bel10-q.htm





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 30, 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 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
 
22-1463699
(State of  incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


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 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 checkmark 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.

Large accelerated filer  [    ]
Accelerated filer [X]
Non-accelerated filer [    ]
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company [    ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
Yes [   ]
No [X]


 
Title of Each Class
 
Number of Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
 as of November 1, 2013
 
Class A Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
    2,174,912  
Class B Common Stock ($0.10 par value)
    9,223,927  

 
 

 



BEL FUSE INC.
       
       
     
Page
Part I
   
       
 
Item 1.
1
       
     
   
2
       
     
   
3
       
     
   
4
       
     
   
5
       
   
7 - 19
       
 
Item 2.
 
   
20 - 27
       
 
Item 3.
 
   
27
       
 
Item 4.
27
       
Part II
   
       
 
Item 1.
27
       
 
Item 2.
27
       
 
Item 6.
28
       
   
29


PART I.                      Financial Information

Item 1.                      Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Certain information and footnote disclosures required under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted from the following condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The following condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the year-end consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year or for any other period.





 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
ASSETS
           
Current Assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 46,920     $ 71,262  
Accounts receivable - less allowance for doubtful accounts of $968
               
  and $743 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively
    68,666       42,865  
Inventories
    71,779       54,924  
Restricted cash
    12,994       12,993  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    6,884       4,482  
Refundable income taxes
    3,456       2,955  
Deferred income taxes
    2,838       1,437  
    Total Current Assets
    213,537       190,918  
                 
Property, plant and equipment - net
    40,338       35,002  
Deferred income taxes
    1,591       1,403  
Intangible assets - net
    22,700       22,191  
Goodwill
    27,222       13,559  
Other assets
    13,009       12,510  
    TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 318,397     $ 275,583  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 35,244     $ 18,862  
Accrued expenses
    32,150       25,360  
Accrued restructuring costs
    -       122  
Short-term borrowings under revolving credit line
    12,000       -  
Notes payable
    532       205  
Income taxes payable
    2,585       1,040  
Dividends payable
    851       799  
    Total Current Liabilities
    83,362       46,388  
                 
Long-term Liabilities:
               
Liability for uncertain tax positions
    1,218       2,161  
Minimum pension obligation and unfunded pension liability
    11,964       11,045  
Deferred income taxes
    -       394  
Other long-term liabilities
    512       233  
    Total Long-term Liabilities
    13,694       13,833  
    Total Liabilities
    97,056       60,221  
                 
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)
    217       217  
Class B common stock, par value $.10 per share, 30,000,000 shares
               
     authorized; 9,225,327 and 9,372,170 shares outstanding, respectively
               
     (net of 3,218,307 treasury shares)
    923       937  
Additional paid-in capital
    18,421       20,452  
Retained earnings
    202,556       195,183  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (776 )     (1,427 )
    Total Stockholders' Equity
    221,341       215,362  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 318,397     $ 275,583  
                 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Net Sales
  $ 101,164     $ 76,059     $ 258,173     $ 214,842  
                                 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
    80,730       63,472       212,699       179,690  
Selling, general and administrative
    12,106       9,929       34,657       28,350  
Restructuring charges
    -       1,778       1,387       2,160  
      92,836       75,179       248,743       210,200  
                                 
Income from operations
    8,328       880       9,430       4,642  
                                 
Gain on sale of investment
    98       -       98       -  
Impairment of investment
    -       (297 )     -       (775 )
Interest expense
    (67 )     -       (75 )     -  
Interest income and other, net
    82       63       189       216  
                                 
Earnings before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    8,441       646       9,642       4,083  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    605       (1,845 )     (47 )     (721 )
                                 
Net earnings
  $ 7,836     $ 2,491     $ 9,689     $ 4,804  
                                 
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
Class A common share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.65     $ 0.20     $ 0.80     $ 0.37  
Class B common share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.69     $ 0.21     $ 0.86     $ 0.41  
                                 
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
                               
Class A common share - basic and diluted
    2,174,912       2,174,912       2,174,912       2,174,912  
Class B common share - basic and diluted
    9,228,731       9,697,097       9,221,032       9,668,785  
                                 
Dividends paid per share:
                               
Class A common share
  $ 0.06     $ 0.06     $ 0.18     $ 0.18  
Class B common share
  $ 0.07     $ 0.07     $ 0.21     $ 0.21  
                                 
                                 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 

 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Net earnings
                       
    $ 7,836     $ 2,491     $ 9,689     $ 4,804  
Other comprehensive income:
                               
Currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of $212, $0,
                               
   ($4) and $0, respectively
    1,820       51       638       (283 )
Reclassification adjustment for (gain on sale) write-down of
                               
    marketable securities included in net earnings, net of tax of ($37),
                               
$113, ($37) and $295, respectively
    (61 )     185       (61 )     481  
Unrealized holding losses on marketable securities arising during
                               
the period, net of taxes of $28, ($59), $17 and ($118), respectively
    46       (95 )     28       (187 )
Change in unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of $24, $18,
                               
   $20 and $53, respectively
    53       40       46       120  
Other comprehensive income
    1,858       181       651       131  
                                 
Comprehensive income
  $ 9,694     $ 2,672     $ 10,340     $ 4,935  
                                 
                                 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



 
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net earnings
  $ 9,689     $ 4,804  
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
               
 cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    7,636       6,637  
Stock-based compensation
    1,376       1,294  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    -       111  
Realized gain on sale of investment
    (98 )     -  
Impairment of investment
    -       775  
Other, net
    356       (275 )
Deferred income taxes
    (223 )     (1,546 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (see page 6)
    (12,675 )     (4,002 )
      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    6,061       7,798  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
    (5,127 )     (3,374 )
Purchase of intangible asset
    (1,336 )        
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired (see page 6)
    (30,931 )     (19,187 )
Proceeds from sale of SERP investments
    2,820       -  
Purchase of company-owned life insurance
    (2,820 )     -  
Purchase of marketable securities
    -       (19 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment
    -       36  
       Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (37,394 )     (22,544 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Dividends paid to common shareholders
    (2,264 )     (2,350 )
Borrowings under revolving credit line
    12,000       -  
Increase (decrease) in notes payable      314        (48 )
Purchase and retirement of Class B common stock
    (3,356 )     (1,705 )
       Net Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities
    6,694       (4,103 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    297       133  
                 
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (24,342 )     (18,716 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents - beginning of period
    71,262       88,241  
Cash and Cash Equivalents - end of period
  $ 46,920     $ 69,525  
                 
(Continued)
 
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 


BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
(Unaudited)
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of:
           
Increase in accounts receivable
  $ (13,015 )   $ (3,562 )
Increase in inventories
    (7,180 )     (1,718 )
Increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (1,483 )     (668 )
Increase in other assets
    (95 )     (189 )
Increase in accounts payable
    6,920       288  
Increase in accrued expenses
    2,640       1,174  
Increase in other liabilities
    274       -  
(Decrease) increase in accrued restructuring costs
    (122 )     1,159  
Decrease in income taxes payable
    (614 )     (486 )
    $ (12,675 )   $ (4,002 )
                 
Supplementary information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
    Income taxes, net of refunds received
  $ 1,152     $ 1,234  
    Interest
    75       2  
                 
Details of acquisitions:
               
   Fair value of identifiable net assets acquired
  $ 25,689     $ 13,282  
   Goodwill
    13,630       8,903  
       Fair value of net assets acquired
  $ 39,319     $ 22,185  
                 
   Fair value of net assets acquired
  $ 39,319     $ 22,185  
   Less:  Cash acquired in acquisition
    (8,388 )     (2,991 )
   Deferred consideration
    -       (7 )
      Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
  $ 30,931     $ 19,187  
See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 



BEL FUSE INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
1.  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013, and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented herein have been prepared by Bel Fuse Inc. (the “Company” or “Bel”) and are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been made.  The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 should not be viewed as indicative of the Company’s annual results or the Company’s results for any other period.  The information for the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 was derived from audited financial statements.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Bel Fuse Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of GigaCom Interconnect AB (“GigaCom”).  On July 31, 2012, the Company consummated its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Fibreco Ltd. (“Fibreco”).  On September 12, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Powerbox Italia S.r.L. and its subsidiary, Powerbox Design (collectively, “Powerbox”, now merged to form Bel Power Europe S.r.l.). The acquisitions of GigaCom, Fibreco and Powerbox may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the “2012 Acquisitions” or the “2012 Acquired Companies”.  On March 29, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Transpower Technologies (HK) Limited (“Transpower”) and certain other tangible and intangible assets related to the Transpower magnetics business of TE Connectivity (“TRP”).  On August 20, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Array Connector Corporation (“Array”). The acquisitions of TRP and Array may hereafter be referred to collectively as either the “2013 Acquisitions” or the “2013 Acquired Companies”.  Accordingly, as of the respective acquisition dates, all of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their preliminary fair values and the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 include the operating results of the acquired companies from their respective acquisition dates through the respective period end dates.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2012 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 have been restated to reflect immaterial measurement period adjustments related to the 2012 Acquisitions, as applicable.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.  There were no significant changes to these accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Recent accounting pronouncements adopted during the first nine months of 2013 are as follows:

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02 – Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU No. 2012-02”)

ASU No. 2012-02 amends ASU No. 2011-08, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment, and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test in accordance with Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - General Intangibles Other than Goodwill. The Company adopted ASU No. 2012-02 during the first quarter of 2013.  The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02 – Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU No. 2013-02”)

ASU No. 2013-02 requires disclosure of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component.  In addition, an entity is required to present either on the face of the consolidated statements of operations, or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net earnings, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net earnings in its entirety in the same reporting period.  For amounts not reclassified in their entirety to net earnings, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional detail about those amounts.  The Company adopted ASU No. 2013-02 during the first quarter of 2013.  The adoption of this update did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11 – Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU No. 2013-11”)

 
7

 
ASU No. 2013-11 provides guidance on financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists.  The FASB’s objective in issuing this ASU is to eliminate diversity in practice resulting from a lack of guidance on this topic in current U.S. GAAP.  This ASU applies to all entities with unrecognized tax benefits that also have tax loss or tax credit carryforwards in the same tax jurisdiction as of the reporting date.   The guidance in ASU No. 2013-11 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.


2.  
EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company utilizes the two-class method to report its 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 three or nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012 which would have had a dilutive effect on earnings per share.

The earnings and weighted-average shares outstanding used in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Numerator:
                       
Net earnings
  $ 7,836     $ 2,491     $ 9,689     $ 4,804  
Less Dividends:
                               
     Class A
    131       130       391       392  
     Class B
    650       681       1,925       2,036  
Undistributed earnings
  $ 7,055     $ 1,680     $ 7,373     $ 2,376  
                                 
Undistributed earnings allocation - basic and diluted:
                               
     Class A undistributed earnings
  $ 1,293     $ 296     $ 1,353     $ 419  
     Class B undistributed earnings
    5,762       1,384       6,020       1,957  
     Total undistributed earnings
  $ 7,055     $ 1,680     $ 7,373     $ 2,376  
                                 
Net earnings allocation - basic and diluted:
                               
     Class A allocated earnings
  $ 1,424     $ 426     $ 1,744     $ 811  
     Class B allocated earnings
    6,412       2,065       7,945       3,993  
     Net earnings
  $ 7,836     $ 2,491     $ 9,689     $ 4,804  
                                 
Denominator:
                               
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
                               
     Class A common share - basic and diluted
    2,174,912       2,174,912       2,174,912       2,174,912  
     Class B common share - basic and diluted
    9,228,731       9,697,097       9,221,032       9,668,785  
                                 
Earnings per share:
                               
     Class A common share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.65     $ 0.20     $ 0.80     $ 0.37  
     Class B common share - basic and diluted
  $ 0.69     $ 0.21     $ 0.86     $ 0.41  
 
 
 
8

 
3.           ACQUISITIONS

2013 Acquisitions:

On March 29, 2013, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Transpower Technology (HK) Limited (“Transpower”), certain intellectual property and other tangible assets related to the Transpower magnetics business of TE Connectivity (“TE”) from Tyco Electronics Corporation (“Tyco”) for $22.4 million in cash and additional consideration including the assumption of $0.1 million in liabilities and the grant of a license to TE related to three of the Company’s patents. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company paid an additional $6.8 million in consideration to TE related to a working capital adjustment and an additional net payment of $0.1 million was made in the third quarter of 2013.  Transpower is the sole shareholder of Dongguan Transpower Electronic Products Co., Ltd. in the People's Republic of China.  The operations acquired are now doing business as TRP Connector (“TRP”).  The Company’s purchase of the TRP magnetics business consisted of the integrated connector module (“ICM”) family of products, including RJ45, 10/100 Gigabit, 10G, PoE/PoE+, MRJ21 and RJ.5, a line of modules for smart-grid applications, and discrete magnetics.

On August 20, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Array, a manufacturer of aerospace and mil-spec connector products based in Miami, Florida, for $10.0 million in cash.  The acquisition of Array expands the Company’s portfolio of connector products that can be offered to the combined customer base, and provides an opportunity to sell other products that Bel manufactures to Array's customers.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company incurred $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, of acquisition-related costs associated with the 2013 Acquisitions.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.

While the initial accounting related to the acquisitions of TRP and Array is not complete as of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, the following table depicts the Company’s initial estimate of the respective acquisition date fair values of the consideration paid or payable and identifiable net assets acquired (in thousands):

   
TRP
   
Array
   
2013 Acquisitions
 
           
Measurement
   
March 29,
         
Acquisition-Date
 
   
March 29,
     
Period
   
2013
   
August 20,
   
Fair Values
 
   
2013
     
Adjustments
   
(As adjusted)
   
2013
   
(As adjusted)
 
Cash
  $ 8,388       $ -     $ 8,388     $ -     $ 8,388  
Accounts receivable
    11,580         (39 )     11,541       994       12,535  
Inventories
    6,258  
(a)
    707       6,965       2,588       9,553  
Other current assets
    1,953         -       1,953       83       2,036  
Property, plant and equipment
    4,693  
(b)
    (165 )     4,528       2,285       6,813  
Intangible assets
    -  
(c)
    -       -       -       -  
Other assets
    1,151         -       1,151       84       1,235  
     Total identifiable assets
    34,023         503       34,526       6,034       40,560  
                                           
Accounts payable
    (8,565 )       -       (8,565 )     (677 )     (9,242 )
Accrued expenses
    (4,003 )       132       (3,871 )     (206 )     (4,077 )
Other current liabilities
    (25 )       (671 )     (696 )     (214 )     (910 )
Noncurrent liabilities
    -         -       -       (643 )     (643 )
     Total liabilities assumed
    (12,593 )       (539 )     (13,132 )     (1,740 )     (14,229 )
     Net identifiable assets acquired
    21,430         (36 )     21,394       4,294       25,688  
     Goodwill
    8,278  
(d)
    (313 )     7,965       5,666       13,631  
     Net assets acquired
  $ 29,708       $ (349 )   $ 29,359     $ 9,960     $ 39,319  
                                           
                                           
Cash paid
  $ 22,400       $ 6,959     $ 29,359     $ 9,960     $ 39,319  
Assumption of severance payment
    109         (109 )     -       -       -  
Fair value of grant of license
    -  
(e)
    -       -       -       -  
     Fair value of consideration transferred
    22,509         6,850       29,359       9,960       39,319  
     Deferred consideration
    7,199  
(f)
    (7,199 )     -       -       -  
     Total consideration paid/payable
  $ 29,708       $ (349 )   $ 29,359     $ 9,960     $ 39,319  


 
9

 
(a)  
The determination of fair value related to the inventory acquired was still in progress as of the date of this filing.  The amount above represents only the carrying value of the inventory on TRP’s balance sheet as of the acquisition date.  The measurement period adjustment noted above for inventory relates to additional inventory received from TE, as well as inventory on customer consignments that was not previously accounted for.
(b)  
The appraisals related to machinery and equipment acquired were incomplete as of this filing date and, as such, the amount noted above represents only the carrying value of those assets on TRP’s balance sheet as of the acquisition date.  The measurement period adjustment noted above for property, plant and equipment relates to equipment that could not be located upon a physical inventory of the assets acquired.
(c)  
The Company has identified certain intangible assets related to the TRP acquisition, including technology, license agreements and customer lists, which are being valued by a third-party appraiser.  These appraisals were not complete as of the date of this filing.
(d)  
The amount of goodwill is provisional as of the filing date, as the fair value determination of inventory acquired, and appraisals related to property, plant and equipment and various intangible assets are still underway.  As the final amount of goodwill has not yet been determined or allocated by segment, the Company is unable to determine at this time the portion of goodwill, if any, that will be deductible for tax purposes.
(e)  
As part of the consideration paid or payable, the Company granted Tyco a license related to three of the Company’s patents.  The valuation related to this license grant was not complete as of the date of this filing.
(f)  
Deferred consideration represents the Company’s estimate of a working capital adjustment which is payable to the seller.  Such adjustment must be agreed upon between the Company and the seller, and has not yet been finalized as of the date of this filing.

The results of operations of the 2013 Acquired Companies have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the period subsequent to their respective acquisition dates.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the 2013 Acquired Companies contributed $26.4 million and $48.6 million of revenue, respectively, and $4.6 million and $8.7 million of net earnings, respectively, to the Company’s consolidated financial results.  The Company is still in the process of revising its corporate overhead allocations, and the results disclosed related to the 2013 Acquisitions do not yet include such allocations.

The unaudited pro forma information below presents the combined operating results of the Company and the 2013 Acquired Companies.  The unaudited pro forma results are presented for illustrative purposes only.  They do not reflect the realization of any potential cost savings, or any related integration costs. Certain cost savings may result from the 2013 Acquisitions; however, there can be no assurance that these cost savings will be achieved. These pro forma results do not purport to be indicative of the results that would have actually been obtained if the 2013 Acquisitions had occurred as of January 1, 2012, nor is the pro forma data intended to be a projection of results that may be obtained in the future.  The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations assume that the acquisitions of the 2013 Acquired Companies were completed as of January 1, 2012.  The pro forma results noted below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 also include the effects of the 2012 Acquisitions discussed below (dollars in thousands except per share data):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
                         
Revenue
  $ 102,056     $ 97,982     $ 283,137     $ 283,986  
Net earnings
    7,882       5,295       12,606       12,578  
Earnings per Class A common share - basic and diluted
    0.66       0.42       1.05       1.00  
Earnings per Class B common share - basic and diluted
    0.70       0.45       1.12       1.08  

2012 Acquisitions:

On March 9, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of GigaCom with a cash payment of $2.7 million (£1.7 million). GigaCom, located in Gothenburg, Sweden, is a supplier of expanded beam fiber optic technology. GigaCom has become part of Bel’s Cinch Connector business. Management believes that GigaCom’s offering of expanded beam fiber optic (“EBOSA®”) products will enhance the Company’s position within the growing aerospace and military markets.

On July 31, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Fibreco with a cash payment, net of $2.7 million of cash acquired, of $13.7 million (£8.7 million). Fibreco, located in the United Kingdom, is a supplier of a broad range of expanded beam fiber optic components for use in military communications, outside broadcast and offshore exploration applications.  Fibreco has become part of Bel’s interconnect product group under the Cinch Connector business. Management believes that the addition of Fibreco’s fiber optic-based product line to Cinch’s broad range of copper-based products will increase Cinch’s presence in emerging fiber applications within the military, aerospace and industrial markets. In addition, management believes the acquisition provides access to a range of customers for the recently acquired GigaCom EBOSA® product.

On September 12, 2012, the Company completed its acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Powerbox, now known as Bel Power Europe, with a cash payment, net of $0.2 million of cash acquired, of $3.0 million.  The Company also granted 30,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Class B common stock in connection with this acquisition.  Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value of these restricted shares of $0.6 million is being recorded ratably through September 2014.  Bel Power Europe, located near Milan, Italy, develops high-power AC-DC power conversion solutions targeted at the broadcasting market.  The acquisition of Bel Power Europe will allow Bel to expand its portfolio of power product offerings to include AC-DC products and will also establish a European design center located close to several of Bel’s existing customers.

 
10

 
Acquisition-related costs relating to the 2012 Acquisitions amounted to less than $0.1 million and $0.6 million during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.6 million during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  These costs are included in selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company completed the purchase accounting related to the GigaCom and Fibreco acquisitions.  During the third quarter of 2013, the Company completed the purchase accounting related to its acquisition of Bel Power Europe.  The following table reflects the finalized acquisition date fair values of the consideration transferred and identifiable net assets acquired related to the 2012 acquisitions (in thousands):

         
Measurement
   
Acquisition-Date
 
   
Acquisition-Date
   
Period
   
Fair Values
 
   
Fair Values
   
Adjustments
   
(As finalized)
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,991     $ -     $ 2,991  
Accounts receivable
    3,750       3       3,753  
Inventories
    1,061       (16 )     1,045  
Other current assets
    90       -       90  
Property, plant and equipment
    502       263       765  
Intangible assets
    30       11,626       11,656  
     Total identifiable assets
    8,424       11,876       20,300  
                         
Accounts payable
    (1,702 )     -       (1,702 )
Accrued expenses
    (1,736 )     -       (1,736 )
Notes payable
    (216 )     -       (216 )
Income taxes payable
    (264 )     (60 )     (324 )
Deferred income tax liability, current
    (70 )     -       (70 )
Deferred income tax liability, noncurrent
    -       (2,700 )     (2,700 )
Other long-term liabilities
    (216 )     -       (216 )
     Total liabilities assumed
    (4,204 )     (2,760 )     (6,964 )
     Net identifiable assets acquired
    4,220       9,116       13,336  
     Goodwill
    17,965       (8,900 )     9,065  
     Net assets acquired
  $ 22,185     $ 216     $ 22,401  
                         
                         
Cash paid
  $ 22,138       263     $ 22,401  
Deferred consideration
    47       (47 )     -  
     Fair value of consideration transferred
  $ 22,185     $ 216     $ 22,401  

 
The fair value of identifiable intangible assets noted above (as adjusted) consists of the following:

 
Weighted-Average Life
 
Acquisition-Date Fair Value
 
Trademarks
Indefinite
  $ 1,264  
Technology
20 years
    6,542  
Customer relationships
16 years
    3,292  
Non-compete agreements
2 years
    558  
    Total identifiable intangible assets acquired
    $ 11,656  

 
The results of operations of the 2012 Acquired Companies have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods subsequent to their respective acquisition dates.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $1.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined net earnings of $0.1 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s consolidated financial results.   During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $7.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined net earnings of $0.7 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s consolidated financial results.   The acquisition of GigaCom has contributed to Bel’s research and development efforts and its technology has been incorporated into products now being sold by Fibreco.  GigaCom incurred expenses, primarily related to research and development, of $0.2 million and $0.1 million during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.3 million during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

  
 
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4.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as 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.  Entities are required to use a fair value hierarchy which maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.  There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

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
 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The gross unrealized gains associated with the investments held in the rabbi trust were $0.4 million at each of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  Such unrealized gains are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had marketable securities with a combined fair value of less than $0.1 million at each date, and gross unrealized losses of less than $0.1 million at each date.  Such unrealized losses are included, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  The fair value of the equity securities is determined based on quoted market prices in public markets and is categorized as Level 1.  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 the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.  There were no changes to the Company’s valuation techniques used to measure asset fair values on a recurring or nonrecurring basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 
12

 
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Company’s financial assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands).
 
         
Assets at Fair Value Using
 
   
Total
   
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
   
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
   
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
As of September 30, 2013
                       
Available-for-sale securities:
                       
   Investments held in rabbi trust
  $ 3,238     $ 3,238     $ -     $ -  
   Marketable securities
    3       3       -       -  
                                 
   Total
  $ 3,241     $ 3,241     $ -     $ -  
                                 
As of December 31, 2012
                               
Available-for-sale securities:
                               
   Investments held in rabbi trust
  $ 6,014     $ 6,014     $ -     $ -  
   Marketable securities
    2       2       -       -  
                                 
   Total
  $ 6,016     $ 6,016     $ -     $ -  


The Company has other financial instruments, such as cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable and accrued expenses, 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 Company did not have any other financial liabilities within the scope of the fair value disclosure requirements as of September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

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 on the occurrence of a triggering event or, in the case of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, on at least an annual basis.  There were no triggering events that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 or 2012 that would warrant interim impairment testing.
 
 
5.           INVENTORIES

The components of inventories are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Raw materials
  $ 30,919     $ 26,157  
Work in progress
    12,081       8,200  
Finished goods
    28,779       20,567  
    $ 71,779     $ 54,924  


6.           INTANGIBLE ASSET

During the third quarter of 2013, the Company paid $1.3 million and received $0.3 million associated with licensing agreements entered into with Radiall SA.  The agreements cover the parties’ respective technologies for EBOSA® fibre optic termini and the EPX® connector range.  The $1.3 million paid by the Company is reflected as an intangible asset and the $0.3 million received by the Company is included in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013.  Each will be amortized over the life of the respective agreement of 20 years.


 
13

 
7.            BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

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 sales and income from operations.  The following is a summary of key financial data (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Total segment sales:
                       
     North America
  $ 34,273     $ 34,370     $ 95,796     $ 106,349  
     Asia
    69,602       47,238       166,362       125,881  
     Europe
    9,313       8,983       30,029       24,200  
Total segment sales
    113,188       90,591       292,187       256,430  
Reconciling item:
                               
     Intersegment sales
    (12,024 )     (14,532 )     (34,014 )     (41,588 )
Net sales
  $ 101,164     $ 76,059     $ 258,173     $ 214,842  
                                 
Income (loss) from operations:
                               
     North America
  $ (96 )   $ (189 )   $ (3,591 )   $ 4,074  
     Asia
    8,400       1,048       12,377       8  
     Europe
    24       21       644       560  
    $ 8,328     $ 880     $ 9,430     $ 4,642  


The following items are included in the income (loss) from operations presented above:

Recent Acquisitions – During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the acquisition of TRP contributed revenues of $25.6 million and $47.8 million, respectively, and income from operations of $5.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, to the Company’s Asia operating segment. During each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the acquisition of Array contributed revenues of $0.8 million to the Company’s North America operating segment. The Company is still in the process of revising its corporate overhead allocations, and the results disclosed related to the 2013 Acquisitions do not yet include such allocations.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $1.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined operating income of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s Europe operating segment.   During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $7.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined operating income of $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s Europe operating segment.

Segment Sales – Segment sales are attributed to individual segments based on the geographic source of the billing for such customer sales.  Transfers between geographic areas 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 (loss) from operations represents net sales less operating costs and expenses.
 

8.            INCOME TAXES

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company has approximately $2.2 and 2.7 million, respectively,  of liabilities for uncertain tax positions ($1.0 million and $0.5 million, respectively, included in income taxes payable and $1.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively, included in liability for uncertain tax positions) all of which, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s effective tax rate.

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 2010 and for state examinations before 2007.   Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2004 in Asia and generally 2006 in Europe.

 
14

 
As a result of the expiration of the statute 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 condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2013.  A total of $1.0 million of previously recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions relates primarily to the 2008 tax year which expire during the three months ended September 30, 2014.  Additionally, a total of $0.5 million and $2.5 million of previously recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions, interest and penalties relating to the 2006 and 2009 tax years and the 2007 through 2009 tax years, respectively, were reversed during the quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  This was offset in part by an increase in the liability for uncertain tax positions in the amount of $1.2 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits arising from uncertain tax positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized an immaterial amount of interest and penalties and no interest and penalties, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  The Company has approximately $0.2 million accrued for the payment of such interest and penalties at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which is included in the liability for uncertain tax positions in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at each date.

Upon the acquisition of Fibreco, Fibreco had a deferred tax liability in the amount of $0.1 million arising from various temporary differences. In connection with the 2012 Acquisitions, the Company completed a fair market value report of property, plant and equipment and intangibles.  As a result of that report, the Company established deferred tax liabilities at the date of acquisition in the amounts of $1.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the Fibreco, Gigacom and Bel Power Europe acquisitions.  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, a combined deferred tax liability of $2.4 million and $2.2 million, respectively, remains on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Upon completion of the acquisition of TRP, TRP had deferred tax assets of $2.2 million arising from various temporary differences, which are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013.  It is the Company’s intention to repatriate substantially all net income from its wholly owned PRC subsidiary, DG Transpower, a Chinese Limited Company, to its direct Hong Kong parent company Transpower Technologies (Hong Kong) Ltd. Applicable income and dividend withholding taxes have been reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. However, U.S. deferred taxes need not be provided under current U.S. tax law.  At September 30, 2013, the fair market value reports have not been completed and therefore the Company had no additional deferred tax amounts relating to the TRP acquisition.

In connection with the 2013 acquisition of Array, the Company has not completed a preliminary fair market value report of property, plant and equipment and intangibles.  The Company acquired a deferred tax liability in the amount of $0.9 million arising from temporary differences related to property, plant and equipment.  At September 30, 2013, there were no additional deferred tax amounts reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as the fair market value report has not been completed.

The Company has made elections under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 338(g) to step-up the tax basis of the 2012 Acquisitions to fair value.  The elections made under Section 338(g) affect only the U.S. income taxes (not those of the foreign countries where the acquired entities were incorporated). The Company is considering making a Section 338(g) election with respect to the 2013 acquisition of Array.

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the “American Taxpayer Relief Act” (“ATRA”).  Among other things, ATRA extends the Research and Experimentation credit (“R&E”), which expired at the end of 2011, through 2013 and 2014, respectively. Under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, the effects of the new legislation are recognized upon enactment, which is when the President signs a tax bill into law.  Although the extenders were effective retroactively for 2012, the Company could only consider currently enacted tax law as of the balance sheet date in determining current and deferred taxes at December 31, 2012.  During the first quarter of 2013, the Company recognized the $0.4 million R&E credit from 2012 as an increase in the March 31, 2013 quarterly benefit for income taxes.

The Company continues to monitor proposed legislation affecting the taxation of transfers of U.S. intangible property and other potential tax law changes.

 
 
15

 
9.           ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Sales commissions
  $ 1,589     $ 1,295  
Subcontracting labor
    2,626       2,408  
Salaries, bonuses and related benefits
    12,905       6,023  
Litigation reserve
    11,549       11,549  
Other
    3,481       4,085  
    $ 32,150     $ 25,360  

Accrued Restructuring Costs

Activity and liability balances related to restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are shown in the table below (dollars in thousands). The liability at December 31, 2012 related to the final severance payments due related to the closure of the Vinita, Oklahoma manufacturing facility.  New charges noted below relate to severance costs associated with an additional reduction in workforce implemented in the second quarter of 2013.

   
Liability at December 31, 2012
   
New Charges
   
Cash Payments and Other Settlements
   
Liability at September 30, 2013
 
Severance costs
  $ 122     $ 1,239     $ (1,361 )   $ -  
Transportation of equipment
    -       100       (100 )     -  
Other restructuring charges
    -       48       (48 )     -  
     Total
  $ 122     $ 1,387     $ (1,509 )   $ -  

 
10.  
DEBT

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company maintained a $30 million line of credit, which was due to expire on June 30, 2014.  In August 2013, the Company borrowed $12.0 million under the line of credit in connection with its acquisition of Array.  At September 30, 2013, the balance available under the credit agreement was $18.0 million.  There were no previous borrowings under the credit agreement and, as a result, there was no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2012.  Amounts outstanding under this line of credit are collateralized with a first priority security interest in 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company's material domestic subsidiaries and 65% of all the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of certain of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company.  The credit agreement bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.  Under the terms of the credit agreement, the Company is required to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with other financial conditions.  As a result of the Company’s recent acquisitions, which resulted in a lower cash balance and increased intangible assets, the Company was not in compliance with its tangible net worth debt covenant as of September 30, 2013.  In November 2013, the credit agreement was amended to reflect modifications to the minimum tangible net worth and maximum leverage covenant calculations, and to extend the term of the agreement through October 14, 2016.


11.           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 IRC. 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. The Company’s matching contributions are equal to 100% of the first 1% of compensation contributed by participants, and 50% of the next 5% of compensation contributed by participants. The expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $0.1 million in each period.  The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $0.4 million in each period.  Prior to January 1, 2012, the plan’s structure provided for a Company match and discretionary profit sharing contributions that were made in the form of the Company’s common stock.  As of September 30, 2013, the plan owned 14,911 and 203,069 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

The Company also has a retirement fund in Asia which covers substantially all of its 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 three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $0.1 million in each period.  The expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 amounted to approximately $0.2 million in each period.  As of September 30, 2013, the plan owned 3,323 and 17,342 shares of Bel Fuse Inc. Class A and Class B common stock, respectively.

 
16

 
The SERP is designed to provide a limited group of key management and highly compensated employees of the Company with supplemental retirement and death benefits.

The components of SERP expense are as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Service cost
  $ 139     $ 109     $ 417     $ 327  
Interest cost
    112       104       337       312  
Amortization of adjustments
    77       58       231       174  
Total SERP expense
  $ 328     $ 271     $ 985     $ 813  

 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Balance sheet amounts:
           
   Minimum pension obligation
           
      and unfunded pension liability
  $ 11,964     $ 11,045  
                 
   Amounts recognized in accumulated
               
      other comprehensive loss, pretax:
               
         Prior service cost
  $ 931     $ 877  
         Net gains
    2,764       2,884  
    $ 3,695     $ 3,761  

 
12.           ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are summarized below (dollars in thousands):

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
             
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes of ($4)
           
  at September 30, 2013
  $ 1,565     $ 927  
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
               
  securities, net of taxes of $140 and $161 as of
               
  September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
    223       256  
Unfunded SERP liability, net of taxes of ($1,131) and ($1,151) as
               
  of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012
    (2,564 )     (2,610 )
                 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (776 )   $ (1,427 )


 
17

 
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are as follows.  All amounts are net of tax (dollars in thousands).

         
Unrealized Holding
                 
   
Foreign Currency
   
Gains on
                 
   
Translation
   
Available-for-
     
Unfunded
         
   
Adjustment
   
Sale Securities
     
SERP Liability
     
Total
 
                             
Balance at January 1, 2013
  $ 927     $ 256       $ (2,610 )     $ (1,427 )
     Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
    638       28         (185 )       481  
     Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
                                   
          comprehensive income (loss)
    -       (61 )
 (a)
    231  
 (b)
    170  
     Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)
    638       (33 )       46         651  
                                     
Balance at September 30, 2013
  $ 1,565     $ 223       $ (2,564 )     $ (776 )
                                     
(a) This reclassification relates to the gain on sale of SERP investments during the third quarter of 2013. This is recorded as
           
a gain on sale of investment in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
                     
                                     
(b) 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.
                                   


13.           COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases various facilities.  Some of these leases require the Company to pay certain executory costs (such as insurance and maintenance).  At December 31, 2012, the Company’s total future minimum lease payments for operating leases amounted to $11.5 million.  The only significant change since December 31, 2012 relates to the inclusion of lease commitments associated with the 2013 Acquired Companies.  At September 30, 2013, the additional lease commitments related to the 2013 Acquired Companies amounted to $3.6 million.

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 the order is cancelled.  At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding purchase orders related to purchase of raw materials in the aggregate amount of $18.8 million and purchase orders related to capital expenditures of $1.7 million.  The only significant change since December 31, 2012 relates to the inclusion of purchase orders associated with the 2013 Acquired Companies.  At September 30, 2013, the Company had additional purchase orders related to the purchase of raw materials of approximately $4.5 million and additional purchase orders related to capital expenditures of $0.5 million associated with the 2013 Acquired Companies. 
 
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 results of operations or financial position.  See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for the details of all of Bel’s material pending lawsuits.  Certain developments that have arisen in legal proceedings subsequent to the filing of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K are described below.

The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit captioned SynQor, Inc. v. Artesyn Technologies, Inc., et al. brought in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas in November 2007.  The plaintiff alleged that eleven defendants, including Bel, infringed its patents covering certain power products. With respect to the Company, the plaintiff claimed that the Company infringed its patents related to unregulated bus converters and/or point-of-load (POL) converters used in intermediate bus architecture power supply systems. The case went to trial in December 2010 and a partial judgment was entered on December 29, 2010 based on the jury verdict.  The jury found that certain products of the defendants directly and/or indirectly infringe the SynQor patents.  The jury awarded damages of $8.1 million against the Company, which was recorded by the Company as a litigation charge in the consolidated statement of operations in the fourth quarter of 2010.  On July 11, 2011, the Court awarded supplemental damages of $2.5 million against the Company.  Of this amount, $1.9 million is covered through an indemnification agreement with one of Bel’s customers and the remaining $0.6 million was recorded as an expense by the Company during the second quarter of 2011.  During the third quarter of 2011, the Company recorded costs and interest associated with this lawsuit of $0.2 million.  A final judgment in the case was entered on August 17, 2011.  The Company was in the process of appealing the verdict and judgment and filed a notice of appeal with the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on October 28, 2011.  The Company was advised that the full amount of the damage award plus costs and interest would need to be posted as a supersedeas bond upon filing of the notice of appeal.  In November 2011, the Company posted a $13.0 million supersedeas bond to the Court in the Eastern District of Texas while the case was on appeal to the Federal Circuit.  The amount of the bond was reflected as restricted cash in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.   The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“CAFC”) heard oral argument in the SynQor case on October 2, 2012 and issued its opinion on March 13, 2013.  In its opinion, the CAFC affirmed the district court’s findings and judgment on all issues up on appeal.  The Company and the other Defendants jointly filed a Petition for Rehearing En Banc with the CAFC on April 12, 2013, which was denied by the CAFC on May 14, 2013.  The Defendants filed a joint petition for certiorari with the Supreme Court on September 23, 2013.

 
18

 
In a related matter, on September 29, 2011, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas ordered SynQor, Inc.’s continuing causes of action for post-injunction damages to be severed from the original action and assigned to a new case number.  The new action captioned SynQor, Inc. v. Artesyn Technologies, Inc., et al. (Case Number 2:11cv444) is a patent infringement action for damages in the form of lost profits and reasonable royalties for the period beginning January 24, 2011.  SynQor, Inc. also seeks enhanced damages.  The Company has an indemnification agreement in place with one of its customers specifically covering post-injunction damages related to this case.  As a result, the Company does not anticipate that its consolidated statement of operations will be materially impacted by any potential post-injunction damages.  This case went to trial on July 30, 2013.

The Company is a plaintiff in a lawsuit captioned Bel Fuse Inc. et al. v. Molex Inc. brought in the United District Court of New Jersey in April 2013.  The Company claims that Molex infringed three of the Company’s patents related to integrated magnetic connector products.  Molex filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on August 6, 2013.  The Company filed an amended complaint and response on August 20, 2013.  Molex withdrew its original Motion to Dismiss and filed a second, revised Motion to Dismiss on September 6, 2013.  The Company filed its response on October 7, 2013.
 

 
19

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

 
The Company’s quarterly and annual operating results are impacted by a wide variety of factors that could materially and adversely affect revenues and profitability, including the risk factors described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. 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, financial condition, operating results, and stock prices.  Furthermore, this document and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “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.  These Forward-Looking Statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, 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 such statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  An investment in the Company involves various risks, including those which are detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.
 

Overview

Our Company

The Company designs, manufactures and markets a broad array of magnetics, modules, circuit protection devices and interconnect products.  Bel’s 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.

Bel’s business is operated through three geographic segments:  North America, Asia and Europe.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, 55% of the Company’s revenues were derived from Asia, 34% from North America and 11% from its Europe operating segment.  Sales of the Company’s magnetic products represented approximately 48% of its total net sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The remaining revenues related to sales of the Company’s interconnect products (32%), module products (17%) and circuit protection products (3%).

The Company’s expenses are driven principally by the cost of labor where the factories that Bel uses are located, the cost of the materials that it uses and its ability to effectively and efficiently manage overhead costs.  As labor and material costs vary by product line, any significant shift in product mix can have an associated impact on the Company’s 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. The Company’s products are manufactured at various facilities in: the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”); Glen Rock, Pennsylvania; Inwood, New York; McAllen, Texas; Miami, Florida; Haina, Dominican Republic; Reynosa and Cananea, Mexico; Louny, Czech Republic; and Worksop and Great Dunmow, England.

In the PRC, where the Company generally enters into processing arrangements with several independent third-party contractors and also has its own manufacturing facilities, 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, the Company has little visibility into the ordering habits of its customers and can be subjected to large and unpredictable variations in demand for its products.  Accordingly, the Company 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, and overtime required in order to meet demand, can add volatility to the costs incurred by the Company for labor in the PRC.

 
20

 
Trends Affecting our Business

The Company believes the key factors affecting Bel’s results for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and/or future results include the following:

·  
Recent Acquisitions – The Company has completed five acquisitions since the first quarter of 2012. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the acquired companies have contributed a combined $28.2 million and $56.3 million of sales, respectively, and a combined $4.9 million and $10.1 million of income from operations, respectively.

·  
Restructuring Program – The Company had substantially completed its plan to effect operational efficiencies by the end of 2012.  The Company continued its efforts into 2013 to bring the new manufacturing facility in McAllen, Texas up to full operating capacity.  The Company faced certain challenges with the transition, resulting in $3.2 million of unanticipated costs during the first nine months of 2013, of which only $0.3 million was incurred during the third quarter.   These costs included additional overtime, scrap, a higher volume of purchased materials, expedited freight charges and other costs.  During the second quarter of 2013, the Company also initiated additional restructuring actions which resulted in $1.3 million of severance and other charges in the second quarter.  The Company does not anticipate any significant costs related to restructuring programs for the foreseeable future.

·  
Revenues – Excluding the revenue contributions from recent acquisitions as described above, the Company’s revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 decreased by $12.0 million as compared to the same period of 2012.  The decrease in sales was primarily due to reduced orders of module products from one customer in North America.  The order volume related to this customer has now stabilized, but we expect to report large year-over-year decreases (2013 vs. 2012) in our module products group through the end of 2013 as a result of the lower volume in 2013.  Revenue reductions resulting from manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the restructuring of Cinch operations described above were partially offset by increases in the sales volume of Bel’s DC-DC products.  During the third quarter of 2013, Bel implemented price increases for certain products as our current pricing structure did not reflect the rising labor costs in the PRC as discussed below.

·  
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.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company experienced a favorable shift in the mix of products sold as compared to the same period of 2012, which partially mitigated the effects of reduced sales and operational inefficiencies at our Texas facility.

·  
Pricing and Availability of Materials – Component pricing and availability have been stable for most of the Company’s product lines, although lead times on electrical components are still extended.  With regard to commodities, the Company has experienced some price decreases related to precious metals during the latter part of 2012 and that trend has continued into 2013. Costs for certain commodities, including gold and copper, were lower during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012.  Any fluctuations in component prices and other commodity prices associated with Bel’s raw materials will have a corresponding impact on Bel’s profit margins.

·  
Labor Costs – Labor costs as a percentage of sales during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were slightly lower as compared to the first half of 2012. Following the 2012 Lunar New Year holiday, additional recruiting, training and overtime charges were incurred in the PRC; this trend did not recur in 2013.  However, rising labor costs in the PRC and the strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi continue to impact our overall profit margins.  With the addition of TRP, approximately half of Bel’s total sales are now generated from labor-intensive magnetic products, which are primarily manufactured in the PRC.  In February 2013, the PRC government increased the minimum wage by 19% in regions where the factories that Bel uses are located.  This increase was effective May 1, 2013.

·  
Impact of Pending Lawsuits – As further described in Note 13 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, there has been additional legal activity in 2013 related to the SynQor and Molex lawsuits.  Ongoing legal costs related to these lawsuits will impact the Company’s profit margins in future quarters.

·  
Acquisition-Related Costs – The acquisitions of TRP and Array in 2013 and the valuations of the 2012 Acquired Companies gave rise to acquisition-related costs of $0.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The valuations of the 2013 Acquired Companies will, and Bel’s continuing strategy to actively consider potential acquisitions could, result in additional legal and other professional costs in future periods.

·  
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. has the highest tax rates; Europe’s tax rates are generally lower than U.S. tax rates; and Asia has the lowest tax rates of the Company’s three geographical segments. The change in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is primarily attributable to a significant increase in the pretax income earned in the Asia segment, with minimal tax effect.  Additionally, the Company had a significantly lower net reversal of liabilities for uncertain tax positions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.

 
21

 
With the completion of the three acquisitions in 2012, and the acquisitions of TRP and Array during 2013, management is optimistic that the resulting opportunities will fuel growth in our core product groups in future periods.  The difficulties experienced during the first half of 2013 related to the transition of Cinch’s manufacturing operations were largely resolved prior to the start of the third quarter and the benefits of the restructuring efforts completed over the past fifteen months had begun to materialize by the end of the third quarter of 2013. Statements regarding future results constitute Forward-Looking Statements and could be materially adversely affected by the risk factors identified by the Company in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Summary by Reportable Operating Segment

Net sales to external customers by reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
    North America
  $ 31,613       31 %   $ 31,370       41 %   $ 87,058       34 %   $ 96,866       45 %
    Asia
    60,751       60 %     36,074       48 %     142,323       55 %     94,963       44 %
    Europe
    8,800       9 %     8,615       11 %     28,792       11 %     23,013       11 %
    $ 101,164       100 %   $ 76,059       100 %   $ 258,173       100 %   $ 214,842       100 %



Net sales and income from operations by reportable operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Total segment sales:
                       
     North America
  $ 34,273     $ 34,370     $ 95,796     $ 106,349  
     Asia
    69,602       47,238       166,362       125,881  
     Europe
    9,313       8,983       30,029       24,200  
Total segment sales
    113,188       90,591       292,187       256,430  
Reconciling item:
                               
     Intersegment sales
    (12,024 )     (14,532 )     (34,014 )     (41,588 )
Net sales
  $ 101,164     $ 76,059     $ 258,173     $ 214,842  
                                 
Income (loss) from operations:
                               
    North America
  $ (96 )   $ (189 )   $ (3,591 )   $ 4,074  
    Asia
    8,400       1,048       12,377       8  
    Europe
    24       21       644       560  
    $ 8,328     $ 880     $ 9,430     $ 4,642  


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the recent acquisition of TRP contributed $25.6 million and $47.8 million, respectively, in sales and $5.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of income from operations to the Company’s Asia operating segment. The Company is still in the process of revising its corporate overhead allocations, and the results disclosed related to TRP do not yet include such allocations.  Sales in the Company’s Europe operating segment were favorably impacted by the acquisitions of Fibreco and Bel Power Europe (formerly Powerbox) which occurred in the second half of 2012.  During the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $1.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined operating income of $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s Europe operating segment.   During the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, Fibreco and Bel Power Europe contributed combined revenues of $7.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and combined operating income of $1.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively, to the Company’s Europe operating segment. The decrease in sales in North America primarily related to reduced demand in 2013 for Bel’s module products which are manufactured in China. Thus, the decrease in North American sales caused a corresponding decrease in intersegment sales of module products from Asia to North America.  North America sales and income from operations were also impacted by the transition of operations from Cinch’s manufacturing facility in Vinita, Oklahoma to its new manufacturing facility in McAllen, Texas.  Manufacturing inefficiencies resulted in reduced production levels and lower overall sales of Cinch products.  In addition, various other costs associated with the Cinch reorganization further reduced our income from operations in North America.  The majority of the unanticipated costs associated with the Cinch transition were incurred during the first half of 2013, thereby impacting the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. The decreases noted in North America sales were partially offset by $0.8 million of new sales volume related to the acquisition of Array in late August 2013.

 
22

 

Overview of Financial Results

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased by 20.2% to $258.2 million from $214.8 million for the same period of 2012.  Sales were favorably impacted by the contributions made by the recent acquisitions.  Costs incurred related to the transition of Cinch operations to the new manufacturing facility in Texas heavily impacted our profit margin during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, but these costs were minimized during the third quarter. Pricing to customers was adjusted beginning in the third quarter to recover some of the higher labor costs in China and other cost increases resulting from the continued strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi.  Selling, general and administrative expense was $6.3 million higher in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012, primarily due to the inclusion of expenses from the recent acquisitions as well as higher incentive compensation in 2013.   The Company also incurred $1.4 million of restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 related to additional workforce reductions.  These factors led to net earnings of $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to net earnings of $4.8 million for the same period of 2012.   Additional details related to these factors affecting the nine-month results are described in the Results of Operations section below.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company 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, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets, investments, SERP expense, income taxes and contingencies and litigation. The Company bases its 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.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The discussion of new financial accounting standards applicable to the Company is incorporated herein by reference to Note 1 to the Company’s Financial Statements, “Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies,” included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the percentage relationship to net sales of certain items included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

     
Percentage of Net Sales
 
Percentage of Net Sales
     
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
     
September 30,
 
September 30,
     
2013
 
2012
   
2013
 
2012
 
                       
Net sales
 
         100.0
 %
         100.0
 %
 
         100.0
 %
         100.0
 %
Cost of sales
 
           79.8
 
           83.5
   
           82.4
 
           83.6
 
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
 
           12.0
 
           13.1
   
           13.4
 
           13.2
 
Restructuring charges
 
               -
 
             2.3
   
             0.5
 
             1.0
 
Impairment of investment
 
               -
 
           (0.4)
   
               -
 
           (0.4)
 
Interest income and other, net
 
             0.1
 
             0.1
   
             0.1
 
             0.1
 
Earnings before provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
             8.3
 
             0.8
   
             3.7
 
             1.9
 
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
             0.6
 
           (2.4)
   
               -
 
           (0.3)
 
Net earnings
 
             7.7
 
             3.3
   
             3.8
 
             2.2
 


 
23

 

The following table sets forth the year over year percentage increase of certain items included in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

   
Increase from
 
Increase from
   
Prior Period
 
Prior Period
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2013
   
Compared with
 
Compared with
   
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
   
September 30, 2012
 
September 30, 2012
                 
Net sales
 
33.0
 %
   
20.2
 %
Cost of sales
 
                          27.2
     
                            18.4
 
SG&A expenses
 
                          21.9
     
                            22.2
 
Net earnings
 
                        214.6
     
                          101.7
 


Sales

Net sales increased 33.0% from $76.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $101.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Net sales increased 20.2% from $214.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $258.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The Company’s net sales by major product line for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Magnetic products
  $ 52,943       52 %   $ 29,799       39 %   $ 122,958       48 %   $ 73,557       34 %
Interconnect products
    29,976       30 %     28,424       38 %     83,181       32 %     83,033       39 %
Module products
    14,894       15 %     15,367       20 %     43,058       17 %     50,690       24 %
Circuit protection products
    3,351       3 %     2,469       3 %     8,976       3 %     7,562       3 %
    $ 101,164       100 %   $ 76,059       100 %   $ 258,173       100 %   $ 214,842       100 %


The Company’s magnetic product line, which includes Bel’s MagJack and the newly-acquired TRP integrated connector module (ICM) products, had a strong first nine months of 2013.  TRP accounted for $25.6 million and $47.8 million, respectively, of the increase from 2012 in the three- and nine-month periods noted above.  The acquisition of Array in late August 2013 contributed $0.8 million of sales to the Company’s interconnect product line during the third quarter of 2013.  Fibreco sales accounted for $0.6 million and $4.8 million of the increase in interconnect sales during the three and nine month ended September 30, 2013. Earlier in 2013, these increases were offset by lower sales of Cinch’s interconnect products due to the transition to Cinch’s new manufacturing facility in Texas. Sales of Cinch’s products began to rebound in the third quarter of 2013.  Sales in the Company’s module product line were lower in 2013 due to reduced order volume of one customer, partially offset by higher sales of DC-DC and AC-DC module products.  Automation of certain fuse manufacturing processes increased capacity and output of fuse products and improved delivery lead times, contributing to the increase in circuit protection sales.

 
24

 
Cost of Sales

The Company’s cost of sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was comprised of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Material costs
43.0%
 
46.6%
 
44.8%
 
46.0%
Labor costs
15.1%
 
15.3%
 
14.6%
 
14.9%
Research and development expenses
3.5%
 
3.8%
 
4.0%
 
4.3%
Other expenses
18.2%
 
17.8%
 
19.0%
 
18.4%
   Total cost of sales
79.8%
 
83.5%
 
82.4%
 
83.6%


Material costs as a percentage of sales were lower in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same periods of 2012, primarily due to the reduction in sales of module products, which have a higher material content than Bel’s other product lines.  An increase in sales of Cinch, Fibreco and Array products in 2013 also contributed to the decrease, as these products have lower material content than Bel’s other product lines.  These factors were partially offset by TRP product sales, which have a higher material cost structure than Bel’s ICM products.  The Company also experienced operational inefficiencies and other start-up costs at the new manufacturing facility in Texas, which resulted in high material costs at the Texas facility related to third-party purchases of machined parts at premium prices, and high volumes of scrap, rejected materials and expedited freight costs.  The majority of the Cinch transition-related costs and inefficiencies were incurred during the first six months of 2013.

Labor costs as a percentage of sales were slightly lower during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012, as the Company incurred excessive recruiting, training and overtime costs following the 2012 Lunar New Year holiday in Asia, which did not recur in 2013.  The periods for 2013 presented above also include new sales volume from TRP products, which have a lower labor cost structure than Bel’s ICM products.  Also during the third quarter of 2013, sales of Bel’s ICM products, which have a relatively high labor content, were $2.6 million lower than ICM sales during the third quarter of 2012, thereby contributing to the decrease in labor costs as a percentage of sales.  These factors were partially offset by mandatory wage increases in the PRC, which went into effect in May 2013.

The increase in other expenses as a percentage of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012 primarily related to the inclusion of support labor and fringe costs of the recent acquisitions, and duplication of some indirect labor costs, and travel costs during the transition of Cinch operations from Vinita, Oklahoma to McAllen, Texas, primarily during the first quarter of 2013.  These increases in other expenses in 2013 were partially offset by a reduction in support labor and fringe costs at other Bel locations due to restructuring actions that took place in 2012.

Included in cost of sales are research and development (R&D) expenses of $3.5 million and $2.9 million for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively and $10.3 million and $9.2 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The majority of the increase relates to the inclusion of R&D expenses associated with the recent acquisitions, which have been included in Bel’s results since their respective acquisition dates.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“SG&A”)

The dollar amount of SG&A expenses was $2.2 million higher during the three months ended September 30, 2013 as compared to the same period of 2012.  Of this increase, $0.8 million related to the inclusion of SG&A expenses of the 2012 and 2013 acquisitions.  Other factors contributing to the increase included higher incentive compensation of $2.3 million, and unfavorable foreign exchange fluctuations of $0.6 million, partially offset by insurance proceeds related to Hurricane Sandy of $0.7 million and a $0.5 million reduction in acquisition-related costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the dollar amount of SG&A expense was $6.3 million higher as compared to the same period of 2012.  Of this increase, $2.9 million related to the inclusion of SG&A expenses of the 2012 and 2013 acquisitions.  Other contributing factors included a $2.8 million increase in incentive compensation, unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates of $0.7 million, and an increase in freight charges primarily due to the Cinch transition of $0.7, partially offset by $0.7 million of insurance proceeds related to Hurricane Sandy.

Restructuring Charges

The Company recorded restructuring charges of $1.8 million and $2.2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, related to the 2012 restructuring program.  During 2013, the Company implemented additional reductions in workforce, resulting in restructuring charges of $1.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

 
25

 
Provision (Benefit) for 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. has the highest tax rates; Europe’s tax rates are generally lower than U.S. tax rates; and Asia has the lowest tax rates of the Company’s three geographical segments.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $0.6 million compared to a benefit of ($1.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The Company’s earnings before income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2013 are approximately $7.8 million higher than the same period in 2012.  The Company’s effective tax rate, the income tax provision (benefit) as a percentage of earnings before provision for income taxes, was 7.2% and (285.6%) for the three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.   The change in the effective tax rate during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the third quarter of 2012 is primarily attributed to a significant increase in the pretax income earned in the Asia segment, with minimal tax effect.  Additionally, the Company had a significantly lower net reversal of liabilities for uncertain tax positions during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.  The favorable effective tax rate in 2012 was primarily attributable to the net reversal of liabilities for uncertain tax positions during the quarter ended September 30, 2012, combined with strong earnings in Asia, where the tax rates are lowest of all of Bel’s tax regions, and a loss in the North America segment due to restructuring expenses.

The benefit for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $0.1 million compared to a benefit of $0.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The Company’s earnings before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 are approximately $5.6 million higher than the same period in 2012.  The Company’s effective tax rate was (0.5%) and (17.7%) for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.   The change in the effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 is primarily attributed to the same reasons as described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, the Company has financed its capital expenditures primarily through cash flows from operating activities and has financed acquisitions through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings, and the issuance of Bel Fuse Inc. common stock.  Management believes that the cash flow from operations after payments of dividends combined with its existing capital base and the Company’s available line of credit will be sufficient to fund its operations for at least the next twelve months.  Such statement constitutes a Forward-Looking Statement.  Factors which could cause the Company to require additional capital include, among other things, a softening in the demand for the Company’s existing products, an inability to respond to customer demand for new products, potential acquisitions (as discussed below) requiring substantial capital, future expansion of the Company’s operations and net losses that would result in net cash being used in operating, investing and/or financing activities which result in net decreases in cash and cash equivalents.  Net losses may impact availability under our credit facility and preclude the Company from raising debt or equity financing in the capital markets on affordable terms or otherwise.

The Company has an unsecured credit agreement in the amount of $30 million, which was due to expire on June 30, 2014.  In August 2013, the Company borrowed $12.0 million under the line of credit in connection with its acquisition of Array.  At September 30, 2013, the balance available under the credit agreement was $18.0 million.  There were no previous borrowings under the credit agreement and, as a result, there was no balance outstanding as of December 31, 2012.  The credit agreement bears interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% to 1.25% based on certain financial statement ratios maintained by the Company.  As a result of the Company’s recent acquisitions, which resulted in a lower cash balance and increased intangible assets, the Company was not in compliance with its tangible net worth debt covenant as of September 30, 2013.  In November 2013, the credit agreement was amended to reflect modifications to the minimum tangible net worth and maximum leverage covenant calculations, and to extend the term of the agreement through October 14, 2016.

On March 29, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of TRP for $22.4 million in cash and additional consideration including the assumption of $0.1 million in liabilities and the grant of a license to TE related to three of the Company’s patents. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company paid an additional $6.8 million in consideration to TE related to a working capital adjustment and a final net cash payment of $0.1 million was made during the third quarter of 2013.  Transpower is the sole shareholder of Dongguan Transpower Electronic Products Co., Ltd., located in the PRC. The Company’s purchase of the Transpower magnetics business consisted of the ICM family of products, including RJ45, 10/100 Gigabit, 10G, PoE/PoE+, MRJ21 and RJ.5, a line of modules for smart-grid applications and discrete magnetics.

On August 20, 2013, the Company completed its acquisition of Array, a manufacturer of aerospace and mil-spec connector products based in Miami, Florida, for $10.0 million in cash.  As discussed above, this acquisition was funded through borrowings under the Company’s existing credit agreement.

 
26

 
Cash Flows

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased by $24.3 million. This resulted primarily from $30.9 million of net cash payments for the acquisitions of TRP and Array, $5.1 million paid for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, $2.3 million for payments of dividends, $3.4 million for the repurchase of 178,643 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, and $1.3 million for the purchase of an intangible asset associated with the Radiall agreement, partially offset by an increase in short-term borrowings of $12.3 million and $6.1 million provided by operating activities.  As compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, cash provided by operating activities decreased by $1.7 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, accounts receivable increased by $13.0 million primarily due to the addition of third-party receivables at TRP, which replaced intercompany receivables collected from TRP’s pre-acquisition affiliates.  TRP’s third-party receivables are higher than its formerly-intercompany receivables due to higher gross margin and longer payment terms on third party sales.  The longer payment terms in TRP customer contracts acquired from the seller led to an increase of 11 days in overall days sales outstanding (DSO),  Management intends to bring TRP payment terms in line with those of Bel’s existing customer base during contract renewals.  Inventories increased by $7.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to the implementation of a new stocking program, whereby certain of Bel’s customers now have quicker access to commonly-ordered parts.  The level of raw materials has also increased since December 31, 2012, as the Company has been building up stocks of long-lead-time materials in order to lower lead times to customers.

Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable comprised approximately 36.3% and 41.4% of the Company’s total assets at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company’s current ratio (i.e., the ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 2.6 to 1 and 4.1 to 1 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk primarily from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and there have not been any material changes with regard to market risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Refer to Item 7A, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 for further discussion of market risks.
 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures:  As of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Finance concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in internal controls over financial reporting:  There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.     Other Information

Item 1.                   Legal Proceedings

The information called for by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to Note 13 of the Company’s Financial Statements, under “Legal Proceedings”, as set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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

In July 2012, Bel’s Board of Directors approved a share buyback program whereby the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $10 million of the Company’s Class B common stock.  In connection with the program, the Company repurchased and retired a total of 547,366 shares of the Company’s Class B common stock at an aggregate purchase price of $10.0 million by the end of the first quarter of 2013.  This completed the share buyback program approved by the Board in 2012.  There were no repurchases of Company stock during the second or third quarters of 2013.

 
27

 
Item 6.  Exhibits
 
   
(a) Exhibits:
 
   
 10.1*  Sixth Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 8, 2013, by and among Bel Fuse Inc., as Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Bank of America, N.A., as Lender.
   
31.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2*
Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 32.1**
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
 32.2**
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.
      *** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed herewith, is not a part of a registration statement or Prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.





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



 
BEL FUSE INC.
November 8, 2013
 
By:
/s/ Daniel Bernstein
 
Daniel Bernstein
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
By:
/s/ Colin Dunn
 
Colin Dunn
 
Vice President of Finance and Secretary


















EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 10.1* - Sixth Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 8, 2013, by and among Bel Fuse Inc., as Borrower, the Subsidiary Guarantors party thereto and the Bank of America, N.A., as Lender.
 
Exhibit 31.1* - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2* - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1** - Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.2** - Certification of the Vice President of Finance pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 101.INS*** – XBRL Instance Document

Exhibit 101.SCH*** – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Exhibit 101.CAL*** – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.DEF*** – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.LAB*** – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

Exhibit 101.PRE*** – XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


        *   Filed herewith.
       ** Submitted herewith.
      *** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed herewith, is not a part of a registration statement or Prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.