Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number 1-4987

 

 

SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   21-0682685

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

520 Fellowship Road, Suite A114, Mt. Laurel, NJ   08054
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 856-727-1500

N/A

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨   Accelerated filer   x   Non-accelerated filer   ¨   Smaller reporting Company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 26, 2016 was 3,970,000.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets March 31, 2016 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2015

     3   
  

Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

     5   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     6   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     35   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     53   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     55   

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     56   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     56   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     57   

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     57   

Item 4.

  

Mine Safety Disclosures

     57   

Item 5.

  

Other Information

     57   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     58   

Signatures

     59   


Table of Contents

Item 1. Financial Statements

SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
     2016     2015  
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,289,000      $ 10,977,000   

Receivables, net

     33,907,000        32,470,000   

Inventories, net

     24,370,000        23,722,000   

Other current assets

     6,815,000        5,946,000   

Deferred income taxes, net

     4,161,000        4,145,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     74,542,000        77,260,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

     18,222,000        18,166,000   

Deferred income taxes, net

     2,094,000        1,949,000   

Goodwill

     18,771,000        19,004,000   

Other intangible assets, net

     15,675,000        16,473,000   

Other assets and deferred charges, net

     965,000        1,068,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 130,269,000      $ 133,920,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

    

Current liabilities:

    

Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

   $ 11,500,000      $ 13,500,000   

Accounts payable

     19,857,000        20,519,000   

Accrued liabilities:

    

Payroll and related costs

     4,494,000        4,976,000   

Other

     10,454,000        11,652,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     46,305,000        50,647,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement benefits

     1,175,000        1,180,000   

Other long-term liabilities

     4,557,000        5,090,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     52,037,000        56,917,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Preferred stock, no par value; authorized, 6,000,000 shares; none issued

     —          —     

Common stock, $.20 par value; authorized, 25,000,000 shares; issued, 6,496,000 and 6,496,000 shares, respectively

     1,299,000        1,299,000   

Capital in excess of par value

     16,935,000        16,800,000   

Retained earnings

     91,709,000        90,113,000   

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss), net of tax

     (3,097,000     (2,491,000

Treasury stock at cost, 2,526,000 and 2,535,000 shares, respectively

     (28,614,000     (28,718,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     78,232,000        77,003,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 130,269,000      $ 133,920,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
     2016     2015  

Net sales

   $ 49,495,000      $ 46,684,000   

Cost and expenses:

    

Cost of products sold

     32,514,000        31,260,000   

Engineering and product development

     2,772,000        2,784,000   

Selling, general and administrative

     9,696,000        8,014,000   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,280,000        589,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total cost and expenses

     46,262,000        42,647,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from operations

     3,233,000        4,037,000   

Other income (expense):

    

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     (71,000     (27,000

Interest income

     2,000        13,000   

Interest expense

     (57,000     (6,000

Other gain (loss), net

     105,000        131,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     3,212,000        4,148,000   

Income tax provision

     1,105,000        1,440,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     2,107,000        2,708,000   

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (511,000     (162,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,596,000      $ 2,546,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.53      $ 0.66   

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (0.13     (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 0.40      $ 0.62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.53      $ 0.65   

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (0.13     (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 0.40      $ 0.61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per common share

     3,963,000        4,093,000   

Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per common share

     3,989,000        4,160,000   

SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
     2016     2015  

Net income

   $ 1,596,000      $ 2,546,000   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

    

Foreign currency translation

     (606,000     (132,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 990,000      $ 2,414,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,

(Unaudited)

 

     2016     2015  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 1,596,000      $ 2,546,000   

Adjustment for losses from discontinued operations

     511,000        162,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     2,107,000        2,708,000   

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash (used in) operating activities:

    

Depreciation

     725,000        479,000   

Amortization

     555,000        110,000   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     71,000        27,000   

Stock-based compensation

     239,000        249,000   

Loss (gain) on foreign exchange contracts

     13,000        (131,000

Provisions for losses on accounts receivable

     19,000        23,000   

Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement benefits

     93,000        113,000   

Deferred compensation and supplemental retirement benefit payments

     (98,000     (104,000

Deferred income taxes

     (163,000     (485,000

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (1,534,000     (992,000

Inventories

     (670,000     (870,000

Other assets

     (1,122,000     (691,000

Accounts payable

     (643,000     (2,031,000

Other accrued liabilities

     (1,377,000     (852,000

Accrued income taxes

     355,000        (2,083,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) operating activities from continuing operations

     (1,430,000     (4,530,000

Net cash (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations

     (1,176,000     (579,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     (2,606,000     (5,109,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (989,000     (452,000

Purchases of other assets

     (19,000     (165,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     (1,008,000     (617,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from Senior Revolving Credit Facility

     1,500,000        —     

Payments of Senior Revolving Credit Facility

     (3,500,000     —     

Payments of deferred financing costs

     —          (19,000

Treasury stock purchases

     —          (3,511,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (2,000,000     (3,530,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     (74,000     3,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (5,688,000     (9,253,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

     10,977,000        31,950,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

   $ 5,289,000      $ 22,697,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 61,000      $ 6,000   

Income taxes

   $ 936,000      $ 3,833,000   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

SL INDUSTRIES, INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Basis Of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereon included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Unless the context requires otherwise, the terms the “Company,” “SL Industries,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean SL Industries, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries.

On April 6, 2016, the Company and Handy & Harman Ltd. (“HNH”), Handy & Harman Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of HNH (“AcquisitionCo”), and SLI Acquisition Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of AcquisitionCo (“Merger Sub”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which Merger Sub will acquire and then merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of HNH (the “HNH Merger”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the acquisition of the Company will be completed through a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share (the “Tender Offer”). The completion of the Merger and HNH’s obligations under the Tender Offer are conditioned upon certain conditions, and if such conditions are not met, the Merger will not be consummated. No assurances can be given that any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be completed or that the conditions to the Tender Offer will be satisfied (See Note 23 – Definitive Merger Agreement to Acquire SL Industries and Item 1A - Risk Factors, included in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for further information regarding the proposed HNH Merger).

 

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Table of Contents

2. Receivables

Receivables consist of the following:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Trade receivables

   $ 33,113       $ 31,367   

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts

     (310      (294
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trade receivables, net

     32,803         31,073   

Recoverable income taxes

     884         983   

Other

     220         414   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivables, net

   $ 33,907       $ 32,470   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

3. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Raw materials

   $ 18,758       $ 17,937   

Work in process

     4,784         4,504   

Finished goods

     3,288         3,245   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross inventory

     26,830         25,686   

Less: allowances

     (2,460      (1,964
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Inventories, net

   $ 24,370       $ 23,722   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

4. Other Current Assets

Other current assets consist of the following:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Prepaid insurance

   $ 1,219       $ 628   

Taxes receivable

     2,977         2,932   

RFL escrow

     1,000         1,000   

Other

     1,619         1,386   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other current assets

   $ 6,815       $ 5,946   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Taxes Receivable

Taxes receivable is primarily attributable to the Company’s MTE segment, which recorded a $2,670,000 and $2,648,000 value-added tax receivable related to import/export activities in Mexico as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. During April 2016, MTE collected $1,570,000 of the outstanding value-added tax receivable.

 

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RFL Escrow

On November 17, 2014, SL Delaware Holdings, Inc. (“SL Delaware Holdings”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. (“Hubbell”), a subsidiary of Hubbell Incorporated, pursuant to which SL Delaware Holdings sold all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of RFL Electronics Inc. (“RFL”) to Hubbell for aggregate cash consideration of $20,000,000, subject to a post-closing working capital adjustment which amounted to $299,000 and was received in February 2015.

A portion of the cash consideration was held in escrow to secure the indemnification obligations of SL Delaware Holdings. The Company was eligible to receive 50% of the total $2,000,000 escrow, or $1,000,000, subject to certain adjustments, after the first nine months from the date of sale, and the remainder after eighteen months from the date of sale. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, $1,000,000 of the cash consideration remained in escrow.

5. Income Per Share

The Company has presented net income (loss) per common share pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260 “Earnings Per Share.” Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing reported net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the period.

Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing reported net income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding for the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, which consist of stock options, using the treasury stock method.

There were no anti-dilutive options for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015.

 

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The table below sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2016     2015  
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders:

    

Basic net income available to common shareholders from continuing operations

   $ 2,107      $ 2,708   

Basic net (loss) income available to common shareholders from discontinued operations

   $ (511   $ (162
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income available to common shareholders from continuing operations

   $ 2,107      $ 2,708   

Diluted net (loss) income available to common shareholders from discontinued operations

   $ (511   $ (162
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shares:

    

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     3,963        4,093   

Common shares assumed upon exercise of stock options

     26        67   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding

     3,989        4,160   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.53      $ 0.66   

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (0.13     (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 0.40      $ 0.62   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per common share:

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.53      $ 0.65   

(Loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (0.13     (0.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 0.40      $ 0.61   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

6. Stock-Based Compensation

At March 31, 2016, the Company had stock-based employee compensation plans as described below. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the total compensation expense (included in selling, general and administrative expense) related to these plans was $239,000 and $249,000 ($157,000 and $163,000 net of tax), respectively.

 

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During the first quarter of 2016, the Company implemented a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 LTIP”) pursuant to the 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2008 Plan”) which awarded restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to eligible executives. Under the terms of the 2016 LTIP, the number of RSUs that may vest, if any, will be based on, among other things, the Company achieving certain sales and return on invested capital (“ROIC”), as defined, targets during the January 2016 to December 2018 performance period. Earned RSUs, if any, cliff vest at the end of fiscal 2018 (100% of earned RSUs vest at December 31, 2018). The final value of these RSUs will be determined by the number of shares earned. The value of these RSUs is charged to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the three year vesting period with periodic adjustments to account for changes in anticipated award amounts. The weighted-average price for these RSUs was $33.15 per share based on the grant date of March 11, 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, $6,000 was charged to compensation expense. As of March 31, 2016, total unamortized compensation expense for this grant was $265,000. As of March 31, 2016, the maximum number of achievable RSUs under the 2016 LTIP was 13,000 RSUs.

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company implemented a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 LTIP”) pursuant to the 2008 Plan which awarded RSUs to eligible executives. The weighted-average price for these RSUs was $19.17 per share based on the grant date of March 5, 2013. Under the terms of the 2013 LTIP, 9,000 RSUs were earned and issued on March 11, 2016.

On May 28, 2015, the Company granted each Director 3,000 restricted shares pursuant to the 2008 Plan. The shares vest upon the first anniversary of the grant date. Based on the terms of the awards the value of these restricted shares is charged to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the one year vesting period. As a result, the Company recognized $146,000 of stock compensation expense during the three months ended March 31, 2016. As of March 31, 2016, total unamortized compensation expense for this grant was $85,000. The weighted-average price of these restricted stock grants was $38.00 per share based on the grant date of May 28, 2015. No shares were granted under this award during the three month period ended March 31, 2016.

Stock Options

Option activity under the principal option plans as of March 31, 2016 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

     Shares
(in thousands)
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
     Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
     Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2015

     126       $ 23.23         3.24       $ 1,088   

Granted

     —           —           

Exercised

     —           —           

Forfeited

     —           —           

Expired

     —           —           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding as of March 31, 2016

     126       $ 23.23         2.98       $ 1,255   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable as of March 31, 2016

     77       $ 21.42         2.81       $ 907   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2016. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, no options to purchase common stock were exercised by option holders.

As of March 31, 2016, $276,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.9 years.

Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options are classified as financing cash flows. No options were exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015. The Company has applied the “Short-cut” method in calculating the historical windfall tax benefits. All tax shortfalls will be applied against this windfall before being charged to earnings.

7. Income Tax

The Company calculates its interim tax provision in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-270 “Income Taxes – Interim Reporting.” For each interim period the Company estimates its annual effective income tax rate and applies the estimated rate to its year-to-date income or loss before income taxes. The Company also computes the tax provision or benefit related to items separately reported, such as discontinued operations, and recognizes the items net of their related tax effect in the interim periods in which they occur. The Company also recognizes the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates in the interim periods in which the changes occur.

For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the estimated income tax rate from continuing operations were 34% and 35%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in the federal research and development tax credits and foreign tax credits available in 2016 as compared to 2015, which were partially offset by certain taxes payable adjustments.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded additional benefits from federal and state research and development tax credits of $38,000 and $45,000, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded additional benefits from state research and development tax credits of $47,000.

As of March 31, 2016, the Company’s gross research and development tax credit carryforwards totaled approximately $2,198,000. Of these credits, approximately $977,000 can be carried forward for 15 years and will expire between 2016 and 2031, and approximately $1,221,000 of state credits can be carried forward indefinitely.

The Company has recorded gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 of $440,000 and $560,000, respectively. Tax benefits are recorded pursuant to the provisions of ASC 740 “Income Taxes.” If such unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recorded in any period, the Company’s effective tax rate would be reduced accordingly for such period.

 

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The Company adopted FASB Accounting Standard 2013-11 during the first quarter of 2014. The pronouncement requires the Company to offset its uncertain tax positions against certain deferred tax assets in the same jurisdiction. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company reclassified $376,000 and $366,000 of its uncertain tax positions against its related deferred tax assets.

It is reasonably possible that the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits, including interest, may change within the next twelve months due to the expiration of the statutes of limitation of the federal government and various state governments by a range of zero to $212,000. The Company records such unrecognized tax benefits upon the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations or the settlement with tax authorities. As of March 31, 2016, the Company has a liability for unrecognized benefits of $237,000, $203,000, and $376,000 for federal, international, and state taxes, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has a liability for unrecognized benefits of $357,000, $203,000, and $366,000 for federal, international, and state taxes, respectively. Such benefits relate primarily to expenses incurred in those jurisdictions.

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. At March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company has accrued approximately $107,000 and $118,000 for the payment of interest and penalties, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States and in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The Company and its subsidiaries are occasionally examined by tax authorities in these jurisdictions. The Company has been audited by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) through 2013. State income tax statutes are generally open for periods back to and including the calendar year 2011. In addition, the Company reached a settlement with the U.S. Treasury department regarding the Company’s transfer pricing policies in China. As a result of the settlement, the Company received a refund of $584,000 during the first quarter of 2016.

8. Recently Adopted and Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which provides guidance that revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and may be applied either (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented with an election for certain specified practical expedients, or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the ASU recognized at the date of initial application, with additional disclosure requirements. Early application is not permitted. In March and April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” and ASU No. 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” which provide supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASU 2014-09. ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10 must be adopted concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the implementation of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company’s management has not yet determined the method by which it will adopt the standards in 2018.

 

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In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statement – Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items,” which removes the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. Companies are no longer required to assess whether an event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence and to separately present any such items on the statement of operations after income from continuing operations. Such items will either be presented as a separate component of income from continuing operations or disclosed in the notes to the financial statements. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability rather than as an asset. ASU 2015-03 is effective on for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. Upon adoption, an entity must apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements, and must provide certain disclosures about the change in accounting principle, including the nature of and reason for the change, the transition method, a description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted and the effect of the change on the financial statement line items (that is, debt issuance cost asset and the debt liability). The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement,” which clarifies that if a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, the customer should account for the license in a manner consistent with its accounting for other software licenses. If the arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which requires entities to measure inventory, excluding inventory measured using last-in, first out or the retail inventory method, at the lower of cost and net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the implementation of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

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In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments,” which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers must now recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amount of the adjustment. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and should be applied prospectively to adjustments for provisional amounts that occur after the effective date. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The implementation of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. ASU 2015-17 may be applied either prospectively, for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively. The implementation of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” The new standard establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis, on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for capital and operating leases existing at the date of adoption, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of this new guidance, which is effective for the Company’s 2019 fiscal year.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09 “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which relates to the accounting for employee share-based payments. This standard addresses several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the implementation of this guidance on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

9. Acquisitions

Acquisitions in Fiscal 2015

On May 22, 2015, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of ITT Torque Systems, Inc. (“Torque Systems”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement for an initial purchase price of $9,000,000, plus a working capital adjustment of $169,000 (the “Torque Systems Acquisition”). The transaction was paid in cash on May 22, 2015 while the working capital adjustment was paid during the fourth quarter of 2015. Torque Systems designs and manufactures engineered motion control products, including brush servo motors, brushless servo motors, incremental encoders, and linear actuators. SLMTI DS LLC (“SLMTI DS”), a subsidiary of SL-MTI, holds the assets acquired in the Torque Systems Acquisition.

 

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At December 31, 2015, the financial statements reflect the final purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The acquisition resulted in intangible assets of $3,343,000 and goodwill of $1,344,000, which is deductible for tax purposes. The results from the acquisition date through March 31, 2016 are included in the SL-MTI segment.

On July 27, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding stock of Davall Gears, LTD. (“Davall”) pursuant to a Share Purchase Agreement for the Sale and Purchase of Davall Gears LTD. (“SPA”) for a purchase price of £13,035,000, plus a Completion Statement adjustment of £814,000, which was approximately $20,207,000 and $1,232,000 at the exchange rates then in effect (the “Davall Acquisition”). The transaction was paid for primarily from borrowings under the Company’s 2012 Credit Facility with the remainder in cash. Davall, headquartered in Welham Green, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, is a manufacturer of custom gears, gearboxes, and assemblies primarily for the military and aerospace markets. Davall specializes in the design and manufacture of high precision, “special form” geometry gearing, and Spiradrive™ gear systems. SL-MTI holds the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Davall Acquisition.

At March 31, 2016, the financial statements reflect the preliminary purchase price allocation based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. As of the acquisition date, the acquisition resulted in intangible assets of $10,891,000 and goodwill of $4,674,000, which consists largely of new product offerings and new sales channels expected from combining the operations of SL-MTI and Davall. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the Davall assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date on a preliminary basis:

 

     Preliminary
Purchase Price (1)
     Cumulative
Adjustments (2)
     Adjusted
Preliminary
Purchase Price
 
     (in thousands)  

Receivables

   $ 2,726       $ —         $ 2,726   

Inventories

     1,354         329         1,683   

Other assets

     267         —           267   

Property, plant and equipment

     5,796         653         6,449   

Identifiable intangible assets

     11,044         (153      10,891   

Accounts payable

     (834      —           (834

Warranty

     (165      —           (165

Accrued liabilities

     (2,963      1,197         (1,766

Deferred income taxes

     —           (2,486      (2,486

Goodwill

     2,982         1,692         4,674   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consideration transferred

   $ 20,207       $ 1,232       $ 21,439   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) As reported in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.
(2) As reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015. No adjustments were recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

 

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The results from the acquisition date through March 31, 2016 are included in the SL-MTI segment.

The Company continues to evaluate certain accrued liabilities related to the Davall Acquisition. Additional information, which existed as of the acquisition date but was at that time unknown to the Company, may become known during the remainder of the measurement period. Changes to amounts recorded as liabilities may result in a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. The determination of the estimated fair values of all assets and liabilities acquired is expected to be completed during fiscal year 2016.

Unaudited proforma financial information has not been presented for any of these acquisitions since the effects of the acquisitions were not material individually or in the aggregate in 2015.

10. Goodwill And Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

          March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
     Amortizable           Accumulated                    Accumulated         
     Life (years)    Gross Value      Amortization      Net Value      Gross Value      Amortization      Net Value  
          (in thousands)  

Finite-lived intangible assets:

                    

Customer relationships

   5 to 10    $ 11,395       $ 4,651       $ 6,744       $ 11,535       $ 4,420       $ 7,115   

Patents

   5 to 20      645         375         270         651         371         280   

Developed technology

   5 to 10      6,413         2,115         4,298         6,517         1,990         4,527   

License

   10      395         26         369         408         17         391   

Trademarks

   2      60         50         10         60         43         17   

Backlog

   1 to 2      490         288         202         498         190         308   

Non-compete agreements

   5      11         5         6         11         3         8   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total amortized finite-lived intangible assets

        19,409         7,510         11,899         19,680         7,034         12,646   

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

                    

Trademarks

        3,776         —           3,776         3,827         —           3,827   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other intangible assets, net

      $ 23,185       $ 7,510       $ 15,675       $ 23,507       $ 7,034       $ 16,473   
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

In accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested for impairment. Such impairment testing is undertaken annually, or more frequently upon the occurrence of some indication that an impairment has taken place. The Company conducted an annual impairment test as of December 31, 2015.

 

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A two-step process is utilized to determine if goodwill has been impaired. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the net asset value recorded for such unit. If the fair value exceeds the net asset value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not adjusted. However, if the recorded net asset value exceeds the fair value, the Company performs a second step to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the goodwill recorded for such unit. If the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the excess.

Going forward there can be no assurance that economic conditions or other events may not have a negative material impact on the long-term business prospects of any of the Company’s reporting units. In such case, the Company may need to record an impairment loss, as stated above. The next annual impairment test will be conducted as of December 31, 2016, unless management identifies a triggering event in the interim.

Management has not identified any triggering events, as defined by ASC 350, during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Accordingly, no interim impairment test has been performed.

Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization in each of the next five fiscal years is as follows:

 

    

Amortization

Expense (1)

 
     (in thousands)  

2016

   $ 1,788   

2017

   $ 1,534   

2018

   $ 1,484   

2019

   $ 1,483   

2020

   $ 1,282   

 

(1) These estimates do not reflect the impact of future foreign exchange rate changes.

Total amortization expense, excluding the amortization of deferred financing costs, consists of amortization expense related to intangible assets and software. Amortization expense related to intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 was $477,000 and $52,000 respectively. Amortization expense related to software for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 was $78,000 and $58,000, respectively.

Changes in goodwill balances by segment (which are defined below) are as follows:

 

     Balance             Balance  
     December 31,      Foreign      March 31,  
     2015      Exchange      2016  
     (in thousands)  

SL Power Electronics Corp.

   $ 4,254       $ (3    $ 4,251   

MTE

     8,189         —           8,189   

SL-MTI

     6,561         (230      6,331   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill

   $ 19,004       $ (233    $ 18,771   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The following table reflects the components of goodwill by segment as of March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015 (see Note 15 for additional information on segments):

 

     March 31, 2016      December 31, 2015  
            Accumulated                    Accumulated         
     Gross      Impairment      Goodwill,      Gross      Impairment      Goodwill,  
     Amount      Losses      Net      Amount      Losses      Net  
     (in thousands)  

SL Power Electronics Corp.

   $ 4,251       $ —         $ 4,251       $ 4,254       $ —         $ 4,254   

MTE

     13,244         5,055         8,189         13,244         5,055         8,189   

SL-MTI

     6,331         —           6,331         6,561         —           6,561   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill

   $ 23,826       $ 5,055       $ 18,771       $ 24,059       $ 5,055       $ 19,004   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

11. Debt

Debt as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,     December 31,  
     2016     2015  
     (in thousands)  

2012 Credit Facility:

    

$40 million variable interest rate senior revolving credit facility maturing in August 2016

   $ 11,500      $ 13,500   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     11,500        13,500   

Less current portion

     (11,500     (13,500
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term portion

   $ —        $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On August 9, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender (“PNC Bank”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended (the “2012 Credit Facility”). The 2012 Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to $40,000,000 and under certain conditions maximum borrowings up to $70,000,000. The 2012 Credit Facility includes a sublimit for letters of credit and provides for a separate $10,700,000 letter of credit which expires one year from the date of closing, with annual extensions. The sublimit for letters of credit equals the lesser of (i) an amount equal to $5,000,000 plus the aggregate amount of Designated Usage LC issued and outstanding under the Designated Usage LC sublimit or (ii) $25,000,000. The 2012 Credit Facility expires on August 9, 2016.

Borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at the London interbank offering rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin rate ranging from 1.25% to 2.0%, or the higher of a Base Rate plus a margin rate ranging from 0.25% to 1.0%. The Base Rate is equal to the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5% and (ii) the Prime Rate and (iii) the Daily Libor Rate plus 1%. The margin rates are based on certain leverage ratios, as defined. As of March 31, 2016, the interest rate under the 2012 Credit Facility equaled 1.69%. The Company is subject to compliance with certain financial covenants set forth in the 2012 Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined, minimum levels of fixed charges and limitations on capital expenditures, as defined. Availability under the 2012 Credit Facility is based upon the Company’s trailing twelve month EBITDA, as defined.

 

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The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Credit Facility are secured by the grant of security interests in substantially all of its assets.

On May 28, 2013 a letter of credit in the amount of $8,564,000 was issued in favor of the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to provide financial assurance related to the Company’s annual environmental payments in accordance with the terms of the Consent Decree reached with the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and EPA related to its liability for both the first operable unit (“OU-1”) and the second operable unit (“OU-2”) (see Note 14 for additional information). The letter of credit requires an annual commitment fee of 0.125% and standby commission of 1%, and does not reduce amounts available under the 2012 Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2016, the total liability under the letter of credit equaled $4,282,000. The letter of credit expires on June 10, 2016, and is renewed annually.

The Company had an outstanding balance of $11,500,000 under the 2012 Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016. The Company had an outstanding balance of $13,500,000 under the 2012 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company had total availability under the 2012 Credit Facility of $28,069,000 and $26,044,000, respectively.

12. Accrued Liabilities – Other

Accrued liabilities – other consist of the following:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Environmental

   $ 4,672       $ 5,036   

Warranty

     907         908   

Taxes (other than income) and insurance

     881         805   

Other professional fees

     572         1,030   

Commissions

     466         510   

Accrued customer incentive plans

     379         392   

Deferred revenue

     312         199   

Deferred compensation - current

     229         229   

Litigation and legal fees

     245         112   

Foreign currency forward contracts

     46         534   

Acquisition earn-out, current

     97         —     

Other

     1,648         1,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities - other

   $ 10,454       $ 11,652   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Included in the environmental accrual are estimates for all known costs believed to be probable and reasonably estimable for sites that the Company currently operates or operated at one time (see Note 14 for additional information).

A liability is established for estimated future warranty and service claims that relate to current and prior period sales. The Company estimates warranty costs based on historical claim experience and other factors including evaluating specific product warranty issues.

 

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The following is a summary of activity in accrued warranty and service liabilities:

 

     March 31,  
     2016  
     (in thousands)  

Liability, beginning of year

   $ 908   

Expense for new warranties issued

     107   

Warranty claims paid

     (108
  

 

 

 

Liability, end of period

   $ 907   
  

 

 

 

13. Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consist of the following:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Environmental

   $ 3,600       $ 3,600   

Unrecognized tax benefits, interest and penalties

     547         678   

Long-term incentive plan

     291         596   

Acquisition earn-out, long-term

     119         216   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other long-term liabilities

   $ 4,557       $ 5,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

On July 25, 2014, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Dynetic Systems, Inc. (“Dynetic”), pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement for an initial purchase price of $4,000,000 less a working capital adjustment of $27,000 (the “Dynetic Acquisition”). The transaction was paid in cash. The Asset Purchase Agreement also includes a possible earn-out, which is comprised of annual payments based on sales of Dynetic products and sales to Dynetic customers over the period immediately following the date of the Dynetic Acquisition through December 31, 2017.

As of March 31, 2016, the total liability for the estimated earn-out was $216,000, of which $97,000 is recorded in Accrued Liabilities – Other and $119,000 is recorded in Other Long-Term Liabilities. Currently, the accrual is established for the annual 2016 and 2017 earn-out targets. The Dynetic results from the date of acquisition through March 31, 2016 are included in the SL-MTI segment.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in certain legal and regulatory actions. Management believes that the ultimate resolution of such matters is unlikely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, except as described below.

Letters Of Credit: As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company was contingently liable for $431,000 and $456,000, respectively, under an outstanding letter of credit issued for casualty insurance requirements.

 

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As of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company was contingently liable for $4,282,000, under an outstanding letter of credit issued to provide financial assurance related to the Company’s environmental payments in accordance with the terms of the Consent Decree reached with the DOJ and EPA related to its liability for both OU-1 and OU-2.

Litigation: The Company has been and is the subject of administrative actions that arise from its ownership of SL Surface Technologies, Inc. (“SurfTech”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, the assets of which were sold in November 2003. SurfTech formerly operated chrome-plating facilities in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey (the “Pennsauken Site”) and Camden, New Jersey (the “Camden Site”).

In 2006 the EPA named the Company as a potential responsible party (a “PRP”) in connection with the remediation of the Puchack Well Field, which has been designated as a Superfund Site. The EPA is remediating the Puchack Well Field Superfund Site in two separate operable units. The first operable unit (“OU-1”) consists of an area of chromium groundwater contamination in three aquifers that exceeds the selected cleanup standard. The second operable unit (“OU-2”) pertains to sites that are allegedly the sources of contamination for the first operable unit.

The Company has reached an agreement with both the DOJ and EPA effective April 30, 2013 related to its liability for both OU-1 and OU-2 pursuant to the terms of a Consent Decree which governs the agreement. Specifically, the Company has agreed to perform the remediation for OU-2 and pay a fixed sum for the EPA’s past cost for OU-2 and a portion of the EPA’s past cost for OU-1. The payments are to be made in five equal payments of $2,141,000, for a total $10,705,000, plus interest. The Company has also agreed to pay the EPA’s costs for oversight of the OU-2 remediation. The United States District Court judge signed the Consent Decree effective April 30, 2013, thereby triggering the Company’s obligation under the Consent Decree. The Company has made three payments totaling $6,569,000 which includes interest, related to its obligation under the Consent Decree with the last payment being made on June 1, 2015. The fourth and fifth payments will be made on the anniversary of the prior year’s payment plus ten days in the amount of $2,141,000, plus interest. In 2013, the Company had obtained financial assurances for the OU-2 remediation and the fixed payments as required by the terms of the Consent Decree. The financial assurance is reduced annually as the fixed payments are made. Also, the financial instruments did not affect the Company’s availability under its Credit facility (see Note 11 Debt).

The Company’s consultants performed a significant amount of work at the Pennsauken Site during 2015, which included demolition of the Company’s former facility and a building on an adjacent property, shoring, equipment mobilization and have been excavating and treating the impacted soils as required. Treatment of impacted soils at the site and adjacent property is complete. The remaining work at the site primarily relates to site restoration, final site survey and reporting. The Company’s consultants anticipate that the remaining work will be completed during the second quarter of 2016 and that will essentially fulfill the remediation activities required by the Consent Decree for OU-2. An additional accrual was recorded during the quarter to provide a reserve for the cost arising from the work beyond the scope of the original Remediation Design primarily due to additional remediation activities required on an adjacent property and installation of monitoring wells on the site. The Company’s consultants have been providing the EPA with progress reports on a monthly basis. The Company has incurred significant remediation costs in the first quarter of 2016.

 

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During the third quarter of 2012, the Company’s legal counsel was notified by the Assistant Attorney General of the State of New Jersey that they may file a claim for certain costs. On December 3, 2012, the Company received a demand letter from the State of New Jersey. The demand was for $1,300,000 for past and future cleanup costs and $500,000 for natural resource damages (“NRD”) for a total of $1,800,000. Although the Company and its counsel believe that it has meritorious defenses to any claim for reimbursement of past cost and NRD damages, the Company has offered to pay $250,000, which has been accrued, to fully resolve the claim presented by the State of New Jersey for past costs, future costs and NRD at the Puchack Well Field Superfund site. On June 29, 2015, the Company’s legal counsel received a letter from New Jersey’s Deputy Attorney General rejecting the Company’s counter offer, but stated that the matter was open for further negotiations. On July 21, 2015, the Company’s legal counsel responded to the June letter stating that the Company is standing by its original defenses but is open to establishing a dialogue with the New Jersey Deputy Attorney General. No further communication has been received from the New Jersey Deputy Attorney General regarding this matter since the June letter.

Other

On March 10, 2015, Compass Directional Guidance, Inc. (“Compass”) filed a complaint (the “Complaint”) against SL-MTI in the District Court in Harris County, Texas. The Complaint seeks damages in excess of $18 million arising from the SL-MTI’s sale of certain brushless motors to Compass. Compass asserts that SL-MTI breached express and implied warranties, violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and negligently misrepresented the quality, specification and uses of its motors to Compass. SL-MTI has been vigorously defending the claims asserted in the Complaint which it believes are limited by the contractual terms between the parties as well as the applicable statute of limitations, and are substantially without merit. A hearing was held before a judge on April 15, 2016 to have Compass comply and provide the requested information for discovery. The judge ordered Compass to provide the requested documents within 30 days from the hearing date. The court has entered a trial date of October 17, 2016.

In the ordinary course of its business the Company is and may be subject to other loss contingencies pursuant to foreign and domestic federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations and may be party to certain legal actions, frequently involving complaints by terminated employees and disputes with customers, suppliers and others. In the opinion of management, any such other loss contingencies are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.

 

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Environmental Matters: Loss contingencies include potential obligations to investigate and eliminate or mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal or release of certain chemical substances at various sites, such as Superfund sites and other facilities, whether or not they are currently in operation. The Company is currently participating in environmental assessments and cleanups at a number of sites and in the future may be involved in additional environmental assessments and cleanups. Based upon investigations completed to date by the Company and its independent engineering-consulting firms, management has provided an estimated accrual for all known costs believed to be probable and costs that can be reasonably estimated in the amount of $8,272,000, of which $3,600,000 is included as other long-term liabilities, with the remainder recorded as other short-term accrued liabilities, as of March 31, 2016. However, it is the nature of environmental contingencies that other circumstances might arise, the costs of which are indeterminable at this time due to such factors as changing government regulations and stricter standards, the unknown magnitude of cleanup costs, and the unknown timing and extent of the remedial actions that may be required. These other circumstances could result in additional expenses or judgments, or offsets thereto. The adverse resolution of any one or more of these other circumstances could have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results, financial condition or cash flows of the Company.

The Company’s environmental costs primarily relate to discontinued operations and such costs have been recorded in discontinued operations, net of tax.

There are three sites on which the Company may incur material environmental costs in the future as a result of past activities of its former subsidiary, SurfTech. There are two Company owned sites related to its former subsidiary, SurfTech. These sites are located in Pennsauken, New Jersey (the “Pennsauken Site”) and in Camden, New Jersey (the “Camden Site”). There is also a third site, which is not owned by the Company, referred to as the “Puchack Well Field Site.” The Puchack Well Field Site and the Pennsauken Site are part of the Puchack Well Field Superfund Site.

With respect to the Camden Site, the Company has reported soil contamination and a groundwater contamination plume emanating from the site. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”) approved, and the Company implemented in 2010, an interim remedial action pilot study to inject neutralizing chemicals into the unsaturated soil. Based on an assessment of post-injection data, our consultants believe the pilot study can be implemented as a full scale soil remedy to treat unsaturated contaminated soil. A Remedial Action Workplan (“RAWP”) for soils is being developed. The RAWP will select the injection remedy for the site wide remedy for unsaturated soils, along with demolition and proper disposal of the former concrete building slab and targeted excavation and disposal of impacted soil immediately underlying the slab. Additionally, the RAWP will address a small area of impacted soil off the property. The RAWP for soils is expected to be submitted to the NJDEP in the second quarter of 2016, by the Licensed Site Remediation Professional (“LSRP”) for the site. The RAWP for treatment of unsaturated soils is scheduled to be implemented during the third quarter of 2016 with post-remediation rebound testing and slab removal to be conducted in the second quarter of 2017. The Company’s environmental consultants also implemented an interim remedial action pilot study to treat on-site contaminated groundwater, which consisted of injecting food-grade product, into the groundwater at the down gradient property boundary, to create a “bio-barrier.” Post-injection groundwater monitoring to assess the bio-barrier’s effectiveness was completed. Consistent decreases in target contaminants concentrations in groundwater were observed. In December 2014, a report was submitted to the NJDEP stating sufficient information was obtained from the pilot study to complete the full scale groundwater remedy design. A full scale groundwater bioremediation will be implemented during the fourth quarter of 2017 following the soil remediation mentioned above. Costs incurred for this site were minimal during the first quarter of 2016. Increased expenditures are expected to be incurred during the third quarter of 2016 as the treatment for unsaturated soils is implemented.

 

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As previously reported, the Company is currently participating in environmental assessments and cleanups at a number of sites. One of these sites is a commercial facility, located in Wayne, New Jersey. Contaminated soil and groundwater has undergone remediation with NJDEP and LSRP oversight, but contaminants of concern (“COCs”) in groundwater and surface water, which extend off-site, still remain above applicable NJDEP remediation standards. A soil remedial action plan has been developed to remove the new soil source contamination that continues to impact groundwater. Our LSRP completed a supplemental groundwater remedial action, pursuant to a RAWP filed with, and permit approved by, the NJDEP. The remedial action consisted of additional in-situ injections of food grade product into on-site groundwater and post-performance groundwater monitoring. The in-situ injections are completed, and remedial action performance monitoring for groundwater was performed in the fourth quarter of 2015. Enhancements to the existing vapor intrusion system were completed in the fourth quarter 2014. No site constituents of concern were detected at concentrations exceeding applicable NJDEP indoor air screening levels. A report was filed with the NJDEP on March 23, 2015. The Company’s consultants have developed cost estimates for supplemental remedial injections, soil excavation and additional tests and remedial activities. Costs incurred for this site were minimal during the first quarter of 2016 and are recorded as part of discontinued operations, net of tax. The “Remedial Investigation” deadline for this site has been extended to May 7, 2016.

The Company’s sale of RFL triggered certain requirements of the Industrial Site Recovery Act (“ISRA”), which applies to New Jersey statutorily, defined transactions involving industrial establishments. Under the stock purchase agreement pursuant to which RFL was sold (the “RFL-SPA”), the Company agreed to undertake, or cause to undertake, all actions necessary to comply with ISRA arising from the RFL-SPA. The Company hired an LSRP to complete a Preliminary Assessment. Based on the Preliminary Assessment, the LSRP recommended the completion of a site investigation (the “Site Investigation”) for certain areas of concern, including the sampling of on-site soils and installation and sampling of groundwater wells, which will continue through the second quarter of 2016. A Preliminary Assessment Report and Site Investigation Report with an ecological evaluation are scheduled to be filed with the NJDEP by November 17, 2016 under a one-year filing extension with the NJDEP. Based on the outcome of the Preliminary assessment and Site Investigation, the Company may be obligated to perform additional investigation or remediation.

 

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The Company has reported soil and groundwater contamination at the facility of SL-MTI located on its property in Montevideo, Minnesota. An analysis of the contamination has been completed and a remediation plan has been implemented at the site pursuant to the remedial action plan approved by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (“MPCA”). A soil vapor extraction system has been operating at the site since October 2008. In 2013 the regulatory and screening levels for soil vapor and groundwater were lowered for some of the contaminants at the site. In response to this regulatory change, SL-MTI’s consultants are conducting additional testing to delineate site impacts and update the site conceptual model. A work plan was submitted to MPCA and approved on September 22, 2014. An Investigation Report and Monitoring Well Work Plan (“WP”) was submitted to the MPCA during the third quarter of 2015. No site work has been completed during 2015 as the MPCA did not respond to the WP until December 11, 2015. MPCA comments are being addressed pending the approval of the final WP. Additional investigations, monitoring wells or remedial actions will be required in the future. Costs related to this site are recorded as a component of continuing operations.

As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, environmental accruals of $8,272,000 and $8,636,000, respectively, have been recorded by the Company in accrued liabilities – other and in other long-term liabilities, as appropriate (see Notes 12 and 13 for additional information).

15. Segment Information

The Company has historically operated under three business segments: SL Power Electronics Corp. (“SLPE”), the High Power Group, and SL-MTI. MTE Corporation (“MTE”) and TEAL Electronics Corp. (“TEAL”) were combined into one business segment, which was reported as the High Power Group. During 2016, the Company changed the name of the High Power Group segment to MTE. There is no change to the composition of MTE segment from what the Company previously reported as the High Power Group segment. Management is in the process of merging MTE and TEAL into one legal entity with the surviving name of MTE. As of March 31, 2016, the Company currently operates under three business segments: SLPE, MTE, and SL-MTI.

The Company aggregates operating business subsidiaries into a single segment for financial reporting purposes if aggregation is consistent with the objectives of ASC 280 “Segment Reporting.” Business units are also combined if they have similar characteristics in each of the following areas:

 

    nature of products and services

 

    nature of production process

 

    type or class of customer

 

    methods of distribution

 

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SLPE designs, manufactures and markets high-reliability power conversion products in internal and external footprints. The Company’s power supplies provide a reliable and safe power source for the customer’s specific equipment needs. SLPE, which sells products under three brand names (SL Power Electronics, Condor and Ault), is a major supplier to the original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of medical, industrial/instrumentation, military, information technology equipment, and architectural and entertainment lighting markets. MTE sells products under two brand names (MTE and TEAL). MTE designs and manufactures power quality products used to protect equipment from power surges, bring harmonics into compliance, and improve the efficiency of variable speed motor drive systems, which are marketed under the MTE brand name. MTE also designs and manufactures custom power conditioning and distribution units for OEMs of medical imaging, medical treatment, military aerospace, semiconductor, solar, and advanced simulation systems, which are marketed under the TEAL brand name. SL-MTI designs and manufactures high power density precision motors that are used in numerous applications, including military and commercial aerospace, oil and gas, and medical and industrial products. With the acquisition of Torque Systems in May 2015, SL-MTI’s product portfolio has expanded to include engineered motion control products, including brush servo motors, brushless servo motors, incremental encoders, and linear actuators. SL-MTI’s product portfolio was further expanded by the Davall acquisition in July 2015, which includes custom gears, gearboxes, and assemblies primarily for the military and aerospace markets. The Unallocated Corporate Expenses segment includes corporate related items, financing activities and other costs not allocated to reportable segments, which includes but is not limited to certain treasury, risk management, legal, litigation and public reporting charges, strategic costs, and certain legacy costs. The accounting policies for the business units are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. For additional information, see Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part IV of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Business segment operations are conducted through domestic subsidiaries. For all periods presented, sales between business segments were not material. Each of the segments has certain major customers, the loss of any of which would have a material adverse effect on such segment.

The unaudited comparative results for the three month periods ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Net sales

  

SLPE

   $ 16,036       $ 16,148   

MTE

     15,916         18,993   

SL-MTI

     17,543         11,543   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 49,495       $ 46,684   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Income from operations

  

SLPE

   $ 1,797       $ 1,701   

MTE

     1,248         2,450   

SL-MTI

     2,546         1,854   

Unallocated Corporate Expenses (1)

     (2,358      (1,968
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income from operations

   $ 3,233       $ 4,037   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Unallocated Corporate Expenses includes corporate related items, financing activities and other costs not allocated to reportable segments, which includes but is not limited to certain legal, litigation and public reporting charges, strategic costs, and certain legacy costs.

Total assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Total assets

     

SLPE

   $ 29,968       $ 32,899   

MTE

     31,756         30,430   

SL-MTI

     57,712         57,337   

Unallocated Corporate Assets

     10,833         13,254   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 130,269       $ 133,920   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

     March 31,      December 31,  
     2016      2015  
     (in thousands)  

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

     

SLPE

   $ 4,551       $ 4,554   

MTE

     9,831         9,841   

SL-MTI

     20,064         21,082   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

   $ 34,446       $ 35,477   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

16. Retirement Plans and Deferred Compensation

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, the Company maintained a defined contribution pension plan covering all full-time, U.S. employees of SLPE, MTE, SL-MTI, and the corporate office. The Company’s contributions to this plan are based on a percentage of employee contributions and/or plan year gross wages, as defined. Costs incurred under these plans amounted to $184,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $139,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

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The Company has agreements with certain retired directors, officers and key employees providing for supplemental retirement benefits. The liability for supplemental retirement benefits is based on the most recent mortality tables available and discount rates ranging from 8% to 12%. The amount charged to expense in connection with these agreements amounted to $93,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to $113,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

17. Discontinued Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, total loss from discontinued operations before income taxes was $839,000 ($511,000 net of tax). For the three months ended March 31, 2015, total loss from discontinued operations before income taxes was $266,000 ($162,000 net of tax). The loss from discontinued operations during 2016 relates to environmental remediation costs, consulting fees, and legal expenses primarily related to the Company’s Pennsauken site and, to a lesser extent, costs associated with the past operations of the Company’s four other environmental sites. The loss from discontinued operations during 2015 relates to environmental remediation costs, consulting fees, and legal expenses associated with the past operations of the Company’s five environmental sites (See Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies for further information concerning the environmental sites).

18. Fair Value Measurement and Financial Instruments

ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 applies to reported balances that are required or permitted to be measured at fair value under existing accounting pronouncements; accordingly, the standard does not require any new fair value measurements of reported balances.

ASC 820 emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

 

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Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which is typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Currently, the Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its foreign currency risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including spot rates and market forward points. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on interest differentials between the currencies being traded, spot rates and market forward points.

To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, the Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees, where applicable.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of March 31, 2016, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

In conjunction with its implementation of updates to the fair value measurements guidance, the Company made an accounting policy election to measure derivative financial instruments subject to master netting agreements on a net basis.

 

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The following table presents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall:

 

     Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
and Liabilities (Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
     Balance at
March 31, 2016
 
     (in thousands)  

Liabilities

           

Derivative financial instruments

     —         $ 46         —         $ 46   
     Quoted Prices in Active
Markets for Identical Assets
and Liabilities (Level 1)
     Significant Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
     Balance at
December 31, 2015
 
     (in thousands)  

Liabilities

           

Derivative financial instruments

     —         $ 534         —         $ 534   

The Company believes that the fair values of its current assets and current liabilities (cash and cash equivalents, receivables, net, short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities) and the fair value of its long-term debt, less current maturities, approximate their reported carrying amounts.

The Company does not have any fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Credit Risk Contingent Features

The Company has agreements with its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Company defaults or is capable of being declared in default on any of its indebtedness, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations.

19. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

ASC Topic 815, as amended and interpreted, establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. As required by ASC Topic 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. Derivatives used to hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows related to forecasted foreign exchange-based risk are considered economic hedges of the Company’s forecasted cash flows.

 

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Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is a USD functional currency entity that manufactures products in the USA, Mexico, China and the United Kingdom. The Company’s sales are primarily priced and invoiced in USD and its costs and expenses are priced in USD, MXN, CNH, and GBP. As a result, the Company has exposure to changes in exchange rates between the time when expenses in the non-functional currencies are initially incurred and the time when the expenses are ultimately paid. The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability and to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts involve fixing the USD-MXN and USD-CNH exchange rates for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date.

During 2015, the Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements in its forecasted expenses in China and Mexico. The foreign currency forwards are not speculative and are being used to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate movements. Foreign currency forward contracts involve fixing the USD-MXN and USD-CNH exchange rates for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting to these derivatives and they are marked to market through earnings. Therefore, gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these contracts are recognized at the end of each reporting period directly in earnings. The gains and losses associated with the foreign currency forward contracts are included in other gain (loss), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of March 31, 2016, the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts was recorded as a $46,000 liability in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts was recorded as a $534,000 liability in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The decrease in the liability during 2016 was primarily due to the settlement of certain forward currency forward contracts (see Note 20 for additional information).

Non-designated Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk

The notional amounts are used to measure the volume of foreign currency forward contracts and do not represent exposure to foreign currency losses. The following table summarizes the notional values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as of March 31, 2016.

 

Product

   Number of Instruments      Notional  
            (in thousands)  

Mexican Peso (MXN) Forward Contracts

     1         MXN 12,110   

Chinese Yuan (CNH) Forward Contracts

     1         CNH 4,028   

 

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The following table details the location in the financial statements of the gain or loss recognized on foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015:

 

         Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

   Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
  Three Months Ended
March 31, 2016 (1)
    Three Months Ended
March 31, 2015
 
         (in thousands)     (in thousands)  

Foreign Exchange Contracts

   Other gain (loss), net   $ (13   $ 131   

 

(1) The $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts was comprised of a $501,000 realized loss on the settlement of certain forward contracts, which was partially offset by a $488,000 unrealized gain on the remaining outstanding forward contracts.

20. Other Gain (Loss), net

Other gain (loss), net in 2016 was a net gain of $105,000 compared to net gain of $131,000 in 2015. Other gain (loss), net in 2016 included a $118,000 of net foreign currency transaction gains and a $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts. The primary driver of the net foreign currency transaction gains were the fluctuations in the value of the USD to CNH and fluctuations in the value of the USD to MXN during 2016. The $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts was comprised of a $501,000 realized loss on the settlement of certain forward contracts, which was partially offset by a $488,000 unrealized gain on the remaining outstanding forward contracts. Other gain (loss), net in 2015 included a $131,000 gain on foreign currency forward contracts.

During 2015, the Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements in its forecasted expenses in China and Mexico. The unrealized gains recognized in 2016 and 2015 represent the change in fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market at quarter end.

21. Shareholders’ Equity

On March 27, 2015, the Company announced a modified “Dutch Auction” Tender Offer to purchase up to $20 million of its common shares (the “Tender Offer”). The Tender Offer expired at the end of the day on April 23, 2015. Under the terms of the Tender Offer, the Company’s shareholders had the option of tendering all or a portion of the Company’s common stock that they owned (1) at a price of not less than $39.00 and not greater than $42.00, in increments of $0.25 per share, or (2) without specifying a purchase price, in which case the common stock that they owned would have been purchased at the purchase price determined in accordance with the Tender Offer. All common stock purchased by the Company in the Tender Offer were purchased at the same price.

 

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The Company accepted for purchase approximately 160,000 shares of its common stock at a purchase price of $42.00 per share. These shares represented approximately 3.9% of the total common stock outstanding as of April 24, 2015 prior to the purchase of shares pursuant to the Tender Offer. Upon completion of the Tender Offer, the Company had approximately 3,934,000 shares of common stock outstanding at that time. The aggregate purchase price paid by the Company in connection with the Tender Offer was $6,734,000 excluding transaction costs. On April 27, 2015, the Company paid for the Tender Offer with available cash on hand.

22. Related Party Transactions

On May 1, 2014, the Company renewed its Management Services Agreement (“Management Services Agreement”) with SP Corporate Services LLC (“SP Corporate”). On March 25, 2015, the Company and SP Corporate entered into an amendment to the Management Services Agreement (the “Amendment”) in order to, among other things, extend the term of the Management Services Agreement until May 1, 2016. SP Corporate is an affiliate of SPHG Holdings. A member of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), Warren G. Lichtenstein, is affiliated with SPHG Holdings. Also, the Company’s Chairman of the Board, Glen M. Kassan was formerly affiliated with SPHG Holdings. Pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, SP Corporate agreed to provide, at the direction of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, non-exclusive services to support the Company’s growth strategy, business development, planning, execution assistance and related support services. The monthly fee for these services is $10,400 paid in advance. The Management Services Agreement has been approved by the Audit Committee of the Board and a majority of the disinterested directors of the Company. On February 18, 2016, the Company consented to the transfer of the Company Management Services Agreement to SPH Services, Inc., which is an affiliate of SPHG Holdings.

23. Definitive Merger Agreement to Acquire SL Industries

On April 6, 2016, the Company and Handy & Harman Ltd. (HNH), Handy & Harman Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of HNH (AcquisitionCo), and SLI Acquisition Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of AcquisitionCo (Merger Sub) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) pursuant to which Merger Sub will acquire and then merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of HNH (the HNH Merger). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the acquisition of the Company will be completed through a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share (the Tender Offer). The Tender Offer commenced on April 21, 2016 and, unless extended, the Tender Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on May 18, 2016. The completion of the Merger and HNH’s obligations under the Tender Offer are conditioned upon certain conditions, and if such conditions are not met, the Merger will not be consummated.

 

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The Company’s Board, upon the recommendation of a special committee of the Board consisting of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), has unanimously (a) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Tender Offer, the HNH Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (b) determined that it is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company that the Company enter into the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, (c) resolved that the Merger shall be effected under Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and that the Merger shall be consummated as soon as practicable following the acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer and (d) resolved to recommend to the stockholders of the Company that they accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer.

Merger Sub’s obligation to accept for payment and pay for shares pursuant to the Tender Offer is subject to certain conditions, including that there be validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Tender Offer that number of shares that, when added to the shares, if any, already owned by HNH and its subsidiaries, would represent at least a majority of all then outstanding shares, a nonwaivable condition that there be validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Tender Offer that number of shares that would represent at least sixty percent (60%) of all then outstanding shares not owned by HNH or any of its affiliates, shares held by stockholders that have properly exercised appraisal rights under Delaware law do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the shares outstanding immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer, and other customary conditions.

The Tender Offer is not subject to any financing contingencies. DGT Holdings Corp., an affiliate of HNH which owns approximately 25.1% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, has agreed to tender those shares in the offer.

No assurances can be given that any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be completed or that the conditions to the Tender Offer will be satisfied (See Item 1A - Risk Factors, included in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for further information regarding the proposed HNH Merger).

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following section highlights significant factors impacting the consolidated operations and financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance. They involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to implement its business plan, retain key management, anticipate industry and competitive conditions, realize operating efficiencies, secure necessary capital facilities and obtain favorable determinations in various legal and regulatory matters. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Some important assumptions and other critical factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are specified in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015, and Current Reports on Form 8-K.

Overview

SL Industries, Inc., through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures and markets power electronics, motion control, power protection, power quality electromagnetic equipment, and custom gears and gearboxes that are used in a variety of medical, commercial and military aerospace, computer, datacom, industrial, architectural and entertainment lighting, and telecom applications. Its products are generally incorporated into larger systems to improve operating performance, safety, reliability and efficiency. The Company’s products are largely sold to OEMs and, to a lesser extent, to commercial distributors. The Company is comprised of three domestic business segments, all of which have significant manufacturing operations in Mexico. SLPE has manufacturing, engineering and sales capability in China. SL-MTI has manufacturing, engineering and sales capability in the UK due to the Davall Acquisition, which was completed on July 27, 2015. Most of the Company’s sales are made to customers who are based in the United States. The Company places an emphasis on highly engineered, well-built, high quality, dependable products and is dedicated to continued product enhancement and innovation.

 

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The Company’s business strategy has been to enhance the growth and profitability of each of its businesses through the penetration of attractive new market niches, further improvement of operations through the implementation of lean manufacturing principles, expansion of lean principles into the transactional side of the business, and expansion of global capabilities. The Company intends to focus on improving efficiencies that better leverage the Company’s resources. Lean initiatives, both on the factory floor and throughout the organization, are ongoing. The Company expects to pursue its goals during the next twelve months principally through organic growth and other strategic alternatives. Some of these alternatives have included, and could continue to include, selective acquisitions, divestitures and the sale of certain assets. The Company has provided, and may from time to time in the future provide, information to interested parties.

The Company has historically operated under three business segments: SL Power Electronics Corp. (“SLPE”), the High Power Group, and Montevideo Technology, Inc. (“SL-MTI”). MTE Corporation (“MTE”) and TEAL Electronics Corp. (“TEAL”) were combined into one business segment, which was reported as the High Power Group. During 2016, the Company changed the name of the High Power Group segment to MTE. There is no change to the composition of MTE segment from what the Company previously reported as the High Power Group segment. Management is in the process of merging MTE and TEAL into one legal entity with the surviving name of MTE. As of March 31, 2016, the Company currently operates under three business segments: SLPE, MTE, and SL-MTI.

Definitive Merger Agreement to Acquire SL Industries

On April 6, 2016, the Company and Handy & Harman Ltd. (HNH), Handy & Harman Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of HNH (AcquisitionCo), and SLI Acquisition Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of AcquisitionCo (Merger Sub) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) pursuant to which Merger Sub will acquire and then merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of HNH (the HNH Merger). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the acquisition of the Company will be completed through a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share (the Tender Offer). The Tender Offer commenced on April 21, 2016 and, unless extended, the Tender Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on May 18, 2016. The completion of the Merger and HNH’s obligations under the Tender Offer are conditioned upon certain conditions, and if such conditions are not met, the Merger will not be consummated.

The Company’s Board, upon the recommendation of a special committee of the Board consisting of independent directors (the “Special Committee”), has unanimously (a) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement, the Tender Offer, the HNH Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (b) determined that it is fair to and in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders of the Company that the Company enter into the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, (c) resolved that the Merger shall be effected under Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and that the Merger shall be consummated as soon as practicable following the acceptance for payment of Shares pursuant to the Offer and (d) resolved to recommend to the stockholders of the Company that they accept the Offer and tender their Shares pursuant to the Offer.

 

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Merger Sub’s obligation to accept for payment and pay for shares pursuant to the Tender Offer is subject to certain conditions, including that there be validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Tender Offer that number of shares that, when added to the shares, if any, already owned by HNH and its subsidiaries, would represent at least a majority of all then outstanding shares, a nonwaivable condition that there be validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the Tender Offer that number of shares that would represent at least sixty percent (60%) of all then outstanding shares not owned by HNH or any of its affiliates, shares held by stockholders that have properly exercised appraisal rights under Delaware law do not exceed ten percent (10%) of the shares outstanding immediately prior to the expiration of the Offer, and other customary conditions.

The Tender Offer is not subject to any financing contingencies. DGT Holdings Corp., an affiliate of HNH which owns approximately 25.1% of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, has agreed to tender those shares in the offer.

No assurances can be given that any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be completed or that the conditions to the Tender Offer will be satisfied (See Item 1A - Risk Factors, included in Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for further information regarding the proposed HNH Merger).

In the sections that follow, statements with respect to 2016 or fiscal 2016 refer to the three month period ending March 31, 2016. Statements with respect to 2015 or fiscal 2015 refer to the three month period ending March 31, 2015.

Business Trends

Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2016, increased by $2,811,000, or 6%, while income from operations decreased by $804,000, or 20%. Demand for the Company’s products and services increased during 2016 compared to 2015, which was primarily due to $5,140,000 of non-comparable sales in 2016 related to the recently acquired Davall and Torque Systems businesses. Income from operations decreased during 2016, which was primarily due to $562,000 of strategic costs related to the proposed HNH Merger and the pursuit of other strategic alternatives and $41,000 of direct acquisition costs. The decrease in income from operations during 2016 was also partially due to a decrease at MTE. The decrease at MTE was primarily attributable to a decrease in filter sales due to the decline in the oil and gas market.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company’s backlog increased to $78,969,000 from $75,468,000 for the same period in the prior year, for a change of 5% on a comparative basis. The increase in backlog in 2016 was attributable to SL-MTI, who recorded a 19% increase, which was primarily due to the recently acquired Davall and Torque Systems businesses. The increase in backlog was partially offset by decreases at SLPE and MTE of 10% and 9%, respectively. The Company’s net new orders for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased by 1%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

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The Company’s management is taking numerous actions to improve sales through the deployment of growth tools aimed at identifying attractive market segments and penetrating those markets through aggressive new product introduction. The Company is also identifying and penetrating selected geographic opportunities and continues to pursue strategic alternatives, including selective acquisitions. The Company emphasizes lean initiatives at all of its facilities in manufacturing as well as in finance and administration.

While these items are important in understanding and evaluating financial results and trends, other transactions or events, which are disclosed in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, may have a material impact on continuing operations. A complete understanding of these transactions is necessary in order to estimate the likelihood that these trends will continue.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”). GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of reported and contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the amounts of reported net sales and expenses during the reporting period.

The SEC has issued disclosure guidance for “critical accounting policies.” The SEC defines “critical accounting policies” as those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results, and that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part IV of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015. Not all of these significant accounting policies require management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments or estimates. However, the following policies are deemed to be critical within the SEC definition. The Company’s senior management has reviewed these critical accounting policies and estimates and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue is recorded in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104. The major portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from equipment sales. The Company recognizes equipment revenue upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the order, and transfer of title. Generally, the revenue recognition criteria are met at the time the product is shipped. The Company does not currently have any multiple-element arrangements.

Provisions are established for product warranties, principally based on historical experience. At times the Company establishes reserves for specific warranty issues known by management. Customer service and installation revenue is recognized when completed.

 

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SLPE has two sales programs with distributors, pursuant to which credits are issued to distributors: (1) a re-stocking program and (2) a competitive discount program. The distributor re-stocking program allows distributors to rotate up to a pre-determined percentage of their purchases over the previous six month period. SLPE provides for this allowance as a decrease to revenue based upon the amount of sales to each distributor and other historical factors. The competitive discount program allows a distributor to sell a product out of its inventory at a negotiated price in order to meet certain competitive situations. SLPE records this discount as a reduction to revenue based on the distributor’s eligible inventory. The eligible distributor inventory is reviewed at least quarterly. No cash is paid under either distributor program. These programs affected consolidated gross revenue for each of the three month periods ended 2016 and 2015 by approximately 0.3% and 0.4%, respectively.

Certain judgments affect the application of the Company’s revenue policy, as mentioned above. Revenue recognition is significant because net revenue is a key component of results of operations. In addition, revenue recognition determines the timing of certain expenses, such as commissions, royalties and certain incentive programs. Revenue results are difficult to predict. Any shortfall in revenue or delay in recognizing revenue could cause operating results to vary significantly from year to year and quarter to quarter.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

The Company’s estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade receivables is based on two methods. The amounts calculated from each of these methods are combined to determine the total amount reserved. First, the Company evaluates specific accounts where it has information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy or insolvency). In these cases, the Company uses its judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, and records a specific reserve for that customer against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount that is expected to be collected. These specific reserves are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received that impacts the amount reserved. Second, a general reserve is established for all customers based on several factors, including historical write-offs as a percentage of sales. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligation), the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount. Receivables are charged off against the reserve when they are deemed uncollectible. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts equaled 0.9% of gross trade receivables as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Inventories

The Company values inventory at the lower of cost or market, and continually reviews the book value of discontinued product lines to determine if these items are properly valued. The Company identifies these items and assesses the ability to dispose of them at a price greater than cost. If it is determined that cost is less than market value, then cost is used for inventory valuation. If market value is less than cost, then related inventory is adjusted to market value.

 

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If a write down to the current market value is necessary, the market value cannot be greater than the net realizable value, which is defined as selling price less costs to complete and dispose, and cannot be lower than the net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The Company also continually evaluates the composition of its inventory and identifies obsolete, slow-moving and excess inventories. Inventory items identified as obsolete, slow-moving or excess are evaluated to determine if reserves are required. If the Company were not able to achieve its expectations of the net realizable value of the inventory at current market value, it would have to adjust its reserves accordingly. The Company attempts to accurately estimate future product demand to properly adjust inventory levels. However, significant unanticipated changes in demand could have a significant impact on the value of inventory and of operating results.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

FASB ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), provides the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Further, qualitative disclosures are required that explain the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign interest rates and exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain cash flows in terms of the functional currency of the business unit with that exposure.

As required by ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. The Company enters into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. Currently, the Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its foreign currency derivatives.

 

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Accounting For Income Taxes

Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. Net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $6,255,000 and $6,094,000, respectively, net of valuation allowances of $3,992,000 and $3,594,000 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The 2016 and 2015 valuation allowances were primarily related to discontinued operations. The carrying value of the Company’s net deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions. Valuation allowances are attributable to uncertainties related to the Company’s ability to utilize certain deferred tax assets prior to expiration. These deferred tax assets primarily consist of the state tax expense on certain expenses and loss carryforwards. The valuation allowance is based on estimates of taxable income, expenses and credits by the jurisdictions in which the Company operates and the period over which deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or these estimates are adjusted in future periods, the Company may need to establish an additional valuation allowance that could materially impact its consolidated financial position and results of operations. Each quarter, management evaluates the ability to realize the deferred tax assets and assesses the need for additional valuation allowances.

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740-10-55 to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remain open. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $440,000 and $560,000, respectively This amount represents unrecognized tax benefits, which, if ultimately recognized, will reduce the Company’s effective tax rate. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company reported accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of $107,000 and $118,000, respectively. For additional disclosures related to accounting for income taxes, see Note 13 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part IV of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Legal Contingencies

The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings. As discussed in Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company has accrued an estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these claims. This estimate has been developed based on the current stage of negotiations and data from the Company’s environmental engineering consultants and legal counsel. Management does not believe these proceedings will have a further material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, except as discussed in Note 14. As with litigation, generally the outcome is inherently uncertain. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in these assumptions, or the effectiveness of these strategies, related to these proceedings.

 

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Business Combinations

The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with the guidance under ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” Acquisitions of assets or entities that include inputs and processes and have the ability to create outputs are accounted for as business combinations. The purchase price is recorded for assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on fair value. The excess of the fair value of the consideration conveyed over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The income statement includes the results of operations for each acquisition from their respective date of acquisition.

Goodwill

The Company has allocated its adjusted goodwill balance to its reporting units. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually at fiscal year-end and in interim periods if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value of goodwill may be impaired, such as a significant adverse change in business climate, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator or the decision to sell a business, that would make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step of the impairment analysis compares the fair value to the net book value. In determining fair value, the accounting guidance allows for the use of several valuation methodologies, although it indicates that quoted market prices are the best evidence of fair value. The Company uses a combination of expected present values of future cash flows and comparative market multiples. It has also performed a review of market capitalization with estimated control premiums at December 31, 2015. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its net book value, the Company would perform a second step in its analysis, which compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss equal to that excess amount. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. Significant judgments required to estimate the fair value of reporting units include estimating future cash flows, determining appropriate discount and growth rates, operating margins and working capital requirements, selecting comparable companies within each reporting unit and market and determining control premiums. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value for each reporting unit.

The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on the budget and long-term business plans of each reporting unit. Such assumptions take into account numerous factors including but not limited to historical experience, anticipated economic conditions, new product introductions, product cost and cost structure of each reporting unit. The growth rates assumptions were generally consistent with those utilized in prior year forecasted periods, except in certain circumstances where operational strategies support otherwise.

There were no impairment charges for the three months ended 2016 and 2015. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, goodwill totaled $18,771,000 and $19,004,000, representing 14% of total assets, respectively.

 

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There can be no assurance that the economic conditions currently affecting the world economy or other events may not have a negative material impact on the long-term business prospects of any of the Company’s reporting units. In such case, the Company may need to record an impairment loss, as stated above. The next annual impairment test will be conducted as of December 31, 2016, unless management identifies a triggering event in the interim.

Management has not identified any triggering events, as defined by ASC 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” during 2016. Accordingly, no interim impairment test has been performed.

Impairment Of Long-Lived And Intangible Assets

The Company’s long-lived and intangible assets primarily consist of fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets held and used, other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, and assets to be disposed of whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company assesses the recoverability of the asset by estimated cash flows and at times by independent appraisals. It compares estimated cash flows expected to be generated from the related assets, or the appraised value of the asset, to the carrying amounts to determine whether impairment has occurred. If the estimate of cash flows expected to be generated changes in the future, the Company may be required to record impairment charges that were not previously recorded for these assets. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Asset impairment evaluations are by nature highly subjective.

Environmental Expenditures

Expenditures that relate to current operations are charged to expense or capitalized, as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by formerly owned operations are expensed and recorded as part of discontinued operations, net of tax. Expenditures include costs of remediation, consulting, legal fees to defend against claims for environmental liability and certain costs to assist the Company with compliance matters and administrative tasks. Liabilities are recorded when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The liability for remediation expenditures includes, as appropriate, elements of costs such as site investigations, consultants’ fees, feasibility studies, outside contractor expenses and monitoring expenses. Estimates are not discounted and they are not reduced by potential claims for recovery from insurance carriers. The Company does not currently have any outstanding claims against insurance carriers related to remediation expenditures. The liability is periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect current remediation progress, prospective estimates of required activity and other relevant factors, including changes in technology or regulations. For additional information related to environmental matters, see Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

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The above listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of the Company’s accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternatives would not produce a materially different result. For a discussion of accounting policies and other disclosures required by GAAP, see the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Part IV of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and Part 1 to this Quarterly Report.

Liquidity And Capital Resources

 

     March 31,      December 31,                
     2016      2015      $ Variance      % Variance  
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 5,289       $ 10,977       $ (5,688      (52 %) 

Bank debt

   $ 11,500       $ 13,500       $ (2,000      (15 %) 

Working capital

   $ 28,237       $ 26,613       $ 1,624         6

Shareholders’ equity

   $ 78,232       $ 77,003       $ 1,229         2

The Company’s liquidity needs have related to, and are expected to continue to relate to, capital investments, product development costs, acquisitions, working capital requirements, and certain environmental and legal remediation costs. The Company has met its liquidity needs primarily through cash generated from operations and through bank borrowings. The Company believes that cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations and funding available under a credit facility will be adequate to service debt and meet working capital needs, capital investment, and product development requirements for the next twelve months. The Company expects to negotiate a new long-term debt agreement before the expiration of the 2012 Credit Facility on August 9, 2016.

At March 31, 2016, the Company reported $5,289,000 of cash, compared to $10,977,000 of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2015. Cash and cash equivalents decreased in 2016 primarily due to $2,000,000 of cash used in financing activities, $1,430,000 of cash used in operating activities from continuing operations, $1,176,000 of cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations, and $1,008,000 of cash used in investing activities.

 

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Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was $1,430,000 as compared to net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations of $4,530,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. The primary uses of cash from operating activities from continuing operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2016 were an increase in accounts receivable of $1,534,000, decrease in other accrued liabilities of $1,377,000, an increase in other assets of $1,122,000, an increase in inventories of $670,000, and a decrease in accounts payable of $643,000. The increase in accounts receivable in 2016 was primarily due to the timing of sales to a large international customer at MTE and an increase in cash collections in December 2015 as compared to March 2016 at SL-MTI. The decrease in other accrued liabilities was primarily due the payment of 2015 bonuses during March 2016. The decrease in other accrued liabilities was also due to the settlement of certain foreign currency forward contracts, which reduced the related liability by approximately $501,000 during 2016. The increase in other assets was primarily due to the renewal of certain insurance policies during the first quarter of 2016. The increase in inventories was primarily the result of increased inventory purchases to meet anticipated customer demand in 2016. The decrease in accounts payable was primarily due to the extending of 2015 payments until the first quarter of 2016. These uses of cash from operating activities were partially offset by a $2,107,000 of net income from continuing operations. In addition, depreciation and amortization expense of $1,280,000 and non-cash stock based compensation of $239,000 were added to income from continuing operations.

Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 was $4,530,000. The primary uses of cash from operating activities from continuing operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 were a decrease in accrued income taxes of $2,083,000, a decrease in accounts payable of $2,031,000, an increase in accounts receivable of $992,000, an increase in inventories of $870,000, and a decrease in other accrued liabilities of $852,000. The decrease in accrued income taxes during 2015 was primarily due to a tax payment related to the gain from the sale of the company’s RFL Electronics Inc. (“RFL”) subsidiary, which was recognized during the fourth quarter of 2014. The largest decrease in accounts payable occurred at SLPE, which was primarily due to large inventory purchases during December 2014 to meet customer demand, which were paid during the first quarter of 2015. MTE and SL-MTI recorded increases in accounts receivable, which were partially offset by a large decrease at SLPE. The increase at MTE was primarily due to a large outstanding customer balance as of March 31, 2015, which was received during April 2015. The increase at SL-MTI was primarily due to large shipments at the end of the first quarter of 2015. The decrease at SLPE was primarily due to a large shipment at the end of 2014, which was collected during the first quarter of 2015. The increase in inventories was primarily due to a large increase at SLPE. The increase at SLPE was primarily the result of increased inventory purchases to meet anticipated customer demand in 2015 coupled with a large customer shipment at the end of 2014. The decrease in other accrued liabilities was primarily due to the payment of 2014 bonuses during March 2015. The decrease in other accrued liabilities was also due to a decrease in the liability on foreign currency forward contracts due to a $131,000 gain recognized during the first quarter of 2015. These uses of cash from operating activities were partially offset by a $2,708,000 of net income from continuing operations.

 

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Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations was $1,176,000 during the first quarter of 2016 as compared to $579,000 during the first quarter of 2015. The primary uses of cash from operating activities from discontinued operations during 2016 were related to environmental remediation costs for the Pennsauken site. Cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations during 2015 was primarily related to environmental remediation costs, consulting fees, and legal expenses associated with the past operations of the Company’s five environmental sites.

Net cash used in investing activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was $1,008,000 as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $617,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. Cash used in investing activities during 2016 was for the purchases of property, plant and equipment of $989,000 and for the purchase of other assets of $19,000. Purchases of property, plant and equipment were primarily used to upgrade production capabilities and technology. Cash used in investing activities during 2015 was for the purchases of property, plant and equipment of $452,000 and for the purchase of other assets of $165,000. Purchases of property, plant and equipment were primarily used to upgrade production capabilities and technology. Purchases of other assets were primarily related to the purchase of software.

Net cash used in financing activities during the three month period ended March 31, 2016 was $2,000,000 as compared to net cash used in financing activities of $3,530,000 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. Net cash used in financing activities during 2016 was related to $2,000,000 of net payments under the 2012 Credit Facility. Net cash used in financing activities during 2015 was primarily related to $3,511,000 of payments made for the purchase of Company stock pursuant to the Company’s 2014 Repurchase Plan.

The Company had an outstanding balance of $11,500,000 under the 2012 Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016. The Company had an outstanding balance of $13,500,000 under the 2012 Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, and December 31, 2015, the Company had total availability under the 2012 Credit Facility of $28,069,000 and $26,044,000, respectively. The Company’s percentage of total debt to total shareholders’ equity was 14.7% and 17.5% as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company’s current ratio was 1.61 to 1 at March 31, 2016 and 1.53 to 1 at December 31, 2015.

Capital expenditures from continuing operations were $989,000 in 2016, which represented an increase of $537,000 from the capital expenditure levels of 2015. The Company anticipates spending approximately $2,800,000 on property, plant and equipment, used primarily to upgrade production capabilities and upgrade technology during the remainder of 2016. The 2016 capital additions are expected to be funded primarily through cash from operating activities.

With the exception of the segment reported as “Unallocated Corporate Expenses” (which consists primarily of corporate office expenses, financing activities, certain treasury costs, risk management costs, legal costs, litigation costs, public reporting costs, certain strategic costs, legacy costs and costs not specifically allocated to the reportable business segments), all of the Company’s operating segments recorded income from operations during 2016 and 2015.

 

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2012 Credit Facility

On August 9, 2012, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and lender (“PNC Bank”), and the lenders from time to time party thereto, as amended (the “2012 Credit Facility”). The 2012 Credit Facility was amended on March 11, 2013, June 20, 2013, September 15, 2014, March 25, 2015, May 5, 2015, and July 24, 2015.

The 2012 Credit Facility provides for borrowings up to $40,000,000 and under certain conditions maximum borrowings up to $70,000,000. The 2012 Credit Facility includes a sublimit for letters of credit and provides for a separate $10,700,000 letter of credit which expires one year from the date of closing, with annual extensions. The sublimit for letters of credit equals the lesser of (i) an amount equal to $5,000,000 plus the aggregate amount of Designated Usage Letter of Credit (“LC”) issued and outstanding under the Designated Usage LC sublimit or (ii) $25,000,000. The 2012 Credit Facility expires on August 9, 2016.

Borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at the London Interbank Offering Rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin rate ranging from 1.25% to 2.0%, or the higher of a Base Rate plus a margin rate ranging from 0.25% to 1.0%. The Base Rate is equal to the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Open Rate plus 0.5% and (ii) the Prime Rate and (iii) the Daily Libor Rate plus 1%. The margin rates are based on certain leverage ratios, as defined. As of March 31, 2016, the interest rate under the 2012 Credit Facility equaled 1.69%. The Company is subject to compliance with certain financial covenants set forth in the 2012 Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, indebtedness to EBITDA, as defined, minimum levels of fixed charges and limitations on capital expenditures, as defined. Availability under the 2012 Credit Facility is based upon the Company’s trailing twelve month EBITDA, as defined. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all of our covenants under the 2012 Credit Facility.

The Company’s obligations under the 2012 Credit Facility are secured by the grant of security interests in substantially all of its assets.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The following is a summary of the Company’s contractual obligations at March 31, 2016 for the periods indicated:

 

     Less Than      1 to 3      3 to 5      After         
     1 Year      Years      Years      5 Years      Total  
     (in thousands)  

Long-term debt (1)

   $ 11,592       $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 11,592   

Operating leases

     1,321         2,655         1,154         —           5,130   

Payments to EPA(2)

     2,170         2,155         —           —           4,325   

Letters of credit (3)

     431         —           —           —           431   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 15,514       $ 4,810       $ 1,154       $ —         $ 21,478   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)  Includes the 2012 Credit Facility and related interest payments through maturity of $92,000.
(2)  On May 28, 2013 a letter of credit was issued in favor of the EPA to provide financial assurance related to the Company’s environmental payments in accordance with the terms of the Consent Decree reached with the DOJ and EPA related to its liability for both OU-1 and OU-2. In accordance with the Consent Decree, the Company has agreed to pay a fixed sum for the EPA’s past cost for OU-2 and a portion of the EPA’s past cost for OU-1. The payments are to be made in five equal payments of $2,141,000, for a total $10,705,000, plus interest. On June 1, 2015, the Company made the third payment related to its obligation under the Consent Decree in the amount of $2,173,000, which included interest. The remaining two payments will be made on the anniversary of the prior year’s payment plus ten days in the same amount of $2,141,000, plus interest (See Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies for the terms and conditions of the Consent Decree).
(3)  As of March 31, 2016, the Company was contingently liable for an outstanding letter of credit issued for casualty insurance requirements. The letter of credit has a maximum maturity of twelve months from the date of issuance.

The table above excludes the Company’s gross liability for uncertain tax positions of $440,000 including accrued interest and penalties, which totaled $107,000 as of March 31, 2016, since the Company cannot predict with reasonable reliability the timing or certainty of cash settlements to the respective taxing authorities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

It is not the Company’s usual business practice to enter into off-balance sheet arrangements such as guarantees on loans and financial commitments, indemnification arrangements and retained interests in assets transferred to an unconsolidated entity for securitization purposes. Consequently, the Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements which have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, except for operating lease commitments and letters of credit disclosed in the table above and inventory purchase commitments.

In an attempt to limit the volatility of copper costs, the Company has in the past, and may in the future, enter into purchase agreements for copper. As of March 31, 2016, inventory purchase commitments for copper totaled $106,000. As of March 31, 2016, no purchase commitments for copper were greater than two months.

 

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Results of Operations

Three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with three months ended March 31, 2015

The tables below show the comparisons of net sales and income from operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 (“2016”) and the quarter ended March 31, 2015 (“2015”):

 

     Net Sales  
     Three Months     Three Months     $ Variance     % Variance  
     Ended     Ended     From     From  
     March 31,     March 31,     Same Quarter     Same Quarter  
     2016     2015     Last Year     Last Year  
     (in thousands)  

SLPE

   $ 16,036      $ 16,148      $ (112     (1 %) 

MTE

     15,916        18,993        (3,077     (16

SL-MTI

     17,543        11,543        6,000        52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Sales

   $ 49,495      $ 46,684      $ 2,811        6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     Income from Operations  
     Three Months     Three Months     $ Variance     % Variance  
     Ended     Ended     From     From  
     March 31,     March 31,     Same Quarter     Same Quarter  
     2016     2015     Last Year     Last Year  
     (in thousands)  

SLPE

   $ 1,797      $ 1,701      $ 96        6

MTE

     1,248        2,450        (1,202     (49

SL-MTI

     2,546        1,854        692        37   

Unallocated Corporate Expenses

     (2,358     (1,968     (390     (20
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from Operations

   $ 3,233      $ 4,037      $ (804     (20 %) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

During 2016, consolidated net sales increased by $2,811,000 or 6%, compared to net sales during the first quarter of 2015. When compared to 2015, net sales of SLPE decreased by $112,000, or 1%; net sales of MTE decreased by $3,077,000, or 16%; and net sales of SL-MTI increased by $6,000,000, or 52%. During 2016, SL-MTI benefited from $3,023,000 of sales from the Davall Acquisition, which was completed on July 27, 2015, and $2,117,000 of sales from the Torque Systems Acquisition, which was completed on May 22, 2015.

In 2016, the Company’s income from operations decreased by $804,000, or 20%, when compared to 2015. Income from operations was 7% of net sales in 2016 compared to 9% of net sales in 2015. All of the Company’s operating entities recorded income from operations in 2016 and 2015. Unallocated Corporate Expenses increased by $390,000, or 20%, in 2016 compared to 2015. In addition, income from operations was negatively impacted in 2016 by $562,000 of strategic costs related to the proposed HNH Merger and the pursuit of other strategic alternatives, and $41,000 of direct acquisition costs associated with Davall Acquisition.

 

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Income from continuing operations in 2016 was $2,107,000, or $0.53 per diluted share, compared to income from continuing operations in 2015 was $2,708,000, or $0.65 per diluted share. Income from continuing operations was approximately 4% of net sales in 2016 and 6% of net sales in 2015.

The Company’s business segments and the components of operating expenses are discussed in the following sections.

SLPE

SLPE recorded net sales of $16,036,000 or 32% of consolidated net sales in 2016, compared to $16,148,000 or 34% of consolidated net sales in 2015. Net sales at SLPE were relatively flat during 2016, primarily due to a decrease in domestic distributor sales in the industrial product line, which was partially offset by an increase in sales to a large domestic distributor in the data communications product line and an increase in new product sales to the architectural and entertainment lighting market. Domestic sales increased by 5% while international sales decreased by 10% during 2016. Returns and distributor credits, which represented approximately 1% of SLPE gross sales in 2016 and 2015, also negatively affected net sales.

SLPE reported income from operations of $1,797,000 in 2016, compared to $1,701,000 in 2015. Income from operations increased in 2016 primarily due to a 3% decrease in cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales, which was partially offset by a 10% increase in operating costs. Operating costs increased primarily due to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $388,000, or 15%.

MTE

MTE reported net sales of $15,916,000, or 32% of consolidated net sales in 2015, compared to $18,993,000, or 41% of consolidated net sales in 2015. The decrease in sales during 2016 was primarily attributable to a decrease in filter sales, which was primarily due to the decline of the oil and gas market. The decrease in net sales was also due to a decrease in sales to a large international customer in the medical equipment imaging market. Domestic sales decreased by 10% and international sales decreased by 26% during 2015.

MTE reported income from operations of $1,248,000 in 2016, compared to $2,450,000 in 2015. Income from operations decreased in 2016 primarily due to a 16% decrease in sales, a 1% improvement in cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales, and a 10% increase in operating costs. Operating costs increased by $348,000 during 2016 primarily due a $149,000 increase in engineering and product development costs, a $139,000 increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $60,000 increase in depreciation and amortization expense.

 

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SL-MTI

SL-MTI recorded net sales of $17,543,000, or 36% of consolidated net sales in 2016, compared to $11,543,000, or 25% of consolidated net sales in 2015. During 2016, SL-MTI benefited from $3,023,000 of sales from the Davall Acquisition, which was completed on July 27, 2015, and $2,117,000 of sales from the Torque Systems Acquisition, which was completed on May 22, 2015. As a result, comparable sales, net of the acquisition, increased by $860,000, or 7%, during 2016 as compared to 2015. Excluding the acquisitions, the increase in net sales was primarily due to several large domestic customer orders in the commercial aerospace industry. Excluding the acquisitions, domestic sales increased by 7% and international sales increased 8% during 2016.

SL-MTI reported income from operations of $2,546,000 in 2016, compared to $1,854,000 in 2015. Income from operations increased by $692,000 in 2016 primarily due to a 52% increase in sales, which was partially offset by a 63% increase in operating costs. Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales was relatively flat during 2016. Operating costs increased by $1,215,000 during 2016 due to an increase selling, general and administrative expenses of $765,000, or 83%, and an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses of $636,000, or 301%. The increases in selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expenses were primarily due to non-comparable Davall and Torque Systems operating costs. The increase in operating costs was partially offset by a decrease in engineering and product development costs of $186,000, or 23%.

Cost of Products Sold

Cost of products sold was approximately 66% of net sales in 2016, compared to 67% of net sales in 2015. Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales decreased 1% while net sales increased 6% during 2016.

SLPE and MTE recorded improvements in cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales during 2016. SLPE’s cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales improved by approximately 3% during 2016 primarily due to an improved product mix as the result of the introduction of new products into the market. MTE’s cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales improved by approximately 1% during 2016 primarily due to decreased material costs and an improved product mix, which were partially offset by a 16% decline in sales. Cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales at SL-MTI was relatively flat during 2016. Excluding Davall and Torque Systems, SL-MTI’s cost of products sold as a percentage of net sales would have increased due to an increase in labor and overhead costs. All operating entities are at various stages of emphasizing lean initiatives throughout the factory floor to reduce costs of products sold.

Engineering and Product Development Expenses

Engineering and product development expenses were approximately 6% of net sales in 2016 and 2015. Engineering and product development expenses decreased by $12,000, or less than 1%, during the first quarter of 2016 primarily due to a decrease of $186,000 at SL-MTI, which was partially offset by an increase of $149,000 at MTE. The decrease in engineering and product development costs at SL-MTI was primarily due to a shift of prototype jobs into production during 2016. MTE recognized an increase in engineering and product development costs primarily due to an increase in prototype materials expense. Engineering and product development costs at SLPE were relatively flat during 2016.

 

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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately 20% of net sales for 2016, compared to 17% for 2015. During 2016, selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $1,682,000, or 21%, while sales increased by 6%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses at SLPE increased by $388,000 primarily due to increased compensation costs as a result of higher staffing levels and increased selling expenses. MTE recorded an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $139,000 primarily due to increased compensation costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses at SL-MTI increased by $765,000 primarily due to non-comparable Davall and Torque Systems costs. Unallocated Corporate Expenses increased by $390,000 primarily due to $562,000 of strategic costs related to the proposed HNH Merger and the pursuit of other strategic alternatives, and $41,000 of direct acquisition costs associated with Davall Acquisition.

Depreciation And Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses in 2016 were $1,280,000, an increase of $691,000, or 117%, compared to depreciation and amortization expenses in 2015. The increase was primarily due to a $636,000 increase at SL-MTI. The increase at SL-MTI was due to depreciation and amortization expenses recorded by Davall and the Torque Systems, which were acquired during 2015.

Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

In connection with entering into the 2012 Credit Facility and related amendments, the Company incurred deferred financing costs which are amortized over the term of the 2012 Credit Facility. During 2016 and 2015, the amortization of deferred financing costs equaled $71,000 and $27,000, respectively.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $57,000 in 2016 and $6,000 in 2015. The Company had an outstanding balance of $11,500,000 related to borrowings under the Company’s 2012 Credit Facility of as of March 31, 2016. The Company had no outstanding balance related to borrowings under the Company’s 2012 Credit Facility of as of March 31, 2015.

Other Gain (Loss), net

Other gain (loss), net in 2016 was a net gain of $105,000 compared to net gain of $131,000 in 2015. Other gain (loss), net in 2016 included an $118,000 of net foreign currency transaction gains and a $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts. The primary driver of the net foreign currency transaction gains were the fluctuations in the value of the USD to CNH and fluctuations in the value of the USD to MXN during 2016. The $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts was comprised of a $501,000 realized loss on the settlement of certain forward contracts, which was partially offset by a $488,000 unrealized gain on the remaining outstanding forward contracts. Other gain (loss), net in 2015 included a $131,000 gain on foreign currency forward contracts.

 

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During 2015, the Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements in its forecasted expenses in China and Mexico. The unrealized gains recognized in 2016 and 2015 represent the change in fair value of foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market at quarter end.

Taxes (Continuing Operations)

The effective tax rate from continuing operations during 2016 and 2015 was approximately 34% and 35%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily due to an increase in the federal research and development tax credits and foreign tax credits available in 2016 as compared to 2015, which were partially offset by certain taxes payable adjustments.

Discontinued Operations

Net loss from discontinued operations was $511,000 in 2016 compared to $162,000 in 2015. The loss from discontinued operations during 2016 relates to environmental remediation costs, consulting fees, and legal expenses primarily related to the Company’s Pennsauken site and, to a lesser extent, costs associated with the past operations of the Company’s four other environmental sites (see Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies for further information concerning the environmental sites). The loss from discontinued operations during 2015 relates to environmental remediation costs, consulting fees, and legal expenses associated with the past operations of the Company’s five environmental sites.

Net Income

Net income was $1,596,000, or $0.40 per diluted share, for 2016 compared to $2,546,000, or $0.61 per diluted share, for 2015. The weighted average number of shares used in the diluted earnings per share computation was 3,989,000 and 4,160,000 for 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices. The Company’s significant market risks are primarily associated with commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk include forward-looking statements. These statements are based on certain assumptions with respect to market prices, interest rates and other industry-specific risk factors. To the extent these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, future outcomes may differ materially from those discussed herein.

Commodity Prices:

In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to market risk or price fluctuations related to the purchase of certain raw materials, including copper, steel and certain other non-ferrous metals used as raw materials. These raw materials are subject to price volatility caused by changes in global supply and demand and governmental controls. The Company’s market risk strategy has generally been to obtain competitive prices for its products and services, sourced from more than one vendor, and to allow operating results to reflect market price movements dictated by supply and demand. Also, in certain instances the Company has aligned the volatility of copper prices with sale prices.

 

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In an attempt to limit the volatility of copper costs, the Company has in the past, and may in the future, enter into purchase agreements for copper or other raw materials. As of March 31, 2016, inventory purchase commitments for copper totaled $106,000. As of March 31, 2016, no purchase commitments for copper were greater than two months.

To the extent that the Company has not mitigated our exposure to changing raw material prices, we may not be able to increase our prices to our customers to offset such potential raw material price fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and operating cash flows.

Interest Rates:

The fair value of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, trade payables and short-term borrowings approximate their carrying values and are relatively insensitive to changes in interest rates due to the short-term maturities of these instruments or the variable nature of the associated interest rates.

At March 31, 2016, the Company’s debt was comprised of our 2012 Credit Facility. Accordingly, our 2012 Credit Facility may be relatively sensitive to the effects of interest rate fluctuations. A one percentage point change in our average interest rate would impact annual interest expense by an aggregate of approximately $115,000 based on total debt outstanding at March 31, 2016.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates:

The Company is a USD functional currency entity that manufactures products in the USA, Mexico, China, and the United Kingdom. The Company’s sales are primarily priced and invoiced in U.S. dollars and its costs and expenses are priced in U.S. dollars, Mexican peso (MXN), Chinese yuan (CNH), and the United Kingdom pound (GBP). As a result, the Company has exposure to changes in exchange rates between the time when expenses in the non-functional currencies are initially incurred and the time when the expenses are ultimately paid. The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability and to manage its exposure to foreign exchange risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rates. Foreign currency forward contracts involve fixing the USD-MXN and USD-CNH exchange rates for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date.

 

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During 2015, the Company entered into a series of foreign currency forward contracts to hedge its exposure to foreign exchange rate movements in its forecasted expenses in China and Mexico. The foreign currency forwards are not speculative and are being used to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rate movements. Foreign currency forward contracts involve fixing the USD-MXN and USD-CNH exchange rates for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The Company has elected not to apply hedge accounting to these derivatives and they are marked to market through earnings. Therefore, gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these contracts are recognized at the end of each reporting period directly in earnings. The gains and losses associated with the foreign currency forward contracts are included in other gain (loss), net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of March 31, 2016, the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts was recorded as a $46,000 liability in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts was recorded as a $534,000 liability in other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The decrease in the liability during 2016 was primarily due to the settlement of certain forward currency forward contracts.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company recognized a $13,000 loss on foreign currency forward contracts, which was comprised of a $501,000 realized loss on the settlement of certain forward contracts, partially offset by a $488,000 unrealized gain on the remaining outstanding forward contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recognized a $131,000 gain on foreign currency forward contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, Company also recognized a gain from foreign currency fluctuations totaling $118,000 and $119,000, respectively.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15e and 15d-15e promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

Conclusion of Evaluation

Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

In designing and evaluating the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any control, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

 

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2016 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect its internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 14 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Also, see Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2015, for additional disclosure related to the Company’s legal proceedings.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In evaluating us and our common stock, we urge you to carefully consider the risks and other information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, which we filed with the SEC on March 15, 2016, and as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A, which we filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016. Beyond what is described below, the risks and uncertainties described in “Item 1A – Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, have not materially changed. Any of the risks discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or any of the risks disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, as well as additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations or financial condition.

The Company has entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger pursuant to which an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Handy & Harman Ltd. will acquire and then merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of HNH.

On April 6, 2016, the Company and Handy & Harman Ltd. (HNH), Handy & Harman Group Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of HNH (AcquisitionCo), and SLI Acquisition Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of AcquisitionCo (Merger Sub) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) pursuant to which Merger Sub will acquire and then merge with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and as a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of HNH (the Merger). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the acquisition of the Company will be completed through a cash tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of our common stock at a purchase price of $40.00 per share (the Tender Offer). The Tender Offer commenced on April 21, 2016 and, unless extended, the Tender Offer will expire at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on May 18, 2016. The completion of the Merger and HNH’s obligations under the Tender Offer are conditioned upon certain conditions, and if such conditions are not met, the Merger will not be consummated. No assurances can be given that any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be completed or that the conditions to the Tender Offer will be satisfied. If the Tender Offer or Merger are not successfully completed, we may be subject to the following material risks, among others:

 

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    the Company may not be able to find a party willing to pay an equivalent or more attractive consideration for our common stock than the consideration offered by HNH;

 

    the price of the Company’s common stock may decline to the extent that the current market price of our common stock reflects a higher price than it otherwise would have based on the assumption, among others, that the Tender Offer will be successful or that the Merger will be completed;

 

    certain of the Company’s costs related to the Merger, such as legal, accounting and certain advisory fees, must be paid even if the Merger is not completed;

 

    the Company would not realize the benefits it expects from the Merger;

 

    the diversion of management attention from our day-to-day business and the unavoidable disruption to its employees and its relationships with clients as a result of efforts and uncertainties relating to the Tender Offer and the Merger may detract from our ability to grow revenues and minimize costs, which, in turn may lead to a loss of market position that we could be unable to regain if the Tender Offer is not successful or if Merger does not occur; and

 

    under the Merger Agreement, the Company is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of our business prior to completing the Merger, which may affect our ability to execute certain of our business strategies.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

    2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of April 6, 2016 by and among SL Industries, Inc., Handy & Harman Ltd., Handy & Harman Group Ltd. and SLI Acquisition Co. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2016.
    3.1    Amendment to By-Laws of SL Industries, Inc. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2016.
  10.1    Restricted Stock Unit Grant Letter and Agreement between the Company and each of William Fejes, Jr. and Louis J. Belardi, dated March 11, 2016. Incorporated by reference to form of Grant Letter and Agreement filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 29, 2011. +
  10.2    Tender Agreement dated as of April 6, 2016 between SL Industries, Inc., Handy & Harman Ltd., Handy & Harman Group Ltd., SLI Acquisition Co. and DGT Holdings Corp. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2016.
  31.1    Certification by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
  31.2    Certification by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
  32.1    Certification by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document. *
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. *
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. *
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. *
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. *
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. *

 

* Filed herewith.
+ Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 3, 2016     SL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    (Registrant)
    By:  

/s/ William T. Fejes

      William T. Fejes
      Chief Executive Officer
      (Principal Executive Officer)
    By:  

/s/ Louis J. Belardi

      Louis J. Belardi
      Chief Financial Officer
      (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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