UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 2013

 

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 number 0-20388

 

LITTELFUSE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware			36-3795742
(State or other jurisdiction		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
8755 W. Higgins Road, Suite 500
Chicago, Illinois			60631
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

 

(773) 628-1000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer [X]     Accelerated filer [  ]     Non-accelerated filer [  ]     Smaller reporting company [  ]

 

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

 

As of October 25, 2013, 22,402,414 shares of common stock, $.01 par value, of the registrant were outstanding. 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements.	Page
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2013 (unaudited) and December 29, 2012	1
	Consolidated Statements of Net Income for the periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 (unaudited)	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 (unaudited)	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 (unaudited)	4
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)	5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	22
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	23
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	24
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	24
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	24
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	24
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	24
Item 5.	Other Information	24
Item 6.	Exhibits	25
Signatures		26

  

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

LITTELFUSE, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of USD, except share amounts)

 

		September 28, 2013				December 29, 2012
		(unaudited)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	292,936			$	235,404
Short-term investments			8,808				—
Accounts receivable, less allowances			129,122				100,559
Inventories			91,978				75,580
Deferred income taxes			11,157				11,890
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			17,771				16,532
Assets held for sale			5,500				5,500
Total current assets			557,272				445,465
Property, plant and equipment:
Land			4,080				6,243
Buildings			59,602				54,559
Equipment			358,324				304,954
			422,006				365,756
Accumulated depreciation			(275,906	)			(244,845	)
Net property, plant and equipment			146,100				120,911
Intangible assets, net of amortization:
Patents, licenses and software			42,461				11,144
Distribution network			32,174				18,964
Customer lists, trademarks and tradenames			22,452				18,704
Goodwill			186,667				133,592
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate			—				8,666
Other investments			11,136				10,327
Deferred income taxes			3,776				8,090
Other assets			4,893				1,865
Total assets		$	1,006,931			$	777,728
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	38,937			$	27,226
Accrued payroll			26,686				20,540
Accrued expenses			11,643				11,062
Accrued severance			345				1,033
Accrued income taxes			10,154				11,559
Current portion of long-term debt			133,500				84,000
Total current liabilities			221,265				155,420
Long-term debt, less current portion			95,000				—
Accrued post-retirement benefits			14,928				22,338
Other long-term liabilities			15,331				12,412
Total equity			660,407				587,558
Total liabilities and equity		$	1,006,931			$	777,728
Common shares issued and outstanding of 22,419,676 and 22,029,446, at September 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, respectively.

 See accompanying notes.

 

 

LITTELFUSE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Net Income

(In thousands of USD, except per share amounts, unaudited)

 

		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012				September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Net sales		$	201,040			$	172,688			$	559,724			$	509,119
Cost of sales			120,080				104,052				340,601				310,059
Gross profit			80,960				68,636				219,123				199,060
Selling, general and administrative expenses			34,437				30,601				98,091				90,199
Research and development expenses			6,217				5,505				17,725				15,553
Amortization of intangibles			2,747				1,599				6,249				4,457
			43,401				37,705				122,065				110,209
Operating income			37,559				30,931				97,058				88,851
Interest expense			939				454				1,959				1,298
Impairment and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate			—				1,965				10,678				3,523
Foreign exchange (gain) loss			1,476				834				(1,929	)			1,903
Other (income) expense, net			(1,380	)			(1,350	)			(3,543	)			(3,075	)
Income before income taxes			36,524				29,028				89,893				85,202
Income taxes			9,534				6,250				21,461				21,898
Net income		$	26,990			$	22,778			$	68,432			$	63,304
Net income per share (see Note 9):
Basic		$	1.20			$	1.04			$	3.07			$	2.90
Diluted		$	1.19			$	1.03			$	3.04			$	2.87
Weighted average shares and equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic			22,428				21,923				22,274				21,770
Diluted			22,625				22,162				22,497				22,055
Cash dividends paid per common share		$	0.22			$	0.20			$	0.62			$	0.56

See accompanying notes.

 

 

 LITTELFUSE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands of USD, unaudited)

 

 

		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012				September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Net income		$	26,990			$	22,778			$	68,432			$	63,304
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Pension liability adjustments (net of tax of $49 and ($7) for the three months ended 2013 and 2012, and $233 and $27 for the nine months ended 2013 and 2012, respectively)			(24	)			(73	)			(349	)			(80	)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments			(532	)			(1,127	)			546				1,993
Foreign currency translation adjustments			10,273				11,522				(2,998	)			9,270
Comprehensive income		$	36,707			$	33,100			$	65,631			$	74,487

 

See accompanying notes. 

 

  

LITTELFUSE, INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of USD, unaudited)

 

		For the Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income		$	68,432			$	63,304
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			19,603				19,029
Amortization of intangibles			6,249				4,457
Stock-based compensation			7,030				5,574
Impairment of assets held for sale			—				549
Non-cash inventory charge			2,069				567
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation			(3,763	)			(2,471	)
Loss on sale of assets			169				62
Impairment and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate			10,678				3,523
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(16,348	)			(12,756	)
Inventories			(4,537	)			58
Accounts payable			6,659				5,640
Accrued expenses (including post-retirement)			(11,743	)			(5,234	)
Accrued payroll and severance			5,492				(4,646	)
Accrued taxes			(5,473	)			(857	)
Prepaid expenses and other			1,294				(748	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			85,811				76,051
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment			(25,328	)			(12,797	)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired			(145,000	)			(34,016	)
Purchase of investment			—				(10,000	)
Purchase of short-term investments			(8,478	)			(4,616	)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments			—				17,805
Proceeds from sale of assets			158				495
Net cash used in investing activities			(178,648	)			(43,129	)
FINANCING activities:
Proceeds from term loan			100,000				20,251
Proceeds from revolving credit facility			160,500				—
Payments of revolving credit facility			(116,000	)			(17,500	)
Debt issuance costs paid			(809	)			—
Cash dividends paid			(13,789	)			(12,181	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options			19,335				13,411
Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation			3,763				2,471
Net cash provided by financing activities			153,000				6,452
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(2,631	)			4,008
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			57,532				43,382
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			235,404				164,016
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	292,936			$	207,398

 

See accompanying notes.

 

 

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Littelfuse, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “company”) have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulations S-X. Accordingly, certain information and disclosures normally included in the consolidated balance sheet, statements of net income and comprehensive income and cash flows prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the period ended September 28, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 28, 2013. For further information, refer to the company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012. The company evaluated subsequent events through the date of its financial statements when filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

 

2. Reclassifications and Adjustments

 

As disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012, the company determined that in late-November 2012 it began to exercise significant influence over Shocking Technologies (“Shocking”). Accordingly, the company began accounting for the investment in Shocking using the equity method and in accordance with ASC 323, retroactively recorded its proportional share of Shocking's operating losses, which amounted to approximately $4.0 million in 2012. See Note 6 for additional information related to Shocking.

 

As a result of this retroactive application of the equity method, certain items in the company’s interim results reported on their 2012 Forms 10-Q have been retrospectively restated, as shown in the following tables (in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

		For the Three Months ended September 29, 2012												For the Nine Months ended September 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Net Income and       Comprehensive Income		As Previously Reported				Adjustment				As Adjusted				As Previously Reported				Adjustment				As Adjusted
Impairment and equity in net loss of       unconsolidated affiliate		$	—			$	1,965			$	1,965			$	—			$	3,523			$	3,523
Income before income taxes			30,993				(1,965	)			29,028				88,725				(3,523	)			85,202
Income taxes			6,995				(745	)			6,250				23,234				(1,336	)			21,898
Net income			23,998				(1,220	)			22,778				65,491				(2,187	)			63,304
Basic Earnings per share		$	1.09			$	(0.05	)		$	1.04			$	3.00			$	(0.10	)		$	2.90
Diluted Earnings per share		$	1.08			$	(0.05	)		$	1.03			$	2.96			$	(0.09	)		$	2.87
Comprehensive income		$	34,320			$	(1,220	)		$	33,100			$	76,674			$	(2,187	)		$	74,487

 

		For the Nine Months ended September 29, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		As Previously Reported				Adjustment				As Adjusted
Net income		$	65,491			$	(2,187	)		$	63,304
Impairment and equity in net loss of unconsolidated affiliate			—				3,523				3,523
Accrued taxes			479				(1,336	)			(857	)

  

 

 

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

3. Acquisition of Businesses

 

The company accounts for acquisitions using the purchase method in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations.” The results of operations of each acquisition have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of the dates of the acquisition.

 

Hamlin, Inc.

 

On May 31, 2013, the company acquired 100% of Hamlin, Inc. (“Hamlin”) from Key Safety Systems, for $145.0 million (net of cash acquired). Hamlin is a manufacturer of sensor technology providing standard products and custom solutions for leading global manufacturers in the automotive and electronic industries. The acquisition allows the company to expand its automotive and electronics product offerings in the global sensor market in both the Automotive and Electronics business segments. Hamlin is headquartered in Lake Mills, Wisconsin and has manufacturing, engineering and sales offices in the U.S., Mexico, Europe and Asia. The company funded the acquisition with available cash raised from borrowings on the company’s new credit arrangement (See Note 7).

 

The following table sets forth the preliminary purchase price allocation, as of September 28, 2013, for Hamlin acquisition-date net assets, in accordance with the purchase method of accounting with adjustments to record the acquired net assets at their estimated fair values The purchase allocation is preliminary awaiting finalization of the valuation of the acquired intangible assets which is expected to be completed in late-2013 or early 2014.

 

Hamlin preliminary purchase price allocation (in thousands):
Cash		$	15,473
Current assets, net			31,210
Property, plant and equipment			22,767
Goodwill			53,129
Distribution network			33,098
Patents and licenses			15,365
Trademarks			6,483
Non-current assets			1,390
Current liabilities			(8,816	)
Non-current liabilities			(9,626	)
		$	160,473

 

All Hamlin goodwill and other assets and liabilities were recorded in the Automotive and Electronics business unit segments and reflected in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific geographical areas. The distribution network, trademarks and patents and licenses are all being amortized over 10 years. The goodwill resulting from this acquisition consists largely of the company’s expected future product sales and synergies from combining Hamlin’s products with the company’s existing product offerings. A portion of the goodwill for the acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

As required by purchase accounting rules, the company recorded a $2.1 million step-up of inventory to its fair value as of the acquisition date. During the third quarter of 2013, as the remainder of this inventory was sold, cost of goods sold included $0.4 million of non-cash charges for this step-up.

  

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

3. Acquisition of Businesses, continued

 

The following unaudited pro forma results are provided below for the company’s acquisition of Hamlin and assume that the acquisition of Hamlin had been completed as of the beginning of fiscal year 2012.

 

		(In thousands except for per share amounts)
		For the three months ended								For the nine months ended
		Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012				Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012
		(Unaudited)				(As restated)				(Unaudited)				(As restated)
						(Unaudited)								(Unaudited)
Revenues		$	201,040			$	191,516			$	591,095			$	559,759
Net income		$	26,990			$	23,841			$	68,938			$	65,606
Net income per share:
Basic		$	1.20			$	1.09			$	3.09			$	3.01
Diluted		$	1.19			$	1.08			$	3.06			$	2.97
Weighted-average shares and equivalent shares outstanding:
Basic			22,428				21,923				22,274				21,770
Diluted			22,625				22,162				22,497				22,055

 

For the three months ended September 28, 2013, Hamlin added approximately $21.1 million in revenue and $0.3 million in net income to the company’s consolidated results. For the nine months ended September 28, 2013, Hamlin added approximately $28.1 million in revenue and a $0.6 million net loss to the company’s consolidated results.

 

Accel AB

 

On May 31, 2012, the company acquired 100% of ACCEL AB (“Accel”), a manufacturer of advanced electromechanical products, including sensors and switches primarily for the automotive industry, for approximately $23.9 million. The acquisition allows the company to expand its automotive product offering and establish a presence in the growing automotive sensor market within its Automotive business unit segment. Accel is based in Trollhättan, Sweden with a manufacturing facility located in Kaunas, Lithuania. The company funded the acquisition with available cash.

 

The following table sets forth the final purchase price allocation for Accel acquisition-date net assets, in accordance with the purchase method of accounting with adjustments to record the acquired net assets at their estimated fair values.

 

Accel AB purchase price allocation (in thousands):
Cash		$	344
Current assets, net			8,643
Property, plant and equipment			3,731
Other assets			7
Goodwill			11,536
Distribution network			1,321
Trademarks			1,259
Patents and licenses			2,435
Current liabilities			(5,411	)
		$	23,865

 

 

All Accel goodwill and other assets and liabilities were recorded in the Automotive business unit segment and reflected in the Europe geographical area. The distribution network is being amortized over three to 10 years. Trademarks are being amortized over five years. Patents and licenses are being amortized over 10 years.

 

 

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

3. Acquisition of Businesses, continued

 

The goodwill resulting from this acquisition consists largely of the company’s expected future product sales and synergies from combining Accel’s products with the company’s existing product offerings.

 

Goodwill for the above acquisition is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. As required by purchase accounting rules, the company recorded a $0.4 million step-up of inventory to its fair value as of the acquisition date. During the third quarter of 2012, as the inventory was sold, cost of goods sold included $0.4 million of non-cash charges for this step-up.

 

Terra Power Systems, LLC

 

On September 26, 2012, the company acquired 100% of Terra Power Systems, LLC (“Terra Power”), a U.S. manufacturer of electromechanical components including power distribution modules and fuse holders for commercial vehicle products for $10.6 million. The acquisition allows the company to strengthen its position in the commercial vehicle products market by adding new products and new customers within its Automotive business unit segment. Terra Power is based in Bellingham, Washington. The company funded the acquisition with available cash.

 

All Terra Power goodwill and other assets and liabilities were recorded in the Automotive business unit segment and reflected in the Americas geographical area. The goodwill resulting from this acquisition consists largely of the company’s expected future product sales and synergies from combining Terra Power’s products with the company’s existing commercial vehicle product offerings. Goodwill for the above acquisition is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

 

The following table sets forth the final purchase price allocation as of September 28, 2013 for Terra Power acquisition-date net assets, in accordance with the purchase method of accounting with adjustments to record the acquired net assets at their estimated fair values.

 

Terra Power final purchase price allocation (in thousands):
Cash		$	105
Current assets, net			1,625
Property, plant and equipment			457
Goodwill			4,562
Other intangibles			4,064
Current liabilities			(213	)
		$	10,600

   

Pro forma financial information is not presented for the company’s 2012 business acquisitions described above due to amounts not being materially different than actual results.

 

4. Inventories

 

The components of inventories at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

		September 28, 2013				December 29, 2012
Raw material		$	39,000			$	21,689
Work in process			17,650				11,868
Finished goods			35,328				42,023
Total inventories		$	91,978			$	75,580

 

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

5. Other Investments

 

The company’s other investments represent shares of Polytronics Technology Corporation Ltd. (“Polytronics”), a Taiwanese company. The Polytronics investment was acquired as part of the Heinrich Companies acquisition in 2004. The fair value of the Polytronics investment was €8.3 million (approximately $11.1 million) at September 28, 2013 and €7.8 million (approximately $10.3 million) at December 29, 2012. Included in other comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 28, 2013, is an unrealized gain of $0.5 million, due to the increase in fair market value of the Polytronics investment. The remaining movement was due to the impact of changes in exchange rates.

 

6. Impairment of Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

 

During the first quarter of 2013, the company fully impaired its investment in and loan receivable from Shocking owing to their filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on March 12, 2013. The impairment charge of approximately $10.7 million consisted of the remaining equity method investment of $8.7 million and a $2.0 million loan receivable, and reduces the carrying value of both the investment and loan receivable to zero at both March 30 and September 28, 2013.

 

The loss was recorded as a component of impairment and equity loss of unconsolidated affiliate in the Consolidated Statements of Net Income for the nine months ended September 28, 2013.

 

7. Debt

 

The carrying amounts of long-term debt at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

 

		September 28, 2013				December 29, 2012
Term loan		$	100,000			$	—
Revolving credit facility			128,500				84,000
			228,500				84,000
Less: Current maturities			133,500				84,000
Total long-term debt		$	95,000			$	—

 

On May 31, 2013, the company entered into a new credit agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC for up to $325.0 million which consists of an unsecured revolving credit facility of $225.0 million and an unsecured term loan of $100.0 million. The new credit agreement is for a five year period. At September 28, 2013, the company had available $95.9 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit agreement at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% (1.43% as of September 28, 2013). The company incurred debt issuance costs of $0.8 million which will be amortized over the life of the new credit agreement.

 

The credit agreement replaces the company’s previous credit agreement dated June 13, 2011 which was terminated on May 31, 2013.

 

The company assumed three credit lines with the acquisition of Hamlin totaling RMB 41.0 million (approximately $6.6 million) as of June 29, 2013 with expiration dates from August 23, 2013 through April 22, 2014. Two of these credit lines expired during the third quarter with the remaining credit line totaling RMB 20 million (approximately $3.3 million) as of September 28, 2013. No amounts were drawn under this line of credit at September 28, 2013.

 

The company assumed an agreement for the sale of debts to HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Ltd. with the acquisition of Hamlin totaling $1.8 million GBP (approximately $2.7 million) as of June 29, 2013. The company terminated this agreement during the third quarter of 2013.

  

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

8. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities

 

In determining fair value, the company uses various valuation approaches within the fair value measurement framework. Fair value measurements are determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.

 

Applicable accounting literature establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Applicable accounting literature defines levels within the hierarchy based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

 

Level 1—Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;

Level 2—Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities or identical assets or liabilities in less active markets, such as dealer or broker markets; and

Level 3—Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable, such as pricing models, discounted cash flow models and similar techniques not based on market, exchange, dealer or broker-traded transactions.

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value and their classification in the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment in Polytronics

 

The company holds an investment in the equity securities of Polytronics as described in Note 5. Equity securities listed on a national market or exchange are valued at the last sales price. Such securities are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment in Shocking Technologies, Inc.

 

The company held an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate, Shocking, as described in Note 6, for which the valuation model that was used to determine the fair value at December 29, 2012, was a discounted cash flow model to value equity and then an option pricing method to allocate the equity value to the various classes of stock in the capital structure, including Series C and common shares held by the company. Significant unobservable inputs used included an expected two years until liquidity event, a volatility of 35% and a risk free rate of 0.44%. The investment was categorized as Level 3.

 

There were no changes during the quarter ended September 28, 2013 to the company’s valuation techniques used to measure asset and liability fair values on a recurring basis.

 

The following table presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value by classification within the fair value hierarchy as of September 28, 2013 (in thousands):

 

		Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)					Total
Investment in Polytronics		$	11,136			$	—			$	—			$	11,136
Total		$	11,136			$	—			$	—			$	11,136

 

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

8. Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities, continued

 

The following table presents assets measured at fair value by classification within the fair value hierarchy as of December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

		Fair Value Measurements Using
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)					Total
Investment in Polytronics		$	10,327			$	—			$	—			$	10,327
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate			—				—				8,666				8,666
Total		$	10,327			$	—			$	8,666			$	18,993

 

 The company’s other financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and debt approximate their fair values. The company’s debt fair value approximates book value at September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, as the variable interest rates fluctuate along with market interest rates.

 

9. Earnings Per Share

 

The company computes earnings per share using the two-class method. The two-class method includes an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock according to dividends declared and undistributed earnings for the period. The company’s reported net earnings is reduced by the amount allocated to participating securities to arrive at the earnings allocated to common stock shareholders for purposes of calculating earnings per share.

 

The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated using the more dilutive of the treasury stock or the two-class method. The company has determined the two-class method to be the more dilutive. As such, the earnings allocated to common stock shareholders in the basic earnings per share calculation is adjusted for the reallocation of undistributed earnings to participating securities to arrive at the earnings allocated to common stock shareholders for calculating the diluted earnings per share.

 

 

 

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

9. Earnings Per Share, continued

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method.

 

		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
(in thousands except per share amounts)		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012				September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Net income as reported		$	26,990			$	22,778			$	68,432			$	63,304
Less: Distributed earnings available to participating securities			(3	)			(9	)			(21	)			(21	)
Less: Undistributed earnings available to participating securities			—				(19	)			(17	)			(102	)
Numerator for basic earnings per share —
Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders		$	26,987			$	22,750			$	68,394			$	63,181
Add: Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities			—				19				17				102
Less: Undistributed earnings reallocated to participating securities			—				(19	)			(17	)			(100	)
Numerator for diluted earnings per share —
Undistributed and distributed earnings available to common shareholders		$	26,987			$	22,750			$	68,394			$	63,183
Denominator for basic earnings per share —
Weighted-average shares			22,428				21,923				22,274				21,770
Effect of dilutive securities:
Common stock equivalents			197				239				223				285
Denominator for diluted earnings per share —			22,625				22,162				22,497				22,055
Adjusted for weighted-average shares & assumed conversions
Basic earnings per share		$	1.20			$	1.04			$	3.07			$	2.90
Diluted earnings per share		$	1.19			$	1.03			$	3.04			$	2.87

 

10. Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2013 was 26.1% compared to an effective tax rate of 22.6% in the third quarter of 2012. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 28, 2013 was 23.9% as compared to an effective tax rate of 25.7% for the nine months ended September 29, 2012. The effective tax rates for both the third quarter and nine month periods of 2013 and 2012 are lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the result of more income earned in lower tax jurisdictions. 

 

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

11. Pensions

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine and months ended September 28, 2013, compared with the three and nine months ended September 29, 2012, were (in thousands):

 

		U.S. Pension Benefits																Foreign Plans
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended								Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012				Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012				Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012				Sept. 28, 2013				Sept. 29, 2012
Service cost		$	150			$	150			$	450			$	450			$	290			$	192			$	813			$	575
Interest cost			891				1,240				2,674				3,721				532				195				1,014				586
Expected return on plan assets			(1,340	)			(1,655	)			(4,020	)			(4,965	)			(446	)			(120	)			(717	)			(362	)
Amortization of net loss			235				85				706				254				39				17				116				51
Total cost (credit) of the plan			(64	)			(180	)			(190	)			(540	)			415				284				1,226				850
Expected plan participants’ contribution			-				-				-				-				-				-				-				-
Net periodic benefit cost (credit)		$	(64	)		$	(180	)		$	(190	)		$	(540	)		$	415			$	284			$	1,226			$	850

 

The expected rate of return assumption on domestic pension assets is approximately 6.8% and 7.8% in 2013 and 2012, respectively. The expected return on foreign pension assets is approximately 4.9% and 4.5% in 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

12. Business Unit Segment Information

 

The company and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and sell circuit protection devices throughout the world. The company reports its operations by the following business unit segments: Electronics, Automotive, and Electrical. Each operating segment is directly responsible for sales, marketing and research and development. Manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, customer service, finance, information technology and human resources are shared functions that are allocated back to the three operating segments. The CEO allocates resources to and assesses the performance of each operating segment using information about its revenue and operating income (loss) before interest and taxes, but does not evaluate the operating segments using discrete balance sheet information.

 

Sales, marketing and research and development expenses are charged directly into each operating segment. All other functions are shared by the operating segments and expenses for these shared functions are allocated to the operating segments and included in the operating results reported below. The company does not report inter-segment revenue because the operating segments do not record it. The company does not allocate interest and other income, interest expense, or taxes to operating segments. Although the CEO uses operating income (loss) to evaluate the segments, operating costs included in one segment may benefit other segments. Except as discussed above, the accounting policies for segment reporting are the same as for the company as a whole.

 

An operating segment is defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses, and about which separate financial information is regularly evaluated by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources. The CODM is the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”). 

 

 

 

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

12. Business Unit Segment Information, continued

 

Business unit segment information for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

		For the Three Months Ended								For the Nine Months Ended
		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012				September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
Net sales
Electronics		$	101,013			$	87,779			$	271,878			$	254,342
Automotive			70,386				51,878				194,319				155,954
Electrical			29,641				33,031				93,527				98,823
Total net sales		$	201,040			$	172,688			$	559,724			$	509,119
Depreciation and amortization
Electronics		$	5,784			$	5,115			$	15,776			$	15,713
Automotive			2,880				1,911				7,183				4,862
Electrical			937				943				2,893				2,911
Total depreciation and amortization		$	9,601			$	7,969			$	25,852			$	23,486
Operating income (loss)
Electronics		$	20,362			$	17,186			$	52,284			$	43,075
Automotive			11,135				7,018				29,531				23,489
Electrical			6,687				8,235				18,801				23,795
Other(1)			(625	)			(1,508	)			(3,558	)			(1,508	)
Total operating income			37,559				30,931				97,058				88,851
Interest expense			939				454				1,959				1,298
Impairment, loan loss and equity in net loss or unconsolidated affiliate (2)			—				1,965				10,678				3,523
Foreign exchange (gain) loss			1,476				834				(1,929	)			1,903
Other (income) expense, net			(1,380	)			(1,350	)			(3,543	)			(3,025	)
Income before income taxes(3)		$	36,524			$	29,028			$	89,893			$	85,202

(1) “Other” consists of acquisition related costs. (2) During the first quarter of 2013, the company recorded approximately $10.7 million related to the impairment of its investment in Shocking Technologies (See Note 6). (3) 2012 Income before income taxes has been restated to reflect the company’s retroactive equity losses from Shocking Technologies. (See Note 2).

 

The company’s significant net sales by country for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

		For the Three Months Ended(a)								For the Nine Months Ended(a)
		September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012				September 28, 2013				September 29, 2012
United States		$	76,183			$	56,043			$	202,731			$	170,653
China			43,644				39,282				114,952				107,409
Other countries			81,213				77,363				242,041				231,057
Total		$	201,040			$	172,688			$	559,724			$	509,119

(a) Sales by country represent sales to customer or distributor locations. 

 

  

Notes to CONDENSED Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

12. Business Unit Segment Information, continued

 

The company’s significant long-lived assets by country as of September 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 are summarized as follows (in thousands):

		Long-lived assets(b)
		September 28, 2013				December 29, 2012
United States		$	28,445			$	14,433
China			42,787				41,504
Canada			14,962				13,839
Other countries			59,906				51,135
Total		$	146,100			$	120,911

(b) Long-lived assets consist of net property, plant and equipment.

 

13. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI)

 

The following table sets forth the changes in the components of AOCI by component (in thousands):

 

AOCI component		Balance at December 29, 2012				Other comprehensive income (loss) activity				Balance at September 28, 2013
Pension liability adjustment(a)		$	(20,879	)		$	(349	)		$	(21,228	)
Unrealized gain on investments(b)			7,867				546				8,413
Foreign currency translation adjustment			29,560				(2,998	)			26,562
Total		$	16,548							$	13,747

 

(a) Balances are net of tax of $12,017 and $11,819 for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(b) Balances are net of tax of $0 and $0 for 2013 and 2012, respectively.

 

  

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Littelfuse Overview

Littelfuse, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “company” or “Littelfuse”) is the worldwide leader in circuit protection offering the industry's broadest and deepest portfolio of circuit protection products and solutions. The company’s devices protect products in virtually every market that uses electrical energy, from consumer electronics to automobiles to industrial equipment. The company’s worldwide revenue in 2012 was $667.9 million and net earnings were $75.3 million. The company conducts its business through three reportable segments, which are defined by markets and consist of Electronics, Automotive, and Electrical. The company’s customer base includes original equipment manufacturers, tier one automotive suppliers and distributors.

 

In addition to protecting and growing its core circuit protection business, Littelfuse has been investing in power control and sensing technologies. These newer platforms combined with the company’s strong balance sheet and operating cash flow, provide opportunities for increased organic and acquisition growth. The company has set a target to grow 15% per year, 5% organically and 10% through acquisitions.

 

To maximize shareholder value, the company’s primary strategic goals are to:

●

Grow organically faster than its markets;

 

●

Double the pace of acquisitions;

 

●

Sustain high-teens operating margins;

 

●

Improve return on investment; and

 

●

Return excess cash to shareholders.

 

The company serves markets that are directly impacted by global economic trends with significant exposures to the consumer electronics, automotive, industrial and mining end markets. The company’s results will be impacted positively or negatively by changes in these end markets.

 

Electronics Segment

The Electronics segment sells passive and semiconductor components and modules primarily into the global consumer electronics, general industrial and telecommunications markets. The core electronics markets are characterized by significant Asia competition and price erosion. As a result the company is focusing additional efforts on higher growth, less price sensitive niche markets such as LED lighting and higher-power industrial applications. The Hamlin acquisition expands the company’s product offering into reed switches which are used in a wide variety of electronic products and go through the same channels as the company’s core electronics products.

 

Automotive Segment

The Automotive segment is comprised of passenger vehicle circuit protection, commercial vehicle products and sensors. The primary growth drivers for these businesses are increasing global demand for passenger and commercial vehicles and increasing content per vehicle for both circuit protection and sensing products. The move away from internal combustion engines to hybrid and electric drive systems that require more circuit protection is expected to be an additional growth driver. The Hamlin acquisition significantly expands the company’s position in automotive sensors.

 

Electrical Segment

The Electrical segment derives its revenues from power fuses, protection relays and custom products selling primarily into the industrial, mining, solar and oil and gas markets. The power fuse business continues to perform well with sales growing in the high single digits or better for six consecutive quarters. Custom products sales, after several years of strong growth, have declined due to several large Canadian potash mining projects nearing completion. The company intends to expand this business by moving into new markets such as non-potash mining and oil and gas. Protection relay sales have also slowed due to the general slowdown in the global mining market.

 

 

 

The following table is a summary of the company’s net sales by business unit and geography:

 

Net Sales by Business Unit and Geography (in thousands, unaudited)

 

		Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
		2013				2012				% Change				2013				2012				%  Change
Business Unit
Electronics		$	101,013			$	87,779				15%			$	271,878			$	254,342				7%
Automotive			70,386				51,878				36%				194,319				155,954				25%
Electrical			29,641				33,031				(10)%				93,527				98,823				(5)%
Total		$	201,040			$	172,688				16%			$	559,724			$	509,119				10%

 

		Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
		2013				2012				% Change				2013				2012				% Change
Geography(a)
Americas		$	89,682			$	75,821				18%			$	254,037			$	230,754				10%
Europe			35,490				27,316				30%				100,360				82,126				22%
Asia-Pacific			75,868				69,551				9%				205,327				196,239				5%
Total		$	201,040			$	172,688				16%			$	559,724			$	509,119				10%

(a) Sales by geography represent sales to customer or distributor locations.

 

Results of Operations – Third Quarter, 2013 compared to 2012

 

The following table summarizes the company’s consolidated results of operations for the periods presented. The results include incremental activity from the company’s business acquisitions as described, where applicable, in the below analysis. There were also additional expenses and accounting adjustments during 2013. These include a $2.1 million inventory adjustment for the year-to-date of which $0.4 million was in the current quarter, as described in Note 3, and $1.5 million in acquisition related operating expenses for the year-to date of which $0.3 million was in the current quarter, both related to the Hamlin acquisition. There was also $1.9 million of favorable foreign currency revaluation for the year-to-date primarily related to U.S. dollar gains against the Philippine peso. The impact of foreign currency revaluation for the current quarter was a loss of $1.5 million primarily related to the U.S. dollar weakening against the Philippine peso.

 

(In thousands, unaudited)		Third Quarter												Year-to-Date
		2013				2012				% Change				2013				2012				% Change
Sales		$	201,040			$	172,688				16%			$	559,724			$	509,119				10%
Gross Profit			80,960				68,636				18%				219,123				199,060				10%
Operating expense			43,401				37,705				15%				122,065				110,209				11%
Operating income			37,559				30,931				21%				97,058				88,851				9%
Other (income) expense, net			1,035				1,903				(46%)				7,165				3,649				96%
Income before income taxes			36,524				29,028				26%				89,893				85,202				6%
Net income		$	26,990			$	22,778				18%			$	68,432			$	63,304				8%

 

Net sales increased $28.4 million or 16% to $201.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $172.7 million in the third quarter of 2012 due primarily to an incremental $22.9 million from business acquisitions and growth in automotive and electronics sales offset by a decline in electrical sales. The company also experienced $0.9 million in favorable currency effects in the third quarter of 2013 primarily from sales denominated in euros. Excluding incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, net sales increased $4.5 million or 3% year-over-year.

 

Electronics sales increased $13.2 million or 15% to $101.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $87.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to incremental sales of $10.1 million from the company’s acquisition of Hamlin. The electronics segment experienced $0.1 million in favorable currency effects in the third quarter of 2013 primarily from sales denominated in euros. Excluding the impact from incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, sales increased $3.0 million or 3%.

  

 

Automotive sales increased $18.5 million or 36% to $70.4 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $51.9 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to an incremental $12.8 million of sales from acquisitions, double-digit growth in passenger vehicle fuses and Accel sensors and modest growth in commercial vehicle products. The automotive segment experienced $1.0 million in favorable currency effects in the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to sales denominated in euros. Excluding incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, net sales increased $4.7 million or 9% year-over-year.

 

Electrical sales decreased $3.4 million or 10% to $29.6 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $33.0 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to a decline in custom products selling into the potash mining market. This was partially offset by strong performance of the power fuse business reflecting continued success in the solar, HVAC and lighting markets. The electrical segment experienced $0.2 million in unfavorable currency effects in the third quarter of 2013 primarily from sales denominated in Canadian dollars.

 

On a geographic basis, sales in the Americas increased $13.9 million or 18% to $89.7 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $75.8 million in the third quarter of 2012 mainly due to incremental sales of $11.6 million from business acquisitions offset slightly by $0.3 million in unfavorable currency effects primarily from sales denominated in Canadian dollars. Excluding acquisition sales and currency effects, the Americas sales increased 3% year-over-year primarily due to an increase in demand for automotive and electronics products partially offset by a decrease in sales of electrical products.

 

Europe sales increased $8.2 million or 30% to $35.5 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $27.3 million in the third quarter of 2012 in part due to incremental sales of $5.0 million from Hamlin and $1.6 million in favorable currency effects. Excluding incremental sales and currency effects, Europe sales increased 6% year-over-year primarily due to increased sales of automotive products.

 

Asia-Pacific sales increased $6.3 million or 9% to $75.9 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $69.6 million in the third quarter of 2012 primarily due to incremental sales from Hamlin of $6.3 million partially offset by $0.4 million in unfavorable currency effects primarily from sales denominated in Japanese yen. Excluding incremental sales from Hamlin and currency effects, net sales increased $0.4 million or 1% year-over-year.

 

Gross profit was $81.0 million or 40% of net sales for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $68.6 million or 40% of net sales in the same quarter last year. Gross profit for the third quarter of 2013 included a $0.4 million non-cash charge to cost of goods sold for inventory that was stepped-up to fair value as a result of the Hamlin acquisition.

 

Total operating expense was $43.4 million or 22% of net sales for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $37.7 million or 22% of net sales for the same quarter in 2012. The increase in operating expenses primarily reflects incremental operating expenses of $4.3 million from business acquisitions.

 

Operating income for the third quarter of 2013 was approximately $37.6 million compared to operating income of $30.9 million for the same quarter in 2012 primarily due to higher sales partially offset by slightly higher operating expenses as described above.

 

Interest expense was $0.9 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $0.5 million in the third quarter of 2012 due to higher debt levels resulting from acquisition financing.

 

Impairment, loan loss and equity losses from the investment in and loan to Shocking Technologies was $0.0 million in the third quarter of 2013 compared to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2012. The company fully impaired its investment and loan receivable in Shocking during the first quarter of 2013 as described in Note 6.

Foreign exchange (gain) loss, reflecting net gains and losses resulting from the effect of exchange rate changes on various foreign currency transactions worldwide, was approximately $1.5 million of expense for the third quarter of 2013 and $0.8 million of expense for the third quarter of 2012 and primarily reflects fluctuations in the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar.

Other (income) expense, net, consisting of interest income, royalties and non-operating income was approximately $1.4 million of income for the third quarter of 2013 compared to $1.4 million of income in the third quarter of 2012. 

  

 

Income before income taxes was $36.5 million for the third quarter of 2013 compared to income before income taxes of $29.0 million for the third quarter of 2012. Income tax expense was $9.5 million with an effective tax rate of 26.1% for the third quarter of 2013 compared to income tax expense of $6.3 million with an effective tax rate of 21.5% in the third quarter of 2012. The effective tax rates for both the third quarter of 2013 and 2012 are lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in countries with lower tax rates than the U.S.

 

Net income for the third quarter of 2013 was $27.0 million or $1.19 per diluted share compared to net income of $22.8 million or $1.03 per diluted share for the same quarter of 2012.

 

Results of Operations – Nine Months, 2013 compared to 2012

 

Net sales increased $50.6 million or 10% to $559.7 million for the first nine months of 2013 compared to $509.1 million in the first nine months of 2012 due primarily to an incremental $43.1 million from business acquisitions. The company also experienced $0.8 million in favorable foreign currency effects in the first nine months of 2013 as compared to 2012. The favorable foreign currency impact primarily resulted from sales denominated in euros partially offset by the unfavorable impact of the Japanese yen. Excluding incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, net sales increased $6.7 million or 1% year-over-year.

 

Electronics sales increased $17.5 million or 7% to $271.9 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $254.3 million in the first nine months of 2012 due primarily to incremental sales of $13.5 million from the Hamlin business acquisition. The electronics segment experienced $0.3 million in unfavorable currency effects in the first nine months of 2013 primarily from sales denominated in Japanese yen. Excluding incremental sales from Hamlin and currency effects, net sales increased $4.3 million or 2% year-over-year as strength in the automotive fuse business more than offset a modest decline in the commercial vehicle products business.

 

Automotive sales increased $38.4 million or 25% to $194.3 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $156.0 million in the first nine months of 2012 due primarily to an incremental $29.6 million from business acquisitions and growth in the passenger vehicle business. The automotive segment experienced $1.6 million in favorable currency effects in the first nine months of 2013 primarily due to sales denominated in euros. Excluding incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, net sales increased $7.2 million or 5% year-over-year.

 

Electrical sales decreased $5.3 million or 5% to $93.5 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $98.8 million in the first nine months of 2012 due primarily to slowing demand for custom products as a result of a slow-down in the potash mining industry. This was offset by growth in power fuses primarily reflecting increased sales into the solar, HVAC and lighting markets. The electrical segment experienced $0.5 million in unfavorable currency effects in the first nine months of 2013 primarily from sales denominated in Canadian dollars.

 

On a geographic basis, sales in the Americas increased $23.3 million or 10% to $254.0 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $230.8 million in the first nine months of 2012 due to incremental sales from business acquisitions of $18.5 million and increased sales of power fuses, offset by weaker custom product sales and $0.6 million in unfavorable currency effects from sales denominated in Canadian dollars. Excluding incremental sales from acquisitions and currency effects, net sales increased $5.4 million or 2% year-over-year.

 

Europe sales increased $18.2 million or 22% to $100.4 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $82.1 million in the first nine months of 2012 mainly due to incremental sales of $16.0 million from business acquisitions $2.3 million in favorable currency effects from the euro. Excluding incremental sales and currency effects, Europe sales were flat year-over-year primarily due to an increase in sales of electronics and automotive products offset by a decrease in electrical sales.

 

Asia-Pacific sales increased $9.1 million or 5% to $205.3 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $196.2 million in the first nine months of 2012 primarily due to incremental sales from Hamlin of $8.6 million and higher demand for automotive products offset by lower electronics and electrical sales and $0.9 million in unfavorable currency effects primarily from sales denominated in Japanese yen. Excluding incremental sales from Hamlin and currency effects, net sales increased $1.4 million or 1% year-over-year.

 

Gross profit was $219.1 million or 39% of net sales for the first nine months of 2013 compared to $199.0 million or 39% of net sales in the first nine months of last year. Gross profit for the first nine months of 2013 was negatively impacted by $2.1 million which was the additional cost of goods sold for Hamlin inventory which had been stepped-up to fair value at the acquisition date as required by purchase accounting rules. Excluding the impact of this adjustment, gross profit was $217.0 million or 39% of net sales for the first nine months of 2013.

  

 

Total operating expense was $122.1 million or 22% of net sales for the first nine months of 2013 compared to $110.2 million or 22% of net sales for the first nine months in 2012. The increase in operating expenses primarily reflects incremental operating expenses of $8.5 million from business acquisitions.

 

Operating income for the first nine months of 2013 was $97.1 million compared to operating income of $88.9 million for the first nine months in 2012 primarily due to higher sales partially offset by slightly higher operating expenses as described above.

 

Interest expense was $2.0 million for the first nine months of 2013 and $1.3 million the first nine months of 2012 due to higher debt levels resulting from acquisition financing.,

 

Impairment, loan loss and equity losses from the investment in and loan to Shocking Technologies was $10.7 million in the first nine months of 2013 compared to $3.5 million in the first nine months of 2012. The company fully impaired its investment and loan receivable in Shocking during the first quarter of 2013 as described in Note 6.

 

Foreign exchange (gain) loss, reflecting net gains and losses resulting from the effect of exchange rate changes on various foreign currency transactions worldwide, was approximately $1.9 million of income for the first nine months of 2013 and $1.9 million of expense for the first nine months of 2012 and primarily reflects fluctuations in the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar.

 

Other (income) expense, net, consisting of interest income, royalties and non-operating income was approximately $3.5 million of income for the first nine months of 2013 compared to $3.1 million of income in the first nine months of 2012. 

 

Income before income taxes was $89.9 million for the first nine months of 2013 compared to income before income taxes of $85.2 million for the first nine months of 2012. Income tax expense was $21.5 million with an effective tax rate of 23.9% for the first nine months of 2013 compared to income tax expense of $21.9 million with an effective tax rate of 25.7% in the first nine months of 2012. The effective tax rates for both the first nine months of 2013 and 2012 are lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income earned in countries with lower tax rates than the U.S.

 

Net income for the first nine months of 2013 was $68.4 million or $3.04 per diluted share compared to net income of $63.3 million or $2.87 per diluted share for the same nine months of 2012.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 28, 2013, $282.6 million of the $292.9 million of the company’s cash and cash equivalents was held by foreign subsidiaries. Of the $282.6 million held by foreign subsidiaries, approximately $16.7 million could be repatriated with minimal tax consequences. The company expects to maintain its foreign cash balances (other than the aforementioned $16.7 million) for local operating requirements, to provide funds for future capital expenditures and for potential acquisitions. The company does not expect to repatriate these funds to the U.S.

 

The company historically has financed capital expenditures through cash flows from operations. Management expects that cash flows from operations and available lines of credit will be sufficient to support both the company’s operations and its debt obligations for the foreseeable future.

 

Revolving Credit Facilities

 

On May 31, 2013, the company entered into a new credit agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC for up to $325.0 million which consists of a revolving credit facility of $225.0 million and an unsecured term loan of $100.0 million. The new credit agreement is for a five year period. At September 28, 2013, the company had available $95.9 million of borrowing capacity under the revolving credit agreement at an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% (1.43% as of September 28, 2013). The credit agreement replaced the company’s previous credit agreement dated June 13, 2011. This arrangement contains covenants that, among other matters, impose limitations on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, future mergers, sales of assets, payment of dividends, and changes in control, as defined in the agreement. In addition, the company is required to satisfy certain financial covenants and tests relating to, among other matters, interest coverage and leverage. At September 28, 2013, the company was in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit facility.

  

 

The company also had $0.8 million outstanding in letters of credit at September 28, 2013. No amounts were drawn under these letters of credit at September 28, 2013.

 

Cash Flow 

 

The company started 2013 with $235.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $85.8 million for the first nine months of 2013 reflecting $68.4 million in net income and $42.0 million in non-cash adjustments (primarily $10.7 million in impairment charges and $25.9 million in depreciation and amortization) offset by $24.7 million in net changes to various operating assets and liabilities.

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities for the first nine months of 2013 (including short-term and long-term items) that impacted cash flows negatively consisted of increases in accounts receivables ($16.3 million) and inventories ($4.5 million) and decreases in accrued expenses (including post-retirement) ($11.7 million) and accrued taxes ($5.5 million). The increase in accounts receivables was due to increased sales. The decrease in accrued expenses was due primarily to a $5.0 million pension contribution made during the first quarter. Changes that had a positive impact on cash flows were decreases in prepaid expenses and other ($1.3 million), accounts payable ($6.7 million) and an increase in accrued payroll ($5.5 million).

 

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $178.6 million and included $145.0 million for the Hamlin acquisition, $25.3 million in capital spending, and $8.5 million in purchases of short-term investments.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $153.0 million and included $144.5 million in net proceeds from borrowing and $23.1 million from the exercise of stock options, including tax benefits, partially offset by cash dividends paid of $13.8 million. The effects of exchange rate changes decreased cash and cash equivalents by approximately $2.6 million. The net cash provided by operating activities combined with the effects of exchange rate changes less net cash used in investing and financing activities resulted in a $57.5 million increase in cash, which left the company with a cash and cash equivalents balance of $292.9 million at September 28, 2013.

 

The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 2.5 at the end of the third quarter of 2013 compared to 2.9 at year-end 2012 and 2.7 at the end of the third quarter of 2012. Days sales outstanding in accounts receivable was approximately 57 days at the end of the third quarter of 2013 (excluding Hamlin) compared to 58 days at the end of the third quarter of 2012 and 58 days at year-end 2012. Days inventory outstanding was approximately 69 days at the end of the third quarter of 2013 (excluding Hamlin) compared to 69 days at the year-end 2012 and 71 days at end of the third quarter of 2012.

 

Outlook 

 

Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global economy, the company’s order rates continue to be solid except for relays and custom products which are being affected by weakness in the mining market. Automotive end markets are showing slow, steady improvement, while the company’s other major markets continue to be relatively flat. However, the company has seen strength in certain niche markets such as LED lighting and solar. The company believes inventories at electronic distributors are at appropriate levels heading into the typically slower fourth quarter and, as a result, expects normal fourth quarter seasonality. Including the Hamlin acquisition, the company expects fourth quarter sales to be in the range of $185 to $195 million and fourth quarter earnings to be in the range of $0.97 to $1.12 per diluted share.

  

  

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”).

 

The statements in this section and the other sections of this report that are not historical facts are intended to constitute “forward-looking statements” entitled to the safe-harbor provisions of the PSLRA. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, risks relating to product demand and market acceptance, economic conditions, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product quality problems or product recalls, capacity and supply difficulties or constraints, coal mining exposures reserves, failure of an indemnification for environmental liability, exchange rate fluctuations, commodity price fluctuations, the effect of the company’s accounting policies, labor disputes, restructuring costs in excess of expectations, pension plan asset returns less than assumed, integration of acquisitions and other risks which may be detailed in the company’s other Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should the underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and outcomes may differ materially from those indicated or implied in the forward-looking statements. This report should be read in conjunction with information provided in the financial statements appearing in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012. For a further discussion of the risk factors of the company, please see Item 1A. “Risk Factors” to the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

The company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices.

 

Interest Rates

 

The company had $228.5 million in debt outstanding at September 28, 2013. This consisted of $128.5 million under revolving credit facilities at variable interest rates and $100.0 million term loan at a rate of 1.43%. While 100% of this debt has variable interest rates, the company’s interest expense is not materially sensitive to changes in interest rate levels since debt levels and potential interest expense increases are small relative to earnings.

 

Foreign Exchange Rates

 

The majority of the company’s operations consist of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign countries. The company has manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Denmark, China, Lithuania and the Philippines. During the first nine months of 2013, sales to customers outside the U.S. were 63.8% of total net sales. Substantially all sales in Europe are denominated in euros and substantially all sales in the Asia-Pacific region are denominated in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, Korean won, Chinese yuan or Taiwanese dollars.

 

The company’s foreign exchange exposures result primarily from sale of products in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated purchases, employee-related and other costs of running operations in foreign countries and translation of balance sheet accounts denominated in foreign currencies. The company’s most significant long exposure is to the euro, with lesser long exposures to the Canadian dollar, Japanese yen and Korean won. The company’s most significant short exposures are to the Chinese yuan, Mexican peso and Philippine peso. Changes in foreign exchange rates could affect the company’s sales, costs, balance sheet values and earnings. The company uses netting and offsetting intercompany account management techniques to reduce known foreign currency exposures where possible. From time to time, the company has utilized derivative instruments to hedge certain foreign currency exposures deemed to be material.

 

Commodity Prices

 

The company uses various metals in the manufacturing of its products, including copper, zinc, tin, gold and silver. Prices of these commodities can and do fluctuate significantly, which can impact the company’s earnings. The most significant of these exposures is to copper, zinc, gold, and silver where at current prices and volumes, a 10% price change would affect annual pre-tax profit by approximately $2.1 million for copper, $0.7 million for zinc, $0.3 million for gold, and $0.6 million for silver. From time to time, the company has utilized derivative instruments to hedge certain commodity exposures deemed to be material.

  

  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

As of September 28, 2013, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the company evaluated the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures of the company and concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that material information relating to the company and its consolidated subsidiaries has been made known to them by the employees of the company and its consolidated subsidiaries during the period preceding the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and that such information is accurately recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules. There were no significant changes in the company’s internal controls during the period covered by this Report that could materially affect these controls or could reasonably be expected to materially affect the company’s internal control reporting, disclosures and procedures subsequent to the last day they were evaluated by the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

A detailed description of risks that could have a negative impact on our business, revenues and performance results can be found under the caption “Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 27, 2013. There have been no material changes from risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2012 in response to Item 1A to Part 1 of Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

The company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the company’s common stock under a program for the period May 1, 2013 to April 30, 2014. The company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the first nine months of fiscal 2013 and 1,000,000 shares may yet be purchased under the previous authorization as of September 28, 2013. The company withheld 32,671 shares of stock in lieu of withholding taxes on behalf of employees who became vested in restricted stock option grants during the first nine months of 2013.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

 

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

 

None.

  

  

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

Description

 

2.1*

Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2013, by and between Littelfuse, Inc. and Key Safety Systems, Inc.

 

10.1

Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2013, among Littelfuse, Inc., as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as Syndication Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and PNC Bank, National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as Sole Bookrunner and Joint Lead Arranger, and Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as Joint Lead Arranger (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the company’s form 8-K dated May 31, 2013).

 

31.1

Certification of Gordon Hunter, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

31.2

Certification of Philip G. Franklin, Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.1

Certification 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 Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 *Exhibits and schedules omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. Littelfuse agrees to furnish a supplemental copy of an omitted exhibit or schedule to the SEC upon request.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2013, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 

 

	Littelfuse, Inc.
Date: November 1, 2013	By:	/s/ Philip G. Franklin
		Philip G. Franklin  Vice President, Operations Support, and  Chief Financial Officer   (As duly authorized officer and as  the principal financial and accounting  officer)

 

 

 

 

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