 million, representing a decrease of $131.0 million, or 30.4%, in 2023 compared to $431.6 million in 2022. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume mainly driven from the Electronics products business, which more than offset the incremental volume from the C&K Switches acquisition. Operating margins decreased from 28.9% in 2022 to 22.3% in 2023 primarily due to the lower volume.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
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Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $37.9 million, or 5.3%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.1%. The commercial vehicle business net sales declined $50.9 million, largely driven by reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, and some demand reduction in commercial vehicle end markets. The automotive sensors business had net sales declines of $3.4 million primarily due to lower demand in the United States and China. These declines were partially offset by an increase of $16.5 million from the passenger car products business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and global passenger vehicle production growth.
Operating Income
Operating income was $33.7 million, representing a decrease of $29.8 million, or 47.0%, in 2023 compared to $63.5 million in 2022. Operating margins declined from 8.9% to 5.0% primarily due to lower volume from the commercial vehicle business, partially offset by higher volume and price realization in the passenger car business.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $29.1 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.2%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across multiple end markets, and the acquisition of Western Automation.
Operating Income
Operating income was $54.8 million, representing an increase of $5.9 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to $48.9 million in 2022. The increase in operating income was due to price realization and higher volume, partially offset by higher amortization expenses from the acquisition of Western Automation. Operating margins were 16.4% in 2023 compared to 16.0% in 2022.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 901.5 | $ | 992.3 | $ | (90.8) | (9.2) | % | ||||||
| Asia-Pacific | 898.9 | 1,019.9 | (121.0) | (11.9) | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 562.3 | 501.7 | 60.6 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | (151.2) | (6.0) | % |
Americas
Net sales in the Americas decreased $90.8 million, or 9.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.1 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K Switches acquisition within the Electronics segment and higher sales within the Industrial segment compared to 2022.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $121.0 million, or 11.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.3 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K Switches acquisition within the Electronics segment and Western Automation acquisition within in the Industrial segment compared to 2022.
Europe
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Europe net sales increased $60.6 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $13.1 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the acquisition of C&K Switches, increased volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, and the incremental sales from the Western Automation acquisition included within the Industrial segment, partially offset by lower net sales from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents were $724.9 million as of December 28, 2024, an increase of $169.4 million as compared to December 30, 2023.
As of December 28, 2024, $422.8 million of the Company's $724.9 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $422.8 million, at least $228.7 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S.withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $194.1 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $49.7 million as of December 28, 2024 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions and tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement ("the Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company’s option, at either Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus 0.00% to 0.75%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.
Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company borrowed $300.0 million under a term loan on June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the term loans must be repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter in the amount of $1.9 million commencing September 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024, and in the amount of $3.8 million commencing September 30, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the remaining outstanding principal balance payable in full on the Maturity Date. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty. During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, the Company made term loan payments of $7.5 million. The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $281.3 million, respectively, as of December 28, 2024.
On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.
As of December 28, 2024, the effective interest rate on unhedged portion of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 5.71%, and 4.13% on the hedged portion.
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As of December 28, 2024, the Company had $0.1 million outstanding letters of credit and had available $599.9 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. As of December 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.
Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company paid off €117 million of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023. Interest on the Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028 is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.
On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“2022 Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 (“U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032”) (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2022.
The Senior Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, or applicable state securities laws. The Senior Notes are general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
The Senior Notes are subject to certain customary covenants, including limitations on the Company’s ability, with certain exceptions, to engage in mergers, consolidations, asset sales and transactions with affiliates, to engage in any business that would substantially change the general business of the Company, and to incur liens. In addition, the Company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage. As of December 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Senior Notes.
The Company may redeem the Senior Notes upon the satisfaction of certain conditions and the payment of a make-whole amount to note holders and are required to offer to repurchase the Senior Notes at par following certain events, including a change of control.
Debt Covenants
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 28, 2024. As of December 28, 2024, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
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Acquisitions
Dortmund Fab: On December 31, 2024, the Company completed the acquisition of a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The total purchase price for the Dortmund Fab is approximately 94 million Euro, of which 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The down payment was paid in the third quarter of 2023 after regulatory approvals, and 56.7 million Euro was paid at closing. The transaction did not have any impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and reported in the Electronics-Semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment. The acquisition was funded with the Company’s cash on hand.
On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including electric vehicle charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K Switches for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The net cash payment of $523.0 million was funded through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
Cash Flow Overview
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes, and other operating activities.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 367.6 | $ | 457.4 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (65.8) | (284.3) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (112.4) | (185.7) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (20.1) | 4.8 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 169.3 | (7.8) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 557.1 | 564.9 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 726.4 | $ | 557.1 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $367.6 million for the fiscal year 2024, a decrease of $89.8 million, compared to $457.4 million during the fiscal year 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower cash earnings.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $65.8 million for the fiscal year 2024, compared to $284.3 million during the fiscal year 2023. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Western Automation and Dortmund Fab acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023. Capital expenditures were $75.9 million, representing a decrease of $10.3 million compared to the fiscal year 2023. The Company also received proceeds of $10.8 million mainly from the sale of a land use right within the Electronics segment and two buildings from the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2024 as compared to proceeds of $0.8 million from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
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Net cash used in financing activities was $112.4 million for the fiscal year 2024 compared to $185.7 million during the fiscal year 2023. During the fiscal year 2024, the Company paid $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. The Company paid dividends of $67.1 million and $62.2 million for the fiscal year 2024 and 2023, respectively, representing an increase of $4.9 million from the fiscal year 2023. Additionally, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million during the fiscal year 2024.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 457.4 | $ | 419.7 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (284.3) | (636.4) | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (185.7) | 310.2 | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 4.8 | (11.4) | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (7.8) | 82.1 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 564.9 | 482.8 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 557.1 | $ | 564.9 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $457.4 million for the fiscal year 2023, an increase of $37.7 million, compared to $419.7 million during the fiscal year 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to reductions in working capital partially offset by lower cash earnings.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $284.3 million for the fiscal year 2023, compared to $636.4 million during the fiscal year 2022. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Dortmund Fab and Western Automation acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023 versus $532.7 million primarily for the C&K Switches and Embed acquisitions during the fiscal year 2022. Capital expenditures were $86.2 million, representing a decrease of $18.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2022. The Company also received proceeds of $0.8 million primarily from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023 as compared to proceeds of $0.7 million from the sale of a property within the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2022.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $185.7 million for the fiscal year 2023 compared to $310.2 million net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year 2022. On July 18, 2022, the Company issued and funded $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement and borrowed $300.0 million through a term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2022, the Company paid $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due on February 15, 2022 and $3.8 million on the term loan. Additionally, the Company paid dividends of $62.2 million and $55.9 million for the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing an increase of $6.3 million from the fiscal year 2022.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 28, 2024:
| Payments Due by Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(a) | $ | 858,880 | $ | 67,612 | $ | 467,341 | $ | 98,927 | $ | 225,000 | ||||||||
| Interest payments(b) | 128,020 | 37,002 | 57,910 | 19,920 | 13,188 | |||||||||||||
| Operating and finance lease payments(c) | 93,748 | 17,547 | 21,577 | 18,287 | 36,337 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax obligation(d) | 8,192 | 8,192 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(e) | 27,749 | 26,268 | 1,034 | 447 | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,116,589 | $ | 156,621 | $ | 547,862 | $ | 137,581 | $ | 274,525 |
(a)Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $2.8 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of December 28, 2024 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)The income tax obligation represents the remaining amounts payable regarding the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge. The Company has elected to pay the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. The anticipated 2025 annual installment payment of $8.2 million, which represents the eighth and final required installment, is included in Accrued income taxes, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 28, 2024. For more information see Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(e)Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at December 28, 2024:
The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy, and France. At December 28, 2024, the Company had a net unfunded status of $31.3 million. The Company expects to make approximately $1.2 million of contributions to the plans and pay $2.1 million of benefits directly in 2025. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
Cash dividends paid totaled $67.1 million, $62.2 million and $55.9 million for 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On January 28, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on March 6, 2025 to stockholders of record as of February 20, 2025.
Capital Resources
The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.
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Share Repurchase Program
The Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024 ("2021 program"). On April 25, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a new three-year program to repurchase up to $300.0 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company's stock for the period May 1, 2024 to April 30, 2027 ("2024 program") to replace the expired 2021 program.
During the fiscal year of 2024, the Company repurchased 179,311 shares of its common stock totaling $40.9 million, of which, $38.9 million was pursuant to the 2021 program and $2.0 million was pursuant to the 2024 program. There is $298.0 million of an authorized amount not yet purchased under the 2024 program as of December 28, 2024. During the fiscal years of 2023 and 2022, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 28, 2024, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000889331-24-000034.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS
For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.
2023 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales were $2,362.7 million, which decreased by $151.2 million or 6.0% in 2023 compared to 2022 including $0.7 million favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The decrease was primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that more than offset $91.9 million or 3.7% of incremental net sales from the C&K acquisition within the Electronics segment and $13.2 million or 0.5% of net sales from the Western Automation acquisition within the Industrial segment. The Company recognized net income of $259.5 million, or $10.34 per diluted share, in 2023 compared to net income of $373.3 million, or $14.94 per diluted share in 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily due to lower operating income of $131.0 million in the Electronics segment and $29.9 million in the Transportation segment mainly driven by the commercial vehicle business.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $457.4 million for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 representing an increase of $37.7 million as compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to reductions in working capital partially offset by lower cash earnings.
On June 28, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The acquisition of the Dortmund Fab is expected to close in early fiscal year 2025. The total purchase price for the fab is approximately 93 million Euro, of which 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was made with cash on hand and recorded in Other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was paid in the third quarter after regulatory approvals and approximately 56 million Euro will be paid at closing. The transaction did not have a material impact on the Company’s fiscal year 2023 financial results and is not expected to have material impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and will be reported in the semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment.
On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including e-Mobility off-board charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
Risks Related to Market Conditions
The Company continues to operate in a challenging macro environment, including but not limited to, supply chain disruptions, varying regional dynamics, and some pockets of end market softness. The ongoing war in Ukraine has had a minimal impact on the Company, as the Company suspended sales into and purchases from Russia. The Company does not have any direct operations in Ukraine or Russia.
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OUTLOOK
Vision and Strategy
The Company closely collaborates with strategic customers to design and manufacture innovative and reliable solutions to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world in virtually every market that uses electrical energy.
Within transportation end markets, the Company’s products are found in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, like material handling equipment, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, rail, marine and aerospace. The Company is a key enabler of electrification, or eMobility, across these transportation applications. The Company is also a key enabler of electronification advancements across these transportation applications. The Company continues to advance its existing customer relationships with OEM, Tier One and channel partners while driving product content growth for advanced, high-growth applications.
Within industrial end markets, the Company’s products are found in renewable energy and energy storage applications, HVAC, factory automation and industrial safety, industrial motor drives and power conversion, EV charging infrastructure, and heavy and general industrial type applications. The Company utilizes its deep technical engineering capabilities and design support to drive product content growth across high-growth applications like renewables, energy storage, HVAC, and industrial automation and safety.
Within electronics end markets, the Company’s products are found in data center, cloud storage and telecom infrastructure applications, building technologies and automation, appliances, medical devices, gaming and entertainment applications and mobile electronics. The Company leverages its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, coupled with its comprehensive product offerings, to drive product content growth across a broad range of applications.
The Company expects the ever-increasing advancements of application architectures, driven by ongoing electronification and electrification across these end markets, to drive increasing product content opportunities. Built upon that framework, the Company has positioned itself around the structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable solutions across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves.
The Company’s five-year strategic plan, built around these structural growth themes, is focused on delivering top-tier shareholder returns by driving double-digit sales growth, best-in-class profitability, earnings per share growth, strong cash flow generation, and deploying capital to drive value creation. The Company pursues the following major strategic objectives, which are summarized below, along with more specific areas of focus. The Company uses the financial measures below to gauge progress toward achieving these strategic objectives. These measures include organic sales growth, operating margins, cash flow from operations, and returns on invested capital.
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| Strategic Objectives | Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-digit sales growth | ● | Increase product content with existing and new customers, and expand market share | |
| 5-7% average annual organic sales growth | ● | Expand presence (i.e. with portfolio and infrastructure) into new and underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets | |
| 5-7% average annual growth from strategic acquisitions | ● | Increase innovation capabilities and investments | |
| ● | Leverage breadth of go-to-market strategies | ||
| ● | Target mergers and acquisitions that enhance and sustain organic growth | ||
| EPS growth | ● | Focus on higher profitability growth opportunities | |
| Earnings per share growth greater than revenue growth | ● | Improve operating margins through operational and commercial excellence | |
| ● | Disciplined approach to balancing costs with long-term strategic investments | ||
| Capital allocation and returns | ● | Disciplined management of working capital | |
| Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures (free cash flow) is targeted to approximate or exceed net income | ● | Deployment of capital consistent with capital allocation priorities | |
| Target 40% of free cash flow returned to shareholders | ● | Mergers and acquisitions that align with strategy and financial metrics | |
| Remainder focused on strategic acquisitions | ● | Grow dividend in line with earnings | |
| Return on invested capital percentage in the high-teens | ● | Opportunistic share repurchases |
The Company’s strategy is focused on accelerating organic growth by increasing its product content in applications and share gains, enhancing technology efforts to drive innovation, expanding its digital presence, capitalizing on cross segment opportunities, and gaining traction in niche, high-growth end markets. The Company also leverages strategic acquisitions to enhance its organic growth. The Company will continue to make targeted strategic acquisitions that align to its strategy and financial metrics to drive growth across its businesses, products, markets, and technologies while leveraging existing customers and targeting new customers.
Management believes profitable growth through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions is critical to the Company’s competitiveness, while enhancing the value it delivers to all of its stakeholders. In addition, the Company continues to implement initiatives across all businesses to enhance productivity, and its commercial and operational capabilities, while managing its cost structure to align with business conditions, and the markets it serves. Primary areas of focus include optimizing its global operations, successfully integrating strategic acquisitions, and streamlining administrative and support activities to drive improved operating margins.
The Company seeks to deploy its capital consistent with its capital allocation priorities. These priorities include investments to drive increased organic growth, targeted acquisitions that align to the Company’s strategic and financial metrics, and enhance and sustain its organic growth, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
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Critical Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principle ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.
The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.
There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years of 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Quantitative Assessment for Impairment
For the seven reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. The results of the goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2023 indicated that the estimated fair values for each of the seven reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Accordingly, there were no goodwill impairment charges recorded as part of the Company’s 2023 annual goodwill impairment test.
As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.
Goodwill Impairment Assumptions
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future
financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. All seven of the reporting units passed the goodwill impairment test, with fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 23% and 369% of their respective estimated fair values. As of the most recent annual test conducted on October 1, 2023, the Company noted that the excess of fair value over the carrying value was 110%, 80%, 126%, 47%, 58%, 23%, and 369% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Automotive Sensors, Industrial Controls and Sensors, and Industrial Circuit Protection, respectively. Relatively small changes in the Company’s key assumptions would not have resulted in any reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test.
Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 12.6% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Automotive Sensors, and Industrial Circuit Protection reporting units, and 16.8% for the Industrial Controls and Sensors reporting unit. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").
In accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023, December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2022, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the
possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.
Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Disaggregation
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 767,393 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 767,393 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 583,033 | — | — | 583,033 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 323,758 | — | 323,758 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 266,004 | — | 266,004 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 88,516 | — | 88,516 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 333,953 | 333,953 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,350,426 | $ | 678,278 | $ | 333,953 | $ | 2,362,657 |
| Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 802,281 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 802,281 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 690,538 | — | — | 690,538 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 374,707 | — | 374,707 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 249,470 | — | 249,470 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 91,963 | — | 91,963 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 304,938 | 304,938 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,492,819 | $ | 716,140 | $ | 304,938 | $ | 2,513,897 |
See Note 16, Segment Information, for net sales by segment and countries.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s sales channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.
The Company has elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.
Revenue and Billing
The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue.
Ship and Debit Program
Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity, distributor inventory levels and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.
Return to Stock
The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from the Company's management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.
Volume Rebates
The Company offers volume-based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company currently measures the expected credit losses based on our historical credit loss experience. The Company has not experienced significant recent or historical credit losses and is not forecasting any significant credit losses which would require adjustments to our methodology. If current conditions and supportable forecasts indicate that our historical loss experience is not reasonable and no longer supportable, the Company may adjust its historical credit loss experience and to reflect these conditions and forecasts. The Company regularly analyzes its significant customer accounts and, when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also analyzes all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical collection and loss experience. Historically, the allowance for credit losses has been adequate to cover bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
Inventory
The Company performs regular detailed assessments of inventory, which include a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, shelf life, and quality issues. Based on the analysis, the Company records adjustments to inventory for excess quantities, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect inventory at net realizable value.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that the Company made the decision to donate, a $0.9 million impairment charge substantially related to certain patents in a business within the Industrial segment, and a $0.1 million impairment on certain machinery and equipment in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment. Additionally, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1.7 million for certain machinery and equipment within the Electronics segment due to a decision to cease further production of a product line during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Environmental Liabilities
Environmental liabilities are accrued based on estimates of the probability of potential future environmental exposure. Costs related to on-going maintenance of environmental sites are expensed as incurred. If actual or estimated probable future losses exceed the Company’s recorded liability for such claims, it would record additional charges as other expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred. The Company evaluates its reserve for coal mine remediation annually utilizing a third-party expert.
Pension Plans
The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were 5.6% and 5.8%, respectively.
A 50 basis point change in the discount rates at December 30, 2023 would have the following effect on the projected benefit obligation:
| (in millions) | 0.5% Increase | 0.5% Decrease | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projected benefit obligation | $ | (3.8) | $ | 4.1 |
Equity-based Compensation
Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in
2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period.
Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $25.7 million, $24.6 million, and $21.4 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2023 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Fiscal year 2023 included $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions and $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily associated with employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge for the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2022 included $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses primarily associated with the C&K and Carling acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million intangible asset impairment charge within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2023 also included approximately $12.3 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2022 included approximately $24.4 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,362,657 | $ | 2,513,897 | $ | (151,240) | (6.0) | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,462,416 | 1,506,984 | (44,568) | (3.0) | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 900,241 | 1,006,913 | (106,672) | (10.6) | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 539,379 | 506,087 | 33,292 | 6.6 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 360,862 | 500,826 | (139,964) | (27.9) | % | |||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (19,901) | 7,207 | (27,108) | (376.1) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 328,598 | 443,044 | (114,446) | (25.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 69,113 | 69,738 | (625) | (0.9) | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 259,485 | 373,306 | (113,821) | (30.5) | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,362.7 million, which decreased by $151.2 million, or 6.0% compared to 2022, including $0.7 million of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2023 compared to 2022. The sales decrease was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment that more than offset $105.1 million or 4.2% of incremental net sales from the C&K and Western Automation acquisitions and higher volume from the Industrial segment.
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Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,462.4 million, or 61.9% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,507.0 million, or 59.9% of net sales, in 2022. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 2.0% driven by lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment compared to 2022, and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during 2022.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $900.2 million, or 38.1% of net sales, in 2023, compared to $1,006.9 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in 2022. The $106.7 million decrease in gross profit was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics segment and the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by the acquisition of C&K within the Electronics segment, and volume leverage and favorable product mix from the Industrial segment and $15.6 million or 0.6% of purchase accounting inventory charges recorded during the first nine months of 2022.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $539.4 million, or 22.8% of net sales, for 2023 compared to $506.1 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for 2022. The increase in operating expenses of $33.3 million was primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $9.8 million, higher amortization expense of $10.1 million and research and development expenses of $6.8 million mainly due to the C&K and Western Automation acquisitions. Additionally, the Company incurred an increase in restructuring, impairment, and other charges of $6.5 million primarily related to the reorganization of certain manufacturing, selling and administrative functions within the Transportation and Industrial segments and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building of a property in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. This increase in operating expenses was partially offset by lower variable incentive compensation expense.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2023 was $360.9 million, a decrease of $140.0 million or 27.9% compared to $500.8 million for 2022. The decrease in operating income was due to lower gross profit from the Electronics and Transportation segments and higher
operating expenses as noted above. Operating margins decreased from 19.9% in 2022 to 15.3% in 2023 primarily driven by lower volume in the Electronics and Transportation segments and the higher operating expenses mentioned above.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2023 was $328.6 million, or 13.9% of net sales compared to $443.0 million, or 17.6% of net sales, for 2022. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was primarily benefited by lower foreign exchange losses of $12.1 million and lower unrealized losses of $13.7 million related to one of the Company's equity investments for 2023 compared to 2022.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2023 was $69.1 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.0%, compared to income tax expense of $69.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 15.7% for 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 is higher than the effective tax rate for 2022,
primarily due to less income earned in lower tax jurisdictions in 2023, as well as one-time tax benefits in 2022 resulting from losses on investments in the stock of two of the Company's affiliates. The effective tax rate for 2022 was lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions as well as the impact of the one-time deductions previously noted. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
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| Net Sales | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,350.4 | $ | 1,492.8 | $ | (142.4) | (9.5) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 678.3 | 716.2 | (37.9) | (5.3) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 334.0 | 304.9 | 29.1 | 9.5 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | (151.2) | (6.0) | % |
| Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 300.6 | $ | 431.6 | $ | (131.0) | (30.4) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 33.7 | 63.5 | (29.8) | (47.0) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 54.8 | 48.9 | 5.9 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||
| Other (a) | (28.2) | (43.2) | 15.0 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 360.9 | $ | 500.8 | $ | (139.9) | (30.9) | % |
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for the 2023 was $28.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $11.7 million was for legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $16.5 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $3.9 million impairment charge related to the land and building in the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Included in “Other” Operating income for 2022 was $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $142.4 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.1 million or 0.1%. The sales decrease was mainly due to lower volume from the Electronics products business driven by inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and reduced demand across certain electronics markets, including consumer facing and personal electronics, and telecom, which more than offset the incremental net sales of $91.9 million from the C&K acquisition.
Operating Income
Operating income was $300.6 million, representing a decrease of $131.0 million, or 30.4%, in 2023 compared to $431.6 million in 2022. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to lower volume mainly driven from the Electronics products business, which more than offset the incremental volume from the C&K acquisition. Operating margins decreased from 28.9% in 2022 to 22.3% in 2023 primarily due to the lower volume.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $37.9 million, or 5.3%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.1%. The commercial vehicle business net sales declined $50.9 million, largely driven by reduced demand largely due to inventory rebalancing at certain distributors and customers, and some demand reduction in commercial vehicle end markets. The automotive sensors business had net sales declines of $3.4 million primarily due to lower demand in the United States and China. These declines were partially offset by an increase of $16.5 million from
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the passenger car products business driven by the ongoing electronification and electrification of vehicles and global passenger vehicle production growth.
Operating Income
Operating income was $33.7 million, representing a decrease of $29.8 million, or 47.0%, in 2023 compared to $63.5 million in 2022. Operating margins declined from 8.9% to 5.0% primarily due to lower volume from the commercial vehicle business, partially offset by higher volume and price realization in the passenger car business.
Industrial Segment
Net Sales
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $29.1 million, or 9.5%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million or 0.2%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across multiple end markets, and the acquisition of Western Automation.
Operating Income
Operating income was $54.8 million, representing an increase of $5.9 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to $48.9 million in 2022. The increase in operating income was due to price realization and higher volume, partially offset by higher amortization expenses from the acquisition of Western Automation. Operating margins were 16.4% in 2023 compared to 16.0% in 2022.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 901.5 | $ | 992.3 | $ | (90.8) | (9.2) | % | ||||||
| Asia-Pacific | 898.9 | 1,019.9 | (121.0) | (11.9) | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 562.3 | 501.7 | 60.6 | 12.1 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,362.7 | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | (151.2) | (6.0) | % |
Americas
Net sales in the Americas decreased $90.8 million, or 9.2%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.1 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K acquisition within the Electronics segment and higher sales within the Industrial segment compared to 2022.
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales decreased $121.0 million, or 11.9%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.3 million. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower net sales from electronics products business within the Electronics segment and lower net sales from the commercial vehicle business within the Transportation segment, partially offset by incremental sales from C&K acquisition within the Electronics segment and Western Automation acquisition within in the Industrial segment compared to 2022.
Europe
European net sales increased $60.6 million, or 12.1%, in 2023 compared to 2022 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $13.1 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the acquisition of C&K, increased volume from the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment, and the incremental sales from the Western Automation acquisition included within the Industrial segment, partially offset by lower net sales from the electronics products business within the Electronics segment.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 01, 2022
Fiscal year 2022 included $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses primarily associated with the C&K and Carling acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million intangible asset impairment charge within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2021 included $12.6 million of non-segment charges, of which $8.4 million relates to purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, $7.0 million of acquisition-related and integration charges related to the Carling and Hartland acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, and $2.2 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Additionally, partially offsetting the above amounts was a gain of $5.0 million recorded for the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2022 also included approximately $24.4 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2021 included approximately $17.2 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,513,897 | $ | 2,079,928 | $ | 433,969 | 20.9 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,506,984 | 1,308,002 | 198,982 | 15.2 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,006,913 | 771,926 | 234,987 | 30.4 | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 506,087 | 386,284 | 119,803 | 31.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 500,826 | 385,642 | 115,184 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | 7,207 | 8,932 | (1,725) | (19.3) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 443,044 | 341,025 | 102,019 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 69,738 | 57,219 | 12,519 | 21.9 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 373,306 | 283,806 | 89,500 | 31.5 | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,513.9 million, which increased $434.0 million, or 20.9% compared to 2021, including $202.8 million or 9.8% of incremental net sales within the Transportation segment from the Carling acquisition and $81.7 million or 3.9% of net sales within the Electronics segment from the C&K acquisition, partially offset by $65.3 million or 3.1% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2022 compared to 2021. The remaining increase of $110.3 million in the Electronics segment was due to higher volume and price realization across numerous end markets while the Industrial segment increased $53.8 million as a result of higher volume and price realization.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,507.0 million, or 59.9% of net sales, in 2022, compared to $1,308.0 million, or 62.9% of net sales, in 2021. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to greater volume across the Electronics and Industrial segments driven by the factors discussed above along with the acquisitions of Carling and C&K. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 3.0% driven by volume leverage, partially offset by higher purchase accounting inventory charges of $7.2 million or 0.2% compared to 2021.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $1,006.9 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in 2022, compared to $771.9 million, or 37.1% of net sales, in 2021. The $235.0 million increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher volume and price realization in the Electronics and
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Industrial segments along with the acquisitions of Carling and C&K. The increase in gross margin of 3.0% was primarily driven by volume leverage and price realization, partially offset by higher purchase accounting inventory charges of $7.2 million or 0.2% compared to 2021.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $506.1 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for 2022 compared to $386.3 million, or 18.6% of net sales, for 2021. The increase in operating expenses of $119.8 million was primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses, which increased by $69.4 million, research and development expenses, which increased by $29.7 million and increased amortization expense of $13.0 million and acquisition-related expenses of $10.6 million largely due to the Carling and C&K acquisitions.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2022 was $500.8 million, an increase of $115.2 million or 29.9% compared to $385.6 million for 2021. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gross profit across from Electronics and Industrial segments, partially offset by higher operating expenses as discussed above. Operating margins increased from 18.5% in 2021 to 19.9% in 2022 primarily driven by higher operating income in the Electronics segment of $122.0 million.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2022 was $443.0 million, or 17.6% of net sales compared to $341.0 million, or 16.4% of net sales, for 2021. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was impacted by $14.0 million of unrealized losses during 2022 compared to unrealized gains of $8.8 million during 2021 related to the Company's equity investment, higher interest expense of $7.7 million due to an increase in borrowings outstanding, and higher foreign exchange losses of $7.2 million compared to 2021, partially offset by a $19.9 million non-cash pension settlement charge recognized in 2021.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2022 was $69.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 15.7%, compared to income tax expense of $57.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.8% for 2021. The Company’s tax rates are lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the impact of taxes on unremitted earnings, the GILTI tax provisions, and non-U.S. losses and expenses with no tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2022 is lower than the effective tax rate for 2021, primarily due to one-time tax benefits resulting from losses on investments in the stock of two of the Company's affiliates. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales and operating income by segment:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,492.8 | $ | 1,300.7 | $ | 192.1 | 14.8 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 716.2 | 528.1 | 188.1 | 35.6 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 304.9 | 251.1 | 53.8 | 21.4 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 434.0 | 20.9 | % |
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| Operating Income | Fiscal Year | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 431.6 | $ | 309.6 | $ | 122.0 | 39.4 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 63.5 | 66.0 | (2.5) | (3.7) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 48.9 | 22.6 | 26.3 | 116.0 | % | |||||||||
| Other (a) | (43.2) | (12.6) | (30.6) | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 500.8 | $ | 385.6 | $ | 115.2 | 29.9 | % |
(a) Included in “Other” Operating income for 2022 was $17.6 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to completed and contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Included in “Other” Operating income for 2021 was $8.4 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, $7.0 million of legal and professional fees and other integration expenses related to Carling, Hartland and other contemplated acquisitions, and $2.2 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs. In addition, there was a gain of $5.0 million recorded for the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Electronics Segment
Net Sales
Net sales for the Electronics segment increased $192.1 million, or 14.8%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $37.1 million or 2.9%. The sales increase was $123.4 million for the semiconductor products business and $68.7 million in the electronics products business, primarily driven by increased volume and price realization. The sales increase in electronics products business also included the incremental $81.7 million of sales from the acquisition of C&K. These volume increases were driven by continued broad-based demand across numerous end markets.
Operating Income
Operating income was $431.6 million, representing an increase of $122.0 million, or 39.4%, in 2022 compared to $309.6 million in 2021. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher volume and price realization from the semiconductor and electronics products businesses and also the incremental operating income from the C&K acquisition. Operating margins increased from 23.8% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2022.
Transportation Segment
Net Sales
Net sales in the Transportation segment increased $188.1 million, or 35.6%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $26.0 million or 4.9%. The sales increase was primarily due to the incremental sales of $202.8 million from the Carling acquisition. Net sales in the commercial vehicle business increased by $214.4 million, largely due to the Carling acquisition noted previously and continued demand across a number of commercial vehicle end markets. The passenger car products and automotive sensors businesses had sales decreases of $16.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The decreases were primarily driven by unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, certain automotive customers rebalancing their inventory levels of the Company's products, and supply chain constraints, partially offset by greater content growth from vehicle mix and electric vehicles.
Operating Income
Operating income was $63.5 million, representing a decrease of $2.5 million, or 3.7%, in 2022 compared to $66.0 million in 2021. The decreased in operating income was primarily due to lower volume in the passenger car products and automotive sensors businesses, partially offset by the incremental operating income from the Carling acquisition. Operating margins declined from 12.5% to 8.9%.
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Industrial Segment
Net Sales
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $53.8 million, or 21.4%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.2 million or 0.9%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume and demand across a number of end markets, price realization, and incremental one month net sales of $9.1 million or 3.6% from the Hartland acquisition.
Operating Income
Operating income was $48.9 million, representing an increase of $26.3 million, or 116.0%, in 2022 compared to $22.6 million in 2021. The increase in operating income was due to higher volume and price realization. Operating margins were 16.0% in 2022 compared to 9.0% in 2021.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific | $ | 1,019.9 | $ | 955.7 | $ | 64.2 | 6.7 | % | ||||||
| Americas | 992.3 | 694.3 | 298.0 | 42.9 | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 501.7 | 429.9 | 71.8 | 16.7 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 434.0 | 20.9 | % |
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $64.2 million, or 6.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $18.4 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the C&K acquisition and higher volume and price realization from the semiconductor products business within the Electronics segment and incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business, partially offset by lower net sales from the electronics products and passenger car products businesses.
Americas
Net sales in the Americas increased $298.0 million, or 42.9%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.4 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business within the Transportation segment, higher volume and price realization from all businesses within the Electronics segment including incremental sales from the C&K acquisition and higher volume and price realization from the Industrial segment compared to 2021.
Europe
European net sales increased $71.8 million, or 16.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $45.5 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased volume across all businesses within the Electronics segment including incremental sales from C&K acquisition, and incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business within the Transportation segment compared to 2021.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents were $555.5 million as of December 30, 2023, a decrease of $7.1 million as compared to December 31, 2022.
As of December 30, 2023, $376.9 million of the Company's $555.5 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $376.9 million, at least $214.3 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S. withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $162.6 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $106.3 million as of December 30, 2023 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions and tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
Revolving Credit Facility
On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement ("the Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company’s option, at either Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus 0.00% to 0.75%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.
Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company borrowed $300.0 million under a term loan on June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the term loans must be repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter in the amount of $1.9 million commencing September 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024, and in the amount of $3.8 million commencing September 30, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the remaining outstanding principal balance payable in full on the Maturity Date. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty. During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023, the Company made term loan payments of $7.5 million. The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $288.8 million, respectively, as of December 30, 2023.
On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.
As of December 30, 2023, the effective interest rate on unhedged portion of the outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 6.71%, and 4.13% on the hedged portion.
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As of December 30, 2023, the Company had $0.2 outstanding letters of credit and had available $599.8 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. At December 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.
Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). Interest on the Euro Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017. On December 8, 2023, the Company paid off €117 million of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022.
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.
On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“2022 Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 (“U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032”) (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2022.
Debt Covenants
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 30, 2023. As of December 30, 2023, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
Acquisitions
On June 28, 2023, the Company entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire a 200mm wafer fab located in Dortmund, Germany (“Dortmund Fab”) from Elmos Semiconductor SE. The acquisition of the Dortmund Fab is expected to close in early fiscal year 2025. The total purchase price for the fab is approximately 93 million Euro, of which 37.2 million Euro down payment (approximately $40.5 million) was made with cash on hand and recorded in Other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets was paid in the third quarter after regulatory approvals and approximately 56 million Euro will be paid at closing. The transaction did not have a material impact on the Company’s fiscal year 2023 financial results and is not expected to have material impact on the Company's 2024 financial results and will be reported in the semiconductor business within the Company’s Electronics segment.
On February 3, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including e-Mobility off-board charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. At the time the Company and Western Automation entered into the definitive agreement, Western Automation
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had annualized sales of approximately $25 million. The business is reported within the Company’s Industrial segment. The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K Switches for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The net cash payment of $523.0 million was funded through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
On November 30, 2021, the Company acquired Carling, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2021. Founded in 1920, Carling has a leading position in switching and circuit protection technologies with a strong global presence in commercial vehicle electronification, communications infrastructure and marine markets. At the time of acquisition, Carling had annualized sales of approximately $170 million. The operations of Carling are included in the commercial vehicle business within the Company's Transportation segment. The purchase price for Carling Technologies was approximately $315.5 million subject to a working capital adjustment. The net cash payment of $314.1 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
On January 28, 2021, the Company acquired Hartland, a manufacturer and leading supplier of electrical components used primarily in heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC") and other industrial and systems applications, and eMobility. At the time of acquisition, Hartland had annualized sales of approximately $70 million. The purchase price for Hartland was $111.0 million and the operations of Hartland are included in the Industrial segment. The net cash payment of $108.5 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
Cash Flow Overview
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes and other operating activities.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 457.4 | $ | 419.7 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (284.3) | (636.4) | ||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (185.7) | 310.2 | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 4.8 | (11.4) | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (7.8) | 82.1 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 564.9 | 482.8 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 557.1 | $ | 564.9 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $457.4 million for the fiscal year 2023, an increase of $37.7 million, compared to $419.7 million during the fiscal year 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to reductions in working capital partially offset by lower cash earnings.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $284.3 million for the fiscal year 2023, compared to $636.4 million during the fiscal year 2022. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $198.8 million for the Dortmund Fab and Western Automation acquisitions during the fiscal year 2023 versus $532.7 million primarily for the C&K and Embed acquisitions during the fiscal year 2022. Capital expenditures were $86.2 million, representing a decrease of $18.2 million compared to the fiscal year 2022. The Company also received proceeds of $0.8 million primarily from the sale of a property within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2023 as compared to proceeds of $0.7 million from the sale of a property within the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2022.
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Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $185.7 million for the fiscal year 2023 compared to $310.2 million net cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year 2022. On July 18, 2022, the Company issued and funded $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement and borrowed $300.0 million through a term loan. During the fiscal year 2023, the Company paid $121.3 million (€117 million) of Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023 and $7.5 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2022, the Company paid $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due on February 15, 2022 and $3.8 million on the term loan. Additionally, the Company paid dividends of $62.2 million and $55.9 million for the fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively, representing an increase of $6.3 million from the fiscal year 2022.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 419.7 | $ | 373.3 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (636.4) | (499.2) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 310.2 | (69.0) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (11.4) | (9.8) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 82.1 | (204.7) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 482.8 | 687.5 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 564.9 | $ | 482.8 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $419.7 million for the fiscal year 2022, an increase of $46.4 million, compared to $373.3 million during the fiscal year 2021. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth and larger annual incentive bonus payments made in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $636.4 million for the fiscal year 2022, compared to $499.2 million during the fiscal year 2021. Capital expenditures were $104.3 million, representing an increase of $13.8 million compared to the fiscal year 2021. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $532.7 million during the fiscal year 2022 primarily for the C&K and Embed acquisitions versus net cash paid of $422.1 million for the Carling and Hartland acquisitions during the fiscal year 2021. The Company also received proceeds of $0.7 million primarily from the sale of a property within the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2022 as compared to proceeds of $15.4 million from the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2021.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $310.2 million for the fiscal year 2022 compared to $69.0 million used in financing activities for the fiscal year 2021. On July 18, 2022, the Company issued and funded $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement and borrowed $300.0 million through a term loan. During the fiscal year 2022, the Company paid $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due on February 15, 2022 and $3.8 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2021, the Company made payments of $30 million on the amended revolving credit facility. Additionally, dividends paid by the Company increased $6.2 million from $49.7 million for the fiscal year 2021 to $55.9 million for the fiscal year 2022.
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Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 30, 2023:
| Payments Due By Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(a) | $ | 875,705 | $ | 14,020 | $ | 83,939 | $ | 552,746 | $ | 225,000 | ||||||||
| Interest payments(b) | 180,462 | 42,760 | 79,966 | 35,493 | 22,243 | |||||||||||||
| Operating and finance lease payments(c) | 78,250 | 15,292 | 18,255 | 13,769 | 30,934 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax obligation(d) | 14,792 | 6,600 | 8,192 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(e) | 32,406 | 30,438 | 1,048 | 920 | — | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,181,615 | $ | 109,110 | $ | 191,400 | $ | 602,928 | $ | 278,177 |
(a)Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $3.8 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of December 30, 2023 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)The Income tax obligation represents the remaining amounts payable regarding the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge. The Company has elected to pay the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. For more information see Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(e)Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at December 30, 2023:
The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy and France. At December 30, 2023, the Company had a net unfunded status of $35.8 million. The Company expects to make approximately $2.2 million of contributions to the plans and pay $2.1 million of benefits directly in 2024. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
Cash dividends paid totaled $62.2 million, $55.9 million and $49.7 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. On January 25, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 per share, payable on March 7, 2024 to stockholders of record as of February 22, 2024.
Capital Resources
The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.
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Share Repurchase Program
On April 28, 2021, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a three-year program to repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024. There are $300 million in the aggregate of shares available for purchase under the program as of December 30, 2023.
During the fiscal years of 2023, 2022, and 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 30, 2023, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000889331-23-000016.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS
For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.
2022 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales were $2,513.9 million, which increased by $434.0 million or 20.9% in 2022 compared to 2021. The increase was primarily driven by higher volume and price realization in the Electronics and Industrial segments, $202.8 million or 9.8% of incremental net sales from the Carling acquisition within the Transportation segment and $81.7 million or 3.9% of net sales from the C&K acquisition within the Electronics segment, partially offset by $65.3 million or 3.1% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. The Company recognized net income of $373.3 million, or $14.94 per diluted share, in 2022 compared to net income of $283.8 million, or $11.38 per diluted share in 2021. The increase in net income is primarily due to an increase in operating income of $122.0 million and $26.2 million in the Electronics and Industrial segments, respectively, partially offset by higher interest expense of $7.7 million and foreign exchange losses of $7.2 million.
Supply chain constraints, including material shortages and transportation capacity and costs impacted the Company, its suppliers and customers during the first half of 2022 and to a lesser extent during the second half of 2022. The Company expects to see continued improvement in supply chain availability during 2023.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $419.7 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 representing an increase of $46.4 million as compared to the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth and larger annual incentive bonus payments made in 2022 as compared to 2021.
On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
On February 3, 2023, the Company acquired Western Automation Research and Development Limited (“Western Automation”) for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including e-Mobility off-board charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. Western Automation has annualized sales of approximately $25 million and will be reported within the company’s Industrial segment. The company does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact to its 2023 financial results.The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The Company financed the transaction through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
Impact of COVID-19 on Business
The effects from COVID-19 continue to drive higher ongoing costs including spending on personal protective equipment ("PPE"), additional personnel and employee transportation costs, and manufacturing inefficiencies as well as an increase in material costs and transportation costs due to global supply chain and logistics constraints around the world.
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Although COVID-19 had less of an effect on fiscal year 2022 as compared to fiscal year 2021, it is difficult to estimate the ongoing magnitude of future COVID-19 disruptions, and its potential impact on the Company's employees, customers, suppliers and vendors. The Company will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions altering its business operations that the Company determines are in the best interests of its employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders, or as required by federal, state, or local authorities. It is not clear what the potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on the Company's business and operations, including the effects on its customers, employees, and prospects, or on the Company's financial results for the fiscal year 2023.
Risks Related to Market Conditions
The Company continues to operate in a more volatile macro environment, including events related to the war in Ukraine. Although the Company does not have any direct operations in Ukraine or Russia, it had a modest impact on the Company, including higher transportation costs due to the Company modifying its shipping logistics as well as suspending sales into and purchases from Russia. Additionally, the war impacted some of the Company's customers who had lower production levels during 2022 due to shut-downs and ongoing material shortages.
OUTLOOK
Vision and Strategy
The Company closely collaborates with strategic customers to design and manufacture innovative and reliable solutions to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world in virtually every market that uses electrical energy.
Within transportation end markets, the Company’s products are found in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, like material handling equipment, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, rail, marine and aerospace. The Company is also a key enabler of electrification, or eMobility, across these transportation applications, and EV charging infrastructure. The Company continues to advance its existing customer relationships with OEM, Tier One and channel partners while driving product content growth for advanced, high-growth applications.
Within industrial end markets, the Company’s products are found in renewable energy and energy storage applications, HVAC, factory automation and industrial safety, industrial motor drives and power conversion, and heavy and general industrial type applications. The Company utilizes its deep technical engineering capabilities and design support to drive product content growth across high-growth applications like renewables, energy storage, HVAC, and industrial automation and safety.
Within electronics end markets, the Company’s products are found in data center, cloud storage and telecom infrastructure applications, building technologies and automation, appliances, medical devices, gaming and entertainment applications and mobile electronics. The Company leverages its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, coupled with its comprehensive product offerings, to drive product content growth across a broad range of applications.
The Company expects the ever-increasing complexity of application architectures, driven by ongoing electronification and electrification across these end markets, to drive increasing product content opportunities. Built upon that framework, the Company has positioned itself around the structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable solutions across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves.
The Company’s five-year strategic plan, built around these structural growth themes, is focused on delivering top-tier shareholder returns by driving double-digit sales growth, best-in-class profitability, earnings per share growth, strong cash flow generation, and deploying capital to drive value creation. The Company pursues the following major strategic objectives, which are summarized below, along with more specific areas of focus. The Company uses the financial measures below to gauge progress toward achieving these strategic objectives. These measures include organic sales growth, operating margins, cash flow from operations, and returns on invested capital.
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| Strategic Objectives | Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-digit sales growth | ● | Increase product content with existing and new customers, and expand market share | |
| 5-7% average annual organic sales growth | ● | Expand presence (i.e. with portfolio and infrastructure) into new and underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets | |
| 5-7% average annual growth from strategic acquisitions | ● | Increase innovation capabilities and investments | |
| ● | Leverage breadth of go-to-market strategies | ||
| ● | Target mergers and acquisitions that enhance and sustain organic growth | ||
| EPS growth | ● | Focus on higher profitability growth opportunities | |
| Earnings per share growth greater than revenue growth | ● | Improve operating margins through operational and commercial excellence | |
| ● | Disciplined approach to balancing costs with long-term strategic investments | ||
| Capital allocation and returns | ● | Disciplined management of working capital | |
| Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures (free cash flow) is targeted to approximate or exceed net income | ● | Deployment of capital consistent with capital allocation priorities | |
| Target 40% of free cash flow returned to shareholders | ● | Mergers and acquisitions that align with strategy and financial metrics | |
| Remainder focused on strategic acquisitions | ● | Grow dividend in line with earnings | |
| Return on invested capital percentage in the high-teens | ● | Opportunistic share repurchases |
The Company’s strategy is focused on accelerating organic growth by increasing its product content in applications and share gains, enhancing technology efforts to drive innovation, expanding its digital presence, capitalizing on cross segment opportunities, and gaining traction in underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets. The Company also leverages strategic acquisitions to enhance and sustain its organic growth. The Company will continue to make targeted strategic acquisitions that align to its strategy and financial metrics to drive growth across its businesses, products, markets, and technologies while leveraging existing customers and targeting new customers.
Management believes that profitable growth through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions is critical to the Company’s competitiveness, while enhancing the value the Company delivers to all of its stakeholders. In addition, the Company continues to implement initiatives across all businesses to enhance productivity, and its commercial and operational capabilities, while managing its cost structure to align with business conditions, and the markets it serves. Primary areas of focus include optimizing its global operations, successfully integrating strategic acquisitions, and streamlining administrative and support activities to drive improved operating margins.
The Company seeks to deploy its capital consistent with its capital allocation priorities. These priorities include investments to drive increased organic growth, targeted acquisitions that align to the Company’s strategic and financial metrics, and enhance and sustain its organic growth, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
Critical Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principle ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may
differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.
The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.
There were no impairment charges recorded during the fiscal years of 2022 and 2021. During the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $33.8 million to recognize the impairment of goodwill in the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment.
Quantitative Assessment for Impairment
For the seven reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. The results of the goodwill impairment test as of October 2, 2022 indicated that the estimated fair values for each of the seven reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Accordingly, there were no goodwill impairment charges recorded as part of the Company’s 2022 annual goodwill impairment test.
As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.
Goodwill Impairment Assumptions
Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. All seven of the reporting units passed the goodwill impairment test, with fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 42% and 191% of their respective estimated fair values. As of the most recent annual test conducted on October 2, 2022, the Company noted that the
excess of fair value over the carrying value was 151%, 66%, 98%, 42%, 44%, 57%, and 191% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Automotive Sensors, Relays, and Power Fuse, respectively. Relatively small changes in the Company’s key assumptions would not have resulted in any reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test.
Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 13.4% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, the Passenger Car Products, and Commercial Vehicle Products reporting units, 14.3% for the Electronics-Semiconductor reporting unit, and 15.2% for each of the Automotive Sensors, Power Fuse and Relays reporting units. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").
In accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, January 1, 2022, and December 26, 2020, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.
Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Disaggregation
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022:
| Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 802,281 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 802,281 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 690,538 | — | — | 690,538 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 374,707 | — | 374,707 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 249,470 | — | 249,470 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 91,963 | — | 91,963 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 304,938 | 304,938 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,492,819 | $ | 716,140 | $ | 304,938 | $ | 2,513,897 |
| Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 678,861 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 678,861 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 621,883 | — | — | 621,883 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 266,020 | — | 266,020 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 160,300 | — | 160,300 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 101,738 | — | 101,738 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 251,126 | 251,126 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,300,744 | $ | 528,058 | $ | 251,126 | $ | 2,079,928 |
See Note 16, Segment Information, for net sales by segment and countries.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s sales channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.
The Company has elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.
Revenue and Billing
The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment
activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue.
Ship and Debit Program
Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity, distributor inventory levels and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.
Return to Stock
The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from the Company's management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.
Volume Rebates
The Company offers volume-based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.
Allowance for Credit Losses
The Company currently measures the expected credit losses based on our historical credit loss experience. The Company has not experienced significant recent or historical credit losses and is not forecasting any significant credit losses which would require adjustments to our methodology. If current conditions and supportable forecasts indicate that our historical loss experience is not reasonable and no longer supportable, the Company may adjust its historical credit loss experience and to reflect these conditions and forecasts. The Company regularly analyzes its significant customer accounts and, when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also analyzes all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical collection and loss experience. Historically, the allowance for credit losses has been adequate to cover bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
Inventory
The Company performs regular detailed assessments of inventory, which include a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, shelf life, and quality issues. Based on the analysis, the Company records adjustments to inventory for excess quantities, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect inventory at net realizable value.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future
undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a $2.9 million non-cash impairment charge for certain acquired technology and patent intangible assets due to a change in use and projected cash flows within the Electronics segment. Additionally, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1.7 million for certain machinery and equipment within the Electronics segment due to a decision to cease further production of a product line during the fourth quarter of 2022. For the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, the Company recognized a $2.2 million impairment charge related to the land and building associated with the Company’s announced consolidation of a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment.
Environmental Liabilities
Environmental liabilities are accrued based on estimates of the probability of potential future environmental exposure. Costs related to on-going maintenance of environmental sites are expensed as incurred. If actual or estimated probable future losses exceed the Company’s recorded liability for such claims, it would record additional charges as other expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred. The Company evaluates its reserve for coal mine remediation annually utilizing a third-party expert.
Pension Plans
The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were 5.8% and 3.1%, respectively.
A 50 basis point change in the discount rates at December 31, 2022 would have the following effect on the projected benefit obligation:
| (in millions) | 0.5% Increase | 0.5% Decrease | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projected benefit obligation | $ | (3.4) | $ | 3.6 |
On April 7, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company is required to directly pay and administer pension payments to certain of the Company’s U.K. pension plan participants, or their designated beneficiaries. The Company completed the buy-out of this U.K. pension plan during the fourth quarter of 2021 and as a result recorded a non-cash pension settlement charge of $19.9 million (£14.9 million), inclusive of the accelerated recognition of prior service cost of $0.5 million (£0.4 million).
Equity-based Compensation
Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in 2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period.
Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $24.6 million, $21.4 million, and $19.1 million in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under SEC rules. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 01, 2022
Fiscal year 2022 included $43.2 million of non-segment charges, of which $17.6 million related to legal and professional fees and other integration expenses primarily associated with the C&K and Carling acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, $15.6 million of purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, and $10.0 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs and a $2.9 million intangible asset impairment charge within the Electronics segment in the fourth quarter of 2022. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
Fiscal year 2021 included $12.6 million of non-segment charges, of which $8.4 million relates to purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, $7.0 million of acquisition-related and integration charges related to the Carling and Hartland acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, and $2.2 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Additionally, partially offsetting the above amounts was a gain of $5.0 million recorded for the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2022 also included approximately $24.4 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, Sterling, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2021 included approximately $17.2 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,513,897 | $ | 2,079,928 | $ | 433,969 | 20.9 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,506,984 | 1,308,002 | 198,982 | 15.2 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,006,913 | 771,926 | 234,987 | 30.4 | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 506,087 | 386,284 | 119,803 | 31.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 500,826 | 385,642 | 115,184 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||
| Other expense, net | 7,207 | 8,932 | (1,725) | (19.3) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 443,044 | 341,025 | 102,019 | 29.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 69,738 | 57,219 | 12,519 | 21.9 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 373,306 | 283,806 | 89,500 | 31.5 | % |
Net Sales
Net sales were $2,513.9 million, which increased $434.0 million, or 20.9% compared to 2021, including $202.8 million or 9.8% of incremental net sales within the Transportation segment from the Carling acquisition and $81.7 million or 3.9% of net sales within the Electronics segment from the C&K acquisition, partially offset by $65.3 million or 3.1% of unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2022 compared to 2021. The remaining increase of $110.3 million in the Electronics segment was due to higher volume and price realization across numerous end markets while the Industrial segment increased $53.8 million as a result of higher volume and price realization.
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Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,507.0 million, or 59.9% of net sales, in 2022, compared to $1,308.0 million, or 62.9% of net sales, in 2021. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to greater volume across the Electronics and Industrial segments driven by the factors discussed above along with the acquisitions of Carling and C&K. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 3.0% driven by volume leverage, partially offset by higher purchase accounting inventory charges of $7.2 million or 0.2% compared to 2021.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $1,006.9 million, or 40.1% of net sales, in 2022, compared to $771.9 million, or 37.1% of net sales, in 2021. The $235.0 million increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher volume and price realization in the Electronics and Industrial segments along with the acquisitions of Carling and C&K. The increase in gross margin of 3.0% was primarily driven by volume leverage and price realization, partially offset by higher purchase accounting inventory charges of $7.2 million or 0.2% compared to 2021.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $506.1 million, or 20.1% of net sales, for 2022 compared to $386.3 million, or 18.6% of net sales, for 2021. The increase in operating expenses of $119.8 million was primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses, which increased by $69.4 million, research and development expenses, which increased by $29.7 million and increased amortization expense of $13.0 million and acquisition-related expenses of $10.6 million largely due to the Carling and C&K acquisitions.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2022 was $500.8 million, an increase of $115.2 million or 29.9% compared to $385.6 million for 2021. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gross profit across from Electronics and Industrial segments, partially offset by higher operating expenses as discussed above. Operating margins increased from 18.5% in 2021 to 19.9% in 2022 primarily driven by higher operating income in the Electronics segment of $122.0 million.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2022 was $443.0 million, or 17.6% of net sales compared to $341.0 million, or 16.4% of net sales, for 2021. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was impacted by $14.0 million of unrealized losses during 2022 compared to unrealized gains of $8.8 million during 2021 related to the Company's equity investment, higher interest expense of $7.7 million due to an increase in borrowings outstanding, and higher foreign exchange losses of $7.2 million compared to 2021, partially offset by a $19.9 million non-cash pension settlement charge recognized in 2021.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2022 was $69.7 million, or an effective tax rate of 15.7%, compared to income tax expense of $57.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.8% for 2021. The Company’s tax rates are lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the impact of taxes on unremitted earnings, the GILTI tax provisions, and non-U.S. losses and expenses with no tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2022 is lower than the effective tax rate for 2021, primarily due to one-time tax benefits resulting from losses on investments in the stock of two of the Company's affiliates. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by segment:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,492.8 | $ | 1,300.7 | $ | 192.1 | 14.8 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 716.2 | 528.1 | 188.1 | 35.6 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 304.9 | 251.1 | 53.8 | 21.4 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 434.0 | 20.9 | % |
Electronics Segment
Net sales for the Electronics segment increased $192.1 million, or 14.8%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $37.1 million or 2.9%. The sales increase was $123.4 million for the semiconductor products business and $68.7 million in the electronics products business, primarily driven by increased volume and price realization. The sales increase in electronics products business also included the incremental $81.7 million of sales from the acquisition of C&K. These volume increases were driven by continued broad-based demand across numerous end markets.
Transportation Segment
Net sales in the Transportation segment increased $188.1 million, or 35.6%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $26.0 million or 4.9%. The sales increase was primarily due to the incremental sales of $202.8 million from the Carling acquisition. Net sales in the commercial vehicle business increased by $214.4 million, largely due to the Carling acquisition noted previously and continued demand across a number of commercial vehicle end markets. The passenger car products and automotive sensors businesses had sales decreases of $16.6 million and $9.8 million, respectively. The decreases were primarily driven by unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates, certain automotive customers rebalancing their inventory levels of the Company's products, and supply chain constraints, partially offset by greater content growth from vehicle mix and electric vehicles.
Industrial Segment
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $53.8 million, or 21.4%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.2 million or 0.9%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume and demand across a number of end markets, price realization, and incremental one month net sales of $9.1 million or 3.6% from the Hartland acquisition.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific | $ | 1,019.9 | $ | 955.7 | $ | 64.2 | 6.7 | % | ||||||
| Americas | 992.3 | 694.3 | 298.0 | 42.9 | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 501.7 | 429.9 | 71.8 | 16.7 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,513.9 | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 434.0 | 20.9 | % |
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $64.2 million, or 6.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $18.4 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the C&K acquisition and higher volume and price realization from the semiconductor products business within the Electronics segment and incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business, partially offset by lower net sales from the electronics products and passenger car products businesses.
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Americas
Net sales in the Americas increased $298.0 million, or 42.9%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $1.4 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business within the Transportation segment, higher volume and price realization from all businesses within the Electronics segment including incremental sales from the C&K acquisition and higher volume and price realization from the Industrial segment compared to 2021.
Europe
European net sales increased $71.8 million, or 16.7%, in 2022 compared to 2021 and included unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $45.5 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to increased volume across all businesses within the Electronics segment including incremental sales from C&K acquisition, and incremental sales from the Carling acquisition included in the commercial vehicle products business within the Transportation segment compared to 2021.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 01, 2022 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 26, 2020
Fiscal year 2021 included approximately $12.6 million of non-segment charges, of which $8.4 million relates to purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, $7.0 million of acquisition-related and integration charges related to the Carling and Hartland acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, and $2.2 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Additionally, partially offsetting the above amounts was a gain of $5.0 million recorded for the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment.
Fiscal year 2020 included approximately $44.0 million of non-segment charges, of which $2.3 million of charges are acquisition-related and integration charges related to the IXYS acquisition and other contemplated acquisitions. In addition, there were $41.7 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million recorded in the second quarter associated with the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, employee termination costs of $5.5 million, $2.2 million of impairment charges recorded in the first quarter associated with the announced consolidation of a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment and other restructuring charges of $0.2 million.
Fiscal year 2021 also included approximately $17.2 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2020 included approximately $14.9 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,079,928 | $ | 1,445,695 | $ | 634,233 | 43.9 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,308,002 | 944,523 | 363,479 | 38.5 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 771,926 | 501,172 | 270,754 | 54.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 386,284 | 338,800 | 47,484 | 14.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 385,642 | 162,372 | 223,270 | 137.5 | % | |||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | 8,932 | (5,083) | 14,015 | (275.7) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 341,025 | 161,253 | 179,772 | 111.5 | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 57,219 | 31,267 | 25,952 | 83.0 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 283,806 | 129,986 | 153,820 | 118.3 | % |
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Net Sales
Net sales increased $634.2 million or 43.9% including $27.4 million or 1.9% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was due to volume growth across all segments and businesses while 2020 had temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19. The increase was due to higher sales of $363.0 million, $138.9 million, and $132.3 million in the Electronics, Industrial, and Transportation segments, respectively, primarily driven by higher volumes across all businesses within these segments. The volume increase within the Electronics segment was led by broad-based demand across electronics, transportation and industrial end markets. The increase within the Industrial segment was primarily due to $100.5 million of net sales resulting from the Hartland acquisition and volume growth within the Industrial segment. The increase within the Transportation segment was due to volume growth driven by higher demand in the global auto and commercial vehicle markets, greater content growth across passenger vehicles due to vehicle mix, including growth in electric vehicles and some customers maintaining additional inventory of our products, and $15.3 million of net sales resulting from the Carling acquisition.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,308.0 million, or 62.9% of net sales, in 2021, compared to $944.5 million, or 65.3% of net sales, in 2020. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to greater volume across all segments driven by the factors discussed above along with the Hartland and Carling acquisitions. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 2.4% driven by volume leverage, partially offset by higher transportation, duty and tariff charges of 2.2%, the purchase accounting inventory charges of $8.4 million or 0.4% resulting from the Hartland and Carling acquisitions, and higher material costs.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $771.9 million, or 37.1% of net sales, in 2021, compared to $501.2 million, or 34.7% of net sales, in 2020. The $270.8 million increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher volume across all segments while 2020 had additional costs associated with government-directed plant shutdowns and supply chain constraints. The increase in gross margin of 2.4% was primarily driven by volume leverage and favorable product mix within the Electronics segment, partially offset by higher transportation, duty and tariff charges as a percent of net sales of 2.2%, the purchase accounting inventory charges of $8.4 million or 0.4%, and higher material costs.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $386.3 million, or 18.6% of net sales, for 2021 compared to $338.8 million, or 23.4% of net sales, for 2020. The increase in operating expenses of $47.5 million is primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $71.0 million largely due to higher accrued incentive compensation, the Hartland and Carling acquisitions and higher acquisition-related and integration charges of $4.7 million, and higher research and development expenses of $13.4 million, partially offset by the 2020 goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million, or 2.3% of net sales, in the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment and impairment charges of $2.2 million related to the Company’s 2020 first quarter announcement to consolidate a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2021 was $385.6 million, an increase of $223.3 million or 137.5% compared to $162.4 million for 2020. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gross margin across all segments, led by the Electronics segment partially offset by higher operating expenses noted above. Operating margins increased from 11.2% in 2020 to 18.5% in 2021 primarily driven by the factors mentioned above. The 2020 goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million negatively impacted the 2020 operating margin by 2.3%.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2021 was $341.0 million, or 16.4% of net sales compared to $161.3 million, or 11.2% of net sales, for 2020. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was impacted by foreign exchange losses of $17.2 million during the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 compared to foreign exchange gains of $14.9 million during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, and a $19.9 million non-cash pension settlement charge, partially offset by a $4.0 million increase in unrealized investment gains associated with our equity investment, and lower interest expense of $2.6 million due to lower outstanding borrowings under the credit facility along with a lower effective interest rate and a reduction in coal mining charges of $1.6 million compared to 2020.
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Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2021 was $57.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.8%, compared to income tax expense of $31.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 19.4% for 2020. The Company’s tax rates are lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the impact of taxes on unremitted earnings, the GILTI tax provisions, and non-U.S. losses and expenses with no tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2021 is lower than the effective tax rate for 2020, primarily due to an increase in the income earned in lower tax jurisdictions in 2021 as compared to 2020, as well as the impact of the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million recorded in 2020, the substantial majority of which did not result in a tax benefit. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by segment:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,300.7 | $ | 937.7 | $ | 363.0 | 38.7 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 528.1 | 395.8 | 132.3 | 33.4 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 251.1 | 112.2 | 138.9 | 123.8 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 634.2 | 43.9 | % |
Electronics Segment
Net sales for the Electronics segment increased $363.0 million, or 38.7%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $14.5 million or 1.5%. The sales increase was primarily due to increased volume for the electronics and semiconductor products businesses of $206.5 million and $156.5 million, respectively. The volume increases were driven by broad-based demand across electronics, transportation and industrial end markets while 2020 were negatively impacted by production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Transportation Segment
Net sales in the Transportation segment increased $132.3 million, or 33.4%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.0 million or 3.0%. The sales increase was due to higher volume in passenger car products, commercial vehicle products, and the automotive sensors businesses of $65.6 million, $59.0 million, and $7.8 million, respectively, including the incremental net sales of $15.3 million from the Carling acquisition within the commercial vehicle products business. These increases were due to volume growth driven by higher demand in the global auto and commercial vehicle markets, greater content growth across passenger vehicles due to vehicle mix, including growth in electric vehicles and some customers maintaining additional inventory of our products as compared to 2020, which had production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Industrial Segment
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $138.9 million, or 123.8%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.9 million or 0.8%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the incremental net sales of $100.5 million or 90% from the Hartland acquisition, growth across all product lines, and the transfer of the temperature sensor product line totaling $4.7 million which was previously reported in the Electronics segment and moved to Industrial segment in the third quarter of 2020. Additionally, 2020 was negatively impacted by production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific | $ | 955.7 | $ | 670.5 | $ | 285.2 | 42.5 | % | ||||||
| Americas | 694.3 | 457.8 | 236.5 | 51.7 | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 429.9 | 317.4 | 112.5 | 35.4 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 634.2 | 43.9 | % |
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $285.2 million, or 42.5%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.5 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across all segments and businesses compared to 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
Americas
Net sales in the Americas increased $236.5 million, or 51.7%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the Hartland and Carling acquisitions, higher volume across all segments and businesses compared to 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
Europe
European net sales increased $112.5 million, or 35.4%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $14.2 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across all businesses within the Electronics and Transportation segments compared to the 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents were $562.6 million as of December 31, 2022, an increase of $84.1 million as compared to January 1, 2022.
As of December 31, 2022, $452.0 million of the Company's $562.6 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $452.0 million, at least $339.6 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S. withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $112.4 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $53.6 million as of December 31, 2022 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
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Revolving Credit Facility
On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement, dated as of April 3, 2020 (as so amended and restated, the “Credit Agreement”) to effect certain changes, including, among other changes: (i) adding a $300 million unsecured term loan credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company and its subsidiaries; (iii) replacing LIBOR-based interest rate benchmarks and modifying performance-based interest rate margins; and (iv) extending the maturity date to June 30, 2027 (the “Maturity Date”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Company may, from time to time, increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans in minimum increments of $25 million if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants.
Loans made under the available credit facility pursuant to the Credit Agreement ("the Credit Facility") bear interest at the Company’s option, at either Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.00% to 1.75%, plus a SOFR adjustment of 0.10% or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined in the Credit Agreement, plus —% to 0.75%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the Credit Facility ranging from 0.10% to 0.175%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature.
Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until the Maturity Date, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company borrowed $300.0 million under a term loan on June 30, 2022. The principal balance of the term loans must be repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each calendar quarter in the amount of $1.9 million commencing September 30, 2022, through June 30, 2024, and in the amount of $3.8 million commencing September 30, 2024, through March 31, 2027, with the remaining outstanding principal balance payable in full on the Maturity Date. Accrued interest on the loans is payable in arrears on each interest payment date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified in the Credit Agreement. Subject to certain conditions, (i) the Company may terminate or reduce the Aggregate Revolving Commitments, as defined in the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, and (ii) the Company may prepay the revolving loans or the term loans at any time, without premium or penalty. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company made term loan payments of $3.8 million. The revolving loan and term loan balance under the Credit Facility was $100.0 million and $296.3 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2022.
On May 12, 2022, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement to manage interest rate risk exposure, effectively converting the interest rate on the Company's SOFR based floating-rate loans to a fixed-rate. The interest rate swap, with a notional value of $200 million, was designated as a cash flow hedge against the variability of cash flows associated with the Company's SOFR based loans scheduled to mature on June 30, 2027.
As of December 31, 2022, the effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 5.42%.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding letters of credit and had available $600.0 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. At December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.
Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). Interest on the Euro Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company paid off $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022.
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On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable on February 15 and August 15, commencing on August 15, 2018.
On May 18, 2022, the above note purchase agreements were amended to, among other things, update certain terms, including financial covenants to be consistent with the terms of the amended and restated Credit Agreement and the 2022 Purchase Agreement, as defined below.
On May 18, 2022, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (“2022 Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued and funded on July 18, 2022 $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% Senior Notes, due June 30, 2032 (“U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032”) (together with the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030, the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”). Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2032 is payable semiannually on June 30 and December 30, commencing on December 30, 2032.
Debt Covenants
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
Acquisitions
On February 3, 2023, the Company acquired Western Automation for approximately $162 million in cash. Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Western Automation is a designer and manufacturer of electrical shock protection devices used across a broad range of high-growth end markets, including e-Mobility off-board charging infrastructure, industrial safety and renewables. Western Automation has annualized sales of approximately $25 million and will be reported within the company’s Industrial segment. The company does not expect the acquisition to have a material impact to its 2023 financial results.The Company financed the transaction with cash on hand.
On July 19, 2022, the Company acquired C&K Switches for $540 million in cash. Founded in 1928, C&K is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance electromechanical switches and interconnect solutions with a strong global presence across a broad range of end markets, including industrial, transportation, datacom, and aerospace. At the time the Company and C&K entered into a definitive agreement, C&K had annualized sales of over $200 million. The business is reported as part of the electronics-passive products and sensors business within the Company's Electronics segment. The net cash payment of $523.0 million was funded through a combination of cash on hand and debt.
On November 30, 2021, the Company acquired Carling, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 19, 2021. Founded in 1920, Carling has a leading position in switching and circuit protection technologies with a strong global presence in commercial vehicle electronification, communications infrastructure and marine markets. At the time of acquisition, Carling had annualized sales of approximately $170 million. The operations of Carling are included in the commercial vehicle business within the Company's Transportation segment. The purchase price for Carling Technologies was approximately $315 million subject to a working capital adjustment. The net cash payment of $314.1 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
On January 28, 2021, the Company acquired Hartland, a manufacturer and leading supplier of electrical components used primarily in heating, ventilation, air conditioning ("HVAC") and other industrial and systems applications, and eMobility. At the time of acquisition, Hartland had annualized sales of approximately $70 million. The purchase price for Hartland was $111.0 million and the operations of Hartland are included in the Industrial segment. The net cash payment of $108.5 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
Cash Flow Overview
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes and other operating activities.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and January 1, 2022:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 419.7 | $ | 373.3 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (636.4) | (499.2) | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 310.2 | (69.0) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (11.4) | (9.9) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 82.1 | (204.7) | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 482.8 | 687.5 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 564.9 | $ | 482.8 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $419.7 million for the fiscal year 2022, an increase of $46.4 million, compared to $373.3 million during the fiscal year 2021. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth and larger annual incentive bonus payments made in 2022 as compared to 2021.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $636.4 million for the fiscal year 2022, compared to $499.2 million during the fiscal year 2021. Capital expenditures were $104.3 million, representing an increase of $13.8 million compared to the fiscal year 2021. Net cash paid for acquisitions was $532.7 million during the fiscal year 2022 primarily for the C&K and Embed acquisitions versus net cash paid of $422.1 million for the Carling and Hartland acquisitions during the fiscal year 2021. The Company also received proceeds of $0.7 million primarily from the sale of a property within the Transportation segment during the fiscal year 2022 as compared to proceeds of $15.4 million from the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2021.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities was $310.2 million for the fiscal year 2022 compared to $69.0 million used in financing activities for the fiscal year 2021. On July 18, 2022, the Company issued and funded $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.33% U.S. Senior Notes, due 2032. On June 30, 2022, the Company amended and restated its Credit Agreement and borrowed $300.0 million through a term loan. During the fiscal year 2022, the Company paid $25.0 million of U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due on February 15, 2022 and $3.8 million on the term loan. During the fiscal year 2021, the Company made payments of $30 million on the amended revolving credit facility. Additionally, dividends paid by the Company increased $6.2 million from $49.7 million for the fiscal year 2021 to $55.9 million for the fiscal year 2022.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the twelve months ended January 1, 2022 and December 26, 2020:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 373.3 | $ | 258.0 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (499.2) | (51.4) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (69.0) | (67.8) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (9.9) | 17.6 | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (204.7) | 156.4 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 687.5 | 531.1 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 482.8 | $ | 687.5 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $373.3 million for the fiscal year 2021, an increase of $115.3 million, compared to $258.0 million during the fiscal year 2020. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth.
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Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $499.2 million for the fiscal year 2021, compared to $51.4 million during the fiscal year 2020. Capital expenditures were $90.6 million, representing a decrease of $34.4 million compared to the fiscal year 2020. Net cash paid for the Hartland and Carling acquisitions was $422.1 million during the fiscal year 2021. The Company also received proceeds of $15.4 million from the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2021 as compared to proceeds of $4.8 million as a result of the sale of a property within the Industrial segment during the fiscal year 2020.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $69.0 million for the fiscal year 2021 compared to $67.8 million for the fiscal year 2020. The Company made payments of $30.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility during the fiscal year 2021. On March 25, 2020, the Company borrowed $100.0 million from its revolving credit facility to preserve financial flexibility and enhance liquidity, given the increasing levels of uncertainty related to COVID-19. On April 3, 2020, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to eliminate the $200.0 million unsecured term loan credit facility, with the remaining outstanding balance of $140.0 million repaid in full on April 3, 2020 through a new borrowing of $140.0 million under the amended revolving credit facility. The Company also made principal payments of $5.0 million on the term loan during fiscal year 2020 before amended the Credit Agreement. During the fiscal year 2020, the Company made payments of $110.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility. During the fiscal year 2020, the Company repurchased 175,110 shares of its common stock totaling $22.9 million. Additionally, dividends paid increased $2.9 million from $46.8 million for the fiscal year 2020 to $49.7 million for the fiscal year 2021.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of December 31, 2022:
| Payments Due By Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(a) | $ | 1,006,344 | $ | 134,874 | $ | 81,590 | $ | 463,616 | $ | 326,264 | ||||||||
| Interest payments(b) | 202,327 | 39,411 | 73,283 | 56,482 | 33,151 | |||||||||||||
| Operating and finance lease payments(c) | 68,965 | 15,132 | 22,516 | 10,100 | 21,217 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax obligation(d) | 19,754 | 5,000 | 14,754 | — | — | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(e) | 15,155 | 12,571 | 1,151 | 964 | 469 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,312,545 | $ | 206,988 | $ | 193,294 | $ | 531,162 | $ | 381,101 |
(a)Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $4.8 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of December 31, 2022 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)The Income tax obligation represents the remaining amounts payable regarding the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge. The Company has elected to pay the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. For more information see Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(e)Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
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In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at December 31, 2022:
The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy and France. At December 31, 2022, the Company had a net unfunded status of $29.1 million. The Company expects to make approximately $2.0 million of contributions to the plans in 2023. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
Cash dividends paid totaled $55.9 million, $49.7 million and $46.8 million for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. On February 1, 2023, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share, payable on March 9, 2023 to stockholders of record as of February 23, 2023.
Capital Resources
The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.
Share Repurchase Program
On April 29, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 (the "2020 program"). On April 28, 2021, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new three-year program to repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024 to replace its previous 2020 program. There are $300 million in the aggregate of shares available for purchase under the new program as of December 31, 2022.
During the fiscal years of 2022 and 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. During the fiscal year 2020, the Company repurchased 175,110 shares of its common stock totaling $22.9 million.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0000889331-22-000011.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following discussion of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes to those statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BUSINESS
For a description of the Company’s business, segments and product offerings, see Item 1, Business.
2021 EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Net sales increased by $634.2 million or 43.9% including $27.4 million or 1.9% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was due to volume growth across all segments and businesses while 2020 had temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19. The increase was due to higher sales of $363.0 million, $138.9 million, and $132.3 million in the Electronics, Industrial, and Transportation segments, respectively, driven by higher volumes across all businesses within these segments. The volume increase within the Electronics segment was led by broad-based demand across electronics, transportation and industrial end markets. The increase with the Industrial segment was primarily due to $100.5 million of net sales resulting from the Hartland acquisition and volume growth across all businesses within the Industrial segment. The increase within the Transportation segment was due to volume growth driven by higher demand in the global auto and commercial vehicle markets, greater content growth across passenger vehicles due to vehicle mix, including growth in electric vehicles and some customers maintaining additional inventory of our products, and $15.3 million of net sales resulting from the Carling acquisition. The Company recognized net income of $283.8 million, or $11.38 per diluted share, in 2021 compared to net income of $130.0 million, or $5.29 per diluted share in 2020. The increase in net income reflects higher operating income of $223.3 million driven by a $156.9 million increase in operating income in the Electronics segment, the 2020 goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million, a $24.3 million increase in operating income in the Transportation segment partially offset by higher foreign exchange losses of $32.0 million and a $19.9 million non-cash pension settlement charge associated with the completion of the buy-out of one of our U.K. pension plans.
Supply chain constraints, including transportation capacity shortages have and are expected to continue to impact the Company, our suppliers and our customers. This has resulted in higher transportation and input costs incurred by the Company.
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Net cash provided by operating activities was $373.3 million for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 representing an increase of $115.3 million as compared to the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth.
On January 28, 2021, the Company acquired Hartland Controls, a manufacturer and leading supplier of electrical components used primarily in HVAC and other industrial and control systems applications. At the time of acquisition, Hartland had annualized sales of approximately $70 million. The purchase price for Hartland was $111.0 million and the operations of Hartland are included in the Industrial segment.
On November 30, 2021, the Company acquired Carling, a leader in switching, circuit protection and power distribution technologies with a strong global presence in commercial transportation, communications infrastructure and marine markets. At the time of acquisition, Carling had annualized sales of approximately $170 million. The purchase price for Carling was approximately $315 million and the operations of Carling are included in the Transportation segment.
Impact of COVID-19 on Business
The effects from COVID-19 continue to drive increased costs, though less than net costs incurred in 2020. Ongoing costs include spending on personal protective equipment ("PPE"), additional personnel and employee transportation costs, and manufacturing inefficiencies. as well as an increase in material costs and transportation costs due to global supply chain and logistics constraints around the world.
During 2021, all of our manufacturing facilities were operational and were generally running at normal capacity levels.
The Company anticipates that the disruptions caused by COVID-19 may continue to impact its business activity for the foreseeable future. It is currently difficult to estimate the magnitude of the COVID-19 disruption, if future disruptions will occur due to a resurgence in COVID-19 cases and its impact on our employees, customers, suppliers and vendors. The Company will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions altering our business operations that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders, or as required by federal, state, or local authorities. It is not clear what the potential effects any such alterations or modifications may have on our business and operations, including the effects on our customers, employees, and prospects, or on our financial results for the fiscal year 2022.
OUTLOOK
Vision and Strategy
The Company closely collaborates with strategic customers to design and manufacture innovative and reliable solutions to help empower a sustainable, connected, and safer world in virtually every market that uses electrical energy.
Within transportation end markets, the Company’s products are found in passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles, like material handling equipment, heavy-duty truck and bus, off-road and recreational vehicles, construction equipment, agricultural machinery, rail and marine. The Company is also a key enabler of electrification, or eMobility, across these transportation applications, and EV charging infrastructure. The Company continues to advance its existing customer relationships with OEM, Tier one and channel partners while driving product content growth for advanced, high-growth applications.
Within industrial end markets, the Company’s products are found in renewable energy and energy storage applications, HVAC, factory automation and safety, industrial motor drives and power conversion, and heavy and general industrial type applications. The Company utilizes its deep technical engineering capabilities and design support to drive product content growth across high-growth applications like renewables, energy storage, HVAC, and industrial automation.
Within electronics end markets, the Company’s products are found in data center, cloud storage and telecom infrastructure applications, building technologies and automation, appliances, mobile electronics, medical devices, and gaming and entertainment applications. The Company leverages its strategic distribution partnerships and deep OEM relationships, coupled with its comprehensive product offerings, to drive product content growth across a broad range of applications.
The Company expects the ever-increasing complexity of application architectures, driven by ongoing electronification and electrification across these end markets, to drive increasing product content opportunities. Built upon that framework, the Company has positioned itself around the structural growth themes of sustainability, connectivity, and safety, which will
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continue to drive increased demand for the Company’s innovative, reliable solutions across the transportation, industrial and electronics end markets that it serves.
The Company’s five-year strategic plan, built around these structural growth themes, is focused on delivering top tier shareholder returns by driving double-digit sales growth, best-in-class profitability, earnings per share growth, strong cash flow generation, and deploying capital to drive value creation. The Company pursues the following major strategic objectives, which are summarized below, along with more specific areas of focus. The Company uses the financial measures below to gauge progress toward achieving these strategic objectives. These measures include organic sales growth, operating margins, cash flow from operations, and returns on invested capital.
| Strategic Objectives | Priorities | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Double-digit sales growth | ● | Increased product content with existing and new customers, and expand market share | |
| 5-7% average annual growth from annual organic sales growth | ● | Expand portfolio into new and underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets | |
| 5-7% average annual growth from strategic acquisitions | ● | Increase innovation capabilities and investments | |
| ● | Leverage breadth of go-to-market strategies | ||
| ● | Targeted mergers and acquisitions to enhance and sustain organic growth | ||
| EPS growth | ● | Focus on higher profitability growth opportunities | |
| Earnings per share growth greater than revenue growth | ● | Improve operating margins through operational and commercial excellence | |
| ● | Disciplined approach to balancing costs with long-term strategic investments | ||
| Capital allocation and returns | ● | Disciplined management of working capital | |
| Cash flow from operations less capital expenditures is targeted to approximate or exceed net income | ● | Deployment of capital consistent with capital allocation priorities | |
| Target 40% of free cash flow returned to shareholders | ● | Mergers and acquisitions that align with strategy and financial metrics | |
| Remainder focused on strategic acquisitions | ● | Grow dividend in line with earnings | |
| Return on invested capital percentage in the high-teens | ● | Opportunistic share repurchases |
The Company’s strategy is focused on accelerating organic growth by increasing its product content in applications and share gains, enhancing technology efforts to drive innovation, capitalizing on cross segment opportunities, and gaining traction in underpenetrated, high-growth geographies and end markets. The Company also leverages strategic acquisitions to enhance and sustain its organic growth. The Company will continue to make targeted strategic acquisitions that align to its strategy and financial metrics to drive growth across its business, products, markets, and technologies while leveraging existing customers and targeting new customers.
Management believes that profitable growth through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions is critical to the Company’s competitiveness, while enhancing value the Company delivers to all of its stakeholders. In addition, the Company continues to implement initiatives across all platforms to enhance productivity while managing its cost structure to align with business conditions. Areas of focus include integration of operations and streamlining administrative and support activities to drive improved operating margins.
The Company seeks to deploy its capital consistent with capital allocation priorities. These priorities include investments to drive increased organic growth, targeted acquisitions that align to the Company’s strategic and financial metrics, and enhance and sustain its organic growth, and returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.
Critical Estimates and Significant Accounting Policies
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The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s most critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of its financial condition and results of operations, and which require the Company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. The Company has identified the following as its most critical accounting policies and judgments. Although management believes that its estimates and assumptions are reasonable, they are based upon information available when they are made, and therefore, actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company has reviewed these critical accounting policies and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors. Significant accounting policies are more fully described in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Goodwill
The Company’s methodology for allocating the purchase price of acquisitions is based on established valuation techniques that reflect the consideration of a number of factors, including valuations performed by third-party appraisers when appropriate. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value assigned to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Based on its current organization structure, the Company has seven reporting units for which cash flows are determinable and to which goodwill has been allocated.
The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment on the first day of its fiscal fourth quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. The Company also performs an interim review for indicators of impairment each quarter to assess whether an interim impairment review is required for any reporting unit. As part of its interim reviews, management analyzes potential changes in the value of individual reporting units based on each reporting unit’s operating results for the period compared to expected results as of the prior year’s annual impairment test. In addition, management considers how other key assumptions, including discount rates and expected long-term growth rates, used in the last annual impairment test, could be impacted by changes in market conditions and economic events.
During the second quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash charge of $33.8 million to recognize the impairment of goodwill in the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment. As of January 1, 2022, the automotive sensors reporting unit had $9.2 million of remaining goodwill.
Quantitative Assessment for Impairment
For the seven reporting units with goodwill, the Company compares the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, the difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value is recorded as the amount of the goodwill impairment charge. The results of the goodwill impairment test as of September 26, 2021 indicated that the estimated fair values for each of the seven reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Accordingly, there were no goodwill impairment charges recorded as part of the Company’s 2021 annual goodwill impairment test.
As part of its impairment test for these reporting units, the Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist in the Company’s determination of the estimated fair values. This determination included estimating the fair value of each reporting unit using both the income and market approaches. The income approach requires management to estimate a number of factors for each reporting unit, including projected operating results, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, discount rates and the allocation of shared or corporate items. The market approach estimates fair values using comparable marketplace fair value data from within a comparable industry grouping. The Company weighted both the income and market approach equally to estimate the concluded fair value of each reporting unit. The determination of fair value requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, which primarily include, but are not limited to: the selection of appropriate peer group companies; control premiums appropriate for acquisitions in which the Company competes; the discount rate; terminal growth rates; and forecasts of revenue, operating income, depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures.
Goodwill Impairment Assumptions
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Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates. Changes in assumptions concerning future financial results or other underlying assumptions could have a significant impact on the fair value of the reporting units. Future declines in the overall market value of the Company’s equity may also result in a conclusion that the fair value of one or more reporting units has declined below its carrying value.
One measure of the sensitivity of the amount of goodwill impairment charges to key assumptions is the amount by which each reporting unit “passed” (fair value exceeds the carrying value) the goodwill impairment test. All seven of the reporting units passed the goodwill impairment test, with fair values that exceeded the carrying values between 95% and 380% of their respective estimated fair values. As of the most recent annual test conducted on September 26, 2021, the Company noted that the excess of fair value over the carrying value was 380%, 104%, 255%, 217%, 95%, 144%, and 231% for its reporting units: Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors, Electronics-Semiconductor, Passenger Car Products, Commercial Vehicle Products, Automotive Sensors, Relays, and Power Fuse, respectively. Relatively small changes in the Company’s key assumptions would not have resulted in any reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test.
Generally, changes in estimates of expected future cash flows would have a similar effect on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. That is, a 1.0% decrease in estimated annual future cash flows would decrease the estimated fair value of the reporting unit by approximately 1.0%. The estimated long-term net sales growth rate can have a significant impact on the estimated future cash flows, and therefore, the fair value of each reporting unit. A 1.0% decrease in the long-term net sales growth rate would have resulted in no reporting units failing the goodwill impairment test. Of the other key assumptions that impact the estimated fair values, most reporting units have the greatest sensitivity to changes in the estimated discount rate. The estimated discount rate was 8.9% for the Electronics-Passive Products and Sensors and the Passenger Car Products reporting units, 9.9% for the Electronics-Semiconductor, Commercial Vehicle Products and the Automotive Sensors reporting units, 10.9% for the Power Fuse reporting unit and 11.9% for the Relays reporting unit. A 1.0% increase in the estimated discount rates would have resulted in no reporting units failing the annual goodwill impairment test. The Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows and discount rates are reasonable, but future changes in the underlying assumptions could differ due to the inherent uncertainty in making such estimates. Additionally, price deterioration or lower volume could have a significant impact on the fair values of the reporting units.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes are recognized for the future effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company recognizes deferred taxes for temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit and other tax attribute carryforwards (excluding carryforwards where usage has been determined to be remote). Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. state and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to the U.S. and be taxable (and non-U.S. income taxes are provided on the portion of non-U.S. income that is expected to be remitted to an upper-tier non-U.S. entity). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.
Deferred income taxes are not provided on the excess of the investment value for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in those non-U.S. subsidiaries for which such excess is considered to be permanently reinvested in those operations. Management regularly evaluates whether non-U.S. earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws, or the Company’s financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), among other things, imposed a one-time tax (the “Toll Charge”) on accumulated earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries and included base broadening provisions commonly referred to as the global intangible low-taxed income provisions ("GILTI").
In accordance with guidance issued by the FASB staff, the Company has adopted an accounting policy to treat any GILTI inclusions as a period cost if and when incurred. Thus, for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022, December 26, 2020, and
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December 28, 2019, deferred taxes were computed without consideration of the possible future impact of the GILTI provisions, and any current year impact was recorded as a part of the current portion of income tax expense.
Further information regarding income taxes, including a detailed reconciliation of current year activity, is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Disaggregation
The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by primary business units for the fiscal years ended January 1, 2022 and December 26, 2020:
| Fiscal Year Ended January 1, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 678,861 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 678,861 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 621,883 | — | — | 621,883 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 266,020 | — | 266,020 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 160,300 | — | 160,300 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 101,738 | — | 101,738 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 251,126 | 251,126 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,300,744 | $ | 528,058 | $ | 251,126 | $ | 2,079,928 |
| Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Electronics Segment | Transportation Segment | Industrial Segment | Total | |||||||||||
| Electronics – Semiconductor | $ | 522,352 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 522,352 | |||||||
| Electronics – Passive Products and Sensors | 415,410 | — | — | 415,410 | |||||||||||
| Passenger Car Products | — | 200,455 | — | 200,455 | |||||||||||
| Commercial Vehicle Products | — | 101,324 | — | 101,324 | |||||||||||
| Automotive Sensors | — | 93,985 | — | 93,985 | |||||||||||
| Industrial Products | — | — | 112,169 | 112,169 | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 937,762 | $ | 395,764 | $ | 112,169 | $ | 1,445,695 |
See Note 16, Segment Information, for net sales by segment and countries.
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period in which the Company satisfies its performance obligation and control of the product is transferred to the customer. The Company’s sales arrangements with customers are predominately short term in nature and generally provide for transfer of control at the time of shipment as this is the point at which title and risk of loss of the product transfers to the customer. At the end of each period, for those shipments where title to the products and the risk of loss and rewards of ownership do not transfer until the product has been received by the customer, the Company adjusts revenues and cost of sales for the delay between the time that the products are shipped and when they are received by the customer. The amount of revenue recorded reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for goods and may include adjustments for customer allowance, rebates and price adjustments. The Company’s sales channels are primarily through direct sales and independent third-party distributors.
The Company has elected the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 340-40-25-4 to expense commissions when incurred as the amortization period of the commission asset the Company would have otherwise recognized is less than one year.
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Revenue and Billing
The Company generally accepts orders from customers through receipt of purchase orders or electronic data interchange based on written sales agreements and purchasing contracts. Contract pricing and selling agreement terms are based on market factors, costs, and competition. Pricing is often negotiated as an adjustment (premium or discount) from the Company’s published price lists. The customer is invoiced when the Company’s products are shipped to them in accordance with the terms of the sales agreement. As the Company’s standard payment terms are less than one year, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component. The Company also elected the practical expedient provided in ASC 606-10-25-18B to treat all product shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities, and therefore recognize the gross revenue associated with the contract, inclusive of any shipping and handling revenue.
Ship and Debit Program
Some of the terms of the Company’s sales agreements and normal business conditions provide customers (distributors) the ability to receive price adjustments on products previously shipped and invoiced. This practice is common in the industry and is referred to as a “ship and debit” program. This program allows the distributor to debit the Company for the difference between the distributors’ contracted price and a lower price for specific transactions. Under certain circumstances (usually in a competitive situation or large volume opportunity), a distributor will request authorization for pricing allowances to reduce its price. When the Company approves such a reduction, the distributor is authorized to “debit” its account for the difference between the contracted price and the lower approved price. The Company establishes reserves for this program based on historic activity, electronic distributor inventory levels and actual authorizations for the debit and recognizes these debits as a reduction of revenue.
Return to Stock
The Company has a return to stock policy whereby certain customers, with prior authorization from the Company's management, can return previously purchased goods for full or partial credit. The Company establishes an estimated allowance for these returns based on historic activity. Sales revenue and cost of sales are reduced to anticipate estimated returns.
Volume Rebates
The Company offers volume-based sales incentives to certain customers to encourage greater product sales. If customers achieve their specific quarterly or annual sales targets, they are entitled to rebates. The Company estimates the projected amount of rebates that will be achieved by the customer and recognizes this estimated cost as a reduction to revenue as products are sold.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The Company currently measures the expected credit losses based on our historical credit loss experience. The Company has not experienced significant recent or historical credit losses and is not forecasting any significant credit losses which would require adjustments to our methodology. If current conditions and supportable forecasts indicate that our historical loss experience is not reasonable and no longer supportable, the Company may adjust its historical credit loss experience and to reflect these conditions and forecasts. The Company regularly analyzes its significant customer accounts and, when the Company becomes aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also analyzes all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivables are past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical collection and loss experience. Historically, the allowance for doubtful accounts has been adequate to cover bad debts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
Inventory
The Company performs regular detailed assessments of inventory, which include a review of, among other factors, demand requirements, product life cycle and development plans, component cost trends, product pricing, shelf life, and quality issues. Based on the analysis, the Company records adjustments to inventory for excess quantities, obsolescence or impairment when appropriate to reflect inventory at net realizable value. Historically, inventory reserves have been adequate to reflect inventory at net realizable value.
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Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates the recoverability of other long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangible assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Factors which could trigger an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the overall business, a significant decrease in the market value of the assets or significant negative industry or economic trends. When the Company determines that the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the indicators, the assets are assessed for impairment based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the carrying value of an asset exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded for the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. For the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, the Company recognized a $2.2 million impairment charge related to the land and building associated with the Company’s announced consolidation of a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment. For the year-ended December 28, 2019, the Company recognized non-cash impairment charges of $0.3 million for certain machinery and equipment related to the closure of a European manufacturing facility in the automotive sensors business within the Transportation segment.
Environmental Liabilities
Environmental liabilities are accrued based on estimates of the probability of potential future environmental exposure. Costs related to on-going maintenance of environmental sites are expensed as incurred. If actual or estimated probable future losses exceed the Company’s recorded liability for such claims, it would record additional charges as other expense during the period in which the actual loss or change in estimate occurred. The Company evaluates its reserve for coal mine remediation annually utilizing a third-party expert.
Pension Plans
The Company records annual income and expense amounts relating to its pension and postretirement benefits plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions including discount rates, expected long-term rates of return and compensation increases. The Company reviews its actuarial assumptions on an annual basis as of the fiscal year-end balance sheet date (or more frequently if a significant event requiring remeasurement occurs) and modifies the assumption based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effects of modifications are recognized immediately on the Consolidated Balance Sheets but are generally amortized into operating earnings over future periods, with the deferred amount recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience, market conditions and input from its actuaries and investment advisors. The Company maintains several pension plans in international locations. The expected returns on plan assets and discount rates are determined based on each plan’s investment approach, local interest rates and plan participant profiles. The weighted-average discount rates for the Company’s defined benefit plans primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions at January 1, 2022 and December 26, 2020 were 3.1% and 1.2%, respectively.
A 50 basis point change in the discount rates at January 1, 2022 would have the following effect on the projected benefit obligation:
| (in millions) | 0.5% Increase | 0.5% Decrease | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Projected benefit obligation | $ | (5.9) | $ | 6.4 |
On April 7, 2020, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a group annuity contract, under which an insurance company will be required to directly pay and administer pension payments to certain of the Company’s U.K. pension plan participants, or their designated beneficiaries. The Company completed the buy-out of this U.K. pension plan during the fourth quarter of 2021 and as a result recorded a non-cash pension settlement charge of $19.9 million (£14.9 million), inclusive of the accelerated recognition of prior service cost of $0.5 million (£0.4 million). The purchase of this group annuity contract reduced the Company’s outstanding pension benefit obligation by $47.1 million, representing 35% of the total obligation of the Company’s qualified pension plans.
Equity-based Compensation
Equity-based compensation expense is recorded for stock-option awards and restricted share units based upon the fair values of the awards. The fair value of stock-option awards is estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model,
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which includes assumptions for volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate and dividend yield. Expected volatility is based on implied volatilities from traded options on Littelfuse stock, historical volatility of Littelfuse stock and other factors. Historical data is used to estimate employee termination experience and the expected term of the options. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company initiated a quarterly cash dividend in 2010 and expects to continue making cash dividend payments for the foreseeable future. The fair value of restricted share units is determined based on the Company's stock price on the grant date reduced by the present value of expected dividends through the vesting period.
Total equity-based compensation expense for all equity compensation plans was $21.4 million, $19.1 million, and $19.9 million in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Further information regarding this expense is provided in Note 12, Stock-Based Compensation, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under SEC rules. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
In the financial review that follows, the Company discusses its consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and certain other information. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 01, 2022 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 26, 2020
The fiscal year 2021 included approximately $12.6 million of non-segment charges, of which $8.4 million relates to purchase accounting inventory step-up charges, $7.0 million of acquisition-related and integration charges related to the Carling and Hartland acquisitions and other contemplated acquisitions, and $2.2 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to employee termination costs. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion. Additionally, partially offsetting the above amounts was a gain of $5.0 million recorded for the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment.
The fiscal year 2020 included approximately $44.0 million of non-segment charges, of which $2.3 million of charges are acquisition-related and integration charges related to the IXYS acquisition and other contemplated acquisitions. In addition, there were $41.7 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million recorded in the second quarter associated with the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, employee termination costs of $5.5 million, $2.2 million of impairment charges recorded in the first quarter associated with the announced consolidation of a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment and other restructuring charges of $0.2 million.
Fiscal year 2021 also included approximately $17.2 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Chinese renminbi, Mexican peso, and Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2020 included approximately $14.9 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,079,928 | $ | 1,445,695 | $ | 634,233 | 43.9 | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,308,002 | 944,523 | 363,479 | 38.5 | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 771,926 | 501,172 | 270,754 | 54.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 386,284 | 338,800 | 47,484 | 14.0 | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 385,642 | 162,372 | 223,270 | 137.5 | % | |||||||||
| Other expense (income), net | 8,932 | (5,083) | 14,015 | (275.7) | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 341,025 | 161,253 | 179,772 | 111.5 | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 57,219 | 31,267 | 25,952 | 83.0 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 283,806 | 129,986 | 153,820 | 118.3 | % |
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Net Sales
Net sales increased $634.2 million or 43.9% including $27.4 million or 1.9% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates for 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was due to volume growth across all segments and businesses while 2020 had temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19. The increase was due to higher sales of $363.0 million, $138.9 million, and $132.3 million in the Electronics, Industrial, and Transportation segments, respectively, primarily driven by higher volumes across all businesses within these segments. The volume increase within the Electronics segment was led by broad-based demand across electronics, transportation and industrial end markets. The increase within the Industrial segment was primarily due to $100.5 million of net sales resulting from the Hartland acquisition and volume growth across all businesses within the Industrial segment. The increase within the Transportation segment was due to volume growth driven by higher demand in the global auto and commercial vehicle markets, greater content growth across passenger vehicles due to vehicle mix, including growth in electric vehicles and some customers maintaining additional inventory of our products, and $15.3 million of net sales resulting from the Carling acquisition.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $1,308.0 million, or 62.9% of net sales, in 2021, compared to $944.5 million, or 65.3% of net sales, in 2020. The increase in cost of sales was primarily due to greater volume across all segments driven by the factors discussed above along with the Hartland and Carling acquisitions. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales decreased 2.4% driven by volume leverage, partially offset by higher transportation, duty and tariff charges of 2.2%, the purchase accounting inventory charges of $8.4 million or 0.4% resulting from the Hartland and Carling acquisitions, and higher material costs.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $771.9 million, or 37.1% of net sales, in 2021, compared to $501.2 million, or 34.7% of net sales, in 2020. The $270.8 million increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher volume across all segments while 2020 had additional costs associated with government-directed plant shutdowns and supply chain constraints. The increase in gross margin of 2.4% was primarily driven by volume leverage and favorable product mix within the Electronics segment, partially offset by higher transportation, duty and tariff charges as a percent of net sales of 2.2%, the purchase accounting inventory charges of $8.4 million or 0.4%, and higher material costs.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $386.3 million, or 18.6% of net sales, for 2021 compared to $338.8 million, or 23.4% of net sales, for 2020. The increase in operating expenses of $47.5 million is primarily due to higher selling, general, and administrative expenses of $71.0 million largely due to higher accrued incentive compensation, the Hartland and Carling acquisitions and higher acquisition-related and integration charges of $4.7 million, and higher research and development expenses of $13.4 million, partially offset by the 2020 goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million, or 2.3% of net sales, in the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment and impairment charges of $2.2 million related to the Company’s 2020 first quarter announcement to consolidate a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2021 was $385.6 million, an increase of $223.3 million or 137.5% compared to $162.4 million for 2020. The increase in operating income was primarily due to higher gross margin across all segments, led by the Electronics segment partially offset by higher operating expenses noted above. Operating margins increased from 11.2% in 2020 to 18.5% in 2021 primarily driven by the factors mentioned above. The 2020 goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million negatively impacted the 2020 operating margin by 2.3%.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2021 was $341.0 million, or 16.4% of net sales compared to $161.3 million, or 11.2% of net sales, for 2020. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes was impacted by foreign exchange losses of $17.2 million during the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 compared to foreign exchange gains of $14.9 million during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020, and a $19.9 million non-cash pension settlement charge, partially offset by a $4.0 million increase in unrealized investment gains associated with our equity investment, and lower interest expense of $2.6 million due to lower outstanding borrowings under the credit facility along with a lower effective interest rate and a reduction in coal mining charges of $1.6 million compared to 2020.
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Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2021 was $57.2 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.8%, compared to income tax expense of $31.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 19.4% for 2020. The Company’s tax rates are lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the impact of taxes on unremitted earnings, the GILTI tax provisions, and non-U.S. losses and expenses with no tax benefit. The effective tax rate for 2021 is lower than the effective tax rate for 2020, primarily due to an increase in the income earned in lower tax jurisdictions in 2021 as compared to 2020, as well as the impact of the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million recorded in 2020, the substantial majority of which did not result in a tax benefit. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by segment:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 1,300.7 | $ | 937.7 | $ | 363.0 | 38.7 | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 528.1 | 395.8 | 132.3 | 33.4 | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 251.1 | 112.2 | 138.9 | 123.8 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 634.2 | 43.9 | % |
Electronics Segment
Net sales for the Electronics segment increased $363.0 million, or 38.7%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $14.5 million or 1.5%. The sales increase was primarily due to increased volume for the electronics and semiconductor products businesses of $206.5 million and $156.5 million, respectively. The volume increases were driven by broad-based demand across electronics, transportation and industrial end markets while 2020 were negatively impacted by production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Transportation Segment
Net sales in the Transportation segment increased $132.3 million, or 33.4%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.0 million or 3.0%. The sales increase was due to higher volume in passenger car products, commercial vehicle products, and the automotive sensors businesses of $65.6 million, $59.0 million, and $7.8 million, respectively, including the incremental net sales of $15.3 million from the Carling acquisition within the commercial vehicle products business. These increases were due to volume growth driven by higher demand in the global auto and commercial vehicle markets, greater content growth across passenger vehicles due to vehicle mix, including growth in electric vehicles and some customers maintaining additional inventory of our products as compared to 2020, which had production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Industrial Segment
The Industrial segment net sales increased by $138.9 million, or 123.8%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.9 million or 0.8%. The increase in net sales was primarily due to the incremental net sales of $100.5 million or 90% from the Hartland acquisition, growth across all product lines, and the transfer of the temperature sensor product line totaling $4.7 million which was previously reported in the Electronics segment and moved to Industrial segment in the third quarter of 2020. Additionally, 2020 was negatively impacted by production disruptions and temporary plant shutdowns due to the impact of COVID-19.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific | $ | 955.7 | $ | 670.5 | $ | 285.2 | 42.5 | % | ||||||
| Americas | 694.3 | 457.8 | 236.5 | 51.7 | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 429.9 | 317.4 | 112.5 | 35.4 | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,079.9 | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 634.2 | 43.9 | % |
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $285.2 million, or 42.5%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $12.5 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across all segments and businesses compared to 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
Americas
Net sales in the Americas increased $236.5 million, or 51.7%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.7 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to incremental sales from the Hartland and Carling acquisitions, higher volume across all segments and businesses compared to 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
Europe
European net sales increased $112.5 million, or 35.4%, in 2021 compared to 2020 and included favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $14.2 million. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume across all businesses within the Electronics and Transportation segments compared to the 2020 that had production disruptions due to the impact of COVID-19.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 26, 2020 AS COMPARED TO THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2019
The fiscal year 2020 included approximately $44.0 million of non-segment charges, of which $2.3 million of charges are acquisition-related and integration charges related to the IXYS acquisition and other contemplated acquisitions. In addition, there were $41.7 million of restructuring, impairment and other charges, primarily related to the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million recorded in the second quarter associated with the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment, employee termination costs of $5.5 million, $2.2 million of impairment charges recorded in the first quarter associated with the announced consolidation of a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment and other restructuring charges of $0.2 million. See Note 8, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges, for further discussion.
The fiscal year 2019 included approximately $21.9 million of non-segment charges, of which $8.9 million of charges are acquisition-related and integration charges primarily related to the IXYS acquisition and other contemplated acquisitions, and $13.0 million of restructuring charges primarily related to employee termination costs.
Fiscal year 2020 also included approximately $14.9 million in foreign currency exchange gains primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Philippine peso, and Chinese renminbi against the U.S. dollar, while fiscal year 2019 included approximately $5.2 million in foreign currency exchange losses primarily attributable to changes in the value of the Euro, Chinese renminbi, and Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar.
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except % change) | 2020 | 2019 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,445,695 | $ | 1,503,873 | $ | (58,178) | (3.9) | % | ||||||
| Cost of sales | 944,523 | 957,578 | (13,055) | (1.4) | % | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 501,172 | 546,295 | (45,123) | (8.3) | % | |||||||||
| Operating expenses | 338,800 | 353,504 | (14,704) | (4.2) | % | |||||||||
| Operating income | 162,372 | 192,791 | (30,419) | (15.8) | % | |||||||||
| Other income, net | (5,083) | (583) | (4,500) | 771.9 | % | |||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 161,253 | 165,884 | (4,631) | (2.8) | % | |||||||||
| Income taxes | 31,267 | 26,802 | 4,465 | 16.7 | % | |||||||||
| Net income | 129,986 | 139,082 | (9,096) | (6.5) | % |
Net Sales
Net sales of $1,445.7 million decreased $58.2 million, or 3.9%, for 2020 compared to the prior year primarily due to lower volume in the Transportation and Electronics segments which had net sales decreases of $32.7 million and $23.4 million, respectively, partially offset by $7.7 million or 0.5% of favorable changes in foreign exchange rates. These decreases were primarily driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 and a decline in global auto production driven by the temporary closures of customer manufacturing facilities during the first half of 2020. These sales declines were partially offset by increases in customer demand for consumer devices for work from home needs and strength in various end market demand across all businesses in the second half of the year. All businesses within the Transportation segment experienced lower sales in 2020 due to the production disruptions in the first half of 2020 mentioned above, which was partially offset in the second half of the year, driven by stronger end market demand.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales was $944.5 million, or 65.3% of net sales, in 2020, compared to $957.6 million, or 63.7% of net sales, in 2019. The decrease in cost of sales was primarily due to lower volume in the Electronics and Transportation segments driven by the factors discussed above. As a percent of net sales, cost of sales increased 1.6% driven by higher freight costs of $5.6 million, additional costs associated with government-directed plant shutdowns and supply chain constraints, supplies and other costs due to the impact of COVID-19, and unfavorable product mix.
Gross Profit
Gross profit was $501.2 million, or 34.7% of net sales, in 2020, compared to $546.3 million, or 36.3% of net sales, in 2019. The decrease of $45.1 million in gross profit reflected lower volume across all segments driven by the disruption across all segments
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due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities in the first half of the year resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19. The decrease in gross margin of 1.6% was primarily from the lower volume mentioned previously, unfavorable price and product mix primarily in the Industrial segment. Additionally, higher freight cost of $5.6 million, costs associated with government-directed plant shutdowns and supply chain constraints, supplies and other costs due to the impact of COVID-19 negatively impacted gross margins.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses were $338.8 million, or 23.4% of net sales, for 2020 compared to $353.5 million, or 23.5% of net sales, for 2019. The decrease in operating expenses of $14.7 million is primarily due to lower research and development expenses of $27.5 million, or 1.7% of net sales, a reduction in discretionary expenses including travel and marketing expenses and a $6.6 million reduction in acquisition-related and integration charges, partially offset by the second quarter goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million, or 2.3% of net sales, in the automotive sensors reporting unit within the Transportation segment and impairment charges of $2.2 million related to the Company’s first quarter announcement to consolidate a manufacturing facility within the Industrial segment.
Operating Income
Operating income for 2020 was $162.4 million, a decrease of $30.4 million or 15.8% compared to $192.8 million for 2019. The decrease in operating income is primarily due to lower gross margin across all segments and the $33.8 million goodwill impairment charge noted above partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses described above. Operating margins decreased from 12.8% in 2019 to 11.2% in 2020 primarily driven by the factors mentioned above. The second quarter goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million negatively impacted the 2020 operating margin by 2.3% which was partially offset by the lower operating expenses and cost reductions noted above.
Income Before Income Taxes
Income before income taxes for 2020 was $161.3 million, or 11.2% of net sales compared to $165.9 million, or 11.0% of net sales, for 2019. In addition to the factors impacting comparative results for operating income discussed above, income before income taxes benefited from foreign exchange gains of $14.9 million during the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020 compared to foreign exchange losses of $5.2 million during the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019. Additionally, the increase in other income of $4.5 million was primarily due to the 2019 fiscal year impairment charges of $7.3 million for certain other investments and a $2.6 million loss on the disposal of a business within the Electronics segment and $1.7 million increase in unrealized investment gains associated with our equity investments, partially offset by lower interest income of $2.0 million and a $1.2 million increase in coal mining reserves in 2020 versus 2019.
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for 2020 was $31.3 million, or an effective tax rate of 19.4% compared to income tax expense of $26.8 million, or an effective tax rate of 16.2% for 2019. The Company’s tax rates are lower than the applicable U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in lower tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the impact of taxes on unremitted earnings, the GILTI tax provisions, and non-U.S. losses and expenses with no tax benefit. Changes in the amount of these items from year to year impact the effective tax rates. In addition, the 2020 income tax expense included the impact of the goodwill impairment charge of $33.8 million that was recorded in the second quarter of 2020, the substantial majority of which related to non-U.S. entities and did not result in a tax benefit, and the 2019 income tax expense included a benefit of $3.3 million from the recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits (and the reversal of the related accrued interest) due to a lapse in the statute of limitations. The impact of the items discussed above resulted in an increase in the effective tax rate in 2020, as compared to the effective tax rate in 2019. Further information regarding these items is provided in Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
Segment Information
The Company reports its operations by the following segments: Electronics, Transportation and Industrial. Segment information is described more fully in Note 16, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report.
The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by segment:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Electronics | $ | 937.7 | $ | 961.1 | $ | (23.4) | (2.4) | % | ||||||
| Transportation | 395.8 | 428.5 | (32.7) | (7.6) | % | |||||||||
| Industrial | 112.2 | 114.3 | (2.1) | (1.8) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 1,503.9 | $ | (58.2) | (3.9) | % |
Electronics Segment
Net sales for the Electronics segment decreased $23.4 million, or 2.4%, in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to declines in net sales for the semiconductor and electronics products businesses of $17.5 million and $5.9 million, respectively, driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 during the first half of the year. These declines were partially offset by increases in customer demand for consumer devices for work from home needs and strength in various end markets during the second half of the year along with favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $3.6 million.
Transportation Segment
Net sales in the Transportation segment decreased $32.7 million, or 7.6%, in 2020 compared to 2019 due to decreased volume in passenger car products, commercial vehicle products, and automotive sensors businesses of $18.1 million, $10.6 million, and $4.0 million, respectively, driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 and a decline in global auto production driven by the temporary closures of customer manufacturing facilities during the first half of 2020. These sales declines were partially offset by increases in end market demand across all businesses in the second half of 2020 and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $4.1 million.
Industrial Segment
The Industrial segment net sales decreased slightly by $2.1 million, or 1.9%, in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to decreased volume across all businesses driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020, partially offset by the transfer of the temperature sensor product line in the third quarter of 2020 previously reported in the Electronics segment.
Geographic Net Sales Information
Net sales by geography represent net sales to customer or distributor locations. The following table is a summary of the Company’s net sales by geography:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | Change | % Change | ||||||||||
| Asia-Pacific | $ | 670.5 | $ | 656.8 | $ | 13.7 | 2.1 | % | ||||||
| Americas | 457.8 | 508.4 | (50.6) | (10.0) | % | |||||||||
| Europe | 317.4 | 338.7 | (21.3) | (6.3) | % | |||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,445.7 | $ | 1,503.9 | $ | (58.2) | (3.9) | % |
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific net sales increased $13.7 million, or 2.1%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The increase in net sales was primarily due to higher volume in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $2.2 million, partially offset by lower volume in the passenger car products business within the Transportation segment due to the production disruption associated with temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 in the first half of 2020.
Americas
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Net sales in the Americas decreased $50.6 million, or 10.0%, in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to lower volume across all segments driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19, the temporary closures of customer manufacturing facilities during the first half of 2020 and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $0.3 million. These sales declines were partially offset by increases in end market demand across all businesses in the second half of the year.
Europe
European net sales decreased $21.3 million, or 6.3%, in 2020 compared to 2019. The decrease in net sales was primarily due to lower volume in the semiconductor business within the Electronics segment, lower volume in passenger car products and commercial vehicle products businesses within the Transportation segment driven by the production disruption due to temporary closures of manufacturing facilities resulting from government directives due to the impact of COVID-19 and the temporary closures of customer manufacturing facilities during the first half of 2020, partially offset by increased volume in the second half of 2020 due to higher end market demand in Electronics and Transportation businesses and favorable changes in foreign exchange rates of $5.8 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents were $478.5 million as of January 1, 2022, a decrease of $209.1 million as compared to December 26, 2020.
As of January 1, 2022, $326.1 million of the Company's $478.5 million cash and cash equivalents was held by non-U.S. subsidiaries. Of the $326.1 million, at least $171.2 million can be repatriated with minimal tax consequences, although in certain cases a non-U.S. withholding tax would be payable but subsequently refunded. With respect to the remaining $154.9 million, the Company has recognized deferred tax liabilities on approximately $68.6 million as of January 1, 2022 because the amounts are not considered to be permanently reinvested, and the Company may access additional amounts through loans and other means. Repatriation of some non-U.S. cash balances is restricted by local laws. Management regularly evaluates whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about the future operating and liquidity needs of the Company and its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in economic and business conditions, non-U.S. or U.S. tax laws could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.
The Company has historically supported its liquidity needs through cash flows from operations. Management expects that the Company’s (i) current level of cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, (ii) current and forecasted cash flows from operations, (iii) availability under existing funding arrangements, and (iv) access to capital in the capital markets will provide sufficient funds to support the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, investments, and debt obligations on both a short-term and long-term basis.
Revolving Credit Facility
On April 3, 2020, the Company amended its existing credit agreement to effect certain changes, including, among others: (i) eliminating the $200.0 million unsecured term loan credit facility, the remaining outstanding balance ($140.0 million) of which was repaid in full on April 3, 2020 through the revolving credit facility; (ii) making certain financial and non-financial covenants less restrictive on the Company; (iii) modifying performance-based interest rate margins and undrawn fees; and (iv) extending the maturity date to April 3, 2025. The amended Credit Agreement also allows the Company to increase the size of the revolving credit facility or enter into one or more tranches of term loans if there is no event of default and the Company is in compliance with certain financial covenants. The Company made payments of $30.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility during the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022. The balance under the facility was $100.0 million as of January 1, 2022.
Outstanding borrowings under the amended credit agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either LIBOR, fixed for interest periods of one, two, three or six-month periods, plus 1.25% to 2.00%, or at the bank’s Base Rate, as defined, plus 0.25% to 1.00%, based upon the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined. The Company is also required to pay commitment fees on unused portions of the credit agreement ranging from 0.125% to 0.20%, based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the agreement. The credit agreement includes representations, covenants and events of default that are customary for financing transactions of this nature. The effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the credit facility was 1.35% at January 1, 2022.
As of January 1, 2022, the Company had no outstanding in letters of credit and had available $600.0 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility. At January 1, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.
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Senior Notes
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold €212 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. The funding date for the Euro denominated senior notes occurred on December 8, 2016 for €117 million in aggregate amount of 1.14% Senior Notes, Series A, due December 8, 2023 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series A due 2023”), and €95 million in aggregate amount of 1.83% Senior Notes, Series B due December 8, 2028 (“Euro Senior Notes, Series B due 2028”) (together, the “Euro Senior Notes”). Interest on the Euro Senior Notes is payable semiannually on June 8 and December 8, commencing June 8, 2017.
On December 8, 2016, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $125 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On February 15, 2017, $25 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.03% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2022 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2022”), and $100 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.74% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2027 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2027”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2017.
On November 15, 2017, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement pursuant to which the Company issued and sold $175 million in aggregate principal amount of senior notes in two series. On January 16, 2018, $50 million aggregate principal amount of 3.48% Senior Notes, Series A, due February 15, 2025 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series A due 2025”) and $125 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.78% Senior Notes, Series B, due February 15, 2030 (“U.S. Senior Notes, Series B due 2030”) (together, the “U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030” and with the Euro Senior Notes and the U.S. Senior Notes due 2022 and 2027, the “Senior Notes”) were funded. Interest on the U.S. Senior Notes due 2025 and 2030 is payable semiannually on February 15 and August 15, commencing August 15, 2018.
The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of January 1, 2022. As of January 1, 2022, the Company met all the conditions required to borrow under the Credit Agreement and management expects the Company to continue to meet the applicable borrowing conditions.
Acquisitions
On January 28, 2021, the Company acquired Hartland, a manufacturer and leading supplier of electrical components used primarily in HVAC and other industrial and control systems applications. At the time of acquisition, Hartland had annualized sales of approximately $70 million. The total purchase price for Hartland was $111.0 million and the operations of Hartland are included in the Industrial segment. The net cash payment of $108.5 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
On November 30, 2021, the Company acquired Carling, a leader in switching, circuit protection and power distribution technologies with a strong global presence in commercial transportation, communications infrastructure and marine markets. At the time of acquisition, Carling had annualized sales of approximately $170 million. The purchase price for Carling was $315 million subject to change for working capital adjustments and the operations of Carling are included in the Transportation segment. The net cash payment of $313.6 million was funded by the Company’s cash on hand.
Cash Flow Overview
Operating cash inflows are largely attributable to sales of the Company’s products. Operating cash outflows are largely attributable to recurring expenditures for raw materials, labor, rent, interest, taxes and other operating activities.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 and December 26, 2020:
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| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 373.3 | $ | 258.0 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (499.2) | (51.4) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (69.0) | (67.8) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (9.9) | 17.6 | ||||
| (Decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (204.7) | 156.4 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 687.5 | 531.1 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 482.8 | $ | 687.5 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities was $373.3 million for the fiscal year 2021, an increase of $115.3 million, compared to $258.0 million during the fiscal year 2020. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to higher cash earnings partially offset by increases in working capital resulting from higher sales growth.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $499.2 million for the fiscal year 2021, compared to $51.4 million during the fiscal year 2020. Capital expenditures were $90.6 million, representing a decrease of $34.4 million compared to the fiscal year 2020. Net cash paid for the Hartland and Carling acquisitions was $422.1 million during the fiscal year 2021. The Company also received proceeds of $15.4 million from the sale of buildings within the Electronics segment during the fiscal year 2021 as compared to proceeds of $4.8 million as a result of the sale of a property within the Industrial segment during the fiscal year 2020.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $69.0 million for the fiscal year 2021 compared to $67.8 million for the fiscal year 2020. The Company made payments of $30.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility during the fiscal year 2021. On March 25, 2020, the Company borrowed $100.0 million from its revolving credit facility to preserve financial flexibility and enhance liquidity, given the increasing levels of uncertainty related to COVID-19. On April 3, 2020, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to eliminate the $200.0 million unsecured term loan credit facility, with the remaining outstanding balance of $140.0 million repaid in full on April 3, 2020 through a new borrowing of $140.0 million under the amended revolving credit facility. The Company also made principal payments of $5.0 million on the term loan during fiscal year 2020 before amended the Credit Agreement. During the fiscal year 2020, the Company made payments of $110.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility.
During the fiscal year 2020, the Company repurchased 175,110 shares of its common stock totaling $22.9 million. Additionally, dividends paid increased $2.9 million from $46.8 million for the fiscal year 2020 to $49.7 million for the fiscal year 2021.
The following describes the Company’s cash flows for the twelve months ended December 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019:
| Fiscal Year | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in millions) | 2020 | 2019 | ||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 258.0 | $ | 245.3 | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (51.4) | (56.4) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (67.8) | (146.3) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 17.6 | (1.2) | ||||
| Increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 156.4 | 41.4 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period | 531.1 | 489.7 | ||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 687.5 | $ | 531.1 |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
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Net cash provided by operating activities was $258.0 million for the fiscal year 2020, compared to $245.3 million during the fiscal year 2019. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower annual incentive payments and favorable changes in net working capital partially offset by lower earnings largely due to the impact of COVID-19.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $51.4 million for the fiscal year 2020, compared to $56.4 million during the fiscal year 2019. Capital expenditures were $56.2 million, representing a decrease of $5.7 million compared to the fiscal year 2019. The Company also received proceeds of $4.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, in the fiscal year 2020 and the fiscal year 2019 primarily as a result of the sale of properties within the Industrial segment.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $67.8 million for 2020 compared to $146.3 million for the fiscal year 2019. The Company made principal payments of $5.0 million and $10.0 million on the term loan during fiscal year 2020 and 2019, respectively. During fiscal year 2020, the company borrowed $100.0 million from its revolving credit facility to preserve financial flexibility and enhance liquidity, given the increasing levels of uncertainty related to COVID-19. On April 3, 2020, the Company amended the Credit Agreement to eliminate the $200.0 million unsecured term loan credit facility, with the remaining outstanding balance of $140.0 million repaid in full on April 3, 2020 through a new borrowing of $140.0 million under the recently amended revolving credit facility. The Company made payments of $110.0 million on the amended revolving credit facility during the fiscal year 2020. The balance under the facility was $130.0 million as of December 26, 2020.
For the fiscal year 2020 and 2019, the Company repurchased 175,110 and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $22.9 million and $95.0 million, respectively, but made payments of $99.4 million related to settled share repurchases during the fiscal year 2019. Additionally, dividends paid increased $2.2 million from $44.7 million for the fiscal year 2019 to $46.8 million for the fiscal year 2020.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes outstanding contractual obligations and commitments as of January 1, 2022:
| Payments Due By Period | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Total | Less than 1 Year | 1 to 3 Years | 3 to 5 Years | Greater than 5 Years | |||||||||||||
| Long-term debt(a) | $ | 639,984 | $ | 25,000 | $ | 132,444 | $ | 150,000 | $ | 332,540 | ||||||||
| Interest payments(b) | 80,435 | 14,488 | 26,710 | 20,202 | 19,035 | |||||||||||||
| Operating lease payments(c) | 34,307 | 10,080 | 15,163 | 4,457 | 4,607 | |||||||||||||
| Income tax obligation(d) | 20,754 | 3,000 | 9,515 | 8,239 | — | |||||||||||||
| Purchase obligations(e) | 13,544 | 10,091 | 1,263 | 1,166 | 1,024 | |||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 789,024 | $ | 62,659 | $ | 185,095 | $ | 184,064 | $ | 357,206 |
(a)Excludes offsetting issuance costs of $3.1 million. Euro denominated debt amounts are converted based on the Euro to U.S. Dollar spot rate at year end. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding debt. Rates in effect as of January 1, 2022 are used for variable rate debt. For more information see Note 9, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c)For more information see Note 7, Lease Commitments, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(d)The Income tax obligation represents the remaining amounts payable regarding the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge. The Company has elected to pay the 2017 Littelfuse Toll Charge over the eight-year period prescribed by the Tax Act. For more information see Note 14, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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(e)Purchase obligations include purchase commitments and commitments for capital expenditures not recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In addition to the above contractual obligations and commitments, the Company had the following obligations at January 1, 2022:
The Company has Company-sponsored defined benefit pension plans covering employees at various non-U.S. subsidiaries including the U.K., Germany, the Philippines, China, Japan, Mexico, Italy and France. At January 1, 2022, the Company had a net unfunded status of $38.2 million. The Company expects to make approximately $2.6 million of contributions to the plans in 2022. For additional information, see Note 11, Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Dividends
Cash dividends paid totaled $49.7 million, $46.8 million and $44.7 million for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. On January 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.53 per share, payable on March 10, 2022 to stockholders of record as of February 24, 2022.
Capital Resources
The Company expends capital to support its operating and strategic plans. Such expenditures include strategic acquisitions, investments to maintain capital assets, develop new products or improve existing products, and to enhance capacity or productivity. Many of the associated projects have long lead-times and require commitments in advance of actual spending.
Share Repurchase Program
On April 26, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 (the "2019 program"). On April 29, 2020, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new program to repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock for the period May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 (the "2020 program") to replace its previous expired 2019 program. On April 28, 2021, the Company announced that the Board of Directors authorized a new three-year program to repurchase up to $300 million in the aggregate of shares of the Company’s common stock for the period May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2024 to replace its previous 2020 program. There are $300 million in the aggregate of shares available for purchase under the new program as of January 1, 2022.
During the fiscal year 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. During the fiscal year 2020 and 2019, the Company repurchased 175,110, and 579,916 shares of its common stock totaling $22.9 million and $95.0 million, respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of January 1, 2022, the Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, the Company was not liable for guarantees of indebtedness owed by third parties, the Company was not directly liable for the debt of any unconsolidated entity and the Company did not have any retained or contingent interest in assets. The Company does not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting standards and their estimated effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements are described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Other Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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