CO M PAN Y P RO FI LE
Founded in 1949, Bel designs,
manufactures and markets a
broad array of products that
power, protect and connect
electronic circuits. These
products are primarily used in the
military, aerospace, networking,
telecommunications, computing,
transportation and broadcasting
industries. Bel’s portfolio of
products also finds applications
in the automotive, medical and
consumer electronics markets.
With 70 years in operation, Bel’s
legacy of innovation continues
to drive success in a wide array
of products. Bel has consistently
proven itself a valuable supplier
to world-class companies by
developing new products with
cost-effective solutions.
30
20
10
0
-10
FI NAN CIAL H I G H LI G HT S
-20
Year Ended December 31,
-30
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Select Statements of Operations Data:
Net sales
-40
Selling, general and administrative expenses
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
$548,184
$491,611 $ 500,153
$567,080
$487,076
79,937
84,655
71,005
77,952
72,061
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Net earnings (loss)
$ 20,709
$ (11,897)
$(64,834)
$ 19,197
$ 8,603
Earnings (Loss) per common share—diluted
-50
Class A
Class B
EBITDA (a)
As of December 31,
-60
-70
(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)
Selected Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital
Total assets
Stockholders’ equity
Book value per share
-80
$ 1.62
$ (0.97) $ (5.25)
$ 1.53
$ 0.69
$ 1.73
$ (0.99) $ (5.48)
$ 1.64
$ 0.75
$ 47,140
$ 37,163 $ (54,112)
$ 56,328
$ 34,115
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
$184,479
$178,799
$163,115
$158,619
$183,459
443,524
176,470
14.39
431,265
426,740
157,960
158,434
13.13
13.17
578,505
233,122
19.63
630,372
224,273
18.91
NET SALES
(dollars in millions)
NET EARNINGS
(dollars in millions)
EBITDA (a)
(dollars in millions)
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in millions)
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’14
’15
’16
’17
’18
’14
’15
’16
’17
’18
’14
’15
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’18
a) EBITDA is our net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization expenses.
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-10
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TO O U R S HAR E H O LD E R S :
Having celebrated Bel’s 70-year anniversary in January 2019, we reflect on
all that has been accomplished and the talented group of associates who
made it possible to not only survive, but to thrive over the decades of ever-
changing technology. Bel was once a manufacturer of a single fuse product
with 200 employees in New Jersey and has grown into a global supplier
with over 8,000 employees in 15 countries, generating almost $550 million in
revenue. In July 2018, we were honored to ring the closing bell in celebration
of Bel’s 35-year listing anniversary with Nasdaq. On this year’s cover, I am
proud to be standing next to our longest tenured associate, Noemi Rolon,
who has been with Bel for 50 years.
2018—A YEAR OF SUCCESS
BEL CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS:
The hard work and dedication of our associates over the
past two years drove positive results on nearly every
level in 2018. Our top line improved by 12%, leading to
the highest net earnings in over a decade. Bookings of
new orders also remained strong throughout the year.
Our backlog of orders at the end of 2018 was 17% higher
than the 2017 year-end level which is a good indication of
future growth.
We continue to benefit from our partnerships with key
global distributors across each of our product groups.
Our catalog distributors saw double-digit sales growth
during 2018. As they are the primary source for engineers
to purchase components for their prototype products,
this should lead to future revenue growth.
Stronger sales during the year helped to mitigate some
of the margin pressure that resulted from higher raw
material and labor costs. By the fourth quarter of 2018, we
also began to realize cost savings from the realignment
of our R&D resources and transitioning the outsourced
manufacturing of our DC-DC converters in-house.
Much progress was made during 2018 on the
implementation of our ERP system, the first phase of
which went live in early 2019. The new ERP system
is designed to improve the efficiency of our supply
chain and financial transaction processes, and provide
information important to the operation of the business to
our management team. The other phases of this project
will largely leverage Bel’s trained internal resources
which should result in lower implementation costs going
forward, including the elimination of redundant systems.
In relation to the first phase completed, we anticipate
annualized cost savings of approximately $1.3 million
beginning in the second quarter of 2019.
Cinch Connectivity Solutions (CCS)
In 2018, the CCS business saw continued growth in both
the military and distribution market segments, with
distribution sales improving in all areas. In addition, value-
add distribution rebounded well over 2017 with renewed
military program awards and commercial air expansion.
Funding of key military programs in all branches
provided the opportunity for further growth in 2018.
Applications with significant gains were in munitions,
encryption, field-deployed communications and radar.
In munitions, Aim-9X, Patriot and Hellfire missiles saw
steady growth. Continued development and deployment
of fiber in radar applications is a growth sector within
the military space. We anticipate significant awards for
the new 10G transceivers in 2019 that will support further
growth in this segment.
During 2018, the transportation segment continued to
grow with applications in trucking and agriculture. The
oil and gas market continued to recover yet still not near
its heyday. Looking forward, the convergence of leading-
edge markets, such as 5G, factory automation and
robotics, and the Internet of Things, should result in
the industrial space seeing long-term growth.
CCS new product development activity focused on next-
generation modular rectangular aerospace connectors,
as well as custom engineered solutions for our strategic
military customer segment on key programs such as JSF,
MFoCS and F16. These products will further strengthen
our solid position on key programs and platforms with
secure funding and growth potential in 2019. Harsh
environment fiber optic products and copper-based
solutions for our OEM customers, and new standard
products for our distribution partners addressing the
2
2 emerging high-frequency 5G market, continue to be
focused elements of our product development efforts.
Stewart Connector
In 2018, Stewart Connector continued the expansion of
RJ45 connectors for harsh environment applications.
The demand for ruggedized RJ45 connectivity is
driven by the deployment of Ethernet applications in
non-traditional environments. Focus markets for these
connectors include transportation, energy, wireless,
industrial and security.
Stewart Connector released numerous RJ45 connector
products in 2018 to support the expansion of 10 Gigabit
Ethernet networking products for datacenter and
enterprise applications. As data rate requirements
continue to increase, 10 Gigabit Ethernet over RJ45
connectivity is the fastest growing networking option.
Development of RJ45 connectivity to support next-
generation Ethernet speeds will continue in 2019.
In 2018, we successfully completed our ISO 9001:2015
certification and expanded our distribution network for
our Stewart products. We continue to participate in
key standards committees such as TIA, IEC, and IEEE
to insure our product development is compliant with
current and future industry standards.
BEL MAGNETIC SOLUTIONS:
Integrated Connector Modules (ICMs)
In 2018, Bel Magnetic Solutions released a line of single-
port and four-port 1GBaseT and 10GBaseT compatible
ICMs targeting the Open Compute Project’s revision
3.0 server release platforms. These unique connectors
will be used in next-generation Cloud and Enterprise
Switching systems. We also designed and released for
production several 10GBaseT 100W ICMs for the new
5G cellular deployment that will propel forward the
mobile smart phone industry like we have never seen
before. Bel along with TRP Connector released into the
distribution channel a line of highly durable ICMs for
broad use, a series of highly functional Industrial Ethernet
ICMs, several new Broadcom-compatible 10GBaseT ICMs
and two new Automotive-compatible ICMs for use in
Automotive Ethernet applications.
Our R&D team continues to work closely with our
Ethernet PHY partners to complete reference designs
for new, lower power consuming transceivers that will
drive forward multi-speed Ethernet for broader customer
adoption. Several reference designs were released with
Bel ICMs for automotive applications and we started a
10GBaseT, 100W midspan reference design.
The ICM operation teams expanded the main automated
production lines at both factories to support a historical
year for overall port output. We started investigating
alternative manufacturing locations for labor rate control
and continued to work with suppliers on enhanced auto-
winding machines for new and existing technologies. The
SFP+ module production line was finally operational, and
orders started coming in for the new modules.
Our goals in 2019 are to broaden our 100W PoE product
offering and our Automotive-ICM product offerings
as more customers look to add these features to the
products and also to begin volume production of Open
Compute 3.0 ICMs and expand production of 100W ICMs.
In the distribution channel, we plan to release several
USB2.0 and 3.0 Combination ICMs along with 100W PoE
ICMs and additional Automotive-compatible ICMs.
Signal Transformer
In 2018, our Signal group had its strongest sales year
since Bel acquired the business in 2003. Throughout the
year, we continued to broaden Signal’s product mix and
customer base by focusing on automation of processes
and the expansion of customization capabilities. Signal’s
flexibility in customizing products has won new customers
and enhanced their custom product offering. With the
addition of automated processes, we were able to reduce
lead times and shift some of the manufacturing from China
and the U.S. to the Dominican Republic. The expansion
of custom capabilities on a broad range for products
increased capabilities for surface mount inductors, high
current inductors and chokes, drum core inductors,
solenoids, industrial control transformers, and single/
three phase transformers. Their deep knowledge of safety
agency certification processes has continued to win new
customers, facilitates faster product launch to market, and
support customers with next-generation products.
POWER SOLUTIONS AND PROTECTION:
Bel Power Solutions (BPS)
Within our BPS group, revenue gains came across all
major product groups including Front-End Power,
Board-Mount Power and Industrial products. Front-End
Power is the largest product group within BPS and also
provided the largest revenue growth in 2018. Investments
into standard products for Open Compute Project
(OCP), datacenter and cloud computing continued
to generate strong results. Many of these products
were successfully leveraged into applications utilizing
blockchain technology for cyber security, crypto-
currency, AI and other applications. BPS continues to
demonstrate technology leadership with new front-end
products that exceed 60 watts per cubic inch power
density and the highest efficiencies in the market.
The Board-Mount Power product group saw upside from
some key accounts that drove growth in 2018. Focused
on new technologies, BPS became a founding member of
3
3
the Power Stamp Alliance (PSA), which was announced
in March at the OCP show in Santa Clara, CA. The PSA
was created to define a standard product footprint and
functions that provide a multiple-sourced, standard
modular board-mounted solution for power conversion
for 48Vin to low-voltage, high-current applications.
The Industrial product group saw success highlighted
by growth in the Railway and eMobility markets.
New products for the Railway market including
Railway Chassis Mount products and battery chargers
contributed to the double-digit percent growth for this
product segment. Several new eMobility customers
ramped to mass production in 2018, leading to sales
growth of $2.1 million, or over 60%, for product going
into our eMobility end market. Hybrid and electric mining
vehicles, autonomous vehicles, work trucks, delivery
vehicles and marine vehicles are all examples
of emerging applications that BPS powers today.
BPS enters 2019 with a strong backlog, a more robust
portfolio and an improved opportunity funnel. Many
design wins in key segments such as datacenters, OCP,
blockchain, railway, eMobility and others are expected
to ramp up and fuel continued growth in this business.
Excellent technology and a strong emphasis on standard
platforms to service key market segments will remain
the focus for BPS.
Custom Modules
The Custom Modules group continues to identify and
execute upon a diverse range of leading-edge
products and technologies. The group uses its extensive
expertise in electronics and circuit board design to
provide custom solutions that incorporate many of
Bel’s own product lines, including circuit protection,
magnetics, connectivity and power. This approach
increases the ASP (Average Selling Price) available
to Bel for any given design opportunity.
In 2018, the group continued to focus its efforts
on developing products that provide a network of
connected devices and other items commonly referred
to as IoT (Internet of Things). In addition, the team has
worked closely with a pioneering Silicon Valley startup
to launch a revolutionary Smart Home product to control
lighting within the home. Following on from the initial
market launch, the focus on the latest designs will
be targeted for the industrial market beginning with
high-rises and hotel chains in Asia.
For 2019, the group plans to ramp production on
its popular 500Mbps Embedded Powerline Module
launched in 2017. There is considerable interest and
potential growth in the traffic control market. Adding
to the Bel IP will be the GreenPHY Embedded Powerline
Module, which expands the portfolio into the Smart
Home and Smart Vehicle arenas.
4
Circuit Protection
Circuit Protection had another solid year of growth in
2018. Three additional series of higher voltage/higher
amperage fuses were introduced, allowing us to further
expand into new markets. We launched seven series
of resettable PTCs and two additional automated
fuse series. This continued our long-term strategy of
automating production to replace existing designs that
have widespread print position in multiple markets.
A number of fuses and PTCs with AEC-Q200
qualification for the automotive industry will be
introduced in 2019. Additionally, there will be a continued
effort in R&D to introduce more automated designs and
broaden the Circuit Protection portfolio to include higher
amp/voltage rated “Power” fuses.
2019 OUTLOOK:
In 2019, our focus will continue to be on sales and
maintaining a strong pipeline of orders and we are
cautiously optimistic for continued year-over-year sales
growth through the early part of the year. There has
been some relief in availability and pricing of passive
components and capacitors in early 2019 as compared
to 2018 levels though pricing remains high compared to
pre-2018 levels. Our material costs as a percentage of
sales will continue to be elevated during the first half of
2019 as we work through our higher-cost inventory on
hand. There will also be further cost challenges related
to labor costs in 2019, particularly in Mexico where an
increase in minimum wage took effect on January 1,
2019. As always, our management team will continue to
evaluate the cost structure of the business in an effort to
preserve our margins during these times of rising costs.
As we celebrate our 70th year in business, we would
like to thank all of our associates around the world for
the dedication and hard work that fueled Bel’s success
throughout the years and keeps Bel on the cutting edge
of next-generation technology.
Sincerely,
Daniel Bernstein
President and Chief Executive
Officer
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
(MARK ONE)
FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2018
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the transition period from ___________ to ____________
Commission File No. 0-11676
_____________________
BEL FUSE INC.
206 Van Vorst Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(201) 432-0463
(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
NEW JERSEY
(State of incorporation)
22-1463699
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Class A Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
Class B Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
Name of Each Exchange
on which Registered
NASDAQ Global Select Market
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act.
Yes [ ]
No [X]
Indicate by checkmark if the registrant is not required to file reports to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.
Yes [ ]
No [X]
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 every Interactive Data File
required to be submitted 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 such files).
Yes [X]
No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K
(§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's
knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.
[X]
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated
filer [ ]
Accelerated
filer [X]
Non-accelerated
filer [ ]
Smaller reporting
company [X]
Emerging growth
company [ ]
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the
extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided
pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
[ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes [ ]
No [X]
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant held by non-affiliates (for this purpose,
persons and entities other than executive officers and directors) of the registrant, as of the last business day of the registrant's most
recently completed second fiscal quarter (June 30, 2018) was $237.6 million based on the closing sale price as reported on the
NASDAQ Global Select Market.
Title of Each Class
Class A Common Stock
Class B Common Stock
Number of Shares of Common Stock
Outstanding as of March 1, 2019
2,174,912
10,089,852
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of Bel Fuse Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference
into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
BEL FUSE INC.
INDEX
Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Part I
Item 1.
Business
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 2.
Properties
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Item 9B.
Other Information
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related
Stockholder Matters
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 16.
Form 10-K Summary
Signatures
Page
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16
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69
CAUTIONARY NOTICE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The terms the “Company,” “Bel,” “we,” “us,” and “our” as used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) refer to Bel Fuse
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise specified.
The Company’s consolidated operating results are affected by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect
revenues and profitability, including the risk factors described in Item 1A of this Form 10-K. As a result of these and other factors, the
Company may experience material fluctuations in future operating results on a quarterly or annual basis, which could materially and
adversely affect its business, consolidated financial condition, operating results, and common stock prices. Furthermore, this document
and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) contain certain forward-looking
statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Forward-Looking Statements”) with respect to the business of
the Company. Forward-Looking Statements are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control,
that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Forward-Looking Statements can be identified by such words
as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plan,” “assumes,” “could,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “potential,” “seek,” “predict,”
“may,” “will” and similar references to future periods. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report
regarding our strategies, prospects, financial condition, operations, costs, plans and objectives are Forward-Looking Statements. These
Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Item 1A. of this Form 10-K, which
could cause actual results to differ materially from these Forward-Looking Statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to
publicly release the results of any revisions to these Forward-Looking Statements which may be necessary to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Any Forward-Looking Statement made by the
Company is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made.
-1-
Item 1. Business
PART I
Bel Fuse Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These
products are primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, military, aerospace, transportation and broadcasting
industries. Bel’s portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical and consumer electronics markets.
With 70 years in operation, Bel has reliably demonstrated the ability to succeed in a variety of product areas across a global platform.
The Company has a strong track record of technical innovation working with the engineering teams of market leaders. Bel has
consistently proven itself a valuable supplier to world-class companies by developing new products with cost effective solutions.
The Company, which is organized under New Jersey law, operates in one industry with three reportable operating segments, North
America, Asia and Europe (representing 50%, 34% and 16% of the Company’s 2018 sales, respectively). Bel’s principal executive
offices are located at 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302, and Bel’s telephone number is (201) 432-0463. The Company
operates facilities in North America, Europe and Asia and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (ticker symbols BELFA and
BELFB). For information regarding Bel's three geographic operating segments, see Note 12, “Segments”, of the notes to our
consolidated financial statements. Hereinafter, all references to “Note” will refer to the notes to our consolidated financial statements
included in Part II, Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisitions have played a critical role in the growth of Bel and the expansion of both our product portfolio and our customer base and
continue to be a key element in our growth strategy. We may, from time to time, purchase equity positions in companies that are potential
merger candidates. We frequently evaluate possible merger candidates that would provide such potential benefits as an expanded
product and technology base that would allow us to expand the breadth of our product offerings to our strategic customers and/or provide
an opportunity to reduce overall operating expense as a percentage of revenue. We also consider factors such as whether such possible
merger candidates are positioned to take advantage of our lower cost offshore manufacturing facilities, and whether a cultural fit would
allow the acquired company to be integrated smoothly and efficiently.
On June 19, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Power-One Power Solutions
business (“Power Solutions”) of ABB Ltd (“ABB”). On July 25, 2014, we completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of the U.S. and U.K. Connectivity Solutions businesses from Emerson Electric Co. (“Emerson”). On August
29, 2014, we completed the acquisition of the Connectivity Solutions business in China from Emerson (collectively with the U.S. and
U.K. portion of the transaction, “Connectivity Solutions”). The acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions may
hereafter be referred to collectively as either the “2014 Acquisitions” or the “2014 Acquired Companies”.
Products
Bel’s three reportable operating segments, North America, Asia and Europe, manufacture and sell, or participate in the manufacturing
and sale of, the following products:
Magnetic Solutions
Bel’s Magnetics offers industry leading products. The Company’s ICM products integrate RJ45 connectors with discrete magnetic
components to provide a more robust part that allows customers to substantially reduce board space and inventory requirements. Power
Transformers include standard and custom designs for use in industrial instrumentation, alarm and security systems, motion control,
elevators, and medical products.
-2-
Product Line
Function
Applications
Brands Sold Under
Integrated Connector
Modules (ICMs)
Condition, filter, and isolate the
electronic signal to ensure accurate
data/voice/video transmission and
provide RJ45 and USB connectivity.
Power Transformers
Safety isolation and distribution.
SMD Power Inductors &
SMPS Transformers
A passive component that stores energy
in a magnetic field. Widely used in
analog electronic circuitry.
Network switches, routers, hubs, and PCs
used in multi-speed Gigabit Ethernet,
Power over Ethernet (PoE), PoE Plus and
home networking applications.
Power supplies, alarm, fire detection, and
security systems, HVAC, lighting and
medical equipment. Class 2, three phase,
chassis mount, and PC mount designs
available.
Switchmode power supplies, DC-DC
converters, LED lighting, automotive and
consumer electronics.
s
n
o
i
t
u
l
o
S
c
i
t
e
n
g
a
M
Discrete Components-
Telecom
Condition, filter, and isolate the
electronic signal to ensure accurate
data/voice/video transmission.
Network switches, routers, hubs, and PCs
used in multi-speed Gigabit Ethernet and
Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Bel, TRP Connector®, MagJack®
Signal
Signal
Bel
Power Solutions & Protection
Bel’s power conversion products include AC-DC power supplies, DC-DC converters and battery charging solutions. The primary AC-
DC product lines consist of front ends and shelves, industrial, railway and eMobility products. The DC-DC product offering consists
of standard and custom isolated and non-isolated DC-DC converters designed specifically to power low voltage silicon devices or
provide regulated mid-bus voltages. The DC-DC converters are used in data networking equipment, distributed power architecture, and
telecommunication devices, as well as data storage systems, computers and peripherals. Opportunities for the DC-DC products also
extend into industrial applications.
Bel circuit protection products include board level fuses (miniature, micro and surface mount), and Polymeric PTC (Positive
Temperature Coefficient) devices, designed for the global electronic and telecommunication markets.
Product Line
Function
Applications
Brands Sold Under
Front-End Power Supplies
Board-Mount Power
Products
Provides the primary point of isolation
between AC main line (input) and the
low-voltage DC output that is used to
power all electronics downstream
These are designed to be mounted on a
circuit board. These converters take
input voltage and provide localized on-
board power to low-voltage electronics.
Servers, telecommunication, network and
data storage equipment
Bel Power Solutions
Telecommunication, networking and a
broad range of industrial applications
Bel Power Solutions, MelcherTM
Bel Power Solutions, MelcherTM
Industrial Power Products
Converts between AC main line inputs
and a wide variety of DC output
voltages.
Rail, transportation, automation, test and
measurement, medical, military and
aerospace applications.
Module Products
Condition, filter, and isolate the
electronic signal to ensure accurate
data/voice/video transmission within a
highly integrated, reduced footprint.
Broadband equipment, home networking,
set top boxes, and telecom equipment
supporting ISDN, T1/E1 and DSL
technologies. Industrial applications
include Smart Meters, Smart Grid
communication platforms, vehicle
communications and traffic management.
Circuit Protection
Protects devices by preventing current in
an electrical circuit from exceeding
acceptable levels.
Power supplies, cell phone chargers,
consumer electronics, and battery
protection.
Bel
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Connectivity Solutions
Bel offers a comprehensive line of high speed and harsh environment copper and optical fiber connectors and integrated assemblies,
which provide connectivity for a wide range of applications across multiple industries including commercial aerospace, military
communications, network infrastructure, structured building cabling and several industrial applications.
Product Line
Expanded Beam Fiber
Optic Connectors, Cable
Assemblies and Active
Optical Devices
(transceivers and media
converters)
Function
Applications
Brands Sold Under
Stratos®, Fibreco®
Harsh-environment, high-reliability,
flight-grade optical connectivity for
high-speed communications.
Military/aerospace, oil and gas well
monitoring and exploration, broadcast,
communications, RADAR
Copper-based Connectors /
Cable Assemblies-FQIS
Harsh-environment, high-reliability
connectivity and fuel quantity
monitoring (FQIS).
Avionics, smart munitions,
communications, radar and various
industrial equipment
Cinch®
RF Connectors, Cable
Assemblies, Microwave
Devices and Low Loss
Cable
Connectors and cable assemblies
designed to provide connectivity within
radio frequency (RF) applications.
Military/aerospace, test and measurement,
high-frequency and wireless
communications
RJ Connectors and Cable
Assemblies
RJ45 and RJ11 connectivity for
data/voice/video transmission.
Largely Ethernet applications including
network routers, hubs, switches, and
patch panels; and emerging internet-of-
things (IoT) applications
Johnson, Trompeter, Midwest
MicrowaveTM, Semflex®
Stewart Connector
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Sales and Marketing
We sell our products to customers throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Sales are made through one of three channels: direct
strategic account managers, regional sales managers working with independent sales representative organizations or authorized
distributors. Bel's strategic account managers are assigned to handle major accounts requiring global coordination.
Independent sales representatives and authorized distributors are overseen by the Company's sales management personnel located
throughout the world. As of December 31, 2018, we had a sales and support staff of 199 persons that supported a network of sales
representative organizations and non-exclusive distributors. We have written agreements with all of our sales representative
organizations and most of our major distributors. These written agreements, terminable on short notice by either party, are standard in
the industry.
Sales support functions have also been established and located in our international facilities to provide timely, efficient support for
customers. This supplemental level of service, in addition to first-line sales support, enables us to be more responsive to customers’
needs on a global level. Our marketing capabilities include product management which drives new product development, application
engineering for technical support and marketing communications.
For information regarding customer concentrations, see Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Other Matters – Revenue Recognition.”
Research and Development (“R&D”)
Our engineering groups are strategically located around the world to facilitate communication with and access to customers’ engineering
personnel. This collaborative approach enables partnerships with customers for technical development efforts. On occasion, we execute
non-disclosure agreements with customers to help develop proprietary, next generation products destined for rapid deployment.
We also sponsor membership in technical organizations that allow our engineers to participate in developing standards for emerging
technologies. It is management’s opinion that this participation is critical in establishing credibility and a reputable level of expertise in
the marketplace, as well as positioning the Company as an industry leader in new product development.
R&D costs are expensed as incurred and are included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, R&D is
performed internally for the benefit of the Company. R&D costs include salaries, building maintenance and utilities, rents, materials,
administrative costs and miscellaneous other items.
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Competition
We operate in a variety of markets, all of which are highly competitive. There are numerous independent companies and divisions of
major companies that manufacture products that are competitive with one or more of our products.
Our ability to compete is dependent upon several factors including product performance, quality, reliability, depth of product line,
customer service, technological innovation, design, delivery time and price. Overall financial stability and global presence also give us
a favorable position in relation to many of our competitors. Management intends to maintain a strong competitive posture in the markets
we serve by continued expansion of our product lines and ongoing investment in research, development and manufacturing resources.
Associates
As of December 31, 2018, we employed 8,098 full-time associates, an increase of 607 full-time associates from December 31, 2017. At
December 31, 2018, we employed 1,591 people at our North American facilities, 5,609 people at our Asian facilities and 898 people at
our European facilities, excluding 907 workers supplied by independent contractors. Our manufacturing facility in New York is
represented by a labor union and all factory workers in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), Worksop, England and Reynosa,
Mexico are represented by unions. While the majority of our manufacturing associates are members of workers unions, approximately
500 associates worldwide are covered by collective bargaining agreements expiring within one year. We believe that our relations with
our associates are satisfactory.
Raw Materials and Sourcing
We have multiple suppliers for most of the raw materials that we purchase. Where possible, we have contractual agreements with
suppliers to assure a continuing supply of critical components.
With respect to those items which are purchased from single sources, we believe that comparable items would be available in the event
that there was a termination of our existing business relationships with any such supplier. While such a termination could produce a
disruption in production, we believe that the termination of business with any one of our suppliers would not have a material adverse
effect on our long-term operations. Actual experience could differ materially from this belief as a result of a number of factors, including
the time required to locate an alternative supplier, and the nature of the demand for our products. In the past, we have experienced
shortages in certain raw materials, such as capacitors, ferrites and integrated circuits (“IC’s”), when these materials were in great demand.
Even though we may have more than one supplier for certain materials, it is possible that these materials may not be available to us in
sufficient quantities or at the times desired by us. In the event that the current economic conditions have a negative impact on the
financial condition of our suppliers, this may impact the availability and cost of our raw materials.
Backlog
We typically manufacture products against firm orders and projected usage by customers. Cancellation and return arrangements are
either negotiated by us on a transactional basis or contractually determined. We estimate the value of the backlog of orders as of
February 28, 2019 to be approximately $174.4 million as compared with a backlog of $168.6 million as of February 28, 2018.
Management expects that approximately 89% of the Company's backlog as of February 28, 2019 will be shipped by December 31, 2019.
Factors that could cause the Company to fail to ship all such orders by year-end include unanticipated supply difficulties, changes in
customer demand and new customer designs. Due to these factors, backlog may not be a reliable indicator of the timing of future sales.
See Item 1A of this Annual Report - "Risk Factors - Our backlog figures may not be reliable indicators."
Intellectual Property
We have acquired or been granted a number of patents in the U.S., Europe and Asia and have additional patent applications pending
relating to our products. While we believe that the issued patents are defendable and that the pending patent applications relate to
patentable inventions, there can be no assurance that a patent will be obtained from the applications or that our existing patents can be
successfully defended. It is management's opinion that the successful continuation and operation of our business does not depend upon
the ownership of patents or the granting of pending patent applications, but upon the innovative skills, technical competence and
marketing and managerial abilities of our personnel. Our U.S. design patents have a life of 14 years and our U.S. utility patents have a
life of 17 years from the date of issue or 20 years from filing of patent applications. Our existing patents expire on various dates from
April 2019 to February 2036.
We utilize registered trademarks in the U.S., Europe and Asia to identify various products that we manufacture. The trademarks survive
as long as they are in use and the registrations of these trademarks are renewed.
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Available Information
We maintain a website at www.belfuse.com where we make available the proxy statements, press releases, registration statements and
reports on Forms 3, 4, 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q that we (and in the case of Section 16 reports, our insiders) file with the SEC. These forms
are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Press releases
are also issued via electronic transmission to provide access to our financial and product news, and we provide notification of and access
to voice and internet broadcasts of our quarterly and annual results. Our website also includes investor presentations and corporate
governance materials.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The risks described below should be carefully considered before making an investment decision. These are the risk factors that we
consider to be the most significant risk factors, but they are not the only risk factors that should be considered in making an investment
decision. This Form 10-K also contains Forward-Looking Statements that involve risks and uncertainties. See the “Cautionary Notice
Regarding Forward-Looking Information,” above. Our business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected by any of the risk factors described below, under “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
Information” or with respect to specific Forward-Looking Statements presented herein. The trading price of our securities could decline
due to any of these risks, and investors in our securities may lose all or part of their investment. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business in the future.
We conduct business in a highly competitive industry.
Our business is largely in a highly competitive worldwide industry, with relatively low barriers to competitive entry. We compete
principally on the basis of product performance, quality, reliability, depth of product line, customer service, technological innovation,
design, delivery time and price. The industry in which we operate has become increasingly concentrated and globalized in recent years
and our major competitors, some of which are larger than Bel, have significant financial resources and technological capabilities.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy
our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating
performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative,
regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient
to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems
and could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or operations, seek additional
debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative measures on
commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, those alternative actions may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt
service obligations. Our credit agreement restricts our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from those dispositions and may
also restrict our ability to raise debt or equity capital to be used to repay other indebtedness when it becomes due. We may not be able
to consummate those dispositions or to obtain proceeds in an amount sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due.
In addition, we conduct a substantial portion of our operations through our subsidiaries, certain of which are not guarantors of our
indebtedness. Accordingly, repayment of our indebtedness is dependent on the generation of cash flow by our subsidiaries and their
ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors of our indebtedness, our
subsidiaries do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on indebtedness or to make funds available for that purpose. Our subsidiaries
may not be able to, or may not be permitted to, make distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness. Each
subsidiary is a distinct legal entity, and, under certain circumstances, legal and contractual restrictions may limit our ability to obtain
cash from our subsidiaries. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to make required
principal and interest payments on our indebtedness.
Our inability to generate sufficient cash flows to satisfy our debt obligations, or to refinance our indebtedness on commercially
reasonable terms or at all, would materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default, the lenders under the credit agreement could terminate their
commitments to loan money, the lenders could foreclose against the assets securing their borrowings and we could be forced into
bankruptcy or liquidation.
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Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase
significantly.
Borrowings under our credit facility are at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt
service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness will increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net
earnings and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. As of December 31,
2018, we had $116.0 million of borrowings under our credit facility at a variable interest rate. A 1% increase or decrease in the assumed
interest rates on the senior secured credit facilities would result in a $1.1 million increase or decrease in annual interest expense.
Our high level of indebtedness could negatively impact our access to the capital markets and our ability to satisfy financial covenants
under our existing credit agreement.
We incurred substantial amounts of indebtedness to fund the acquisitions of Power Solutions and Connectivity Solutions in 2014, and
we may need to incur additional indebtedness to finance operations or for other general corporate purposes. Our consolidated principal
amount of outstanding indebtedness was $116.0 million at December 31, 2018, resulting in a leverage ratio of 2.18x adjusted EBITDA,
as calculated in accordance with our credit agreement. Accordingly, our U.S. debt service requirements are significant in relation to our
U.S. net sales and cash flow. This leverage exposes us to risk in the event of downturns in our business, in our industry or in the
economy generally, and may impair our operating flexibility and our ability to compete effectively. Our current credit agreement
requires us to maintain a certain covenant leverage ratio, and the ratio becomes more restrictive at specific dates during the term. If we
do not continue to satisfy this required ratio or receive waivers from our lenders, we will be in default under the credit agreement, which
could result in an accelerated maturity of our debt obligations.
Our backlog figures may not be reliable indicators.
Many of the orders that comprise our backlog may be delayed, accelerated or canceled by customers without penalty. Customers may
on occasion double order from multiple sources to ensure timely delivery when lead times are particularly long. Customers often cancel
orders when business is weak and inventories are excessive. Therefore, we cannot be certain that the amount of our backlog equals or
exceeds the level of orders that will ultimately be delivered. Our results of operations could be adversely impacted if customers cancel
a material portion of orders in our backlog.
There are several factors which can cause us to lower our prices or otherwise cause our margins to suffer.
Our prices and/or margins could be substantially impacted by the following factors:
The average selling prices for our products tend to decrease over their life cycles, and customers put pressure on suppliers to lower
a)
prices even when production costs are increasing. Our profits suffer if we are not able to reduce our costs of production, introduce
technological innovations as sales prices decline, or pass through cost increases to customers.
b) Any drop in demand for our products or increase in supply of competitive products could cause a dramatic drop in our average
sales prices which in turn could result in a decrease in our gross margins. A shift in product mix could also have an unfavorable or
favorable impact on our gross margins, depending upon the underlying raw material content and labor requirements of the associated
products.
Increased competition from low cost suppliers around the world has put further pressures on pricing. We continually strive to
c)
lower our costs, negotiate better pricing for components and raw materials and improve our operating efficiencies. Profit margins will
be materially and adversely impacted if we are not able to reduce our costs of production or introduce technological innovations when
sales prices decline.
Our annual effective income tax rate can change materially as a result of changes in our mix of U.S. and foreign earnings and
other factors, including changes in tax laws and changes made by regulatory authorities.
Our overall effective income tax rate is equal to our total tax expense as a percentage of total earnings before tax. However, income tax
expense and benefits are not recognized on a global basis but rather on a jurisdictional or legal entity basis. Losses in one jurisdiction
may not be used to offset profits in other jurisdictions and may cause an increase in our tax rate. Changes in statutory tax rates and laws,
as well as ongoing audits by domestic and international authorities, could affect the amount of income taxes and other taxes paid by us.
Also, changes in the mix of earnings (or losses) between jurisdictions and assumptions used in the calculation of income taxes, among
other factors, could have a significant effect on our overall effective income tax rate. In addition, our effective tax rate would increase
if we were unable to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain jurisdictions, or if we were otherwise required to increase our
valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets.
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We are subject to taxation in multiple jurisdictions. As a result, any adverse development in the tax laws of any of these jurisdictions
or any disagreement with our tax positions could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or
results of operations.
We are subject to taxation in, and to the tax laws and regulations of, multiple jurisdictions as a result of the international scope of our
operations and our corporate and financing structure. We are also subject to transfer pricing laws with respect to our intercompany
transactions, including those relating to the flow of funds among our companies. Adverse developments in these laws or regulations, or
any change in position regarding the application, administration or interpretation thereof, in any applicable jurisdiction, could have a
material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or results of our operations. In addition, the tax authorities in
any applicable jurisdiction, including the United States, may disagree with the positions we have taken or intend to take regarding the
tax treatment or characterization of any of our transactions. If any applicable tax authorities, including U.S. tax authorities, were to
successfully challenge the tax treatment or characterization of any of our transactions, it could have a material adverse effect on our
business, consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of our operations.
Our business may be materially affected by changes to fiscal and tax policies. Negative or unexpected tax consequences could
materially adversely affect our results of operations.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
(the “Tax Act”) which includes significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax system. The effect of the international provisions
of the Tax Act resulted in a one-time deemed repatriation tax on unremitted foreign earnings and profits (a “transition tax”). At
December 31, 2017, we had made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition
tax in connection with which we recognized a provisional amount of $18.1 million, which was included as a component of income tax
expense from continuing operations. On the basis of revised computations that were completed during the year ended December 31,
2018, the Company recognized a measurement-period adjustment reducing the deemed repatriation tax by $2.6 million, resulting in a
reduction of the Company’s provisional estimate from $18.1 million to $15.5 million. Any further changes to fiscal and tax policies
could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition or consolidated results of operations.
In the PRC, we are challenged to match availability of workers and maintain lead times in line with customer demand for certain of
our products, which demand has been highly volatile in recent years. This volatility can materially adversely affect Bel’s results.
In the PRC, the availability of labor is cyclical and is significantly affected by the migration of workers in relation to the annual Lunar
New Year holiday as well as economic conditions in the PRC. In addition, we have little visibility into the ordering habits of our
customers and can be subjected to large and unpredictable variations in demand for our products. Accordingly, we must continually
recruit and train new workers to replace those lost to attrition each year and to address peaks in demand that may occur from time to
time. These recruiting and training efforts and related inefficiencies, as well as overtime required in order to meet demand, can add
volatility to the costs incurred by the Company for labor in the PRC.
Increases in minimum wage rates in the PRC and Mexico will have an unfavorable impact on our profit margins.
Approximately one-third of our total sales are generated from labor intensive magnetic products, which are primarily manufactured in
the PRC. Minimum wage rates in the PRC, which are mandated by the government, were increased in 2018 in each of the regions in
which Bel’s products are manufactured. This was the primary driver of higher labor costs in 2018 at 11.5% of sales as compared to
10.8% of sales in 2017. In addition, the government in Mexico issued increases to the minimum wage rates effective January 1, 2019
which will impact our labor rates at both of our manufacturing facilities in Mexico. We anticipate the higher wage rates in Mexico will
result in approximately $0.4 million of incremental labor costs in 2019. These and any future increases in minimum wage rates will
have an unfavorable impact on our profit margins.
We are dependent on our ability to develop new products.
Our future operating results are dependent, in part, on our ability to develop, produce and market new and more technologically advanced
products. There are numerous risks inherent in this process, including the risks that we will be unable to anticipate the direction of
technological change or that we will be unable to timely develop and bring to market new products and applications to meet customers’
changing needs.
Our insurance policies may not cover all operating risks and a casualty loss beyond the limits of our coverage could adversely impact
our business.
Our business is subject to operating hazards and risks relating to handling, storing, transporting and use of the products we sell. We
maintain insurance policies in amounts and with coverage and deductibles that we believe are reasonable and prudent. Nevertheless, our
insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect us from all liabilities and expenses that may arise from claims for personal injury or
death or property damage arising in the ordinary course of business, and our current levels of insurance may not be maintained or
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available in the future at economical prices. If a significant liability claim is brought against us that is not adequately covered by
insurance, we may have to pay the claim with our own funds, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated
financial condition or results of operations.
Our acquisitions may not produce the anticipated results.
A significant portion of our growth has been attributable to acquisitions. We cannot assure that we will identify or successfully complete
transactions with suitable acquisition candidates in the future. If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or cannot be
successfully integrated with our other businesses, our results of operations, enterprise value, market value and prospects could all be
materially and adversely affected. Integration of new acquisitions into our consolidated operations may result in lower average operating
results for the group as a whole, and may divert management’s focus from the ongoing operations of the Company during the integration
period.
Our strategy also focuses on the reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses through the integration or elimination of
redundant sales facilities and administrative functions at acquired companies. If we are unable to achieve our expectations with respect
to our acquisitions, such inability could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations. If the acquisitions fail to perform
up to our expectations, or if there is further weakening of economic conditions, we could be required to record impairment charges.
We may not achieve all of the expected benefits from our restructuring programs.
We have implemented a number of restructuring programs in recent years and we may continue to restructure or rationalize our
operations in future periods. These programs include various cost savings, the consolidation of certain facilities and the reduction of
headcount. We make certain assumptions in estimating the anticipated savings we expect to achieve under such programs, which include
the estimated savings from the elimination of certain headcount and the consolidation of facilities. These assumptions may turn out to
be incorrect due to a variety of factors. In addition, our ability to realize the expected benefits from these programs is subject to significant
business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unsuccessful in
implementing these programs or if we do not achieve our expected results, our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely
affected or our business operations could be disrupted.
The global nature of our operations exposes us to numerous risks that could materially adversely affect our consolidated financial
condition and results of operations.
We operate in 15 countries, and our products are distributed in those countries as well as in other parts of the world. A large portion of
our manufacturing operations are located outside of the United States and a large portion of our sales are generated outside of the United
States. Operations outside of the United States, particularly operations in developing regions, are subject to various risks that may not
be present or as significant for our U.S. operations. Economic uncertainty in some of the geographic regions in which we operate,
including developing regions, could result in the disruption of commerce and negatively impact cash flows from our operations in those
areas.
Risks inherent in our international operations include:
•
•
•
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foreign exchange controls and tax rates;
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, including devaluations;
the potential for changes in regional and local economic conditions, including local inflationary pressures;
restrictive governmental actions such as those on transfer or repatriation of funds and trade protection matters, including
antidumping duties, tariffs, embargoes and prohibitions or restrictions on acquisitions or joint ventures;
changes in laws and regulations, including the laws and policies of the United States affecting trade, tariffs and foreign
investment;
the difficulty of enforcing agreements and collecting receivables through certain foreign legal systems;
variations in protection of intellectual property and other legal rights;
more expansive legal rights of foreign unions or works councils;
changes in labor conditions and difficulties in staffing and managing international operations;
inability or regulatory limitations on our ability to move goods across borders;
social plans that prohibit or increase the cost of certain restructuring actions;
the potential for nationalization of enterprises or facilities; and
unsettled political conditions and possible terrorist attacks against U.S. or other interests.
•
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•
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As a multi-national company, we are faced with increased complexities due to recent changes to the U.S. corporate tax code relating to
our unremitted foreign earnings, potential revisions to international tax law treaties, and renegotiated trade deals. In addition, other
events, such as the United Kingdom’s continued efforts to exit the European Union and the ongoing discussion and negotiations
concerning varying levels of tariffs on product imported from the PRC, also create a level of uncertainty. If we are unable to anticipate
and effectively manage these and other risks, it could have a material and adverse effect on our business and our results of operations
and financial condition.
The loss of certain substantial customers could materially and adversely affect us.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, sales to one direct customer exceeded 10% of our consolidated net sales. Hon Hai Precision
Industry Company Ltd., a contract manufacturer utilized by various end customers, represented 12.3% of our 2018 consolidated net
sales. We believe that the loss of this customer could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and
consolidated results of operations. We have experienced significant concentrations in prior years. See Note 12, “Segments” for
additional disclosures related to our significant customers.
We may experience labor unrest.
As we periodically implement transfers of certain of our operations, we may experience strikes or other types of labor unrest as a result
of lay-offs or termination of employees in higher labor cost countries. Our manufacturing facilities in New York State, the United
Kingdom and Mexico are represented by labor unions and substantially all of our factory workers in the PRC are represented by
government-sponsored unions.
We may experience labor shortages.
Government, economic, social and labor policies in the PRC may cause shortages of factory labor in areas where we have some of our
products manufactured. If we are required to manufacture more of these products outside of the PRC as a result of such shortages, our
margins will likely be materially adversely affected.
There are risks related to the implementation of our new global enterprise resource planning system.
We are currently engaged in a multi-year process of conforming the majority of our operations onto one global enterprise resource
planning system (“ERP”). The ERP is designed to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and financial transaction processes,
accurately maintain our books and records, and provide information important to the operation of the business to our management team.
The implementation of the ERP will continue to require significant investment of human and financial resources, and we may experience
significant delays, increased costs and other difficulties as a result. Any significant disruption or deficiency in the design and
implementation of the ERP could have a material adverse effect on our ability to fulfill and invoice customer orders, apply cash receipts,
place purchase orders with suppliers, and make cash disbursements, and could negatively impact data processing and electronic
communications among business locations, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition
or results of operations. We also face the challenge of supporting our older systems and implementing necessary upgrades to those
systems while we implement the new ERP system. While we have invested significant resources in planning and project management,
significant implementation issues may arise.
Expanding and evolving data privacy laws and regulations could impact our business and expose us to increased liability.
The General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), which became effective in the European Union in May 2018, imposes significant
new requirements on how we collect, process and transfer personal data, as well as significant financial penalties for non-compliance.
Any inability to adequately address privacy concerns, even if unfounded, or to comply with the more complex privacy or data protection
laws, regulations and privacy standards, could lead to significant financial penalties, which may result in a material and adverse effect
on our results of operations.
Our results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted by environmental and other regulations.
Our manufacturing operations, products and/or product packaging are subject to environmental laws and regulations governing air
emissions; wastewater discharges; the handling, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances, wastes and certain chemicals used
or generated in our manufacturing processes; employee health and safety labeling or other notifications with respect to the content or
other aspects of our processes, products or packaging; restrictions on the use of certain materials in or on design aspects of our products
or product packaging; and, responsibility for disposal of products or product packaging. More stringent environmental regulations may
be enacted in the future, and we cannot presently determine the modifications, if any, in our operations that any such future regulations
might require, or the cost of compliance with these regulations.
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We may face risks relating to climate change that could have an adverse impact on our business.
Greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions have increasingly become the subject of substantial international, national, regional, state and local
attention. GHG emission regulations have been promulgated in certain of the jurisdictions in which we operate, and additional GHG
requirements are in various stages of development. Such measures could require us to modify existing or obtain new permits, implement
additional pollution control technology, curtail operations or increase our operating costs. Any additional regulation of GHG emissions,
including a cap-and-trade system, technology mandate, emissions tax, reporting requirement or other program, could materially
adversely affect our business.
Regulations related to conflict minerals will cause the Company to incur additional expenses and may have other adverse
consequences.
The SEC has adopted inquiry, diligence and additional disclosure requirements related to certain minerals sourced from the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries, or “conflict minerals”, that are necessary to the functionality of a product
manufactured, or contracted to be manufactured, by an SEC reporting company. The minerals that the rules cover are commonly referred
to as “3TG” and include tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. As a public company, Bel was required to make its first annual filing under
these new rules on May 31, 2014. In such annual filings, Bel describes the due diligence it has undertaken of its suppliers in an effort
to determine the source of any conflict minerals used in its products or components. These due diligence requirements are ongoing, and
Bel will continue to incur additional costs, which could be substantial, related to its due diligence and compliance process. In addition,
the Company’s supply chain is complex, and if it is not able to determine with certainty the source and chain of custody for all conflict
minerals used in its products that are sourced from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and surrounding countries, then the Company
may face reputational challenges with customers, investors or others. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering
“conflict free” minerals, if the Company chooses to use only conflict minerals that are “conflict free” in its products and components,
the Company cannot be sure that it will be able to obtain necessary materials from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive
prices.
Our results may vary substantially from period to period.
Our revenues and expenses may vary significantly from one accounting period to another accounting period due to a variety of factors,
including customers’ buying decisions, our product mix, the volatility of raw material costs, the impact of competition, the impact of
the Chinese New Year and general market and economic conditions. Such variations could significantly impact our stock price.
A shortage of availability or an increase in the cost of high-quality raw materials, components and other resources may adversely
impact our ability to procure these items at cost effective prices and thus may negatively impact profit margins.
Our results of operations may be materially adversely impacted by difficulties in obtaining raw materials, supplies, power, labor, natural
resources and any other items needed for the production of our products, as well as by the effects of quality deviations in raw materials
and the effects of significant fluctuations in the prices of existing inventories and purchase commitments for these materials. Many of
these materials and components are produced by a limited number of suppliers and their availability to us may be constrained by supplier
capacity. See “Key Factors Affecting our Business” in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of how pricing and
availability of materials is currently impacting our business.
Rapid shifts in demand for various products may cause some of our inventory of raw materials, components or finished goods to
become obsolete.
The life cycles and demand for our products are directly linked to the life cycles and demand for the end products into which they are
designed. Rapid shifts in the life cycles or demand for these end products due to technological shifts, economic conditions or other
market trends may result in material amounts of either raw materials or finished goods inventory becoming obsolete. While the
Company works diligently to manage inventory levels, rapid shifts in demand may result in obsolete or excess inventory and materially
adversely impact financial results.
A loss of the services of the Company’s executive officers or other skilled associates could negatively impact our operations and
results.
The success of the Company’s operations is largely dependent upon the performance of its executive officers, managers, engineers and
sales people. Many of these individuals have a significant number of years of experience within the Company and/or the industry in
which we compete and would be extremely difficult to replace. The loss of the services of any of these associates may materially and
adversely impact our results of operations if we are unable to replace them in a timely manner.
-11-
Our stock price, like that of many technology companies, has been and may continue to be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate as a result of variations in our quarterly operating results and other factors beyond
our control. These fluctuations may be exaggerated if the trading volume of our common stock is low. The market price of our common
stock may rise and fall in response to a variety of other factors, including:
announcements of technological or competitive developments;
general market or economic conditions;
market or economic conditions specific to particular geographical areas in which we operate;
acquisitions or strategic alliances by us or our competitors;
the gain or loss of a significant customer or order; or
changes in estimates of our financial performance or changes in recommendations by securities analysts regarding us or our
industry
In addition, equity securities of many technology companies have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations even in periods
when the capital markets generally are not distressed. These price and volume fluctuations often have been unrelated to the operating
performance of the affected companies.
Our intellectual property rights may not be adequately protected under the current state of the law.
Our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights through patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws in the United States and
in other countries may not prevent misappropriation, and our failure to protect our proprietary rights could materially adversely affect
our business, financial condition, operating results and future prospects. A third party could, without authorization, copy or otherwise
appropriate our proprietary information. Our agreements with employees and others who participate in development activities could be
breached, we may not have adequate remedies for any breach, and our trade secrets may otherwise become known or independently
developed by competitors.
We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights and we may incur defense costs and possibly
royalty obligations or lose the right to use technology important to our business.
From time to time, we receive claims by third parties asserting that our products violate their intellectual property rights. Any intellectual
property claims, with or without merit, could be time consuming and expensive to litigate or settle and could divert management attention
from administering our business. A third party asserting infringement claims against us or our customers with respect to our current or
future products may materially and adversely affect us by, for example, causing us to enter into costly royalty arrangements or forcing
us to incur settlement or litigation costs.
As a result of protective provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the voting power of certain officers, directors and
principal shareholders may be increased at future meetings of the Company’s shareholders.
The Company's certificate of incorporation provides that if a shareholder, other than shareholders subject to specific exceptions, acquires
(after the date of the Company’s 1998 recapitalization) 10% or more of the outstanding Class A common stock and does not own an
equal or greater percentage of all then outstanding shares of both Class A and Class B common stock (all of which common stock must
have been acquired after the date of the 1998 recapitalization), such shareholder must, within 90 days of the trigger date, purchase Class
B common shares, in an amount and at a price determined in accordance with a formula described in the Company’s certificate of
incorporation, or forfeit its right to vote its Class A common shares. As of February 28, 2019, to the Company’s knowledge, there was
one shareholder of the Company’s common stock with ownership in excess of 10% of Class A outstanding shares with no ownership of
the Company’s Class B common stock and with no basis for exception from the operation of the above-mentioned provisions. In order
to vote its shares at Bel’s next shareholders’ meeting, this shareholder must either purchase the required number of Class B common
shares or sell or otherwise transfer Class A common shares until its Class A holdings are under 10%. As of February 28, 2019, to the
Company’s knowledge, this shareholder owned 23.6% of the Company’s Class A common stock and had not taken steps to either
purchase the required number of Class B common shares or sell or otherwise transfer Class A common shares until its Class A holdings
fall below 10%. Unless and until this situation is satisfied in a manner permitted by the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
the subject shareholder will not be permitted to vote its shares of common stock.
To the extent that the voting rights of particular holders of Class A common stock are suspended as of times when the Company's
shareholders vote due to the above-mentioned provisions, such suspension will have the effect of increasing the voting power of those
holders of Class A common shares whose voting rights are not suspended. As of February 28, 2019, Daniel Bernstein, the Company's
chief executive officer, beneficially owned 354,255 Class A common shares (or 21.3%) of the outstanding Class A common shares
whose voting rights were not suspended, and all directors and current executive officers as a group (which includes Daniel Bernstein)
beneficially owned 360,448 Class A common shares (or 21.6%) of the outstanding Class A common shares whose voting rights were
not suspended.
-12-
Cyber risk and the failure to maintain the integrity of our operational or security systems or infrastructure, or those of third parties
with which we do business, could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition and results of
operations.
We are subject to an increasing number of various types of information technology vulnerabilities, threats and targeted computer crimes
which pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. Disruptions
or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support our businesses and customers, or cyber-attacks or security
breaches of our networks or systems, could result in the loss of customers and business opportunities, legal liability, regulatory fines,
penalties or intervention, other litigation, regulatory and legal risks and the costs associated therewith, reputational damage,
reimbursement or other compensatory costs, remediation costs, increased cybersecurity protection costs, additional compliance costs,
increased insurance premiums, and lost revenues, damage to the Company’s competitiveness, stock price, and long-term shareholder
value, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. While we attempt to
mitigate these risks, our systems, networks, products, solutions and services remain potentially vulnerable to advanced and persistent
threats. We also maintain and have access to sensitive, confidential or personal data or information in certain of our businesses that is
subject to privacy and security laws, regulations and customer controls. Despite our efforts to protect such sensitive, confidential or
personal data or information, our facilities and systems and those of our customers and third-party service providers may be vulnerable
to security breaches, theft, fraud, misplaced or lost data, programming and/or human errors that could lead to the compromising of
sensitive, confidential or personal data or information, improper use of our systems, software solutions or networks, unauthorized access,
use, disclosure, modification or destruction of information, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions, which
in turn could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
As a U.S. Government contractor, we are subject to a number of procurement rules and regulations.
We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to the award, administration, and performance of U.S.
Government contracts. Government contract laws and regulations affect how we do business with our customers and, in some instances,
impose added costs on our business. A violation of specific laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines and penalties or
the termination of our contracts or debarment from bidding on contracts. These fines and penalties could be imposed for failing to follow
procurement integrity and bidding rules, employing improper billing practices or otherwise failing to follow cost accounting standards,
receiving or paying kickbacks, or filing false claims. We have been, and expect to continue to be, subjected to audits and investigations
by government agencies. The failure to comply with the terms of our government contracts could harm our business reputation. It could
also result in our progress payments being withheld.
In some instances, these laws and regulations impose terms or rights that are more favorable to the government than those typically
available to commercial parties in negotiated transactions. For example, the U.S. Government may terminate any of our government
contracts and, in general, subcontracts, at its convenience as well as for default based on performance. Upon termination for convenience
of a fixed-price type contract, we normally are entitled to receive the purchase price for delivered items, reimbursement for allowable
costs for work-in-process, and an allowance for profit on work actually completed on the contract or adjustment for loss if completion
of performance would have resulted in a loss. Upon termination for convenience of a Federal Government cost reimbursement contract,
we normally are entitled to reimbursement of allowable costs plus a portion of the fee. Such allowable costs would normally include our
cost to terminate agreements with our suppliers and subcontractors. The amount of the fee recovered, if any, is related to the portion of
the work accomplished prior to termination and is determined by negotiation.
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
The Company is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, where it currently owns 19,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.
In addition to its facilities in Jersey City, New Jersey, the Company occupies 299,000 square feet at 21 non-manufacturing facilities,
which are used primarily for management, financial accounting, engineering, sales and administrative support. Of this space, the
Company leases 163,000 square feet in 15 facilities and owns properties of 136,000 square feet.
The Company also operated 21 manufacturing facilities in 7 countries as of December 31, 2018. Approximately 15% of the 2.3 million
square feet the Company occupies is owned while the remainder is leased. See Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies”, for
additional information pertaining to leases.
-13-
The following is a list of the locations of the Company's principal manufacturing facilities at December 31, 2018:
Location
Dongguan, People's Republic of China
Pingguo, People's Republic of China
Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
Zhongshan, People's Republic of China
Zhongshan, People's Republic of China
Zhongshan, People's Republic of China
Louny, Czech Republic
Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia
Dubnica nad Vahom, Slovakia
Worksop, United Kingdom
Chelmsford, United Kingdom
Sudbury, United Kingdom
Dominican Republic
Cananea, Mexico
Reynosa, Mexico
Inwood, New York
Glen Rock, Pennsylvania
Waseca, Minnesota
McAllen, Texas
Melbourne, Florida
Tempe, Arizona
Approximate
Square Feet
Owned/
Leased
Percentage
Used for
Manufacturing
650,000
256,000
227,000
315,000
118,000
78,000
11,000
35,000
70,000
52,000
21,000
12,000
33,000
42,000
77,000
39,000
74,000
124,000
40,000
18,000
8,000
2,300,000
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
Owned
Owned
Owned
Owned
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
Owned
Owned
Leased
Leased
Leased
Leased
28%
69%
100%
86%
100%
100%
75%
100%
100%
28%
60%
90%
85%
60%
56%
40%
60%
83%
56%
64%
100%
Of the space described above, 323,000 square feet is used for engineering, warehousing, sales and administrative support functions at
various locations and 470,000 square feet is designated for dormitories, canteen and other employee related facilities in the PRC.
The Territory of Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (“SAR”) of the PRC during 1997. The territory of Macao became
a SAR of the PRC at the end of 1999. Management cannot presently predict what future impact, if any, this will have on the Company
or how the political climate in the PRC will affect its contractual arrangements in the PRC. A significant portion of the Company's
manufacturing operations and approximately 41.3% of its identifiable assets are located in Asia.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the caption “Legal Proceedings” in Note 16,
“Commitments and Contingencies.”
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
-14-
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(a) Market Information
The Company’s voting Class A Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share, and non-voting Class B Common Stock, par value $0.10
per share (“Class A” and “Class B,” respectively), are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbols BELFA and
BELFB, respectively.
(b)
Holders
As of February 28, 2019, there were 46 registered shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and 400 registered
shareholders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock. As of February 28, 2019, the Company estimates that there were 541 beneficial
shareholders of the Company’s Class A Common Stock and 2,353 beneficial shareholders of the Company’s Class B Common Stock.
At February 28, 2019, to the Company’s knowledge, there was one shareholder of the Company’s Class A common stock whose voting
rights were suspended. This shareholder owned 23.6% of the Company’s outstanding shares of Class A common stock. For additional
discussion, see Item 1A – “Risk Factors – As a result of protective provisions in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the voting
power of certain officers, directors and principal shareholders may be increased at future meetings of the Company’s shareholders”.
(c)
Dividends
During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company declared dividends on a quarterly basis at a rate of $0.06 per Class
A share of common stock and $0.07 per Class B share of common stock totaling $3.3 million in each of 2018 and 2017. There are no
contractual restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends provided the Company is not in default under its credit agreement
immediately before such payment and after giving effect to such payment. On February 1, 2019, the Company paid a dividend to all
shareholders of record at January 15, 2019 of Class A and Class B Common Stock in the total amount of $0.1 million ($0.06 per share)
and $0.7 million ($0.07 per share), respectively. On February 20, 2019, Bel’s Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of
$0.06 per Class A common share and $0.07 per Class B common share which is scheduled to be paid on May 1, 2019 to all shareholders
of record at April 15, 2019. The Company currently anticipates paying dividends quarterly in the future.
(d)
Common Stock Performance Comparisons
Not applicable.
(e)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Company’s purchase of shares of its Class A Common Stock during
each calendar month in the quarter ended December 31, 2018:
Period
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
Average Price
Paid per Share
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plan
October 1 - October 31, 2018
November 1 - November 30, 2018
December 1 - December 31, 2018
6,034
300
-
$
19.87
19.32
-
6,034
300
-
$
206,844
-
-
Total
6,334
$
19.84
6,334
$
-
Pursuant to the Bel Fuse Inc. Employees’ Savings Plan (the “Employees’ Savings Plan”), the Company makes matching contributions
of pre-tax elective deferral contributions made by associates. The Employees’ Savings Plan provides for matching contributions to be
invested in shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The trustees of the Employees’ Savings Plan adopted a “10b5-1 Plan,” in
accordance with guidelines specified by Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to make open market
purchases of shares of Class A Common Stock with such matching contributions. The purchases in the table above were made under
the 10b5-1 Plan. The maximum dollar amount for cumulative purchases under the 10b5-1 Plan during the plan period (August 20, 2018
to November 30, 2018) was $650,000. As a sufficient number of shares of Class A common stock had been purchased to meet the
requirements of the matching contributions for 2018, the 10b5-1 Plan was terminated effective November 7, 2018.
-15-
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not applicable.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information in this MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes
related thereto. The discussion of results, causes and trends should not be construed to imply any conclusion that such results, causes
or trends will necessarily continue in the future. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information” above for further
information. Also, when we cross reference to a “Note,” we are referring to our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” unless
the context indicates otherwise. All amounts and percentages are approximate due to rounding.
Under the SEC’s amended definition of a “smaller reporting company,” the Company is deemed to be a smaller reporting company.
Accordingly, among other things, the Company is not required to present selected financial data in Item 6, has limited the year-over-
year comparisons in this Item 7 to a comparison of fiscal 2018 with fiscal 2017 and has reduced the number of years covered by its
financial statements in Item 8.
Overview
Our Company
We design, manufacture and market a broad array of products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are
primarily used in the networking, telecommunications, computing, military, aerospace, transportation and broadcasting industries. Bel’s
portfolio of products also finds application in the automotive, medical and consumer electronics markets.
We operate through three geographic segments: North America, Asia and Europe. In 2018, 50% of the Company’s revenues were
derived from North America, 34% from Asia and 16% from its Europe operating segment. By product group, 34% of 2018 sales related
to the Company’s connectivity solutions products, 34% in magnetic solutions products and 32% in power solutions and protection
products.
Our operating expenses are driven principally by the cost of labor where the factories that Bel uses are located, the cost of the materials
that we use and our ability to effectively and efficiently manage overhead costs. As labor and material costs vary by product line and
region, any significant shift in product mix can have an associated impact on our costs of sales. Costs are recorded as incurred for all
products manufactured. Such amounts are determined based upon the estimated stage of production and include labor cost and fringes
and related allocations of factory overhead. Our products are manufactured at various facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Dominican Republic,
England, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the PRC.
We have little visibility into the ordering habits of our customers and we can be subjected to large and unpredictable variations in
demand for our products. Accordingly, we must continually recruit and train new workers to replace those lost to attrition and be able
to address peaks in demand that may occur from time to time. These recruiting and training efforts and related inefficiencies, and
overtime required in order to meet any increase in demand, can add volatility to the labor costs incurred by us.
Key Factors Affecting our Business
The Company believes the key factors affecting Bel’s 2018 and/or future results include the following:
Revenues – The Company’s revenues increased by $56.6 million, or 11.5%, in 2018 as compared to 2017, despite a $5.5 million
decline in sales related to the NPS divestiture. Sales growth was seen across all of our major product groups as certain project
wins from 2017 are in full production and we continue to see strength in sales through our distribution partners. Approximately
27% of 2018 sales were generated through the Company’s distribution partners.
Backlog – Our backlog of orders totaled $171.2 million at December 31, 2018, representing an increase of $24.7 million, or
17%, from December 31, 2017. Since the 2017 year-end, we saw a 28% increase at Magnetic Solutions, driven by a strong
position with our integrated connector modules in next-generation switching products. The backlog for our Connectivity
Solutions products increased by 16%, driven by recent awards on key military programs, and heightened structured cabling
demand for our passive connectors. Our Power Solutions and Protection backlog grew by 11%, led by higher demand for our
power supplies and circuit protection products through our distribution partners.
Product Mix – Material and labor costs vary by product line and any significant shift in product mix between higher- and lower-
margin product lines will have a corresponding impact on the Company’s gross margin percentage. In general, our connectivity
-16-
products have the highest contribution margins, our magnetic products are more labor intensive and are therefore less profitable
than the connectivity products and our power products are on the lower end of our profit margin range, due to their high material
content. Fluctuations in sales volume among our product groups will have a corresponding impact on Bel’s profit margins.
Pricing and Availability of Materials – There have been recent supply constraints related to components that constitute raw
materials in our manufacturing processes, particularly with resistors, capacitors, mosfets and printed circuit boards. Lead times
have been extended and the reduction in supply has also caused an increase in prices for certain of these components throughout
2018. As a result, the Company’s material costs as a percentage of sales increased to 41.9% during 2018 from 40.2% during
2017. We’ve started to see some relief in availability and pricing of passive components and capacitors in early 2019 as
compared to 2018 levels though pricing remains high compared to pre-2018 levels. We anticipate our material costs as a
percentage of sales will continue to be elevated during the first half of 2019 as we work through our higher-cost inventory on
hand. The preceding sentence represents a Forward-Looking Statement. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements.”
Labor Costs – Labor costs increased from 10.8% of sales during 2017 to 11.5% of sales during 2018, primarily due to the
appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. Dollar, particularly during the first half of 2018, minimum wage increases in the
PRC, and growth in sales of our labor-intensive integrated connector module (ICM) products. Effective February 1, 2018, the
PRC government issued an increase to the minimum wage in a region where one of Bel’s factories is located. Effective July
1, 2018, government-mandated minimum wage increases went into effect at Bel’s other three manufacturing facilities in the
PRC. We anticipate labor costs will continue to be a challenge in 2019 in the areas in which we operate, particularly in Mexico,
where an increase in minimum wage rate took effect on January 1, 2019, and in the PRC. The preceding sentence represents a
Forward-Looking Statement. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Restructuring – The Company continues to implement restructuring programs to increase operational efficiencies and incurred
$0.2 million in restructuring costs during 2018. By the end of the third quarter, we had completed the transition of one of our
product lines from a third party factory in Malaysia to an existing Bel facility in the PRC. Annual savings of approximately
$1.4 million are expected from the initiatives completed during 2018 (primarily within cost of sales). Additional restructuring
efforts are expected to continue into 2019 as we realign our R&D resources dedicated to our Power Solutions and Protection
group. We expect the 2019 initiative to result in incremental restructuring costs of approximately $0.4 million with annualized
cost savings of $1.5 million once implemented. The preceding sentence represents a Forward-Looking Statement. See
“Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Impact of Foreign Currency – During 2018, the Company realized foreign exchange transactional gains of $2.7 million, offset
by higher labor and overhead costs of $0.8 million related to unfavorable fluctuation in exchange rates versus 2017. Since we
are a U.S. domiciled company, we translate our foreign currency-denominated financial results into U.S. dollars. Due to the
changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar, translating our financial results and the revaluation of
certain intercompany as well as third-party transactions to and from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars may result in a favorable
or unfavorable impact to our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows. The Company was unfavorably impacted
by transactional foreign exchange losses in 2018 due to the appreciation of the Euro, Pound, and Renminbi against the U.S.
dollar as compared to exchange rates in effect during 2017. The Company has significant manufacturing operations located in
the PRC where labor and overhead costs are paid in local currency. As a result, the U.S. Dollar equivalent costs of these
operations were $0.8 million higher in 2018. The Company monitors changes in foreign currencies and may implement pricing
actions to help mitigate the impact that changes in foreign currencies may have on its consolidated operating results.
ERP System Implementation – In January 2019, the Company completed the first phase of its ERP system implementation
with the successful transition of its Power Solutions business onto the new system without any notable issues. The Company
incurred expenses of $2.2 million during 2018 related to this project. The other phases of this project will largely leverage
Bel’s trained internal resources which should result in lower implementation costs going forward, including the elimination of
redundant systems. In connection with the completion of this first phase of the project, we anticipate annualized savings of
$1.3 million beginning in the second quarter of 2019.
Effective Tax Rate – The Company’s effective tax rate will fluctuate based on the geographic segment in which the pretax
profits are earned. Of the geographic segments in which the Company operates, the U.S. and Europe’s tax rates are generally
equivalent; and Asia has the lowest tax rates of the Company’s three geographical segments. See Note 9 to the Company’s
Consolidated Financial Statements - “Income Taxes”.
We seek to manage and optimize our operating expenses in order to mitigate the ongoing minimum wage rate increases in the countries
in which we operate and the general uncertainty within our industry surrounding tariffs and trade policy. The positive business trends
noted above along with our recent bookings and year-end backlog level are encouraging indicators for further growth as we head into
2019.
-17-
Summary by Operating Segment
Net sales to external customers by reportable operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows
(dollars in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
North America
Asia
Europe
$
$
271,691
187,203
89,290
548,184
50%
34%
16%
100%
$
$
245,834
167,680
78,097
491,611
50%
34%
16%
100%
Net sales and income from operations by operating segment for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as set forth in the
following table (dollars in thousands). Segment net sales are attributed to individual segments based on the geographic source of the
billing for such customer sales.
Total segment sales:
North America
Asia
Europe
Total segment sales
Reconciling item:
Intersegment sales
Net sales
Income from operations:
North America
Asia
Europe
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
284,245
279,965
103,853
668,063
$
257,541
249,506
89,765
596,812
(119,879)
548,184
$
(105,201)
491,611
$
$
$
6,769
16,621
6,221
29,611
6,195
8,964
2,227
17,386
$
$
The growth in North America sales in 2018 was largely due to increased demand for our passive connector products from our premise
wiring customers, strength in our connectivity products within key military programs, and higher sales of our transformer products into
medical applications. Sales of our Power Solutions products have also increased in 2018 with heightened demand for our power supplies
for use in various datacenter applications and increased sales through our distribution partners. The increases in Asia sales noted above
for 2018 primarily relate to higher sales of our integrated connector modules for next-generation switching platforms. Sales in Europe
increased in 2018 as a result of higher demand for our Stewart and Cinch connector products in that region, coupled with strong sales
of our power products into rail applications. There was also a favorable impact on our European sales in general during 2018 as a
portion of those sales are invoiced in euros or pounds, which had appreciated against the U.S. Dollar particularly during the first half of
2018 as compared to the same period of 2017.
The improvement in income from operations within our North America segment was largely due to higher sales volumes in 2018,
partially offset by increased material costs on purchased components. The income from operations at our Asia segment for 2018 was
favorably impacted by the higher sales volume, partially offset by increased raw material and labor costs at our factories in the PRC and
the unfavorable appreciation of the Renminbi particularly during the first half of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017. The
increase in income from operations from our Europe segment are consistent with the increase in sales for that segment.
-18-
Net Sales
The Company’s net sales by major product line for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Years Ended
December 31,
2018
2017
Connectivity solutions
Magnetic solutions
Power solutions and protection
$
$
186,724
185,407
176,053
548,184
34%
34%
32%
100%
$
$
170,337
161,011
160,263
491,611
35%
33%
32%
100%
Magnetic Solutions:
Our Magnetic Solutions group continued to benefit from a strong position on next-generation switching products which utilize our
integrated connector modules. This accounted for $20.6 million of the sales growth during 2018 versus 2017. Our Signal Transformer
business also contributed with an increase in sales of $4.0 million during 2018, as orders from new programs within industrial
applications remained strong.
Connectivity Solutions:
Our connectivity solutions products showed an overall improvement in sales of $16.4 million during 2018 compared to 2017. Sales of
our Stewart passive connectors were strong in 2018 with an increase of $8.2 million from 2017. This was largely led by higher demand
from our premise wiring customers in North America and Europe in response to improved economic conditions in the construction
industry. We have also had a greater level of focus on our distribution channel in 2018 and our Stewart products have benefited from
the increased exposure through our distribution base. Sales of our Cinch products were also up by $8.2 million in 2018 primarily related
to our optical and copper products used in encryption, communications and flight-grade military applications and for our micro-miniature
copper connectivity products in relation to key defense programs.
Power Solutions and Protection:
Sales of our Power Solutions products increased by $15.4 million during 2018 as compared to 2017, despite a $5.5 million decline in
sales related to the divestiture of our NPS business. Our circuit protection products continue to experience top line growth as more of
these products are introduced into our distribution channels, resulting in an increase in sales of $2.3 million during 2018. Our DC/DC
product sales were also strong during 2018 as our majority share of a key product led to incremental revenue of $4.0 million in 2018.
These growth drivers were offset in part by lower sales of our custom module products and AC/DC converter products (which were
down by $3.7 million and $2.2 million from 2017, respectively).
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales for the two years ended December 31, 2018 consisted of the following:
Material costs
Labor costs
Research and development expenses
Other expenses
Total cost of sales
Years Ended
December 31,
2018
2017
41.9%
11.5%
5.4%
21.2%
80.0%
40.2%
10.8%
5.9%
22.3%
79.2%
Material costs as a percentage of sales increased during 2018 compared to 2017 primarily due to industry-wide supply constraints related
to certain of our purchased components throughout 2018. This has had an unfavorable impact in the form of higher material costs across
most of our product lines.
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Labor costs as a percentage of sales were also higher in 2018 compared to 2017 due primarily to an increase in sales of our labor-
intensive ICM/TRP products within our magnetic solutions group coupled with higher wage rates in the PRC during 2018. Effective
February 1, 2018, the PRC government increased the minimum wage in a region where one of Bel’s factories is located, and effective
July 1, 2018, minimum wage increases went into effect at our remaining facilities in the PRC.
Research and Development (“R&D”)
Included in cost of sales are R&D expenses of $29.4 million and $28.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017,
respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)
SG&A expense decreased by $4.7 million in 2018 as compared with 2017. This primarily related to a favorable fluctuation in foreign
currency exchange rates on the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions, which accounted for $5.4 million of the decrease from
2017, and lower depreciation and amortization expense of $1.5 million. These declines in SG&A were partially offset by higher
fringe benefit expense of $2.7 million.
Restructuring Charges
The Company recorded restructuring charges of $0.2 million in 2018 in connection with the closure of its manufacturing facility in
Malaysia and $0.3 million in 2017 related to the closure of its manufacturing facility in Shanghai, PRC. These operations were
transitioned to other existing Bel facilities.
Interest Expense
The Company incurred interest expense of $5.3 million in 2018 and $6.8 million in 2017 primarily due to our outstanding borrowings
under the Company’s credit and security agreement used to fund the 2014 Acquisitions. The decrease in interest expense during 2018
related to a lower debt balance throughout 2018 as compared to 2017, partially offset by higher interest rates on our outstanding balance.
See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and Note 10 of the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements - “Debt,” for further
information on the Company’s outstanding debt.
Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate will fluctuate based on the geographic segment in which the pretax profits are earned. Of the
geographic segments in which the Company operates, the U.S. and Europe’s tax rates are generally equivalent; and Asia has the lowest
tax rates of the Company’s three geographical segments. See Note 9, “Income Taxes” and the “Tax Reform” discussion below.
Tax Reform
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Act reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from
35% to 21%, required companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax
deferred and created new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. At December 31, 2017, we had made a reasonable estimate of the
effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax in which we recognized a provisional amount of $18.1
million, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. On the basis of revised earnings and
profit computations that were completed during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a measurement-period
adjustment reducing the deemed repatriation tax by $2.6 million, resulting in the reduction of the Company’s provisional estimate from
$18.1 million to $15.5 million. The effect of the measurement-period adjustment on the 2018 effective tax rate was a reduction of
approximately 11%.
Effective January 1, 2018, the Act subjects a U.S. shareholder to current tax on global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) earned by
certain foreign subsidiaries. The Company has elected an accounting policy to provide for the tax expense related to the GILTI in the
period the tax is incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company included approximately $18.0 million of GILTI
inclusion which was offset by the Company’s NOL carryforwards and credits which resulted in no additional U.S. tax expense.
2018 as Compared to 2017
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $2.9 million and $21.5 million, respectively. The
Company’s earnings before income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2018 were approximately $14.0 million higher than the same
period in 2017, primarily attributable to increases in income in the Europe and North America segments. The Company’s effective tax
rate was 12.3% and 223.4% for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate during
the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period of 2017, is primarily attributable to a decrease in tax expense in the
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North America segment due to the reduction in the estimated transition tax on post 1986 untaxed accumulated foreign earnings, a
reduction in the U.S. tax rate from 35% in 2017 to 21% in 2018, as well as a decrease in taxes related to uncertain tax positions. This
decrease was partially offset by an increase in U.S. taxes relating to income from foreign subsidiaries taxed in the U.S. as part of the
Act. Additionally, the decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017,
is partially attributable to U.S. and foreign taxes accrued for gains recognized on a Bel Fuse legal entity restructuring transaction during
the 2017 period.
Other Tax Matters
The Company has a portion of its products manufactured on the mainland of the PRC where Bel is not subject to corporate income tax
on manufacturing services provided by third parties. Hong Kong has a territorial tax system which imposes corporate income tax at a
rate of 16.5% on income from activities solely conducted in Hong Kong.
The Company holds an offshore business license from the government of Macao. With this license, a Macao offshore company named
Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited has been established to handle the Company’s sales to third-party customers in Asia.
Sales by this company primarily consist of products manufactured in the PRC. This company is not subject to Macao corporate profit
taxes which are imposed at a tax rate of 12%. On September 21, 2018, the Executive Council of the Macao SAR Government has
proposed to abolish the existing Offshore Law. It is proposed that the existing law and the relevant regulations related to the offshore
business will be abolished, and that the operating permit to carry on offshore business will be terminated on January 1, 2021. The
Company is currently looking at other options for this company’s operations. Additionally, the Company established TRP International,
a China Business Trust (“CBT”), when it acquired the TRP group, as previously discussed. Sales by the CBT consists of products
manufactured in the PRC and sold to third-party customers inside and outside Asia. The CBT is not subject to PRC income taxes, which
are generally imposed at a tax rate of 25%.
It is the Company’s intention to repatriate substantially all net income from its wholly owned PRC subsidiary, Dongguan Transpower
Electric Products Co., Ltd, a Chinese Limited Liability Company, to its direct Hong Kong parent Transpower Technologies (Hong
Kong) Ltd. Applicable income and dividend withholding taxes of $0.4 million have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company has completed the analysis of the impacts of the U.S. tax reform and recognized the tax
consequences of all unremitted foreign earnings. Management has no specific plans to indefinitely reinvest the unremitted earnings of
our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018. Due to the impracticality of determining the deferred taxes on outside basis differences
in our investments in our foreign subsidiaries, we have not provided for deferred taxes on outside basis differences and determined that
these basis differences will be indefinitely reinvested.
Inflation and Foreign Currency Exchange
During the past two years, we do not believe the effect of inflation on our consolidated financial position and results of operations was
material to our consolidated financial position or our consolidated results of operations. We are exposed to market risk from changes
in foreign currency exchange rates. Fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies have not significantly affected our
foreign operations as most sales continue to be denominated in U.S. dollars or currencies directly or indirectly linked to the U.S. dollar.
Most significant expenses, including raw materials, labor and manufacturing expenses, are incurred primarily in U.S. dollars or the
Chinese renminbi, and to a lesser extent in British pounds and Mexican pesos. The Chinese renminbi appreciated by approximately 2%
in 2018 as compared to 2017 and the Mexican peso depreciated by 2% in 2018 as compared to 2017. To the extent the renminbi or peso
appreciate in future periods, it could result in the Company’s incurring higher costs for most expenses incurred in the PRC and Mexico.
The Company’s European entities, whose functional currencies are euros, British pounds and Czech korunas, enter into transactions
which include sales that are denominated principally in euros, British pounds and various other European currencies, and purchases that
are denominated principally in U.S. dollars and British pounds. Such transactions, as well as those related to our multi-currency
intercompany payable and receivable transactions, resulted in net realized and unrealized currency exchange gains (losses) of $2.7
million and ($2.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which were included in SG&A expenses on
the consolidated statements of operations. The currency exchange gains recorded in 2018 were primarily due to the favorable impact
of the depreciation of the Chinese renminbi and euro against the U.S. dollar. The currency exchange losses recorded in 2017 were
primarily related to a U.S. denominated intercompany receivable balance on our Swiss entity’s books. Translation of subsidiaries’
foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars resulted in translation adjustments, net of taxes, of ($6.1) million and $12.4
million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss) on the consolidated balance sheets.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of cash are the collection of trade receivables generated from the sales of our products and services to our customers
and amounts available under our existing lines of credit, including our credit facility. Our primary uses of cash are payments for operating
expenses, investments in working capital, capital expenditures, interest, taxes, dividends, debt obligations and other long-term liabilities.
We believe that our current liquidity position and future cash flows from operations will enable us to fund our operations, including all
of the items mentioned above in the next twelve months.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, $46.3 million and $50.5 million, respectively (or 86% and 73%, respectively), of cash and cash
equivalents was held by foreign subsidiaries of the Company. During the third quarter of 2018, the Company repatriated $12.2 million
of funds from outside of the U.S., with minimal incremental tax liability. Of this amount, approximately $9 million was utilized to pay
down intercompany balances that have been generating foreign exchange gains/losses in our consolidated statement of operations.
Management currently intends to repatriate an additional $10 to $14 million in the first half of 2019, with minimal incremental tax
liability. We continue to analyze our global working capital and cash requirements and the potential tax liabilities attributable to further
repatriation, and we have yet to make any further determination regarding repatriation of funds from outside the U.S. to fund the
Company’s U.S. operations in the future. In the event these funds were needed for Bel’s U.S. operations, the Company would be
required to accrue and pay U.S. state taxes and any applicable foreign withholding taxes to repatriate these funds.
In June 2014, the Company entered into a senior Credit and Security Agreement, which was subsequently amended in March 2016, and
further amended and refinanced in December 2017 (see Note 10, “Debt,” for additional details). The Credit and Security Agreement
contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default and financial covenants that measure (i) the ratio of
the Company's total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, to the amount of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA, as defined
(“Leverage Ratio”), and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA to the Company’s consolidated fixed
charges (“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”). If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Credit and Security Agreement would be
entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions permitted to be taken by a secured
creditor. At December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants, including its most restrictive covenant, the
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The unused credit available under the credit facility at December 31, 2018 was $75.0 million, of which
we had the ability to borrow $53.3 million without violating our Leverage Ratio covenant based on the Company’s existing consolidated
EBITDA.
At December 31, 2018, the Company had $116.0 million outstanding under its credit agreement. Scheduled principal payments of the
long-term debt outstanding are included in “Contractual Obligations” below and in Note 10, “Debt.”
For information regarding further commitments under the Company’s operating leases, see Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies.”
We are currently engaged in a multi-year process of conforming the majority of our operations onto one global Enterprise Resource
Planning system (“ERP”). The ERP is designed to improve the efficiency of our supply chain and financial transaction processes,
accurately maintain our books and records, and provide information important to the operation of the business to our management team.
The implementation of the ERP is being conducted by business units on a three phase approach through 2020. We currently estimate
total costs over the course of this project to be approximately $6.4 million. The preceding sentence represents a Forward-Looking
Statement. See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Since inception of the project, we have incurred a
cumulative amount of $5.1 million in connection with this implementation, of which $2.2 million in implementation costs was incurred
during the year ended December 31, 2018. These costs are included in SG&A on the consolidated financial statements. Upon
completion of the implementation of the new ERP, we anticipate lower maintenance and lower external information and technology
support fees resulting in annual savings of approximately $2 million. The preceding sentence represents a Forward-Looking Statement.
See “Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Cash Flows
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $15.4 million. This decline was
primarily due to the purchase of property, plant and equipment of $11.6 million, repayments of long-term debt of $9.0 million, the
acquisition of BCMZ for $2.2 million, and payments of $3.3 million for dividends. These cash outflows were partially offset by cash
provided by operations of $10.1 million. Cash provided by operations decreased by $14.0 million in 2018 as compared to 2017, primarily
due to higher year-end inventory levels and accounts receivable balances in 2018.
During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $4.1 million. This decline was
primarily due to repayments of long-term debt of $18.8 million, the purchase of property, plant and equipment of $6.4 million, $3.3
million for payments of dividends and payments of $2.0 million for deferred financing costs related to the refinancing of our credit
facility during 2017. These cash outflows were partially offset by cash provided by operations of $24.1 million.
-22-
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable comprised approximately 32.9% and 34.4% of the Company's
total assets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company's current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to
current liabilities) was 2.7 to 1 and 3.0 to 1 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, accounts receivable increased $13.0 million primarily due to higher sales volume in the
fourth quarter of 2018 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2017. Days sales outstanding (DSO) decreased to 59 days at December 31,
2018 from 60 days at December 31, 2017. Inventories increased by $24.7 million from the December 31, 2017 level as raw material
and work in progress volumes are at higher levels to accommodate an increase in customer demand for our products. Inventory turns
increased slightly to 3.7 times per year at December 31, 2018 from 3.6 times per year at December 31, 2017.
Contractual Obligations
The following table sets forth at December 31, 2018 the amounts of payments due under specific types of contractual obligations,
aggregated by category of contractual obligation, for the time periods described below.
Contractual Obligations
Long-term debt obligations(1)
Interest payments due on long-term debt(2)
Capital expenditure obligations
Operating leases(3)
Raw material purchase obligations
First quarter 2019 quarterly cash dividend declared
Payments due by period (dollars in thousands)
Total
$
115,988
17,939
5,192
23,321
58,903
837
Less than 1
year
1-3
years
$
2,974
4,884
5,192
7,363
58,491
837
$
11,896
9,182
-
10,984
412
-
3-5
years
$
101,118
3,873
-
4,532
-
-
More than
5 years
-
$
-
-
442
-
-
Total
$
222,180
$
79,741
$
32,474
$
109,523
$
442
(1) Represents the principal amount of the debt required to be repaid in each period.
(2) Includes interest payments required under our CSA related to our term loans and revolver balance. The interest rate in place under our CSA on December
31, 2018 was utilized and this calculation assumes obligations are repaid when due.
(3) Represents estimated future minimum annual rental commitments primarily under non-cancelable real and personal property leases as of December 31,
2018.
At December 31, 2018, we had liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties of $28.9 million, most of which
is included in other liabilities and the remaining balance of which is included in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance
Sheet. At December 31, 2018, we cannot reasonably estimate the future period or periods of cash settlement of these liabilities. See Note
9, “Income Taxes,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
The Company is required to pay SERP obligations at the occurrence of certain events. As of December 31, 2018, $18.7 million is
included in long-term liabilities as an unfunded pension obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in other
assets at December 31, 2018 is the cash surrender value of company-owned life insurance and marketable securities held in a rabbi trust
with an aggregate value of $13.0 million, which has been designated by the Company to be utilized to fund the Company’s SERP
obligations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Other Matters
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include certain amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and
judgments. Estimates are used when accounting for amounts recorded in connection with mergers and acquisitions, including
determination of the fair value of assets and liabilities. Additionally, estimates are used in determining such items as current fair values
of goodwill and other intangible assets, as well as provisions related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, intangible assets,
investments, SERP expense, income taxes and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience
and on various other assumptions, including in some cases future projections, that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances,
the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following accounting
policies require accounting estimates that have the potential for significantly impacting Bel’s financial statements.
Inventory
The Company makes purchasing and manufacturing decisions principally based upon firm sales orders from customers, projected
customer requirements and the availability and pricing of raw materials. Future events that could adversely affect these decisions and
result in significant charges to the Company’s operations include miscalculating customer requirements, technology changes which
-23-
render certain raw materials and finished goods obsolete, loss of customers and/or cancellation of sales orders, stock rotation with
distributors and termination of distribution agreements. The Company reduces the carrying value of its inventory for estimated
obsolescence or unmarketable inventory by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market
value based on the aforementioned assumptions. When such inventory is subsequently used in the manufacturing process, the lower
adjusted cost of the material is charged to cost of sales and the improved gross profit is recognized at the time the completed product is
shipped and the sale is recorded. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had reserves for excess or obsolete inventory of
$9.9 million and $8.3 million, respectively. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional
inventory write-downs may be required.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill is reviewed for possible impairment at least annually on a reporting unit level during the fourth quarter of each year. A review
of goodwill may be initiated before or after conducting the annual analysis if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying
value of goodwill may no longer be recoverable.
A reporting unit is the operating segment unless discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by management at
businesses one level below that operating segment, the “component” level, and the component has economic characteristics that are
different from the economic characteristics of the other components of the operating segment, in which case the component is the
reporting unit.
While we are permitted to conduct a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step quantitative
goodwill impairment test, for our annual goodwill impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2018 and 2017, we performed quantitative
tests for all of our reporting units that have goodwill allocated.
The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. In step one, we compare the fair value of each of our reporting units with
goodwill to its carrying value, including the goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its
carrying value, there is no indication of impairment and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than
the carrying value, we must perform step two of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In step two, the
reporting unit’s fair value is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible
assets, in a hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit were being
acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is less than the carrying value, the difference
is recorded as an impairment loss.
We use a fair value approach to test goodwill for impairment. We must recognize a non-cash impairment charge for the amount, if any,
by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. We derive an estimate of fair values for each of our reporting
units using a combination of an income approach and an appropriate market approach, each based on an applicable weighting. We assess
the applicable weighting based on such factors as current market conditions and the quality and reliability of the data. Absent an
indication of fair value from a potential buyer or similar specific transactions, we believe that the use of these methods provides a
reasonable estimate of a reporting unit’s fair value.
Fair value computed by these methods is arrived at using a number of factors, including projected future operating results, anticipated
future cash flows, effective income tax rates, comparable marketplace data within a consistent industry grouping, and the cost of capital.
There are inherent uncertainties, however, related to these factors and to our judgment in applying them to this analysis. Nonetheless,
we believe that the combination of these methods provides a reasonable approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units.
Assumptions for sales, net earnings and cash flows for each reporting unit were consistent among these methods.
Income Approach Used to Determine Fair Values
The income approach is based upon the present value of expected cash flows. Expected cash flows are converted to present value using
factors that consider the timing and risk of the future cash flows. The estimate of cash flows used is prepared on an unleveraged debt-
free basis. We use a discount rate that reflects a market-derived weighted average cost of capital. We believe that this approach is
appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate based upon the reporting unit’s expected long-term operating and cash flow
performance. The projections are based upon our best estimates of projected economic and market conditions over the related period
including growth rates, estimates of future expected changes in operating margins and cash expenditures. Other significant estimates
and assumptions include terminal value long-term growth rates, provisions for income taxes, future capital expenditures and changes in
future cashless, debt-free working capital.
-24-
2018 Annual Goodwill Impairment Test
Critical assumptions that the Company used in performing the income approach for its reporting units included the following:
Applying a compounded annual growth rate for forecasted sales in our projected cash flows through 2023.
Reporting Unit
North America
Europe
Compounded Annual Growth
Rate
2.0%
2.0%
Applying a terminal value growth rate of 2% for our reporting units to reflect our estimate of stable and perpetual growth.
Determining an appropriate discount rate to apply to our projected cash flow results. This discount rate reflects, among other
things, certain risks due to the uncertainties of achieving the cash flow results and the growth rates assigned. The discount
rates applied were as follows:
Reporting Unit
North America
Europe
Discount Rate
13.0%
14.5%
A weighting of the results of the income approach of 75% of our overall fair value calculation for each reporting unit.
Changes in any of these assumptions could materially impact the estimated fair value of our reporting units. Our forecasts take into
account the near and long-term expected business performance, considering the long-term market conditions and business trends within
the reporting units. For further discussion of the factors that could result in a change in our assumptions, see “Risk Factors” in this Form
10-K and our other filings with the SEC.
Market Approach Used to Determine Fair Values
Each year we consider various relevant market approaches that could be used to determine fair value.
The market approach estimates the fair value of the reporting unit by applying multiples of operating performance measures to the
reporting unit’s operating performance (the “Public Company Method”). These multiples are derived from comparable publicly-traded
companies with similar investment characteristics to the reporting unit, and such comparables are reviewed and updated as needed
annually. We believe that this approach is appropriate because it provides a fair value estimate using multiples from entities with
operations and economic characteristics comparable to our reporting units and the Company. The second market approach is based on
the publicly traded common stock of the Company, and the estimate of fair value of the reporting unit is based on the applicable multiples
of the Company (the “Quoted Price Method”). The third market approach is based on recent mergers and acquisitions of comparable
publicly-traded and privately-held companies in our industries (the “Mergers and Acquisition Method”).
The key estimates and assumptions that are used to determine fair value under these market approaches include current and forward 12-
month operating performance results and the selection of the relevant multiples to be applied. Under the Public Company and Quoted
Price Methods, a control premium, or an amount that a buyer is usually willing to pay over the current market price of a publicly traded
company, is applied to the calculated equity values to adjust the public trading value upward for a 100% ownership interest, where
applicable.
In order to assess the reasonableness of the calculated fair values of our reporting units, we also compare the sum of the reporting units’
fair values to our market capitalization and calculate an implied control premium (the excess of the sum of the reporting units’ fair
values over the market capitalization). We evaluate the control premium by comparing it to control premiums of recent comparable
market transactions. If the implied control premium is not reasonable in light of these recent transactions, we will reevaluate our fair
value estimates of the reporting units by adjusting the discount rates and/or other assumptions.
We applied a combined weighting of 25% to the market approach when determining the fair value of these reporting units.
If our assumptions and related estimates change in the future, or if we change our reporting unit structure or other events and
circumstances change (such as a sustained decrease in the price of our common stock, a decline in current market multiples, a significant
adverse change in legal factors or business climates, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, heightened competition, strategic
decisions made in response to economic or competitive conditions or a more-likely-than-not expectation that a reporting unit or a
-25-
significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or disposed of), we may be required to record impairment charges in future periods.
Any impairment charges that we may take in the future could be material to our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
The Company conducted its annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2018, and no impairment was identified at that time.
Management has also concluded that the fair value of its goodwill exceeded the associated carrying value at December 31, 2018 and
that no impairment exists as of that date. See Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for details of our goodwill balance and
the goodwill review performed in 2018.
We will continue to monitor goodwill on an annual basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse
changes in business climate or operating results, changes in management’s business strategy or significant declines in our stock price,
indicate that there may be potential indicator of impairment.
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company annually tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on October 1, using a fair value approach, the relief-from-
royalty method (a form of the income approach). The Company conducted its annual impairment test as of October 1, 2018, and no
impairment was identified at that time. Management has also concluded that the fair value of its trademarks exceeds the associated
carrying values at December 31, 2018 and that no impairment existed as of that date. At December 31, 2018, the Company’s indefinite-
lived intangible assets related solely to trademarks.
Long-Lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets
The Company depreciates its property, plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Management
reviews long-lived assets and other intangible assets for potential impairment whenever significant events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment exists when the estimated undiscounted cash flows
expected to result from the use of an asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying amount. If an impairment exists, the
resulting write-down would be the difference between the fair market value of the long-lived asset and the related net book value. No
material impairments related to long-lived assets or amortized intangible assets were recorded during the years ended December 31,
2018 or 2017.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial
statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as measured by enacted tax rates that are
expected to be in effect in the periods when the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. Significant
judgment is required in determining the worldwide provisions for income taxes. Valuation allowances are provided for deferred tax
assets where it is considered more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefit of such asset. In the ordinary course of
a global business, the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain for many transactions. It is the Company’s policy not to recognize tax benefits
arising from uncertain tax positions that may not be realized in future years as a result of an examination by tax authorities. The
Company establishes the provisions based upon management’s assessment of exposure associated with permanent tax differences and
tax credits applied to temporary difference adjustments. The tax provisions are analyzed periodically (at least quarterly) and adjustments
are made as events occur that warrant adjustments to those provisions. The accounting literature requires significant judgment in
determining what constitutes an individual tax position as well as assessing the outcome of each tax position. Changes in judgment as
to recognition or measurement of tax positions can materially affect the estimate of the effective tax rate and, consequently, affect our
operating results.
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not
completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while
prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting under ASC 605. The
adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that will more closely align revenue recognition with the transfer of
control of the Company’s goods and services and provides financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures related to the nature,
amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers.
In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The amount of
revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for these goods and
services.
-26-
Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that
are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue.
Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted
for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had one customer with sales in excess of 10% of Bel’s consolidated revenue.
Management believes that the loss of this individual customer could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position
and results of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company had sales of $67.7 million to Hon Hai Precision
Industry Company Ltd., representing 12.3% of Bel’s consolidated revenue. Sales to this customer are primarily in the Company’s Asia
operating segment.
Commitments and Contingencies — Litigation
On an ongoing basis, we assess the potential liabilities and costs related to any lawsuits or claims brought against us. We accrue a
liability when we believe a loss is probable and when the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Litigation proceedings are
evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering the available information, including that received from internal and outside legal counsel,
to assess potential outcomes. While it is typically very difficult to determine the timing and ultimate outcome of these actions, we use
our best judgment to determine if it is probable that we will incur an expense related to the settlement or final adjudication of these
matters and whether a reasonable estimation of the probable loss, if any, can be made. In assessing probable losses, we consider insurance
recoveries, if any. We expense legal costs, including those legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency, as
incurred. We have in the past adjusted existing accruals as proceedings have continued, been settled or otherwise provided further
information on which we could review the likelihood of outflows of resources and their measurability, and we expect to do so in future
periods. Due to the inherent uncertainties related to the eventual outcome of litigation and potential insurance recovery, it is possible
that disputed matters may be resolved for amounts materially different from any provisions or disclosures that we have previously made.
Other Matters
The Company believes that it has sufficient cash reserves to fund its foreseeable working capital needs. It may, however, seek to expand
such resources through bank borrowings, at favorable lending rates, from time to time. If the Company were to undertake another
substantial acquisition for cash, the acquisition would either be funded with cash on hand or would be financed in part through cash on
hand and in part through bank borrowings or the issuance of public or private debt or equity. If the Company borrows additional money
to finance acquisitions, this would further decrease the Company’s ratio of earnings to fixed charges, and could further impact the
Company’s material restrictive covenants, depending on the size of the borrowing and the nature of the target company. Under its
existing credit facility, the Company is required to obtain its lender’s consent for certain additional debt financing and to comply with
other covenants, including the application of specific financial ratios, and may be restricted from paying cash dividends on its common
stock. Depending on the nature of the transaction, the Company cannot assure investors that the necessary acquisition financing would
be available to it on acceptable terms, or at all, when required. If the Company issues a substantial amount of stock either as consideration
in an acquisition or to finance an acquisition, such issuance may dilute existing stockholders and may take the form of capital stock
having preferences over its existing common stock.
New Financial Accounting Standards
The discussion of new financial accounting standards applicable to the Company is incorporated herein by reference to Note 1,
“Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements for the
information required by this item.
-27-
BEL FUSE INC.
INDEX
Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2018 and 2017
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Two Years Ended
December 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the
Two Years Ended December 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Two
Years Ended December 31, 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Two Years Ended
December 31, 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
29
30
31
32
33
34
36
-28-
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Bel Fuse Inc.
Jersey City, New Jersey
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2018
and 2017, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the
two years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We also have
audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control —
Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31,
2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company
maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in
Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting,
and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion
on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public
Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance
with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether
effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements,
whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis,
evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal
control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material
weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits
also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A
company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that,
in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance
that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and
directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, New York
March 8, 2019
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1983.
-29-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
December 31,
2018
December 31,
2017
$
53,911
$
69,354
91,939
120,068
15,799
8,792
290,509
43,932
62,689
19,817
496
26,081
78,808
107,719
-
10,218
266,099
43,495
69,366
20,177
4,155
27,973
$
443,524
$
431,265
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
$
56,171
32,290
2,508
15,061
$
47,947
30,508
2,641
6,204
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts
of $1,638 and $1,745 at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively
Inventories
Unbilled receivables
Other current assets
Total current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Deferred income taxes
Other assets
Total assets
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Current maturities of long-term debt
Other current liabilities
Total current liabilities
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt
Liability for uncertain tax positions
Minimum pension obligation and unfunded pension liability
Deferred income taxes
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued
Class A common stock, par value $.10 per share, 10,000,000 shares
authorized; 2,174,912 shares outstanding at each date (net of
1,072,769 treasury shares)
Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share, 30,000,000 shares
authorized; 10,092,352 and 9,859,352 shares outstanding, respectively
(net of 3,218,307 treasury shares)
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total stockholders' equity
106,030
111,705
27,553
18,683
1,161
1,922
267,054
-
217
1,009
31,387
168,695
(24,838)
176,470
87,300
120,053
27,948
19,134
1,567
17,303
273,305
-
217
986
28,575
147,807
(19,625)
157,960
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
443,524
$
431,265
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-30-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales
Cost of sales
Gross profit
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Restructuring charges
Income from operations
Interest expense
Interest income and other expense, net
Earnings before provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Year Ended December 31,
2017
2018
$
548,184
438,414
109,770
$
491,611
389,262
102,349
79,937
222
29,611
(5,317)
(678)
23,616
2,907
84,655
308
17,386
(6,802)
(941)
9,643
21,540
Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders
$
20,709
$
(11,897)
Net earnings (loss) per common share:
Class A common shares - basic and diluted
Class B common shares - basic and diluted
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Class A common shares - basic and diluted
Class B common shares - basic and diluted
Dividends paid per common share:
Class A common shares
Class B common shares
$
1.62
$
(0.97)
$
1.73
$
(0.99)
2,175
9,939
2,175
9,857
$
0.24
$
0.24
$
0.28
$
0.28
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-31-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
Net earnings (loss)
$
20,709
$
(11,897)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $51 and $183
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities arising during
the period, net of taxes of ($85) and ($177)
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $954 and ($237)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
(6,098)
(133)
1,018
(5,213)
12,439
(279)
(488)
11,672
Comprehensive income (loss)
$
15,496
$
(225)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-32-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
Total
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss) Income
Class A
Common
Stock
Class B
Common
Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
Balance at December 31, 2016
$
158,434
$
161,287
$
(31,297)
$
217
$
985
$
27,242
Cash dividends declared on Class A common stock
Cash dividends declared on Class B common stock
Issuance of restricted common stock
Forfeiture of restricted common stock
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $183
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities
arising during the year, net of taxes of ($177)
Stock-based compensation expense
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($237)
Reclassification of APIC pool upon adoption of ASU 2016-09
Net loss
(522)
(2,757)
-
-
12,439
(279)
3,030
(488)
-
(11,897)
(522)
(2,757)
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,696
(11,897)
-
-
-
-
12,439
(279)
-
(488)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
5
(4)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(5)
4
-
3,030
-
(1,696)
-
Balance at December 31, 2017
157,960
147,807
(19,625)
217
986
28,575
Cash dividends declared on Class A common stock
Cash dividends declared on Class B common stock
Issuance of restricted common stock
Forfeiture of restricted common stock
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $51
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities
arising during the year, net of taxes of ($85)
Stock-based compensation expense
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $954
Effect of adoption of ASU 2014-09 (Topic 606)
Net earnings
(522)
(2,796)
-
-
(6,098)
(133)
2,835
1,018
3,497
20,709
(522)
(2,796)
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,497
20,709
-
-
-
-
(6,098)
(133)
-
1,018
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
26
(3)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(26)
3
-
-
2,835
-
-
-
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
176,470
$
168,695
$
(24,838)
$
217
$
1,009
$
31,387
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-33-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Stock-based compensation
Amortization of deferred financing costs
Deferred income taxes
Unrealized (gains) losses on foreign currency revaluation
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Other, net
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
Unbilled receivables
Inventories
Other current assets
Other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Other liabilities
Income taxes payable
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Payment for acquisition, net of cash acquired
Proceeds from surrender of company-owned life insurance
Purchase of company-owned life insurance
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities within rabbi trust
Purchase of marketable securities within rabbi trust
Proceeds from disposal/sale of property, plant and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
20,709
$
(11,897)
18,207
2,835
531
2,490
(2,663)
141
795
(13,004)
(1,263)
(24,735)
966
922
8,995
1,911
(15,708)
8,968
10,097
(11,594)
(2,177)
433
(433)
1,348
(1,348)
77
(13,694)
20,718
3,030
2,259
(315)
2,770
109
1,897
(2,948)
-
(6,160)
(2,423)
(1,621)
(1,426)
(1,861)
16,566
5,422
24,120
(6,425)
-
-
-
-
-
76
(6,349)
(continued)
-34-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
(dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Dividends paid to common shareholders
Deferred financing costs
Borrowings under revolving credit line
Repayments under revolving credit line
Reduction in notes payable
Proceeds from long-term debt
Repayments of long-term debt
Net cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
Year Ended December 31,
2018
2017
(3,295)
-
7,500
(7,500)
-
-
(9,012)
(12,307)
461
(3,281)
(2,012)
6,000
(6,000)
(225)
125,000
(143,799)
(24,317)
2,489
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(15,443)
(4,057)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year
69,354
73,411
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year
$
53,911
$
69,354
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes, net of refunds received
Interest payments
Details of acquisition:
Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
Goodwill
Fair value of net assets acquired
$
$
7,483
4,775
$
$
756
4,353
$
$
1,298
1,290
2,588
-
$
-
$
-
Fair value of consideration transferred
Less: Cash acquired in acquisition
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired
$
2,588
(411)
-
$
-
$
2,177
$
-
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
-35-
BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018 AND 2017
1.
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries (“Bel,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) design, manufacture and sell a broad array of
products that power, protect and connect electronic circuits. These products are used in the networking, telecommunication,
high-speed data transmission, commercial aerospace, military, broadcasting, transportation and consumer electronic industries
around the world. We manage our operations geographically through our three reportable operating segments: North America,
Asia and Europe.
All amounts included in the tables to these notes to consolidated financial statements, except per share amounts, are in
thousands.
Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include all of the accounts of the Company and its wholly
owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported
amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going
basis, we evaluate our estimates, including but not limited to those related to product returns, provisions for bad debt,
inventories, goodwill, intangible assets, investments, Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) expense, income
taxes, contingencies, litigation and the impact related to tax reform. We base our estimates on historical experience and on
various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for
making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Cash Equivalents - Cash equivalents include short-term investments in money market funds and certificates of deposit with
an original maturity of three months or less when purchased. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. Some of our balances are in excess of the FDIC insured limit.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts - We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses from the inability
of our customers to make required payments. We determine our allowance by both specific identification of customer accounts
where appropriate and the application of historical loss experience to non-specific accounts.
Effects of Foreign Currency – In non-U.S. locations that are not considered highly inflationary, we translate the balance sheets
at the end of period exchange rates with translation adjustments accumulated within stockholders’ equity on our consolidated
balance sheets. We translate the statements of operations at the average exchange rates during the applicable period. In
connection with foreign currency denominated transactions, including multi-currency intercompany payable and receivable
transactions and loans, the Company incurred net realized and unrealized currency exchange gains (losses) of $2.7 million
and ($2.8) million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which were included in SG&A expenses
on the consolidated statements of operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk - Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist
principally of accounts receivable and temporary cash investments. We grant credit to customers that are primarily original
equipment manufacturers and to subcontractors of original equipment manufacturers based on an evaluation of the customer’s
financial condition, without requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each
customer’s financial condition. We control our exposure to credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring
procedures and establish allowances for anticipated losses. See Note 12, “Segments,” for disclosures regarding significant
customers.
We place temporary cash investments with quality financial institutions and commercial issuers of short-term paper and, by
policy, limit the amount of credit exposure in any one financial instrument.
-36-
Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted-average cost or market. Costs related to inventories include raw
materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead which are included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of
operations. The Company utilizes the average cost method in determining amounts to be removed from inventory.
Revenue Recognition – On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method applied
to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1,
2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance
with our historical accounting under ASC 605. The adoption of ASC 606 represents a change in accounting principle that
will more closely align revenue recognition with the transfer of control of the Company’s goods and services and provides
financial statement readers with enhanced disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and
cash flows arising from contracts with customers.
In accordance with ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The
amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange
for these goods and services.
Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing
transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue.
Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are
accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales.
Product Warranties – Warranties vary by product line and are competitive for the markets in which the Company operates.
Warranties generally extend for one to three years from the date of sale, providing customers with assurance that the related
product will function as intended. The Company reviews its warranty liability quarterly based on an analysis of actual
expenses and failure rates accompanied with estimated future costs and projected failure rate trends. Factors taken into
consideration when evaluating our warranty reserve are (i) historical claims for each product, (ii) volume increases, (iii) life
of warranty, (iv) historical warranty repair costs and (v) other factors. To the extent that actual experience differs from our
estimate, the provision for product warranties will be adjusted in future periods. Actual warranty repair costs are charged
against the reserve balance as incurred. See Note 11, “Accrued Expenses.”
Product Returns – We estimate product returns, including product exchanges under warranty, based on historical experience.
In general, the Company is not contractually obligated to accept returns except for defective product or in instances where the
product does not meet the Company’s product specifications. However, the Company may permit its customers to return
product for other reasons. In certain instances, the Company would generally require a significant cancellation penalty
payment by the customer. The Company estimates such returns, where applicable, based upon management's evaluation of
historical experience, market acceptance of products produced and known negotiations with customers. Such estimates are
deducted from sales and provided for at the time revenue is recognized. Distribution customers often receive what is referred
to as “ship and debit” arrangements, whereby Bel will invoice them at an agreed upon unit price upon shipment of product
and a price reduction may be granted if the market price of the product declines after shipment. Distributors may also be
entitled to special pricing discount credits, and certain customers are entitled to return allowances based on previous sales
volumes. Bel deducts estimates for anticipated credits, refunds and returns from sales each quarter based on historical
experience.
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets – Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate of the following (1)
consideration transferred, (2) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and, (3) if the business combination
is achieved in stages, the acquisition-date fair value of our previously held equity interest in the acquiree over the net of the
acquisition-date amounts of the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed.
Identifiable intangible assets consist primarily of patents, licenses, trademarks, trade names, customer lists and relationships,
non-compete agreements and technology based intangibles and other contractual agreements. We amortize finite lived
identifiable intangible assets over the shorter of their stated or statutory duration or their estimated useful lives, ranging from
1 to 16 years, on a straight-line basis to their estimated residual values and periodically review them for impairment. Total
identifiable intangible assets comprise 14.1% and 16.1% in 2018 and 2017, respectively, of our consolidated total assets.
We use the acquisition method of accounting for all business combinations and do not amortize goodwill or intangible assets
with indefinite useful lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for possible impairment
-37-
annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that
the asset might be impaired.
Impairment and Disposal of Long-Lived Assets – For definite-lived intangible assets, such as customer relationships,
contracts, intellectual property, and for other long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, whenever impairment
indicators are present, we perform a review for impairment. We calculate the undiscounted value of the projected cash flows
associated with the asset, or asset group, and compare this estimated amount to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount
is found to be greater, we record an impairment loss for the excess of book value over the fair value. In addition, in all cases
of an impairment review, we re-evaluate the remaining useful lives of the assets and modify them, as appropriate.
For indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as trademarks and trade names, each year and whenever impairment indicators are
present, we determine the fair value of the asset and record an impairment loss for the excess of book value over the fair value,
if any. In addition, in all cases of an impairment review we re-evaluate whether continuing to characterize the asset as
indefinite-lived is appropriate. See Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for additional details.
Depreciation - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation
and amortization are calculated primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. The
estimated useful lives primarily range from 2 to 33 years for buildings and leasehold improvements, and from 3 to 15 years
for machinery and equipment.
Income Taxes - We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated
financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between
the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in
income in the period that includes the enactment date. See Note 9, “Income Taxes”.
We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more-likely-than-not be realized. In making such
determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable
temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies and recent financial operations. We have
established valuation allowances for deferred tax assets that are not likely to be realized. In the event we were to determine
that we would be able to realize our deferred income tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, we would
adjust the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
We establish reserves for tax contingencies when, despite the belief that our tax return positions are fully supported, it is
probable that certain positions may be challenged and may not be fully sustained. The tax contingency reserves are analyzed
on a quarterly basis and adjusted based upon changes in facts and circumstances, such as the conclusion of federal and state
audits, expiration of the statute of limitations for the assessment of tax, case law and emerging legislation. Our effective tax
rate includes the effect of tax contingency reserves and changes to the reserves as considered appropriate by management.
Earnings per Share – We utilize the two-class method to report our earnings per share. The two-class method is an earnings
allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and
participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, states that Class B
common shares are entitled to dividends at least 5% greater than dividends paid to Class A common shares, resulting in the
two-class method of computing earnings per share. In computing earnings per share, the Company has allocated dividends
declared to Class A and Class B based on amounts actually declared for each class of stock and 5% more of the undistributed
earnings have been allocated to Class B shares than to the Class A shares on a per share basis. Basic earnings per common
share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per common share, for each class of common stock, are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-
average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. There were no potential
common shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 which would have had a dilutive effect on
earnings per share.
-38-
The earnings and weighted average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share are as
follows:
Numerator:
Net earnings (loss)
Less dividends declared:
Class A
Class B
Undistributed earnings (loss)
Undistributed earnings (loss) allocation - basic and diluted:
Class A undistributed earnings (loss)
Class B undistributed earnings (loss)
Total undistributed earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss) allocation - basic and diluted:
Class A net earnings (loss)
Class B net earnings (loss)
Net earnings (loss)
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
20,709
$
(11,897)
522
2,796
17,391
$
522
2,757
(15,176)
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,999
14,392
17,391
3,521
17,188
20,709
(2,635)
(12,541)
(15,176)
(2,113)
(9,784)
(11,897)
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Class A - basic and diluted
Class B - basic and diluted
Net earnings (loss) per share:
Class A - basic and diluted
Class B - basic and diluted
2,175
9,939
2,175
9,857
$
$
1.62
1.73
$
$
(0.97)
(0.99)
Research and Development (“R&D”) - Our engineering groups are strategically located around the world to facilitate
communication with and access to customers’ engineering personnel. This collaborative approach enables partnerships with
customers for technical development efforts. On occasion, we execute non-disclosure agreements with our customers to help
develop proprietary, next generation products destined for rapid deployment. R&D costs are expensed as incurred, and are
included in cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, R&D is performed internally for the benefit
of the Company. R&D costs include salaries, building maintenance and utilities, rents, materials, administration costs and
miscellaneous other items. R&D expenses for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 amounted to $29.4 million and
$28.8 million, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements - We utilize the accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures for all financial
assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated
financial statements on a recurring basis or on a nonrecurring basis during the reporting period. The fair value is an exit price,
representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between
market participants based upon the best use of the asset or liability at the measurement date. The Company utilizes market
data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We classify our fair value
measurements based on the lowest level of input included in the established three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes
the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are defined as follows:
Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs about which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its
own assumptions
For financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, the
carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturities of such instruments. See Note 5, “Fair Value
Measurements,” for additional disclosures related to fair value measurements.
-39-
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"),
which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 is based on principles that govern the
recognition of revenue at an amount an entity expects to be entitled when products are transferred to customers. Subsequently,
the FASB issued several other updates related to revenue recognition (collectively with ASU 2014-09, the "new revenue
standards" or “ASC 606”). We adopted the guidance under the new revenue standards effective January 1, 2018 using the
modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an increase to
the opening balance of retained earnings.
Upon adoption, the new revenue standards replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Based on our
review of representative samples of contracts and other forms of agreements with customers globally and our evaluation of
the provisions under the five-step model specified by the new revenue standards, the Company has implemented changes with
respect to timing of revenue recognition primarily related to arrangements for which the customer takes the Company’s
products from a facility holding consignment inventory.
In connection with the modified retrospective application of the new revenue standards, we recorded an adjustment to increase
retained earnings of $3.4 million upon the January 1, 2018 adoption date. Apart from this adjustment and the inclusion of
additional required disclosures in Note 3, the adoption of the new revenue standards did not have a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and
Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance primarily affects the accounting for equity
investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial
instruments. Under the new guidance, entities will be required to measure certain equity investments at fair value and
recognize any changes in fair value in net earnings, unless the investments qualify for the new practicability exception. The
new standard was effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15,
2017. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the
Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash
Receipts and Cash Payments. This guidance addresses diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented
and classified in the statement of cash flows. This accounting guidance was effective for annual reporting periods beginning
after December 31, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, and should be applied
retrospectively to all periods presented. This guidance was adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2018 and it did not
have any impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows in the periods presented.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than
Inventory. Prior U.S. GAAP prohibited the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfer
until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The new guidance eliminates the exception and requires an entity to recognize
the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This
accounting guidance was effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim
reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a
cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This guidance was
adopted by the Company effective January 1, 2018 and it did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial position or results of operations.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business
(“ASU 2017-01”), to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating
whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business
affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. ASU 2017-01 provides a
framework that gives entities a basis for making reasonable judgments about whether a transaction involves an asset or a
business. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 on January 1, 2018, and the guidance will be applied on a prospective basis.
-40-
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation
of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”). This guidance requires that an
employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 requires
employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line as other
employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost,
including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs and actuarial gains/losses, and
settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. The guidance also specifies
that the amount of costs that can be capitalized will be limited to service cost only. The Company adopted the guidance of
ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 and elected to apply the practical expedient and use the amounts disclosed in Note 13 to the
financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 as the
basis for applying the retrospective application required by the standard. The amounts reclassified within the statement of
operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 were not material.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification
Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). This update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-
based payment require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. This guidance is effective for annual periods,
and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09
on January 1, 2018, and the guidance within this update will be applied to any future award modifications.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee
Share-Based Payment Accounting, to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions including the income tax
consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statements of cash flows. Under
the new guidance, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment
awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit on the statements of operations. Under prior GAAP, excess
tax benefits were recognized in additional paid-in capital while tax deficiencies were recognized either as an offset to
accumulated excess tax benefits, if any, or on the statements of operations. The Company adopted this guidance effective
January 1, 2017. Certain provisions required retrospective/modified retrospective transition while others were applied
prospectively. In accordance with this guidance, the Company reclassified $1.7 million of cumulative excess tax benefits from
additional paid-in capital to retained earnings within the equity section of the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2017.
The Company has elected to continue its method of estimating forfeitures in determining its stock-based compensation
expense throughout the year. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated
financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires entities to measure
most inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity
must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15,
2016, and interim periods therein. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not have
a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”), to provide a new comprehensive
model for lease accounting. Under this guidance, lessees and lessors should apply a “right-of-use” model in accounting for
all leases (including subleases) and eliminate the concept of operating leases and off-balance sheet leases. Recognition,
measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. Similar modifications
have been made to lessor accounting in-line with revenue recognition guidance. This guidance is effective for annual periods
and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments also require certain
quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements.
The Company will adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. In connection
with the adoption, we will elect to utilize the Comparatives Under 840 Option whereby the Company will continue to present
prior period financial statements and disclosures under ASC 840. In addition, we will elect the transition package of three
practical expedients permitted within the standard, which eliminates the requirements to reassess prior conclusions about lease
identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. Further, we will elect a short-term lease exception policy, permitting
us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of 12 months or less)
and an accounting policy to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets.
We are finalizing the necessary changes to our accounting policies, processes, disclosures and internal control over financial
reporting, and have implemented a new lease system to facilitate the requirements of the new standard.
-41-
Adoption of the new standard is expected to result in the recording of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to our
operating leases, each in an amount ranging from $18-$22 million, on our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019.
The difference between the lease assets and lease liabilities, which is expected to be immaterial, will be recorded as an
adjustment to retained earnings. The standard is not expected to materially affect the Company’s consolidated net earnings
or have any impact on cash flows.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for
Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment
by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill
impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is required to adopt ASU 2017-04 for its
annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and the guidance is
to be applied on a prospective basis.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220):
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This guidance allows a
reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the
U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was enacted on December 22, 2017. This guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years and should be applied either in the
period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax
rate in the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently in the process of evaluating
this new standard update.
In May 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to
Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies the accounting for share-based payments granted to
nonemployees for goods and services. This guidance will better align the treatment of share-based payments to nonemployees
with the requirements for such share-based payments granted to employees. This guidance is effective for all public entities
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that year. We are currently in the process
of evaluating this new standard update.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to
the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The updated guidance improves the disclosure requirements on
fair value measurements. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years,
beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The Company is
currently assessing the timing and impact of adopting the updated provisions.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic
715-20): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (“ASU 2018-14”). This
guidance removes certain disclosures that are not considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain required disclosures and added
additional disclosures. The standard is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. The amendments in ASU
2018-14 would need to be applied on a retrospective basis. We are currently assessing the impact the new guidance will have
on our disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40):
Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Cost. This
guidance aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service
contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This
guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is
permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts that adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial
statements.
2.
ACQUISITION
On October 1, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of BCMZ Precision Engineering Limited (“BCMZ”), a UK
manufacturer of precision machined components, for approximately $2.6 million in cash. The transaction was funded with
cash on hand. BCMZ has a diversified portfolio of customers in the automotive, aerospace, defense, telecommunication,
fibre-optic and medical industrial sectors and has been a long-term key supplier of precision machined components for our
-42-
Cinch Connectivity Solutions UK business. BCMZ is additionally expected to give Cinch the capability to continue to support
key defense and industrial customers across Europe with localized in-house machining ability.
The results of operations of BCMZ have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period
subsequent to its acquisition date. During the year ended December 31, 2018, BCMZ contributed revenue of $0.5 million and
an immaterial amount to operating income within the Company’s consolidated financial results. During the year ended
December 31, 2018, the Company incurred less than $0.1 million of acquisition-related costs relating to BCMZ. These costs
are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the
year ended December 31, 2018.
As of the acquisition date, balances recorded approximated fair value. The identifiable assets acquired included $0.4 million
assigned to customer relationships which will be amortized over its estimated future life of 10 years utilizing the straight-line
method.
Identifiable assets acquired
Liabilities assumed
Net identifiable assets acquired
Goodwill
Net assets acquired
As of
October 1, 2018
Acquisition Date
2,986
$
(1,688)
1,298
1,290
2,588
$
Fair value of consideration transferred
$
2,588
The goodwill noted above related to the BCMZ acquisition will be allocated to the Company’s Europe operating segment.
The Company is uncertain at this time how much of the goodwill, if any, will be deductible for tax purposes.
The inclusion of BCMZ’s results, assuming the acquisition of BCMZ was completed as of January 1, 2017, would not have
had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations during 2017 or 2018.
3.
REVENUE
Nature of Goods and Services
Our revenues are substantially derived from sales of our products.
In our connectivity solutions product group, we provide connectors and cable assemblies to the aerospace, military/defense,
commercial, rugged harsh environment and communication markets. This group also includes passive jacks, plugs and
cable assemblies that provide connectivity in networking equipment, as well as modular plugs and cable assemblies used
within the structured cabling system, known as premise wiring.
In our power solutions and protection group, we provide AC-DC and DC-DC power conversion devices and circuit
protection products. Applications range from board-mount power to system-level architectures for servers, storage,
networking, industrial and transportation.
In our magnetic solutions group, we provide an extensive line of integrated connector modules (ICM), where an Ethernet
magnetic solution is integrated into a connector package. Products within the Company’s magnetic solutions group are
primarily used in networking and industrial applications.
The Company also provides incremental services to our customers in the form of training, technical support, special tooling,
and other support as deemed necessary from time to time. For purposes of ASC 606, all such incremental services were
concluded to be immaterial in the context of the contracts.
-43-
Types of Contracts
Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is derived from contracts with its customers under one of the following types of
contracts:
Direct with customer: This includes contracts with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original design
manufacturers (ODMs), and contract manufacturers (CMs). The nature of Bel’s products are such that they represent
components which are installed in various end applications (e.g., servers, aircraft, missiles and rail applications). The
OEM, ODM or CM that purchases our product for further installation are our end customers. Contracts with these
customers are broad-based and cover general terms and conditions. Details such as order volume and pricing are
typically contained in individual purchase orders, and as a result, we view each product on each purchase order as an
individual performance obligation. Incremental services included in the contracts, such as training, tooling and other
customer support are determined to be immaterial in the context of the contract, both individually and in the
aggregate. Revenue under these contracts is generally recognized at a point in time, generally upon shipping or
delivery, which closely mirrors the shipping terms dictated by the applicable contract.
Distributor: Distribution customers buy product directly from Bel and sell it in the marketplace to end customers.
Bel contracts directly with the distributor. These contracts are typically global in nature and cover a variety of our
product groups. Similar to contracts with OEMs, ODMs and CMs, each product on each purchase order is considered
an individual performance obligation. Revenue is recognized at a point in time, generally upon shipping or delivery,
which closely mirrors the shipping terms dictated by the applicable contract.
Consignment: These customers operate under a type of concession agreement whereby the Company ships goods
to a warehouse or hub, where they will be pulled by the customer at a later date. The terms specified in the
consignment contracts specify that the Company will not invoice the customer for product until it is pulled from the
warehouse or hub. Once product arrives at the hub, it is generally not returned to Bel unless there is a warranty issue
(see “Warranties” section below). Similar to the contracts described above, each product on each purchase order is
considered an individual performance obligation. Under ASC 606, it was determined that the majority of these hubs
are customer-controlled, and therefore control transfers to the customer upon either delivery from Bel’s warehouse,
or arrival at the customer-controlled hub, depending upon the applicable shipping terms. Effective January 1, 2018,
revenue is recognized as control of the product is transferred to the customer (for customer-controlled hubs, this is at
the time product is shipped to the hub). This gives rise to an unbilled receivable balance, as we do not have the right
to invoice the customer until product is pulled from the hub.
Licensing Agreements: License agreements are only applicable to our Power Solutions and Protection product
group, and include provisions for Bel to receive sales-based royalty income related to the licensing of Bel’s patents
or other intellectual property (IP) utilized by a third-party entity. Income related to these agreements is tracked by
the licensee throughout the year based on their sales of product that utilize Bel’s IP, and that data is reported to Bel
either on a quarterly or annual basis, with payment generally received within 30 days of the reporting date. Our
performance obligation is satisfied upon delivery of the IP at the beginning of the license period, as the licenses are
functional in nature. However, the recognition of revenue associated with these licenses is subject to the sales- or
usage-based constraint on variable consideration. As such, the Company records a constrained estimate of this
variable consideration as royalty income in the period of the underlying customers’ product sales, with adjustments
made as actual licensee sales data becomes available.
Significant Payment Terms
Contracts with customers indicate the general terms and conditions in which business will be conducted for a set period of
time. Individual purchase orders state the description, quantity and price of each product purchased. Payment for products
sold under direct contracts with customers or contracts with distributors is typically due in full within 30-90 days from the
transfer of title to customer. Payment for products sold under consignment contracts is typically due within 60 days of the
customer pulling the product from the hub. Payment due related to our licensing agreements is generally within 30 days of
receiving the licensee sales data, which is either on a quarterly or annual basis.
Since the customer agrees to a stated price for each product on each purchase order, the majority of contracts are not subject
to variable consideration. However, the “ship and debit” arrangements with distributors, royalty income associated with our
licensing agreements, and the product returns described above are each deemed to be variable consideration which requires
the Company to make constrained estimates based on historical data.
-44-
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by product group and sales channel, and includes a
reconciliation of the disaggregated revenue to our reportable segments:
Year Ended December 31, 2018
North
America
Asia
Europe
Consolidated
By Product Group:
Connectivity solutions
Magnetic solutions
Power solutions and protection
By Sales Channel:
Direct to customer
Through distribution
$
$
$
$
135,454
37,805
98,432
271,691
17,140
137,998
32,065
187,203
34,130
9,604
45,556
89,290
186,724
185,407
176,053
548,184
$
$
$
$
$
$
175,290
96,401
271,691
$
$
161,114
26,089
187,203
$
$
62,255
27,035
89,290
$
$
398,659
149,525
548,184
The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of ASC 606
were as follows:
Balance Sheet
Unbilled receivables
Inventory
Other current liabilities
Retained earnings
Balance at
December 31,
2017
Adjustments
Due to
ASC 606
Balance at
January 1,
2018
-
$
107,719
6,204
147,807
$
14,536
(11,044)
43
3,449
$
14,536
96,675
6,247
151,256
In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our balance sheet as
of December 31, 2018 and consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:
As of December 31, 2018
As
Reported
Balances
Without Adoption
of ASC 606
Effect of
Change
Higher/(Lower)
$
15,799
120,068
-
$
131,885
$
15,799
(11,817)
15,061
15,041
20
168,695
164,734
3,961
Balance Sheet
Assets
Unbilled receivables
Inventories
Liabilities
Other current liabilities
Equity
Retained earnings
-45-
Year Ended December 31, 2018
As
Reported
Balances
Without Adoption
of ASC 606
Effect of
Change
Higher/(Lower)
Statement of Operations
Net sales
Cost of sales
Operating income
Provision for income taxes
Net earnings
$
548,184
438,414
29,611
2,907
20,709
$
546,922
437,641
29,122
2,930
20,197
$
1,262
773
489
(23)
512
Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities:
A contract asset results when goods or services have been transferred to the customer but payment is contingent upon a future
event, other than passage of time. In the case of our consignment arrangements, we are unable to invoice the customer until
product is pulled from the hub by the customer, which generates an unbilled receivable (a contract asset) when revenue is
initially recognized.
A contract liability results when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance obligation being met. We
have certain customers who provide payment in advance of product being shipped, which results in deferred revenue (a
contract liability).
The balances of the Company’s contract assets and contract liabilities at December 31, 2018 and January 1, 2018 are as
follows:
Contract assets - current (unbilled receivable)
Contract liabilities - current (deferred revenue)
$
$
15,799
1,036
$
$
14,536
855
December 31,
2018
January 1,
2018
The change in balance of our unbilled receivables from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 primarily relates to a timing
difference between the Company’s performance (i.e. when our product is shipped to a customer-controlled hub) and the point
at which the Company can invoice the customer per the terms of the customer contract (i.e. when the customer pulls our
product from the customer-controlled hub).
A tabular presentation of the activity within the deferred revenue account for the year ended December 31, 2018 is presented
below:
Balance, January 1
New advance payments received
Recognized as revenue during period
Currency translation
Balance, December 31
Year Ended
December 31, 2018
855
$
6,517
(6,322)
(14)
1,036
$
Transaction Price Allocated to Future Obligations:
The aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations that have not been satisfied as of
December 31, 2018 related to contracts that exceed one year in duration amounted to $18.2 million, with expected contract
expiration dates that range from 2020 - 2024. It is expected that 78% of this aggregate amount will be recognized in 2020,
20% will be recognized in 2021 and the remainder will be recognized in years beyond 2021. The majority of the Company’s
total backlog of orders at December 31, 2018 is related to contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less,
for which the Company is electing to utilize the practical expedient available within the guidance, and are excluded from the
transaction price related to these future obligations. The Company will generally satisfy the remaining performance obligations
-46-
as we transfer control of the products ordered to our customers. The transaction price related to these future obligations also
excludes variable consideration consisting of sales or usage-based royalties earned on licensing agreements. The variability
related to these sales or usage-based royalties will be resolved in the periods when the licensee generates sales related to the
licensed intellectual property.
Other Practical Expedients:
In the application of the recognition and measurement principles of ASC 606, the Company elected to utilize the following
additional practical expedients which are provided for within the guidance:
Financing Components: Bel has elected the practical expedient which enables management to disregard the effects
of a financing component if the time difference between delivery of goods or services and payment for the goods or
services is within one year.
Costs to Obtain a Contract: As part of negotiations, Bel may incur incremental costs to obtain a contract.
Incremental costs are only those costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained (e.g.
sales commissions). Bel has elected the practical expedient that allows incremental costs to obtain a contract to be
expensed as incurred when the expected amortization period is one year or less.
4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related acquisition costs over the fair value assigned to the net
tangible and other intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition.
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill classified by our segment reporting structure for the years ended December 31,
2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Total
North America
Asia
Europe
Balance at January 1, 2017:
Goodwill, gross
Accumulated impairment charges
Goodwill, net
$
146,542
(128,591)
17,951
$
63,364
(54,474)
8,890
$
54,508
(54,508)
-
$
28,670
(19,609)
9,061
Foreign currency translation
2,226
-
-
2,226
Balance at December 31, 2017:
Goodwill, gross
Accumulated impairment charges
Goodwill, net
Goodwill allocation related to acquisition
Foreign currency translation
Balance at December 31, 2018:
Goodwill, gross
Accumulated impairment charges
Goodwill, net
148,768
(128,591)
20,177
1,290
(1,650)
63,364
(54,474)
8,890
-
-
54,508
(54,508)
-
-
-
30,896
(19,609)
11,287
1,290
(1,650)
148,408
(128,591)
19,817
$
63,364
(54,474)
8,890
$
54,508
(54,508)
$
-
30,536
(19,609)
10,927
$
As discussed in Note 5, Fair Value Measurements, goodwill is reviewed for impairment on a reporting unit basis annually
during the fourth quarter of each year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill
may not be recoverable. The goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. In the first step, the fair value of each
reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is
not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the second
step of the impairment test must be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss. In the second step, the reporting
unit’s fair value is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible
assets, in a hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit
-47-
was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is less than the carrying
value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss and a reduction to goodwill.
We estimated the fair value of these reporting units using a weighting of fair values derived from income and market
approaches. Under the income approach, we determine the fair value of a reporting unit based on the present value of estimated
future cash flows. Cash flow projections are based on management’s estimates of revenue growth rates and operating margins,
taking into consideration industry and market conditions. The discount rate used is based on a weighted average cost of capital
adjusted for the relevant risk associated with the characteristics of the business and the projected cash flows. The market
approach estimates fair value based on market multiples of revenue and earnings derived from comparable publicly traded
companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.
2018 Annual Impairment Test
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company completed step one of our annual goodwill impairment test for our reporting
units. We concluded that the fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units exceeded the respective carrying values and
that there was no indication of impairment.
The excess of estimated fair values over carrying value, including goodwill for each of our reporting units that had goodwill
as of the 2018 annual impairment test were as follows:
Reporting Unit
North America
Europe
% by Which Estimated Fair
Value Exceeds Carrying Value
20.3%
23.8%
As noted above, the fair value determined under step one of the goodwill impairment test completed in the fourth quarter of
2018 exceeded the carrying value for each reporting unit. Therefore, there was no impairment of goodwill. However, if the
fair value decreases in future periods, the Company may fail step one of the goodwill impairment test and be required to
perform step two. In performing step two, the fair value would have to be allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the
reporting unit. Therefore, any potential goodwill impairment charge would be dependent upon the estimated fair value of the
reporting unit at that time and the outcome of step two of the impairment test. The fair values of the assets and liabilities of
the reporting unit, including the intangible assets, could vary depending on various factors.
The future occurrence of a potential indicator of impairment, such as a decrease in expected net earnings, adverse equity
market conditions, a decline in current market multiples, a decline in our common stock price, a significant adverse change in
legal factors or business climates, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, strategic
decisions made in response to economic or competitive conditions, or a more-likely-than-not expectation that a reporting unit
or a significant portion of a reporting unit will be sold or disposed of, could require an interim assessment for some or all of
the reporting units before the next required annual assessment. In the event of significant adverse changes of the nature
described above, it may be necessary for us to recognize an additional non-cash impairment of goodwill, which could have a
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations.
2017 Annual Impairment Test
Based on annual impairment tests performed in the prior year, there was no indication of goodwill impairment at the October
1, 2017 testing date.
Other Intangible Assets
Other identifiable intangible assets include patents, technology, license agreements, non-compete agreements and trademarks.
Amounts assigned to these intangible assets have been determined by management. Management considered a number of
factors in determining the allocations, including valuations and independent appraisals. Trademarks have indefinite lives and
are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis. Other intangible assets, excluding trademarks, are being amortized over 1 to
16 years.
The Company tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment using a fair value approach, the relief-from-royalty
method (a form of the income approach). At December 31, 2018, the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets related to
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the trademarks acquired in the Power Solutions, Connectivity Solutions, Cinch and Fibreco acquisitions.
The components of definite and indefinite-lived intangible assets are as follows:
Gross Carrying
Amount
December 31, 2018
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying
Amount
Gross Carrying
Amount
December 31, 2017
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Carrying
Amount
Patents, licenses and technology
Customer relationships
Non-compete agreements
Trademarks
$
38,845
44,588
2,683
11,770
$
18,281
14,193
2,683
40
$
20,564
30,395
-
11,730
$
39,218
44,704
2,711
11,888
$
14,926
11,478
2,711
40
$
24,292
33,226
-
11,848
$
97,886
$
35,197
$
62,689
$
98,521
$
29,155
$
69,366
Amortization expense was $6.4 million and $6.7 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for the next five years is as follows:
December 31,
Amortization Expense
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
$
6,289
6,263
6,248
4,877
3,621
2018 Annual Impairment Test
The Company completed its annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2018, noting
no impairment. Management has concluded that the fair value of these trademarks exceeded the related carrying values at
December 31, 2018 and that there was no indication of impairment.
5.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
As of December 31, 2017, the Company held certain financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
These consisted of securities that are among the Company’s investments in a rabbi trust which are intended to fund the
Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) obligations, and other marketable securities described below.
The securities that are held in the rabbi trust are categorized as available-for-sale securities and are included as other assets in
the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2017. The gross unrealized gains associated with the
investments held in the rabbi trust were $0.2 million at December 31, 2017. Such unrealized gains are included, net of tax, in
accumulated other comprehensive income. During 2018, the Company sold its securities and realized a gain on sale of $0.2
million. The proceeds of $1.3 million were reinvested in other securities within the rabbi trust.
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our available-for-sale securities, which primarily consist of investments held in a rabbi
trust of $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively, are measured at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for
identical assets (Level 1) inputs. The Company does not have any financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis
categorized as Level 3, and there were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 during 2018 or 2017. There were
no changes to the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure asset fair values on a recurring or nonrecurring basis
during 2018.
There were no financial assets accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2018 or 2017.
The Company has other financial instruments, such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts
payable, accrued expenses and notes payable, which are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are recorded at
amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt
is estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on interest rates that are currently available for debt issuances with
similar terms and maturities. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the estimated fair value of total debt was $117.9 million and
$124.8 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $114.2 million and $122.7 million, respectively. The Company
-49-
did not have any other financial liabilities within the scope of the fair value disclosure requirements as of December 31, 2018
and 2017.
Nonfinancial assets and liabilities, such as goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets, are accounted for
at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. These items are tested for impairment upon the occurrence of a triggering event or in
the case of goodwill, on at least an annual basis. See Note 4, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” for further information
about goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets.
6. OTHER ASSETS
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has obligations of $18.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, associated
with its SERP. As a means of informally funding these obligations, the Company has invested in life insurance policies related
to certain employees and marketable securities held in a rabbi trust. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, these assets had a
combined value of $13.0 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
Company-Owned Life Insurance
Investments in company-owned life insurance policies (“COLI”) were made with the intention of utilizing them as a long-
term funding source for the Company’s SERP obligations. However, the cash surrender value of the COLI does not represent
a committed funding source for these obligations. Any proceeds from these policies are subject to claims from creditors. The
cash surrender value of the COLI of $11.6 million and $12.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, is included
in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The volatility in global equity markets in recent years has
also had an effect on the cash surrender value of the COLI policies. The Company recorded (expense) income to account for
the (decrease) increase in cash surrender value in the amount of ($0.4) million and $1.3 million during the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These fluctuations in the cash surrender value were allocated between cost of
sales and selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017. The allocation is consistent with the costs associated with the long-term employee benefit
obligations that the COLI is intended to fund.
Other Investments
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company held, in the aforementioned rabbi trust, available-for-sale investments at a cost
of $1.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Together with the COLI described above, these investments are intended to
fund the Company’s SERP obligations and are classified as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company monitors these investments for impairment on an ongoing basis. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the fair
market value of these investments was $1.4 million and $1.5 million, respectively. The gross unrealized gain of $0 and $0.2
million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, has been included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive
income (loss).
7.
INVENTORIES
The components of inventories are as follows:
Raw materials
Work in progress
Finished goods
Inventories
December 31,
2018
$
63,348
21,441
35,279
2017
$
46,712
17,688
43,319
$
120,068
$
107,719
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8. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property, plant and equipment, net consist of the following:
December 31,
Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Construction in progress
Accumulated depreciation
Property, plant and equipment, net
2018
$
2017
$
2,251
30,119
126,747
4,687
163,804
(119,872)
43,932
2,259
30,761
122,773
1,511
157,304
(113,809)
43,495
$
$
Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $11.8 million and $14.0 million, respectively.
9.
INCOME TAXES
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign
jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2015 and for
state examinations before 2012. Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax
authorities for years before 2008 in Asia and generally 2010 in Europe.
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company has approximately $28.9 million and $30.4 million, respectively, of liabilities
for uncertain tax positions ($1.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities on the
consolidated balance sheets and $27.5 million and $27.9 million, respectively, is included in liability for uncertain tax
positions on the consolidated balance sheets). These amounts, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax
rate. As of December 31, 2018, approximately $1.1 million of the Company’s liabilities for uncertain tax positions are
expected to be resolved during the next twelve months by way of expiration of the related statute of limitations.
As a result of the expiration of the statutes of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related
unrecognized benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change materially from those recorded
as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company’s consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2018. A total of
$1.1 million of the liability for uncertain tax positions, of which $1.0 million related to the 2008 tax year is scheduled to expire
on June 1, 2019. The remaining $0.1 million relates to the 2015 tax year and is scheduled to expire on September 15, 2019.
A total of $2.5 million of the liability for uncertain tax positions expired during the year ended December 31, 2018, of which
$1.1 million related to the 2006 tax year and $1.4 million related to the 2014 tax year.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the liability for uncertain tax positions, including the portion included
in income taxes payable, is as follows:
Liability for uncertain tax positions - January 1
Additions based on tax positions
related to the current year
Additions relating to acquisitions
Translation adjustment
Settlement/expiration of statutes of limitations
Liability for uncertain tax positions - December 31
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
30,430
$
27,828
1,703
-
(657)
(2,525)
28,951
$
2,168
-
804
(370)
30,430
$
The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the current
provision for income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized $1.3 million and
-51-
$0.9 million, respectively, in interest and penalties in the consolidated statements of operations. During the years ended
December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company recognized a benefit of $0.3 million and zero, respectively, for the reversal of
such interest and penalties, relating to the expiration of statues of limitations and settlement of a liability for uncertain tax
positions, respectively. The Company has approximately $3.8 million and $3.2 million accrued for the payment of interest
and penalties at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, which is included in both income taxes payable and liability for
uncertain tax positions in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s total earnings (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes included earnings (loss) from domestic
operations of $0.3 million and ($2.0) million for 2018 and 2017, respectively, and earnings (loss) before provision (benefit)
for income taxes from foreign operations of $23.3 million and $11.7 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:
Current:
Federal
State
Foreign
Deferred:
Federal
State
Foreign
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
$
(3,517)
152
3,782
417
$
16,055
115
5,685
21,855
2,895
196
(601)
2,490
(1,312)
(329)
1,326
(315)
$
2,907
$
21,540
A reconciliation of taxes on income computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to amounts provided is as follows:
Tax provision computed at the
federal statutory rate
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
Years Ended December 31,
2018
$
%
2017
$
%
$
4,959
21%
$
3,375
35%
Different tax rates applicable to foreign operations
1,231
5%
(2,531)
(26%)
(Reversal of) increase in liability for uncertain
tax positions - net
(822)
(3%)
1,082
11%
Impact of U.S. Tax Reform
(2,628)
(11%)
19,171
199%
Utilization of research and experimentation, solar and foreign
tax credits
(300)
(1%)
(272)
(3%)
State taxes, net of federal benefit
Foreign tax on gain, net of federal benefit
322
-
1%
0%
(261)
(3%)
1,223
13%
Other, including qualified production activity credits, SERP/COLI
income, under/(over) accruals, unrealized foreign exchange gains
and amortization of purchase accounting intangibles
Tax provision computed at the Company's
effective tax rate
145
1%
(247)
(3%)
$
2,907
12%
$
21,540
223%
The Company holds an offshore business license from the government of Macao. With this license, a Macao offshore
company named Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) Limited has been established to handle the Company’s sales to third-
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party customers in Asia. Sales by this company consist of products manufactured in the PRC. This company is not subject to
Macao corporate profit taxes which are imposed at a tax rate of 12%. On September 21, 2018, the Executive Council of the
Macao SAR Government proposed to abolish the existing Offshore Law. It is proposed that the existing law and the relevant
regulations related to the offshore business will be abolished, and that the operating permit to carry on offshore business will
be terminated on January 1, 2021. The Company is currently looking at other options for the Company’s operations.
Additionally, the Company established TRP International, a China Business Trust (“CBT”), when it acquired the TRP group,
as previously discussed. Sales by the CBT consists of products manufactured in the PRC and sold to third-party customers
inside and outside Asia. The CBT is not subject to PRC income taxes, which are generally imposed at a tax rate of 25%.
As of December 31, 2018, the Company has gross foreign income tax net operating losses (“NOL”) of $35.6 million, foreign
tax credits of $0.3 million and capital loss carryforwards of $0.2 million which amount to a total of $8.2 million of deferred
tax assets. The Company has established valuation allowances totaling $8.2 million against these deferred tax assets. In
addition, the Company has gross federal and state income tax NOLs of $2.1 million, including $1.8 million of NOLs acquired
from Array, which amount to $0.4 million of deferred tax assets and tax credit carryforwards of $1.5 million. The Company
has established valuation allowances of $1.0 million against these deferred tax assets. The foreign NOL's can be carried
forward indefinitely, the NOL acquired from Array expires at various times during 2026 – 2027, the state NOL's expire at
various times during 2019 – 2032 and the tax credit carryforwards expire at various times during 2025 - 2034.
The Company’s intention is to repatriate certain amounts of cash from its China operations, which include its wholly owned
PRC subsidiary, Dongguan Transpower Electric Products Co., Ltd, a Chinese Limited Liability Company, to the U.S.
Applicable income and dividend withholding taxes of $0.4 million have been reflected in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2018.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company completed the analysis of the impacts of the U.S. tax reform and recognized
the tax consequences of all unremitted foreign earnings. At December 31, 2017, we had made a reasonable estimate of the
effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax in which we recognized a provisional amount of
$18.1 million, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. On the basis of revised
earnings and profit computations that were completed during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized a
measurement-period adjustment reducing the deemed repatriation tax by $2.6 million, resulting in the reduction of the
Company’s provisional estimate from $18.1 million to $15.5 million. After payments made during 2018, the remaining
deemed repatriation taxes payable of $10.8 million is included in other current liabilities on the Company’s consolidated
balance sheet at December 31, 2018 due to an Internal Revenue Service notice received in December 2018.
Except for the distribution noted above, management’s intention is to permanently reinvest the remaining unremitted earnings
of our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018. Due to the practicality of determining the deferred taxes on outside basis
differences in our investments in our foreign subsidiaries, we have not provided for deferred taxes on outside basis differences
and determined that these basis differences will be indefinitely reinvested.
Components of deferred income tax assets are as follows:
Deferred tax assets:
State tax credits
Unfunded pension liability
Reserves and accruals
Federal, state and foreign net operating loss
and credit carryforwards
Depreciation
Other accruals
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation
Amortization
Other accruals
Total deferred tax liabilities
Valuation allowance
Net deferred tax (liabilities)/assets
December 31,
2018
Tax Effect
2017
Tax Effect
$
1,000
605
2,483
$
1,033
1,139
2,828
8,370
850
5,641
18,949
10,524
917
4,915
21,356
1,666
7,930
893
10,489
9,200
(740)
$
989
8,490
946
10,425
8,343
2,588
$
-53-
The Company continues to monitor proposed legislation affecting the taxation of transfers of U.S. intangible property and
other potential tax law changes.
10. DEBT
At December 31, 2018 and 2017, borrowings outstanding related to the respective term loans described below were $116.0
million and $125.0 million, respectively, with no borrowings outstanding under the applicable revolver at either date. The
unused credit available under the applicable credit facility was $75.0 million at each of December 31, 2018 and December 31,
2017. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the carrying value of the debt on the consolidated balance sheets is reflected net of
$1.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively, of deferred financing costs.
The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2018 was 4.31%, which consisted of LIBOR of 2.56% plus the Company’s margin
of 1.75%. The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2017 was 3.38%, which consisted of LIBOR of 1.63% plus the
Company’s margin of 1.75%. In connection with its outstanding borrowings and amortization of the deferred financing costs
described below, the Company incurred $5.3 million and $6.8 million of interest expense during the years ended December
31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
2014 Credit and Security Agreement
On June 19, 2014, the Company entered into a senior Credit and Security Agreement with KeyBank National Association
(“KeyBank”), as administrative agent and lender, which was amended on June 30, 2014 principally to add a syndicate of
additional lenders (as so amended, the “2014 CSA”). The 2014 CSA consisted of (i) a $50 million revolving credit facility
(“Revolver”), (ii) a $145 million term loan facility (“Term Loan”) and (iii) a $70 million delayed draw term loan (“DDTL”).
The maturity date of the 2014 CSA was June 18, 2019. The Company recorded $5.8 million of deferred financing costs
associated with the 2014 CSA, to be amortized through interest expense over the 5-year term of the agreement.
2016 Amendment
In March 2016, the Company amended the terms of the 2014 CSA to modify (i) the date by which the Company was obligated
to make excess cash flow prepayments in 2016 on account of excess cash flow achieved for fiscal year 2015, (ii) the method
of application of mandatory and voluntary prepayments related to the Company’s loans, and (iii) the maximum Leverage
Ratio of the Company allowed under the 2014 CSA for the period from the effective date of the amendment through September
2016. In connection with this amendment to the 2014 CSA, the Company paid $0.7 million of deferred financing costs, and
the modification to the amortization schedule resulted in $0.5 million of existing deferred financing costs to be accelerated
and recorded as interest expense during the first quarter of 2016.
2017 Amendment and Refinancing
On December 11, 2017, the Company refinanced the borrowings under the 2014 CSA and further amended its terms as
follows: (i) extended the maturity date to December 11, 2022, (ii) revised the amount of the Term Loan to $125.0 million, (iii)
increased the amount available under the Revolver to $75.0 million, (iv) reduced mandatory amortization payments over the
first four years of the new 5-year term; and (v) reduced the pricing grid related to interest expense, among other items (the
“2017 CSA”). Concurrent with its entry into the 2017 CSA, the Company’s outstanding balances due under the DDTL and
Revolver were paid in full. In connection with 2017 CSA and related refinancing, the Company paid $1.8 million of deferred
financing costs. Due to the magnitude of the modifications to the 2014 CSA, including a reduction in the number of lenders
within the syndicate, this modification was deemed an extinguishment of the balances outstanding related to the Term Loan
and DDTL that originated under the 2014 CSA. As a result, $1.0 million of existing deferred financing costs were accelerated
and recorded as interest expense during the fourth quarter of 2017.
Under the terms of the 2017 CSA, the Company is entitled, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, to request
additional commitments under the revolving credit facility or term loans in the aggregate principal amount of up to $75 million
to the extent that existing or new lenders agree to provide such additional commitments and/or term loans.
The obligations of the Company under the 2017 CSA are guaranteed by certain of the Company's material U.S. subsidiaries
(together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”) and are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the
existing and future personal property of the Loan Parties, certain material real property of the Loan Parties and certain of the
-54-
Loan Parties’ material U.S. subsidiaries, including 65% of the voting capital stock of certain of the Loan Parties’ direct foreign
subsidiaries.
The borrowings under the 2017 CSA bear interest at a rate equal to, at the Company's option, either (1) LIBOR, plus a margin
ranging from 1.375% per annum to 2.75% per annum depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, or (2)(a) an “Alternate
Base Rate,” which is the highest of (i) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (ii) KeyBank’s prime rate and (iii) the LIBOR rate
with a maturity of one month plus 1.00%, plus (b) a margin ranging from 0.375% per annum to 1.75% per annum, depending
on the Company’s leverage ratio.
The 2017 CSA contains customary representations and warranties, covenants and events of default and financial covenants
that measure (i) the ratio of the Company's total funded indebtedness, on a consolidated basis, to the amount of the Company’s
consolidated EBITDA, as defined, (“Leverage Ratio”) and (ii) the ratio of the amount of the Company’s consolidated EBITDA
to the Company’s consolidated fixed charges (“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”). If an event of default occurs, the lenders
under the CSA would be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due thereunder and all actions
permitted to be taken by a secured creditor. At December 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants,
including its most restrictive covenant, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
Scheduled principal payments of the total debt outstanding at December 31, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
2019
2020
2021
2022
Total long-term debt
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt
11. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consist of the following:
Sales commissions
Subcontracting labor
Salaries, bonuses and related benefits
Warranty accrual
Other
$
2,974
5,948
5,948
101,118
115,988
(2,974)
113,014
$
December 31,
2018
$
2,609
1,550
18,275
1,078
8,778
2017
$
2,461
1,408
16,531
1,769
8,339
$
32,290
$
30,508
The change in warranty accrual during 2018 primarily related to repair costs incurred and adjustments to pre-existing
warranties. There were no new material warranty charges incurred during 2018.
-55-
12.
SEGMENTS
The Company operates in one industry with three reportable operating segments, which are geographic in nature. The
segments consist of North America, Asia and Europe. The primary criteria by which financial performance is evaluated and
resources are allocated are net sales and income from operations. The following is a summary of key financial data:
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
Net Sales to External Customers:
North America
Asia
Europe
Net Sales:
North America
Asia
Europe
Less intercompany
net sales
Income from Operations:
North America
Asia
Europe
Total Assets:
North America
Asia
Europe
Capital Expenditures:
North America
Asia
Europe
Depreciation and Amortization Expense:
North America
Asia
Europe
$
$
271,691
187,203
89,290
548,184
245,834
167,680
78,097
491,611
$
$
$
284,245
279,965
103,853
$
257,541
249,506
89,765
(119,879)
548,184
$
(105,201)
491,611
$
$
$
6,769
16,621
6,221
29,611
177,902
175,713
89,909
443,524
4,836
5,661
1,097
11,594
8,906
5,842
3,459
18,207
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
6,195
8,964
2,227
17,386
172,674
152,447
106,144
431,265
1,734
2,617
2,074
6,425
10,641
6,728
3,349
20,718
Net Sales – Segment net sales are attributed to individual segments based on the geographic source of the billing for such
customer sales. Intercompany sales include finished products manufactured in foreign countries which are then transferred to
the United States and Europe for sale; finished goods manufactured in the United States which are transferred to Europe and
Asia for sale; and semi-finished components manufactured in the United States which are sold to Asia for further processing.
Income from operations represents net sales less operating costs and expenses and does not include any amounts related to
intercompany transactions.
-56-
Entity-Wide Information
The following is a summary of entity-wide information related to the Company’s net sales to external customers by geographic
area and by major product line.
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
Net Sales by Geographic Location:
United States
Macao
United Kingdom
Slovakia
Germany
Switzerland
All other foreign countries
$
271,691
187,204
26,340
24,123
15,298
13,279
10,249
$
245,834
167,681
24,110
14,194
13,857
15,366
10,569
Consolidated net sales
$
548,184
$
491,611
Net Sales by Major Product Line:
Connectivity solutions
Magnetic solutions
Power solutions and protection
$
186,724
185,407
176,053
$
170,337
161,011
160,263
Consolidated net sales
$
548,184
$
491,611
The following is a summary of long-lived assets by geographic area as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:
Long-lived Assets by Geographic Location:
United States
People's Republic of China (PRC)
Slovakia
Switzerland
United Kingdom
All other foreign countries
December 31,
2018
2017
$
27,505
29,563
6,475
3,023
2,330
1,117
$
27,594
30,151
7,625
3,632
1,345
1,121
Consolidated long-lived assets
$
70,013
$
71,468
Long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, net and other assets of the Company that are identified with the
operations of each geographic area.
The territory of Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region (“SAR”) of the PRC in the middle of 1997. The territory
of Macao became a SAR of the PRC at the end of 1999. Management cannot presently predict what future impact this will
have on the Company, if any, or how the political climate in the PRC will affect the Company's contractual arrangements in
the PRC. A significant portion of the Company's manufacturing operations and approximately 41.3% of its identifiable assets
are located in Asia.
Net Sales to Major Customers
The Company had net sales to one customer in excess of ten percent of consolidated net sales in each of 2018 and 2017. The
net sales associated with this customer was $67.7 million in 2018 (12.3% of sales) and $57.7 million in 2017 (11.7% of sales).
Net sales related to this significant customer were primarily reflected in the Asia operating segment during each of the two
years discussed.
-57-
13. RETIREMENT FUND AND PROFIT SHARING PLAN
The Company maintains the Bel Fuse Inc. Employees’ Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan that is intended to meet the
applicable requirements for tax-qualification under sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”). The Employees’ Savings Plan allows eligible employees to voluntarily contribute a percentage of their eligible
compensation, subject to Code limitations, which contributions are matched by the Company in an amount equal to 100% of
the first 1% of compensation contributed by participants, and 50% of the next 5% of compensation contributed by participants.
The Company’s matching contribution is made in the form of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A common stock. Prior to January 1, 2012,
the Company’s matching and profit sharing contributions were made in the form of shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class
B common stock. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 amounted to $1.3 million and $1.2 million,
respectively. As of December 31, 2018, the plan owned 114,839 and 127,733 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B
common stock, respectively.
The Company's subsidiaries in Asia have a retirement fund covering substantially all of their Hong Kong based full-time
employees. Eligible employees contribute up to 5% of salary to the fund. In addition, the Company must contribute a
minimum of 5% of eligible salary, as determined by Hong Kong government regulations. The Company currently contributes
7% of eligible salary in cash or Company stock. The expense for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 amounted to
approximately $0.3 million in each year. As of December 31, 2018, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc.
Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.
The Company maintains a SERP, which is designed to provide a limited group of key management and other key employees
of the Company with supplemental retirement and death benefits. Participants in the SERP are selected by the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors. The SERP initially became effective in 2002 and was amended and restated in April
2007 to conform with applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and to modify the provisions
regarding benefits payable in connection with a change in control of the Company. The Plan is unfunded. Benefits under the
SERP are payable from the general assets of the Company, but the Company has established a rabbi trust which includes
certain life insurance policies in effect on participants as well as other investments to partially cover the Company’s obligations
under the Plan. See Note 6, “Other Assets,” for further information on these assets.
The benefits available under the SERP vary according to when and how the participant terminates employment with the
Company. If a participant retires (with the prior written consent of the Company) on his normal retirement date (65 years old,
20 years of service, and 5 years of Plan participation), his normal retirement benefit under the Plan would be annual payments
equal to 40% of his average base compensation (calculated using compensation from the highest five consecutive calendar
years of Plan participation), payable in monthly installments for the remainder of his life. If a participant retires early from
the Company (55 years old, 20 years of service, and five years of Plan participation), his early retirement benefit under the
Plan would be an amount (i) calculated as if his early retirement date were in fact his normal retirement date, (ii) multiplied
by a fraction, with the numerator being the actual years of service the participant has with the Company and the denominator
being the years of service the participant would have had if he had retired at age 65, and (iii) actuarially reduced to reflect the
early retirement date. If a participant dies prior to receiving 120 monthly payments under the Plan, his beneficiary would
be entitled to continue receiving benefits for the shorter of (i) the time necessary to complete 120 monthly payments or (ii)
60 months. If a participant dies while employed by the Company, his beneficiary would receive, as a survivor benefit, an
annual amount equal to (i) 100% of the participant’s annual base salary at date of death for one year, and (ii) 50% of the
participant’s annual base salary at date of death for each of the following four years, each payable in monthly installments.
The Plan also provides for disability benefits, and a forfeiture of benefits if a participant terminates employment for reasons
other than those contemplated under the Plan. The expense related to the Plan for the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017 amounted to $1.8 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
-58-
Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The net periodic benefit cost related to the SERP consisted of the following components during the years ended December
31, 2018 and 2017:
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
Service Cost
Interest Cost
Net amortization
Net periodic benefit cost
$
$
732
664
443
1,839
700
673
375
1,748
$
$
The service cost component of net benefit cost is presented within cost of sales or selling, general and administrative expense
on the accompanying statements of operations, in accordance with where compensation cost for the related associate is
reported. All other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost and net amortization noted above, are presented
within other income/expense, net in the accompanying statements of operations.
Obligations and Funded Status
Summarized information about the changes in plan assets and benefit obligation, the funded status and the amounts recorded
at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
Fair value of plan assets, January 1
Company contributions
Benefits paid
Fair value of plan assets, December 31
Benefit obligation, January 1
Service cost
Interest cost
Benefits paid
Plan amendments
Actuarial (gains) losses
Benefit obligation, December 31
Underfunded status, December 31
Years Ended December 31,
2018
-
$
325
(325)
$
-
2017
-
$
240
(240)
$
-
$
$
19,134
732
664
(325)
39
(1,568)
18,676
(18,676)
16,900
700
673
(240)
198
903
19,134
(19,134)
$
$
The Company has recorded the 2018 and 2017 underfunded status as a long-term liability on the consolidated balance sheets.
The accumulated benefit obligation for the SERP was $16.5 million as of December 31, 2018 and $16.1 million as of
December 31, 2017. The aforementioned company-owned life insurance policies and marketable securities held in a rabbi
trust had a combined value of $13.0 million and $14.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 6,
“Other Assets,” for additional information on these investments.
The estimated net loss and prior service cost for the SERP that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss
into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $0.2 million. The Company expects to make contributions of $0.3
million to the SERP in 2019. The Company had no net transition assets or obligations recognized as an adjustment to other
comprehensive income and does not anticipate any plan assets being returned to the Company during 2019, as the plan has no
assets.
-59-
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are expected to be paid:
Years Ending
December 31,
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 - 2028
$
379
659
679
902
941
5,409
The following gross amounts are recognized net of tax in accumulated other comprehensive loss:
December 31,
Prior service cost
Net loss
Actuarial Assumptions
2018
$
2017
$
$
$
918
1,977
2,895
1,135
3,732
4,867
The weighted average assumptions used in determining the periodic net cost and benefit obligation information related to the
SERP are as follows:
Net periodic benefit cost:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Benefit obligation:
Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase
Years Ended December 31,
2018
2017
3.50%
3.00%
4.00%
2.50%
4.00%
3.00%
3.50%
3.00%
14. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has an equity compensation program (the “Program”) which provides for the granting of “Incentive Stock
Options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, non-qualified stock options
and restricted stock awards. The Company believes that such awards better align the interest of its employees with those of
its shareholders. The 2011 Equity Compensation Plan provides for the issuance of 1.4 million shares of the Company’s Class
B common stock. At December 31, 2018, 359,100 shares remained available for future issuance under the 2011 Equity
Compensation Plan.
The Company records compensation expense in its consolidated statements of operations related to employee stock-based
options and awards. The aggregate pretax compensation cost recognized for stock-based compensation amounted to
approximately $2.8 million and $3.0 million for 2018 and 2017, respectively, and related solely to restricted stock awards.
The Company did not use any cash to settle any equity instruments granted under share-based arrangements during 2018 and
2017. At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the only instruments issued and outstanding under the Program related to restricted
stock awards.
-60-
Restricted Stock Awards
The Company provides common stock awards to certain officers and key employees. The Company grants these awards, at
its discretion, from the shares available under the Program. Unless otherwise provided at the date of grant or unless
subsequently accelerated, the shares awarded are typically earned in 25% increments on the second, third, fourth and fifth
anniversaries of the award and are distributed provided the employee has remained employed by the Company through such
anniversary dates; otherwise the unearned shares are forfeited. The market value of these shares at the date of award is
recorded as compensation expense on the straight-line method over the applicable vesting period from the respective award
dates, as adjusted for forfeitures of unvested awards. During 2018 and 2017, the Company issued 262,000 shares and 46,400
shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, respectively, under a restricted stock plan to various officers and employees.
A summary of the restricted stock activity under the Program for the year ended December 31, 2018 is presented below:
Restricted Stock
Awards
Outstanding at January 1, 2018
Granted
Vested
Forfeited
Outstanding at December 31, 2018
Shares
424,500
262,000
(129,600)
(29,000)
527,900
Weighted Average
Award Price
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
$
$
23.23
24.68
21.88
21.69
24.37
3.0 years
3.5 years
As of December 31, 2018, there was $8.7 million of total pretax unrecognized compensation cost included within additional
paid-in capital related to non-vested stock based compensation arrangements granted under the restricted stock award plan.
That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 3.8 years. This expense is recorded in cost of sales and SG&A expense
based upon the employment classification of the award recipients.
The Company's policy is to issue new shares to satisfy restricted stock awards. Currently the Company believes that
substantially all restricted stock awards will vest.
15. COMMON STOCK
As of December 31, 2018, according to regulatory filings, there was one shareholder of the Company’s common stock (other
than shareholders subject to specific exceptions) with ownership in excess of 10% of Class A outstanding shares with no
ownership of the Company’s Class B common stock. In accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation, the
Class B Protection clause is triggered if a shareholder owns 10% or more of the outstanding Class A common stock and does
not own an equal or greater percentage of all then outstanding shares of both Class A and Class B common stock (all of which
common stock must have been acquired after the date of the 1998 recapitalization). In such a circumstance, such shareholder
must, within 90 days of the trigger date, purchase Class B common shares, in an amount and at a price determined in
accordance with a formula described in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, or forfeit its right to vote its Class A
common shares. As of December 31, 2018, to the Company’s knowledge, this shareholder had not purchased any Class B
shares to comply with these requirements. In order to vote its shares at Bel’s next shareholders’ meeting, this shareholder
must either purchase the required number of Class B common shares or sell or otherwise transfer Class A common shares
until its Class A holdings are under 10%. As of December 31, 2018, to the Company’s knowledge, this shareholder owned
23.6% of the Company’s Class A common stock in the aggregate and had not taken steps to either purchase the required
number of Class B common shares or sell or otherwise transfer Class A common shares until its Class A holdings fall below
10%. Unless and until this situation is satisfied in a manner permitted by the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
the subject shareholder will not be permitted to vote its shares of common stock.
Throughout 2018 and 2017, the Company declared cash dividends on a quarterly basis at a rate of $0.06 per Class A share of
common stock and $0.07 per Class B share of common stock. The Company declared and paid cash dividends totaling $3.3
million in each of 2018 and 2017. There are no contractual restrictions on the Company's ability to pay dividends, provided
that the Company is not in default under its credit agreements immediately before such payment and after giving effect to
such payment.
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16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Leases
The Company leases various facilities under operating leases expiring through May 2027. Some of these leases require the
Company to pay certain executory costs (such as insurance and maintenance).
Future minimum lease payments for operating leases are approximately as follows:
Year Ending
December 31,
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
Thereafter
$
7,363
6,017
4,967
3,338
1,194
442
$
23,321
Rental expense for all leases was approximately $8.0 million and $8.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017, respectively.
Other Commitments
The Company submits purchase orders for raw materials to various vendors throughout the year for current production
requirements, as well as forecasted requirements. Certain of these purchase orders relate to special purpose material and, as
such, the Company may incur penalties if an order is cancelled. The Company had outstanding purchase orders related to raw
materials in the amount of $58.9 million and $45.4 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The
Company also had outstanding purchase orders related to capital expenditures in the amount of $5.2 million and $3.0 million
at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is party to a number of legal actions and claims, none of which individually or in the aggregate, in the opinion
of management, are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial
position.
In connection with the acquisition of Power Solutions, there is an ongoing claim by the Arezzo Revenue Agency in Italy
concerning certain tax matters related to what was then Power-One Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd. (now Bel
Power Solutions Asia Pacific Electronics Shenzhen Co. Ltd, or “BPS China”) for the years 2004 to 2006. In September 2012,
the Tax Court of Arezzo ruled in favor of BPS China and cancelled the claim. In February 2013, the Arezzo Revenue Agency
filed an appeal of the Tax Court’s ruling. The hearing of the appeal was held on October 2, 2014. On October 13, 2014, BPS
China was informed of the Regional Tax Commission of Florence ruling which was in favor of the Arezzo Revenue Agency
and against BPS China. An appeal was filed on July 18, 2015 before the Regional Tax Commission of Florence and
rejected. On December 5, 2016, the Arezzo Revenue Agency filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and BPS China filed a
counter-appeal on January 4, 2017. The Supreme Court has yet to render its judgment. The estimated liability related to this
matter is approximately $12.0 million and has been included as a liability for uncertain tax positions on the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets. As Bel is fully indemnified in this matter per the terms of the stock purchase agreement with
ABB, a corresponding other asset for indemnification is also included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
In 2015, the Company was provided notice of a potential patent infringement claim by Setec Netzwerke AG (“Setec”), a
German company for the alleged infringement of their patent EP 306 934 B1. Setec subsequently filed a lawsuit against the
Company and three of its subsidiaries in the Regional Court of Dusseldorf, Germany on January 29, 2016 for patent
infringement. The Company filed its defense to Setec's Complaint and a nullity lawsuit against Setec’s patent on August 31
-62-
2016. The Court hearing on infringement took place on March 23, 2017. Upon hearing argument from both parties, the Court
issued a decision on April 6, 2017 staying final judgment in the infringement case pending resolution of the nullity lawsuit in
the Federal Patents Courts in Munich, Germany. The Federal Patents Courts issued its preliminary opinion regarding the
patent-in-suit on March 29, 2018, stating that it considers the patent-in-suit to not be novel over the prior art documents
presented in the case. The parties agreed to withdraw from the pending infringement and nullity proceedings and entered into
a settlement agreement on June 29, 2018. The Company paid Setec 75,000 Euro in exchange for a perpetual, worldwide
royalty-free license to the patent-in-suit and all its counterparts.
In 2015, one of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC, Dongguan Transpower Electric Products Co., Ltd. (“Dongguan
Transpower”), was provided notice of a claim by DG Yu Shing Industrial Development Company Limited against Dongguan
Transpower and three other defendants for past due construction costs of approximately $3.2 million. In April 2018, the 3rd
People Court of Dongguan ruled and provided an unfavorable judgment against Dongguan Transpower and two of the other
defendants requiring payment of the aforementioned amount. The defendants were held to be jointly and severally liable for
approximately $3.2 million in costs. Due to the fact that none of the other defendants had sufficient funds to pay the damages
amount, the Court ordered the entire amount (CNY 20,133,174) to be paid by Dongguan Transpower. On May 25, 2018, the
Court enforced its order and withdrew the damages amount from Dongguan Transpower’s bank accounts. On May 31, 2018,
Dongguan Transpower filed an action against the other defendants in CP Court to recoup the damages amount paid pursuant
to an indemnification letter dated October 16, 2015. The Court heard arguments on July 2, 2018 and rendered a verdict on
July 9, 2018 ordering the Jinmei entities (defendants) to pay CNY 20,133,174 back to Dongguan Transpower together with
the incurred interest. On August 27, 2018, Dongguan Transpower received payment of CNY 20,430,203 (approximately $3.2
million) from the defendants and this case was closed.
On June 1, 2018, the Company filed an action against Unipower, LLC in the United States District Court for the Southern
District of New York for breach of contract. Specifically, the Company alleges in its Complaint that Unipower has willfully
violated the Master Services Agreement (“MSA”) entered into by the parties on January 23, 2015 by failing to make payment
for the products it contracted for under the MSA. The parties entered into a settlement agreement on December 17, 2018
resolving all outstanding claims and a Stipulation of Dismissal was filed and entered on January 10, 2019.
The Company is not a party to any other legal proceeding, the adverse outcome of which is likely to have a material adverse
effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
17.
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 are summarized below:
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale
securities, net of taxes of $0 and $85 as of
December 31, 2018 and 2017
Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($680) and ($1,635)
as of December 31, 2018 and 2017
December 31,
2018
2017
$
(22,635)
$
(16,537)
12
145
(2,215)
(3,233)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
(24,838)
$
(19,625)
-63-
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income by component during the years ended December 31, 2018 and
2017 are as follows. All amounts are net of tax.
Foreign Currency
Translation
Adjustment
Unrealized Holding
Gains on
Available-for-
Sale Securities
Unfunded
SERP Liability
Total
Balance at January 1, 2017
$
(28,976)
$
424
$
(2,745)
$
(31,297)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
Balance at December 31, 2017
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
12,439
-
12,439
(16,537)
(6,098)
-
(6,098)
(279)
-
(279)
145
37
(170)
(133)
(733)
(a)
245
(488)
11,427
245
11,672
(3,233)
(19,625)
679
(a)
339
1,018
(5,382)
169
(5,213)
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
(22,635)
$
12
$
(2,215)
$
(24,838)
(a) This reclassification relates to the amortization of prior service costs and gains/losses associated with the Company’s SERP plan. This expense
is allocated between cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expense based upon the employment classification of the plan participants.
18.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In connection with its acquisition of Power Solutions, the Company acquired a 49% interest in a joint venture in the People’s
Republic of China (“PRC”). The joint venture purchased raw components and other goods from the Company and sold
finished goods to the Company as well as to other third parties. The Company did not purchase any inventory from the joint
venture during 2017. During the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company divested its 49% interest in the joint venture in exchange
for an extinguishment of an accounts payable balance of $0.5 million. As the interest in the joint venture had a carrying value
of zero, a $0.5 million gain was recorded within cost of sales during 2017 related to this divestiture.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal
financial officer, supervised and participated in the evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) related to the recording, processing,
summarization, and reporting of information in the Company’s periodic reports that the Company files with the SEC. These
disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including
its subsidiaries, is made known to the Company’s management, including these officers, by other of the Company’s
employees, and that this information is recorded, processed, summarized, evaluated, and reported, as applicable, within the
time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, the Company recognizes that any controls and procedures,
no matter how well designed and operated, provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have
been met. Notwithstanding these limitations, the Company believes that its disclosure controls and procedures are designed
and are operating to provide reasonable assurances of achieving their objectives.
Based on their evaluation as of December 31, 2018, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer
have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in
the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized
and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting,
as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s
management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, the Company conducted an
evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal
Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Based on the Company’s evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013), the Company’s
management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the
Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 and has expressed an unqualified opinion on the
effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 in their report which is included in Item
8 herein.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31,
2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
-65-
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual
meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this item.
The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics for all of its associates, including directors, executive officers and all other senior
financial personnel. The code of ethics, as amended from time to time, is available on the Registrant’s website under
Corporate Governance. The Registrant will also make copies of its code of ethics available to investors upon request. Any
such request should be sent by mail to Bel Fuse Inc., 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 Attn: Craig Brosious or
should be made by telephone by calling Craig Brosious at 201-432-0463.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual
meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual
meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the remaining information required with respect to this Item.
The table below depicts the securities authorized for issuance under the Company’s equity compensation plans.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
2011 Equity Compensation Plan
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
Totals
Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding
Options, Warrants
and Rights
(b)
-
-
-
$
-
-
$
-
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected in
Column (a))
(c)
359,100
-
359,100
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual
meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The Registrant incorporates by reference herein information to be set forth in its definitive proxy statement for its 2019 annual
meeting of shareholders that is responsive to the information required with respect to this Item.
-66-
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
PART IV
(a) Documents filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1) Financial Statements
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule of this Form 10-K.
(2) Exhibits
Exhibit No.:
3.1
3.2
10.1†
10.2†
10.3†
10.4
10.5
10.6
11.1
21.1*
23.1*
24.1*
31.1*
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, is incorporated by reference to (i) Restated
Certificate of Incorporation filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998 and (ii) Certificate of Amendment to the Company’s Restated
Certificate of Incorporation filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
By-laws, as amended and restated on May 13, 2014, are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2014.
2002 Equity Compensation Program. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s proxy statement
for its 2002 annual meeting of shareholders.
Amended and Restated Bel Fuse Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, dated as of April 17, 2007.
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2007 and
incorporated herein by reference.
2011 Equity Compensation Program. Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s proxy statement
for its 2011 annual meeting of shareholders.
Credit and Security Agreement dated June 19, 2014, as amended and restated as of June 30, 2014, by
and among Bel Fuse Inc., as Borrower, and KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent,
Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender, and the other lenders identified therein. Filed as Exhibit 10.1
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 7, 2014 and incorporated herein by
reference.
Second Amendment, dated as of March 21, 2016, to the Credit and Security Agreement dated June 19,
2014, as amended and restated as of June 30, 2014, by and among Bel Fuse Inc., as Borrower, and
KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender, and
the other lenders identified therein. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed on March 22, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
Third Amendment, dated December 11, 2017, to the Credit and Security Agreement dated June 19,
2014, as amended and restated as of June 30, 2014, by and among Bel Fuse Inc., as Borrower, and
KeyBank National Association, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and Issuing Lender, and
the other lenders identified therein. Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed on December 15, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference.
A statement regarding the computation of earnings per share is omitted because such computation can
be clearly determined from the material contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Subsidiaries of the Registrant.
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
Power of attorney (included on the signature page)
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002
-67-
31.2*
32.1**
32.2**
Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of
2002.
Certification of the Vice-President of Finance 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.
** Submitted herewith.
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
-68-
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
SIGNATURES
BEL FUSE INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
Daniel Bernstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: March 8, 2019
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Daniel Bernstein and Craig Brosious as his/her attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign and file any and all
amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, with all exhibits thereto and hereto, and other documents with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents,
or any of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
Daniel Bernstein
/s/ Robert H. Simandl
Robert H. Simandl
/s/ Peter Gilbert
Peter Gilbert
/s/ John Tweedy
John Tweedy
/s/ Avi Eden
Avi Eden
/s/ Mark Segall
Mark Segall
/s/ Norman Yeung
Norman Yeung
President, Chief Executive Officer
and Director
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March _8 2019
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
-69-
/s/ Eric Nowling
Eric Nowling
/s/ Vincent Vellucci
Vincent Vellucci
/s/ Craig Brosious
Craig Brosious
Director
Director
Vice President of Finance and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal
Accounting Officer)
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
March 8, 2019
-70-
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
Exhibit 21.1
BCMZ Precision Engineering Limited
England and Wales
Bel Components Ltd.
Bel Connector Inc.
Bel Fuse (Macao Commerical Offshore) Limited
Bel Fuse Limited
Bel Power (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd.
Bel Power Europe S.r.l.
Bel Power Inc.
Bel Power Solutions Co. Ltd.
Bel Power Solutions GmbH
Bel Power Solutions Inc.
Bel Power Solutions Ireland Limited
Bel Power Solutions s.r.o.
Bel Sales (Hong Kong) Ltd.
Bel Stewart GmbH
Bel Stewart s.r.o.
Bel Transformer Inc.
Bel Ventures Inc.
BPS Asia Pacific Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd.
BPS Cooperatief U.A.
Hong Kong
Delaware
Macao
Hong Kong
PRC
Italy
Massachusetts
China
Switzerland
Delaware
Ireland
Slovakia
Hong Kong
Germany
Czech Republic
Delaware
Delaware
China
Netherlands
Cinch Connectivity Solutions (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
China
Cinch Connectivity Solutions LTD
Cinch Connectivity Solutions, Inc.
Cinch Connectors de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Cinch Connectors Limited
Cinch Connectors, Inc.
Dongguan Transpower Electric Products Co., Ltd.
PAI Capital LLC
England and Wales
Delaware
Mexico
England and Wales
Delaware
PRC
Delaware
-71-
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
(continued)
Exhibit 21.1
Shireoaks Worksop Holdings Ltd.
Signal Dominicana, S.R.L.
Stewart Connector Systems de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.
Stratos International, LLC
Stratos Lightwave LLC
Stratos Lightwave-Florida LLC
Transpower Cooperatief U.A.
Transpower Technologies (HK) Limited
Trompeter Electronics, Inc.
TRP Connector B.V.
TRP Connector Limited
TRP International*
Winsonko (Guangxi Pingguo) Electron Co., Ltd.
* TRP International is a China Business Trust
England and Wales
Dominican Republic
Mexico
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Netherlands
Hong Kong
Delaware
Netherlands
Macao
PRC
PRC
-72-
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-218663 on Form S-3 and Registration
Statement No. 333-180340 on Form S-8 of our report dated March 8, 2019, relating to the consolidated financial statements
of Bel Fuse Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”), and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Exhibit 23.1
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
New York, New York
March 8, 2019
-73-
CERTIFICATIONS
Exhibit 31.1
I, Daniel Bernstein, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bel Fuse Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made,
not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared;
(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles;
(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our
conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered
by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during
the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report)
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over
financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control
over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or
persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information; and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 8, 2019
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
Daniel Bernstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
-i-
Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Craig Brosious, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Bel Fuse Inc.;
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made,
not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present
in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the
periods presented in this report;
4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be
designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in
which this report is being prepared;
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting
to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial
reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles;
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report
our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period
covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred
during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual
report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control
over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons
performing the equivalent functions):
(a)
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial
reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize
and report financial information; and
(b)
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Date: March 8, 2019
/s/ Craig Brosious
Craig Brosious
Vice President of Finance and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
-ii-
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.1
In connection with the annual report of Bel Fuse Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Daniel Bernstein, as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my
knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the Company
as of the dates presented and consolidated results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.
Date: March 8, 2019
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
Daniel Bernstein
President and Chief Executive Officer
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
Exhibit 32.2
In connection with the annual report of Bel Fuse Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Report"), I, Craig Brosious, as Vice President of Finance and Secretary of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my
knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition of the
Company as of the dates presented and consolidated results of operations of the Company for the periods presented.
Date: March 8, 2019
/s/ Craig Brosious
Craig Brosious
Vice President of Finance and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
CO R P O R ATE I N FO R MATI O N
D I R E C TO R S
Daniel Bernstein
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Avi Eden
Consultant
Retired Vice Chairman and EVP
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
Peter Gilbert
Former President and CEO
Gilbert Manufacturing Co. Inc.
Eric Nowling
Senior Vice President and
Corporate Controller
Verint Systems Inc.
Mark Segall
Senior Managing Director
Kidron Corporate Advisors LLC
Robert Simandl
Retired Attorney
John Tweedy
Former Vice President
Engineering
Standard Microsystems Corporation
Vincent Vellucci
Former President of Americas
Components
Arrow Electronics, Inc.
Norman Yeung
Retired CEO
YEL Electronics Hong Kong Ltd
O F F I C E R S
Daniel Bernstein
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Craig Brosious
Vice President–Finance and
Secretary
Dennis Ackerman
Vice President
President of Bel Power Solutions
Peter Bittner III
Vice President
President of Bel Connectivity
Solutions
Raymond Cheung
Vice President–Asia Operations
T R A N S F E R AG E N T
Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company
One State Street Plaza
30th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Tel: 212-509-4000
AU D ITO R S
Deloitte & Touche LLP
New York, NY
I N T E R N E T
www.belfuse.com
Bel Fuse Inc. is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under
the symbols BELFA and BELFB
CO R P O R AT E H E A D Q UA R T E R S
Bel Fuse Inc.
206 Van Vorst Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Tel: 201-432-0463
206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302 USA
Tel: 201-432-0463 • Fax: 201-432-9542